172: Chapter 172 How did you know it was my birthday today?

Sunlight spilled across the sea, shimmering with ripples.

Looking out from the yacht now, the shore was no longer visible.

All around was the endless, boundless ocean.

Lin Yi engaged the autopilot, stepped out of the cockpit, and arrived at the second-floor leisure area.

The leisure area featured a huge L-shaped sofa.

Lin Yi sat on the sofa, put on his sunglasses, and stretched comfortably.

Swaying with the gentle rise and fall of the waves, Lin Yi rested his head on his arms and closed his eyes contentedly.

Jiang Xiaowan was still downstairs in the lounge, changing her clothes and applying sunscreen.

Girls, after all, always want to look beautiful in the sunlight while fearing they might get tanned.

I don't know how much time passed—Lin Yi was nearly asleep—when he heard the soft sound of footsteps coming from the stairs.

Lin Yi took off his sunglasses and looked over, only to see Jiang Xiaowan walking up elegantly in a pale blue dress.

The hem of the dress had a high slit, revealing her fair, slender legs.

Jiang Xiaowan really knew how to dress.

Whether it was her makeup or outfit coordination, it always perfectly suited her style.

Without makeup, Jiang Xiaowan's looks might not be particularly outstanding.

But after a little simple styling, her entire aura changed.

"Xiaowan, you look truly beautiful today."

Lin Yi praised her sincerely.

At this moment, with her long hair fluttering in the sea breeze, Jiang Xiaowan looked just like a fairy descended to earth.

Upon hearing Lin Yi's words, Jiang Xiaowan's cheeks flushed slightly. She reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear and came to sit beside Lin Yi.

This was the first time the two of them had spent time alone together at such close range.

The natural scent on Jiang Xiaowan drifted along the sea breeze, continuously teasing Lin Yi's nose.

"Lin Yi... why did you... ask me out alone today?"

Jiang Xiaowan asked the question she had been holding back the entire way.

Lin Yi was surrounded by beautiful women.

Of the five school beauties at Nanling University, four were constantly around Lin Yi.

And it wasn't hard to tell from their attitudes that they all harbored feelings for Lin Yi.

That was why Jiang Xiaowan had never been confident; although she liked Lin Yi, she dared not say it aloud.

She knew she couldn't compare to those school beauties.

She was even more afraid that if she confessed her feelings, Lin Yi would reject her.

In that case, they wouldn't even be able to remain friends.

"Because I prepared a surprise for you today."

Lin Yi smiled, feigning mystery.

Jiang Xiaowan was somewhat surprised.

"A surprise?"

"For me?"

In truth, today was Jiang Xiaowan's birthday.

But she hadn't told anyone.

Lin Yi then pulled a small square box from his pocket as if performing a magic trick.

"Please forgive me for being a bit tacky."

"I only know how to give luxury goods."

"Why don't you open it and see if you like it first."

Having said that, under Lin Yi's gentle gaze, Jiang Xiaowan carefully opened the box.

Inside lay a Patek Philippe watch, entirely encrusted with small diamonds.

Lin Yi had decided on this spur of the moment, having Vice General Manager Wei Zhiru arrange for her subordinates to take a helicopter from Zuimeng Island to buy it in Shanghai.

Lin Yi figured that since it was his first date alone with Jiang Xiaowan, he couldn't show up empty-handed.

But he didn't know what Jiang Xiaowan liked.

It was Vice General Manager Wei Zhiru who suggested that giving a watch was always a safe bet.

Plus, the meaning was good.

As the saying goes, every sweet romance begins with a "watch" (confession).

Jiang Xiaowan covered her small mouth in surprise.

"Lin Yi... this..."

This watch was too dazzling.

The area around the dial and the strap were completely inlaid with small diamonds, shimmering with a brilliance like the Milky Way under the light.

Every single diamond had been meticulously cut.

With distinct facets, they refracted a kaleidoscope of colors.

Girls are naturally fond of such sparkling things.

Jiang Xiaowan was naturally no exception.

But this was the first time she had ever seen such a luxurious watch.

"Lin Yi... this is too expensive!"

Jiang Xiaowan was somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

She knew this watch must be incredibly valuable.

Lin Yi took Jiang Xiaowan's hand, took out the watch, and fastened it onto her wrist.

The watch seemed tailor-made for Jiang Xiaowan's slender, elegant wrist.

As Jiang Xiaowan gently turned her wrist, the small diamonds danced like lively sprites, constantly shifting colors and exuding a luxurious and mesmerizing charm.

"Do you like it?"

Jiang Xiaowan nodded gently.

"I do like it... but..."

Lin Yi pulled Jiang Xiaowan to sit beside him.

"As long as you like it."

"If you like it, just accept it."

"This watch only looks good when worn on your wrist."

Lin Yi squeezed Jiang Xiaowan's wrist, signaling her not to take it off, but to keep it on.

"Ding, you have spent 6.25 million yuan on the cashback target. The target's favorability rating is 95."

"Cashback multiplier is being randomly generated..."

"Generated. The cashback multiplier for this time is 91 times."

"Congratulations, Host, you have received a cashback of 568.75 million yuan!"

Hearing the system prompt, Lin Yi nodded with satisfaction.

A 91-times cashback—that's really awesome!

A few million instantly turned into hundreds of millions.

"Lin Yi, thank you."

"I really love this birthday gift you gave me."

"But how did you know today was my birthday..."

Lin Yi paused, stunned.

Birthday?

Of course, Lin Yi didn't know today was Jiang Xiaowan's birthday.

He just happened to be free today and thought he'd take the opportunity to boost Jiang Xiaowan's favorability.

Who would have thought that today actually happened to be her birthday?

What a coincidence!

Since he had stumbled into it, Lin Yi naturally wouldn't let such a good opportunity pass by.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you."

Lin Yi clapped his hands gently and began to sing the birthday song for Jiang Xiaowan.

It just so happened that there was an ice cream cake in the small refrigerator nearby, so Lin Yi quickly took it out.

Originally, he had thought it might be a bit hot going out to sea at noon.

So, Lin Yi had specifically instructed his subordinates to put an ice cream cake on the boat.

He hadn't expected that everything would come in handy right now.

Jiang Xiaowan watched this scene with tears in her eyes.

She hadn't expected that Lin Yi asking her out to sea alone today was actually to help her celebrate her birthday.

Lin Yi usually had to manage so many companies and was so busy, yet he still found the time to prepare a cake and a birthday gift.

"Lin Yi, I like you!"

Jiang Xiaowan threw herself into Lin Yi's arms, holding him tightly.

She couldn't hold back anymore; she couldn't wait to tell Lin Yi her true feelings.

Lin Yi set down the cake in his hand and wrapped his arms around Jiang Xiaowan's waist.

The two of them kissed passionately like this on the boundless ocean.

From the first day she met Lin Yi.

From the moment she heard Lin Yi play the Piano.

Jiang Xiaowan had been deeply captivated by this man.

Today, she had finally gotten her wish.

Jiang Xiaowan felt an indescribable happiness in her heart.

Looking at the handsome man in front of her, Jiang Xiaowan slowly unbuttoned her clothes.

...

...

I don't know how much time passed, but the sun was gradually setting in the west.

Seabirds flew over their heads.

Jiang Xiaowan snuggled into Lin Yi's embrace.

Her hair, dampened by sweat, rested softly on her forehead.

Jiang Xiaowan: Favorability + 5 points.

Current Favorability: 100 points.