Chapter 26: The Marvelous Serendipity

"What is it?" everyone asked in unison.

Henry was too embarrassed to say it outright, only mentioning, "The boss actually asked me, what to do if a woman gets hurt?"

Many of the brothers knew a bit about the situation between Leo and Sophia, but they hadn't expected Leo to care so much about Sophia.

"And then I took the opportunity to ask the boss to let me return to the country, and to my surprise, he agreed right away," Henry said excitedly.

The brothers looked at each other, truly surprised that Henry's return to the country was for this reason.

"Then what did you tell the boss?" asked Adolf with a naive look on his face.

"I said, just buy some medicine and apply it," Henry remarked, still feeling awkward. Seeing everyone eagerly awaiting his continuation, he quickly added, "Then, I suggested the boss should pamper her, give her what she wants, and right away, he arranged a date for my return, saying it's time for my comeback in the entertainment industry."

Indeed, Leo had bought medicine for Sophia and gave her what she wanted, granting her freedom, but as for sweet-talking Sophia, that was something he just couldn't do.

Everyone sighed, only to see Molly suddenly putting her glass down on the bar heavily, her face gloomy as she left, with Oscar quickly following her.

"Molly is still in love with the boss?" Henry inquired.

Sean and Adolf looked at him as if he had asked the most obvious question.

Henry shrugged, saying, "Why does the boss never give Molly a chance? I think Molly is much better than that woman."

"Don't know... Maybe because Brother Oscar likes Molly, the boss feels awkward to intervene," Sean suggested.

Adolf, however, latched onto another detail: "That woman? Have you seen the boss's current woman?"

Henry realized he had slipped up and tried to change the subject, but Sean and Adolf wouldn't let him off the hook. Despite being well-rounded in many aspects, Henry's alcohol tolerance was weak. After much pouring, Sean and Adolf finally got the truth out of him.

Hearing what Henry had to say, Sean was so shocked he nearly turned to stone.

The woman named Sophia was actually going behind the boss's back, flirting with other men, being frivolous, and even seemed to have some connections with the smuggling kingpin, Abner.

My goodness, what kind of woman had the boss gotten himself involved with?

From what Henry said, it appeared the boss cherished her greatly, yet she managed to cuckold him.

No wonder the boss sat there with a gloomy face, Sean and Adolf couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him.

The three of them stayed until 2 a.m. before leaving, with Henry too drunk to walk. Sean and Adolf dragged him out like hauling a dead pig.

Then, they saw a young girl loitering at the door, who ran over excitedly upon seeing them.

"Ah? Drunk..." Sunny was worried. Getting so heavily intoxicated was harmful, and she was somewhat disappointed, having hoped to catch Henry as he came out to perhaps talk a bit more.

Sean and Adolf exchanged looks, guessing she was a fan.

"Little girl, he's drunk. If you're here for an autograph, come back next time," Sean said kindly, then motioned for Adolf to help get Henry into the car.

But the lad was heavy indeed; it seemed his three years in the Golden Triangle had toughened him up significantly.

"How can you be so rough with him?" Sunny asked angrily when she saw the two men dragging Henry forward.

Sean turned and smiled, "I didn't expect you to care so much for him. Why don't you take him home then?"

"Ah?"

Before Sunny could react, Sean and Adolf had already pushed Henry towards her, placing his arms around her shoulders in her astonished cry.

The tall frame almost overpowered Sunny, who had to step back twice to steady herself.

"Little girl, can you drive?" Sean asked.

Sunny replied with difficulty, "Yes."

"Great, then we'll leave him to you. Take care!" Sean grabbed Adolf and they made a quick escape.

"Hey, don't go, how can you..." Sunny was on the verge of tears, "You didn't even give me the address!"

Sunny, too delicate for Henry's build, struggled as he kept sliding down. She had no choice but to drag him towards the car.

"Where... where are your car keys?"

Henry responded with a burp.

Sunny had to search his pockets. Without pockets in his shirt, it had to be in his pants. But Henry was wearing tight pants, making Sunny blush as she reached in.

This was the idol she had adored for five years, someone she thought she'd only ever watch from afar, following him online. Yet today, not only had she spoken to him, but he had also shown her care, and now, she was even holding him.

Feeling the warm, masculine scent on him, Sunny's heart raced.

Finally gathering the courage, she reached into his pocket, feeling his solid muscles beneath her hand, heat radiating from his skin making her hand almost too hot.

Just as she nearly got the car keys, her hand was caught.

"What are you doing tickling me, so ticklish..." Henry said with a laugh.

Sunny looked up to see him smiling like a child, his bright, white teeth dazzling her.

She had never realized how adorable he could be when drunk.

The chill of the night seemed to grow colder, but Sunny managed to open the car door and get Henry into the passenger seat, securing his seatbelt as she sweated profusely.

"Where... where do you live?" Sunny gasped for air.

Henry just continued to smile silly at her.

Sunny was about to ask again when he suddenly held her face. "If... if you smile, I'll tell you."

Sunny, amused yet helpless, smiled regardless.

Seizing the moment, Henry poked her dimples, mumbling, "You... you look so nice when you smile," followed by another burp.

Sunny was stunned, wondering if she was being teased. But why didn't she mind at all?

By the time she collected herself, Henry had already closed his eyes, leaning his head to one side.

Sunny called his name a few times with no response, reluctant to hit him, so she climbed into the driver's seat instead.

With the city so vast, she figured she'd just drive around first. Going in the wrong direction wouldn't be too bad, would it? It might mean more time with him.

But being a new driver, Sunny dared not to get distracted by Henry, lest they have an accident and he gets hurt.

A tiny Happy Tiger plush hung from the car's rearview mirror, handmade by Sunny, delivered to him through the fan club. When she saw this tiger in his Weibo photo years ago, the excitement made her scream and laugh in her dorm. Surprisingly, four years later, he still had this Happy Tiger hanging in his car.

The fabric was a bit faded, the edges a bit worn, showing how much he cherished it, often playing with it in his hands.

Sunny was secretly thrilled, then suddenly heard the person beside her say, "Girl, you're driving in the wrong direction."

"Ah? Oh..." Sunny gave an awkward laugh, "You're awake!"

As the car drove, the cool night air from the window dispelled much of Henry's drunkenness. He quietly watched the girl next to him who was blushing and giggling for a while before reminding her she was going the wrong way.

Now that Henry was sober, Sunny felt even more embarrassed. "It was your two friends who asked me to take you home," she explained, to avoid any misunderstanding.

Henry then asked, "Were you waiting at the bar's door for a long time?"

"Ah?" Sunny glanced at him surprised, more embarrassed.

"Don't be so foolish next time. It's cold at night, and you could catch a cold," Henry advised.

Though his words were warm, Sunny felt a bit disappointed hearing them. If she wasn't so foolish, so persistent, she wouldn't be able to see him again.

"I'm actually not that great, even a bit bad," Henry casually said.

"How could that be?" Sunny immediately countered, "You're the most diligent, hardest working star I've ever seen. And not many people would give up everything for their dreams, enduring humiliations..."

Henry chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair, but then he remembered his early days, when his family objected, his father cut off all financial support and ordered all major entertainment companies not to sign him. At his lowest, he had lived in an underground car park, surviving on instant noodles for a month.

It was Leo who discovered him, allowing him to grow from a small-time extra to a superstar. Though Leo gave him his initial opportunity, he didn't provide much help afterward; it was still all on Henry's own efforts...

Henry guided Sunny in driving, and soon they arrived at a villa area.

"We're here, then... then I'll head back in," Sunny said.

"It's too late, this place is too remote, hard to catch a cab. Besides, it's too dangerous for a girl to go back alone at this hour. Stay at my place for the night," Henry suggested.

Even knowing his warmth and attentiveness, Sunny hadn't expected him to actually invite her to stay.

"Okay!" Sunny happily agreed.

Henry was surprised by her straightforwardness, starting to see her in a new light. Maybe her inner world wasn't as simple as her appearance suggested.

Little did he know, in Sunny's eyes, he was flawless. She hadn't thought ill of him for a second, just assumed he'd shelter her for a night.

Upon reaching his house, Henry opened the door, then bent down to look for slippers suitable for Sunny. But he nearly fainted from dizziness as soon as he leaned over.

Sunny quickly supported him, worriedly looking at him.

Henry said with a laugh, "Ah, I couldn't hold it together after all. How embarrassing."

Sunny was momentarily stunned, saying nothing, just helping him to the couch before going to change shoes. Finding a pair of pink slippers, Sunny happily put them on.