Treasure Girl

Daisy had no idea how frantic Adel might be at that moment. She was sitting in the car with Zhou Yi, heading to the most beautiful forest park in the city.

At first, Daisy felt a bit nervous, afraid that Adel would notice her escape and immediately come after her. Only after the car had driven far away did she finally let out a sigh of relief.

Zhou Yi pointed out the window and said, "Daisy, look—the scenery outside is so beautiful."

The afternoon sunlight was radiant, casting a warm glow on everything it touched. Daisy gazed out the window, watching as many people lounged leisurely on benches, basking in the sun.

The car slowly cruised along the coastal highway, where seagulls circled above the viewing platforms by the roadside. When the driver honked the horn, the birds scattered, fluttering past Daisy’s line of sight.

Daisy, like an awestruck little girl, tilted her head and pressed against the window to take in the view.

Her blue eyes were so clear they mirrored the world outside, and her long, curled lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. Her beautiful hair danced in the wind, swirling around her.

In Zhou Yi’s eyes, she was even more captivating than the scenery outside.

Daisy had grown up in a country where snow fell year-round, so such sights were entirely new to her. When she first arrived, her heart had been too heavy with sorrow to appreciate anything. Now, she could finally take in the beauty around her.

"Brother, look—the sea sparkles like it’s glowing!"

Daisy loved the ocean, but she had only ever seen it in pictures. The real thing was far more breathtaking.

"Your eyes are just as beautiful as the sea, Daisy—both so blue."

Daisy turned to him, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "But my eyes don’t glow. The sea shines because the sun touches it."

For the first time, Zhou Yi saw her as a girl her age should be—not fragile or sorrowful, but full of life.

Her radiant smile only made her seem more endearing.

Zhou Yi gently ruffled her hair. "No, you have your own light too."

Daisy’s eyes sparkled, the sunlight casting a soft filter over her. "Maybe it’s because you’re the sun, brother, that I can shine at all."

Zhou Yi froze for a moment, feeling as if he was the one being charmed instead.

Daisy was special. She wasn’t some seductive temptress, yet she effortlessly stirred a deep sense of protectiveness in others.

For a man, it was all too easy for pity to turn into affection.

Was the SSS rating meant to test the resolve of those trying to win her over? To see if they could guard their own hearts?

Zhou Yi’s thoughts spiraled until he finally gave up and turned to his system for answers.

"Why is Daisy rated SSS? System, can you explain?"

"The rating is automatic. I can’t give you an answer—you’ll have to figure it out yourself. There’s a reason she’s SSS."

"So she has some kind of secret? Or is she just pretending?"

If Daisy had been acting this whole time, Zhou Yi would have to hand it to her—she deserved an Oscar for that performance.

Still, he trusted his own judgment. She couldn’t be faking it.

After all, the system’s "affection points" didn’t lie.

Unable to find an answer, Zhou Yi set the matter aside for now.

He and Daisy continued chatting as they finally arrived at their destination—the forest park.

Zhou Yi had brought her mainly to see the animals. When he’d asked her what she wanted to do most, her answer had been surprisingly simple: she just wanted to see little creatures.

After buying their tickets, they passed by a cotton candy stall, and Zhou Yi paused.

"Do they have this in your country?"

"No. Cotton candy is so pretty! I saw it in books when I was little—it always looked delicious."

"Then let’s get you two to try. Sweets make everything better."

Zhou Yi bought her cotton candy—simple white and pink clouds that looked as sweet as they were adorable.

"Try it. See if it’s sweet enough."

He handed her the two fluffy treats.

Daisy took them, and like a delighted child, her eyes lit up after the first bite.

A bit of sugary residue clung to her lips as she held up the two little clouds, looking utterly adorable.

"Brother, you should have one too."

She offered the cotton candy to Zhou Yi, but he chuckled and shook his head. "No, I don’t like sweets."

Bending down, he took a tissue and gently wiped the traces from her lips, feeling almost like a doting father.

"But you said sweets make people happy. I want you to be happy too, brother."

Daisy gave him a sweet smile before wrapping her arms around him in a soft hug, accidentally smearing some cotton candy on his shoulder.

When she pulled away, she added softly,

"Brother, I haven’t felt this lighthearted since my mother passed away. Thank you."

"I think you must be the prince God sent to save me."

Zhou Yi felt that if he looked into her eyes for even a second longer, he’d lose his resolve to keep up the act.

Daisy had nothing left. If he won her heart only to leave her, what would become of her?

He patted her head and smiled. "God wants you to be happy, Daisy. So you have to be a joyful girl, alright?"

Daisy knew he was just humoring her, but it still made her happy.

After finishing the cotton candy, she took Zhou Yi’s hand and looked up at him. "Brother, you have to hold my hand the whole time today. I don’t want to lose you."

Zhou Yi laughed helplessly. "We have phones. I’ll find you no matter where you go."

But Daisy gripped his hand tightly. "If I lose sight of you even for a second, I’ll be scared."

She had already been abandoned by her father and Adel. Deep down, she was still unsettled.

"I won’t let go. Come on, let’s go see the deer and lambs you wanted to see."

The two strolled through the forest park, chatting as they walked.

Daisy told him many things—about her identity, her country, and her mother.

According to Daisy, her mother had also married into the family from another country, making it a political alliance.

Back then, the Snow Country wasn’t engulfed in war, and her mother’s homeland was prosperous. The union had been one of strength.

Her mother had once been the most beloved princess, and even after marriage, Daisy’s father had treated her with respect.

But as international tensions shifted and dynasties rose and fell, her mother’s family was overthrown by another.

With her political value gone, Daisy’s mother suffered abuse from her husband and eventually succumbed to depression.

Whenever she spoke of her mother, Daisy’s expression softened with nostalgia and warmth.

"Mom loved telling me stories—fairy tales and treasure hunts. She always said there was a treasure on Wagner Island, one that could make whoever found it richer than kings."

Zhou Yi perked up.

He carefully considered Daisy’s words, sensing they might hold the key to her SSS rating.

"Treasure?"