When Luo Li walked into the warm living room carrying the documents, Han Xueyi quickly put down her chopsticks and stood up to greet her:
"Luo Li, you've come at just the right time. We've just started breakfast, let's have some together! My mom's millet porridge is so delicious, and she also has her specialty side dishes."
Luo Li's mind was preoccupied with the contract and follow-up arrangements; she had no appetite for food. Hearing this, she quickly and politely waved her hand, saying:
"No, no, Xueyi, don't worry about me. I've already eaten at home before coming over. I'm really sorry to disturb your meal. Please eat first, and we can talk about business after you're done. I'm not in a hurry, just sit here and wait a bit."
She said she wasn't in a hurry, but the way she held the documents tightly and the expectation unconsciously showing in her eyes betrayed her inner anxiety.
"Okay, then you can sit on the sofa for a while and rest."
Seeing that she said that, Han Xueyi did not insist anymore, smiled and nodded, and sat back down in her seat.
However, after sitting down, she didn't eat by herself. Instead, she picked up the bowl of millet porridge in front of her, took a spoonful, and brought it to Chen Ming's lips, her voice so gentle it could melt hearts:
"Sir, I've checked the temperature, it's just right, not too hot to drink. Ah..."
Chen Ming was already used to Han Xueyi's meticulous service, and there was no surprise on his face. He simply opened his mouth naturally, took a spoonful of warm porridge from her hand, and then nodded slightly to show his approval.
The whole process was smooth and natural, as if it were a matter of course.
Beside them, Han's mother, who had witnessed everything, did not find anything wrong with her daughter's actions. Instead, she showed a genuinely happy smile, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
Seeing her daughter taking such meticulous care of her "future son-in-law," and the "future son-in-law" accepting it so readily, with a natural and intimate atmosphere flowing between them, she felt that her years of painstaking cultivation and expectations had finally borne the sweetest fruit.
The fact that her daughter has found a good partner and seems to be getting along so harmoniously and happily is probably the greatest comfort for her as a mother.
Han's mother's undisguised smile of relief was clearly captured by Luo Li, who was sitting on the opposite sofa.
Luo Li's heart, which had been somewhat anxious because she was in a hurry to sign the contract, was gently touched by something.
She seems to have... overlooked something very important.
Aside from the first few days after she returned to the village to start her business, when her mother was genuinely proud and happy for her, it seemed like it had been a long time since she had seen such a happy and gratified smile on her mother's face as Aunt Han was at this moment...
This realization made her heart sink slightly, and a feeling of indescribable bitterness and guilt welled up inside her.
In terms of filial piety, Han Xueyi is much better than her...
In comparison, her own daughter seemed somewhat inadequate.
Luo Li always felt that she was fighting for her dreams and the future of her hometown, and her mother had always supported her. But she overlooked what her mother, as a traditional rural woman, truly hoped for deep down.
She already felt somewhat apologetic towards her mother because she had been away studying for many years and had neglected to spend time with her.
At this moment, seeing the genuine joy on Han's mother's face as her daughter "found a good match," she couldn't help but recall her own mother's envious and anxious urging last night.
Only now did she truly understand that her mother genuinely hoped she could find an excellent and reliable boyfriend like Han Xueyi and bring him home, so that her mother could put her mind at ease about her daughter's marriage prospects.
After all, her mother is already married and has children at her age, so it's impossible for her not to be anxious. She's worried that it will be harder for her to find a good partner when she gets older...
But that's easier said than done!
Luo Li sighed silently in her heart.
Although she doesn't consider herself a materialistic girl, when it comes to choosing a partner, she still focuses on "high-quality men".
This is not purely for material enjoyment, but because she clearly knows that there are too many things she wants to do, and they are too difficult. The entrepreneurial path is full of challenges, and she will definitely continue to learn, improve, and grow in the future.
If a man is too ordinary, and his vision, abilities, or resources cannot match hers, or even understand and support her career, then the two of them forcing themselves to be together is destined to be unsuitable, and will only drag each other down and add to their troubles.
Not only that, besides the fact that the other person is excellent, she also hopes that her other half can be sincere to her and know how to respect and cherish her.
Unlike the rich second-generation suitors who pursued her before, who approached her simply because of her outstanding appearance, and quickly lost patience and became cold and distant after failing to get a clear answer from her after several attempts to show their affection, as if she were a commodity that needed to be quickly appraised and traded.
Because she firmly believed that a man who didn't even have this basic patience and sincerity towards her didn't truly love her; he was just lusting after her body or treating her as a "trophy" to show off.
So her original plan was to focus all her attention and energy on starting her business, putting aside all matters of love and romance for the time being, and waiting until her business was on the right track and she had a firm foothold before considering those things.
However, at this moment, her heart wavered slightly because of Han's mother's smile.
just because,
Her persistence and planning seem to have only made her mother more worried. Last night, her mother even said she wanted to personally talk to Han Xueyi about introducing her to a boyfriend, clearly she was really anxious.
A thought that "maybe I could try to have a relationship to put my mother at ease and at least stop her from worrying about me like this" began to quietly grow in Luo Li's heart.
There are only two questions left.
First, Chen Ming stipulated that she could not date or get married during the cooperation period.
Secondly, it is necessary to find a suitable target.
The first problem is already very difficult to solve.
The second problem is more difficult, since she doesn't really have any suitable candidates around her.
The male classmate who drove the BMW has proven to be a good-for-nothing. Other women she's met either lack patience or the qualities that make her heart flutter.
Perhaps... I could trouble Xueyi?
Luo Li had a somewhat embarrassing yet feasible idea: if she asked Xueyi for help, Xueyi would definitely tell her man about it, which would be equivalent to handing the decision-making power over to Chen Ming!
This is also a good opportunity to test what Chen Ming's real purpose is in keeping her single.
If the purpose is to use her to cultivate connections with powerful and influential people, then the first problem can be solved.
She could also meet high-quality men, and if they are of good character and ability, she could give it a try.
She weighed the options in her mind: It's better for me to take the initiative and talk to Xueyi about this myself than to have my mother swallow her pride and ask... just thinking about that scene made me feel awkward. Besides, if I say it myself, I can express my thoughts and requests more clearly...
Chapter 309: This is all my best friend can do for me.
As time quietly passed, a heartwarming breakfast finally came to an end.
Seeing her daughter habitually about to get up to help clear the dishes, Han's mother quickly reached out and gestured for her to stop her, saying with a smile:
"Xueyi, don't bother with all this! Just put it down there, Mom will take care of it!"
As she spoke, she deftly began stacking the empty bowls. "Go and talk to Xiao Chen, take a break. And didn't Xiao Li come to you early this morning saying she had something to discuss? You young people should go talk about important matters, go have fun. Leave these trivial things like washing dishes and pots to Mom!"
After saying that, without waiting for Han Xueyi's response, she cheerfully picked up a stack of bowls and plates and walked briskly towards the kitchen. Her movements were very efficient; wiping the table, cleaning up the mess, and carrying the plates and bowls were all done in one go. It was clear that she had been doing housework for many years and had developed a nimble and skillful hand and foot.
Seeing this, Han Xueyi knew she couldn't go against her mother's wishes, so she could only smile helplessly.
She turned around and took Chen Ming's arm again, and the two walked together toward Luo Li, who was sitting on the sofa waiting.
"Luo Li," Han Xueyi said with a gentle smile, her gaze falling on the conspicuous document in Luo Li's arms. She asked directly, "You came here so early, there must be something important. What are you carrying?"
Luo Li temporarily suppressed her previous complex thoughts, as the most urgent task was to solve the company's life-or-death problem.
She took a deep breath, brought the documents in her arms to her front, and said earnestly:
"Xueyi, I came here about the collaboration we discussed last night."
As she spoke, she took out several bound documents from the file bag. On top of them were two important photocopies of certificates. "These are detailed information about our 'Luo Li Co., Ltd.', product introductions, and photocopies of our food production license and food hygiene license. All qualifications are complete and compliant."
She handed the documents to Han Xueyi, her tone sincere: "These are all prepared, please take a look. If there is anything else that needs to be added, I will take care of it immediately."
However, Han Xueyi did not reach out to take the documents after hearing this. Instead, she naturally turned her head and cast a questioning look at Chen Ming beside her.
As her best friend of many years, Luo Li immediately understood the clear signal contained in Han Xueyi's action—these matters had to be decided by her man; don't bother her, it's useless, the final decision rests with Chen Ming.
Luo Li understood perfectly, showing no displeasure whatsoever. She smoothly shifted the direction of the documents she was handing out, bringing them closer to Chen Ming's position, and repeated herself with even greater sincerity:
"Mr. Chen, these are our company's relevant documents and qualification certificates. Please take a look..."
Chen Ming glanced at the stack of documents but didn't take them. He simply called out to Xie Wanqing, who was standing quietly to the side:
"Cousin, come and see..."
Xie Wanqing once went to the international metropolis of Shanghai to work as a financial investment consultant in order to find a so-called "golden husband," dealing with contracts, projects, and risk assessments all day long.
Although she has now resigned and is now wholeheartedly working for Chen Ming, reviewing a simple procurement contract and basic company information to determine its compliance and basic terms is still more than enough for her.
At the very least, they are definitely much more professional than Chen Ming, who was just an ordinary security guard before the awakening system.
"Okay, cousin, leave it to me!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing immediately responded obediently, took a few steps forward, and took the thick stack of documents from Luo Li's hands.
With a serious expression on her face, she walked straight to the empty seat at the dining table, sat down, and then lowered her head to carefully examine each page. Her expression was focused, as if she had returned to the state of working in an office building in Shanghai.
After handing the matter over to Xie Wanqing, Chen Ming seemed to have completely abandoned his responsibilities and was too lazy to deal with these trivial matters anymore.
He leisurely walked to the main seat on the sofa and sat down, leaning back in his chair.
Han Xueyi immediately stuck to him like glue, naturally sitting sideways on his strong lap, her fair arms affectionately encircling his neck, her chin gently resting on his shoulder, and she began to chat with him in a soft voice:
"Master, after we finish dealing with things, shall I take you to Bingxia City for a stroll? This village is quiet, but there's nothing fun to do here. I'm afraid you'll get bored if we stay too long..."
Chen Ming reached out and embraced her slender waist. Hearing this, he smiled slightly, looked down at her beautiful face so close to his, and spoke with indulgence in his tone:
"No!" He gently pinched her cheek. "With such a beauty like you by my side, every moment is a feast for the eyes. I'm too happy to be bored."
"Hehe...Really? Sir, you're not just trying to make me happy, are you?"
Upon hearing this, Han Xueyi's eyes lit up instantly, and an extremely sweet smile bloomed on her face.
"Yes, of course it's true."
Chen Ming nodded firmly, his tone calm yet conveying a convincing sincerity.
"Wow! Xueyi loves Master the most!! If she could, Xueyi would want to stay with Master forever!!!"
Han Xueyi was overjoyed and excitedly hugged him tightly, burying her face in his neck and rubbing against him like a spoiled kitten.
The two snuggled together on the sofa, whispering sweet nothings without any hesitation.
This public display of affection, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, made Luo Li, who was standing not far away, feel uneasy. She didn't know where to look, so she could only pretend to look at Xie Wanqing, who was looking up information, or to examine the paintings on the living room wall. However, a complex ripple of emotion welled up in her heart, a mixture of envy and an indescribable sense of loneliness.
Fortunately, not too much time had passed, and Xie Wanqing was very efficient.
She carefully reviewed all the documents, focusing on verifying the food production license, product standard number, and key clauses in the contract such as the amount, delivery method, and liability for breach of contract.
After confirming that everything was clear, compliant, and without any hidden traps or unreasonable terms, she closed the documents, looked up, and nodded firmly to Chen Ming on the sofa:
“Cousin, I’ve finished reviewing it. Miss Luo Li’s information is complete, and the purchase contract terms are standard. There are no problems.”
Seeing this, Chen Ming didn't ask any further questions, but waved to Xie Wanqing.
Xie Wanqing immediately and tacitly handed him the contract that needed to be signed and a pen.
Chen Ming took the pen, not even bothering to look at the details of the contract again, and smoothly signed his name in the place where the purchaser should sign.
He believed Han Xueyi's judgment was sound, and that her best friend was trustworthy.
Moreover, even if Luo Li sets a trap, Chen Ming has the absolute strength to protect his own interests—if that happens, Luo Li will be in deep trouble!
After signing the contract, he took out his phone and, using the company's bank account number provided by Luo Li, quickly tapped the screen a few times to transfer the entire amount of the contract payment without missing a single penny.
[Ding! Luo Li's favorability +30, current favorability 50!]
The system notification sounded in Chen Ming's mind, indicating that the increase in favorability this time was quite considerable.
Although Chen Ming agreed to help last night, it was only verbal and subject to change. Therefore, although Luo Li's favorability rating improved, the increase was relatively cautious.
Now that the contract is signed in black and white and the full payment has arrived instantly, the cooperation is officially confirmed. Her dreams and career have received the most substantial support, and her popularity has naturally seen an explosive increase.
More importantly, in the general business models that Luo Li was familiar with, especially in such large-scale purchases, the purchasing party often pays a deposit first, and then pays the remaining amount after all the goods are delivered and accepted. The final payment may even be delayed for several months. During this period, the supplier has to bear huge financial pressure and risks.
People like Chen Ming, who immediately transferred the full amount in one lump sum after signing the contract, are extremely rare and can be considered a true conscience in the industry!
Luo Li could feel Chen Ming's trust in her, as well as his support for her career and dreams!
Therefore, it increased favorability by 30 points at once.
With the important business settled, Luo Li finally relaxed completely. She walked to Han Xueyi's side, gently tugged at her arm, and whispered, "Xueyi, come out for a moment. I have something I want to say to you alone."
Han Xueyi was a little confused, but she still got off Chen Ming's lap and followed Luo Li into the yard, away from the noise of the living room.
The morning sunlight streamed into the courtyard, bringing a touch of warmth. Luo Li looked at her radiant best friend, whose face beamed with happiness, her gaze complex, a mixture of relief and wistfulness, as she whispered:
"Xueyi, it seems... the path you've chosen is the right one. At least, it's much better and more realistic than my naive ideas..."
Han Xueyi was taken aback by this abrupt remark, and for a moment she didn't react. She blinked her big eyes in confusion and asked:
"What road? Luo Li, what are you talking about?"
With a tone tinged with envy and self-deprecation, Luo Li further clarified:
"It's your 'indirect approach to national salvation' plan! By finding a powerful patron, you can obtain resources and funds, and then use those resources to give back to your hometown and realize our dream from back then. Now it seems that the plan was brilliant and very successful! But..."
She paused, a hint of worry and uncertainty on her face, and asked in a low voice, "Knowing your husband as you do, is he really willing to keep buying my canned goods like this? What if... he only buys them this once and then stops caring about them?"
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