Actually, there's nothing young people need to prepare for when it comes to love. If they like each other, they get together. But Chen Yanfei had been thoroughly sweet-talked by that damned man, her emotions were stirred up, and she subconsciously began to doubt herself, following his lead.

This scheme of Han Lie's was devastatingly effective on a young girl like her.

Moreover, Chen Yanfei had a good memory and almost instantly recalled the scene Han Lie had described.

"So it was you!"

She looked as if she'd had an epiphany, very excited. "I remember! Back then, you were so dejected, as if you wanted to smash the marble floor with a mop. I was actually trying to walk around you, but I didn't expect to bump into you anyway..."

Oh? She actually remembers?

Han Lie himself was quite surprised. The scene from that year was indeed the most genuine emotional trigger in his heart, but all the "various memories" he mentioned afterward were complete nonsense.

He had enrolled in the humanities program at the foreign studies university simply because he had no other good schools to go to. At least it was in the Magic Capital, which would allow him to broaden his horizons.

However, since she believed the premise, Chen Yanfei naturally accepted the rest of his deception hook, line, and sinker.

"I really didn't expect..."

She hesitated, suddenly unsure of how to continue.

Thinking about it this way, Han Lie was actually quite pitiable...

A child deprived of love and attention from a young age, who had been beaten black and blue in front of the girl he liked the most—how desperate must he have felt?

Then later, he went down a dark path, became extreme, and constantly fooled around due to a compensatory psychological need. It was truly understandable...

Chen Yanfei managed to convince herself quite naturally.

Men have a common flaw: they like to persuade fallen women to turn their lives around.

Women also have a common flaw: they like to redeem scumbags.

Just give them a suitable reason, tell them, "I wasn't always like this; I have my hardships," and they will passionately throw themselves into the grand undertaking of saving the scumbag with their very being.

This scoundrel Han Lie was simply on another level.

"Alright, let's put this issue aside for now. I need to think carefully, and I believe you also need time to understand who you are now."

Chen Yanfei was a smart girl. Unlike many love-addled girls, she wasn't desperate for an immediate resolution.

But she was also a naive young woman who, once moved, found it difficult not to feel sympathy for the troubled Han Lie.

And so, to avoid harming Han Lie further, she actively changed the subject.

"By the way, where is your class reunion going to be held?"

"I'm not sure." Han Lie shook his head and gave a bitter smile. "You know, the so-called camaraderie from my three years of high school didn't leave me with any fond memories..."

This scoundrel was really getting into his act—half-truths, half-fabrications, all part of his usual playbook.

Chen Yanfei nodded in understanding.

"I understand. However, if you decide you want to confront those who looked down on you and bullied you back then, I support you. Ailments of the heart require medicine for the heart. If you want to find closure, seeing what they've become is the best way."

Wow, she's so eager to offer advice. Is she really planning on saving me?

Han Lie found this incredibly amusing and adopted a thoughtful expression.

Seeing this, Chen Yanfei added, "If you need my help, tell me the time and place later. I'm willing to go with you."

There's no need. I really don't want to go; it's not worth the trouble.

Despite thinking this, Han Lie verbally accepted her kindness. "Alright, I'll see if the timing works out. If it does, I definitely won't stand on ceremony with you!"

"That's more like it!"

Chen Yanfei broke into a smile, so radiant it was almost blinding.

After that, the atmosphere became much more harmonious. Chen Yanfei did her best to avoid topics that might upset Han Lie, instead chatting about various experiences from university life.

Having eaten their fill of strawberries, the two decided not to return to the small courtyard. Instead, they headed into the city, had a simple meal of grilled fish, and then watched a movie.

Overall, they had a very pleasant conversation.

Up close, Han Lie discovered that Chen Yanfei was a girl with greater charm than he had anticipated.

She was considerate, attentive, and unpretentious. She was willing to discuss topics that typically interested guys, showed no signs of "princess syndrome," and when they discussed plans, she usually started with phrases like, "Should we...?" or "What if we...?" fostering a sense of teamwork.

She might have lacked a touch of overt cuteness, but this was extremely comforting to Han Lie, who was, in essence, an old soul.

Unfortunately, a man's growth is like a ladder that only goes straight up; with each step forward, it becomes absolutely impossible to turn back.

Han Lie could not return.

A single-choice option? I don't do those.

「On the evening of the second day of the Lunar New Year」

As was customary, many guests came to the house.

This time, the crowd was rather mixed, including distant relatives, friends of his parents, and even some rather inexplicable individuals.

For instance, there was a colleague of Han Yong's, with whom he actually had a terrible relationship. Yet, this colleague had shamelessly come to borrow money, implying, "Your family is so wealthy; what's the harm in helping out a little?"

Such people are particularly common in society. If shedding some dignity means reaping benefits, why not do it?

His wife was even more outrageous. From the way she acted, it seemed she was ready to throw a full-blown tantrum if they didn't reach an agreement.

Han Yong and Ma Honglian were too soft-hearted and really couldn't handle such brazenly shameless people.

In the end, Han Lie had to step in personally.

He stepped out, took off the Patek Philippe Sky Moon watch that he hadn't really used before, and offered it to the man.

"Uncle Chen, my parents genuinely don't have any money to lend. Why don't you take this watch of mine and sell it instead?"

The man, Chen, acting shamelessly, subconsciously reached for it. Han Lie warned, "You'd better hold it steady, Uncle. If you drop it, that's over forty million in damages. And if you take it out of this house, there's an eighty percent chance you'll be looking at a life sentence..."