Henry Mills showed no sign of leaving; he looked like he’d cast all caution to the wind. "If you won’t let me stay tonight, I’ll just sleep outside your door."

Claire Xu stared at him in bewilderment. Wait, was this guy serious? Had he really latched onto her like this?

He was dead set on playing stubborn tonight. "I’ve got nowhere else to go." After a pause, his voice dropped, tinged with a hint of threat. "So you’ve got two choices: let me crash inside, or let me sleep at your doorstep."

So if the soft approach doesn’t work, he’s going to play hardball? Fine, let’s see what you’ve got.

Claire Xu finally gave in and opened the door just enough for him to squeeze through.

Henry Mills didn’t hesitate for a second, barging right in.

"You can sleep on the sofa tonight. There’s no spare bedroom for you," Claire Xu relented, unable to bring herself to truly kick him out.

Anywhere is fine, as long as she's nearby—even the floor would be cozy enough.

Henry Mills swaggered over to the couch and flopped down. There was a throw pillow with her photo on it, and he pulled it into his arms. Odd, but everything in Claire Xu’s apartment seemed to carry her scent—soft, sweet, and so much homier than his own place.

Claire Xu watched him hugging that pillow, her lips curling in disdain. He really did look like a lovesick fool.

"I’m going to bed now. You’d better stay out of my room," she warned, eyeing him warily.

Henry Mills nodded, still clutching the pillow. "Don’t worry, I promise I’ll be good—won’t make a peep and won’t disturb your sleep."

If Old Master He were to see him now, he’d probably wonder if Henry Mills was actually switched with another baby at the hospital all those years ago.

Mid-December arrived, the end of the year fast approaching.

Bryce Shaw had been laid up in the hospital for almost a week, and Li Qiuchi had stayed by his bedside nearly every moment.

Their agent, Le Rong, had only discovered the real nature of their relationship after the car accident. Though she’d suspected before, she’d never confirmed it. Now, she didn’t bother prying—their romance was their business.

"Qiuchi, Feicai has a commercial shoot tomorrow. You seem much better now, so I scheduled you for the afternoon."

Li Qiuchi nodded in agreement. "You just set up the schedule, that’s fine with me." A few days of rest had left her feeling much improved.

Once Le Rong left, she made her way to Bryce Shaw’s hospital room. He looked a lot better, too; but his head was shaved from surgery, leaving him with a shiny, bald dome that made her feel both sorry and a bit amused. What a sight.

"If you want to laugh, just go ahead. Don’t hold it in," Bryce Shaw said helplessly. He’d looked in the mirror today and realized he now resembled a salted duck egg—bald and round—even he thought it was funny.

Li Qiuchi sat by his side, gazing at him earnestly. After a long moment, she let out a deep breath. "Bryce Shaw, once you’re better, let’s go get our marriage license."

She’d thought hard these past few days. For once in her life, she wanted to act on impulse. Life is short, and this time, she wanted to follow her heart.

Bryce Shaw blinked, stunned, as if doubting he’d heard her right. "Xiao Chi, what did you just say?"

Li Qiuchi couldn’t help but laugh at his shocked expression. "I said, once you’re better, let’s go get our marriage license together."

She looked as if she’d made a monumental decision. Whatever happened, she knew only one thing: she wanted to be with him, never parting.

Bryce Shaw clutched her hand as if afraid she’d take it back in the next second.

"Let’s go now. I can’t wait another moment."

"No way—we still have to take pictures when the time comes! And with you looking like this right now..." Li Qiuchi’s heart throbbed with tenderness as she looked at his shaved head.

Just then, someone knocked on the hospital room door. It was Zhu Yurou.

She held a bouquet of fresh flowers and wore a sharply tailored black suit, exuding both confidence and formidability. When she spotted Li Qiuchi in the room, her eyes briefly darkened, and she quickly looked away.

Li Qiuchi let go of Bryce Shaw’s hand and walked to the window, staring out.

"President Shen, as soon as I got off the plane, I heard about your car accident. Sorry I’m only just now coming to see you."

She’d been away from Ancheng these past few days, so she hadn’t known about the accident; otherwise, she’d have rushed over at once.

Bryce Shaw’s demeanor turned distant, a stark contrast to his earlier warmth with Li Qiuchi.

"Thank you for your concern, President Zhu," he replied with businesslike politeness, his gaze already shifting to Li Qiuchi.

Zhu Yurou pretended not to notice and tried to change the subject. "I heard your company landed the right to represent MK Group. Congratulations."

Bryce Shaw looked at her coolly, a hint of impatience in his eyes. But Zhu Yurou didn’t seem to notice, continuing to prattle on.

"President Zhu, if you’d like to discuss business, please come by the office and speak with our team. I’m still recovering here and won’t be handling company matters for now."

Cut off, Zhu Yurou was left momentarily speechless. She opened and closed her mouth, searching for something to say, but nothing came.

"Apologies, President Shen, I hadn’t considered that," she mumbled. She’d just wanted to see him. When she’d heard about his accident, she’d rushed straight from the airport to his bedside, worried sick.

But Bryce Shaw hadn’t spared her a single glance, his attention fixed solely on Li Qiuchi. For someone as proud as Zhu Yurou, the rejection stung.

"If you have any further issues, President Zhu, just contact the company directly. There’s no need for you to come out of your way to see me." His refusal was as clear as could be—whether she took the hint was up to her.

Li Qiuchi glanced back at Zhu Yurou and saw her stricken face.

It was understandable. The pampered Zhu family heiress had probably never been refused so bluntly, let alone in front of someone else.

"Well, then, President Shen, I’ll leave you to your rest." After a strained goodbye, Zhu Yurou turned and left the room.

—

Yancy Shaw would be heading to Hong Kong in a few days on business, needing to handle an important project in person.

That evening, Lauren Shaw finished packing his luggage for him. He was still buried in work in his study; both of them had been caught up in their busy lives lately. No wonder he’d been so reluctant to take over the family business—now she completely understood his earlier resistance.

She brought a cup of warm milk into the study. Yancy Shaw was deep in a video call, though she hadn’t realized.

She set the glass on his desk and, without thinking, slipped her arms around his neck from behind, whining, "How much longer will you be busy?"

Everyone on the other end of the video call stiffened at once. Seeing the Third Young Master and his wife so affectionate, no one dared so much as breathe.

A fond smile tugged at Yancy Shaw’s lips. He said in a gentle voice, "Shengsheng, I’m in a meeting right now."

Only then did Lauren Shaw notice the situation on the computer screen.

Realizing everyone was staring straight at her, she felt caught in the act and hurriedly let go, her cheeks flushed, and scurried from the study.

The meeting attendees all exchanged meaningful glances. You look at me, I look at you—well, one thing’s for sure: this loving couple certainly knows how to keep things lively.