Afternoon at the University – A Mysterious Invitation
The campus buzzed with life as students filled the cafeteria, chatting about assignments, relationships, and social events.
Joshua sat at a corner table, sipping his second cup of tea. His posture was calm yet commanding, a stark contrast to the man he was just weeks ago.
Then, his phone buzzed.
A notification from "Dragon Head Group", a private chat for second-generation business elites, appeared on his screen.
A message from Mr. Kim, the group leader and CEO of Kim Enterprises, popped up:
Mr. Kim: "Welcome, Chairman Lim."
Almost instantly, messages flooded in.
Member A: "Mr. Lim, welcome!"
Member B: "Looking forward to working with you!"
Then, one message stood out.
Mr. Wong: "Mr. Lim, are you looking for a villa? Due to financial reasons, I'm selling my estate—Shanghai's No.1 villa. If you're interested, come take a look this afternoon."
The chat went silent for a moment. Then:
Member C: "Wow, that's a perfect home for Chairman Lim!"
Member D: "Imagine owning that property—true elite status!"
Joshua's eyes gleamed.
Shanghai's No.1 villa?
A property like that was more than just real estate—it was a symbol of power and wealth.
Without hesitation, he typed:
Joshua: "I'll come this afternoon."
Then, he sent a private message to Jia Yi.
Joshua: "Are you free later? I have a surprise for you."
Her reply was almost instantaneous.
Jia Yi: "Yes! What kind of surprise?"
Joshua smirked as he put his phone away.
She'll find out soon enough.
A Luxurious Ride – Jia Yi's Surprise
Later that afternoon, Joshua's matte-black Bugatti purred outside the university dormitory.
Jia Yi stepped out, looking effortlessly elegant in a chic designer outfit.
The moment she saw the car, her eyes widened.
"Is this yours?" she asked, trailing her fingers over the sleek hood.
Joshua leaned casually against the car, his voice teasing. "What do you think?"
Jia Yi's lips curled into a small smirk. "I think you're full of surprises, Mr. Lim."
As she slid into the passenger seat, the leather interior and rich scent of luxury surrounded her.
They drove through the heart of Shanghai, the city's skyline glittering under the afternoon sun.
"So, where are we going?" Jia Yi finally asked, her curiosity peaking.
Joshua glanced at her with a hint of mischief. "You'll see."
Her anticipation grew with every passing mile.
Arriving at Horizon Hill – The No.1 Villa
The car pulled up to Horizon Hill, Shanghai's most exclusive gated community.
Jia Yi's breath caught as she took in the massive modern estate before them.
The No.1 villa.
It was breathtaking—a perfect blend of contemporary architecture, sprawling gardens, and luxury beyond imagination.
At the grand entrance, a group of uniformed staff stood in formation.
At the center of it all was Mr. Wong, dressed in a crisp suit, his expression warm yet professional.
As Joshua stepped out of the car, the staff bowed in unison.
"Welcome, Chairman Lim."
Jia Yi blinked.
Wait… Chairman Lim?
She turned to Joshua, stunned.
"You own this place?"
Joshua only smiled. "Not yet."
Mr. Wong stepped forward. "Chairman Lim, we've been expecting you."
The Grand Tour – Jia Yi's Growing Realization
Mr. Wong led them through the estate, pointing out its lavish features.
"This villa includes a state-of-the-art cinema, a grand library, a game room, a heated infinity pool, and a private garage with space for 20 luxury cars."
"There are 25 bedrooms, each with a private balcony overlooking the gardens."
"The villa also comes with a full-time staff, including chefs, housekeepers, and security personnel."
Jia Yi listened in silence, her gaze flitting between the opulence around her and Joshua's unreadable expression.
Her heart pounded as a thought formed.
Why is he showing me this?
Then, in the grand foyer, Joshua turned to her.
"What do you think?"
Jia Yi swallowed. "It's… incredible."
Joshua's next words nearly knocked the air out of her.
"I'm buying this villa as a gift for you."
Silence.
Jia Yi's mind went blank.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she processed his words.
"A… A gift? For me?"
Before she could even respond, Mr. Wong interjected.
"Chairman Lim, this is an extremely high-value property."
Joshua nodded casually. "I know. State your price."
Mr. Wong hesitated, then said, "1.5 billion."
Joshua sighed lightly, as if the amount was barely worth discussing.
"1.5 billion… that's it?"
Jia Yi snapped out of her daze.
That's it?!
Even Mr. Wong seemed momentarily speechless.
"We can begin the paperwork immediately," Mr. Wong finally said.
Joshua nodded, but before he could proceed, Jia Yi suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Her voice was quiet, almost vulnerable.
"Why are you doing this?"
Her mind raced.
Was there another reason? Did he expect something from her?
Then, a translucent system screen flickered before Joshua's eyes.
[System Notification]
Jia Yi Favorability -5 (Overwhelmed & Overthinking Joshua's Motives)
Joshua's Reassurance – The Turning Point
Joshua noticed her hesitation, the worry in her eyes.
He gently squeezed her hand.
"Jia Yi, I got this villa because you deserve the best. You've always carried yourself with confidence, but I know life at the dorms isn't comfortable. I want you to have a place where you can truly relax."
Her heart skipped a beat.
His tone was so sincere.
Joshua tilted his head slightly, teasing. "Unless… you'd rather keep your dorm room?"
Jia Yi let out a soft laugh, her tension fading.
"Of course not, you idiot."
Her eyes softened.
Maybe… he really meant it.
[System Notification]
Jia Yi Favorability +10 → (Total: 85)
New System Reward Unlocked!
Shanghai Airport Asset Acquired (Valued at 4.8 Billion Yen)
Language Proficiency Upgrade: Fluent in English, Korean, Japanese, French, and Russian.
The First Kiss Under the Stars
Later that evening, Joshua and Jia Yi sat by the villa's private infinity pool.
The water shimmered under the moonlight.
Jia Yi turned to him, her voice softer than before.
"Thank you, Joshua."
He met her gaze. "For what?"
"For making me feel special."
A pause.
Then, before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in.
Their lips met—soft, slow, and full of quiet emotion.
When they pulled away, Jia Yi's face was slightly flushed.
Joshua only smiled. "Took you long enough."
She rolled her eyes. "Shut up."
As the night stretched on, the two sat together, enjoying the silent luxury of their new home.
[Current Favorability Points]
✅ Jia Yi: 85
✅ Sung En: 50
✅ Su Yan: 70