’I can’t stay in the house anymore.’ Reg stuck to her all day like a hungry leopard. If this kept up, Su Yaoyao felt like she would "melt" from his passion.

The moment she pictured Reg kissing her, Su Yaoyao’s face flushed as red as a ripe apple. She quickly shook the chaotic images from her mind, as if that could also banish the strange feeling in the pit of her stomach.

While Reg was in the kitchen washing dishes, Su Yaoyao seized the opportunity and "escaped" in her wheelchair.

These past few days, Bai Lian had been incredibly busy, leaving early and returning late. The two of them had barely seen each other.

Su Yaoyao felt a pang of loneliness. Before she knew it, she realized she was starting to miss him.

Every soldier she encountered at the base would blush, greet her with the utmost respect, and solicitously ask if she needed any help.

The memory of getting lost was still fresh in her mind, so Su Yaoyao didn’t dare wander around aimlessly by herself this time. She had no desire to re-experience the helplessness and fear of being lost.

"Can you take me to Bai Lian?" Su Yaoyao asked the young soldier before her, her voice soft and laced with anticipation.

"Of course. This way, esteemed female. Admiral Bai Lian is in the library." The soldier stood ramrod straight, his tone resolute as he gestured for her to follow.

Su Yaoyao followed the soldier, making her way toward the library.

The library doors slowly swung open, revealing a vast and brightly lit room with an immense collection of books.

Su Yaoyao’s eyes eagerly scanned the room, and she immediately spotted a familiar figure—Bai Lian.

Her eyes lit up instantly, and she called out happily, "Leon!" Her crisp voice echoed through the library.

Only after she called out did she notice a virtual screen floating in front of Bai Lian. It looked like he was on a video call.

Hearing her voice, Bai Lian turned, a flicker of pleasant surprise in his eyes. "Yaoyao? What are you doing here?"

"My leg is much better, so I wanted to get out for a bit." Su Yaoyao’s cheeks were faintly pink. ’I can’t just admit I came looking for him because I missed him, can I? That would be far too embarrassing.’

Su Yaoyao moved closer curiously and looked at the person on the screen, unable to stop herself from exclaiming, "The big shot!"

Wasn’t this handsome and rather imposing man the very same big shot she’d met before? Her delight was written all over her face.

Bai Lian frowned slightly. Hearing Su Yaoyao’s familiar and delighted tone, it seemed she had met His Majesty before. A sliver of doubt pricked at him.

Then Su Yaoyao suddenly realized that she had probably interrupted their conversation. A look of chagrin flashed across her face. "Did I interrupt you?"

Augustine was lounging on a magnificent throne, leaning to the side with a fist propping up his cheek. He spoke first, his voice deep and magnetic. "Not at all. We were just finishing up."

Bai Lian had reported Su Yaoyao’s situation to Augustine—the human female possessed astonishing spiritual power, and to prevent others from trying to seize her, she needed the Empire’s protection.

Augustine lowered his gaze slightly, his eyes resting on the lovely and adorable Su Yaoyao.

Just gazing at her quietly like this, he felt a profound sense of peace and warmth, as if a clear spring were trickling through his heart.

"Is your leg feeling any better?" Augustine asked softly, his voice full of concern, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

"Mhm, I can put some weight on it now," Su Yaoyao replied shyly, lowering her head slightly.

Augustine slowly reached out his hand, as if to stroke the top of Su Yaoyao’s head. Unfortunately, he was only a hologram and couldn’t touch her.

But even so, Su Yaoyao’s face flushed slightly, and her heart couldn’t help but beat a little faster.

Augustine withdrew his hand, his gaze still lingering on Su Yaoyao as if to etch her appearance into his very soul.

"Once you’ve fully recovered, you must come visit the Imperial City. I look forward to speaking with you in person." His deep, magnetic voice carried an undertone that brooked no refusal.

Su Yaoyao’s cheeks flushed as she nodded lightly. "Okay. I’d be honored." ’The Imperial City?’ she mused. ’I’ve never set foot there before. I’m both nervous and excited.’

Watching their interaction, Bai Lian felt a complex emotion stir within him. He cleared his throat, breaking the delicate atmosphere. "Your Maj—"

But he had only gotten out that single word when Augustine, who had been lounging languidly just a moment before, suddenly burst into a violent coughing fit without any warning.

He covered his mouth with one hand while waving the other frantically at Bai Lian, his eyes filled with an urgent warning. He was signaling that he did not want to reveal his identity to Su Yaoyao so soon.

Augustine’s authoritative voice rang out. "Bai Lian, take good care of Yaoyao."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Su Yaoyao, his formerly sharp eyes instantly becoming incredibly gentle. "I have other matters to attend to. Let’s talk again tonight."

Su Yaoyao froze for a moment. ’An invitation from a handsome man?’ Once the thought registered, her cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and she subconsciously nodded.

Augustine smiled faintly and raised a hand to end the video call.

The image on the virtual screen vanished, but the sight of the simultaneously lazy and imposing Augustine kept replaying in Su Yaoyao’s mind.

Still intensely curious about the mysterious big shot’s identity, she couldn’t help but look to Bai Lian, her eyes full of questions. "Is Augustine really powerful? What’s his status?"

Bai Lian frowned, looking troubled. He couldn’t disobey his sovereign’s command, but he didn’t want to lie to Su Yaoyao, either. "I’m sorry, I can’t tell you his identity. That’s something he has to tell you himself."

Su Yaoyao pouted in disappointment and muttered quietly, "Alright, then." She looked just like a kitten that had its favorite toy snatched away.

Seeing her dejected expression, Bai Lian’s heart softened. He changed the subject, "By the way, how did you two meet?"

Hearing his question, Su Yaoyao sheepishly recounted how she had gotten lost while looking for Pani, accidentally stumbled into a conference room, and inadvertently touched a communication statue. That was how she had met the big shot.

When she was finished, Bai Lian’s face filled with self-reproach, and his voice was thick with guilt. "It’s my fault. I should have been by your side."

"How can you blame yourself? You’re so busy."

Su Yaoyao quickly waved her hands in dismissal. Thinking about how Bai Lian had been leaving early and returning late, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of concern. "I’ve barely seen you lately. You have to take care of yourself and not overwork your body."

As she spoke, she raised her hand, wanting to caress his cheek to comfort him.

Bai Lian understood at once. The corners of his lips curved upward in a doting smile.

He slowly bent down, gently took Su Yaoyao’s small hand, and pressed it to his cheek. He even nuzzled against it affectionately, like a giant, cajoling lion.

In truth, from his perspective, he hadn’t been seeing any less of Su Yaoyao.

Because every night, he would transform into a little lion cub, sneak to Su Yaoyao’s side, and sleep with her.