Xiaohan pondered for a moment, then finally offered her suggestion: "Why don't you come home with me?"

It wasn't this place she was attached to—it was Chunan.

For the first half of her life, he'd been the most important person to her, no one else close. Of course, not romantically—don't misunderstand.

But it was a bond almost as deep as love, so she couldn't bear parting with him.

Might as well have Chunan come home with her.

Her family was wealthy anyway; if they agreed, supporting him wouldn't be hard.

Chunan held her gaze for a while.

"So you want me to be a live-in husband?"

Xiaohan: "..."

"If you can convince your family, I wouldn't mind being a kept man."

Who wouldn't want an easy life?

"...That's not what I meant!" Xiaohan quickly explained. "A live-in husband? I just meant living together!"

"You're being overly optimistic—you forgot you're a girl now? Taking me home to live together? Planning to hide me like a treasure?" Chunan chuckled.

Xiaohan: "..."

She truly hadn't considered that.

Before this, her identity shift hadn't changed much. Chunan was practically her only friend; beyond him, life was just corporate drudgery.

The system's arrival had only cost her that job.

As for her bond with Chunan... it hadn't really shifted... probably.

Only now did she realize she was truly a girl.

Her relationship with Chunan was now opposite-sex; even if they stayed close, others' views would change.

Making him a live-in husband? She'd never thought of that.

She just wanted him to come home.

After all, he'd cared for her so much before. Now that she knew she was from a wealthy family, she could finally care for him in return. She didn't want to miss this chance.

But Chunan's reaction puzzled her.

"Are you unwilling?"

"No," Chunan shook his head. "Even if I leave, the mortgage still needs paying, right?"

Xiaohan: "..."

Is that all you care about?!

"Then, if that's solved, will you come back with me? I'll support you!" She patted her chest confidently, causing a noticeable ripple.

Chunan looked away silently. "The answer isn't up to me—it's your family. First, figure out how to explain us."

"Just say we're good friends."

"Do you think your parents... never mind them. Do you think your sister believes in pure friendship between opposite sexes?" Chunan raised an eyebrow.

Earlier, when Xiao Ya entered, he'd noticed her subtle, off expression toward him—well-hidden, but he was good at reading people. A skill from his past life as a corporate drone.

Xiaohan paused, unsure. "Then how should I explain it?"

"Best way is to make me a live-in husband." Chunan smiled.

Xiaohan opened her mouth, but he continued: "Understand this—you're a girl now. Whether you like it or not, your family will push you to marry. Would you marry a man?"

Xiaohan: "..."

How could she?!

Just hearing it, the thought made her queasy.

She'd rather stay single forever.

"So having me as a live-in husband solves your problem too," Chunan shrugged. "If your family agrees."

Xiaohan hesitated, then asked curiously: "Are you serious?"

"Serious." Chunan nodded slightly.

He'd thought of this when the dean first told him.

Reuniting with family was fine, but it meant losing full control over life choices. Even gentle families would have opinions.

And these days, few elders accept a daughter staying single forever.

So if Xiaohan agreed, he'd help.

Her wealthy background changed nothing—just added the "marrying in" label.

He had no family anyway; it made little difference.

Xiaohan was momentarily speechless.

She'd never considered these things, but Chunan already had plans.

He'd always been like that—solving problems before she even saw them.

"Then I'll talk to my sister."

On the car ride, she and Xiao Ya had added each other online.

"You say 'sister' quite naturally," Chunan noted.

Xiaohan ignored him, quickly messaging Xiao Ya about Chunan.

She didn't mention his idea at first—just that she wanted to bring him home.

Xiao Ya replied fast: Chunan was a man with his own life; bringing him home wasn't suitable.

Clearly, she disapproved.

Chunan, watching, found it normal: "Wealthy families have stricter upbringing. They won't let you act recklessly."

Xiaohan started to argue, but Xiao Ya asked about her relationship with Chunan.

Xiaohan instinctively typed "good friends," then deleted it. She tilted her head at Chunan: "How should I reply?"

"Up to you," Chunan thought for two seconds. "As a girl, taking a male friend home isn't appropriate. But a boyfriend? No issue—if your family accepts it."

"What about you?" Xiaohan locked eyes with him. "Are you really willing to be... a live-in husband?"

"I don't mind," Chunan glanced at the balcony. "I'm a streamer; I can work anywhere with a laptop. If you want, I'll be your live-in husband to solve this. No need to support me—I'll earn my own keep. I'd be happy just knowing you're okay."

He paused, then met her gaze again: "Selfishly, I don't want to part either. If we separate now, with how life goes... we might never meet again."

Feelings often fade after goodbyes. Life's like that—you never know if a casual meeting is your last.

Chunan felt no romance for Xiaohan. He still saw her as his childhood friend—just far more attractive now. Not wanting to part was about preserving twenty years of rare friendship.

Xiaohan held his gaze, then seemed to decide.

She looked down and typed her reply to Xiao Ya—

"Chunan is my boyfriend."