Su Yaoyao was on pins and needles around Reg, terrified that if she let her guard down for even a second, he would pounce on her and devour her whole.

She barely made it to evening. When Bai Lian’s familiar figure appeared at the door, the weight on Su Yaoyao’s heart instantly lifted.

Bai Lian seemed to possess a natural, calming strength. As long as he was around, Su Yaoyao felt completely safe.

Following behind Bai Lian was a slightly bashful-looking Pani, carrying what looked like a somewhat old-fashioned case. His knuckles were white from gripping it so tightly.

Bai Lian spoke in a deep voice that left no room for argument, "Pani will be moving in here starting today. It will be more convenient for him to take care of Yaoyao."

He paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on Reg for an instant before adding, "A human female’s body is extremely fragile. I’ll feel more at ease with a doctor living here."

A flash of displeasure crossed Reg’s eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

’Hmph, he’s only arranging for someone to move in because he doesn’t want me to have too much time alone with Su Yaoyao.’

Hearing this, Su Yaoyao subconsciously glanced toward Pani. The moment their eyes met, Pani flinched as if he’d been burned and hastily looked away.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, though a blush had yet to creep onto his face.

His mind couldn’t help but recall the strange, tingling sensation from when the little female had touched him. It had shot through his whole body like an electric current, leaving him at a loss, yet he’d liked it a lot. He even wanted more.

’He didn’t know what on earth was wrong with him.’

Su Yaoyao saw Pani’s flustered state and felt a flicker of confusion, but she didn’t press the matter.

"Then I’ll be in your care, Pani." The little female’s voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze carrying wisps of tenderness.

Pani quickly waved his hands, stammering in response, "N-No trouble at all. It’s what I’m supposed to do."

He kept his head down, never daring to meet Su Yaoyao’s gaze.

But the tips of his ears had already turned red, betraying his inner nervousness and shyness.

Seeing this, Bai Lian clapped Pani on the shoulder. "From now on, I’m counting on you to keep a close eye on Yaoyao’s condition."

With that, he turned to Su Yaoyao, his eyes full of warmth and concern. "Yaoyao, if you feel unwell at all, tell Pani right away. Don’t just endure it on your own."

Su Yaoyao nodded obediently. ’Still, with Pani moving in, there should be fewer nerve-wracking moments with Reg from now on.’

But what she didn’t know was that Pani’s arrival would also bring some unexpected situations in the future.

Blushing, Pani accepted Bai Lian’s instructions and then hurried off with his old case to unpack in his room.

His movements were a bit frantic as he put his clothes away in the closet, one by one, but his thoughts had drifted to Su Yaoyao in the living room.

Her every smile and frown replayed in his mind. Each subtle expression seemed to hold a magical power that made his heart race even faster.

When he was finally settled in, he took a deep breath and slowly walked out of his room.

He happened to see Reg about to head into the kitchen to make dinner. Mustering courage from who-knows-where, he stepped forward, swiftly took the pink apron from Reg’s hands, and said in a voice trembling slightly with nervousness, "Let me do it."

Before Reg could even react, Pani bolted like a frightened rabbit and quickly shut the kitchen door.

Reg was caught completely off guard by this sudden move. His brows knitted together in a scowl, and he unconsciously clenched his jaw.

’Pani just stole his chance to impress the little female.’ 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

A fire of rage surged within him, and he was about to erupt. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the little female sitting in the living room behind him. The image of Su Yaoyao’s terrified, frightened eyes flashed in his mind.

He knew that throwing a tantrum here would only make the little female more afraid of him. So, he suppressed his displeasure, let out a cold snort, and reluctantly sat back down on the living room sofa.

In the kitchen, the pots and pans seemed to dance in Pani’s hands. He was completely engrossed in his cooking, as if in that moment, the entire world consisted of only him and his ingredients.

Before long, an array of dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful filled the dining table.

"Here, this is the last dish." Pani carried the plate out carefully, his face a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

Once everyone was seated, Su Yaoyao looked at the dazzling spread of food, her mouth watering. Yet, she felt a little embarrassed. "I’m already troubling you to look after my health, and now you’re even cooking for me."

’If it weren’t for her, they wouldn’t need to spend extra time making such complex and varied food. A single bottle of nutrient liquid would have been enough.’

But Pani shook his head. "Actually, I really enjoy cooking. It’s just that the soldiers prefer nutrient liquid since it’s fast and convenient. So when someone is willing to take the time to eat my food, it makes me really happy."

Su Yaoyao gave a sweet smile after hearing that. "Well then, I won’t hold back!"

With that, she picked up her chopsticks and took a small bite. In an instant, her taste buds were completely conquered by the wonderful flavor. She couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, "This is absolutely delicious!"

Hearing this, Reg picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of meat. The moment it entered his mouth, his previously nonchalant expression turned focused. After chewing a few times, he praised sincerely, "This cooking... he’s got some real skill."

Bai Lian, on the other hand, didn’t show much surprise. After all, he knew from the start that Pani was an excellent cook. He had even been secretly taking lessons from Pani behind everyone’s backs.

The more Su Yaoyao ate, the more familiar the flavors became. Suddenly, it dawned on her. "Was the food you brought me for lunch the other day also made by you?"

Pani nodded shyly, his cheeks flushing slightly like ripe apples.

Su Yaoyao’s face lit up with a smile, her eyes full of admiration. "Pani, you’re amazing!"

Receiving such sincere praise from the little female, Pani’s face turned beet red, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curling up high, his inner joy an irrepressible, bursting flood.

As Reg ate the delicious food, his mind started scheming. ’If I could learn to cook meals this good, wouldn’t Su Yaoyao be even more attached to me in the future?’

He secretly decided that he had to find a chance to get Pani to teach him how to cook.

Little did he know, he was once again one step behind Bai Lian.

That night, Su Yaoyao lay in her room, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

"I want to sleep while cuddling something fluffy!" she muttered softly, her voice full of longing and a hint of grievance.

’Waaah, the soft feel of those cute little fluffballs yesterday was just too amazing! It was like being wrapped in the warmest blanket on a winter’s day, gently enveloping her heart.’

But today, she hadn’t seen a single fluffy creature the entire day. The sense of loss left her feeling empty and utterly miserable.

’Should I go ask Reg if I can borrow Leopard?’