How mortifying!

After breakfast, Ethan went out and didn't return until late that night.

Claire was half-asleep when she heard a noise and opened her eyes.

Ethan had come back and was taking his clothes into the bathroom.

Claire glanced at her phone. It was already three in the morning.

This guy was really working late.

She put her phone down and closed her eyes again.

The next morning, Claire woke up and discovered she was clinging to Ethan like an octopus again.

Because her lips had been pressed against his shirt, she had even left a small damp mark on his chest.

Was that a drool?!

Carefully lifting her head, she saw Ethan's eyes tightly shut. 

He was fast asleep.

Thank goodness.

At least this time she wouldn't have to face the embarrassment.

Claire cautiously slid off him and tiptoed out of bed, heading to the bathroom to wash up.

Standing in front of the sink, she slapped her own cheeks.

Serves you right for sleeping so restlessly!

How embarrassing!

How mortifying!

Back in the bedroom, Ethan glanced toward the bathroom before quietly closing his eyes again.

After washing up, Claire went to the kitchen to make breakfast. 

She prepared two portions.

One for Ethan, which she placed in the rice cooker to keep warm, while she ate her own standing by the stove.

She glanced toward the bed afterward.

Ethan was still asleep.

Claire wrote a note and placed it on the table, telling him breakfast was in the rice cooker.

She took her clothes from the closet, went to the bathroom to change, then grabbed her bag and headed out to work.

—

When Ethan woke up, he noticed the note on the table.

The handwriting was neat and elegant.

For some reason, a strange feeling rose in his chest.

He took out the breakfast she had left for him, sat down, and quietly ate.

—

Claire exited the subway station, borrowed a shared bicycle, and rode toward the entrance of the industrial park.

After arriving at the company, she clocked in and sat down at her work station.

Not long after, Sandra arrived.

Leaning closer, she whispered, "Why didn't you reply to my message? I'm telling you, I wasn't lying. You absolutely have to try it before the wedding."

Claire ignored her.

She turned on her computer, organized her desk, and then got up to pour herself a glass of hot water.

Sandra muttered a few more words until Manager Holly arrived, at which point she finally fell silent.

A few minutes later, Manager Holly announced a meeting.

Everyone headed to the conference room.

During the meeting,Claire was unexpectedly praised by Manager Holly.

She simply smiled modestly.

Sandra, sitting beside her, secretly gave her a thumbs-up.

But not everyone was so fortunate.

Chloe from the same group was singled out and publicly criticized.

Her face turned red, then pale, and she bit her lip tightly.

After the meeting ended and Manager Holly left, Chloe stormed out. 

As she passed Claire, she deliberately bumped into her.

Claire stumbled, the documents in her hands scattering across the floor.

A dull ache spread through her shoulder.

Sandra, who never got along with Chloe, immediately stood up for Claire.

“Chloe, stop right there! This instant!"

Chloe halted and turned around arrogantly.

"What?!”

“You bumped into someone. Apologize."

Chloe glanced at Claire and sneered.

“It’s not like I did it on purpose!"

Sandra crossed her arms.

“Doing it on purpose or not doesn't matter. The fact remains that you still need to apologize!”

"Sandra, are you fucking nuts?! I didn't even bump into you!" 

Meanwhile, Claire had already bent down to gather the scattered documents.

Holding them in her arms, she slowly looked up at Chloe.

Her gaze was cold and oppressive.

Chloe froze for a moment, completely stunned.

How could a recent graduate have such a sharp, intimidating look?

It didn't make sense.

Claire slowly walked toward her.

Her high heel suddenly stepped down onto Chloe's foot.

"Fucking Hell!”

Chloe cried out in pain.

Claire lifted her foot and said innocently."Oops…Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Chloe shouted angrily, “What's the point of your fucking apology?!”

Claire replied calmly, “At least I apologized. I'm a polite and well-behaved person. Some people don't even have basic manners."

Sandra burst out laughing.

For the first time, she found Claire surprisingly likable.

Claire had been sitting next to her since joining the company but their relationship had always been lukewarm, just occasional conversations about work.

Only recently had she realized that this quiet girl actually had quite a personality.

Chloe knew she was at fault first and didn't want to make a scene at the company. 

Gritting her teeth, she limped out of the meeting room.

Sandra hooked her arm around Claire's.

She gave her a thumbs-up.

“Impressive!"

Claire smiled.

"Let's go. Time to work."

—

Back at her desk, Claire was greeted by a mountain of files on her computer.

Her fingers flew rapidly across the keyboard.

Sandra glanced at her typing speed and couldn't help asking, “Have you been secretly practicing?”

Claire couldn't exactly admit she wasn't the original owner of this body.

So she simply nodded.

“Yes."

—

The company had an outsourced cafeteria.

At noon,Claire picked up a meal and sat across from Sandra, looking completely drained.

Sandra, however, seemed the exact opposite of her work persona…energetic and lively!

"Eat up, " she said cheerfully.“The sweet-and-sour pork ribs are really good today."

Claire took a sip of water before finally picking up her chopsticks.

After the New Year, the company's orders had exploded, leaving every department incredibly busy.

Manager Holly soon informed everyone that the entire department would have to work overtime.

Claire sent Ethan a message.

[I'm working overtime tonight. I'll be home late.]

Ethan replied.

[Okay.]

Claire stared at that single word for a moment.

The male lead really was stingy with words.

She worked at her computer until ten that night.

Turning off the computer, she stood up and rubbed her sore neck.

Sandra called out, “Wait for me! I'm leaving too.”

Claire waited for her.

The two of them walked out of the industrial park together.

Then Claire suddenly stopped.

Under the streetlight ahead stood Ethan.

Sandra stopped as well.

Following Claire's gaze, her eyes immediately lit up.

Suddenly realizing something, she leaned closer and whispered, "Is that your boyfriend?"

Claire nodded.

"Wow! Your boyfriend is so handsome!"

Claire smiled.

Ethan's looks were indeed striking.

Sandra asked, "How are you getting home?"

“By subway." 

Sandra suddenly spotted a white car parked at the entrance and happily released Claire's arm.

“My boyfriend's here to pick me up. Bye-bye!”

Claire waved.

"Bye-bye!”

Sandra ran toward the white car like a cheerful little bird.

Claire walked over to Ethan, looking up at him.

"You didn't have to come pick me up. I could've gone back by myself.”

Ethan gave the same explanation as before.

“It's late. lt's not safe."

Claire asked, “How long have you been here?”

She had never told him what time she finished work, and he hadn't asked.

“Ten minutes."

“Next time, message me first…just in case you miss me."

“Okay" 

“Let's go borrow a bike."

"Okay”

The two borrowed a shared bicycle and headed toward the subway station.

As they rode, Ethan glanced at Claire.

The cold wind had turned the tip of her nose red, and she sniffled occasionally.

Her hands gripping the handlebars were also reddened from the cold.

When they reached the subway station, they returned the bike.

Suddenly-

Claire felt her hand being grasped by a large, warm hand.

She looked up.

Ethan's expression remained calm as he took both of her hands and rubbed them between his palms.

Warmth spread from his hands, flowing through her body.

Claire stared at him in a daze.