Meanwhile, in the livestream, Lucia was pulling out all the stops, doing his utmost to showcase his charm.

His flirtatious smile and perfectly-timed movements all served to tug at the audience’s heartstrings.

Suddenly, a notification appeared on screen: "Top Supporter 799 has left the livestream." The words struck like a bolt from the blue, and the brilliant, flirtatious smile on Lucia’s face instantly froze.

’Is he not satisfied with my performance?’ a doubt arose in his heart. ’Impossible. No one has ever been able to resist my charm.’

A flicker of disappointment crossed his alluring eyes, and he immediately lost all enthusiasm. He slowly pulled his shirt closed, covering his pale, slender shoulder.

"Darlings, I’m a little tired, so I’m going to end the stream for now." A hint of weariness tinged Lucia’s voice. Completely ignoring the audience’s groans of protest, he tapped his finger and shut down the livestream.

He slumped listlessly into his chair, his mind consumed with thoughts of the strange user, 799, who he just couldn’t figure out.

Just as he was lost in thought, a virtual screen popped up without warning, displaying an incoming call.

When Lucia saw the name "Philisa," an expression of pure disgust crossed his face. He hung up without a second thought.

But the caller was relentless, as if deliberately trying to provoke him. The phone rang again and again, more than a dozen times in a row.

The incessant ringing gave Lucia a splitting headache. Defeated, he had no choice but to press the answer button.

"Lucy! You have some nerve! Who told you that you could end the stream?!" The sharp, cruel voice of a middle-aged woman instantly shattered the silence, piercing the air like a knife.

Philisa was his boss, a woman like a merciless vampire who treated him as nothing more than a money-making tool. She would stoop to any means for profit, even tormenting him.

"Today’s revenue quota has already been met," Lucia said, struggling to keep his voice calm as he tried to reason with the greedy woman.

"That doesn’t matter! You’re supposed to stream until 3 a.m. Don’t you know the late-night block is the most profitable?" Philisa’s voice grew even more shrill, dripping with avarice.

"I’m tired," Lucia repeated, his voice laced with an undeniable weariness and frustration.

"Tired? What right do you have to be tired? Weren’t you the one who wanted to earn enough to pay the contract termination fee and buy your freedom? Giving up so soon?"

Philisa’s words were salt in Lucia’s wounds.

"It would be faster to just sell your body, Lucy. You should really consider my offer. Be a good boy and become my lover, then you wouldn’t have to work so hard."

"My name is Lucia." He gritted his teeth, his body beginning to shift uncontrollably from the rage. Fox-like features started to emerge—his ears shot up, becoming pointed, and behind him, a tail flickered in and out of view.

Philisa had changed his name to Lucy simply because it sounded more feminine. Paired with his silky long hair and naturally bewitching features, the name was better for attracting an online audience and, in turn, earning her more money.

Philisa sneered. "You’re only valuable as Lucy. Lucia is nothing—just a piece of abandoned trash. Nobody wanted you. If I hadn’t taken you in three years ago, you wouldn’t even be alive today."

Her words dripped with scorn and contempt, a blatant reminder that Lucia owed her everything.

"And don’t forget, your heat is approaching. If I don’t soothe you, there’s only one outcome for you: you’ll succumb to a violent frenzy and die.

So, you only have one choice. Be a good, obedient boy." With that, Philisa mercilessly hung up.

Lucia’s fury reached its peak. His head instantly transformed into that of a crimson fox. His long, narrow pupils turned to vertical golden slits, blazing with rage. He opened his mouth to reveal sharp fangs, looking as if he would tear everything in sight to shreds at any moment.

An enraged roar burst from his throat, the final cry of a cornered beast. "Damn you, you old hag!" The sound, full of resentment and indignation, echoed through the room, refusing to fade.

Three years ago, his Rage Value had become too high, and his own people had ruthlessly cast him out, leaving him to fend for himself.

It was in that moment of desperation that he met Philisa, an A-level female and the owner of an entertainment company.

Philisa had been captivated by his looks at first sight, using sweet-talk and deception to trick him into signing a 100-year indenture contract.

At the time, Philisa had promised to soothe him whenever he needed it. But the woman was a complete and utter fraud.

She couldn’t perform spiritual power linking at all; she only knew the most basic First Order techniques.

She had even tried to force him into a physical union with her. If Lucia hadn’t been S-Class—stronger than she was—she would have succeeded long ago.

The other artists under her label weren’t so lucky; none had escaped her clutches. She kept them all under her thumb through the very same means.

What was once a seemingly warm promise of soothing had now become a vicious threat: obey, or be denied it.

A vicious light glinted in Lucia’s eyes. ’If it weren’t for the interstellar female protection laws,’ he thought, ’I would have torn Philisa to shreds long ago.’

’If that woman really pushes me over the edge, I don’t mind killing her before I kill myself. At least that would be the end of it all.’

...

Su Yaoyao lay in bed, cuddling her three little cubs, recalling Augustine’s words.

"Yaoyao, the real reason I called was to ask if you remember promising to come meet me in the Imperial City."

Augustine’s face still held a faint, enigmatic smile, but the hand hidden beneath the water was clenched tight, anxiously awaiting Su Yaoyao’s answer.

Su Yaoyao listened, remembering her conversation with Augustine from the day before Bai Lian’s rampage. She had indeed promised to visit the Imperial City.

She really did need to go to the Imperial City. She could register her personal information so she’d have a legal identity on the Star Network, and she could also get official certificates for her Beast Husbands.

Besides, it would let her browse the web without restrictions and interact with Lucy.

At that thought, Su Yaoyao couldn’t help but smile. "I remember."

Augustine let out a sigh of relief. "So when will you come?"

"Well..." Su Yaoyao mused.

’If I’m going to the Imperial City, I should ask Bai Lian and the others first. It would be best if we could coordinate our schedules and all go together.’

"I have to ask Leon," Su Yaoyao said earnestly. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Augustine’s brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing more. "Alright. I’m looking forward to seeing you." His gaze was filled with affection.

「The memory faded.」 Su Yaoyao stroked the heads of her three cubs one by one, a worried frown on her face.

"But Leon and the others are so busy. There’s so much to do at the base."

She knew, of course, that if she just asked, they would drop everything to accompany her to the Imperial City without a moment’s hesitation.

But the thought of making them abandon such important work filled her with guilt.

Just then, the White Lion nuzzled her palm and licked her fingertips. The Little Black Panther kneaded against her chest, licking her chin. Even the usually quiet little rabbit was burrowing into her arms.

It was as if they were all trying to comfort her, supporting her decision and telling her they wanted to go to the Imperial City with her.

A warmth spread through Su Yaoyao’s heart, and a sweet smile graced her lips. "Alright, my babies, let’s go have some fun in the Imperial City."