Traveling through the second dimension, the joy system encourages me to laugh heartily!

Xie Wanqing and Hua Qianhui, who still wanted to watch the drama unfold, exchanged a glance, reluctantly put down their melons, and obediently followed.

Just as Han Xueyi had predicted, the noisy argument coming from the courtyard behind them gradually subsided and eventually returned to silence.

It seems that Luo Li managed to calm the agitated villagers and reach a temporary consensus with them through her communication and promises.

Han Xueyi thought she had acted quickly and had not been noticed by Luo Li in the courtyard. Her decision to leave was considerate and to avoid putting Luo Li in an even more embarrassing situation.

However, she didn't know that after the seven or eight villagers dispersed in twos and threes, filled with dissatisfaction, Luo Li, who was standing alone at the entrance of the simple company, slowly raised her head and looked over the low courtyard wall, precisely in the direction where the four of them had just turned and disappeared.

Her deep eyes, a blend of Eastern and Western strengths, were now filled with extremely complex emotions—a fleeting embarrassment, the shame and annoyance of being caught in her predicament by Han Xueyi, and a hint of vulnerability after her stubbornness was seen through...

Clearly, this clever and beautiful young woman had already noticed their lingering gaze.

Han Xueyi's decision to leave with everyone was indeed well-intentioned. She knew Luo Li too well, understood her proud and stubborn heart. Ever since she "betrayed" their promise from years ago, Luo Li must have been harboring a deep-seated resentment!

That's why I made those bold statements when we met earlier—"I can do it even without you, you deserter." Dreams are never dependent on anyone else!

Having just uttered those beautiful words, Luo Li absolutely did not want Han Xueyi to witness her current predicament, especially the embarrassing scene of being surrounded by villagers demanding an explanation.

That would be tantamount to admitting her failure and incompetence in front of the person she cares about most, which would completely shatter the self-esteem and pride she has worked so hard to maintain.

Chen Ming then understood why Han Xueyi had pulled them away immediately.

At the same time, he also completely solved the mystery of why Luo Li's initial favorability towards him, a stranger she had just met, was as low as -10.

This is a classic case of collateral damage caused by a fire at the city gate.

Luo Li's dislike for this stranger was not due to any personal issue with Chen Ming, nor was it because of any abnormality in her sexual orientation.

It's safe to say that no matter who the man standing next to Han Xueyi is today, as long as he is Han Xueyi's chosen boyfriend, Luo Li will not have any good feelings towards him.

The root of this negative emotion lies entirely in disappointment with Han Xueyi, and has nothing to do with Chen Ming himself...

Because Luo Li knew about Han Xueyi's bizarre ambition—the "weird" ambition instilled in her by her mother to marry into a wealthy family and become a pampered parasite.

Luo Li felt disdain for this, believing it to be a devaluation and escapism of her own worth.

However, in her rational mind, she didn't really believe that Han Xueyi could succeed.

After all, how easy is it to climb into a truly wealthy family?

Deep down, perhaps a faint, almost imperceptible expectation still lingers: that her former best friend, after repeatedly hitting roadblocks in reality and recognizing the illusion of so-called "shortcuts," will see the error of her ways, return to her hometown, and come back to her side, so that the two can rekindle their old dreams and work together towards that pure and challenging promise.

Chapter 301: Escaping may be shameful, but it's useful.

However, reality dealt Luo Li a heavy blow.

Han Xueyi did indeed return, but contrary to expectations, when they met again, her former best friend was a completely different person – dressed in expensive luxury clothing, carrying an exquisite designer handbag, she stepped out of a magnificent Rolls-Royce Cullinan, accompanied by a composed and wealthy boyfriend.

What stung Luo Li even more was that during their brief conversation, Han Xueyi's face constantly revealed a blissful smile of being pampered, and her undisguised dependence and adoration when she looked at Chen Ming clearly stated one fact: the thing that Luo Li considered "impractical" and "self-degrading" had actually been done by Han Xueyi!

This undoubtedly signaled the complete shattering of the last glimmer of hope deep within Luo Li's heart.

Han Xueyi not only didn't encounter any setbacks, but she actually "succeeded" on the path she chose.

In this "successful" outcome, Chen Ming, the man who provided the material foundation, naturally deserves much credit.

Thus, in Luo Li's subconscious, Chen Ming became the "accomplice" or even the "culprit" who "stole" her best friend, made her completely indulge in pleasure, and shattered her last expectations...

Just as Chen Ming figured out the key to the matter, he strolled with Han Xueyi, Xie Wanqing, and Hua Qianhui to the side of a scenic river.

At the entrance of Luo Li's company, a BMW sedan that looked about 70-80% new, covered in dust, screeched to a halt.

As soon as the car came to a stop, the driver's side door was quickly pushed open, and a tall, handsome man who looked to be in his twenties jumped out of the car with a nimble gait.

The man's hair was meticulously styled with hair gel, and he wore a deliberately composed smile.

As soon as he got out of the car, his gaze locked onto Luo Li, who looked somewhat tired and dejected. He quickly walked over and said with concern:

"Luo Li! I heard the villagers are coming to ask you for money again? Are you alright?"

This handsome man was clearly one of Luo Li's many suitors. This was hardly surprising; with Luo Li's unique beauty, a blend of Eastern and Western charm, she was undoubtedly a top-tier beauty in the surrounding area. It would be strange if she didn't have suitors.

The handsome guy seems to be trying to play the role of a "hero saving the damsel in distress".

But Luo Li wasn't interested in him.

At this moment, her mind was filled with complex emotions, including the company's predicament and the awkwardness her best friend had just witnessed. She showed no surprise at the appearance of this suitor. She simply raised her eyes, looked at him indifferently, and even spoke with a hint of aloofness and skepticism:

Why are you here?

The man seemed oblivious to Luo Li's coldness, or perhaps he had grown accustomed to it, and continued to explain enthusiastically:

"I rushed over to help you out as soon as I heard the villagers were causing trouble again! I was just afraid you'd get hurt."

He patted his chest and assured them, "Don't worry, I'm here! I won't let them hurt you..."

Luo Li seemed unwilling to listen to his empty promises and interrupted him, steer the conversation toward more practical matters:

Instead of focusing on this kind of reckless courage, you should help me think of a way to solve the real problem.

Her gaze was scrutinizing: "You swore back then that you had a wide network of connections, knew many big bosses, and that finding sales channels would be a piece of cake for you. And what happened? So much time has passed, and there hasn't been a single substantial progress."

The handsome man was caught off guard by her direct question, and a hint of panic and embarrassment flashed across his face, but he quickly masked it with a slightly exaggerated smile.

He rubbed his hands together and explained:

"Haha, well... I didn't expect my old classmate who's in the wholesale business to be so unreliable. He made all those promises, but then he messed up at the last minute. It's my fault; I trusted him too much."

He cleverly shifted the blame to a vague "old classmate," then abruptly changed the subject, launching into a grandiose promise: "Unfortunately, my family is mainly in the construction industry, which has nothing to do with food, so I can't really help. But don't worry! I've already asked another friend, whose family owns a chain of supermarkets; they're quite powerful! Things should be looking promising soon, just be patient..."

However, the truth is often far more telling than the lies.

What real connections does this handsome guy have? His father is just a small-scale contractor who has taken on some local small projects.

The birth rate in the Far North Province has been hitting record lows year after year, coupled with a large outflow of young people to the developed coastal areas in the south, resulting in a long-term sluggish real estate market.

Therefore, his father's business was always lukewarm, barely making ends meet, and he was not able to earn much money.

He went to great lengths to win over Luo Li, the goddess in his heart.

He drove the BMW that his father had bought with a loan to pretend to be a rich second-generation, and wore carefully selected high-quality counterfeit designer clothes to put on a show.

Ping boasted about his extensive network of connections, mentioning which bureau chief's son he knew and which big company manager he was best buddies with...

Unexpectedly, when Luo Li was truly in trouble and needed his help with something real, he fully demonstrated what it means to "drop the ball at a crucial moment."

The connections he had boasted about didn't exist at all. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and beg and plead with people he barely knew or even just acquaintances to help him find sales channels.

But as a "fake second-generation rich kid," he lacks sufficient resources and bargaining chips. How easy is it for him to find a stable and reliable bulk procurement channel for an unknown small company in the fiercely competitive food industry?

The process and outcome were predictable; he could only maintain his rich second-generation persona by using more lies.

Luo Li listened silently as her male classmate made empty promises.

Although she already felt that this male classmate was somewhat pretentious and unreliable when she was in college.

But at this moment, her company is facing a desperate situation, and she has to try to grasp at any possible straw.

Despite her doubts, she did not directly call out or reject the male classmate's promise.

At this moment, she was in a desperate situation, grasping at straws, and could only try anything as a last resort, thinking that having more people help her find a solution would at least offer a glimmer of hope.

So she simply gave a faint "hmm" and said nothing more, her gaze returning to the distance, her thoughts seemingly drifting back to the mountains of canned goods at the company and the uncertain future.

The BMW parked at the door, and the evasive male classmate in front of her, failed to bring her any real hope.

Where does her future lie?

……

Meanwhile, in the pavilion in the grove by the river, Han Xueyi was grasping at her future!

Xie Wanqing and Hua Qianhui worked together seamlessly, each holding Chen Ming on either side, forming a human wall to block the view.

Occasionally, a few unidentified birds would be startled in the woods, flapping their wings and flying into the azure sky, adding to the wild charm.

Time always seems to move particularly slowly and leisurely in the quiet countryside. More than an hour later, Chen Ming and his three companions strolled out of the grove of trees.

They continued strolling along the crystal-clear river.

The river flows gently, shimmering in the sunlight. Dense reeds and aquatic plants grow on both banks, and occasionally a few water birds can be seen foraging in the shallows, creating a tranquil and beautiful picture of a northern countryside.

However, this tranquility was soon broken by a male voice, a voice with a sincere tone, which traveled clearly on the breeze to the ears of Chen Ming and his companions:

"Luo Li, actually, after thinking about it carefully, I've actually come up with a good solution..."

The voice belonged to the handsome guy driving the BMW.

As he spoke, he secretly observed Luo Li's expression and tentatively said, "The other party is an old friend of my uncle. He owns large chain supermarkets in several major cities in the south and has very strong distribution channels! As long as he agrees, buying up all your stockpiled canned goods and even placing long-term orders will definitely not be a problem!"

At this point, he changed the subject, his face showing just the right amount of difficulty, and sighed: "Alas... but my father and my uncle had some disagreements on business ideas before, and their relationship has become a bit strained, so I really can't bring myself to ask him for help unless it's absolutely necessary... This is really a difficult situation."

Clearly, this guy was seeing that the promises he made were about to fall apart, and Luo Li's trust in him was likely rapidly declining. So he was preparing to make one last effort before Luo Li, who was currently in a predicament and hadn't fully seen through his true colors.

He offered a "final solution" that he cleverly used "family conflict" as an obstacle, attempting to keep Luo Li in suspense and maintain his persona of being "capable but waiting for the right opportunity."

His aim, of course, was to take advantage of this opportunity to gain some benefit from the goddess he had long coveted. If he couldn't, he would have to find an excuse for a "strategic retreat," since he couldn't afford to waste time on a "project" with no hope of success...

However, after talking to himself for a long time, the scene of Luo Li eagerly asking questions that he had expected did not occur; there was only silence around him.

He stopped in his tracks out of curiosity and turned to look at the goddess's beautiful profile, only to find that Luo Li wasn't listening to him at all.

She was gazing at something not far ahead with a complicated expression.

The handsome man, puzzled, followed Luo Li's gaze.

When he saw Han Xueyi, Xie Wanqing, and Hua Qianhui strolling along the riverside path, his eyes lit up, and an overwhelming sense of amazement and excitement surged into his heart!

?

Oh my God!

This seemingly ordinary little village actually has such an abundance of beautiful women?!

Besides Luo Li, a mixed-race beauty with an exotic flair, there were actually three other beauties with different temperaments, but all equally stunning looks! How come I didn't notice them when I came before?

Although his mind was momentarily distracted and filled with fantasies, his remaining rationality made him quickly compose himself and forcefully suppress the restless urge to immediately go over and strike up a conversation.

just because,

His primary target at this moment is still Luo Li. He knows the principle of "taking things one step at a time." Before he has completely won over Luo Li or is certain that there is no hope, rashly provoking other targets could very well result in nothing...

Han Xueyi naturally saw Luo Li walking towards her, so she raised her arm and greeted her with a bright and sincere smile: "Luo Li!"

Luo Li's feelings were quite complicated at this moment.

Because she couldn't see the future, she was filled with confusion, anxiety, and immense pressure. That's why, after dealing with the villagers' blockade, she subconsciously came to the riverbank she used to frequent as a child, hoping to clear her mind with the familiar scenery. She never expected to run into her best friend.

However, upon closer reflection, it seems understandable.

This clear stream was once their favorite "secret base" during their childhood. Here, they shared countless secrets, talked about their dreams for the future, and even dipped their feet into the cool river water on hot summer days, laughing and playing.

In a sense, it was inevitable that we would meet here.

Luo Li hesitated for a moment, but ultimately continued walking towards Han Xueyi, asking softly, "Han Xueyi, why didn't you come back later..."

Since Han Xueyi had already witnessed the scene where the villagers were demanding money and causing her so much trouble, she decided not to hide it anymore. This statement contained her embarrassment, her stubbornness, and a subtle sense of pride—a reluctance to let her best friend witness her disheveled state.

Han Xueyi did not get angry or refute when she heard these barbed words.

Her smile remained as gentle as the warm spring sun, and she softly corrected him:

“Ah Li, you used to call me ‘Xueyi’.”

This sentence carries a longing for the close intimacy of the past, as well as a hint of cautious anticipation.

Although Han Xueyi was speaking in a childish tone, Luo Li, who was inexperienced in such matters, naturally couldn't tell the difference.

She thought Han Xueyi was wearing a special perfume, and it smelled quite nice.

Looking at her former best friend, Luo Li tried her best to maintain a cold demeanor and said calmly:

"You said it yourself, that was in the past."

She didn't accept the nickname "Snow Robe," but instead persisted with the previous question, "Why didn't you answer my question?"

Han Xueyi smiled slightly upon hearing this and softly asked in return, "Did I come back at the wrong time?"

Luo Li felt powerless at her weak counter-question, the feeling of punching cotton only making her more frustrated. She couldn't help but say, "If you had come back later, I would have definitely taken care of everything, so that... so that you wouldn't have seen me make a fool of yourself..."

Upon hearing this, Han Xueyi looked into Luo Li's eyes and spoke very seriously, her tone filled with sincere admiration: "I've always known how outstanding you are, and I also know that everything is difficult at the beginning, and starting a business is not easy, so I chose to run away... What right do I, the runner, have to laugh at you?"