Herta truly hadn't expected Bai Luan to give such an answer.
This time, it actually made her turn the tables, and a certain part of her heart was gently touched, causing a ripple. Even she herself noticed that momentary lapse.
But she was Herta after all, and she quickly adjusted her expression and mindset, looking at Bai Luan with a scrutinizing gaze, only to unexpectedly discover that the guy who had just launched the 'attack' was even more flustered than she was!
The Little Lamb form, which had been missing for a long time, returned once more.
Heh, he was clearly the one who initiated the attack, yet he ended up being shyer than the one who was attacked?
A knowing smile flickered in Herta's eyes.
I see your progress isn't that great after all.
He had been careless.
He originally thought that after the special training in the Little Black Room, he would at least be able to say that he wanted to take their relationship further without batting an eye.
It was true that the words came out, but the overwhelming sense of shame that followed completely broke through his psychological defenses, and he couldn't control it at all.
Oh no, I've become a suicide bomber.
It seems he still had a long way to go.
"Saying you want to take things further with this genius."
Herta stood with her hands on her hips, looking at him leisurely, her tone full of teasing.
"But those leave slips that could be used to exchange for rewards from this genius, weren't you rather hoarding them like a hamster hoards food, unwilling to use them?"
"I was..."
Bai Luan subconsciously scratched his slightly flushed cheek, his tone carrying a hint of helpless honesty.
"I didn't know what to exchange the leave slips for..."
He sighed:
"I can't just take a stack of leave slips, run up to you, and directly ask, 'Ms. Herta, what rewards should I exchange these leave slips for?' right?"
"The leave slips were given to you to use. If you don't use them, wouldn't this genius have given them out for nothing?"
Herta expressed her dissatisfaction.
"It can't be considered a complete waste, can it?"
Bai Luan tried to argue.
"At least when I hoard them... I feel quite secure.
And they don't expire..."
Herta was clearly not very satisfied with this answer:
"The essence of leave slips is that they should be used to redeem 'rest' or 'rewards'."
She pondered for a moment, then announced a new rule:
"this genius doesn't care about the leave slips issued by the other two geniuses. But from now on, leave slips obtained from me will only be valid for seven days."
"Why is there a time limit now?"
"If not."
Herta glanced at him, her tone firm and unquestionable.
"How would you ever bring yourself to use them?"
Bai Luan scratched his head and finally chose to accept it.
Anyway, he could hoard the leave slips from the other two geniuses; only using Herta's didn't matter.
Why does it feel like Herta is a permanent banner, use it if you have it, and the other two geniuses are rate-up banners, use them as you wish?
It's not quite right to put it that way. In terms of preciousness, Herta is still more important...
So, a more accurate description would be that the leave slips from the other two geniuses are pulls for a rate-up banner, while Herta's leave slips are pulls for a permanent rate-up banner.
Both rate-up and permanent, that's too overpowered.
Bai Luan felt this description was very apt and nodded in satisfaction.
As expected of me, so rigorous.
However, what should he use these leave slips for?
Although the original intention of the leave slips was for him to take time off, if he was only assisting Herta, he wouldn't feel much pressure and wouldn't need to take leave.
What he feared most was being an assistant to three geniuses at the same time.
That intensity... even now, recalling it, Bai Luan still felt a slight lingering fear.
Excluding using them for leave, there was only one path left: exchanging them for rewards with Herta.
These leave slips could be exchanged for rewards with Herta, so what kind of rewards should he exchange for?
Bai Luan thought for a moment, then couldn't think any further.
Darn it... it feels so embarrassing.
How is this different from directly telling Herta, 'I want it!'!?
Bai Luan cast a suspicious gaze at Herta. Now, in his eyes, he suspected that Herta's whole leave slip scheme was just to see his reaction when faced with such a choice.
Herta accurately caught his gaze, and the corners of her lips curled into a meaningful smile, as if she saw through everything.
Seeing that smile, Bai Luan knew his guess was probably spot on.
"Then what kind of rewards can I exchange these leave slips for?"
"Let this genius think..."
Herta pretended to ponder, her fingertips gently tapping her chin, but her gaze meticulously scanned Bai Luan's face.
From his series of reactions and expressions just now, she had roughly figured out what level Bai Luan's current resistance threshold was at.
The reward menu to be presented next had to be precisely targeted.
If the impact of the reward was below his threshold, it would seem unattractive, lacking the motivation for him to use the leave slips.
But if it was far above the threshold... considering Bai Luan's bizarre rapid increase in resistance these past few days, it might cause him to develop resistance all at once, which would not be conducive to sustainable development.
Therefore, the rewards she offered, slightly above his threshold, would be the best.
It would be best to directly trigger an Overload.
Moreover, the leave slips themselves had a rewarding nature. If she gave a just-right starting point, Bai Luan would slowly climb up on his own.
Letting him decide the progression of the conquest, making him feel that this progress was entirely within his control and comfort zone, was the best way to manipulate him.
Oh, right, the reward she said she would give him last time hadn't been redeemed yet. It could serve as an example.
After deciding what reward to give, Herta looked at Bai Luan and said:
"Come a little closer."
Bai Luan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
That's great! It sounds like a reward such as a hug.
This level is just right! It won't make me too flustered, and I can enjoy it. Perfect!
A reassuring and expectant smile naturally appeared on Bai Luan's face, and he obediently took a few steps closer to Herta.
He even unconsciously spread his arms slightly, preparing to receive a warm embrace.
Herta looked at his unguarded, even somewhat 'asking for a hug' demeanor, and then thought about what she was truly about to do and the reaction she was about to see. The smile in her eyes grew even deeper, almost overflowing.
The distance between them rapidly closed.
Just as Bai Luan got within arm's reach, Herta suddenly extended her hand, but it wasn't for an embrace. Instead, she precisely wrapped it around the back of his neck.
"?"
Bai Luan was a little confused. If she was going to hug him, why wrap her arm around his neck?
Then, he saw Herta's exquisitely beautiful face rapidly enlarge in his vision, getting closer and closer... In a flash, Bai Luan suddenly realized what level of reward he was about to redeem!
"Wait, I'm afraid I can't quite handle th..."
Bai Luan subconsciously recoiled, but Herta's hand, wrapped around the back of his neck, tightened slightly, firmly holding him back.
She glared at Bai Luan in dissatisfaction, her eyes carrying the threat of "Try to run, I dare you."
Bai Luan instantly became obedient.
Then, Herta no longer gave him any chance to retreat and kissed him directly.
This was the first time Bai Luan had been kissed by someone of the opposite sex in this life, including his previous one.
There was a warm sensation, and he could see her face very close to his.
It seemed... he could accept it?
Good, I can still hold on—this thought stopped before her tongue came in.
Herta once again used a brutal attack to instantly put Bai Luan into an Overload state!
After a long while, Herta released Bai Luan.
From her expression, she was very satisfied.
Then she retreated a little, admiring her masterpiece—the completely Overloaded Bai Luan.
Now, Bai Luan's eyes were glazed, and his intelligence was negative.
Herta nodded in satisfaction.
That felt good.
Her source of joy, which had been missing for so many days, was now complete.
She reached out and shook Bai Luan.
"Give me the leave slips."
Bai Luan took out all his leave slips, and Herta casually pulled a few from the pile.
She casually shook the leave slips in her hand and said to Bai Luan:
"Remember to come and exchange for rewards, otherwise, this genius's leave slips will expire."
Bai Luan nodded.
Herta looked at his completely broken state and couldn't help but smile again, reaching out to gently pinch his still flushed cheek.
"Cute. Alright, I won't provoke you further. Come find me when you've recovered."
Then she left in a happy mood with the leave slips.
『Herta ruthlessly massacres Little Lamb』
『This move is too cruel』
(T/N: the author is taking a leave again guys, so i will be only upload 1 chapter every 2 day)