Because no woman who fixates on appearances would demand a man have top-tier delicate, smooth, and white skin. As long as his features are strong, a bit of ruggedness can also be very handsome.

Little Ting was utterly dazzled by the strikingly handsome Han Lie.

Then, Mrs. Xu watched her shy daughter with a smile and even encouraged her, "Go say hello to your Brother Han Lie, and pay your New Year's respects!"

Tsk tsk, money talks...

This isn't the time your family was guarding against me like a thief, is it?

With a cheerful heart, Brother Lie went downstairs with the firecrackers. Section Chief Xu offered Han Yong a cigarette, letting him personally light the firecrackers. The atmosphere downstairs immediately grew even livelier.

"CRACKLE, POP, BANG, BANG, BANG..."

A crowd gathered not far away, shouting at the top of their lungs.

"Brother Han, you're set for a comfortable life from now on!"

"Little Lie has only been in Magic Capital for a semester, right? Tsk tsk, so capable..."

"So promising, truly promising! I've always said your family's Han Lie is no ordinary kid. See? It turned out to be true, didn't it?"

"Hong Lian, your family must host a few banquets this year! If you need any help, just let me know in advance!"

"I'm in!"

"Don't worry, we'll definitely come with our gifts, HAHAHA!"

They weren't just flattering Han Yong and Ma Honglian; some were also teasing Old Dong and Old Liu.

"How come Old Dong hasn't come down? He brags about his Zhipeng every day. Now can you see who's really more capable?"

"Old Liu, where's your Lianlian?"

"Those two kids have been close since childhood. The Han Family is thriving now, so your family is set to prosper too!"

"HAHA! You rascal!"

"Hey, Old Liu, back then your wife was dead set against letting them play together. Now that Han Lie has become so successful before even turning twenty, don't you regret it?"

Liu Ruchang responded with a dry laugh, "Lianlian went out to play with her classmates..."

As for the other questions, he pretended not to hear them.

The childhood friendship between Liu Lianlian and Han Lie wasn't exaggerated; they had basically been playing together since they were old enough to understand things.

However, after they started high school, Mrs. Liu looked down on Han Yong and Han Lie. She guarded against Han Lie as if he were a thief, occasionally making a few cutting remarks, and their closeness gradually faded.

Han Lie wouldn't hold a particular grudge over this, but if Old Liu and his wife were to stew in their own regret, he wouldn't mind laughing along with them a bit.

The ten thousand-shot firecrackers took a good while to finish.

Han Lie opened the trunk of the Q7 and took out a case of cigarettes and two cases of liquor—he had bought them cheaply on the way out of the provincial capital, so cheap that he had almost forgotten about them.

The cigarettes were "Purple Qi From the East 1928," a high-end local cigarette brand that had resumed production last year. They came in flat packs of 20, priced at 100 yuan per pack, 1,000 yuan per carton, and a case contained 50 cartons.

But since he bought them by the full case, Han Lie had only spent 48,000 yuan.

The liquor was Fenjiu, the 20-year-old Blue and White Porcelain series, less than 4,000 yuan for a case—incredibly affordable.

It wasn't that Han Lie couldn't afford Maotai, but people in Dream City preferred the light-aroma type of Fenjiu; the sauce-aroma type of Maotai wasn't as popular.

Han Lie cheerfully reminded his father, "Dad, there isn't enough liquor to go around, so keep it for entertaining guests. You can distribute the cigarettes among the uncles. Don't be stingy; our family doesn't lack this little bit of money."

Han Yong was flabbergasted.

Wait a minute, just how much money did you earn to be squandering it like this?!

Han Yong felt a bit reluctant.

Han Lie didn't rush him; whatever his father wanted to do was fine.

If he could accept spending lavishly, then he could distribute more and gain some face. If he really couldn't bear to, they could keep it all, and a few remarks from others wouldn't matter.

The true meaning of freedom is that if I don't want to do something, I don't have to do it, and I can bear all the consequences.

Han Lie's real intention wasn't to teach his father how to show off, but rather to help him understand freedom.

Your son has made something of himself, Dad, so you don't need to live so cautiously anymore. I've got everything covered!

In the end, Han Yong couldn't bring himself to be extravagant. He only ended up opening a few cartons of cigarettes and giving out two packs to each person.

"These are a gift from my boy. Take them and try something new!"

Han Lie wasn't disappointed. His father's temperament and personality couldn't be changed overnight. This was also pretty good; at least he now dared to stand tall and be courteous to others, right?

There's still plenty of time. We can take it slow.

Those who received the cigarettes were also very happy, and kind words flowed endlessly.

The lively car-viewing gathering went on for quite some time. Every neighbor who could drive went up to touch the steering wheel, then got out and continued to shower it with praise.

Dream City is actually a place with no shortage of nouveau riche; even in this humble little city, there are several supercars like the Porsche 911.

But the staff housing compound was different.

When the apartments were first allocated, they all went to ordinary staff; leaders had their own dedicated residential areas.

Those who truly had connections, got promoted, and made a fortune had moved out long ago. Wouldn't living in villas or spacious downtown apartments be much better?

Those who still lived here were, at best, considered middle class, even by the most generous estimates.

In another ten years, perhaps every family would own a car, but they would mostly be domestic brands. Owning an Audi A6L would be enough to show off proudly.

A top-of-the-line Q7, even a decade later, would still be completely out of place here.

So Han Yong had truly stolen the show this time. When he went back upstairs to his apartment, he still felt like he was floating on air.

The talkative Mrs. Wang put in a tremendous effort, preparing eight dishes and a soup. Ma Honglian invited her and her husband to stay for the meal, and Section Chief Xu and Aunt Liu readily agreed to stay and keep them company.

Ma Honglian, being a bit petty, specifically extended a warm invitation to Liu Ruchang, insisting he bring his wife.

"It's just a simple home-cooked meal, Brother Liu. Come join us for a bite, won't you? Keep our Old Han company for a couple of drinks..."

"No, no, no, we have food at home. Next time, definitely next time!"

Unfortunately, Old Liu didn't have the nerve. He was sweating buckets from embarrassment and ultimately declined.

As soon as he got home, he had a fight with his wife.