Zhou Yi’s eyes glimmered with amusement upon hearing the system’s notification.
For a woman like You Man, nothing mattered more than care and attention.
He knew he had taken the right step.
But he also understood that, in You Man’s eyes, he was still just a younger brother—she hadn’t yet begun to think of him in any other way.
If he didn’t shift her perspective, the most she would feel for him was increased fondness or familial affection.
Only when she recognized him as a man would she start to develop romantic feelings for him. Once that happened, raising her "heartbeat points" would become much easier.
"Host, where would you like to allocate the attribute points?"
"No rush."
After finishing the dishes for You Man at the shop, Zhou Yi wiped his hands clean when she beckoned him from the kitchen doorway. "Xiao Yi, come here."
He walked over, and she handed him a stack of red bills. "This is your salary for the month."
Zhou Yi lowered his head bashfully, pretending to fumble awkwardly. "But Man-jie, it’s not payday yet. Isn’t it supposed to be the 15th of next month?"
You Man gazed at him softly. "It doesn’t matter—there are only three of us here anyway. I just didn’t want to forget next month. If I did, and you were stuck at school where I can’t reach you, how would you manage your meals?"
In truth, she knew Zhou Yi likely had no living expenses left for the start of the month, so she gave him his salary early.
Zhou Yi didn’t refuse further. He accepted the money gratefully. "Thank you, Man-jie. Would it be alright if I stepped out for a few minutes? I’ll be back soon."
"Go ahead. No customers yet—just be back by six."
You Man wasn’t a strict boss, nor did she feel the need to control Zhou Yi’s every move. Since he rarely asked to leave, she naturally didn’t stop him.
While You Man busied herself in the shop, Zhou Yi headed straight for a pharmacy.
He found hand cream on the shelves, bought the most expensive one, then rushed to a clothing store to pick out a dress and a pair of shoes for You Man. After that, he swung by an appliance store and purchased a large dishwasher.
All in all, he spent several thousand—nearly all the money the system had rewarded him, leaving only enough for next month’s living expenses.
077: "Host, are you really spending this much? Shouldn’t you invest in upgrading your own image first?"
Zhou Yi: "To You Man, my appearance doesn’t matter—she won’t judge me either way. So changing my look now wouldn’t make a difference."
"I’ll earn this money back eventually. Why not use it to treat her well? First, to repay her kindness. Second, to move her emotionally. Once her heartbeat points rise, this money will come back effortlessly."
To Zhou Yi, this was an investment.
Breathing heavily, he carried the dishwasher into the kitchen. You Man, startled by the large box, hurried over to help.
"Xiao Yi, what’s this? It’s so heavy." As she spoke, she grabbed tissues to wipe the sweat from his face.
Glancing at Old Hai, who was still prepping ingredients, Zhou Yi pulled You Man to a secluded corner near the back staircase.
He handed her a large bag. "Man-jie, your birthday is next month, and I’ll be at school. If I end up with back-to-back classes, I might not have time to get you a gift. So here—these are for you."
You Man froze, surprised he even remembered her birthday.
Instead of taking the bag, she looked at him with concern. "Xiao Yi, where did you get the money for this? Did you spend your entire salary on gifts for me?"
"If that’s the case, please return them. I appreciate the thought, but you shouldn’t waste money like this."
Zhou Yi chuckled, feigning nonchalance. "Don’t worry, Man-jie. I saved the salary you gave me. This money came from a side job at school."
"A friend taught me how to build websites, and we landed a big project together. That’s how I earned this much. Did you think I’d resort to scams or theft?"
You Man’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise. She patted his head fondly. "I never knew our Xiao Yi was so capable! Of course I know you’re a good kid—you’d never do anything shady or lie to me."
"Fine, I’ll accept the gifts. But no more, alright? Save your money—college is expensive."
She hadn’t yet realized how lavish the presents were, but to her, the sincerity behind them mattered far more than their price.
"Aren’t you going to see what I got you?"
Prompted, You Man opened the bag. The dress and shoes were nice, but it was the hand cream nestled inside that made her eyes well up.
[You Man’s heartbeat points +10. Wealth +. Attribute points +50.]
"My hands are meant for rough work. Why bother with hand cream?" She smiled through her tears.
Zhou Yi’s heart softened. He reassured her gently, "Man-jie, don’t say that. The thing I just brought in is a dishwasher—no more scrubbing for you. Use this cream, and your hands won’t ache anymore."
"You’re a woman too, Man-jie. You deserve to be cared for. I just don’t have the means to do more yet. But once I make it big, I’ll open a grander shop for you. You’ll be the boss lady, living comfortably."
Touched by his words, You Man murmured, "Xiao Yi, I only did what little I could. You don’t have to..."
She struggled to articulate her emotions. In her mind, her actions hadn’t warranted such devotion—especially not from a young man like him. At thirty, she hardly expected to be "cherished."
Zhou Yi unscrewed the hand cream, squeezed a dollop into his palm, then took You Man’s hand and began massaging it in with slow, deliberate strokes.
His touch was tender, his gaze unwavering. Watching this earnest boy, You Man felt a lump form in her throat.
As he worked the cream into her skin, he murmured, "Man-jie, everything I do for you comes from the heart. It’s not just gratitude."
"In my eyes, you’re an incredible woman—the best I’ve ever known. Please don’t push my feelings away."
Zhou Yi was a natural at sweet talk. By emphasizing that his care wasn’t purely out of obligation and praising her as a woman, he subtly redrew the lines between them—no longer just siblings, but potential lovers.
He had shown You Man his growth. Proud yet unsettled, she regarded him with newfound warmth, though she hadn’t fully recognized it herself.
But one thought nagged at her: If Zhou Yi found other ways to earn money, would he still need to work here?
The idea left her inexplicably heavy-hearted.
You Man frowned nervously and asked, "Then will you still work for me in the future?"