Bai Lian glanced out the window. The sunset glow on the horizon was gradually deepening in color. Realizing it was getting late, he gently closed his book, stood up, and leisurely straightened his clothes, preparing to leave.

Reg, who had been watching him in silence, saw this. His already stern brow furrowed deeply, and he demanded, his voice thick with undisguised anger and dissatisfaction:

"You confined me for seven days, but you haven’t even spent a full day in this cell yourself, and now you’re leaving? You don’t get off that easy!"

Bai Lian turned his head slightly, his gaze placid. "I have to get out to prepare dinner for Yaoyao," he said slowly. "She needs my care." His tone was firm and unquestionable, as if stating a self-evident truth.

Upon hearing this, Reg couldn’t help but scoff, a trace of disdain on his face. "That’s pointless. I already hired the most famous chef for the young female. I’m sure she’s being well taken care of with three meals a day."

The corners of Bai Lian’s mouth curved upward in a faint smile. He said unhurriedly, "Oh, I’ve already dismissed him." His voice was quiet, but his words were like a boulder tossed into a still lake, instantly sending out a thousand ripples.

"What?!" Reg’s eyes widened, his face a mask of shock and fury. He couldn’t believe Bai Lian would be despicable enough to fire the chef he had hired for Su Yaoyao.

Bai Lian’s expression was unperturbed, and his voice held a note of certainty. "Yaoyao will definitely prefer the food I make myself." He looked so confident, it was as if he could already see the satisfied look on Su Yaoyao’s face as she tasted his cooking.

Reg sized Bai Lian up, his eyes full of doubt. "You can cook?" As far as he knew, Bai Lian was always on the training grounds; when would he have had time to cook?

Bai Lian gave a slight nod, a flicker of tenderness in his eyes. "I learned specially for Yaoyao." ’Even though I just started.’

Upon hearing this, something stirred in Reg’s heart. ’If Bai Lian can learn to cook for Su Yaoyao, then so can I.’

’After all, the way to the young female’s heart was through her stomach.’

’Damn it. How did I not think of that sooner? One step behind Bai Lian again.’

After Bai Lian left, Reg sat alone in the confinement cell, growing angrier the more he thought about it.

He just couldn’t stomach it. Why should he be locked up for seven days while Bai Lian got to leave after just a few hours? This was so unfair!

’Just because he’s the base’s Admiral, he can do whatever he wants?!’

He paced back and forth in the confinement cell, the flames of his anger burning ever brighter.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and a sly smile appeared on his face. ’You won’t let me out, but that doesn’t mean I can’t send my Spiritual Body to find Yaoyao!’

Without a moment’s hesitation, Reg immediately summoned his Spiritual Body—a juvenile Little Black Panther.

The Little Black Panther was fluffy all over, its black spots shimmering with a mysterious luster in the faint light. Its eyes were large and round, exuding an air of pure innocence.

Reg crouched down, gently stroking the Little Black Panther’s head. "Go on," he said softly. "Go find Yaoyao."

As if it understood his words, the Little Black Panther excitedly wagged its tail, let out an "AWOO," and scampered out of the cell.

The Little Black Panther bounded happily through the base, turning this way and that. Guided by its keen sense of smell, it soon found Su Yaoyao’s residence.

Just then, Su Yaoyao was sitting in the courtyard, idly trimming flower branches. She mumbled to herself, "I wonder when Leon will be back. It’s so boring."

There were several empty rooms on the ground floor, and to ensure the young female’s safety, Bai Lian had moved his own quarters to one of them.

Suddenly, a faint RUSTLE caught her attention. Su Yaoyao looked up in confusion and saw an adorable little black panther tilting its head, its bright, sparkling eyes staring straight at her.

Su Yaoyao immediately recognized it as Reg’s Little Black Panther. "Oh, it’s you, little one! How did you get here all by yourself?"

The moment the Little Black Panther saw Su Yaoyao, it was as if it had found its favorite playmate. It excitedly pounced toward her, circled her feet joyfully, and let out a series of high-pitched "AWOOs."

Su Yaoyao happily scooped up the Little Black Panther and peppered it with kisses, causing the man far away in the confinement cell to blush.

Just as Su Yaoyao and the Little Black Panther were happily playing, Bai Lian returned, carrying a basket of fresh ingredients.

From a distance, he saw Su Yaoyao and the Little Black Panther interacting affectionately. His brow twitched almost imperceptibly, a flash of displeasure in his eyes.

He quickened his pace, cleared his throat, and said in a louder voice, "Yaoyao, I’m back."

Su Yaoyao heard his voice and looked up. Seeing Bai Lian, her face broke into a delighted smile. "You’re finally back! Quick, look! Reg’s Little Black Panther came to play with me!"

Bai Lian looked at the Little Black Panther, knowing full well it was Reg’s Spiritual Body, and his eyes filled with wariness.

He nonchalantly set the ingredients aside and walked over, trying his best to sound calm. "Reg probably let it come, but it’s not safe for this little one to be running around. I’ll take it back to Reg."

The Little Black Panther seemed to sense Bai Lian was about to take it away. It let out a few disgruntled "AWOOs" in his direction, shrank back into Su Yaoyao’s embrace, and gently tugged at her clothes with its claws, as if pleading for help.

Seeing this, Su Yaoyao immediately grew protective of the Little Black Panther. "Don’t send it away. Just let it play here a while longer. It’s so cute, I want to spend a little more time with it."

Bai Lian looked at Su Yaoyao’s pleading eyes, and his heart softened. He gave a resigned nod. "Fine. But only for a little while."

"Okay." Su Yaoyao petted the Little Black Panther. ’I’m so lucky today. I got to pet a bunny, and now a Leopard. Fluffy little animals are just too cute.’

Bai Lian pressed his lips together tightly, then finally turned and went into the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

The sounds of clanking pots and pans rose and fell in the kitchen, and a rich aroma gradually began to fill the air.

Su Yaoyao played with the Little Black Panther in the courtyard, sniffing the air from time to time as she took in the aroma wafting from the kitchen, her face a mask of anticipation.

A short while later, Bai Lian came out carrying several dishes that looked and smelled delicious.

He set the steaming dishes on the table and beckoned to Su Yaoyao. "Yaoyao, come and try it."

Su Yaoyao quickly put the Little Black Panther down and eagerly popped a piece of meat into her mouth, chewing it slowly.

’The taste is... a little lacking,’ she thought. ’It’s not as good as what I had for lunch, but it’s still very good.’

Seeing the look of eager anticipation in Bai Lian’s eyes, she gave him a thumbs-up without a second thought, her face breaking into a brilliant smile. "Wow, Leon, your cooking is delicious!"

Watching Su Yaoyao eat so happily, Bai Lian couldn’t help but smile. "In that case, can I have another reward?"