Today turned out to be quite a fortuitous day, presenting an unexpected, opportune moment to extract a thorn.

Han Lie stopped the car at a red light, turned to look at her, and asked with a smile, "Have any of your relatives or friends experienced an employment buyout?"

Bai Yuxue was caught off guard by the question and responded blankly, "Many have!"

"Are they generally satisfied or dissatisfied?"

Without a second thought, Bai Yuxue shook her head. "Generally dissatisfied, I guess, with some complaints."

Han Lie then inquired, "Now think carefully, are they dissatisfied with the buyout itself, or because the buyout payment wasn't enough to be a pleasant surprise?"

Bai Yuxue froze.

The answer to this question was crystal clear, needing no response.

And Han Lie didn't wait for her answer, continuing on his own.

"I actually think that 'buyout' is a very neutral term. It ends a fixed and foreseeable trajectory, bringing about a whole new set of unknown possibilities.

Good or bad?

It all depends on the buyout price.

So, I don't want to correct your word choice or veil the nature of the matter with a facade of tenderness.

Self-deception is too boring. It's better to plainly bring out the scales and measure gains and losses, benefits and drawbacks by value. This also helps us define the weight of this relationship and clarify the extent of our respective commitments.

I hope that one day in the future, should we have to part ways, you would still be grateful to me and move on with your life in higher spirits, effortlessly facing everything that comes your way.

Talking like this, don't you think I'm scummy?"

Han Lie's frank disclosure took Bai Yuxue aback for a moment.

But she was much more clear-headed and rational than Bai Yuqiu, possessing a better understanding of society's nature, so it took her only a few seconds to recover.

"No, not at all scummy."

She shook her head, her voice suddenly tinged with excitement.

"I like your candor, and I like the future you've painted—I'm dying to have that kind of effortless ability." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Han Lie smiled in satisfaction and held up his right palm to her. "You can definitely do it. Go for it!"

SLAP!

Bai Yuxue high-fived him forcefully, brimming with fighting spirit. "Don't worry, I surely will!"

Han Lie had skillfully painted a grand pie, and Bai Yuxue ate it up contentedly. That thorn was now mostly removed.

Many men don't understand that the way to paint the pie has to be differentiated according to the woman they're dealing with.

For materialistic women, dangle luxury goods before them and reward them after certain conditions have been met.

For those who are romantic at heart, excel at painting romantic pies, such as embracing at sunrise on a Maldives islet or watching stars on Pingdingshan.

For girls longing for a family, discuss details like how many babies to have, how to educate them, and how you'll play the tender mom while I play the stern dad.

For high-caliber goddesses, you must tailor your approach to their personality and needs—less talk, more action.

The pie Han Lie painted today was exceptionally high-grade.

Making a woman who has been dumped feel grateful is incredibly difficult. Hence, Han Lie's subtext was: "I plan to treat you well, give you a lot, and nurture you into even better women, standing above it all, effortlessly facing everything in life."

Bai Yuqiu, that lovesick creature, might not understand, but this kind of implicit promise struck a deep chord with Bai Yuxue.

The implication was: "I don't care if you understand or not; I've simply decided to do it that way."

It's assertive yet not smarmy, and the smarter the woman, the harder it is to resist.

If attraction could be quantified, her liking for Han Lie must have already broken the 80-point barrier—a level where intimacy would naturally follow given the right time and place.

So, have you all learned how to paint the pie or not?

If you don't understand, you'd better practice fast and get out of singledom soon. Class dismissed!

...

The two drove to Gao Shen's villa, and the atmosphere turned heavy again.

Bai Yuxue called her sister. Before long, the door opened, and Bai Yuqiu, crying, welcomed them inside.

Using the light from the entryway, Han Lie discreetly sized up Bai Yuqiu.

Yuqiu's face was indeed swollen in one spot, and her mouth seemed slightly split, suggesting she had been slapped.

Bai Yuxue was filled with righteous indignation. "Where's Gao Shen? What right does he have to hit you?!"

Gao Shen was seated in the center of the living room, smoking. He still smelled faintly of alcohol but was mostly sober now. His expression was grim, and his eyes were evasive. He didn't dare meet Han Lie's gaze.

Bai Yuxue strode over, her demeanor uncharacteristically fierce.

"Gao Shen! How could you be so heartless? How could you hit her so hard?"

"I..."

Gao Shen was left speechless, merely stiffening his neck as he blustered, "Xiaoxue, this is a matter between husband and wife! Don't meddle!"

Han Lie walked over at a leisurely pace and gently pulled Bai Yuxue back.

Gao Shen, after all, couldn't ignore Han Lie. He forced a smile, fidgeting with his hands. "Brother Han, look at this mess... How did it end up involving you..."

"I just happened to be with Xiaoxue. When she heard about it, she insisted on coming to see. It's late, so I couldn't just let her run around on her own..."

Han Lie casually offered an excuse that no one could find fault with, then smiled easily and sat down opposite Gao Shen, taking charge of the situation.

"Brother Gao, how did things suddenly get this bad?"

"It's nothing, really. Nothing major. Just had a bit too much to drink... Haha!"

Gao Shen stammered, utterly unable to explain.

How could he explain to Han Lie?

Oh, I was out drinking with my buddies and their teasing got to me. I came home angry and wanted to get intimate with my wife, but the damn woman refused...