Chapter 12: Activating the System Store (Part 1)

  At dawn, the sky had completely changed, and a torrential downpour started. Zhou Yi was awakened by thunder in his dream, and through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the balcony, he saw that outside, strong winds were blowing fiercely, and low-lying areas in the community had already become ponds. Silver snakes flashed in the air, one after another of exploding thunderbolts came down, shaking the glass so much that it seemed like doomsday had arrived ahead of time.

  "In this kind of weather, I wonder if the willow catkins and leaves are afraid?"

  Zhou Yi furrowed his brow, put on his clothes and walked to the door of Liu Xue's room. He wanted to stretch out his hand to knock on the door, but hesitated: "It's already past two o'clock in the morning, suddenly knocking on a girl's door doesn't seem quite right, does it?"

  At university, in terms of picking up girls, Zhou Yi was not as skilled as Xiao Hua, but he was still quite good. The love letters he wrote to his female classmates were once widely circulated and admired. However, for some reason, when it came to facing Liu Xue, he became somewhat tongue-tied and couldn't bring himself to make a move.

  "Lao Zhou, you're also a big shot, how come you've become so timid? If the brothers find out, they'll tease you for the rest of your life?"

  Zhou Yi smiled self-deprecatingly and mustered up his courage to knock on the door.

  "Whoosh!"

  Before he could knock on the door, it was quickly pulled open. In the darkness, Zhou Yi vaguely saw a pair of bright eyes staring at him, and that frail body was still trembling slightly.

  A flash of lightning illuminated the interior of the cave, making it as bright as daytime, and also allowed the two people looking at each other to see each other clearly.

  That was Liu Xue, wearing a half-old yellow nightgown, revealing two snow-white small legs, her hair disheveled, like a begonia in the rain, with a beauty that was both melancholic and charming.

  Little Leaf was curled up with her small legs tightly wrapped in her arms, and she kept calling out: "Daddy, Mommy, Leaf is scared. Daddy, Mommy, where are you? Why don't you want me anymore?"

  "Willow catkins!"

  "Big Brother Zhou..."

  Willow cat stared at Zhou Yi, suddenly pounced over with a hug, holding Xiao Yezi...

  "Willow catkins, leaves, I'm here, don't be afraid..."

  Ji Yi took a step forward and simultaneously wrapped his arms around two slender bodies, one big and one small, gently comforting them.

  "Big Brother Zhou...... Waaahhh......"

  As if a dam had burst, Liu Xue suddenly buried her face in Zhou Yi's chest and sobbed loudly, as if she wanted to vent all the hardships, bitterness, humiliation, and helplessness of the past two years; her originally black, shiny, and smooth hair was disheveled into a mess, but she didn't care, tears wetting a large patch on Zhou Yi's clothes, which she also ignored...

  I can finally cry out loud without any worries, his shoulders are really warm, thick and safe...

  "Willow catkin, I don't know how much injustice you've suffered. If you want to cry, just let it all out. Holding it in isn't good for your body."

  Zhou Yi held Liu Xue tighter, at this moment he only thought of protecting this weak and helpless girl.

  Of course, including Yezi this lovely little loli...

  That night, Zhou Yi and Liu Xue were sleepless. Even Ye Zi, a little girl not yet three years old, was thinking back and forth: "Will Uncle Zhou be friends with Little Auntie like in the TV show? If so, that would be great! Ye Zi could eat Uncle Zhou's liangfen every day..."

  The wind stopped and the rain stopped in the second half of the night, and even the sky seemed to be moved by this impending romance, putting away its terrifying thunder and lightning.

  ***

  It wasn't until after 5 am that Zhou Yi finally fell into a deep sleep, and he slept very soundly, but was suddenly awakened by a light and rapid knocking at the door.

  She opened the door, and outside stood Liu Xue. They looked at each other, feeling like there was a lot to say, but somehow couldn't bring themselves to speak. In the end, they both blurted out in unison: "Have you eaten?"

  The Book of Changes chuckled and smiled, the willow cat also let out a snort of laughter, covering her small mouth and looking at him with a glance: "I'm really sorry, I was afraid you'd go to work, so I disturbed you so early."

  "Go to work? Ha ha, I haven't even found a job yet..."

  "Really! Too good, I also haven't found a job... Ah, sorry..."

  Liu Xue exclaimed, she never thought that Zhou Yi also didn't have a job. The same situation made her feel like the distance between them seemed to be shortened again, so she couldn't help but express her happiness; however, soon she realized this was very impolite and hurriedly apologized, her pretty face reddening once more.

  "You haven't found a job either? Well, we're in the same boat then."

  Actually, Zhou Yi wasn't unhappy; he just didn't want to work. "Liu Xue, you... have something to ask me?"

  As soon as the words came out, Zhou Yi felt that something was wrong. At this time, he should have let him into the room and had a heart-to-heart talk with him, gradually deepening their relationship. What's the point of saying "Do you have anything to do with me"? Isn't that equivalent to rejecting someone from afar?

  As expected, Liu Xue's expression dimmed slightly, and she lowered her head: "Today... is Yezi's birthday. I've already ordered a cake, but... but only I'm celebrating for her. Yezi... really hopes you can come, Brother Zhou, do you have time tonight?"

  "I don't just have time at night, I also have plenty of time during the day..."

  Zhou Yi smiled and said: "What's going on? You guys aren't planning on inviting me to your daytime activities?"

  "Of course not!"

  Willow fluff hastily distinguished a sentence, her face turned even redder: "It was me who wanted to take Yezi to the clothing market this afternoon to buy her a new set of clothes. I was afraid you guys wouldn't like going shopping and didn't want to trouble you."

  "Who said that?" Zhou Yi's face turned serious and he said: "You don't know this, but I have a lifelong hobby of strolling around the streets."

  The willow catkins were teased by him and laughed again: "Well, Brother Zhou, I now solemnly invite you to participate in our shopping activity, okay?"

  “ok！”

  Zhou Yi blinked his eyes and felt particularly comfortable in his heart.

  ***

  Under Zhou Yi's insistence, Liu Xue finally gave up her plan to ride an electric bike and took a taxi instead. Of course, the fare was paid by Zhou Yi.

  After getting on the car, Zhou Yi directly reported the name of 'Jingying International Business City'. Liu Xue was suddenly shocked: "Brother Zhou, we are going to Chaohua Clothing Market..."

  "It's alright. Today is Yezi's birthday, you have to buy her some street goods, I'm still worried about it." Zhou Yi smiled and said: "I'll pay for the clothes, consider it as a birthday gift for Yezi."

  "How can that be good, Brother Zhou..." Liu Xiu immediately became anxious: "The clothes at the international store are too expensive."

  "Hehe, Liu Xue, if you say that again, I'll think you're looking down on me. My heart is smaller than a needle's eye..."

  "Hey Yezi, which one do you want, international brand clothes or street stall goods?"

  I'm going to International Trade City!

  The leaves turned and turned with clear black and white eyes, and made a very decisive decision.

  "Yèzi, why are you becoming more and more disobedient?"

  "Alright Liu Xue, let me, your Big Brother Zhou, take revenge for you, okay?"

  In the sweet quarrelsome voices, the taxi headed towards Elite International Shopping Mall...

  P.S: Hmm... I suddenly feel that these two chapters are a bit romantic, don't know if everyone likes it?

  Guang An is not a fan of Qiong Yao, and this book was not intended to be a romance novel. Although it's an urban life story, it's impossible to completely separate from the romantic elements. I hope everyone can still enjoy reading it.

  However, later on, I will try to reduce the description of emotional scenes, after all, this is a casual book, not a sad and sorrowful tear-jerking story.

  This is a matter of stance. Hehe...

  Finally, I'd like to ask for your recommendations and collections, thank you everyone. Today's data is pretty good, at least it's great for this book that's still flying solo:)