Chapter 79: Stay Away From Her? (First Update)

The first few days of the New Year were truly hectic, and Ming Han felt as if his body were about to fall apart. On the sixth day of the lunar year, there weren’t many customers. Su Yan handed Ming Han a thousand yuan for his wages over the past few days. “Son, go out and have some fun!”

Initially, Ming Han wanted to go home and sleep, but seeing the fine weather—much gentler than usual—he decided to head to the court and play ball instead.

Yu Hang and Da Xu had already returned to their hometowns for the holiday, leaving Ming Han’s winter break rather lonely. All he could do was watch videos repeatedly and diligently try to replicate what he saw on the court. Practice makes perfect, after all!

He was alone on the community basketball court, practicing for about twenty minutes—dribbling, backing down, shooting, footwork...

At that moment, a BMW worth millions stopped at the entrance to the neighborhood, drawing the attention of many onlookers. Who could this wealthy person be? The housing prices here weren’t particularly high, and most residents were of moderate means. Ming Han’s family still owed money on their mortgage.

A young man stepped out of the car, about eighteen years old. Unlike most youths, his face showed no trace of childishness, but rather a mature steadiness and confidence. He wore a suit, and his polished shoes gleamed.

Ming Han had seen him before. Half a year ago, when Chen Li was leaving for America, Ming Han had encountered him at the Xinhua Bookstore. He vaguely recalled his name: Zheng Ming.

The young man glanced toward Ming Han, a barely perceptible cold smile on his lips.

He walked over to Ming Han. “Hello, Ming Han. My name is Lin Zheng Ming.”

Ming Han nodded in acknowledgment. He even knows my name—clearly, this isn’t a friendly visit.

Lin Zheng Ming came from a wealthy family and had lived in America for a long time. He was proud and somewhat disdainful toward people like Ming Han, whom he saw as beneath him.

Society is just like that. Some people’s starting point is so high that you might never reach it, no matter how hard you try.

Lin Zheng Ming thought that, if not for Chen Li, he wouldn’t bother to interact with someone from the lower strata like Ming Han.

“Do you like playing basketball?”

Ming Han smiled. “It’s alright. Good for the body.”

Lin Zheng Ming replied coolly, “Basketball is too dangerous for my taste. I prefer driving to the provincial capital to play golf.”

Ming Han couldn’t help but be amused by the blatant showiness of this fellow.

“Did you come here for something?” Ming Han had little interest in continuing the conversation. People with fundamentally different values only create more friction when forced together.

Although Lin Zheng Ming sensed Ming Han’s desire to end the exchange, he continued unperturbed. “Stay away from Chen Li. Being with her won’t do you any good.”

Ming Han had already guessed the purpose of Lin Zheng Ming’s visit, but hadn’t expected him to be so direct.

“No,” Ming Han replied, just as bluntly.

“Ming Han, you need to understand—you and Chen Li live in completely different worlds. She’s young now; she thinks you’re handsome, maybe finds your jokes funny, so she’s temporarily drawn to you. But when you both grow up, you’ll see how harsh reality is. Only a stronger man can protect a girl as perfect as Chen Li.” Lin Zheng Ming spoke passionately. He’d been secretly in love with Chen Li since childhood, but she always treated him like an older brother.

His words left Ming Han silent. Though he wanted to retort, the world really was like that: the wealthy controlled most resources, and life seemed like a cheat code playground for them.

Lin Zheng Ming assumed Ming Han’s confidence had been shaken, so he continued, “A talented guy like you will have plenty of beautiful girls to choose from. There’s no need to cling to someone who’ll never be yours; it won’t end well. But if you promise to keep your distance from Chen Li, I can make sure you get into City No. 1 High School.”

Some people have connections powerful enough to overturn established rules. Every year, over a thousand students in the city scramble desperately to get into City No. 1 High, but for some, it’s just a phone call away.

“Ming Han, think carefully about whether this is a blessing or a curse.”

The image of that girl flashed through Ming Han’s mind. In the eyes of others, she was cold and aloof, but around him, she was as adorable as a child.

Ming Han looked at Lin Zheng Ming and enunciated each word: “First, there are plenty of beautiful girls in the world. But there is only one Chen Li. Second, getting into City No. 1 High isn’t difficult for me, even without your help.”

His immense confidence stunned Lin Zheng Ming for a moment.

Lin Zheng Ming snorted, “Ming Han, you really are too young. Fine, I’ll wait for you at City No. 1 High. When the time comes, you’ll see how harsh reality can be.”

With those words, Lin Zheng Ming left angrily.

He had come expecting to prove that people from the lower classes couldn’t resist the lure of benefits. Unfortunately, he failed.

Ming Han’s gaze was untainted, untouched by the hardships of society—a purity that truly belonged to the youth. Lin Zheng Ming felt a chill seeing Ming Han’s expression.

During his time in America, he’d dated many girls, relationships built on mutual benefit—money from him, vanity for him.

But Ming Han seemed to scorn such vanity altogether. It was as if he were telling Lin Zheng Ming: some things he doesn’t have now, but he will, one day.

Lin Zheng Ming shook his head, disheartened. “Hmph! Ming Han, wait till you get to City No. 1 High—I’ll make sure you regret it.”

…

Meanwhile, Chen Li was at home, studying diligently.

She had a goal: to attend the same high school as that boy.

Her academic scores were good enough for County No. 1 High, but City No. 1 High was still a challenge.

Her grandmother brought her a glass of milk. “Li Li, you should take some time to relax during the holidays. Staying cooped up indoors will sour your mood. You see, your brother Zheng Ming invites you out every day, but you always turn him down.”

“Grandma, there are only about a hundred days left before the entrance exams.”

Her grandmother smiled. “No matter which high school you want to attend, it’s just a phone call for your grandpa.”

Chen Li knew her grandfather—who spent his days reading newspapers and walking the dog at the park—had astonishing power and connections. But she wanted to get into City No. 1 High through her own efforts.

Just then, a phone call came in. It was Chen Nuo.

“Sis, did Zheng Ming go to see Ming Han today?”

Chen Li’s expression changed at those words. She knew how sharp Lin Zheng Ming’s tongue could be and worried he’d hurt Ming Han’s pride.

“What did he say to Ming Han?” Chen Li’s voice trembled.

Chen Nuo roughly repeated what Lin Zheng Ming had told Ming Han earlier. Chen Li grew anxious; his words were full of disdain for Ming Han.

“But you know what, sis? Ming Han said, ‘But there’s only one Chen Li in this world!’ Bodyguard Xiao Hei told me—he swears it’s true!”

Chen Li was stunned, a warm current surging through her heart.