Henry Mills's steps faltered. He lowered his eyes to look at her, heart pounding, but he couldn't help but doubt if he'd heard her right.

“What... did you just say?”

Claire Xu squinted, giving a disdainful snort. "Tch. I knew it couldn't be you. He would never ask me that. I don't repeat myself."

“You want to... keep me?” There was a hidden meaning in Henry Mills's words.

Claire Xu felt as if she were floating, not sure if this was a dream or reality. The words in her heart ached to spill out.

She nodded. "Yeah, I’ve taken a liking to you. Stick with me—I’ll make sure you have nothing but the best."

Henry Mills couldn't help but laugh at her words, but he wanted to hear more, coaxing, “Qing Qing, say it again for me.”

With a glint in his eyes, he looked at her. It felt a bit like taking advantage, but he loved hearing Claire Xu say things like that.

Claire Xu blinked her hazy, doe-like eyes, her expression adorably innocent.

"Say what? Are you trying to get my payment password? Want to inherit everything I own? Forget it, not a chance!" She might be drunk, but she wasn’t stupid. Tricking her was impossible.

“As long as you want, everything I have is yours.” Henry Mills looked at her seriously.

“Deal.”

Seeing her muddled yet shrewd little face, Henry Mills could only sigh helplessly, lifting her into his arms and heading for where he’d parked the car.

Claire Xu placed her hand on his chest, feeling the firm muscle through the fabric. She looked at him with wide eyes. “Hey handsome, you’re built like a tank. Don’t worry—stick with me, and I’ll take great care of you.”

Henry Mills: “...”

Why did it feel like he was volunteering to walk into the wolf’s den?

“Let’s pinky swear—no backsies! You said it yourself, you’re selling yourself to me.” Claire Xu held out her pinky, grinning with delight. What a steal—a boyfriend for free.

She thought she must be dreaming, never realizing the man right in front of her really was Henry Mills.

Henry Mills obligingly offered his hand and hooked her pinky. “It’s a promise. But what if you pretend nothing happened when you wake up tomorrow?”

“Then you’re a dog.”

Henry Mills: “...”

Was she just messing with him the whole time?

When they reached the building where Claire Xu lived, Henry Mills meant to wake her, but she had already dozed off in the passenger seat.

Henry Mills gently patted her but got no response, so he leaned in closer to check.

His breath brushed her cheek, setting her nerves tingling. Claire Xu, irritated, shoved him away.

“You got yourself drunk, so I guess I’ll just have to make the sacrifice of bringing you home.” Amusement sparkled in Henry Mills’s eyes as he bent down and lifted her in his arms.

It was his first time in Claire Xu’s home; he couldn't suppress a thrill of excitement.

Placing her in her room, he started wandering about, taking in her things.

The space was decorated in pinks—completely at odds with the façade Claire Xu usually presented. But deep down, she was still just a girl, her aloof exterior merely a mask.

On the desk sat a photo of Claire Xu as a child with her grandmother, the girl in the picture grinning innocently, radiating pure joy.

Henry Mills reached out to trace the little girl's face in the picture. “Back then, I bet you were so happy. Not like now, always so prickly and hard to please.”

Glancing at the sleeping Claire Xu, he had already slipped off her coat. Tonight, she wore a figure-hugging skirt and a blouse; during her earlier turn in bed, her skirt had ridden up, revealing long legs in sheer stockings.

Henry Mills felt his heart pounding wildly, his throat tightening, the air thick with a restless tension.

His gaze lingered on Claire Xu for a long moment before he shut his eyes, sighed softly, and gently covered her with the comforter.

Turning, he left the room for the kitchen, preparing her a bowl of hangover soup. After helping her drink it, seeing her breathing peacefully, he sat by her bedside for a while, quietly watching her.

In the middle of the night, Claire Xu woke up thirsty. She opened her bedroom door and froze when she saw someone lying on her sofa.

Because the living room lights were off, she couldn't make out who it was.

Bending low and sneaking over, she grabbed a cushion and pounced.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my house?" Claire Xu pressed the cushion down on Henry Mills with all her might, fear making her extra forceful.

Henry Mills could barely breathe under the assault, but Claire Xu, whether man or ghost, was determined to hammer him with the cushion.

Henry Mills finally caught her hands. “It’s me—Henry Mills.”

The familiar voice made her pause. Henry Mills flicked on the lights, and only then did Claire Xu see that it really was him.

"Why are you in my house?" She quickly checked her clothes—everything was in place—then let out a breath of relief.

Henry Mills grumpily ruffled his hair. "Nice, really nice. I bring you home, and you thank me by beating me up?"

Fragments of the night before came rushing back. Claire Xu scratched her head sheepishly, "Sorry, I thought there was a burglar."

"With nothing in your place to steal, even a thief would think twice. "

Claire Xu glared at him. "Oh? So my place isn’t good enough for you now? It might be basic, but it’s cozy!"

Henry Mills took a look around and nodded in agreement. "I think it’s missing something."

"What’s that?"

Henry Mills propped his chin on his hand thoughtfully. "A bodyguard."

Claire Xu rolled her eyes.

"I don't need one."

"That so? But I distinctly recall you saying you wanted to keep me." Henry Mills leaned in, his tone teasing and soft.

Claire Xu flatly denied it. "Impossible—I'd never say something like that."

She was supposed to be the picture of innocence. How could anything so bold ever come from her mouth?

Henry Mills, knowing she’d deny everything once she sobered up, was ready. He calmly took out his phone and queued up a recording. Claire Xu’s own voice floated out:

"Henry Mills, I said I like you. I want to keep you. Stick with me and I’ll make sure you live the good life…"

"Ah!! No way! No way I said that!" Claire Xu shrieked, lunging at him to snatch his phone.

Henry Mills smoothly dodged, wrapping one arm around her waist as they tumbled onto the sofa.

Claire Xu’s lips smacked into his forehead, the impact splitting her lip, and she held her mouth with a wince.

"Does it hurt?" Henry Mills anxiously cupped her face, checking where she was hurt.

"Why don’t you try bashing your own head for a change!" Claire Xu glared at him, tears of pain brimming in her eyes.

"I’m a doctor. Let me take a look." Ignoring her half-hearted resistance, Henry Mills held her steady and checked her wound carefully.

Claire Xu sat still, letting him examine her lip.

It was just a split lower lip—not serious—but Henry Mills’s focused stare on her lips made her feel more than a little awkward.