Blinking, she mimicked the tone of a flamboyant hairstylist. “Hello, sir. We offer three levels of hair-drying services: low, medium, and high. Which would you prefer?”

Yue Linze knew by her expression that she was up to something. But he was in a good mood. After a moment of silence, he played along. “What do they entail?”

“Allow me to elaborate,” Tao Yu said, energized by his cooperation. “Low is just a simple hair dry, nothing else. Medium requires you to answer my questions truthfully, and upon completion, you'll receive a loving kiss. As for high…”

She gave him a meaningful look, pausing deliberately, waiting for him to ask.

As expected, a flicker of amusement crossed Yue Linze’s eyes. “And what is that?”

“High involves you helping me unlock this,” Tao Yu jiggled the chain on her right wrist, sending him a playful wink. “And you can do whatever you want!”

Her implication was clear. She didn't believe he could resist.

Yue Linze looked up at her, his gaze filled with unconcealed possessiveness. Tao Yu flinched under his stare but quickly offered him a placating smile.

He caught the subtle movement. With a soft scoff and without a moment's hesitation, Yue Linze said, “I choose low.”

Tao Yu’s lips twitched, her smile fading instantly. With a dismissive air, she thrust the hairdryer into his hands. “Low tier is self-service. Or you can ask the housekeeper. I'm the manager; low tier isn't within my job description.”

Why was he so difficult? She'd assumed he'd at least choose medium. Even if she couldn't regain her full freedom, she could at least glean some information.

Yue Linze raised an eyebrow, staring silently at the hairdryer in his hand.

Tao Yu snuck a glance at him, catching him in a moment of contemplation. His hair, still damp, clung to his forehead, softening his strong, handsome features, making him look almost… pathetic.

And pathetic he was. His mother had died young, his father was biased. Despite being born into wealth and privilege, he'd received little affection. Now, he'd finally found a woman he liked, and she was deceiving him at every turn. Just thinking about it made Tao Yu’s heart soften uncontrollably.

As Yue Linze considered how to teach her a lesson and ensure her future obedience, a dry towel landed on his head. His expression faltered. Looking up, he saw Tao Yu’s displeased face.

“What are you looking at?” she snapped, rubbing the towel briskly over his hair before switching on the hairdryer.

Yue Linze watched her impassively, his eyes filled with unreadable emotions. Tao Yu was unaware that her seemingly compliant behavior had inadvertently saved her from a certain punishment.

When the hairdryer finally clicked off, the room fell silent. Tao Yu set the hairdryer aside. As she looked down, her eyes met Yue Linze’s. She froze, then, on impulse, cupped his face and kissed him.

The moment their lips touched, Tao Yu jolted back, flustered. “I… I didn’t mean to!”

Yue Linze’s gaze swept over her. “Why are you blushing?”

Tao Yu’s face, already warm from the stolen kiss, flushed crimson. “I wouldn’t be blushing if you hadn’t pointed it out!” she retorted, annoyed.

Even to her own ears, her words sounded childish. Frustrated, she grabbed the hairdryer and marched towards the bathroom. Yue Linze watched her go, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Tao Yu hid in the bathroom for a long time, only emerging when the heat had finally drained from her face. Staring at her flushed reflection, she muttered, “Crazy!”

Playing along to appease Yue Linze’s inner turmoil was one thing, but getting carried away was another. Look at her now, not a trace of her professional composure. She looked like a lovesick teenager.

“Calm down, Tao Yu,” she exhaled, staring at her reflection. “Remember, you're a doctor, and he's your patient.”

After a lengthy pep talk, she finally left the bathroom.

“…It’s getting late. Shall we retire?” she asked, feigning nonchalance.

Yue Linze’s lips curved into a smile. “You haven’t asked your questions yet.”

Tao Yu blinked, momentarily confused.

“You dried my hair,” Yue Linze said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. If she was going to be obedient, he didn't mind rewarding her.

Understanding dawned on Tao Yu. Her eyes lit up. “So you admit it wasn’t the low-tier service after all?!”

Yue Linze looked at her wryly. “You forced the upgrade. Does it matter if I admit it?”

…I did it out of the kindness of my heart because your hair was wet! But Tao Yu wasn't about to admit that now. She beamed. “Since you’ve already received the service, of course it doesn’t.”

Yue Linze chuckled, waiting patiently. Tao Yu blinked, hopped over to him, and presented her wrist. “I forgot to mention, you actually received the high-tier service. So now you have to unlock this for me.”

Medium and high were both ‘manager’ services, essentially the same. Since he'd already been ‘forcefully upgraded,’ she might as well aim higher. Maybe she'd regain her freedom.

As she smiled, offering her wrist, Yue Linze’s eyes narrowed. “Pushing your luck, are we? Are you sure I chose high-tier?” His gaze drifted meaningfully towards her abdomen, the implication clear.