By the time she returned to the Imperial Palace, night had already fallen. Su Yaoyao was lounging on her bed, bathed in the soft glow of a lamp.

She held the Nine-tailed Red Fox doll in her hands, her eyes fixed on it. Her thoughts drifted back to her time with Lucia, recalling his affectionate gaze and suggestive actions. A blush instantly crept onto her cheeks, and a strange heat washed over her body for no reason.

She subconsciously raised a finger and lightly touched her lips. In an instant, the memory of Lucia kissing her flashed through her mind like a scene from a movie.

The image was incredibly seductive. It was as if the soft touch of Lucia’s tongue still lingered in her mouth, making her heart pound and her breath quicken.

Just as she was lost in this sweet memory, the ring on her finger suddenly flashed with a bright light. A notification chimed, startlingly clear in the quiet room. It was a private message from Lucia.

Su Yaoyao’s heart skipped a beat. After a moment’s hesitation, she gently tapped to open it.

Instantly, a strikingly seductive photo appeared before her eyes.

In the photo, Lucia had just gotten out of the shower. His lower body was wrapped only in a white towel, perfectly accentuating his taut waist.

Crystal-clear droplets of water clung to his well-built chest, slowly trickling down the lines of his muscles as if deliberately trying to stir one’s heart.

His signature long, red hair was damp, draped over his shoulders with the ends still dripping. A towel was casually thrown over his head as he dried his hair with one hand, inadvertently revealing the tips of his crimson fox ears, exuding a unique and captivating sexiness.

Su Yaoyao’s cheeks instantly burned as if on fire. Her eyes went wide, and her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her throat. "Oh my god..." she breathed. ’His picture is just too bewitching.’

Immediately after, a voice message came through. With a mix of nervousness and anticipation, Su Yaoyao played it. Lucia’s deep, sexy voice instantly filled her ears. "I just finished my shower. What are you up to, Yaoyao?"

His voice seemed to carry a kind of magic, burrowing straight into her heart and making it flutter even more. ’This guy keeps teasing me like this,’ she thought to herself. ’I really can’t handle it.’

Just as Su Yaoyao was racking her brain for a reply, Lucia initiated a video call.

She jumped in fright and frantically put on her mask before hastily accepting the call.

On the screen, Lucia was wearing a loose bathrobe, half-open to reveal a large expanse of his firm chest.

The collar was slightly agape, offering a faint glimpse of his toned abs. The belt tied loosely at his waist made the robe look even more relaxed, adding an air of lazy nonchalance.

His hair was still a little damp, with a few red strands falling across his forehead. His crimson fox ears peeked out from between the locks.

His golden eyes were like deep whirlpools, shining with a captivating light as he smiled at Su Yaoyao.

But when he saw Su Yaoyao wearing her mask, his lips formed a slight pout, and a flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. He teased, "Looks like my surprise attack failed. Does Yaoyao even wear a mask to sleep?"

In reality, though, he was overjoyed that she had even answered his call.

His words left Su Yaoyao feeling a bit flustered. Unsure how to respond, she could only let out an awkward "AHEM, AHEM" to cover her panic.

Lucia’s gaze fell on the Nine-tailed Red Fox doll in Su Yaoyao’s hands. The corners of his mouth lifted into a confident, alluring smile. "Looks like someone was thinking about me."

Su Yaoyao felt her face grow even hotter. ’Thank goodness I’m wearing a mask,’ she thought, ’so Lucia can’t see how red and flushed I am right now.’ 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"What a coincidence. I was just thinking about Yaoyao, too," Lucia continued, his voice so gentle it could melt hearts.

"Don’t you have to stream tonight?" Su Yaoyao quickly changed the subject, trying to distract herself and escape the intimate atmosphere.

"I don’t feel like it. But I’d be happy to stream just for you," Lucia said, his gaze growing more intense. He raised a hand and slowly pulled open his bathrobe, revealing his perfectly defined chest and abs.

His hand roamed gently over his own chest and stomach. "Yaoyao," he said as he caressed himself, "I miss you so much. I miss your hands all over me."

Su Yaoyao was so flustered by his bold, explicit words and actions that she was rendered speechless. Her eyes, however, were uncontrollably glued to Lucia’s body, following his hand’s every movement as if she were under an immobilization spell.

Seeing her like this, Lucia’s lips curved into a teasing smile. "You little pervert," he jested.

Then, he suddenly pulled his bathrobe closed, hiding the view.

’I can’t let the little female see everything at once,’ he thought to himself. ’I’ll keep Yaoyao on the hook, seducing her, teasing her, making her dream of me until she’s completely caught in the web I’m weaving.’

Su Yaoyao snapped back to her senses, realizing her lack of composure. She quickly covered her eyes and whined coquettishly, "You were the one who seduced me first."

Lucia propped his chin on his hand, smiling lazily with a smug look in his eyes. "So Yaoyao admits I’m charming, then?"

Blushing, Su Yaoyao nodded slightly from behind her mask. Even through the screen, her shy expression made Lucia’s heart itch as if a little kitten were gently scratching at it.

"I’m so happy. At least this means I have a place in Yaoyao’s heart." Lucia’s smile grew even brighter, his eyes sparkling. "Yaoyao, hurry up and come ’marry’ me."

His tone was a mix of playful pleading and genuine anticipation.

"I’ll have to borrow some money for your ransom, but I’ll definitely get it before you’re forced to do anything tomorrow night." Su Yaoyao bit her lip. She didn’t have that much money herself, and her Beast Husbands were all busy with their own affairs. She was afraid of worrying them by suddenly using such a large sum.

After thinking it over, she decided it would be best to borrow from His Majesty and pay him back slowly.

Lucia was taken aback for a moment, a wave of emotion washing over him. He felt like he might have given her too little time, forcing the little female to go into debt just for him. "If you can’t make it in time..."

Before he could finish, Su Yaoyao cut him off firmly. "I can do it! Trust me!" Her voice was filled with determination, as if she were making a solemn promise to him.

Lucia looked at Su Yaoyao on the screen, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I’ll wait for you," he said softly.

His voice was like a gentle breeze, brushing against Su Yaoyao’s heart and strengthening her resolve to help him out of his predicament.