Chapter 61 Invitation[Part 3]

"Mmm... alright... let's sleep," Jing Wen said softly, oblivious to just how tense she looked.

The room was utterly still, the kind of silence where even the faintest breath felt amplified. Zhou Yi strode over to the bed and let the bath towel slip from his shoulders, leaving him in sleek black boxer shorts.

Beneath the fabric, his muscular frame hinted at strength, but Jing Wen couldn't help but notice every detail—his broad chest, the chiseled lines of his abs. Her cheeks heated instantly, her pulse quickening as she took it all in.

As for Zhou Yi's physique, he owed it entirely to the system.

With his combat stats maxed out, his body had transformed dramatically.

He now stood at an imposing height of six-foot-three, his shoulders wide and his waist narrow.

The V-shaped contour of his torso, paired with his perfectly defined eight-pack abs, made him the epitome of masculine allure—a figure tailor-made for tailored suits.

When Jing Wen caught sight of his bare torso, her face turned scarlet.

She forced herself to focus solely on his upper body, afraid that letting her gaze wander lower would feel inappropriate, almost intrusive.

With a bashful glance, she managed to stammer, "Xiao Yi, you're so fit. You'd never guess it when you're fully dressed."

She glanced up at him through her lashes, and Zhou Yi gave her a sly, knowing smirk. Her eyes flickered downward involuntarily, widening slightly as her blush deepened, spreading to the tips of her ears. Sensing her distraction, he leaned closer, his voice teasing. "Sister Wen, where exactly are you looking?"

Startled, Jing Wen snapped her gaze away, her nerves betraying her as she fumbled for words. "N-nowhere. Are you okay? Did I hurt you earlier, Xiao Yi?"

Zhou Yi sprawled back against the headboard, feigning vulnerability. "It hurts a little. What should I do, Sister?"

Under his intense, unwavering gaze, Jing Wen's heart raced wildly. A strange warmth spread through her body, making her limbs feel weak and her skin flush.

She knew exactly what he was up to—he was playing games with her—but she couldn't bring herself to resist.

Zhou Yi leaned in, brushing his nose against her neck, inhaling lightly. "You smell so good, Sister. We use the same body wash, but somehow you smell so much sweeter. Your skin is so smooth, like silk."

Pleased by his flattery, Jing Wen playfully tapped his forehead. "It's all in your mind. Should I turn off the lights?"

He shook his head. "No, I want to keep looking at you."

Her lips parted instinctively, moist from a nervous flick of her tongue, glistening under the soft light.

Jing Wen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her sultry gaze sweeping over him before settling briefly.

Her crimson-tinted eyes smoldered with a captivating allure, revealing the full extent of her beauty for the first time.

The way she looked at Zhou Yi was filled with unspoken longing, every glance heavy with desire. The night stretched ahead, endless and charged with possibility.

---

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Jing Wen's serene sleeping face.

She stirred awake, squinting against the brightness.

Reaching for her phone on the bedside table, she checked the time—it was already seven o'clock. Normally, she'd be up by now, but today, the alarm hadn't even registered. Perhaps she'd been too exhausted, drifting into a deep, dreamless sleep.

She rubbed her eyes and sat up slowly, wincing as a dull ache settled in her muscles. "Ouch..." Massaging her lower back, she felt the blanket slide off her shoulders, exposing faint bruises scattered across her neck and collarbone—a testament to the intensity of the previous night.

Today, she'd need to wear a high-collared blouse if she wanted to hide the evidence. Jing Wen sighed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Even without makeup, her natural beauty radiated effortlessly.

A pair of arms encircled her from behind. "Good morning, Sister," Zhou Yi murmured lazily, resting his chin on her shoulder, his tone dripping with affection.

Jing Wen patted his head gently. "Time to get up, or you'll be late."

Yawning, he protested, "I don't want to. I just want to stay here with you, Sister Wen."

Smiling, she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "True love doesn't depend on being together every moment."

"Sister Wen, quoting poetry this early? Impressive," he teased.

"Do you dislike it?"

"Not at all."

"Good. I'll get up first, then call you for breakfast later. You can rest a little longer."

Before she could move, Zhou Yi grabbed her wrist, pulling her back down onto the mattress. Hovering above her, he stroked her hair tenderly. "You were so tired last night. Forget about cooking.

Let's go out and treat ourselves to something delicious.

Besides, take a few days off work. Go check out some storefronts downtown. Get the new shop ready sooner.

Hire a couple more staff members—you shouldn't have to handle everything yourself."

Jing Wen smiled warmly. "Alright, I'll follow your advice. Two employees will suffice, along with Lao Hai."

"As long as you have a plan, the decision is yours."

"No, it's your investment. Technically, I'm working for you. Just pay me a salary, Xiao Yi."

"Then we'll split the shares fifty-fifty. No arguments," he insisted firmly.

Moved by his persistence, Jing Wen could only nod silently, etching his kindness into her memory. After a pause, she lowered her gaze, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "Xiao Yi, there's something I need to clarify."

"Go ahead."

"Even though... things have happened between us, I can't be with you."

Zhou Yi frowned. "Why not? Do you not care for me?"

"Don't pretend you don't know how I feel about you, Xiao Yi." Jing Wen offered a bitter smile.

Her feelings for him ran far deeper than he realized.

In the days he'd been absent, her thoughts had revolved around him constantly.

Yet, she knew they could never truly be together.

At thirty years old, she felt too old to pursue a relationship with someone so much younger.

How could she justify being with him when society would judge them harshly?

Her insecurities had taken root alongside her love for him, growing quietly but stubbornly within her heart.