In the confinement room, two men sat in opposite corners, a great distance between them. Their eyes met, filled with mutual disdain.

Reg let out a mocking laugh and was the first to taunt, "Well, well, if it isn’t Admiral Bai Lian. What did you do to get yourself locked up? Aren’t you usually so high and mighty?" His voice echoed through the confinement room, tinged with gloating.

Upon hearing this, Bai Lian’s brow furrowed slightly, and a wave of irritation washed over him. He simply closed his eyes and tried to tune him out, refusing to engage with Reg’s taunts.

When Reg saw Bai Lian completely ignore his malicious taunts, his gloating smile instantly froze on his face. A shocking suspicion flashed through his mind like lightning.

"Hey, you didn’t do something shady to Yaoyao, did you?!" Reg roared in fury. The force of his shout tugged at his unhealed wounds, and a searing pain shot through him.

’Damn it. If these injuries weren’t still plaguing me, if I were fully healed, I’d beat the hell out of Bai Lian without a second thought.’

That guy was the best at putting on a front. Reg knew perfectly well that Bai Lian’s desire to possess the cute little female was just as strong as his own.

"What, feeling too guilty to even speak?" Reg’s eyes widened as he stared daggers at Bai Lian, as if his gaze alone could run him through.

After a moment, Bai Lian sighed deeply and slowly opened his guilt-ridden eyes. "I forced a kiss on Yaoyao."

He felt so guilty for being unable to control his desires and disrespecting the little female that he had come to the confinement room to reflect on his actions.

’Yaoyao must have been so scared...’

The image of Su Yaoyao’s frightened expression flashed through his mind again and again, and Bai Lian was consumed by self-blame.

"Hahaha!" Upon hearing that, Reg’s grating laughter erupted, shattering the oppressive silence of the confinement room.

He howled with laughter, mockery spreading across his face. "Bai Lian, we’re not so different after all, are we? And here you thought you were so noble."

He continued, still laughing, his eyes full of contempt. "You know, that holier-than-thou act of yours is really sickening. I, on the other hand, am more direct. I never hide from my own desires."

’He just wanted Yaoyao. He was desperate to possess every inch of her skin.’

Their gazes clashed violently in mid-air, as if real sparks were crackling between them. SIZZLE. They both saw the same deep possessiveness in the other’s eyes—neither would ever let Su Yaoyao go.

Just then, Bai Lian’s lips curved into a teasing smile. "But when I kissed Yaoyao, she kissed me back."

’So Yaoyao must have feelings for him. She must love him.’

"Did Yaoyao kiss *you* back?"

Bai Lian’s question was a killing blow. Reg gritted his teeth in fury.

’Su Yaoyao is terrified whenever I get near her. How could she possibly respond?’

’But I’ll work hard and learn the proper etiquette for interacting with a little female. Once I’ve mastered it, I’ll definitely make her see me in a new light.’

With that thought, Reg became much calmer in the face of Bai Lian’s provocation. He let out a cold snort, then picked up his book and resumed reading. He had already marked several passages, studying with the intensity of someone preparing for an exam.

Bai Lian’s brow furrowed slightly as he read the title of the book in Reg’s hands. *The Way of the Beast Husband*??? 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Seeing Reg studying so diligently, Bai Lian felt as if he was falling behind. He, too, had a set of books brought to him—*How to please females*—and began to study.

...

Su Yaoyao was nestled in a soft sofa, her eyes glued to the screen of her Light Computer. On it, Lucy was dancing with abandon to a dynamic beat.

Just as she was engrossed, a soft, cautious knocking suddenly echoed. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

The sound was as light as willow catkins drifting in the spring air, a stark contrast to Leon’s forceful knocking.

The sound still made Su Yaoyao jump, her eyes flying wide as a blush instantly spread across her cheeks.

As if she were a thief caught in the act, she fumbled frantically to shut down the Light Computer as fast as she could, nearly knocking over a nearby cup in her haste.

’I can’t let anyone know I was watching a suggestive streamer dance,’ she thought frantically. ’If word got out, it would be so embarrassing.’

She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself, and called out in a louder voice, "Come in."

The door opened slowly from the outside. First, a pair of soft pink, fluffy rabbit ears poked in cautiously. The ears twitched every so often, as if trying to catch the room’s scent.

A moment later, a fluffy pink head followed. It was Pani.

Pani wore a gentle smile as he spoke. "Yaoyao."

"Oh, it’s you, Pani." Su Yaoyao’s eyes instantly brightened, and the corners of her lips curled up into a delighted smile.

Her gaze was fixed on Pani’s rabbit ears and her fingers twitched slightly. The urge to reach out and stroke them was overwhelming.

Su Yaoyao fought to restrain the urge to reach out, but her eyes remained glued to Pani’s ears, a smile she couldn’t contain playing on her lips.

"Come in, have a seat! What brings you here?" she greeted him warmly, shifting to the side to make room for him on the sofa.

Pani entered the room carrying a large food container, filled to the brim with lunch, snacks, and fruit.

He placed the container gently on the table and said with a smile, "Admiral Bai Lian specifically instructed me to take good care of you. He said you’re not used to nutrient liquid, so he had me prepare all of this."

Hearing this, a flicker of confusion crossed Su Yaoyao’s face. "Where did Leon go?" she asked.

Pani flinched slightly, his gaze becoming evasive. He scratched his head and said, "He... he’s busy with something. Things have been hectic at the base recently, and the Admiral is swamped."

Su Yaoyao nodded in understanding. He was the Admiral of the base, after all.

Pani gave a nervous laugh and quickly changed the subject. Opening the food container, he said, "Go on, try some. This was all prepared especially for you."

Su Yaoyao picked up a spoon and casually put a bite of lunch into her mouth. Her indifferent expression instantly transformed into one of pleasant surprise.

The food was surprisingly delicious. Tender chunks of meat were coated in a rich sauce, the vegetables were crisp and tasty, and every bite was perfectly balanced.

She looked up at Pani, her eyes full of warmth. "Would you like some?"

She glanced at the table piled high with food; there was no way she could finish such a large portion by herself. Besides, it felt strange for her to be feasting away while Pani just stood there watching.

Pani was completely taken aback by the offer, flustered. He waved his hands frantically, his ears shooting straight up in alarm as a deep blush spread across his face. He stammered, "I-I couldn’t possibly! This lunch was prepared for you. H-how could I eat it."