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

So she slammed her hand on the sofa, angrily saying:

"How could you boost others' morale while diminishing your own? You're already thinking about failure before you've even started? My daughter Luo Shang has looks, a great figure, and... well... looks! Tell me, what are you lacking? You're already thinking about deserting before you've even entered the battlefield! I'll beat you to death, you worthless brat!"

Having rested for a while and regained some strength, Luo Shang raised the thin bamboo stick again after speaking, and was about to chase after her daughter with great momentum!

Luo Li achieved her goal of giving a preventative measure, but she also felt like she had shot herself in the foot.

As her mother approached, holding a thin bamboo stick, Luo Li could only nimbly circle around while pleading for mercy:

"Mom! Calm down! Let's talk this out! Violence won't solve anything!!"

Chaos erupted in the living room once again. Luo Li, with her youth and agility, always managed to dodge the bamboo branch at the last second. Luo Shang, on the other hand, relentlessly pursued her, constantly grumbling.

In the midst of this chaotic chase, perhaps because her attention was entirely focused on her daughter, a cry of "Ouch!" rang out as Luo Shang lost her balance and fell sideways to the ground with a thud!

Fortunately, there was a carpet in the living room, so the fall didn't hurt too much.

This startled Luo Li, and her face turned deathly pale: "Mom!! Are you alright?!"

She rushed back to her mother's side, squatted down, her face full of worry and anxiety, and reached out to help her mother up: "Let me see where you fell? Does it hurt?"

However, Luo Shang had already realized she was alright. The moment her daughter supported her arm, a plan formed in her mind. Instead of getting up with her daughter's help, she lay on the ground and started yelling:

"Ouch... I might as well die from this fall! Even if I don't die this time, I'll be driven to my death by you, you unfilial daughter... Why is my life so miserable! I've raised you with such difficulty, hoping you could find a good home so I could benefit from it when I'm old, but you just have to go against me..."

While wailing, she secretly glanced at her daughter's reaction, fully utilizing the typical tantrum skills of a middle-aged woman.

Watching her mother sit on the carpet in a completely unseemly manner, slapping her thighs and putting on a dramatic show of "crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide," Luo Li's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. Her lips twitched uncontrollably, and a surge of anger rose within her.

【Han Xueyi???】

She roared silently in her heart, gritting her teeth and muttering the name of the culprit.

【This is all your doing! Look what you've done to my mom! You think you've found a good man and you can just show off like that, and you even tried to scam me, huh? You think I'm easy to bully? You just wait... this isn't over!】

Luo Li made a fierce vow in her heart, but right now, the most important thing was to appease her "drama queen" mother on the ground.

Looking at her mother's no longer young figure, her heart softened, and she said in a conciliatory tone:

"Yes, yes, it's all my fault. I was so immature and made you worry. Let me help you up first, and we can sit on the sofa and talk it over, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Shang nodded in satisfaction. She knew this trick would work on her daughter, who was more responsive to gentle persuasion than force.

After standing up with her daughter's help, she sat on the soft sofa, took her daughter's hand, and said earnestly:

“My silly daughter, you must know that your mother is the least likely person in this world to harm you. You are still too young, you haven't experienced enough, and you can't see that far ahead. This is not just about finding a partner; it's an opportunity to defy fate!”

Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if she were seeing the tumultuous first half of her life.

“For ordinary families like ours, without any foundation, we can only work hard all our lives, toiling in the fields, or doing odd jobs like my mother, just to make ends meet. The kind of opportunity that truly allows us to transcend social class may only come once in a lifetime; once missed, it's gone forever.”

She held her daughter's hand tightly, her voice almost pleading: "Listen to me, try dating him, just give yourself a chance. If he makes you feel wronged, you can break up with him anytime, Mom won't stop you... This is infinitely better than dating a working-class guy who struggles to buy a house and a car, right? Poverty makes everything miserable for couples, Mom has been through it, Mom doesn't want you to experience that kind of hardship again..."

Clearly, the life experience that Luo Shang had gained through hardship had taught her that rather than choosing a handsome but ordinary man and spending her life struggling to make ends meet in the mundane details of daily life, it was better to become a mistress to a wealthy man. At least she could obtain tangible material security and also have the chance to completely change her destiny.

Besides, it's not that ordinary men don't want to be scumbags, it's just that they lack the means to be. If conditions allowed, who wouldn't want to have a harem and possess several beauties?

Luo Li looked at the complex expression on her mother's face, which was covered with fine lines—concern, expectation, and a trace of weariness and worldliness worn down by life.

Fine, it's a good opportunity to get revenge on my best friend, appease my mother, fulfill that man's wishes, ensure smooth sales for the company, and lead my hometown to prosperity...

Of course, one's own fantasy of being a domineering CEO can also be realized, and a world where no one gets hurt is achieved!

Thinking this, Luo Li finally gave up all resistance and obediently said:

“Okay, Mom, I’ll try dating him, is that alright?” She deliberately avoided specific names, using the vague term “he” instead. “Also, you have to take care of yourself. You scared me just now. I was really afraid you would fall and hurt yourself.”

……

Meanwhile, at Han Xueyi's home...

When Han's mother heard that her daughter was going to introduce Luo Li to such a wealthy man as a potential partner, she maintained a polite smile on her face, but was secretly anxious inside.

Do I not know Luo Shang well? After hearing this, wouldn't she desperately push her daughter onto this "path to wealth and honor"? This... this is simply aiding the enemy!

She felt a pang of resentment, as if her daughter were generously sharing a bite of the sweetest fruit she had carefully cultivated with someone else.

Xueyi is a good girl in every way, except that she is sometimes too honest and unguarded with people, especially with friends she trusts.

But how could Han's mother possibly voice these calculations and selfish motives?

After all, there were three guests present: Chen Ming, Xie Wanqing, and Hua Qianhui.

If she were to talk about her daughter because she "couldn't introduce a good match to Luo Li," the guests would surely think that she, as a mother, was too petty and had a dark mind, and might even look down on Xueyi's upbringing because of it!

This concern was like an invisible rope binding her mouth. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but looking at her daughter's open and bright smile, she swallowed them back, ultimately letting out a barely audible sigh and smiling slightly:

"You young people are chatting, but we're out of seasonings at home, so I'll go buy some."

After saying that, she turned and left, deciding to avoid seeing him altogether...

After Han's mother left, Chen Ming turned his gaze from the curtain to Han Xueyi, who was smiling sweetly beside him, and asked with a hint of amusement, "Xueyi, what did you mean just now?"

Upon hearing this, Han Xueyi's smile deepened.

She didn't answer immediately, but walked gracefully to Chen Ming, then naturally sat on his lap, finding a comfortable position and nestling herself in his warm embrace. Her voice was sweet and soft, with a hint of smugness: "I'm standing up for Master! And by the way... it's also giving that clueless girl Luo Li another chance."

"Oh? Go into details?"

Chen Ming took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her slender and soft waist, showing great interest in the answer. He liked seeing the girl so wholeheartedly thinking of him.

Han Xueyi stretched out her slender, white fingers and gently brushed aside the strands of her dark hair that fell over her shoulder, a gesture that exuded allure. Then she wrapped her arms around Chen Ming's neck, looked at him with tenderness, and began to explain in detail.

"Because my attempt to bring them together this morning failed, I decided to find some 'strong reinforcements'! Knowing Aunt Luo as I do, she's impatient and wholeheartedly wants what's best for Luo Li. Hearing what I said, she'll definitely take this matter very seriously. When Luo Li gets home, she probably won't escape a 'bamboo shoot stir-fry'."

"Furthermore, Luo Li's parents divorced a long time ago, and her mother raised her single-handedly, with the two relying on each other. Although Luo Li is quite assertive at work, she actually listens to her mother a lot when it comes to important matters in life..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming suddenly realized that this "driving the tiger to devour the wolf" tactic could not only clear away Luo Li's psychological obstacles and hesitations, but also completely extricate him from the situation and maintain his usual demeanor.

So he tightened his arms, holding the warm, soft woman in his arms even tighter, and said with a face full of affection, "Xueyi, your support is just too amazing. How can you be so lovable?"

Knowing that her husband had feelings for her best friend, she not only showed no jealousy or obstruction, but also went to great lengths, even resorting to "any means necessary," to help her husband achieve his wish. She arranged everything so cleverly and naturally, taking into account the face and feelings of all parties.

Who wouldn't love such an understanding and beautiful woman?

Overwhelmed with emotion, Chen Ming felt the beauty in his arms stirring his heartstrings even more. With a burst of strength, he scooped Han Xueyi up in his arms and strode towards the girl's bedroom.

Han Xueyi let out a soft gasp, then smiled and buried her face in his neck, her arms naturally encircling his shoulders.

Xie Wanqing and Hua Qianhui were already used to this. They exchanged a smile, their eyes sparkling with anticipation, and naturally rose to their feet, gracefully following her inside.

As the bedroom door gently closed, it shut out the growing spring atmosphere and the subtle, enchanting whispers within.

However, this warm and private time did not last long.

Suddenly, a not-too-loud knocking sound came from outside the Han family's courtyard.

"Tuk Tuk Tuk!"

Immediately afterwards, a clear but angry female voice pierced through the door:

"Open the door! Han Xueyi! Don't hide inside and stay silent, I know you're home! How dare you go to my mother's place and spout nonsense, inciting her to come and beat me! You have the guts to cause trouble behind my back, so open the door if you dare!"

Clearly, the person who arrived was Luo Li, who had come to cause trouble for Han Xueyi with a grudge. After calming her mother down, she stormed over...

Chapter 318: Becoming a Family

The delicate atmosphere in the bedroom was abruptly shattered by the sudden knocking on the door.

Chen Ming raised an eyebrow slightly, while Xie Wanqing and Hua Qianhui also showed expressions of anticipation.

Han Xueyi, who was called out, lifted her head from Chen Ming's arms. Instead of being panicked, she showed a slightly smug smile and whispered to Chen Ming, "Look, Luo Li has come to us on her own."

She tidied her slightly disheveled hair and clothes, gracefully got up from Chen Ming, walked to the door, opened it, and smiled.

"Luo Li, what brings you here?"

Seeing Han Xueyi's innocent expression, and recalling the "unwarranted disaster" she had just suffered at home, Luo Li felt a surge of anger rising to her head. She almost gritted her teeth as she spoke to her seemingly harmless best friend:

"Han! Xue! Yi! Come out with me, I have something 'important' to discuss with you alone!"

How could Han Xueyi not know the reason for her close friendship?

The blazing anger in his eyes was almost setting her on fire.

But she felt no remorse, and even a sense of pleasure after her prank had succeeded—how dare he look down on her master? Even a reasonable refusal was, in her view, punishable.

This beating, born of maternal love, was a small "interest" she collected on behalf of her husband.

"Okay!"

Han Xueyi readily agreed, her face still bearing that gentle smile, completely unafraid of Luo Li's almost fiery glare.

She turned gracefully to Chen Ming and said, "Master, why don't you play games with your two sisters for a while? Luo Li and I are going out to have a private chat. We'll be back soon to make you dinner, okay?"

Chen Ming understood immediately. This was a "war" and "reconciliation" between the best friends. His presence would only make Luo Li uncomfortable and limit Han Xueyi's performance.

So he smiled and nodded slightly, saying gently, "Yes, go ahead."

……

Han Xueyi and Luo Li walked one after the other through several quiet alleys in the village and arrived at a secluded meadow behind the village.

In the distance, the silhouettes of undulating mountains are visible. A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of earth and grass. What should have been a tranquil place for heart-to-heart talks is now filled with an invisible tension.

As soon as she stood still, Luo Li's suppressed anger and grievances burst forth like a flood.

"Ah! Han Xueyi!! I'm going to tear you apart today, you shameless bastard!! You're just too insidious!!"

Before she finished speaking, she pounced on Han Xueyi like a white fox that had been provoked, baring her teeth and claws. Her attack was completely haphazard and driven entirely by emotion.

Han Xueyi, who usually appeared gentle and elegant in front of Chen Ming, was not to be outdone this time! Instead of dodging, she chuckled and stepped forward, replying crisply, "Afraid of you?! Bring it on! It'll be good to stretch my muscles!"

Two stunningly beautiful women, each with a distinct charm, were actually wrestling like children – a truly rare and spectacular sight.

However, they are best friends who have known each other for many years. Although this "battle" is fierce, there is a set of unspoken bottom lines and rules.

Their movements, though seemingly fierce, both tacitly avoided vital areas—neither attempting to scratch the other's delicate face nor tugging at their carefully maintained, dark hair. It was more like an intense release of pent-up emotions, a deep communication through body language that was difficult for outsiders to understand.

Soon, the battle entered a phase of sheer physical exertion. The two men, each gripping the other's arms, staggered across the soft grass, trying to bring the other down. Their strength seemed evenly matched, and for a time, it was impossible to determine a winner.

Of course, with Han Xueyi's current strength, she could easily crush her best friend, but she came here to resolve the conflict, not to create it.

So she held back, intending to let her best friend win and vent her anger.

"Hey!"

"ah!"

A series of sharp shouts rang out, accompanied by the rustling sound of grass being crushed. The two lost their balance and fell to the ground. But this did not end the battle; instead, it marked the beginning of a ground combat phase.

They hugged each other and rolled around on the grass, one on top of the other, the other rolling over and pinning the other down, grass clippings getting into their hair and clothes.

Han Xueyi's dress was wrinkled, and one button on Luo Li's shirt had popped open, revealing her delicate collarbone. Both were slightly out of breath, their cheeks flushed from the exertion…

This evenly matched "rolling contest" lasted for quite a while.

Finally, Han Xueyi was the first to give up. She lay on her back on the grass, pretending to be exhausted and unable to fight back. She begged Luo Li, who was still on top of her and trying to restrain her, "I'm not fighting anymore... I'm so tired... Get up, I give up!"

Luo Li was also nearing her limit, and paused upon hearing this.

Seeing that Han Xueyi was indeed giving up and letting herself be dealt with, she also stopped with great martial virtue, snorted and got up, panting heavily from exhaustion.

After calming their breathing, they finally had a chance to look each other over. They paused for a moment, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The two usually radiant beauties now had disheveled hair, their carefully styled looks completely gone. Their clothes and hair were covered in bits of grass and dirt, and their skirts and trousers were wrinkled and crumpled, making them look utterly disheveled. Where was their usual elegance and composure?

Their laughter grew louder, transforming from suppressed "hehe" into crisp "giggle"...

In this unrestrained laughter, the anger, grievances, and unspeakable embarrassment and entanglement that had accumulated before seemed to be diluted by the laughter.

Their relationship has always been like this, straightforward and direct. If they have any dissatisfaction with each other or any conflict, they will have a hearty and unrestrained "tearing each other apart".

Regardless of who comes out on top in the end, as long as it's not a major mistake that crosses the line of principles, after the fight, the tears, and the laughter, they can always find a way to reconcile. The ship of friendship will not only not capsize, but will become even stronger through these seemingly intense clashes...

Having released her pent-up emotions, Luo Li stopped speaking and brushed the bits of grass and dirt off her clothes. Then, she glanced at Han Xueyi, who was still sitting on the ground with a beaming smile, and deliberately said in a haughty tone:

"Hmph~ Have you gotten too used to being a rich housewife lately? Your fighting power has clearly declined significantly. You used to be much less likely to give up..."

She was trying to regain some of the "winner's" pride.

Han Xueyi didn't refute, her smile gentle and tolerant, and went along with her words: "Yes, I can't beat you now. Our Luo Li has always been the best, from childhood to adulthood, whether it's studying, doing things, or fighting, she's always been better than me..."

Her words were very polite, hoping to give Luo Li a chance to vent her anger.