"As the saying goes, 'Even a Buddha needs gilding, and people need fine attire to shine.' Dressed in a high-end suit, Zhou Yi now exuded an aura of striking handsomeness that left even the sales clerk beside him momentarily mesmerized."
Zhou Yi straightened his collar and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror—a tall, lean figure clad in a crisp white shirt. His sharp features and aloof demeanor, combined with the premium fabric of the shirt, gave off an undeniable air of cold detachment. He looked every bit like the archetype of the unapproachable male lead, a type many women found irresistibly enigmatic.
Zhou Yi had decided: he would fully embrace this "male god" image.
After purchasing the thousand-dollar branded shirt, he casually glanced at his phone. A few more figures appeared in his account—favorability points from both the sales clerk and random passersby.
Zhou Yi cast a quick look around and noticed several girls in the mall stealing glances at him.
"He's so handsome… Could he be a newly debuted idol?"
"I want to ask for his WeChat, but I don't dare. His gaze is so icy."
"Same here. What if he rejects me?"
Their whispers drifted into his ears.
Zhou Yi turned slightly, giving them a fleeting glance. The two girls immediately blushed and averted their eyes, pretending to be absorbed in their phones.
Once Zhou Yi left, they excitedly snapped photos of his profile and back, quickly posting them on their school forum.
"OMG, just saw the most gorgeous guy ever. Is he from Huaihai University? Anyone recognize him?"
The thread blew up almost instantly. Unbeknownst to Zhou Yi, he'd earned himself a new nickname: "The White Shirt Prince."
Under the blazing sun, Zhou Yi walked toward the fast-food restaurant. He glanced up at the azure sky, where a towering skyscraper pierced through the clouds—the city's bustling commercial hub.
A memory surfaced unbidden: Chu Han, sneering down at him, had once said, "See that building? Wen Hao's family owns the company on those upper floors. That's a level you'll never reach. How dare you compare yourself to Wen Hao? Know your place."
The mocking tone and disdainful smirk were etched deeply into his mind.
Just seeing the building again brought the memory rushing back.
"Never reach it, huh…" Zhou Yi murmured under his breath. He stole another glance at the skyscraper, silently vowing, "We'll see about that."
Zhou Yi wasn't the original owner of this body. Ambition coursed through his veins, and even without carrying the baggage of his predecessor, he wouldn't settle for a life of mediocrity.
His destiny was to live boldly and leave a lasting mark.
Inside the fast-food restaurant, Jingwen stood before the mirror, checking her reflection. She pursed her lips, carefully scanning every inch of her face. Today, she'd taken extra care with her eyebrows and added a subtle layer of rose-tinted lipstick—a shade designed to enhance her natural beauty without drawing too much attention.
Holding the lipstick, she paused, lost in thought.
She knew she shouldn't be doing this—but she couldn't help wanting to look her best before seeing Zhou Yi.
The reason was clear enough.
As the saying goes, "A woman adorns herself for the one who pleases her heart." And she wanted nothing more than to catch Zhou Yi's eye.
It had been so long since she last wore lipstick that she could barely recall the last time.
On the counter sat the hand cream Zhou Yi had given her. She picked it up, examined it, and placed it back with a wistful sigh.
Her thoughts kept drifting to Zhou Yi's gentle smile and the words he'd spoken.
But she constantly reminded herself: Zhou Yi was just a student. She couldn't allow herself to entertain inappropriate feelings for him.
The harder she tried to suppress these emotions, the stronger they became.
Last night, as she lay in bed, Zhou Yi's voice lingered in her mind, pulling her deeper into a trance she couldn't escape.
"Sister Wen, are you in there?"
Zhou Yi's voice came from outside. Jingwen took one last look at herself in the mirror and hurriedly stashed the lipstick and hand cream into the drawer.
"Why are you here so early today, Xiao Yi?" Jingwen opened the door, her fingers nervously curling. She glanced at Zhou Yi and froze.
The young man standing before her—was this really Xiao Yi?
Dressed in a pristine white shirt, his bangs no longer obscuring his face, Zhou Yi's striking features hit her like a tidal wave.
She was speechless.
"Sister Wen, what's wrong?"
Zhou Yi knew exactly why she was reacting this way.
Yesterday, he'd already stirred something within her. Now, seeing his dramatic transformation, her favorability toward him had undoubtedly skyrocketed.
Jingwen hesitated, calling out softly, "Xiao Yi?"
Zhou Yi smiled gently, his charm leaving her flustered.
"It's me. Did cutting my hair make me unrecognizable, Sister Wen?"
Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow playfully, causing Jingwen's cheeks to flush.
In her memory, the original Zhou Yi had always hidden behind his bangs and glasses, his pale face partially obscured. She'd never truly seen him clearly. But now, with his hair cut and glasses gone, he looked… breathtaking.
"I'm just surprised," she murmured. "Xiao Yi, you're… so handsome. I've never seen anyone like you in real life. Was I acting strange just now?"
Jingwen touched her burning cheeks, lowering her head to avoid his gaze.
Zhou Yi's eyes were deep and magnetic, like a vortex threatening to pull her in completely.
Tilting his head, Zhou Yi leaned closer, his face inches from hers. He chuckled softly, "Sister Wen, you look stunning today."
Having dated dozens of women in his past life, Zhou Yi was well-versed in recognizing makeup. Jingwen had clearly drawn her eyebrows and applied a touch of lipstick. Though subtle, the difference was unmistakable upon closer inspection.
There was no denying her beauty. Her naturally alluring eyes were accentuated by delicately arched brows, while her slightly upturned lashes lent her an air of seductive charm. Yet her gaze remained pure and shy, creating a captivating contrast that made Zhou Yi's eyes darken with intrigue.
Jingwen suddenly looked up, their eyes locking. For a moment, she felt as though she couldn't breathe.
"I'm not as young as I used to be," she said softly. "There's no need to compliment me, Xiao Yi."
Quickly excusing herself, Jingwen moved to the dining table and poured herself a glass of water. She needed to steady her nerves before she lost control entirely.
Zhou Yi followed, sitting beside her.
As Jingwen reached for the pitcher to refill her glass, Zhou Yi gently took the cup from her hand, ostensibly to pour the water himself.
Whether by accident or design, his fingers brushed against hers.
Jingwen felt an electric jolt run through her. She looked up, only to find Zhou Yi gazing at her innocently.