Xiaohan didn’t overthink it.

She simply didn’t want to part with Chunan. Her hometown lay far from Zheng City. As Chunan had said, if she left alone this time, meeting him again would likely be difficult.

He was her only friend—the only one who knew her past. In every way, she refused to let him go. To her, it felt like severing ties with her own history.

She hated that feeling.

So she told her sister exactly that.

Xiaoya’s reaction… well, she couldn’t tell. Texts on a screen hid too much. All she knew was Xiaoya wanted to meet Chunan again.

*With her.*

"My sister wants to treat you to a meal."

Chunan saw the message too and simply smiled. "She probably wants to verify your story."

Xiaohan paused slightly. "What? She doesn’t believe me?"

Chunan shrugged noncommittally.

Xiaoya’s first impression on him—when she’d thanked him before—had been of a woman with intense control issues. Or rather, a commanding presence. Hard to define, but he’d seen enough in his past life to recognize it.

He understood, though.

Finding a long-lost sister only to discover she already had a boyfriend? The shock would rattle anyone.

"So… are you going?" Xiaohan shifted the question.

Chunan nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

He added, "But we should be careful."

"About what?"

"See this act through." Chunan tilted his head toward her, shoulders lifting. "You claimed I’m your boyfriend. We’d better act like it."

Xiaohan: "…"

*How was she supposed to act that out?*

Chunan wasn’t fazed. His real concern was different. "Are you truly set on this?"

After a beat, he smiled. "Honestly, you didn’t need to bring me home. Once your family knows about us, we won’t have to separate."

He tossed in lightly, "Though if you *really* want me to come… who’d say no to living off someone?"

Xiaohan held her ground.

She genuinely wanted to visit home. Settling this first made sense before tackling anything else.

Two days later, Xiaoya seized an opportunity to invite them out.

The restaurant was upscale—at least by Zheng City standards. Chunan had heard of it but never dared step inside. Too pricey.

Today, he owed the treat to Xiaohan.

But Xiaoya hadn’t come for food. As soon as dishes hit the table, she cut straight to the chase: "Are you two officially together?"

Chunan glanced at Xiaohan.

She froze for a second, then nodded vigorously. "Yes! We are!"

"How long have you been dating?"

Xiaohan hesitated, then steeled herself. "A long time. We’ve been together for ages."

Chunan’s eyebrow lifted slightly.

Xiaoya’s expression remained unreadable. "Married yet?"

"No," Chunan answered this time.

"Planning to marry soon?" Her gaze pinned him.

Chunan shook his head faintly. "Not yet."

Xiaoya waited silently for more.

Chunan continued smoothly, "We planned to marry once Xiaohan felt ready… It wasn’t urgent when it was just us two."

"But things are different now," Xiaoya said coolly. "Since you’re alone… have you considered marrying *into* our family?"

"Alone? I’d fit in anywhere." Chunan smiled.

Xiaoya turned to Xiaohan. "When do you plan to marry?"

Xiaohan: "…"

*Why dive so deep so fast?*

Seeing her flustered silence, Xiaoya shifted tactics. "When will you come home?"

Xiaohan instinctively peeked at Chunan. After two seconds’ thought, she murmured, "I want to bring him with me."

Xiaoya nodded. "Fine. There’s an empty house downtown. I’ll have it prepared for you both."

A pause. "Just… stay closer to home. Mom and Dad miss you terribly."

"...Okay." Xiaohan nodded.

Lunch ended quietly.

Days later, Xiaoya met Chunan alone.

Then he understood why she’d pushed the marriage talk.

She didn’t want to disrupt Xiaohan’s life—only to bring her home after so long.

Some things went unsaid. But Chunan, ever perceptive, caught her subtext:

*He seemed easy to handle. An orphan. If he treated Xiaohan well, fine. If not… a son-in-law living under her roof would be simple to manage.*

Chunan said nothing.

*Easy to handle?* Fine by him. It was just a change of scenery.

Pride? He’d never cared for such things. After all, he wasn’t *really* marrying in.

Soon after, they followed Xiaoya to Xiaohan’s family home.

True to her word, Xiaoya had prepared a downtown apartment—luxurious beyond Chunan’s old place—and transferred it to Xiaohan’s name. With assets and privileges restored, Xiaohan was now undeniably a wealthy heiress.

She even cleared Chunan’s debts before he could protest.

"Hey," Xiaohan sprawled on the sofa, giddy. "Never thought I’d feel money slipping through my fingers like water. Guess the internet’s right—spending *is* addictive."

"Careful," Chunan rubbed his temples. "Don’t let them find out they’ve adopted a spendthrift and toss you out again."

"I don’t waste money!" Xiaohan shot him a glare, then grinned. "Hey… this isn’t what I imagined, but it’s perfect."

Life stayed familiar. Chunan streamed as usual; Xiaohan lazed around. Her family visited occasionally. They lived comfortably.

"From now on," Xiaohan declared cheerfully, "you’re my kept man. Any thoughts?"

Chunan held her gaze, then abruptly changed the subject. "Ever thought about how we’ll keep this lie going?"

"Huh?"

"Your family’s asked me about marriage several times. Didn’t you know?"

"...*What?*"

"You thought my ‘marrying in’ comment was a joke?" Chunan arched a brow.

"…"

Chunan chuckled.

To him, their life—real or pretend—felt unchanged. He enjoyed the present.

Regrets later? Who could tell?

For now, staying together was victory enough.

Besides… being "kept" by Xiaohan?

Huh. It was… oddly nice.

[End of Side Story]