Lien's reaction was intense, more urgent and desperate than any moment in the simulated world.

Though the sensory experience in the simulation was nearly indistinguishable from reality, he knew deep down it was different.

It was just a dream that could be diluted with a spray, a self-deception of the mind.

What he truly craved was to possess her in reality—to ensure she couldn’t wear that indifferent expression afterward, as if she’d just finished a game or a meal.

So the moment they met, Lien instinctively began his invasion.

Shen Ying noticed the pirate leader was unusually passionate today. In the simulation pod, he at least pretended to resist, putting on an act of reluctance.

But in reality, he held nothing back.

She was breathless from his kisses and finally grabbed his hair, yanking him away.

Meeting his gaze, she said, "This wasn’t part of my plans for today."

Lien tried to close the distance again. "I don’t care. Remember how you tormented me in prison? Don’t play coy now."

"Today’s a freebie, so quit the act."

Shen Ying sighed. "3077, I didn’t spend a million just to relive prison services I’ve long grown tired of."

Lien was furious. "Say that again. Tired of it?"

Shen Ying replied, "Prison is just my job. I have a life outside of work, and now that I’m finally free of that environment, I’d rather not see familiar faces from prison."

"Besides, you know your own situation. The moment I arrived, I had to argue with headquarters about your escape."

"I’m exhausted. I don’t want to work overtime even when I’m out having fun."

Lien’s fervor was doused in ice. "You think I’m your stress? Your work burden?"

"Cut the crap. If that were true, why did you keep touching me?"

Shen Ying repeated, "Let me emphasize—those were all lawful, justified disciplinary actions."

Lien sneered. "Then why aren’t you disciplining the escaped convict standing right in front of you?"

When Shen Ying stayed silent, his expression darkened further. "Did you come here specifically to see the Crown Prince?"

His voice dripped with jealousy and resentment.

"You even risked being purged to answer his summons in the capital. If you were going to obey him eventually, why make things difficult from the start?"

"Should’ve just submitted the day he was imprisoned."

Shen Ying chuckled, pouring herself a drink. "Impossible. In my prison, everyone follows my rules."

Her attitude toward the Crown Prince was baffling. She was rigidly by-the-book yet treated the prison like her personal playground, neglecting her duties.

She seemed opposed to the Prince, yet she released him.

If she was politically hedging her bets, why torment him so thoroughly?

Her motives couldn’t be explained by profit, personality, or ideology—not even the Prince himself understood her, let alone Lien.

He snatched the half-finished drink from her and downed it in one gulp.

Slamming the glass on the table, he glared at her. "Why did you really come to the Imperial Star?"

"Without your floating prison as a shield, he can crush you anytime. You really think you can stroll through pleasure districts like nothing’s wrong?"

Shen Ying shrugged. "Why not? I’ve done my job flawlessly."

"I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of, no matter who it is."

She glanced toward the door. "Speaking of which, what did you do with my million?"

Lien ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‍scowled. "Gone. The only one left in this whole place is right in front of you. Take it or leave it."

Shen Ying’s gaze lingered on him. "That won’t do. You’re overcharging. Why pay a million for something I could get for eight hundred?"

Lien exploded. "So that’s why you were putting on airs—just to haggle me down!"

"You thought I’d use this to settle the debt from you letting me escape?"

"Relax. I keep accounts clear. Since you left me the royal insignia to enter the Imperial Star, I’ll owe you one favor in return."

Seeing him twist things this way, Shen Ying studied him with amusement. "Could it be… you’ve fallen for me?"

Lien shot to his feet, like a cat with its fur on end, eyes wide with panic and false fury. "You wish!"

"What’s there to like? Your deceit? Your greed? Name one decent thing you’ve done in that prison!"

Shen Ying watched him calmly. "Who knows? Maybe you’re obsessed with something else."

Her fingers hooked the gemstone chain at his waist. Whether it was the cold, hard touch of the gems or something else, Lien’s abdominal muscles tensed slightly.

Then her hand drifted higher, and his knees buckled, sending him crashing to the floor.

Before he could react, the tip of her shoe lifted his chin.

She continued, voice smooth, "Maybe you’re still craving what happened in the simulation pod. Maybe being a prisoner made you feel attached to me, your warden."

"Or maybe… you’re addicted to being dominated."

Her shoe nudged his chin, like scratching a cat—but for a man, it was humiliating.

Lien knew he should be furious. None of her guesses matched his reasons for coming.

Yet, strangely, he felt no anger. Only anticipation, excitement, a thrill at things returning to the dynamic he craved.

He reached for her ankle, but Shen Ying evaded, her heel pressing down precisely on a certain spot.

A wave of weakness surged through him.

The warden’s voice floated above. "3077, I didn’t say you could move."

Her heel ground into his flesh as she chuckled. "Seems the simulation pod’s realism is nearly perfect. Your body reacts exactly the same way here as it did there."

Lien’s face flushed. He bit his lip, frustrated.

This wasn’t how he’d imagined it. In the real world, his psychic restraint collar was gone. The prison’s omnipotent system no longer backed her.

He should be the one pinning her down, devouring her, crushing her.

So why did it feel like he was back in prison? Why was he the one being taken apart?

It had to be because she knew his body too well, catching him off guard.

Resentful but helpless, Lien fell into their old rhythm—a tacit understanding between a powerless prisoner and an all-controlling warden.

He could only act on her orders. Even his release depended on her permission, forcing him to hold back until the very last moment.

Soon, beads of sweat glistened on his skin, rivaling the gems’ brilliance.

Just as he was about to bite her outstretched hand, footsteps echoed from outside.

The soundproofing here was excellent—by all means, outside noises shouldn’t have been audible inside. It was designed to let guests immerse themselves without distraction.

But what level was Lien’s spiritual power? And the footsteps outside seemed deliberately amplified, as if announcing their presence. It wasn’t about the weight of the steps, but the invasive diffusion of spiritual energy.

Familiar spiritual power, familiar footsteps, familiar—

Lien’s expression darkened instantly. "Damn it."

No sooner had he spoken than the private room’s door was flung open violently.

Niu Xi’s figure leaned in. "Warden, I’ve come to play with you."

Lien’s eyes might as well have turned into knives, slicing into the bull-headed idiot. This fool wasn’t wearing prison garb anymore, but back in the prison, he’d loved flaunting his muscles—ripping off the sleeves and collar of his uniform, leaving his chest bare as he strutted around.

Now that he was out, he hadn’t improved much. His current outfit still left his chest scandalously exposed.

Just as Lien was mentally scorning Niu Xi, the latter spoke first. "Oh, Lien’s here too?"

"What’s with your outfit? Dressing this provocatively?"

Lien: "…"

Then, another figure emerged behind Niu Xi—Lu Yu, dressed to the nines like a proper gentleman.

He smiled at Shen Ying. "Hope we’re not interrupting anything?"

Lien: "You are. Get out."

Lu Yu chuckled, stepping forward instead of retreating. "Running businesses on the Imperial Star isn’t easy. Even if we share the camaraderie of a prison break, you can’t just cause trouble in my establishment so brazenly."

Lien frowned. "This place is yours?"

Lu Yu: "The Imperial Capital isn’t my main territory, but as the heart of the empire, it’s only natural to have some holdings here."

Shen Ying, however, perked up with interest. "Oh? Are all your ventures like this? Besides the desert-themed ones, do you have others?"

"Don’t tell me you own the entire entertainment district? Can I get a VVVIP card then?"

Lu Yu’s smile stiffened briefly before he replied pointedly, "Given the debt I owe the warden, of course, that’s no issue."

"But I’d hate for you to keep spending on just one person—wouldn’t that be a waste?"

His gaze flicked to Lien, clearly aware that Shen Ying had shelled out a million for something worth barely eight hundred.

Lien’s murderous intent was palpable. He considered physically ejecting them, but the moment he stood, Niu Xi wedged himself between them.

"Warden!" he cheered. "What game are you playing with Lien? I want in too!"

At that, even Lu Yu’s composure cracked. He hissed under his breath, "Niu Xi, do you even hear yourself?"

Niu Xi shrugged. "What’s the big deal? Are you guys just bad losers?"