CHAPTER 357: CHAPTER 183 WARM ATMOSPHERE_2

"Have you two earned any money? Besides, is this really about money right now? Look at the time! Let’s hurry! My VIP level is quite high; they won’t deliver for you two even if you pay. Alright, alright, that settles it!"

Chen Yanfei and Ding Xiang looked at each other, feeling embarrassed to accept but unsure how to refuse.

Han Lie gave them no time to react, immediately urging them to fill in their addresses.

Then he quietly said to the sales associate, "Keep the points for yourself, don’t log them into my account. Just make sure all the items are delivered tonight, okay?"

The young woman was overjoyed and respectfully asked to add Han Lie on WeChat.

"Mr. Han, if you need any advice on jewelry in the future, please contact me directly. Xiao Mei will be wholeheartedly at your service."

Actually, Cartier normally doesn’t offer delivery services.

Once an item is sold and leaves the counter, they consider the transaction complete and bear no further responsibility.

This was the brand’s established policy.

However, individual salespeople could offer various personal services, including but not limited to... COUGH, COUGH!

Han Lie, with his account holding hundreds of thousands of points, had already demonstrated his significant purchasing power, marking him as a client sales staff needed to cultivate carefully.

Then he offered a concrete incentive—the points.

Cartier’s brand points weren’t as valuable as shopping mall points, but salespeople still had ways to convert them to cash. It’s a rather complicated story; suffice it to say, there was profit to be made.

So, Han Lie had very elegantly solved the problem, albeit in a somewhat roundabout way.

What was the benefit, you ask?

Looking at Chen Yanfei and Ding Xiang, slightly embarrassed yet visibly thrilled, was an answer even necessary?

If you still don’t get it, you’re truly beyond help...

"Ladies, shall we depart now?"

After settling the bill, Han Lie showed no hint of smugness. He continued to wear that slightly aggrieved expression, aiming to deepen their feelings of apology.

"Alright, alright!" Chen Yanfei hurriedly soothed Brother Lie. "We’ll leave right now! I’ll treat you to a big meal at the IFC as soon as we get there!"

Then, the moment they stepped out of the store, the two young women, who had been shy just moments before, instantly linked hands, chattering and murmuring as they admired the rings on their fingers.

Their chattering was a critique of the rings; their murmuring was a discussion about what kind of gift would be appropriate to give Han Lie in return.

The LOVE rings weren’t excessively expensive. A single one cost just over thirty thousand, an amount Chen Yanfei could afford, let alone Ding Xiang.

Of course, if Han Lie hadn’t insisted on gifting them, Chen Yanfei herself would never have splurged on one.

But now... the more she looked at it, the more she adored it. Simply delightful!

The two of them discussed gifts all the way to the subway station but couldn’t reach a decision, so they resolved to reconsider once they reached the IFC.

After they had chatted their fill, they suddenly looked up...

Oh, crap!

What in the world is going on?!

The two young ladies stared, dumbfounded, at the surging tide of people before them.

Anyone who’s ridden Magic Capital’s Line 2 knows what it’s like; those who haven’t can hardly imagine.

The weekday morning rush hour offers one kind of crush, while the downtown core on weekends presents another.

Which is better?

Well, that primarily depends on who’s standing next to you.

If, on a hot summer noon, you’re accidentally sandwiched between two guys, each over 200 pounds and drenched in sweat from the slightest movement...

Yikes!

Better not even think about it!

But if you happen to be pressed against a fragrant, curvy young woman...

It’s actually not that interesting either.

If you press too close, she’s likely to label you a pervert.

Of course, if you’re handsome enough, it might be debatable who the real pervert is.

In his past life, Han Lie was always regarded by young women with the suspicion reserved for a thief. Now, however, he wanted to experience something new.

"Stick close to me!"

As Chen Yanfei and Ding Xiang hesitated, Brother Lie bravely plunged forward.

One girl on his left, the other on his right, he shielded them. After a strenuous effort, he successfully maneuvered them into the relatively safer space in the connecting passageway between subway cars.

The two young ladies were so frightened their faces paled, and they had no choice but to cling tightly to Han Lie’s arms, pressing close against him.

"How can there be so many people?" Chen Yanfei asked, for once, a remarkably obvious question.

Han Lie, taking advantage of the situation while feigning innocence, rolled his eyes. "What did you expect? I told you two to stop dawdling..."

Ding Xiang, ever so innocent, felt both sheepish and guilty.

"S-sorry..."

Towards her, Han Lie adopted a different tone. "It’s alright. It’s good to experience the world’s hardships once in a while. Here, move in a bit closer; I’ll shield you."

Isn’t he thoughtful?! Ding Xiang pressed tightly against Han Lie’s arm, her cheeks flushing. Even though it was winter, preventing any scent of his body or direct skin contact, she still felt a wave of warmth from him.

She peeked across. Chen Yanfei, well-shielded by Han Lie’s frame, was cautiously resting her cheek against his shoulder.

Ah, this feels so safe and reassuring...

Chen Yanfei, however, bared her teeth at Han Lie. Wow, how fierce!

Even when feeling guilty, her intellect remained sharp; she instantly understood Han Lie’s differential treatment.

But pointing such things out directly would spoil the fun.

She planned to get even in another way. You just wait, Han Lie!

"Hey, tough guy, how come you’re so familiar with the subway routes?"

With nothing better to do, she struck up a conversation.

Han Lie immediately retorted teasingly, "I’m from a poor family. If I don’t take the subway when I go out, am I supposed to take taxis every day like you two?"

Chen Yanfei, annoyed, jabbed him with her elbow.

"Talk to me properly!"

It didn’t hurt, but his goal of teasing her was perfectly achieved.

"Don’t you know how poor I am?"

"But you’re not poor now!"

After her retort, Chen Yanfei’s curiosity was suddenly piqued. "Hey, tough guy, how much money do you actually have now?"

Ding Xiang’s ears perked up as well.

She didn’t care whether Han Lie had money or not, but a woman’s curiosity, well, that’s incurable.

"Why do you ask?" Brother Lie continued to be evasive.

"Everyone on the forum is guessing!" Chen Yanfei shared excitedly. "Don’t you ever look at it? Someone on the forum leaked that your personal capital is many times larger than what you used in the small-stakes trading competition. Then, some idle folks started analyzing it. They said that if your personal trades mirrored your competition strategy, your money must have multiplied many times over... But I know you invested all your principal in buying a house, right? So, what’s the real story? You’re being quite generous now; I feel like you’re not short of money."

Han Lie thought for a moment and decided it was time to give them a heads-up.

Pan Ge was an unavoidable topic, and there was no point in hiding or deceiving them.

Now, in fact, was a good opportunity to come clean.

"I genuinely don’t have much money of my own. We’re old classmates; I wouldn’t try to show off or pretend to be rich in front of you two. But I did manage to make quite a bit of money. There are always more solutions than difficulties, right?"

When Han Lie paused dramatically, their curiosity immediately soared.

"Is it related to Pan Ge?" Chen Yanfei, sharp as ever, immediately pinpointed the crucial element.

Han Lie nodded. "Mhm!" he affirmed, then skillfully began to reveal the truth. "Pan Ge’s father happens to play the stock market, and frankly, his skills are quite poor. After Xi Luting introduced us, we once visited her home and I ended up chatting about stocks with Uncle Pan.

"Perhaps I made a good impression that day, because Uncle Pan decided to invest in me. The next day, he handed over an account with 3 million for me to manage.

"That was probably during the second week of the virtual trading competition? I was so focused back then, thinking only about making money every day, that many details are a blur. However, the moment I received that money—the sheer excitement and thrill—I remember it vividly even now.

"Later, I succeeded. I received a share of the profits and, more importantly, I didn’t disappoint Uncle Pan’s faith in me. So, he continued to introduce clients to me. Just a few days ago, we all decided to establish a formal private fund, and I became the Capital Manager.

"As for how much money I’ve actually made... A little over ten million, I suppose. It’s not a huge amount, but it’s enough for me to start realizing my dreams."

Han Lie spoke in a casual tone, devoid of any hint of showing off.

As Chen Yanfei and Ding Xiang listened, they couldn’t help but feel that the young man before them was deliberately downplaying the immense psychological pressure and the arduous struggles he must have faced.

"That’s really wonderful..." Ding Xiang murmured softly, her voice barely audible even to herself.

Chen Yanfei nudged Han Lie’s ribs again, celebrating for him with genuine enthusiasm.

"Congratulations! You’re on the right path now. I believe your dreams will only grow bigger, and you’ll achieve them one by one!"

What an adorable girl...

Han Lie turned his head and gently brushed the top of her head with his chin.

Her hair was silky smooth, felt wonderful to the touch, and was thoroughly permeated with the sweet fragrance of her shampoo.

Chen Yanfei’s ears turned red. She forcefully pushed the dog man’s chin away but didn’t say a word.

And Ding Xiang, her fingers quietly squeezed tighter, gripping his arm even more firmly.

In that small corner of the subway car, the atmosphere was surprisingly warm and sweet.

But this warmth... it would only exist in this special environment, only at this very moment.

I still have a long way to go...