Sophia found her gaze drifting toward Jason again and again—quietly, unconsciously.
She had always been the one others stole glances at. From school to university, she was used to that kind of attention. She never imagined there would come a day when she would be the one sneaking looks at someone else.
Yet she couldn't help it.
This man had drawn her in completely.
Jason stood there with an easy, natural composure, tall and straight, his presence calm yet overwhelming.
—
After Olivia and Secretary Caleb finished their discussion, the Project officially began to take shape.
But a project of this scale couldn't be finalized casually. Jason still needed to personally visit the mayor's office to complete the procedures.
So, he and Sophia parted ways.
One day later, after the project was formally approved, Jason spoke to Olivia again.
"Since this is a classical heritage innovation project," he said calmly, "we'll naturally need people who truly understand classical culture to participate in planning and design. Have you found suitable candidates?"
Olivia nodded."Secretary Caleb recommended several experts from cultural institutions, heritage bureaus, and archaeological research organizations. I've reviewed them—most are very capable. Their salary expectations are generally reasonable."
She paused briefly, then added,"Only a handful asked for inflated compensation. Some even volunteered to lower their pay because they genuinely love the field."
Jason nodded lightly.
"I'd like to recommend two people as well."
Olivia looked up.
"They're still students, so they aren't 'professionals' in the strict sense. But their understanding of classical culture surpasses many professionals."
"And because they're young, they're better at combining tradition with modern aesthetics."
Olivia's eyes flickered with realization.
"Jason… are you talking about Elsa and Sophia?"
"Their knowledge is indeed exceptional," she continued. "But what kind of compensation should we offer them?"
Jason smiled faintly.
"Paying them would cheapen it."
"They genuinely love classical culture. They would want to participate in this project. I'm giving them a platform to display their talent and pursue what they love."
"Talking about money would be… vulgar."
Olivia stared at him, speechless for a moment.
"…My god," she muttered. "You're this rich, and you still want people to work for free?"
—
Not long after, Sophia received a message from Olivia.
Olivia:Sophia, the been officially finalized.You have a deep understanding of classical culture and strong aesthetics. Jason would like to hear your thoughts on the project. Do you have any ideas?
Sophia's heart began to beat faster—once, twice, then faster still.
Jason had finalized a the project right in front of her.
And now, the first person he asked for input was her.
Even someone like Sophia—who rarely overthought things—couldn't stop her mind from wandering.
A quiet, girlish thought surfaced despite herself.
Could it be… that everything he's doing is for me?
Her reason immediately rejected the idea.
That was unlikely. Too unlikely.
And yet—
The most romantic thing in the world wasn't a confession or flowers.
It was seeing something you loved being protected, expanded, and elevated—right before your eyes.
Sophia gently shook her head, trying to stop herself from spiraling.
But the softest part of her heart had already been touched.
Sophia: Favorability +3.
Then, the familiar system notification appeared.
Sophia's favorability has exceeded 80. Status panel updated.
Name: Sophia
Age: 19
Appearance: 9.3 / 10
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 53 kg
Favorability: 0 → 81
Past relationships: None
STDs: None
Sophia stared at the screen for a second—then slowly put her phone down.
Outside her window, the evening light filtered in softly.
And somewhere deep in her heart, something quiet and irreversible had already begun.
Sophia replied to Olivia almost immediately:
Sophia:Thank you, Jason, for valuing my research in classical culture.I'll draft a preliminary concept as soon as possible.
When Olivia saw the message, she couldn't help but smile and shake her head.
"As expected of Jason," she muttered to herself."He gets a goddess to work for him for free, doesn't mention money even once—and she's afraid she won't do well enough."
At the same time.
Ever since Elsa had met Jason, her emotions had been slightly out of control.
She kept warning herself that he was a playboy—someone who couldn't be trusted.Yet her mind stubbornly replayed the image of him in traditional attire, standing tall and composed, like a refined young master stepping out of an ancient scroll.
Before she realized it, she was even… looking forward to seeing him again.
Unfortunately, she never did.
So Elsa pretended she didn't care, forcing herself to push Jason to the back of her mind.
That day, when she wandered back.
When she suddenly heard people discussing Jason in the crowd.
Her ears instantly perked up.
"This is how it should look."
"We should thank Jason. Otherwise, that film crew—and that arrogant Ash—would never have changed."
"I heard Ash's bodyguards drove people away, but ended up driving off a god-tier rich guy. Next thing you know, Ash's finished in a single day."
"Were you there when it happened? That scene was insane."
Listening quietly, Elsa quickly pieced everything together.
She couldn't help but think:
This playboy… is still as respectful of classical culture as ever.
Not like some rich people whose vulgarity leaks out no matter how much money they have.
Elsa: Favorability +5.
Just then, her phone vibrated.
A message—from Olivia.
Elsa read it carefully.
Her eyes widened.
Southern Heritage Classical Innovation Park?
So Jason's love for classical intangible culture was just as deep as hers?
No—deeper.
This wasn't just liking it.
This was absolute conviction backed by absolute strength.
Ordinary people could love classical culture all they wanted, but they couldn't afford to invest in it. Projects like this were notoriously hard to recoup costs from.
Yet Jason didn't invest a few million.
He didn't invest tens of millions.
He invested hundreads.
And the moment the project was secured, the first thing he did was ask for her opinion.
Judging by the timing… she might even be the very first person consulted.
Did this mean something?
Was the hidden intention to shape this entire project according to her aesthetic?
Elsa: Favorability +5.
The favorability that had once dropped because of Jason's rumored philandering quietly climbed back up—past 80.
Elsa's cheeks flushed, her heart pounding like a startled deer.
Elsa:Got it, Sister Olivia.I'll start designing a proposal right away.I've already researched Southern classical intangible heritage in depth and have many ideas.I really hope they can be put to use.
In the days that followed, Sophia and Elsa worked almost obsessively on their respective designs.
They poured their hearts into every detail.
They asked for no pay.Not even a symbolic fee.
Because deep down, both of them believed the same thing—
That Jason wasn't asking them to work for him.
He was building something with them.Something aligned with their ideals, their aesthetics, their dreams.
That belief filled them with joy.
They worked tirelessly, happily, without complaint.
There's an old saying for a reason.
If you treat a woman like a goddess, you'll only ever be allowed to look up at her.
But if you treat a goddess like an ordinary woman—
You might actually have a chance.
Sometimes, you even have to let her work for you.Let her spend effort on you.Let her invest in you.
Because human nature is simple:
People cherish what they have invested themselves into.
A man who spends money on women is often less valuedthan a man women willingly spend effort on.
A man who endlessly dotes is often taken for granted—while a man who calmly accepts affection, without overvaluing it, is the one remembered most.
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