Chapter 72

Xiayu dried her hair slowly, occasionally stealing curious glances at the leopard on the sofa.

Reason told Xiayu that given His Highness's gentle and understanding nature, he wouldn't scheme to have some alone time with her.

But the reality was right in front of her eyes.

Her previously fluffy-filled bedroom was empty, except for one large black figure.

Lu Yinghuai subtly retracted his leopard claws, remaining composed.

After several glances at Lu Yinghuai, Xiayu couldn't resist. She moved to the sofa, leaned against the leopard, and cleared her throat, "Your Highness?"

Before Xiayu could voice her question, Lu Yinghuai preempted her. With a swipe of his paw, he took the towel draped over her head and gently began drying her hair.

Xiayu blinked in surprise, then turned her back to him, relishing the fluffy hair-drying service.

Xiayu's hair was soft but plentiful. She disliked blow drying—it made her hair too frizzy.

The vanity was filled with hair care products. The old young master Xiayu used to spend hours pampering herself, but the present Xiayu had become more casual, merely patting her hair dry after showers.

The thick black leopard's paw, with its nails retracted, padded the soft towel, its two fuzzy paws gently massaging through golden strands of hair.

Such a task wasn't easy for a leopard, especially with nails held back.

Yet, Lu Yinghuai's movements were steady and just right, lulling Xiayu to the brink of sleep, causing her to yawn.

Xiayu lifted a hand to pinch her own cheeks, attempting to pull herself from the soothing touch of the leopard.

"Where did Your Highness hide the red panda?" Failing to fully awaken, Xiayu yawned again, her question sounding somewhat muddled.

Lu Yinghuai paused, remaining silent.

Leopards don't talk.

Xia You shifted on the sofa to face Lu Yinghuai, reaching out to pull the paws of the busy leopard into her embrace.

"I think I slept too much this afternoon. If I go to sleep now, I won't sleep well tonight. The red panda seems to be doing fine; it might wake up earlier, giving me something to busy myself with."

Xia You shook the leopard's paw, her eyes sparkling and lips curving into a playful smile.

"Your Highness, I have a martial arts class early tomorrow."

The black panther's whiskers twitched, reflecting miniatures of Xia You in its deep purple eyes.

Killing time, right?

There are many ways to do that.

A few seconds later, Lu Yinghuai jumped off the sofa, took two steps forward, and turned to look at Xia You, who remained seated.

Realizing his move, Xia You quickly got off the sofa and followed the leopard.

However, as she walked, Xia You grew increasingly uneasy.

Earlier in the suite's small living room, instead of taking her out, Lu Yinghuai was heading towards the bedroom.

It wasn't until they both halted that Xia You noticed Lu Yinghuai activating a hidden door on the bedroom wall, making her eyes go wide in surprise.

After Yuan Yuan and Latiao trashed the place, Uncle Zhou had renovated Xia You's room. When Xia You returned, she specifically checked where the inner door used to be, felt no gap, and assumed Uncle Zhou had sealed it.

To her surprise, the door was still there, just relocated.

As Lu Yinghuai was about to proceed, Xia You clutched his head, pulling him back.

Lu Yinghuai: "?"

Holding onto the leopard's paw, Xia You closed the door and then attempted to open it again.

With a soft beep, iris recognition approved, Xia You observed the slowly sliding room door, turning her gaze back to Lu Yinghuai.

— Xia You didn't have the authorization to access that door before.

Lu Yinghuai gazed ahead, flicking his tail nonchalantly as he stepped into his own bedroom.

Xia You's earlier certainty—that His Highness didn't intentionally want to share a room with him—began to waver.

After all, it was His Highness who tricked Latiao under the guise of attending a class, who had sent the little panda away while he was bathing, and now had even granted him access to his bedroom.

Hmm...

Could it be that His Highness is...?

Xia You pinched her fingers, her gaze wandering following the swaying pointed tip of the leopard's tail.

After her bedroom was ransacked by the big cat, Xia You had stayed in Lu Yinghuai's bedroom for a few days. However, back then, she felt somewhat awkward about being arranged to stay in another master bedroom and had slept on the sofa, cuddling the leopard, without ever stepping into Lu Yinghuai's room.

Of course, during those days, Lu Yinghuai seemed busy with other matters and possibly avoiding any misconceptions, so he never came back.

But then again...

Xia You sneaked a glance at Lu Yinghuai's bedroom.

...To say that Xia You wasn't curious about Lu Yinghuai's bedroom would be untrue.

Xia You heard from Uncle Zhou that, whether on the Emperor's Star or Blue Star, Lu Yinghuai's bedroom was always cleaned by an autonomous system, and Uncle Zhou never had the authority to enter freely.

The bedroom door was left ajar, as if its owner often returned.

The leopard's tail soon vanished behind the door.

Suppressing her inexplicable excitement, Xia You cautiously pushed the door open.

This bedroom, more than the main study, bore a strong personal touch: shades of black, white, and gray, immaculate countertops, heavy curtains drawn tightly, lending a sense of oppressive dimness.

It didn't resemble the usual demeanor of Lu Yinghuai, but rather, it echoed the feelings Xia You had when she first encountered the wild black panther.

Lu Yinghuai straightened up, turning on the lights with a swipe of his paw, and then squatted down formally next to Xia You.

Xia You looked around, feeling inexplicably confined and uneasy. If one had to describe it...

It felt as if she had been carried into a predator's lair.

Xia You turned to face the beast beside him, locking eyes with those deep, steady violet orbs.

Xia You abruptly shook his head.

What was he thinking?!

Dispelling the jumble of thoughts, Xia You softly inquired, "Your Highness? Weren't we going to see the panda?"

Lu Yinghuai, who had handed over the panda to Uncle Zhou earlier, twitched an ear, choosing not to communicate with Xia You through his telepathic ability.

Noticing Xia You's apparent disinterest in the room, Lu Yinghuai’s leopard paw gently scraped the floor twice before he rose to head towards the dressing room.

Xia You: "?"

Could there be a panda in the dressing room?

"Your Highness, are you..."

With a stern expression, Xia You pursued Lu Yinghuai, who seemed to be intentionally leading him on a chase, into the dressing room.

"I just wanted to check on the panda's..."

The brilliantly lit dressing room showcased a variety of neatly arranged uniforms and attire, the luminescent glass cabinets reflecting dazzling lights.

Platinum-colored military academy uniforms, black and gold legion attire, understated yet luxurious prince's robes, and a marshal's uniform adorned with golden medals.

"…condition." Xia You murmured, staring blankly at the sight before him, finishing his earlier sentence.

Within this mere dressing room, it felt as though Xia You glimpsed the journey of Lu Yinghuai—from his youthful, rebellious vigor to his calm, strategic mastery.

Xia You paused before the platinum military academy uniform, eyes tracing the badge on its chest, lingering on a scar-like tear at its cuff.

Xia You recognized this uniform.

It signified that its owner was once the top student of the empire's premier military academy.

The title of top student—such a prestigious designation. Xia You was familiar with this uniform because every three years on National Day, the top students of the three academies would give speeches representing their institutions.

Of course, His Highness had attended the military academy... Xia You thought. But what had he endured for such a mark to be left on the uniform?

Having treasured this garment, why hadn't he chosen to repair it?

"Authentication successful."

The system alert sounded, jolting Xia You from his trance.

Glancing up, a secret door emerged beside the black panther, shimmering with a faint glow.

Impulsiveness ran deep in Xia You's nature, evident from the times he acted on instinct, recklessly absorbing power from energy stones.

Detecting a hint of amusement in Lu Yinghuai's eyes, Xia You, who initially had no intention of delving deeper into the dressing room, puffed out his cheeks, stooped, and ventured into the secret passage.

Contrary to Xia You's expectations, the entrance which appeared dark from the outside was surprisingly well-lit within.

With each step Xia You took, clusters of golden stars lit up beneath him. Descending the stairs, the space expanded suddenly. He playfully sprinted a few steps, a brilliant meteor erupting in the shadowy expanse.

The area was vast and empty, yet every sound seemed absorbed, rendering it eerily silent.

—It felt like a secluded universe, a space uniquely his own.

Lu Yinghuai approached Xia You, with the panther's graceful steps tracing a galaxy in the darkness.

The realm wasn't as extensive as it seemed, as Xia You soon reached its boundary walls. Nonetheless, his excitement was palpable.

From where the panther stood emanated a golden stellary radiance, mirrored by the starlight beneath Xia You, several paces away.

Xia You's spiritual tendrils reached out, skimming the floors, walls, and ceiling, igniting countless dazzling starry rivers.

Lu Yinghuai gazed at Xia You, who was enveloped in starlight in the darkness, his eyes profound.

After some exploration, Xia You dashed towards Lu Yinghuai, wrapping his arms around the panther's neck, his voice a hushed whisper of excitement, "How did you find this place, Your Highness? I mean—it's absolutely incredible!"

As Xia You embraced the panther, his spiritual tendrils continued their playful dance, sending waves of starlight through the once-peaceful darkness.

Lu Yinghuai didn't respond, instead tilting his head slightly, aiming for Xia You's cheek.

But as Xia You turned, the panther's long whiskers brushed against his face, leaving a tender sensation at the corner of his lips.

Both Xia You and Lu Yinghuai froze.

Moments later, in a tacit understanding, they separated: the panther lifting a paw to scratch its ear, and Xia You, head lowered, adjusting his collar and sleeve.

They avoided each other's gaze; one lay still on the spot, while the other maneuvered tiny tendrils, casting beams of light in the darkness.

Initially, Xia You felt a bit awkward due to that touch. But soon after, he quickly realized that here, his mental strength recovered several times faster. The energy drained during the day astonishingly regenerated nearly a fifth within mere minutes.

It was then that Xia You realized that Lu Yinghuai might have brought him here for that very reason.

With this thought, Xia You pushed aside his unease, slid closer to Lu Yinghuai, and settled down, reaching out to touch Lu Yinghuai's leopard paw.

"Did your Highness bring me here because this place greatly enhances my mental recovery?" Xia You pondered, striving to control his habit of squeezing the leopard's paw pad, and calmly asked, "Shall we give it a try?"

Lu Yinghuai paused, his expression slightly helpless, but he didn’t say a word, letting Xia You continue.

However, Xia You quickly added, "If it works well, maybe we could bring Sister and some spicy snacks to try it too..."

Swiftly, Lu Yinghuai withdrew his paw from Xia You's grasp.

Xia You: "?"

After a long silence, Lu Yinghuai typed on the screen: [No one else has been here.]

Xia You's pupils tightened instantly.

The leopard paw hesitated in mid-air for a long while before slowly typing—

[Just you and me.]

*

A man and a leopard exited the cloakroom, with Lu Yinghuai leading the way and Xia You following behind.

Xia You remained silent, his ears flushed.

Lu Yinghuai, too, remained quiet, the tip of his tail curling up slightly.

Xia You's mind was preoccupied with Lu Yinghuai's words, completely forgetting about the little panda.

Just as the atmosphere between the man and the leopard began to shift, there was a knock at the bedroom door.

Lu Yinghuai, being right next to the door and assuming it was Uncle Zhou, lifted his paw to open it.

But as the door swung open, an orange-black tiger head peeked in.

Lu Yinghuai: "..."

Behind the spicy stick was a white tiger, and in front was a basket holding a little panda. With round, tiger eyes, it raised a paw, stopping their uncle from closing the door.

He smiled with an overtly ingratiating demeanor.