American Farmers: Facing a Cutoff at the Start

Fett looked at Lyra's face, which was so close to his, and his gaze moved upward, sinking into her captivating hazel eyes.

Lyra looked at Fett, her eyelashes fluttered twice, she slowly closed her eyes, tilted her head slightly, and pouted her soft, rosy lips.

"Buzz—Buzz—"

Suddenly, the phone on the bedside table rang, much to everyone's chagrin.

It shattered the enchanting atmosphere of the room.

"ah!"

Like a thief caught red-handed, Leila jerked her body back.

Fett also stopped what he was doing and glanced at his buzzing phone.

"You...you answer the phone first..."

Laila opened her eyes, too shy to look at him, and turned her head away, shrinking back into the covers.

Fett took a deep breath and picked up that damn phone.

The name flashing on the screen was—Lina Anderson.

Fett glanced at Lyra beside him, who was still blushing and pretending to be an ostrich, hesitated for a moment, and then pressed the answer button:

"Feed?"

Good day, great hero.

Lina's cheerful voice came through the receiver, clearly audible even without speakerphone:

"I'm right here at the gate of your farm. The gate's unlocked, I'm coming in."

After hanging up the phone, Fett glanced at Leila somewhat guiltily and explained:

"Um... she's probably here to pick up her car."

"You know, her Equinox is still parked at the farm gate; she has to drive it back to work eventually."

Lyra did not throw a tantrum as Fett had expected.

Instead, she considerately nudged Fett's shoulder, her voice gentle and soft, like a sensible and capable wife:

"After all, they borrowed so much money from you, they're both a creditor and a benefactor, it's not right to make them wait in the cold wind."

"Go quickly, don't keep them waiting."

Fett breathed a sigh of relief, feeling touched.

This girl is really sensible.

"Okay! I'll go pick her up."

Fett stood up and walked out of the room.

After Fett's footsteps faded into the distance.

The gentleness on Leila's face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of regret.

We should have just kissed him!

Leila pursed her lips, then gave a sly smile.

She did not get out of bed to get dressed.

Instead, she wrapped herself even tighter in the blanket that still carried Fett's warmth and scent, and even deliberately held the pillow that Fett had slept on in her arms.

He leaned comfortably against the headboard, adjusting himself into the most languid and intimate position.

"Here to pick up the car?"

She looked towards the doorway and gave a soft hum:

"snort!"

"Hard to say!"

"but……"

When that woman comes in and sees that I crawled out of Fett's bed, her expression will definitely be priceless!

……

Fett walked to the door, reached down and took the car key with the bear charm from the hook, and put it in his pocket.

Just as I was about to pull the doorknob, the air in front of me suddenly distorted slightly, and that familiar pale blue light screen popped out without warning:

[Critical selection node detected!]

Option 1: [I don't want to work hard anymore!]

In order to please Lina, he handed over the car keys while concealing the presence of Lyra in the house and inviting Lina to lunch in town.

(Reward: Receive a $5,000 interest-free loan from Lina, Lina's favorability +10, Lyra's favorability -15)

Option Two: [Childhood Sweethearts!]

He returned the car keys to Lina at the door, politely but coldly refusing her visit and resolutely preventing her from entering the house, thus protecting Leila's feelings.

(Reward: Lyra's favorability +5, Lina's favorability -15)

Option 3: [Make money first!]

Open the door and invite Lina, a business school graduate, into the house to discuss Christmas tree planning.

(Reward: Obtain the attribute "Playing Both Sides Well" which allows you to more keenly perceive the key to solving problems when navigating between multiple factions.)

Fett paused for a moment as he looked at the three options.

Having been reborn with a system, if I were to choose option one—living off a woman—just for the sake of five thousand dollars, I'd be utterly pathetic.

Even if I really want to live off a woman, I'll have to wait until my teeth aren't strong enough.

As for choosing option two, that would effectively end Lina's path.

Option three clearly states that Lina graduated from the business school.

He and Leila were so worried about how to deal with those city customers that they almost lost their hair.

With Lina, a ready-made strategist, delivered right to our doorstep, wouldn't it be perfect for her to offer advice and strategies?

Therefore, only option three is available.

Although it carries the highest risk—walking a tightrope between two women—the rewards are also the greatest.

There's also a reward: [Good fortune in all directions].

The entry is good, we need the entry.

Fortune favors the bold!

If you want to expand your farm, you need to have some guts.

"Let's do it!"

Fett took a deep breath and made his choice.

He opened the door and limped down the porch.

From afar, I could see Lina standing next to the black Equinox at the farm gate.

Old Frank was standing next to her, carrying a shovel, and they seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.

Today she wore a well-tailored camel cashmere coat, paired with a white turtleneck sweater, slim-fitting black trousers, and Chelsea boots.

There were no superfluous decorations, only a delicate Hermès handbag slung over her arm.

Standing in the desolate winter farm, she resembled a tulip blooming on the wilderness, exuding a refined elegance that seemed out of place here.

When she saw Fett come out, a bright smile appeared on her face:

Good day, Fett. Is your leg feeling better?

"Much better," Fett smiled. "How about you?"

Lina gently wiggled her ankle, then lifted her foot and tapped it on the ground:

"It still hurts a little, but I can drive without much trouble."

"That's good."

Old Frank interjected, "Fett, take Lina inside to warm up."

"I heard her say that there was a big tree lying in the middle of the road on the way to the farm, blocking half of the road."

"I'll go ask your Uncle Roy to bring the chainsaw so we can go check it out together and not delay our guests."

A tree fell on the road? It wasn't very windy last night.

A hint of doubt flashed through Fett's mind, but he knew this was a serious matter that couldn't be delayed.

"Okay, Dad, be careful."

Watching old Frank leave in a hurry, Fett stepped aside and gestured for him to continue.

"Let's go inside. It's windy outside. Let's come in and have a cup of hot tea."

"I also want to thank you in person for your help that night."

The two walked side by side toward the main house.

"Don't thank me, we're friends."

Lina smoothed her wind-blown hair, her gaze falling on Fett's bandaged leg, her expression complex.

"However, I watched the news many times last night."

She narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Fett with a half-smile, her tone carrying a hint of:

"You were willing to risk your life to save that girl. It seems... she's very important to you?"

Fett did not dodge Lina's probing question.

He looked directly into Lina's scrutinizing eyes and nodded frankly:

"It's very important. She didn't abandon me, and I will never abandon her."

Lina's smile faded slightly, and a hint of barely perceptible disappointment and jealousy flickered in her eyes:

"It seems that I, as your creditor, am not so important to you. After all, you're too busy to even reply to my messages."

Fett stopped and looked at Lina, his voice low and sincere:

"When I needed money the most, you reached out and helped me."

"You are just as important to me."

"If you ever encounter danger, I will stand in front of you and protect you. That's my principle."