A brief exchange was enough to leave Qiao Xi with a deep impression of Zhou Yi. After all, he had saved her life, and his gentle, polite demeanor stood in stark contrast to the spoiled brats she usually encountered. It wasn't often that Qiao Xi met someone like Zhou Yi; it was only natural for her to feel drawn to him.
Once she regained some strength, Zhou Yi helped her to her feet, revealing a noticeable height difference between them. When Qiao Xi tilted her head back to look up at him, her delicate features made her appear irresistibly cute.
Unable to resist, Zhou Yi gently patted her head. "It's late, and it wouldn't be safe for you to go home alone. Let me walk you back."
Qiao Xi's ears flushed red with shyness as she fidgeted with her sleeves. "Oh… won't this trouble you too much?"
"I wouldn't be able to sleep even if I went home now," Zhou Yi replied softly, though his gaze dropped slightly, betraying a hint of melancholy.
Sensing his somber mood, Qiao Xi hesitantly asked, "Is something wrong? Are you feeling down?"
"Well, I wasn't in the best mood earlier today, but meeting you has lifted my spirits quite a bit," Zhou Yi said, feigning a wistful expression. His words about how she had brightened his day caused her heart to flutter.
Despite his youthful appearance, Zhou Yi carried an air of quiet mystery, as if he had lived through experiences far beyond his years. Entranced, Qiao Xi's eyes sparkled as she asked, "So… because of me, you feel better?"
Zhou Yi stroked her head affectionately, like an older brother comforting his younger sibling. "Yes, you're so adorable, Qiao Xi. Being around you makes all the bad feelings fade away. If you don't mind, you can call me Yi Gege(a playful and affectionate term for a beloved male, literally 'Brother Yi')."
He naturally shortened her name to just 'Xiao Xi,' and she didn't resist. Instead, she felt a warmth she rarely experienced—no one had ever spoken to her with such tenderness before.
Growing up in the strict household of the Qiao family, where rules were rigid and expectations high, Qiao Xi had always felt neglected. Though her parents provided her with a privileged upbringing, they paid little attention to her emotional needs. With an older brother and sister who overshadowed her—and a sister who secretly bullied her—Qiao Xi had grown used to solitude. She often wondered if anyone would even notice if one day she simply disappeared.
"Today, if you hadn't saved me, I might have died there," Qiao Xi murmured, her voice filled with gratitude. "Yi Gege, thank you so much."
Her eyes shimmered with sincerity. Perhaps their meeting today was fate—a twist of destiny bringing them together. The summer breeze seemed gentler than usual, or perhaps it was because her heart felt lighter. Talking with Zhou Yi brought her an unfamiliar joy.
As they walked and chatted, Qiao Xi soon discovered that Zhou Yi was also a student at Huaihai University. Excitedly, she exclaimed, "So you're a sophomore? I'm a freshman this year! That means we'll see each other often on campus!"
"Yes, I suppose that makes me your senior now," Zhou Yi replied.
"Does that mean we're friends?" she asked shyly.
"Of course. In fact, Xiao Xi, you're the first friend I've made since coming to university."
Women are often sensitive to words like "first," "only," or "special." They long to feel unique in someone's heart. True to form, Qiao Xi's fondness for Zhou Yi grew even stronger. It was clear she had little experience with men, and his carefully crafted charm easily won her over.
"We're here. My house is in this neighborhood," Qiao Xi said softly, her tone tinged with regret as their time together came to an end.
Zhou Yi glanced around. This was one of A City's most exclusive villa districts, a testament to Qiao Xi's affluent background. Yet he betrayed no reaction. He couldn't afford to seem awestruck or greedy—it would lower her opinion of him. Instead, focusing solely on her would enhance his appeal.
Stopping outside the gate, Zhou Yi gazed at her with an expression of reluctant farewell. "I won't go in with you. Just let me know when you get home safely, alright?"
Qiao Xi bit her lip shyly. "But… we haven't exchanged contact information yet…"
Without hesitation, Zhou Yi pulled out his phone and showed her his WeChat QR code. "Well, now we do."
After adding each other on WeChat, they parted ways in the evening breeze. As Qiao Xi strolled home, she hummed a cheerful tune, her good mood evident. She labeled him "Yi Gege" in her contacts, while he saved her as "Xiao Xi." The two began chatting immediately after saying goodbye.
Zhou Yi scrolled through her social media posts, learning that she enjoyed visiting art exhibitions. He promptly started researching them and even ordered a few books online. To win a woman's heart, one must first step into her world.
However, this approach only works with women who value sincerity and purity in relationships. It would be utterly ineffective on materialistic individuals, who care more about wealth than gestures of affection. What you put out into the world attracts similar energy back. If you try to win someone over purely with money, you'll attract someone who values nothing else—and will abandon you the moment your fortune fades.
Money can serve as a foundation, but it shouldn't be the sole reason someone loves you. Zhou Yi understood this well. He focused on winning hearts by connecting emotionally rather than materially. His genuine efforts inevitably earned him reciprocal sincerity. Combining authenticity with tact was his ultimate strategy.
Being overly sincere without any finesse could make him come across as desperate or pitiable—like the previous owner of these memories. On the other hand, relying solely on tactics risked boredom. Balancing both was key.
Following the remnants of the original owner's memories, Zhou Yi found his way to the resting quarters. Though technically called a "rest room," it resembled a small studio apartment, albeit cluttered and outdated.
Stretching his arms and neck to relieve the day's fatigue, Zhou Yi pushed open the bathroom door. Inside, a small sink greeted him. Placing his phone aside, he splashed water on his face to refresh himself before grabbing a towel to take a shower.
Just then, his phone lit up on the counter. It was a message from Qiao Xi: "Yi Gege, I'm home. I took a little walk by myself. How about you?"