May I Dance with You (Gift Bonus Update)

Zhou Yi heard the system announcement that Daisy's affection level was rising, and he smirked.

Sometimes women need a little stimulation—making them jealous is a great way to do it.

Often, it’s only when their possessiveness flares up that they realize how much they like a man.

After Adel returned to Daisy’s side, he urged her to go dance with the men on the floor.

"Daisy, if you just sit here, how will those men fall for you? I heard you turned down John’s invitation earlier?"

"I don’t like that man. The way he looks at me is disgusting."

"This isn’t about who you like or don’t like. Remember why we’re here. Be good and go mingle. Don’t just sit here alone."

"Fine, brother."

When Daisy called him "brother," she felt none of the usual dependence or trust she once had for him.

Instead, the first thing that came to mind was Zhou Yi’s gentle smile.

It made Adel seem all the more cold-blooded and despicable in comparison.

She rose from the corner and walked to the center of the room, where the men had been eyeing her eagerly.

They’d all seen John get rejected earlier, so no one wanted to risk humiliation by approaching her now.

Flora gave her a once-over, jealousy flashing in her eyes.

What a stunning woman—enough to make anyone jealous.

She marched over with her clique and sneered at Daisy:

"I heard you’re from some tiny, far-off country? Must be your first time at a banquet this grand. You really do look like a country bumpkin."

Daisy didn’t respond, her gaze instead searching the crowd for Zhou Yi.

Seeing her words bounce off Daisy like nothing, Flora felt like she’d punched air.

Annoyed, she snapped, "Hey, I’m talking to you! How rude. No wonder you’re from a backwater—just a plaything for men."

Flora’s haughty demeanor was on full display, and both Zhou Yi and Jones noticed her bullying Daisy from a distance. They stepped forward.

Jones pulled Daisy behind him and said to Flora, "Is this how a noble from a great nation behaves? Flora, don’t embarrass your family by throwing your weight around."

Flora and Jones launched into their usual verbal sparring, a dynamic everyone was used to by now.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yi and Daisy slipped away from the battlefield.

Daisy looked up at him with soft eyes. "I’m sorry, brother. I just wanted to find you. Adel forced me to come dance with other men, but then I ran into that woman… I didn’t mean to cause trouble."

Zhou Yi smiled faintly. "It’s fine. Don’t take Flora’s words to heart. She’s just unreasonable."

"Then… could I dance with you, brother?"

Daisy bit her lip, her gaze as innocent as a fawn’s—enough to melt anyone’s heart.

Her fingers twisted nervously, betraying her shyness and anxiety.

Her cheeks were flushed, her ears burning.

She’d had little contact with men beyond her father and Adel, and her feelings were written plainly on her face.

Zhou Yi gave her a tender smile. "Of course."

He couldn’t leave her hanging in such an awkward moment, or she’d retreat into herself.

Like a knight, he bowed and extended his hand. "May I have this dance, my beautiful princess?"