Reborn as the Harem King-Chapter 117 Date[Part 2]

Zhou Yi stood to Xie Tingwan's left, gently sliding one arm behind her back until it rested lightly around her waist.

Xie Tingwan stiffened at the touch, her entire body freezing as if caught off guard by the unexpected warmth of his embrace.

The young woman swallowed nervously, her throat dry, her eyelashes fluttering like delicate wings against the flush rising in her cheeks.

Tilting her head upward ever so slightly, she found herself staring directly into Zhou Yi's striking features—his sharp jawline and intense gaze looming closer than she'd anticipated.

[Xie Tingwan Affection Level +5]

Read 𝓁at𝙚st chapters at ƒrēenovelkiss.com Only.

There was no denying it: Zhou Yi was undeniably handsome. For a fleeting moment, Xie Tingwan lost herself in the sight of him, captivated by the focused intensity with which he played the game. There was something magnetic about the way his fingers moved deftly across the keyboard, each keystroke imbued with purpose. The small, stuffy internet café seemed to grow even warmer, heat blooming across her face despite the cool hum of the air conditioner.

A sudden gunshot blared from the speakers, jolting her out of her reverie. She blinked rapidly, trying to refocus.

"See that? There's another one hiding in the bushes," Zhou Yi murmured beside her, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. Only then did Xie Tingwan tear her gaze away from him and glance at the screen.

"Yeah, I see it." Her voice came out softer than intended, almost breathless.

"This time, you take the shot. I'll guide your aim."

Zhou Yi had a natural ease when it came to charming others. When Xie Tingwan successfully eliminated an enemy player, her lips curved into a radiant smile, lighting up her entire face.

"I hit him!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.

"Happy?" Zhou Yi asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"So happy!"

He looked down at her, his expression softening into something tender and indulgent. Xie Tingwan blinked again, her pulse quickening as she became acutely aware of their proximity—the warmth of his hand still lingering near hers, the faint scent of his cologne teasing her senses. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been this close to anyone, let alone a boy like Zhou Yi.

With a casual gesture, he released her hand and pointed at the screen. "This one's yours. Take him down, and we win."

As soon as Zhou Yi stepped back, Xie Tingwan felt an inexplicable pang of loss, as though the air between them had grown colder. She bit her lip hesitantly. "Maybe... maybe you should teach me. What if I miss?"

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Alright."

Once again, he reached for her hand, leaning in closer to adjust her grip on the mouse. His presence enveloped her, his face now mere inches from hers. Zhou Yi's attention remained fixed on the screen, but Xie Tingwan couldn't help stealing glances at him—how the dim light softened his features, how his brows furrowed ever so slightly in concentration.

Suddenly, his lips curled upward in a knowing smile. "Right here."

Before she could react, he pressed the key, and the sound of gunfire signaled their victory. They had won.

Zhou Yi's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he leaned in slightly. "We..."

But Xie Tingwan, caught up in the moment, tilted her head upward—and in doing so, her lips accidentally brushed against his chin. Both froze, the air thick with tension.

Her face turned scarlet, embarrassment flooding her veins. "I—I didn't mean to. I'm sorry," she stammered, biting her lip and avoiding his gaze.

[Xie Tingwan Affection Level +1]

Zhou Yi quickly straightened, feigning nonchalance as he returned to his seat. The atmosphere in the room shifted, charged with an unspoken electricity.

After a moment, Xie Tingwan cautiously slid the glass of water toward him. "You've been playing for so long. You must be thirsty. Have some water."

Her attempt to lighten the mood only masked the frantic beating of her heart beneath her ribcage.

Zhou Yi took a sip, his expression calm as he glanced at her. "Want to play another round?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm terrible at this. I only won because of you."

"That's not true," he countered smoothly. "You don't play often, so doing this well is impressive."

"It's getting late. Shall we grab dinner?"

"Sure."

As they stepped out of the internet café, the sky was painted in hues of gold and crimson, the sunset stretching endlessly above them. Xie Tingwan paused, tilting her head back to take in the view.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice tinged with awe.

The fading sunlight bathed her in its glow, transforming her into a vision of ethereal beauty. Even the strands of her hair seemed to shimmer, catching the light like threads of silk. Side by side, they walked along the bustling street outside A University, vendors calling out to passersby and the scent of street food wafting through the air.

"What do you feel like eating, Tingwan?" Zhou Yi asked, his tone light but attentive.

"I'm fine with anything," she replied with a small shrug. "I've eaten at nearly every place around here countless times. It's up to you."

"Then let's go to your favorite spot."

"Alright."

Xie Tingwan brought Zhou Yi to a stir-fry restaurant, the spot their dorm frequented most for group meals. Though she couldn't handle much spice, Xie adored the bold flavors here. The owner, a warm and lively woman, greeted Xie with a beaming smile the moment she walked in.

"Tingwan's here! Come in, come in. What would you like today?"

Handing the menu to Zhou Yi, she smiled. "Order whatever you'd like. Everything here is good. Trust me, you won't regret it."

Zhou Yi skimmed the menu briefly before ordering two dishes and handing it back to her. Together, they settled on four items—a mix of three main courses and a soup.

While waiting for their food, Xie Tingwan rested her chin on her hands and studied him curiously. "Why did you suddenly ask me out today?"

He paused mid-motion, drying a dish absentmindedly. "Earlier, you mentioned something about your family. I thought I might be able to help."

Her eyes widened slightly, curiosity piqued. "Help me? Why?"

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "So you think I'm helping because of you?"

"Well, yeah," she replied, her voice laced with skepticism. "It's not like it's because of my dad, right?"

"Why not? Tianhua Group is massive. If I can get them to owe me a favor, that's worth far more than money."

Xie Tingwan laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're not that kind of person. Huanyu's CEO isn't someone who chases profits blindly."

"Then what do you think I want?"

"I don't know," she admitted, her brow furrowing in thought.

Zhou Yi chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "If I help you, how do you plan to repay me?"

Her cheeks flushed faintly. "What kind of repayment does Boss Zhou have in mind?"

"I haven't decided yet. We'll talk about it after I've helped."

"How much are you planning to invest?"

Zhou Yi leaned back, holding up a single finger.

"One million?" she guessed, her voice tentative.

He smirked faintly. "Try ten million."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Really? You're not joking, are you?"

"Dead serious. Ten million."

For a moment, she simply stared at him, her mind racing. "Aren't you afraid I'll trick you?"

His smile softened, becoming almost enigmatic. "And aren't you afraid I have ulterior motives for helping you?"

They exchanged a knowing look, laughter bubbling between them.

Deep down, however, Xie Tingwan couldn't shake the feeling that something didn't add up. She couldn't fathom why Zhou Yi would willingly part with such a staggering sum—not for her looks, certainly, and not because of any personal connection. They'd only known each other for a day.

Setting aside her earlier playfulness, she met his gaze earnestly. "Then what are you after?"

Without hesitation, he answered, "You want to surpass your brothers and become the heir to the Xie family, don't you? I can help you achieve that."

Xie Tingwan's pupils contracted sharply, her palms slick with sweat. How had he seen through her? She'd been so careful, never once revealing her ambitions to anyone, least of all him.

Lowering her gaze, she struggled to conceal the turmoil within. At that moment, Zhou Yi spoke again, his voice steady and resolute:

"Tingwan, I'm not investing in the Xie family. I'm investing in you."