"Sure."

Han Lie nodded agreeably. "I'll definitely come visit when there's a chance."

Hu Jing felt slightly embarrassed by her mother's words and stole a glance at Han Lie, then gave her mother a resentful nudge. Her body language clearly asked: What are you doing?! Why did you accept his gift?

In truth, she really didn't feel anything special for Han Lie. He was just a regular classmate in the past, and today's reunion was more about curiosity than anything else. So, accepting his gift made her feel particularly uneasy.

However, Hu Jing's mother was thinking further ahead.

Firstly, at this point, insisting on paying would seem like they were looking down on him.

Secondly, Han Lie had spoken so eloquently. He seemed like a steady and thoughtful young man, and she actually hoped her daughter could be friends with someone like him.

Thirdly, it was a matter of give-and-take. She was also quite curious about Han Lie and wanted to know more about him, as a precaution.

In a word—such is the heart of a parent.

The three of them continued to chat idly in an empty area of the store until the owner finally finished calculating the bill.

"Mr. Han, the total comes to 489,650 yuan. Let's round it down to an even 480,000! How would you like to settle the payment?"

"I'll pay with a card."

Mobile payments weren't widely used yet, so Han Lie took out the SPD Bank Centurion Black Gold Card from his bag and handed it over.

At that moment, Hu Jing and her mother, hearing the total price, were completely dumbfounded. Their bodies stiffened as they stood there, their minds buzzing.

What kind of family is this?! A kid not even twenty years old, buying seafood on his own, racking up a bill of 480,000 yuan?!

Hu Jing let out a dry, "Wow... you..." unsure what she herself meant.

Hu Jing's mother's shock was more tangible; she asked in disbelief, "Han Lie, did you say all this money was earned by yourself?"

"Right." Han Lie flashed a smile, his bright white teeth gleaming. "My parents are just ordinary workers. I caught some opportunities in the Magic Capital and have basically achieved financial freedom. I'm taking the chance to treat my mom and dad for the New Year."

Mother and daughter looked at each other, speechless. This spending power... is just too damn 'free'!

The shop owner, Old Niu, who knew how to flatter, said with a look of reverence, "Heh! The SPD Bank Centurion Black Gold Card, huh! I've only heard about it, never seen one in Dream City. Today has really been an eye-opener... Mr. Han, they say this card has no spending limit, is that true?"

The man was clearly playing dumb! But he did it so smartly, so appropriately... Han Lie thought.

He chuckled and shook his head, replying with an air of nonchalance, "There's no such thing as an unlimited card in China. A 20 million yuan limit is the maximum. SPD Bank doesn't have a branch in Dream City yet, but I believe there are quite a few Industrial and Commercial Bank Centurion Black Gold Cards around here. You're too kind, Boss."

"I haven't even seen the Industrial and Commercial Bank's Centurion Black Gold Card either!" The shopkeeper swore, displaying eager cordiality. "I'm just a humble seafood vendor, not someone who normally has the chance to meet such distinguished people... Hey, with your age, if I went around bragging about this, no one would believe me!"

Amidst the shop owner's continuous flattery, several crates of seafood were loaded onto a small truck specialized for transporting marine products. The driver, in a subdued voice, asked, "Mr. Han, where to?"

"My car's outside, just follow me," Han Lie replied. He then turned to Hu Jing and her mother. "Auntie, Hu Jing, how did you two get here? Do you need me to give you a lift?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Hu Jing hurriedly waved her hands. "No need, no need, go about your business!" She truly felt embarrassed in front of her mother. Though she might appear charming and could seem a bit delicate at times, she was actually a very kind and sensible girl.

Han Lie didn't want to overdo his enthusiasm, so he waved goodbye to the mother and daughter, walked out to the parking lot, and got into the Q7 that still had temporary plates.

When Hu Jing and her mother saw Han Lie's car, they couldn't help but click their tongues in wonder. Dream City was no stranger to luxury cars, but considering Han Lie's age, it was quite astonishing.

"This classmate of yours is really something…" Hu Jing's mother marveled.

Hu Jing became even more confused, her gaze bewildered. "He was quite ordinary in high school... Do boys grow up this fast?"

Hu Jing's mother couldn't comprehend what Hu Jing meant by "ordinary" and said dismissively, "Of course, he must have had potential all along. It's just that you have poor judgment! Now, will you stop arguing with me? I always said you didn't know how to judge people!"

With this example before her, Hu Jing lost all her confidence and even began to doubt herself. Is my judgment really that bad? Xiao Xiao is pretty good, right...

"What's so good about him? With that ignorant look of his, he's cut from the same cloth as you!" Exasperated by her daughter's failure to see reason, Hu Jing's mother poked her on the forehead. Then, she brought up Han Lie again as a tool for criticism.

"Compare yourself with young Han. Look at the level of his interpersonal skills! Then look at his ambition and drive! Aside from a good face... eh? No, that's not right! Xiao Xiao's face isn't better looking than young Han's, is it? Three years as classmates, and you haven't noticed anything? Tsk tsk, my girl, you are truly blind…"

Hu Jing was completely bewildered.

Am I blind? Impossible… But why didn't I notice how formidable Han Lie was? Indeed, I shouldn't have... Hey, wait a second, what was the original Han Lie like again? Ugh, I can't remember a thing!

The Han Lie in Hu Jing's memory was quickly and completely overshadowed by today's Han Lie; the original appearance, tone of voice, sound, and demeanor all blurred until only a phantom remained.

What ultimately existed was the mature, composed, handsome, and generous Han Lie of today.

As Hu Jing thought more and more about it, she felt worse and worse. Damn it, I might genuinely be a fool when it comes to understanding men!

Meanwhile, Han Lie, who was nearly home, had already forgotten about today's chance encounter. To him, Hu Jing was just a very pretty former classmate, nothing special.

But on her end, Hu Jing was doubting herself and her life.

This is the principle of gravitational pull in social interactions.

A person so strong they far exceed their current peers is like a supermassive celestial body. Even if they do nothing and just exist quietly, they still exert a strong gravitational pull on those around them.

And once they make even a slight move, it can change the life trajectories of many people.

When Hu Jing got home, she immediately tagged the class monitor in the high school class chat group: "Monitor, have you invited Han Lie yet?"

As soon as she surfaced, the class group became lively.

In that moment, her life completely veered onto another track…