108: You didn't do anything illegal, did you?

Watching the Affection Level on the system panel tick upward once again, Chen Li was a bit baffled. Had he struck a chord with her somehow?

Had he said something special just now? Before he could overthink it...

"Um, sure. When are we going back?" Liu Nansheng agreed almost subconsciously.

Only after the words left her mouth did she vaguely feel she might have agreed too quickly, without even asking for specific arrangements.

But since the words were out, she only pursed her lips slightly and didn't say anything more.

"If it's convenient for you, how about we leave the day after tomorrow in the afternoon?" This unexpected smoothness made Chen Li feel a bit of urgency.

"I don't have anything urgent on my end, so anytime is fine."

Liu Nansheng replied softly, her hands speeding up slightly as she organized her tools, as if trying to hide that momentary flash of embarrassment.

For the rest of the time, the two chatted idly about random things, and the atmosphere seemed to lighten considerably.

After the facial treatment ended, Chen Li didn't rush to leave. Instead, he sat to one side, watching Liu Nansheng briskly pack away her bottles and jars.

A girl like her was sensitive yet independent, with her own thoughts; completing the system mission definitely wouldn't work by just spending money.

He had to get her to truly trust him, or even fall for him. It seemed he could only pursue her with genuine sincerity.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This was no easy task; it was like climbing a steep peak.

Fortunately, he had some capital—while money wasn't everything, it certainly solved many practical problems.

If her family really was in trouble, wouldn't going back with her this time be a perfect opportunity?

By helping her family solve their troubles and improving their lives, her family would naturally have a good impression of him.

Wasn't there a saying that if you want to pursue a girl, you should win over the mother-in-law first to greatly increase the success rate? Chen Li felt there was a lot of truth in that.

Thinking of this feasible battle plan, he felt as if he could already see the dawn of the mission's completion. A smile unconsciously curled at the corners of his mouth, completely unaware that his expression was being observed.

"What are you thinking about? You look so happy."

Liu Nansheng walked over carrying a glass of water and happened to see his dazed, smiling face, prompting her to ask out of curiosity.

"Ah? No... nothing!" Chen Li snapped back to his senses, feeling as if his inner calculations had been seen through.

His face suddenly felt a bit hot, and he quickly took the water glass to hide his awkwardness. "I just suddenly thought of something quite interesting."

"Oh, okay..." she replied vaguely.

Liu Nansheng sat in front of the computer, her eyes fixed on the screen, but her mind was completely elsewhere.

Her gaze kept drifting toward Chen Li. Seeing him looking around her small room with interest,

her hands unconsciously clasped together, fingers twisting until her knuckles turned white.

The words she had rehearsed countless times in her heart now seemed stuck in her throat, unable to be uttered.

When Chen Li occasionally turned to look at her, he caught her hurried, dodging gaze several times.

The moment their eyes met, they could only smile awkwardly and then look away.

An indescribable tension permeated the small room... Finally, as if having made a massive resolution, Liu Nansheng suddenly stood up and walked over to Chen Li.

This move took Chen Li by surprise—what was wrong with this girl? She looked even more off than he did.

"Chen Li, can you do me a favor?" she asked directly, her voice carrying a trace of an imperceptible tremor.

Chen Li's heart skipped a beat. Is she going to borrow money? That would be simple.

"Is it something I can do?" he asked in a calm tone, though he felt a bit of anticipation.

"It's something you can do as long as you're willing." Liu Nansheng's tone was exceptionally certain, which made Chen Li even more curious.

"Tell me first, what is it?" He cautiously avoided agreeing immediately, wanting to hear the specifics first.

Liu Nansheng took a deep breath as if to gather her courage, then began to explain—from her parents forcing her home for a blind date to the hundred thousand yuan bride price, she poured it all out.

Finally, she looked at Chen Li with an almost pleading gaze. "...So, I want to ask you to pretend to be my boyfriend and come home with me to deal with them. Is that okay?"

After hearing her story, Chen Li almost wanted to laugh out loud—this wasn't trouble at all; this was clearly an opportunity falling from the sky!

He quickly calculated in his head: helping her with this was fine, but it wouldn't be too much to ask her to agree to a condition in return, right?

Since he was pretending to be her boyfriend, the girlfriend needed some decent gear. It was only reasonable for him to buy her some things... "Uh, about this..." Chen Li deliberately furrowed his brows, pretending to be troubled as he drawled.

"Chen Li, I can pay you. Please, you must help me."

Seeing him hesitate, Liu Nansheng grew anxious, her voice filled with sincere pleading.

"I'm not short on money." Chen Li shook his head.

"Then what do I have to do for you to help me?" Her voice dropped, filled with disappointment and unease.

"I can help you,"

Chen Li looked into her eyes and said slowly, "but you have to help me too, or rather, promise me one thing."

Hearing this, Liu Nansheng's heart tightened suddenly.

He wasn't going to propose *that* kind of condition, was he? If he was really that kind of person, then she had truly misjudged him.

"What is it?" Her face instantly turned cold, and she prepared herself to reject any shameless demands outright.

"Help me buy a house and a car. Of course, I'll provide the money."

Chen Li said seriously, "As my fake girlfriend, not having these two things would affect my Luck."

He paused and added, "After it's all over, if you don't want them, you can return them to me or keep them for yourself, whichever you prefer."

Liu Nansheng was completely stunned by this condition. What kind of bizarre request was this? Affecting Luck? Who was he kidding?

Wait—a terrifying thought suddenly flashed through her mind: Could Chen Li be doing something illegal?

Did he want her to help him wash dirty money?

Otherwise, why would he make such a completely illogical request? The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and her heart sank.

"Chen Li, you..."

She carefully chose her words. "You're not doing something illegal, are you?"

"What illegal thing?" Chen Li was completely bewildered by her sudden question.

"You... you're not involved in Money laundering or something, are you?"

She summoned her courage and spoke it out. "I can't agree to that."

"Money laundering? How is that possible!"

Chen Li suddenly became frantic. "That's impossible!"

"Then how can you prove it?" Liu Nansheng stared intently into his eyes, as if trying to find a flaw in his expression.