Her heart leapt into her throat, gripped by an overwhelming fear that Zhou Yi might say he was leaving.

  The young man stood a head taller than her. Bending slightly, Zhou Yi leaned closer with a smile and asked softly, "Do you want me to stay, Sister Wen?"

  As they drew near, their breaths mingled, each able to feel the warmth of the other's presence. For some inexplicable reason, his voice carried a magnetic charm that felt unusually alluring in that moment.

  Jing Wen's heartbeat accelerated. A blush crept across her cheeks as she whispered shyly, "Of course, I'd like you to stay."

  Zhou Yi lowered his gaze and smiled gently, blowing softly on Jing Wen's pale hand. "If Sister Wen wants me to stay, then I'll stay," he said tenderly.

  Looking at the young man before her, Jing Wen's heart began to race uncontrollably. Her face flushed hot, and her breathing grew rapid, as though something within her had slipped beyond her grasp.

  She couldn't understand what was happening to her. Ever since Xiao Yi returned today, she felt herself acting strangely, almost as if her emotions were unraveling without permission.

  Flustered, she pulled her hand away from Zhou Yi's grasp, averting her eyes and nervously tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Well… alright then. I—I need to get back to work. Xiao Yi, why don't you rest for a while?"

  Jing Wen practically stumbled away from Zhou Yi, her movements clumsy and awkward.

  What was wrong with her? How could she suddenly feel such unexpected attraction toward someone she had always treated like a younger brother? Was it because she had been single for too long? Or was it possible—just maybe—that she harbored feelings for Zhou Yi?

  But deep down, she knew their age gap made them incompatible. She couldn't allow herself to ruin the bright future of such a promising young man. No matter how much affection she harbored, she dared not speak it aloud, nor let any emotional entanglement develop between them.

  Entering the restroom, Jing Wen gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Despite her beautiful features, her eyes betrayed a profound sense of self-doubt. Sadness washed over her. If only she were younger—then perhaps she wouldn't feel so inadequate.

  Even with her striking appearance, Jing Wen couldn't shake the belief that she fell short of being worthy of this young man.

  To Jing Wen, Zhou Yi was kind-hearted, hardworking, and dependable—a stark contrast to how others, like Xia Qiuzhi, perceived him. She saw qualities in him that others overlooked entirely.

  [Jing Wen Affection Level +10 , Wealth +$50,000 , Attribute Points +50]

  Zhou Yi chuckled softly. It seemed his efforts were finally bearing fruit. Jing Wen's affection for him flowed generously, unreserved and genuine.

  Now, all he needed was for her to stop seeing him merely as a younger brother and start recognizing him as a man. Once that shift occurred, her affection would blossom even faster. After all, women were prone to filling gaps in thought; often, when he wasn't around, she might find herself missing him more.

  After spending the evening with Jing Wen until well past midnight, her affection level rose incrementally once again.

  Jing Wen lived upstairs, while Zhou Yi resided nearby. At the door, she waved him off, saying, "Take care on your way home. See you tomorrow!"

  "See you tomorrow, Sister Wen," he replied warmly.

  On his walk home, Zhou Yi checked his status panel once more.

  Character Attributes:

  [Name: Zhou Yi]

  [Level: lv1 (Rookie)]

  [Wealth: $100,780 (Average)]

  [Appearance: 30 (Average)]

  [Combat Power: 30 (Average)]

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  [IQ: 60 (Average)]

  [Reputation: 0 (Unknown)]

  [Attribute Points: 125]

  Mission Progress Panel:

  [Xia Qiuzhi Regret Value: 0]

  [Chu Han Regret Value: 0]

  [Su Ning Regret Value: 0]

  [Comeback Progress: 1]

  [Affection Level Earned: 25]

  [Admirers: 0]

  [Achievements Unlocked: None]

  [Items/Skills Acquired: None]

  [Current Ranking: Not on the Leaderboard]

  [System store locked – Level too low]

  Zhou Yi thought it was time to allocate his Attribute Points.

  At present, he resembled a scrawny introvert—long bangs obscuring his eyes, thick black-rimmed glasses completing the look.

  His upper face remained hidden, while his lower features appeared gaunt and undernourished.

  Pale and unremarkable, there was no trace of handsomeness about him.

  In his previous life, Zhou Yi considered himself moderately attractive, relying on fashion and charisma to elevate his appeal. Combined with his mastery of flirting, he navigated romantic waters effortlessly.

  But now, with the system boosting his attributes, achieving peak attractiveness seemed tantalizingly within reach.

  Without hesitation, Zhou Yi allocated 50 points to Appearance, leaving the remainder for Intelligence.

  "I'm not just about looks," he reasoned. Though the original host attended college, his grades ranked among the lowest in class. To avoid ridicule, enhancing his intelligence was crucial. Moreover, he aspired to transfer to a prestigious university—one known for its exceptional admissions channels.

  "System, what improvements will come with increased Intelligence?"

  "Enhanced reading speed, photographic memory, instant recall of everything seen or read. Faster comprehension, improved calculation skills, and heightened learning efficiency across all disciplines. As levels increase, these abilities become virtually unparalleled—even without extensive study, one can achieve brilliance."

  Satisfied, Zhou Yi nodded. Such a powerful advantage demanded careful utilization.

  With the new allocation, his panel updated accordingly:

  Appearance: 80 (Strikingly Handsome)

  Intelligence: 135 (Sharp-Witted)

  Notification: Due to exceeding 100 attribute points spent, you've earned a lottery draw. Which skill category do you choose?

  "Intelligence," Zhou Yi responded without hesitation.

  A roulette wheel materialized in his mind, divided into sections representing various attributes. Focusing his thoughts, he spun the wheel. The pointer landed on slot 3.

  Congratulations! You've unlocked the skill 'Photographic Memory.'

  As implied by its name, this ability granted flawless retention of anything Zhou Yi wished to remember—an invaluable asset for studying and learning.

  Chuckling, Zhou Yi turned back to the glass. Removing his glasses and brushing aside his bangs, he studied his transformed reflection.

  "Good heavens," he murmured in awe. "The system truly works wonders. What a transformation!"

  His eyes appeared larger and more defined, exuding a subtle intensity when narrowed. Miraculously, his severe myopia had vanished.

  In its place stood a striking figure with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and finely sculpted lips. When he tilted his head, a chiseled jawline came into view.

  For the first time, Zhou Yi embodied the archetype of a cold yet captivating male lead—a visage rivaling that of celebrities.

  He radiated an aura destined to captivate admirers wherever he went.

  Smirking confidently, Zhou Yi thought, Let's see if the girls at school resist falling head over heels for me now.

  And what of those who once dismissed him? Their reactions upon seeing him now would surely make for fascinating entertainment.