"I'm sorry—seems I misunderstood you earlier. I'll unlock it right away."

Sol smiled warmly as he apologized, though there wasn't the faintest trace of sincerity on his face.

Life was full of little surprises. If every accident turned out like this one, he wouldn't mind having a few more.

"No harm done. It's only natural for every citizen of New Eridu to stay vigilant."

Jane replied with a soft smile, tilting her head up to look at the young man before her, as though she truly meant it.

What an infuriating man, she thought. Let's see if you can keep smiling like that later.

"Thank you for understanding."

Sol stepped forward without hesitation, producing a pink key that shimmered faintly in the light. He slid it into the cuff's keyhole and turned it with a deft twist.

Click!

A crisp metallic sound broke the still air as the cuffs sprang open.

Jane drew her slender hands free, rotating her wrists to ease the stiffness that had settled in her joints.

With a flick of his own wrist, Sol sent the cuffs and key vanishing back into his system space.

Cheap as they were, it would be a waste to throw them away. He was certain they'd come in handy again someday.

"Ah~"

A small gasp escaped Jane's lips as she stumbled forward, falling right into Sol's chest.

Her breath brushed against his neck, warm and ticklish, while her delicate hands pressed lightly against his chest—perhaps too lightly, as though by accident.

The sudden motion left Sol momentarily dazed. Based on everything he'd seen so far, Jane didn't strike him as the type to lose her balance so easily.

"Sorry," Jane said softly, voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. "I was squatting for too long, my legs went a little weak."

Her sapphire eyes looked up at him, wide and shimmering with feigned helplessness.

"It's fine. My fault," Sol murmured, brow creasing slightly.

Still, the position felt way too intimate. Everything he knew about her—everything she'd shown—said she wasn't the sort to play the frail damsel.

"Sol, let me help her instead," Anby offered, stepping forward with her usual calm.

She wasn't jealous. Absolutely not. She just wanted to help clear up the misunderstanding with Jane.

Really. Not jealous at all.

"That won't be necessary, I'll handle it," Zhu Yuan interjected, misunderstanding completely.

She thought Jane truly had weak legs after squatting so long.

Poor woman—what must she have endured at Sol's hands, all because of a misunderstanding?

Obviously, a fellow Public Security officer should be the one to assist.

Anby stopped in her tracks. It didn't really matter who helped Jane—just as long as it wasn't Sol.

After all, even the movies said men and women should keep a proper distance. (The popcorn-sharing incident didn't count.)

Meanwhile, Qingyi's brow furrowed. Her long years of experience told her—something about this situation wasn't quite right.

"Alright," Sol said easily, ready to step back. He wasn't the type to take advantage of the situation anyway.

Just as he began to release her, Jane slowly, reluctantly, eased herself out of his embrace. But as she turned her gaze toward Anby, a mischievous smile touched her lips.

And then—right at that moment—

"Ah! What's happening? My legs—again!"

Jane cried out in mock alarm, tumbling forward once more.

This time, she threw both arms around Sol's waist as she fell back into him.

A faint blush colored her cheeks, and there was unmistakable amusement in her eyes.

The blush was real—she'd never been this close to a man before.

But the delight was also genuine—she could already imagine the awkward quarrel this might spark between Sol and the white-haired girl beside him.

A fitting little revenge for the whole handcuff debacle.

And, to be honest… Sol's arms were rather comfortable.

For the first time, Jane truly understood the appeal.

"..."

Sol froze, holding her steady once again. He was sure of it now—Jane was doing this on purpose.

What was this supposed to be? Love at first sight? An immediate vow of devotion?

So how exactly was he supposed to turn her down… without hurting her feelings?

After all, he'd come out today with Anby—no other motives attached.

"Huh?"

Zhu Yuan blinked, half-reaching out to help, her hand hanging awkwardly midair.

Wait—why wasn't she falling toward me? Why again into Sol's arms?!

Sure, Sol was kind, but this was just asking for trouble!

She felt oddly wounded, like she'd just been force-fed an entire serving of someone else's romance.

Consultant Jane… are you trying to show off your new relationship in front of a single woman?

As a bachelorette constantly nagged about marriage, Zhu Yuan suddenly felt deeply attacked.

"..."

Anby stared silently at the two of them.

They looked… perfect together.

Entwined in each other's arms, soft light catching Jane's hair—it was almost cinematic.

But then a thought hit her.

She'd known Sol longer.

And yet… they'd never hugged like that.

She really shouldn't have listened to Zhu Yuan earlier. If she'd gone to catch Jane herself, the woman would've been standing straight right now.

Expressionless but fuming inside, Anby stepped closer, ready to separate them.

Just then, Jane looked up, feigning a flustered expression. "I'm so sorry, I fell into your arms again. That white-haired girl of yours—she won't be mad, will she?"

From this close, she could hear Sol's heartbeat—quick, uneven.

Oh? So, she wasn't imagining it—her charm really did have an effect.

Heh. This might turn out better than expected.

Maybe he'd even say something sappy—something she could shoot down dramatically.

"No," Anby said flatly, shaking her head. "Not mad."

Her face was calm.

Her heart, however, was ready to explode.

"Didn't think I'd find such a rich tea aroma in a back alley," Sol said suddenly, his tone oddly amused.

He understood now—Jane wasn't flirting for affection. She was doing this to provoke jealousy, to test the waters, to brew drama.

Ha. A true master of her craft. That hidden patience and precision execution—classic super-spy behavior.

And that tea scent... it was almost blindingly strong.

"Tea aroma?" Qingyi blinked, instantly checking her thermos.

After confirming there were no leaks, she sniffed the air curiously—nothing.

No fragrance, no scent of tea.

She glanced at Sol, baffled. "What tea aroma?"

Sol didn't answer—he had more urgent business.

Anby's composure might have looked steady, but her emotional systems were definitely overheating.

He gently helped Jane to her feet, locking eyes with her.

"Miss Jane," he said solemnly, "you are a very beautiful woman."

"..."

Anby's fingers twitched. She was officially angry now.

"..."

Jane stared at him, dumbfounded.

Seriously? Now he was complimenting her? Shouldn't he be comforting his girlfriend instead?

Wait—was he about to confess?

If so, how was she supposed to turn him down gracefully without causing a scene—or hurting Anby?

Though… if Sol really was that kind of man, maybe she'd be doing Anby a favor by exposing it.

"Miss Jane, you're a stunning woman," Sol continued, expression dead serious. "And I know I'm an exceptional man. I tend to attract women—like moths to a flame."

Then, with a firm shove, he pushed her back a step and declared:

"But please, contain yourself. I'm a man you can never have."

"..."

Jane's pupils trembled violently as she stood frozen, speechless.

Wait—what?!

That wasn't a rejection. That was an explosion.

She felt her pride—and her soul—crack straight down the middle.

She'd wanted a bit of payback, not an existential crisis!

And this man—this terrifyingly smug man—had just outplayed her at her own game.

She was absolutely, completely, undeniably—

Outplayed.