"Stop! You can't go in!"

"Oh, come on! What's the big deal? Little Muyu just left for work, didn't she? You won't see anything weird. And I'm not here to steal anyone—why treat me like a thief? Careful, or I'll complain to my old man. If Little Muyu's deal falls through, you'll take the blame."

"Wake up!"

Anna ignored the hooded woman's warning. Seizing her stunned pause, Anna darted past and shoved open the door behind her.

"Yo! Slept well last night, huh? Perfect weather today—let's go out!"

Spotting Jiang Fan rubbing his eyes as he sat up in bed, Anna greeted him with infectious energy.

"Yaaawn~~~~~~"

Jiang Fan stretched after a huge yawn, feeling stiff as rust.

After all, he'd slept from afternoon to evening yesterday, dozed on the plane, then crashed at the hotel until now. That was insane sleep.

"Miss... Anna, what brings you here so early?"

Last night's events made Jiang Fan certain they couldn't be family anymore. His tone turned distant.

Anna caught the coldness instantly. She frowned, then lunged at Jiang Fan. Kneeling on the bed, she stared him down, backing him against the headboard.

"Xiaofan, impressive! Already ditching your sister? Wanna relive that kidnapping feeling?"

Cornered, Jiang Fan froze.

*Sis, what's your deal? We went all out against your stepmom last night and left. Why sound even more into me now?*

"Uh, Sister Anna, calm down—don't crowd me! She'll actually kill me if you keep this up!"

Jiang Fan gripped her shoulders, shoving her back with effort.

But her "explain or else" glare made him sigh deeply.

He glanced at the hooded girl watching Anna warily. Mu Yuli's bodyguard—or watcher, same thing. So unreal...

"Um... I don't know your number, but can we talk alone? Feels weird discussing this with outsiders..."

Jiang Fan scratched his head. Her hood hid her face; chatting with someone like this felt awkward.

Silence hung for a beat. Then, a crisp, flat voice replied:

"I'm Number Two. Denied. Miss ordered me to guard you 24/7. No alone time with this dangerous woman."

*Figures.*

Jiang Fan accepted it—but Anna snapped:

"Hey! 'Dangerous woman'? Is that how you describe a lady?!"

*A lady...*

*What lady calmly borrows tissues to wipe blood off her fists?*

Jiang Fan silently recalled their first meeting.

Number Two ignored her, treating her like air.

As Anna flared up again, Jiang Fan yanked her back.

"Fine, fine. No biggie. But Sister Anna, wait while I freshen up? My hair's a bird's nest—I should look presentable. Rude to chat like this, right?"

After calming her, Jiang Fan dressed and washed up under Number Two's watch.

He'd been monitored before, but open staring made his skin crawl—guilt-free or not.

*Asking her to step away? Impossible.*

Her rigid stance screamed loyalty to Mu Yuli. Trusting her with this job meant Number Two was deeply trusted.

"Hey, Number Two, you have real names besides codenames, right? Like Sister Jing—what's her number? I heard Number Six watches me nights. All girls? How's your team dynamic? Does Mu Yuli give days off? Not 24/7, right? With her, totally possible."

Bored while washing his hair, Jiang Fan rambled whatever popped into his head.

Number Two froze at the barrage. No reply came until he finished, plugged in the hairdryer, and started drying. Then, a stiff "No comment."

He didn't mind. Never expected answers anyway. Next time, he'd ask Mu Yuli directly.

"Oh? Done already? Guy efficiency—way faster than girls."

"Long hair and skincare take time. Normal for us."

Sitting opposite Anna, Jiang Fan shrugged.

"Sister Anna, spill it. Not here to 'take me home' again, right?"

Calmly watching her, he waited.

"Yeah, even I know 'forced fruit stays sour.' Since you won't return, I won't drag you."

Anna smiled softly, pulling a bank card from her pocket and sliding it to him.

"This is what she couldn't give last night. Not charity—guilt. Take it. You need it too, don't you?"

Jiang Fan eyed the card, then Anna. Slowly, he shook his head.

"Keep it. She owes me nothing. I haven't repaid her ten years of raising me. Maybe when I mature, I'll meet her again. But now... I won't owe her more."

His words were firm—part bravado, part strategy.

Clearing the debt wouldn't free him from Mu Yuli's grip. He'd known that long ago.

Mu Yuli was a dictator—or bluntly, a scoundrel. She'd dismiss this windfall.

She never expected repayment; she just dangled it to control him. Jiang Fan saw through it.

"Whoosh~~ Solid spine! Truly my brother, Xiaofan!"

Anna whistled sharply, thumbs-upping Jiang Fan—and herself.

But Jiang Fan looked uneasy.

"Sister Anna, I meant I'm done with her. You don't need to—"

"Not treat you as family?" Anna cut in. When he nodded instinctively, she cupped his face.

"Why? You're exactly my type."

She grinned.

"Step through my door, you're mine. Xiaofan, no running."