Su Yaoyao walked into the study. Augustine looked at her and asked the same question, "How did things go?"

"Perfectly. I successfully rescued the pretty boy and saved him from his misery. I guess you could say I did a good deed," Su Yaoyao said, smugly proud.

But she couldn’t forget to lay on the flattery.

"However, this was all thanks to Your Majesty’s generous financial support." Su Yaoyao smiled fawningly, walked behind Augustine, and began to gently knead his shoulders. In a delicate voice, she said, "Your Majesty, do you think... you could give me a discount on that loan?"

"That depends on your performance," Augustine said, the corners of his lips curling up slightly in a meaningful smile.

He tilted his head back slightly, his gaze sweeping ambiguously over Su Yaoyao’s cheeks, which were flushed from leaning over.

Su Yaoyao’s heart skipped a beat at his glance. The kneading motion of her hands slowed unconsciously, but her heart inexplicably began to race.

"Your Majesty, you see how hard I’ve worked. I helped solve one of your subjects’ problems, which means I was alleviating your worries, too."

Su Yaoyao’s voice was so soft and sweet it was like dripping honey. She leaned a little closer to Augustine, her warm breath brushing past his ear like the gentle sweep of a feather, stirring ripples in his heart.

The smile on Augustine’s lips deepened.

’She lusted after a handsome face and helped a pretty boy, yet she frames it as alleviating my worries.’

He reached out and gently took the hand Su Yaoyao was using to knead his shoulder. His large, warm palm enveloped her small hand, making her stiffen slightly as a blush instantly spread to the tips of her ears.

"Yaoyao, I’ve naturally seen your efforts. But as for a discount on the loan..." He deliberately drew out his words, his eyes filled with a complex mix of teasing and doting affection.

"Your Majesty~" Like a coquettish little girl, Su Yaoyao gently shook the hand Augustine held. Her eyes were full of expectation and pleading, her big, watery eyes fixed on Augustine as if tears would burst forth the very next second if he refused.

In the end, Augustine couldn’t resist her persistent wheedling. He sighed softly and said with feigned helplessness, "Fine, fine. Who asked you to be so good at making people happy, you little minx? So tell me, how do you plan to show me your sincerity so I can give you a discount you’ll be satisfied with?"

Su Yaoyao’s eyes lit up as if she had received some monumental gift. She tilted her head slightly, and after a moment of thought, she suddenly leaned close to Augustine and planted a light kiss on his cheek, as fleeting as a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface.

Augustine was slightly stunned by the sudden kiss, an almost imperceptible blush appearing on his face.

"Your Majesty, is that enough?" Su Yaoyao asked in a small voice, her face red. With a hint of shyness and nervousness in her eyes, she secretly observed Augustine’s reaction.

A curve formed on Augustine’s lips. He reversed his grip, pulling Su Yaoyao in front of him and settling her on his lap. His hands wrapped lightly around her waist. Startled by the series of movements, Su Yaoyao let out a soft cry and subconsciously braced her hands against Augustine’s chest, her eyes filled with panic and surprise.

"Yaoyao, that’s not nearly enough," Augustine said softly, his voice low and magnetic, like a mellow wine that instantly intoxicated Su Yaoyao. He lowered his head slightly, his warm breath fanning across her neck, sending a shiver through her.

"Th-Then... what does Your Majesty want?" Su Yaoyao stammered. Her heart was now pounding like a trapped rabbit, and she was so nervous her breathing had become rapid.

Looking at her shy and delicate appearance, Augustine felt an irrepressible emotion surge within him. He gently lifted Su Yaoyao’s chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Looking into her clear yet flustered eyes, he slowly said, "Spend more time with me from now on, alright?" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Before Su Yaoyao could answer, his lips gently covered hers. The kiss was tender and deep, as if pouring all of his emotions into it.

The kiss was like a spring breeze, gentle yet threaded with a fiery heat that instantly ignited the ambiguous atmosphere between them.

Su Yaoyao first froze, her mind going blank. Then, a warm current spread from her lips through her entire body. She went slightly limp, unconsciously relaxing as she closed her eyes and returned Augustine’s kiss.

Feeling Su Yaoyao’s response, Augustine’s arms tightened unconsciously, holding her fast in his embrace as if he wanted to meld her into his own body.

The kiss deepened, their breaths mingling, their heartbeats gradually syncing up, as if they were the only two people left in the entire world.

After an unknown amount of time, the two slowly parted. Su Yaoyao’s face was flushed a beautiful, vibrant red. She was panting slightly, her dazed eyes looking at Augustine with a heart-stirring charm.

Seeing her delicate state, Augustine couldn’t help but place another kiss on her forehead and chuckle softly. "Yaoyao, you truly fascinate me."

Su Yaoyao blushed and buried her head in Augustine’s chest, pouting. "Your Majesty, you... you’re awful. You have to give me at least a fifty-percent discount."

Augustine looked at the charming and lovely Su Yaoyao in his arms, his heart filled with adoration. The corners of his lips curled up unconsciously. "Alright, I promise."

Su Yaoyao was slightly stunned. She thought Augustine would at least try to haggle a bit, not expecting His Majesty to agree so readily.

Her big eyes darted back and forth as she thought to herself, ’Did I ask for too small of a discount? This is 10 billion Star Coins we’re talking about!’

At this thought, she bit her lip. Her big, watery eyes stared directly at Augustine as she said, a bit tentatively, "No, a sev... seventy-percent discount!"

As she spoke, her voice rose a few notches unconsciously, as if to give herself courage.

Augustine looked at her cautious yet greedy expression and found it utterly adorable.

"Alright." His voice was filled with indulgence.

When Su Yaoyao saw that Augustine had once again agreed without the slightest hesitation, a strange sense of surprise and impulse surged within her.

She took a deep breath, and as if deciding to go for broke, she declared loudly, "A ninety-percent discount!"

After saying it, she pursed her lips nervously, watching Augustine without blinking. Her hands unconsciously tightened on his sleeves, as if she were awaiting her judgment.

Seeing her look so both nervous and expectant, Augustine couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

He gently took Su Yaoyao’s hand, raised it to his lips, and tenderly kissed her fingertips, his eyes full of deep affection and adoration.

"Alright. Anything you say. As long as Yaoyao doesn’t forget to spend more time with me." His gaze, filled with avarice, was locked on Su Yaoyao.

Su Yaoyao was left a little flustered by Augustine’s series of tender gestures. She blushed, nodded lightly, and said in a small voice, "Mm, I’ll remember, Your Majesty."