A Walking Vault, Aren't You Tempted

"Will you come to my house to play tomorrow? I want you to spend the day with me."

Little Jia's expression instantly softened, as if she were a master of changing faces.

Zhou Yi glanced at Qu Hongzhuo, silently asking for his opinion.

Qu Hongzhuo coughed and said, "Little Jia, Zhou Yi here was invited by me to treat your Grandfather Qu. He still needs to go to the hospital tomorrow."

They expected Little Jia, with her stubborn nature, to insist, but instead, she just sighed regretfully and said,

"Alright, Grandfather Qu's health is more important. Little Jia can wait for next time."

Qu Hongzhuo and Ma Yunfang were both surprised—since when had this child become so understanding?

Their first thought was... Could this be a trick!?

Zhou Yi lowered his head to eat, wondering what this woman was really up to.

Why would she suddenly invite him to her mansion for no reason?

Even if he prided himself on being a playboy, he remained wary of women who were overly enthusiastic upon first meeting.

Besides, with her looks and status, she could have any man she wanted. Zhou Yi doubted she’d fallen for him at first sight.

Ma Yunfang cheerfully ladled soup for Little Jia. "It’s good that you think this way. Here, have some soup. Once Grandfather Qu is better, we’ll invite Zhou Yi over to play, alright? Right, Zhou Yi?"

Zhou Yi gave a bashful smile. "Of course, it would be an honor to visit."

Throughout the meal, Little Jia didn’t show any anger. She kept smiling and chatting with Zhou Yi, as if her earlier cold demeanor had been an illusion.

"What should I call you? Can I call you Brother Zhou Yi?"

Little Jia rested her chin on her hands, blinking her innocent, wide almond-shaped eyes at Zhou Yi, looking utterly adorable.

Her well-behaved appearance was enough to melt anyone’s heart. Even Qu Hongcheng, who knew her true nature, occasionally fell for this act.

Zhou Yi always had extra patience for beautiful women. He smiled faintly. "Sure, whatever makes Little Jia happy."

"Then, Brother Zhou Yi, can you walk me home later? I’m a little scared to go alone."

Ma Yunfang frowned. "Where are your bodyguards—I mean, your escorts? Aren’t they waiting outside?"

"Oh, them? I gave them the night off. They’re not around tonight. I just want Brother Zhou Yi to walk me home. Please? Pretty please?"

Little Jia clasped her hands together, her big, watery eyes pleading, making her look irresistibly vulnerable.

Zhou Yi agreed. "Alright, I’ll call a cab to take you back."

"No need for a cab! It’s only a half-hour walk. Wouldn’t it be nice to stroll together at this hour?"

"Fine, I’ll walk you home."

Little Jia grinned and quietly cheered. "Yay! Brother Zhou Yi is the best."

Seeing how much she liked Zhou Yi, Ma Yunfang was pleased—after all, her original intention had been to set them up.

Little Jia was already in her twenties but had never been in a relationship. No one knew what she busied herself with all day.

Her father was always out having fun and rarely had time for her, so Ma Yunfang was usually the one looking after her.

After dinner, Little Jia eagerly tugged at Zhou Yi’s sleeve and whined, "I want to go home now. Brother Zhou Yi, come with me."

Ma Yunfang chuckled discreetly and fetched a scarf from the room for Zhou Yi.

"Zhou Yi, it’s chilly out. Wear this so you don’t catch a cold."

Little Jia was bundled up in thick layers and a heavy shawl, making Zhou Yi, in his thin jacket, seem frail by comparison.

"Thank you, Aunt Ma. We’ll be off then."

"Alright, take care."

Qu Hongzhuo hesitated, wanting to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent. He had originally planned for Zhou Yi to accompany him to the hospital to watch over his father, but now that Little Jia had taken him away, it would be at least another hour before he returned.

"Never mind. I’ll go to the hospital myself first and send someone to fetch Zhou Yi later."

Meanwhile, Zhou Yi and Little Jia stepped out of the courtyard.

Zhou Yi had no idea where her home was, so he simply followed her lead.

"Brr, it’s so cold! Brother Zhou Yi, can I have your scarf?"

The moment they left, Little Jia reverted to her usual spoiled self—she only toned it down slightly in front of Ma Yunfang.

Zhou Yi played the clueless young man and handed her the scarf.

He sensed that this was a woman of stark contrasts. Little Jia’s rapid shifts in demeanor suggested she had some ulterior motive involving him. His instincts told him she was dangerous—not someone to underestimate.

Well, he’d just play along.

Little Jia beamed. "My hands hurt. Can you wrap it around me, Brother Zhou Yi?"

Zhou Yi obliged, gently draping the scarf around her.

Under the streetlight, Little Jia looked up at the tall young man. His expression was tender and focused, his eyes fixed on the scarf rather than her face.

As if her beauty held little sway over him.

—And her status meant nothing either.

From the moment they met, he hadn’t shown a hint of flattery.

He treated her like nothing more than a little sister.

How refreshingly naïve.

Nothing like the dogs that usually surrounded her.

Curious, Little Jia asked, "Brother Zhou Yi, did my aunt tell you about my family’s past?"

Zhou Yi nodded. "A little. I know Little Jia’s ancestors were Qing Dynasty nobility."

"What if I asked you to date me? Would you say yes?"

She was eager to see his reaction.

Zhou Yi actually frowned, looking genuinely puzzled. "Why? Someone like you shouldn’t be with someone like me. It wouldn’t be right at all."

His clueless response made Little Jia burst into laughter. She lifted her chin proudly and said,

"How can you say that? Do you know how many men beg to be with me?"

"Then you should screen them carefully. Are they really into you, or just your status and money?"

His words gave Little Jia pause. It was obvious—those men fell into two categories: those who lusted after her looks and those who coveted her wealth.

Whenever she teased men with this question, they always jumped at the opportunity, their motives transparent.

Yet Zhou Yi had laid it out so bluntly. Was he truly indifferent to money?

Her gaze softened slightly. "What about you, then? Don’t you like my money? I’m basically a walking treasure chest."

"Walking treasure chest" was a nickname her friends had given her.

Whenever Little Jia appeared at social events, she was always swarmed by people, and they’d joke about it.

Zhou Yi chuckled as they walked. "Who doesn’t like money? Of course I do. But a gentleman loves wealth, yet takes it only in the right way. What isn’t mine, I won’t take."