Renovation Plan
"Thank you so much! Today's meal was delicious!"
Qu Shiyao stood at the entrance of Yiyu Apartment, giving a sincere thumbs up, her eyes lingering on the empty plate of spicy chicken inside.
Yi Yu's face immediately broke into a bright, sunny smile, her little tiger teeth gleaming: "Then, Sister Shi Yao, would you like to come over often in the future? It's quite boring to cook and eat alone!" Her tone was full of anticipation.
Qu Shiyao maintained a polite neighborly smile and waved her hand courteously: "I'll definitely come when I have time! But I'm officially starting tomorrow, so I'll probably be incredibly busy. I might also have something to do on the weekend... um... I'll see then!"
Her excuse was perfectly plausible.
“Okay!” Yi Yu was not discouraged at all. He immediately took out his phone and waved it, his smile still dazzling. “Whenever Sister Shiyao wants to eat, just WeChat me anytime! I’ll be there whenever you call!”
“No problem! I’ll contact you by phone!” Qu Shiyao readily agreed and turned to walk towards her apartment door.
Yi Yu stood at the door, his gaze intently following her back until she took out her key, opened the door, turned back, smiled, and waved to him before reluctantly closing the door.
The heavy door panels separated the inside from the outside.
Inside the door, Yi Yu's sunny, cheerful, and harmless smile vanished without a trace, as if the delete key had been pressed.
Instead, a flush of intense excitement and secret thrill washed over her.
He practically collapsed onto the sofa, quickly pulled out his phone, and with slightly trembling fingers, tapped the pinned chat box with his brother, 【Henxi (the strategist version)】.
[Fish Falls into the Sea: Henxi! Henxi! Are you there?! It's extremely urgent! Huge good news!!! (Shaking wildly.gif)]
The reply came almost instantly.
[This week, Samsung is definitely on the way: What? Did you find a gold bar? We'll split it in half when we meet! (peeking.jpg)]
[Fish Falling into the Sea: Gold bars are nothing! Remember that goddess at the barbecue stand last night?! (Eyes shining.jpg)]
Zhao Henxi had just started a game when he saw the message and his hand trembled, almost pressing Heal instead of Flash.
He cut out the picture, trying hard to recall the fleeting glimpse of the barbecue stall last night—the woman who had ordered a table full of food, including two bottles of beer, sat on a small stool in the corner, eating skewers with a bold and unrestrained manner, yet whose eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, was indeed unforgettable.
[This week I'm definitely going to get three stars: Oh~ that girl you fell in love with at first sight and can't stop dreaming about? What's up, did we bump into each other again today? Did you get her WeChat? (eating melon.jpg)]
[Fish Falling into the Sea: A Chance Encounter?! It's Fate! I moved to my new house yesterday! And she! Lives right next door!!! (Groundhog Screaming.jpg)]
[Fish Falling into the Sea: This noon! I! Invited my goddess to lunch under the guise of moving! She! Ate all the spicy chicken and sweet and sour pork ribs I made! (Proudly puffing out her chest.jpg)]
Zhao Henxi stared at her phone screen, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, her fingers typing furiously:
[This week's three stars are a must: Holy crap!!! What kind of god stepped in your dog poop?! How did this even work?! (Shocked my whole family.jpg) Wait! Did you even ask the crucial questions? What's the goddess's name? Is she single?!]
Yi Yu stared at the three words "Single or Not" on the screen, and his excited brain seemed to be doused with cold water, instantly freezing.
Oh right! I was so busy admiring the goddess's heroic figure that I forgot to ask this core strategic question!
[Fish Falling into the Sea: Uh… this… I think… probably… no, right? (fingers.jpg) The way she eats… she looks so free! She doesn't seem to be bound by family responsibilities!]
Even through the screen, Zhao Henxi could sense his brother's lack of confidence, and rolled his eyes in exasperation.
[This week I'm definitely aiming for three stars: ...(wiping sweat.jpg) Alright, the revolution is not yet complete, comrades still need to work hard! Brother, your happiness is in my hands, Zhao Zhuge Henxi! Come on! First, describe how the goddess looked at you today? Did she pay special attention to any part of you?]
Yi Yu was immediately lost in sweet memories, her fingers flying across the keyboard:
[Fish Falling into the Sea: Yes! Absolutely! When we first met, his eyes lingered on me for several seconds! During dinner, he even praised my cooking and gave me a thumbs up!]
Zhao Henxi looked at the description, stroked his chin, and felt that he had suddenly understood!
He quickly switched screens, opened his browser, and entered keywords such as: "What type of woman does a strong, independent woman like?", "How to win over a mature, sophisticated woman", and "A guide to winning over a younger, more masculine man"...
With a deluge of information, Strategist Zhao distilled the essence, delivering a truly enlightening experience!
[This week, Samsung is definitely on the way: Bro! It's a sure thing! (Slams his fist on the table.jpg) The analysis results are in! Goddesses with an aura of two meters and eighty centimeters often crave a contrasting cuteness! What's been hottest in recent years? Puppy-like guys! Sweet, obedient, and clingy, they're all about being sincere and harmless, a surefire way to beat up a mature woman! (Adjusts glasses.jpg)]
Yi Yu looked at the words "little puppy," then looked down at his arms, which were tanned a healthy wheat color from years of playing basketball, and the faint outline of his abdominal muscles, and fell into a brief state of confusion.
This... is quite different from his image.
[This week, a Samsung upgrade is a must! Of course! Hardware issues can be addressed later! (Fist pump.jpg) Listen to my strategist's orders! First, immediately! Go buy me a whitening face mask! Use it every day! Second, apply the highest SPF sunscreen before going out! Cover yourself up completely! Third, a glass of lemon water every night for internal whitening! Fourth, stop lifting weights at the gym for now! Switch to yoga or jogging, maintain that 'slim when dressed, muscular when undressed' hazy beauty! Understand?!]
Yi Yu stared at the long list of "Quick Guide to Becoming a Puppy", his eyes gradually changing from confusion to determination!
He immediately sprang up from the sofa, rushed into the study, pulled out a small notebook, and solemnly wrote down:
"Operation to Win Over the Goddess (Puppy Version) V1.0"
1. Purchase whitening face masks (one per day).
2. Purchase SPF50++++ sunscreen (essential for going out!)
3. Lemon water plan (one glass every night)
4. Adjust your exercise routine (yoga/jogging)
5. Learn to smile harmlessly (reference: Samoyed)
After he finished writing, he took a picture and sent it to Zhao Henxi.
[Fish Falling into the Sea: Received! Strategist! Mission accomplished! (Salute.jpg) Wait for my report in a week! No progress? I'll answer to you with my head!]
[This week we're definitely going for three stars: (You're a quick learner.jpg) Go, Pikachu! Remember! Your eyes should be watery! Your smile should be innocent and sweet! Your actions should be considerate and clingy! Let's go!]
Yi Yu put down his phone, his eyes gleaming with determination. He immediately opened a shopping app and began frantically searching: "Which men's whitening face mask is the best?", "The ultimate sunscreen", "Quick whitening home remedies"...
---
Meanwhile, in the apartment next door.
Qu Shiyao had just collapsed onto the sofa, not even having time to savor the lingering flavor of the sweet and sour pork ribs, when the system's sharp, booming voice exploded in her head:
[Host! Red Alert! Highest Level! That fish is definitely suspicious! Seriously suspicious!!!]
The system's electronic sounds became distorted due to excessive excitement.
[I've thoroughly examined the original outline! Search! No such person! Appearing out of thin air! Targeted delivery! And so passionately devoted to you! This doesn't make sense! This violates the rules of the plot! This is absolutely a world bug! Host! Wake up! Sugar-coated bullets are the most deadly!!!]
The noise was comparable to a hundred screaming chickens holding a concert in her ear at the same time, making Qu Shiyao's head buzz.
A vein throbbed in her temple. If the system had a physical form, she would have already dismantled it into scrap metal and thrown it into the Pacific Ocean to feed the sharks!
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her rage, and spoke in an unprecedentedly calm, almost cold tone: "System."
The system, still reeling from the "apocalypse" panic, shuddered at her tone, and the alarm abruptly stopped: 【...Host?】
That calmness is almost frightening!
"Do you trust me?" Qu Shiyao's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an aura that left no room for doubt.
The system felt a chill run down its spine, and its survival instincts surged: [Believe! You must believe! Unconditional trust! Host, please speak! I'm listening!] Its tone was as docile as a quail.
"I have a very good eye for people."
Qu Shiyao's gaze was sharp, and she analyzed the situation meticulously. "Yi Yu is a man with clear eyes and an open mind. He has no ulterior motives. He may have his own reasons for approaching me, but it is definitely not malicious."
She paused, her tone carrying a powerful persuasiveness, "As for why this character isn't mentioned in the outline? It's simple. First, he might be just a background character, someone who wouldn't even be caught in the original story's camera work. Second, my appearance itself is a huge variable; it's perfectly reasonable for me to flap my wings and attract this little butterfly."
The system's data flow was somewhat calmed by her confident tone, but she still couldn't help muttering under her breath: "Then...then what's he trying to gain by giving me oranges and treating me to dinner, being overly enthusiastic?"
One second Qu Shiyao was calmly analyzing the situation, radiating an aura of confidence, but the next second she instantly lost all composure, her face breaking into an extremely narcissistic smile that shone with an air of "I'm irresistibly charming." She casually tossed her bangs, revealing eight gleaming white teeth:
"What's the point? Is that even a question?"
With her hands on her hips, her voice booming and brimming with confidence, she declared, "Of course, they were captivated by my—Niohuru Qu Shiyao's—damn, irresistible charm! Love at first sight! Do you understand? I'm a legend!"
system:【……】
It felt its processor instantly overload and start smoking due to the host's lightning-fast change of attitude and extremely inflated confidence! The logic that had just been persuaded shattered into dust in an instant!
What should have been a serious crisis analysis meeting was turned into a personal charisma award ceremony by the host!
If it had a physical form, it would be frantically banging its head against the wall right now! Will this host's split personality ever be cured?!
【House, host...】
The system struggled to organize its thoughts, attempting to get back on track.
Even if... even if he really is... uh... captivated by your charm... this sudden romantic subplot involving a random passerby... might interfere with the main storyline... what if...?
"Um--?!"
Qu Shiyao let out a dangerous, rising tone from her nose, her eyes like tangible blades, instantly piercing the system, "You, have you been secretly talking about me behind my back? Like... thinking I'm rude? violent? narcissistic? unworthy of the attention of the sunny, handsome guy?"
The system was so startled that its core data almost scrambled: 【No! Absolutely not! Host, you are brilliant and powerful! You are incredibly charming! For Yi Yu to fall for you is the greatest blessing he could ever have! It's like his ancestors' graves are emitting auspicious smoke! It's him…】
Qu Shiyao then withdrew her "death stare" with satisfaction and snorted, "That's more like it."
She changed the subject, "By the way, do we still need two chapters with a rating above 8.5 to upgrade our permissions?"
[Yes, host!]
The system quickly seized this straw to change the subject.
[As long as the rating for the first three chapters remains consistently above 8.5, the access level will be upgraded to Level 1! At that point, we'll have more room to maneuver and implement our own 'custom' actions without affecting the main storyline!]
It added with a touch of excitement: "Furthermore, the best part about Level 1 privileges is that you, the host, can selectively include some 'non-mainline' but interesting daily life moments in your novel updates! This allows readers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of your charming female protagonist! Enhancing reader immersion and empathy!"
Qu Shiyao stroked her chin and nodded thoughtfully.
This feature sounds great. In the future, when we beat up the domineering CEO, we can write more details so that readers can also enjoy it.
Just as I was making plans, a familiar feeling of languor, a mixture of the satisfaction of delicious food and the languid warmth of the afternoon sun, swept over me like a warm tide.
She let out a huge yawn, completely losing her composure, and even managed to squeeze out a few tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Hmm... I'm full and satisfied..."
She mumbled incoherently, her body already sliding involuntarily deeper into the soft sofa, "It's...time for a nap..." Her eyelids felt as heavy as if they were made of lead.
System: [...] It silently activated its internal timer.
Only three hours and seven minutes have passed since the host woke up, ate his fill, finished criticizing the negative reviews, and finished eating at the boys' college next door...
Is the host's sleep requirement... like that of a koala?!
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