Han Lie's "cosmetic surgery" experience hadn't actually involved major changes to his facial features; the foundation was still there, merely fine-tuned.

Therefore, when relatives and friends saw him, they found his appearance very familiar yet couldn't quite match it with the face they remembered, requiring a reminder.

Han Lie found her bewildered expression extremely amusing, so he said with a smile, "Is one enough? If so, I can let you have one."

His voice was also unfamiliar.

Hu Jing was even more confused but somehow felt the boy opposite her must know her.

So she stuttered, "You? You are... Are we...?"

Hu Jing's mother quickly looked over, her gaze cautious as she scrutinized the handsome young man from head to toe.

"Han Lie. I sat behind you in class."

"Ah?!"

Hu Jing's eyes widened, her pupils dilating rapidly. It was as if she couldn't believe it, yet she seemed to have finally confirmed her guess.

"It really is you? I thought you looked familiar… What happened to you?"

Han Lie didn't explain in detail, simply laughing as he said, "I shot up more than ten centimeters after starting university. Hard to recognize me now, right?"

"Yeah! The change is huge..."

Han Lie's relaxed demeanor helped Hu Jing gradually regain her usual vivacity.

"Wow! What have you been eating? Send me your meal plan later; it's outrageous! You had LASIK surgery too, right?"

"Mhm, yes." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Han Lie beamed, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth, then politely greeted Hu Jing's mother, "Hello, Auntie. I'm Hu Jing's classmate."

"Hello, hello! Are you here shopping for your family all by yourself? That's really thoughtful!"

Hu Jing's mother had a good impression of the sunny and cheerful young man, and her attitude became more enthusiastic.

Hu Jing, on the other hand, was even more curious about Han Lie. The transformation is nothing short of miraculous!

"Han Lie, how have you been? The class president scheduled a reunion after the New Year. Are you going? You'll definitely give everyone a huge shock..."

Han Lie shook his head. "I probably won't have time. I have to return to the Magic Capital on the fourth or fifth day of the Lunar New Year."

Han Lie wasn't just making excuses; he genuinely didn't want to go.

This trip home wasn't about Han Lie wanting to show off but rather about earning face for his parents.

Thus, for gatherings with relatives and neighbors, he'd go if possible and make a good impression if he could.

Class reunions… I don't have time to indulge you folks.

However, his response only made Hu Jing even more interested.

"Why so early? Does the university have an assignment for you?"

"Sort of."

Han Lie didn't want to explain clearly, so he responded casually and quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, what seafood are you planning to buy? I can set some aside for you."

Only then did Hu Jing and her mother remember their original purpose. Watching the shopkeeper weigh and box one item after another, they were astonished.

"Are all those yours?"

"Mhm," Han Lie nodded. "There are a lot of people in my family."

"Wow..."

Hu Jing subconsciously licked her lips, her face full of envy. "I feel the pinch buying just one, and here you are, basically achieved seafood freedom! I'm so jealous!"

Hu Jing was called a 'vixen' because of her allure. She had a melon-seed face, a pointed chin, large eyes, long eyelashes, and the corners of her eyes tilted up slightly. Her lips were small, and her tongue seemed sharp.

When she licked her lips, revealing a hint of her tongue, while her gaze naturally roamed, she truly resembled a bewitching vixen, making even the usually composed Han Lie's heart skip a beat.

In his past life, Han Lie had never liked Hu Jing. He had always felt Hu Jing was too seductive, not proper, and utterly lacked any sense of innocence. At school, very few students, boys or girls, liked Hu Jing. The girls despised her, and the boys kept their distance, seemingly validating Han Lie's opinion.

But in reality, this was typical immature adolescent thinking.

But looking back after having experienced more of life… damn, this girl is clearly top-tier!

The Han Lie of his past life had never "tasted the meat," but when he recalled it after turning twenty-five, even though he still considered Chen Yanfei the epitome of a virtuous wife and good mother, he had to admit that Hu Jing was the kind of woman who could make a man devote himself utterly, to his dying breath.

What's the use of innocence? Fake innocence shatters fantasies, and true innocence is like a dead fish in bed. In short, I was so damn foolish back then...

Han Lie chuckled at his past naivety, shook his head, and said casually, "If you put it that way, then I insist on giving you one. Boss, pack up the biggest one for my classmate. We'll pay for it all together later."

"Ah? No, no!"

Hu Jing was startled, sneaked a glance at her mother, and quickly waved her hands in refusal.

"That's not necessary, I can buy my own... Han Lie, thank you for your kind offer, but that's not what I meant..."

"I understand, but since we've run into each other..."

Han Lie smiled sincerely and turned to Hu Jing's mother. "Auntie, back in school, Hu Jing and I got along quite well. At that time, many people looked down on me, but Hu Jing was one of the few girls who treated me as an equal. I've always been very grateful for that.

It's a happy occasion to reunite today.

I'm already buying a lot, not specifically waiting for anyone, so giving you a crab is just a small gesture. Please don't be polite or overthink it.

I earned the money myself; it's not from my family. So please, accept it without worry.

With that said, I'd like to wish you and your family a Happy New Year, may all go well, and may you have happiness, fulfillment, and great fortune in the Year of the Horse!"

Han Lie cupped his hands in a traditional salute, offering New Year's greetings to Hu Jing's mother.

This was tantamount to settling the matter, leaving no room for refusal.

Hu Jing's mother, charmed by the sensible Han Lie, thought for a moment and decided not to refuse.

"Seeing as you really don't seem to be short of money, and other shops around here don't have Alaskan crabs, then Auntie will brazenly accept it and share in your good fortune. How about this: whenever you have time, before or after the New Year, come visit us. I'll treat you to a good meal. It can also count as a sort of reunion for you classmates. What do you think?"