Bird in a Cage

Zhou Yi was well aware that in such circumstances, Daisy wouldn’t be easily swayed by a man’s sweet words. She maintained an instinctive wariness toward the men here.

So, in the beginning, Zhou Yi’s approach didn’t earn him even a flicker of affection from Daisy.

After observing Adel’s attitude toward Daisy and considering her background and experiences, Zhou Yi realized that familial affection might be the key to touching her heart.

As it turned out, this strategy worked.

However, Zhou Yi didn’t feel particularly elated by Daisy’s sudden surge in affection.

Though her initial fondness for him grew rapidly, it wasn’t the flutter of romantic love—it was simply because he had touched upon what she needed most in her heart.

This was no different from the goodwill Kong Huaijin had shown him because of Kong Xiaohe.

At any rate, what he needed now was to quickly get closer to her and leave some impression on her heart.

Zhou Yi had a vague feeling that the real challenge in winning Daisy over lay in the limited time they had.

If Daisy were just an ordinary woman with the freedom to come and go as she pleased, he could have taken his time to slowly charm and move her.

But under these circumstances, their time together was far too short—this might even be their only chance to meet.

If he missed this opportunity, the SSS-level challenge would slip through his fingers.

Not winning her over wouldn’t be a loss for Zhou Yi, but he had approached her with a challenger’s mindset.

He wanted to know what made an SSS-level target different.

Now, it seemed there wasn’t much of a distinction?

Or was there some hidden plot waiting to unfold?

Driven by curiosity, Zhou Yi continued his conversation with Daisy.

Daisy’s personality wasn’t strong-willed—in fact, she was softer than most targets he’d pursued.

And now that she saw Zhou Yi through the lens of an "older brother," her tone became even gentler.

Daisy cautiously lifted her eyes and asked, "May I call you by your name?"

Zhou Yi smiled warmly. "You can call me ‘brother.’ Daisy, I truly wish you could be my little sister."

Daisy’s fingers tightened around the hem of her gown. She bit her lip, her heart heavy.

"If only you really were my brother... But as I am now, I don’t deserve to be your sister."

She was nothing more than a commodity about to be auctioned off—what right did she have to call Zhou Yi her brother?

She wasn’t fit to stand beside someone as pure and kind-hearted as him.

"Why would you say that?"

"You... Never mind. It’s better if you don’t know. Just let me pretend to be your sister for a little while."

Daisy gave a bitter smile. Perhaps before the midnight bell tolled, she could briefly savor the happiness of being an ordinary girl.

The man before her gazed at her tenderly and asked, "Daisy, what do you like? Let’s go out together tomorrow, alright?"

Daisy couldn’t bring herself to refuse. Zhou Yi looked so sincere—but Adel would never allow her to get too involved with him.

Zhou Yi wasn’t a noble here. He couldn’t offer Adel enough money, nor did he possess the power to sway a nation. How could Adel possibly let her go out with him?

Unsure how to decline, Daisy fell silent. Sensing her hesitation, Zhou Yi picked up a small cake from the table and handed it to her, his voice gentle.

"It’s alright if you don’t want to. I didn’t consider that we’ve only just met."

Daisy stared at the adorable, delicious cake in Zhou Yi’s hand, her heart suddenly aching with a bittersweet pang.

[Daisy’s affection +2]

She took the cake and murmured, "Brother... I really would love to go out with you, but I probably won’t be allowed to."

She couldn’t resist calling him "brother." The man before her brightened with joy, ruffling her hair in a gesture that felt almost doting.

Daisy shyly lowered her gaze. So this was what it felt like to be cherished by an older brother?

"Is it because of your brother? Is he very strict?"

"Yes. He doesn’t let me interact much with other men."

"Maybe he means well, but he shouldn’t restrict your freedom like this."

"Freedom... I don’t have any."

Seeing the sorrow in her eyes, Zhou Yi felt a pang of pity.

"Then where do you live? Could I visit you at home? If it’s in front of your brother, he might feel more at ease."

"No... My brother is somewhat... Unless you’re someone of high status, he likely wouldn’t receive you. Ah..."

In some ways, Daisy understood Adel well. He wouldn’t entertain a meeting with an ordinary man of no influence.

Daisy took a small bite of the cake, her cheeks puffing up slightly. The fragile melancholy faded, replaced by a touch of youthful innocence and charm.

Zhou Yi didn’t press further about their outing. Instead, he began telling Daisy about China.

Daisy’s homeland was blanketed in snow year-round, and this was her first time abroad.

Sadly, she hadn’t been in the mood to appreciate the scenery—her mind was too preoccupied with the fate of herself and her country.

As Zhou Yi spoke of China, a glimmer of longing flickered in her eyes.

"There are really places where it’s spring all year round?"

"And so many different kinds of food?"

"What do the Forbidden City and the Great Wall look like?"

"I know about giant pandas—they’re so adorable. But my father couldn’t secure the approval, nor did he have enough money to build them a proper habitat. What a shame."

"Brother, your country must be so beautiful."

If given the chance, she’d love to visit China—especially that place of eternal spring.

Before this, her knowledge of China had been sparse: a vast country with a huge population, a long history, and those adorable pandas.

In those days, that was the extent of most Westerners’ understanding of China.

"Let me take you to China. Would you like that?"

"I’d love to, but my brother..."

Zhou Yi’s eyes darkened slightly as he began to coax her.

"Daisy, you’re an adult. You can make your own choices—you don’t have to obey your brother in everything."

"Your life belongs to you. No one else should decide it for you."

"Your brother won’t always be with you. Do you really want to live under his control forever?"

"If I were your brother, I’d prioritize your wishes. Someone who truly loves you wouldn’t cage you."

Daisy froze at his words.

She knew Adel would leave her someday.

But that didn’t mean she’d escape his control.

Even without Adel, there was still her father, her other brothers—her life had never been hers to command.

Perhaps her escape would only mean leaping from one cage to another.

Like tonight, attending this banquet—it was merely choosing between one beast and another.

A young nobleman or that elderly duke from Country Y—was there any real difference?

Did youth even matter?

If there was no difference, why had she come here to offer herself up like a commodity?

What was the point of any of this?