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

Chapter 302: Coercion and Enticement

These words, like a warm stream, gently flowed through Luo Li's heart, which had been somewhat frozen by reality.

Faced with the gentle persuasion of her best friend Han Xueyi, even Luo Li, who was also a woman and harboring resentment, gradually found herself unable to resist.

The aloofness in her eyes softened, and she awkwardly looked away, muttering to herself:

"You really haven't changed at all..."

At this point, as if to conceal the softening in her heart, Luo Li suddenly turned her gaze to Chen Ming beside Han Xueyi and said in a seemingly casual but actually somewhat awkward tone:

"Hey! Your girlfriend has such a good temper, don't you sometimes find it a bit frustrating? It feels like you can't get angry with her at all? Doesn't that mean you're missing out on the fun of bickering and teasing that ordinary couples have?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming was slightly taken aback, feeling somewhat surprised.

He didn't expect that Luo Li, who had previously clearly ignored him and whose favorability rating was negative, would suddenly take the initiative to talk to him, and the topic was so... casual and even a bit joking.

However, he quickly glanced at the other party's information panel and found that Luo Li's favorability rating towards him had not changed positively and was still -10.

This discovery made him realize quickly—although the other party's words seemed to be directed at him, Chen Ming, "Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was aimed at Liu Bang," she was actually saying it to Han Xueyi.

She didn't want to directly tell Han Xueyi things like "I'm not angry anymore" or "We're still friends," which would make her seem like she was the one to back down first, so she used this roundabout way of expressing herself.

By talking to him, her "boyfriend," she indirectly expresses that her attitude towards Han Xueyi has softened and she is no longer angry.

Having figured this out, Chen Ming's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as he calmly replied:

"First of all, my name isn't 'Hey,' it's Chen Ming..."

He first corrected the other person's form of address, then adopted a helpful attitude, "Secondly, what you're saying... is it that you want me to convey something to you? Alright, since you've sincerely asked, I'll mercifully help you out. Just say whatever you want to say to Xueyi, and I promise to deliver it verbatim."

Luo Li was stunned for a moment when her thoughts were so directly and accurately exposed.

She clearly hadn't expected Chen Ming to be so perceptive and react so directly, leaving her no room for maneuver.

Luo Li subconsciously turned her head and met Han Xueyi's gaze, who was standing next to Chen Ming. The instant their eyes met, they both almost simultaneously revealed a relieved smile that transcended the barriers of time.

Luo Li, in a seemingly complaining but actually completely softened tone, said to Han Xueyi, "The man you found is a bit annoying..."

Just as the rift between Han Xueyi and Luo Li began to slowly heal, the handsome man who had come with Luo Li stepped over and said in a deliberately considerate tone:

"Luo Li, are these all your friends? It seems you haven't seen each other for a long time, you must have a lot to talk about. Why don't you two continue chatting, and I'll head back first? Anyway, we can discuss the sales details tomorrow."

His seemingly considerate and yielding words concealed his own ulterior motives.

At first, when he saw Han Xueyi and the other two goddesses, each with their own unique charm, from afar, he was indeed captivated and very interested in using Luo Li as a connection to get to know them.

However, after he actually went to take a closer look, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt something was wrong.

Because he keenly noticed the clothes, accessories, and even the bags that the three goddesses were casually holding. Although the styles seemed simple, the fabric, cut, and logo details all subtly revealed a quality he had only seen in the windows of luxury boutiques.

That was definitely not a price he could easily afford.

When his gaze involuntarily drifted to Chen Ming beside him, this ominous feeling instantly reached its peak.

The seemingly understated and casual outfit Chen Ming was wearing was also a luxury item that he couldn't afford.

"Oh no, this guy is definitely a real rich kid..."

He made a decision instantly in his mind.

The fact that the other party could travel alone with three top beauties so casually speaks volumes about their background and strength.

This place was no longer a safe haven for him; it was a place rife with trouble.

The handsome guy quickly considered his options: either find an excuse to leave with Luo Li as soon as possible to avoid further contact, or slip away on his own.

In short, I've temporarily given up on the idea of ​​getting to know the three goddesses.

The reason is nothing more than "feeling guilty".

He has spent a lot of time researching these high-end luxury brands, and you can tell that what he's wearing is genuine!

It was precisely because he knew how to discern that he was even more afraid—he feared that if he stayed too long, the women on the other side, who were clearly accustomed to a high-quality lifestyle, would see through his outfit and realize that it was actually a high-quality counterfeit.

If he were exposed in public, wouldn't his carefully cultivated "rich second generation" persona collapse instantly and become a laughing stock?

Although he was confident that the high-quality replica he was wearing was extremely realistic, with the stitching and fabric mimicking the original as closely as possible, he dared not take the risk!

A profound sense of inferiority and the fear of his identity being exposed gripped his heart like two hands. At that moment, he had only one thought: to escape this suffocating and dangerous scene of ostentatious wealth!

Even if I really want to get to know these people again in the future, I'll have to wait until he changes into an outfit that I'm sure won't be recognized, or that is the real deal!

Luo Li frowned slightly when she heard him suggest leaving first.

Although her opinion of the man had already soured considerably, at this moment, nothing was more important or urgent for her than solving the company's canned food sales problem.

So she said to Han Xueyi, "Xueyi, I do have some things to take care of here, so I'll be leaving now."

She hesitated for a moment, but still extended the invitation, which in itself represented a thaw in the relationship: "How about we meet for dinner at our usual spot?"

Han Xueyi was overjoyed when she heard Luo Li invite her to dinner.

This is undoubtedly a positive sign, indicating that Luo Li is willing to communicate with her more, and the progress of repairing their relationship has increased significantly.

But she didn't agree immediately. Instead, she subconsciously turned to Chen Ming beside her and asked, "Master, can we eat out for dinner? There's a small restaurant in the village that we used to frequent. It's not a big place, but the food is really good. Luo Li and I used to love eating there..."

Her subtle gesture, seemingly ordinary, clearly demonstrates her current focus in life and emotional attachment—she prioritizes Chen Ming's wishes in everything, especially when it comes to scheduling.

Chen Ming nodded in satisfaction at Han Xueyi and smiled:

"Of course, I'm not familiar with this place, so I'll follow your arrangements."

Upon receiving Chen Ming's affirmative reply, Han Xueyi's face finally broke into a relieved and bright smile. She turned back to Luo Li and replied, "Okay! It's settled then, see you at the usual place!"

Luo Li witnessed the entire process of Han Xueyi subconsciously seeking Chen Ming's opinion and only accepting the invitation after receiving permission. She couldn't help but roll her eyes, revealing a helpless expression that said, "You're hopeless," and even let out a barely audible hum.

And so, after a brief agreement, the group parted ways by the babbling river.

Han Xueyi, in a cheerful mood, linked arms with Chen Ming and walked along the same route they had come from, together with Xie Wanqing and Hua Qianhui, intending to go home to rest for a while, watch TV, chat, and enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

Meanwhile, Luo Li and the male classmate who claimed to have "connections" walked along the riverbank in another direction, chatting as they continued their hopeless "business negotiation."

Watching Chen Ming, whom he considered a "real rich second generation," leave with three beauties, until their figures disappeared around the corner of the village road, the handsome man finally felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief.

As if an invisible mountain had been removed, he felt the air around him had become much fresher, and he even regained some of the confidence and composure he had previously feigned when chatting with Luo Li.

However, the temporary relief from the sense of crisis did not make him repent.

On the contrary, realizing that he might soon be completely exposed in front of Luo Li and that time was running out, his restless and utilitarian heart began to urge him to make a final gamble.

The two "discussed" the issue of canned food sales for a while, with him repeating his empty promises and fabricated connections, while Luo Li raised some practical problems, for which he could not provide any feasible solutions.

As Luo Li's discussions made no progress, her brows furrowed more and more, and her face showed increasing disappointment and anxiety, her mood gradually plummeting.

The handsome man knew the time was right, so he used the same trick again, bringing up the fictitious "uncle's friend".

He sighed heavily, his face filled with difficulty and confusion, and then, in a seemingly sincere tone, tempted her:

“Sigh, Luo Li, it’s not that I don’t want to help you… but given the tense relationship between my father and my uncle right now, if I just say I’m helping a ‘casual friend,’ my uncle definitely won’t even acknowledge me, let alone use his old friend’s network. After all, just being a ‘friend’ is a distant relationship, not worth him lowering himself to ask for help…”

He paused deliberately, leaving a meaningful blank space, his gaze fixed intently on Luo Li. The implication was clear: if it weren't as "ordinary friends," but rather in a closer, more special relationship, like "girlfriend," the nature of the situation would be entirely different. Surely, the uncle couldn't just stand idly by any longer when it came to his "niece-in-law's" affairs?

"..."

Luo Li is not a naive and innocent girl who doesn't know the ways of the world. On the contrary, she is extremely intelligent and sensitive.

Hearing the man go through such a long and winding road, repeatedly laying out family conflicts, only to finally arrive at the point of "distant relationship," she instantly understood what he was really up to.

He finally couldn't hold back any longer and wanted to take advantage of her predicament, using the immense pressure of the company being on the verge of collapse to force her to become his girlfriend!

A strong sense of revulsion surged into Luo Li's heart like an icy tide. She was already exhausted by the company's affairs, and now she felt even more humiliated by being kicked while she was down.

However, this guy clearly miscalculated, completely underestimating Luo Li's inherent pride and resilience.

No matter who the other party is, the more difficult the situation is for her, the more disgusted and resistant she feels when they try to take advantage of her misfortune, use coercion and enticement.

This will not only fail to make her submit, but will also allow her to see the other party's true nature completely, and will destroy any remaining trust she had because of their "classmate" relationship.

Luo Li didn't look at the boy's face, which was feigned difficulty but also contained expectation. She turned her head slightly and looked at the shimmering river. Her heart was filled with cold disappointment, and she sighed silently.

Clearly, she had misjudged the person.

To be honest, among the many men who had pursued her, this male classmate initially made a different impression on her. He was the most patient and the one who persisted the longest. From their casual contact during university to her return to her hometown to start a business after graduation, he still kept in touch frequently and occasionally drove over to visit her. Such patience was truly rare.

With Luo Li's unique beauty that blends the best of both East and West, the number of rich second-generation suitors who have pursued her is far more than just the one in front of her.

However, these men almost all made a common mistake—a lack of patience. They seemed to be used to quick results and eager to establish relationships, as if pursuing a girl was a transaction focused on efficiency and return.

Once they realize that Luo Li doesn't immediately give them the response they want, or that they need to invest more time and energy to "attack," they quickly lose interest, their enthusiasm cools down at a visible speed, and they eventually leave quietly, turning to the next target that is easier to "acquire."

This eagerness for quick success is clearly not a good match for Luo Li, who is proud and has her own principles and expectations regarding relationships.

What she longs for is a relationship built on mutual understanding, respect, and sincerity, not a hunting game driven by material possessions and desires.

In contrast, the male classmate in front of me persisted the longest and never rushed to confess his feelings. He always referred to himself as a "classmate" or "friend" and maintained a just-right distance and care.

The two got along naturally, talking about their studies, work, and Luo Li's entrepreneurial dreams. He would occasionally share some interesting stories about his "family business".

She even imagined that perhaps after her career of helping her hometown become prosperous was fully on track and she was able to unload the burden on her shoulders, she could try to have a stable relationship.

After all, her impression of him was that he was "a decent person" and "patient enough" with her, plus his "superior family background"—by all accounts, he seemed like an excellent choice…

Chapter 303: Home Team Solo Performance

Luo Li couldn't understand why he, who had always been so gentlemanly and patient, would suddenly do something so repulsive to her during her most difficult and helpless time.

The stark contrast between then and now left her feeling incredibly disappointed.

Even now, Luo Li hadn't doubted the authenticity of her male classmate's "rich second-generation" identity. This wasn't because she was foolish, but rather stemmed from her strong sense of self-respect and personal principles.

Aside from occasions like birthdays and holidays where gifts are exchanged, she would accept gifts that aren't too expensive (and reciprocate with gifts of similar value), but she would never spend the other person's money under any other circumstances.

In this situation, the cost for the other party to pretend to be a "rich second generation" is reduced to an extremely low level.

All the other party needs to do is maintain a glamorous facade, send some affordable luxury gifts on special occasions, and add a carefully crafted story about the family business. That will be enough to maintain an image of "wealthy family background but low-key personality" in Luo Li's eyes.

Thinking of this, Luo Li's mood soured. The warmth she had felt earlier from the improved relationship with Han Xueyi was dispelled by this chilling disappointment.

She didn't want to spend another moment with this male classmate who had suddenly revealed his unpleasant side, and she didn't want to continue this meaningless conversation.

So she withdrew her gaze from the river, her tone becoming distant and cold:

"Then let's forget about it. I won't trouble you with the sales channels; I'll think of another way..."

Her refusal was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Clearly, she would never compromise on matters of principle or emotion to resolve her current predicament. This near-coercive approach would only make her more resentful.

The handsome guy had no idea about Luo Li's complicated inner journey.

Otherwise, he would definitely retort: ​​"You've been reading too many Mary Sue novels! This high-standard, demanding, low-desire, and long-term unconditional devotion in a relationship—in the real world, only those con artists who engage in 'pig butchering scams' have the time and dedication to satisfy you!"

However, he couldn't hear Luo Li's thoughts. He only knew that his carefully planned "trump card," which he had used when the time was ripe, was blocked by her casual "never mind."

Seeing Luo Li's resolute attitude, and knowing he had exhausted all his tricks, he feared that continuing the argument would only expose his true colors. He could only force a smile, managing a dry laugh, and offering an excuse:

"Uh... okay then. Don't worry too much, we'll figure something out. I have some things to take care of at the company, so I'll head back now. Feel free to call me anytime if you need anything."

After saying that, the handsome man turned around almost hastily and walked towards his BMW. His back, bathed in the afternoon sun, revealed a hint of disheveled panic as he fled...

Luo Li stood there, not looking back in the direction he had left. The river breeze ruffled her hair, bringing a touch of coolness. She felt a void in her heart, a mixture of anxiety about her career, confusion about her relationship, and uncertainty about the future, all weighing heavily on her mind.

Meanwhile, at Han Xueyi's home...

The warm afternoon sun shone through the window of Han Xueyi's bedroom, which was draped with light-colored curtains, casting dappled and soft light spots on the floor.

The air is filled with a relaxing feeling of returning to a private space, mixed with a light and elegant fragrance.

Chen Ming and the other three entered the bedroom filled with memories of Han Xueyi's growth.

At this moment, Han Xueyi's mood was like the surface of a lake completely illuminated by the sun, sparkling and brimming with joy.

This ever-growing joy stemmed from Chen Ming. He was willing to set aside his status and patiently accompany her, strolling through the land where she grew up, listening to her recount childhood anecdotes, watching her point out every familiar scene, and even forgiving her somewhat complicated reunion with Luo Li. This feeling of being cherished and accompanied filled her heart with happiness that almost overflowed.

So, as soon as she stepped into this private little world that belonged only to her, away from her mother and the possible gazes of the neighbors, Han Xueyi couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.

She gently stepped out of Chen Ming's warm and reassuring embrace, like a butterfly finally able to spread its wings freely, and took two light steps forward, placing herself in the sunlight dappled in the center of the room.

Chen Ming looked at her sudden action with a hint of doubt, his gaze following her gently.