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

Chen Ming's gaze lingered on the words "You came alone" for two seconds. Being clever, he almost immediately realized the ambiguous signal contained within them.

A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. It seemed this beauty had truly come to her senses; otherwise, there would have been no need for a private invitation. Was she perhaps trying to set him up in a honey trap?

Given Luo Li's personality and her high favorability rating of 70 points, she obviously wouldn't do such a thing.

The brief kiss and Luo Li's shy reaction from yesterday were still fresh in Chen Ming's mind, so it was hard not to feel a sense of anticipation for this date invitation that was clearly private.

So without any hesitation, he quickly typed on the screen and replied:

[Time and place?]

Almost simultaneously, Luo Li's next message arrived, seemingly pre-edited and just waiting for his reply:

Now, see you at the usual spot by the river...

The usual spot?

Chen Ming instantly understood. Luo Li must be referring to the riverside where they had their chance encounter last time, right?

It's a quiet enough place.

He still remembered there was a pavilion over there, where Han Xueyi had grasped his future, so it left a deep impression on him.

Having determined his location, Chen Ming hummed a little tune and dressed himself as quickly as possible.

"Yay yeah yeah yeah yeah ah↑oh↓..."

When he finished washing up and came out of the room, he saw Han's mother busy at work, and the aroma of millet porridge and fried eggs filled the air.

As soon as Han's mother looked up and saw him, her face immediately lit up with a warm smile. She greeted him, "Little Chen, you're awake? Breakfast is almost ready. Come and sit down, you can eat in a minute."

Chen Ming smiled and waved his hand: "Thank you, Auntie, but I won't be having breakfast at home today... Xueyi, Wanqing, Qianhui, you guys have breakfast with me, I have something to do and need to go out."

Xie Wanqing and Hua Qianhui understood immediately. Neither of them asked any further questions, but they smiled and nodded at Chen Ming in an ambiguous way. Xie Wanqing even winked slightly, as if to say, "Good luck!"

Han Xueyi was not surprised at all. She knew that her "catalyst" message that morning had most likely worked, and she hoped that this time her husband would get what he wanted.

She knew Luo Li's dilemma and her husband's temperament all too well.

Therefore, her targeted approach and support were so effective; no one else could have achieved the same result.

Han Xueyi stepped forward and gently straightened Chen Ming's already neat collar, then gave him a supportive, sweet smile and said softly:

"Yes, sir, we'll wait for you to come back."

Chen Ming reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek, whispering, "Good girl."

Without further ado, he turned and strode quickly toward the courtyard gate...

Mother Han was still holding the bowl of porridge in her hand. She looked at Chen Ming's hurried departure with some confusion, then looked at her daughter and the other two girls' calm expressions, and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Xueyi, where is our good son-in-law going? He's in such a hurry so early in the morning without even having breakfast."

Han Xueyi watched Chen Ming's figure disappear outside the courtyard gate before turning her gaze to her mother, her face still bearing that gentle and charming smile, and casually replying:

"Mom, don't worry about it. Master is going to talk to Luo Li about some things, some details of her company's future business cooperation, which may need to be finalized in person..."

"Oh! I see!"

Upon hearing that it was important, Han's mother immediately felt relieved and nodded repeatedly. Then, she looked at her daughter with a hint of reproach: "Well, you know he's going out to discuss business, yet you get up so early to prepare breakfast for him? Isn't that just a waste of time?"

Upon hearing this, Han Xueyi's smile deepened.

She took the bowl from her mother and gently placed it on the table, her tone natural and full of awareness: "Preparing breakfast for Master is my duty as his woman, and it's also a token of my affection! As for whether Master wants to eat or not, that's entirely up to him. Master treats me well, so naturally I should do my best to treat him well in return..."

After hearing her daughter's words, Han's mother patted her hand and exclaimed with satisfaction, "Beautiful! You are indeed my daughter... You have really grown up and have your own ideas now."

Meanwhile, at the other end of the village, along the riverbank, gently bathed in the morning light and a light mist...

Chen Ming walked along the winding riverside path. The river water shimmered with golden light under the morning sun, flowing slowly. Willows swayed gently on the banks, and dewdrops clung to the blades of grass. The air was fresh and moist, carrying the fragrance of earth and moisture.

Based on the location sent by Luo Li, he quickly spotted the outline of the pavilion built by the water. But even more eye-catching than the pavilion itself was the graceful figure standing outside it, overlooking the water.

Luo Li was clearly dressed up carefully today. She had specially changed into a light lavender knee-length dress. The dress was well-tailored, neither too revealing nor too revealing, and it perfectly outlined her slender waist and beautiful curves.

The skirt swayed gently in the morning breeze, revealing a section of fair, straight calves that looked like meticulously sculpted white jade.

Her long hair seemed to have been carefully styled, flowing smoothly over her shoulders and gleaming with a healthy sheen in the morning light. Her face was adorned with light, delicate makeup, highlighting her already striking features, especially her beautiful eyes, which, like those of a foreign princess, sparkled like the purest sapphires.

The morning sun generously showered upon her, gilding her with a soft golden edge, making her look exceptionally pure and beautiful.

With a genuine smile of appreciation on his face, Chen Ming walked towards the beautiful figure.

Seemingly hearing footsteps, Luo Li turned around.

When her gaze met Chen Ming's, her sapphire-like eyes lit up instantly, and the corners of her lips naturally turned up, revealing a sweet and slightly shy, radiant smile.

"You're here?"

Yes, I've arrived.

Chen Ming stopped in front of her, his gaze falling on her without any attempt to hide it, from the tips of her hair to the hem of her skirt, and sincerely praised her: "This dress suits you very well, Xiao Li, you look especially beautiful today."

Hearing his praise, Luo Li's smile deepened, and a smile spread from her eyes, making her look like a blooming flower.

She responded softly, "Thank you."

As the saying goes, a woman dresses up for the man she loves. Luo Li, who usually prefers to wear jeans, deliberately changed into such a beautiful and charming long dress when she got home, just to show off to Chen Ming!

Receiving explicit praise from the person you love at this moment finally puts your carefully guarded expectations to rest, turning them into real happiness and a sweet sense of satisfaction.

Chen Ming sensed the joy in her smile and naturally took another half step forward, shortening the already short social distance between them.

This sudden closeness made Luo Li's heart skip a beat. Although she had taken the initiative to invite him, and although she had made up her mind, when Chen Ming really stood so close to her, gazing at her with an aggressive tenderness, that shyness and nervousness seized her again.

Almost subconsciously, she leaned back slightly, and her feet uncontrollably took a small half-step backward.

This tiny, reflexive action startled both of them.

Chen Ming's smile faltered slightly, then turned into a puzzled expression, as he casually quoted lyrics from Joker Xue:

"Are you serious about taking half a step back? Such a small movement can cause so much damage..."

He even made a gesture of clutching his chest, almost as if he was about to sing it.

Luo Li immediately realized that her reaction just now was a bit inappropriate after he said that—she had taken the initiative to invite him to come alone and dressed up carefully, was it just so that she would back away when he got close?

This is not the message she wanted to send!

So she instantly moved back half a step, getting closer to Chen Ming again, and gave him an apologetic smile, explaining:

"I didn't mean to... I'm sorry, I... I'm not completely used to being this close to the opposite sex... it was just a subconscious reaction..."

Chen Ming watched her jump away warily like a little rabbit, then quickly make amends. The slight resentment he felt for her "taking a half step back" vanished instantly, replaced by a feeling of being charmed.

He gave the girl no more chances to back down. Under Luo Li's slightly shy gaze, he decisively stretched out his arm and, in a standard and possessive gesture, pinned her against the vermilion pillar of the pavilion.

The distance between the two was compressed again, so close that they could hear each other's breaths.

He looked directly into the girl's wet, doe-like blue eyes and said, "I understand~ So, Xiao Li dressed up so beautifully today to show off to me?"

[Ding! Luo Li's favorability +1, current favorability 71!]

This domineering wall slam, along with his magnetic, bubbly voice and the background music [Mong Kok Ice Room.mp3] that seemed to linger in her ears, had a strong impact on Luo Li, unconsciously increasing her affection for him.

The feeling of being firmly locked within Chen Ming's aura, mixed with the panic of a racing heart and the satisfaction of a realized fantasy, left her mind momentarily blank.

But her lingering pride and shyness prevented her from easily admitting it.

So she turned her head slightly to avoid his overly intense gaze, and stubbornly said, "Stop being so vain~ I'm a girl, it's perfectly normal for me to want to dress up and look pretty sometimes, isn't it? It's...it's not for anyone in particular~ Hmph~~"

But her increasingly flushed cheeks and slightly trembling eyelashes completely betrayed her hypocrisy.

Perhaps to divert attention from the suffocatingly ambiguous atmosphere, or perhaps to complete her pre-planned "dating steps," Luo Li gently pushed Chen Ming's chest (with a force so weak it was like a tickle), signaling him to give her some space.

Then, she turned to the side and took out a lunchbox carefully wrapped in floral fabric from her small handbag placed on the stone bench next to her.

She held the lunchbox in her hands and handed it to Chen Ming, her voice regaining its previous gentleness, tinged with anticipation:

"You...you probably haven't had breakfast yet, have you? This is what I made for you. Try it and see if you like it."

Luo Li's eyes held a hint of nervousness, as if she were handing in a test paper filled with her heartfelt thoughts.

Chen Ming was here today to fulfill her wish for a date, so naturally he wouldn't rush things and ruin the warm atmosphere that was gradually warming up.

So he readily released his arm from the "wall slam" and took the still slightly warm lunchbox. It felt heavy in his hand, and he could feel the weight of the girl's pure love.

"Then I must try Xiao Li's cooking! I'm a little hungry."

The two sat down side by side on a stone bench in the pavilion. The bench was slightly cool, but some of the sunlight had already slanted in, dispelling the morning chill...

Chen Ming untied the floral cloth and opened the lid of the lunchbox.

The food inside wasn't particularly lavish, consisting of simple, home-style dishes: stir-fried seasonal vegetables, vibrant green and fresh; evenly chopped pickled cucumbers; and a small portion of stir-fried shredded pork with pickled green beans that looked incredibly appetizing. But the most eye-catching item was the top layer: a perfectly fried heart-shaped sunny-side-up egg. The edges were golden brown and slightly charred, while the yolk in the center was round and plump—a cute and thoughtfully crafted shape…

Although it was just a simple breakfast, this little thought from a young girl in love was more touching than any delicacy.

It fulfilled Chen Ming's otaku fantasy from his middle school days: "I hope a beautiful girl will bring me lunch."

His gaze shifted from the lunchbox to Luo Li's face, looking into her blue eyes that were anxiously watching his reaction, and a warm feeling welled up inside him. He said softly, "Xiao Li, thank you..."

"Shh!"

Luo Li suddenly extended her slender index finger and gently placed it to her lips. Then, with a bright smile on her face, she urged, "Quickly try it and see how it tastes. It won't taste good when it's cold!"

Chen Ming readily agreed: "Okay."

He picked up the clean chopsticks that were prepared next to him, first picked up the heart-shaped fried egg, and took a bite.

The cooking was done to perfection; the outer layer was slightly crispy, while the inside was tender and smooth, with a subtle aroma of oil and the natural sweetness of the eggs. He then tasted the other side dishes, which were perfectly seasoned, refreshing, and delicious, showing the care and attention to detail of the cook.

"It's delicious," Chen Ming praised without reservation. "Really. I never imagined that our Xiao Li is not only beautiful and runs a successful company, but also such a great cook..."

He knew that for an independent and strong-willed girl like Luo Li, praising her abilities would make her happier than simply complimenting her beauty.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Luo Li's smile became even sweeter and brighter, her blue eyes curving into crescents, brimming with the joy of being recognized. She parted her red lips slightly, her voice cheerful: "If you like it, eat more! I made quite a lot!"

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Chen Ming smiled and began to enjoy the heartfelt breakfast.

Luo Li sat quietly to the side, her elbows propped on the stone table, her chin resting on her hand, her gaze fixed on Chen Ming's profile. Watching him eat with relish, a calm and fulfilling sense of satisfaction slowly filled her heart.

It turns out that preparing food for someone you love and watching them eat it happily is such a blissful thing...

Chapter 323: Going to the Hotel

Luo Li slowly rested her cheek gently on Chen Ming's shoulder.

This caused Chen Ming to pause slightly while eating, and then his smile deepened. He didn't say anything, but simply adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable.

Everything seemed so natural and beautiful; the warmth and understanding we shared at that moment spoke volumes…

As Chen Ming finished his breakfast, Luo Li straightened up, carefully put away the lunchbox, wrapped it again in a floral cloth, and put it into her handbag.

Then she stood up, patted off any dust that might have gotten on her skirt, and extended her slender, fair hand to Chen Ming, who was still sitting, smiling as she invited him:

"Shall we take a walk together? It'll help digest after dinner..."

Chen Ming, of course, wouldn't refuse. He reached out and grasped that slightly cool but soft hand, stood up, and smiled, "Okay!"

Hand in hand, their fingers intertwined, the two strolled slowly along the grassy riverbank. The river flowed quietly beside them, occasionally a fish leaping out of the water, creating ripples...

Looking at the familiar scenery before her, Luo Li began to speak softly, "I grew up here. It's quite different from you city people. When I was little, I didn't have many toys. My biggest entertainment was going to the river with Xueyi to catch fish and shrimp, or climbing trees to pick fruit. I was often like a tomboy, covered in mud and filthy, and my mother would chase after me and scold me..."

As she spoke, a nostalgic smile appeared on her face, "But I really love this place. It's where I was raised, and it gave me all the joy and memories of my childhood..."

Chen Ming listened quietly, sensing the deep affection she had for her hometown in her words, and then echoed her sentiment:

"I love it here too."

He paused, looked around at the picturesque rural scenery, and finally his gaze fell on Luo Li's blue eyes that reflected the sky and water. He said sincerely, "This place is blessed with outstanding people and beautiful scenery. More importantly... it has raised two of my beloved children."

As he spoke, Chen Ming released Luo Li's left hand and switched to his right hand to hold hers.

His left hand then naturally wrapped around Luo Li's slender waist, bringing them even closer together.

Luo Li did not resist; in fact, she adjusted her position to make herself more comfortable nestled in Chen Ming's arms.

Then she raised her hand and tucked a strand of hair, ruffled by the river breeze, behind her ear, and teased with a charming laugh, "Hahaha... something sounds a little strange about what you're saying? You two... my darlings?"

Chen Ming stopped amidst the girl's laughter, turned around to face her, raised his hands and placed them on Luo Li's fair shoulders, speaking quite earnestly.

"Xiao Li, perhaps this sounds... a bit illogical, but it's my truest feeling. I don't want to fabricate lies that sound more 'normal.' To me, Xueyi is the love I've chosen, and you, I cherish you just as much. From the moment you became my woman, you've become another love in my life..."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, or perhaps letting this emotion sink into each other's hearts: "I will use all my abilities to love you all and cherish each and every one of you. I will not let any of you be bullied, and I will build a big family where you can all feel safe, happy, and blessed... This may sound a little strange, but please believe me!"

Luo Li was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.