Late affection is cheaper than grass.

The undergarments and shirt slipped down completely, revealing the girl's beautiful body to Zhou Yi's gaze.

After taking it all in, Zhou Yi quickly turned away.

Who would have thought that Qiao Xi, who appeared so slender, had such a voluptuous figure?

Her chest was so full... Could this be the legendary "youthful face with ample curves"?

Flustered, Qiao Xi gathered her clothes to her chest, covering the exposed view.

Her voice trembled, her face flushed crimson. "I'm sorry, Yi-ge. I only meant to call out to you."

Zhou Yi knew it wasn't intentional, so he simply kept his back turned and replied, "It's fine. Rest well. I'll step out for now."

Qiao Xi let out a relieved sigh, but the image of their brief eye contact lingered in her mind.

She had... been seen completely bare by Yi-ge.

A mix of shyness and an indescribable flutter filled her heart—an entirely new sensation she couldn't quite name.

She buried her face in the pillow after lying down.

Sleep would not come easily tonight.

In just one night, Qiao Xi's affection meter had risen to 67.

......

Zhou Yi slept soundly on the sofa.

The next day was the scheduled visit to the orphanage with Xia Qiuzhi.

Zhou Yi woke up early, while Qiao Xi, having stayed up late, was still asleep.

Not wanting to disturb her, he sent her a message on WeChat:

[Zhou Yi: Xiao Xi, I'm heading out to take care of something and won't be back until afternoon. If you're hungry, just heat up the leftovers from yesterday.]

After thoroughly checking the apartment, Zhou Yi left.

The Star Orphanage was quite far—an hour's drive away.

Xia Qiuzhi arrived before him.

As Zhou Yi approached, he spotted her waiting at the entrance of a narrow path.

Like the idealized "first love" every boy dreams of, she wore a simple white dress and canvas shoes, exuding a youthful, student-like charm. Her large, innocent eyes only added to her delicate beauty.

Her face embodied purity to perfection—even the plainest clothes looked stunning on her.

On the street, she was undoubtedly a breathtaking sight.

Zhou Yi got out of the car and walked toward her.

Spotting him, Xia Qiuzhi waved enthusiastically. "Yi-ge!"

She ran to him, just as she had countless times in the past.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "Are you hungry? Let's grab breakfast first. I can tell you haven't eaten yet."

Zhou Yi gave a faint smile. "Alright, let's go."

The warmth and adoration he once had for her were gone—now, his demeanor was cool and distant.

Her heart ached, but she mustered the courage to say, "Yi-ge, I know I was wrong before. I’ll do better."

Zhou Yi merely nodded. "Mm. Let’s go."

Xia Qiuzhi's eyes dimmed, her fists clenching tightly.

After a deep breath, she forced a cheerful expression and smiled again.

"Then let’s go to our usual spot. It’s been so long since we ate there together."

They walked side by side down the path.

This street, lined with small eateries, led to the orphanage—a place brimming with life and nostalgia.

In the past, they had walked this road together in every season, through rain and shine.

"Yi-ge, remember how we used to play hide-and-seek here?"

Xia Qiuzhi brought up old memories, and Zhou Yi recalled their playful days.

"I remember."

"And back then, you were already so tall. When it rained, you’d carry me on your back so my white dress wouldn’t get dirty."

"So you do remember. I thought you’d forgotten everything."

[Xia Qiuzhi’s regret meter +10.]

His words deepened her guilt.

Back at school, she hadn’t noticed, but now, walking this familiar path, the memories rushed back vividly.

She hadn’t forgotten a single thing.

Zhou Yi had carried her down this road countless times.

While the other kids at the orphanage struggled, Zhou Yi worked tirelessly to buy her pretty dresses.

Among their peers, she had always been the pristine, well-dressed princess.

Without Zhou Yi—who bore the hardships for her—would she have lived so comfortably?

From elementary school onward, Xia Qiuzhi and Zhou Yi seemed to belong to different worlds. No one guessed she was from the orphanage—she never looked the part.

Now, she tugged at the hem of his shirt, just like she used to, and cooed sweetly.

"Yi-ge is the best. A-Zhi knows that."

When Xia Qiuzhi acted spoiled, she was as soft and sweet as cotton candy.

If she wanted to win someone over, she always knew how.

At the breakfast shop, the owner greeted her warmly.

"A-Zhi! Back for the holidays?"

"Grandma, two bowls of tangyuan, just like before."

"And who’s this handsome young man with you? A boyfriend?"

"Grandma, it’s Zhou Yi."

The old woman gasped, adjusting her glasses to peer at him.

"Xiao Yi! Back then, your hair was so long I could barely see your face. Who knew you’d grow up so handsome? What were you thinking, hiding like that?"

"Had to keep the admirers at bay," Zhou Yi joked.

The grandma laughed. "Makes sense! With a face like yours, the girls must swarm. Poor A-Zhi would be heartbroken."

Xia Qiuzhi propped her chin on her hand, tilting her head playfully. "Yi-ge would never pay them any attention. He’s mine alone."

Zhou Yi couldn’t help but reflect.

There was clearly affection between them. Xia Qiuzhi did care for the original Zhou Yi.

How could childhood sweethearts share so many years without attachment?

Yet she had been so consumed by others’ opinions—ashamed of her orphanage roots, pretending not to know him in public, even joining in when others mocked his devotion.

In the end, she only pushed him further away.

What was the point?

Regret now was meaningless—too little, too late.

Zhou Yi didn’t respond to her claim.

Pouting, Xia Qiuzhi hooked her pinky around his palm.

"Right, Yi-ge? They don’t matter at all, do they?"

She knew Zhou Yi had become popular.

From what she’d heard, several girls were interested—but none terrified her more than Su Ning.

The campus belle outshone her in looks, academics, and family background.

She was terrified of losing him.

"Why do you assume I’d stay the same? A-Zhi, when you changed, so did I."

Her heart plummeted, panic engulfing her.

Zhou Yi no longer cared to indulge her.

"Yi-ge, I haven’t changed. You haven’t either. We’re still just like before."

"Is that so? That's just what you think."

The proprietress noticed the tension between them and couldn't help but offer a few words of advice. Zhou Yi nodded but remained silent.

Xia Qiuzhi only realized today how difficult it was to win back someone's heart.

As she ate her tangyuan (sweet rice balls), tears rolled down her cheeks.

Xia Qiuzhi wept bitterly, yet Zhou Yi showed no reaction—not even the slightest gesture of handing her a tissue.

It seemed he was determined to play the role of the heartless one to the end.

Zhou Yi glanced at her expression—a face so pitiful it could soften anyone's heart. But he wasn't the original owner of this body.

Without remorse, how could there be any "remorse value"?

He resolved to be even colder, waiting for Xia Qiuzhi to cast aside all her dignity and beg him.