Thinking simply, this is as natural and right as the saying "one who amasses wealth and honor must return to their hometown."

Thinking more deeply, it's like the Jewish people's tireless pursuit of restoring their nation; a homeland for one's own people represents the soul's true sanctuary, genuine peace.

Surprising, isn't it?

Actually, I'm quite patriotic.

Patriotism should never stem from a nation's strength, but from a fateful sense of identity—I like who I am now, and everything about me originates from this land, from the profound and ancient culture born here.

I clearly know who I am, what I want now, and what I will pursue in the future.

So, I can fully enjoy material comforts and satisfy various personal desires without fearing I'll eventually lose myself.

Therefore, you needn't worry—I might not be a perfectly loyal or devoted husband, but I will strive to give you my utmost affection, shoulder the responsibilities I ought to, and never lose my true self."

Han Lie finally steered the conversation to the real topic, and Pan Ge listened even more intently.

"In typical marriages of convenience, mutual benefit is an unavoidable theme. It often replaces affection, becoming the bond that maintains the husband-wife relationship.

But for me, benefits have never been the point. What isn't mine, I don't want; what is mine, I'm willing to spend most of it on you.

In return, I hope you can forgive and accept this imperfect version of me.

Of course, you can still assert your claim over me to anyone, just as you did today with Chen Yanfei.

And I will do my best to respect you as we begin our premarital period of adjustment..."

Han Lie's words carried a distinct rationality and clarity, characteristic of someone with a sober perspective on life.

Listening to him bare his heart, Pan Ge didn't find Han Lie greedy, selfish, or shameless. On the contrary, she was impressed by his character and confidence. Real men are born to conquer the world. And women are part of the world, so what's wrong with subduing a few women along the way?

Having grown up in a strongly patriarchal family where her father, Pan Shengwu, was the pillar of the household, its public face, and the protector of her and her mother, she profoundly understood that a wild stallion can be reined in but never truly tamed. You want him to be ambitious, conquering new territories out in the world, yet also expect him to be docile and obedient at home? Isn't that schizophrenia? Forget men; even powerful women like Dong Mingzhu and Deng Wendi, haven't they all made a mess of their family lives? If you insist on having the best of both worlds in some things, you're just making things difficult for others while torturing yourself. So, it's better to be clear-headed. If you want exclusive love, find a younger man you can easily manage and then you can be the one to face the storms of the outside world. If you want a larger-than-life hero you can admire, then accept his uncontrollable nature and view the good and bad with a balanced perspective.

Pan Ge's family background meant she lacked typical girlish naivete. In contrast, Chen Yanfei, educated by the more cautious Chen, was worldly yet principled, clear-headed while still possessing a young girl's persistence—a completely different style of person.

So, Pan Ge was a better match for the current Han Lie than the "village beauty," and this too was fated.

"I like your ideals, and I like your understanding and pursuit of greatness."

Pan Ge squeezed out her response, choosing her words with utmost care, striving for precision and to avoid any misstep, her expression one of intense earnestness.

"I'm not someone with grand dreams, exceptional abilities, or a particular passion for life, but I am very adaptable. Since I've decided it's you, I will get used to and accept everything about you.

Well, at least for now.

If you consistently treat me poorly and keep breaking my heart, then marriage won't mean anything, so... um, anyway, you get it!"

As she finished, she inexplicably started to blush.

She stopped looking into Han Lie's eyes, turned her head away, and began to trace patterns on the ground with the tip of her foot.

Han Lie smiled gently, took a step forward, wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and lightly kissed her forehead.

"Understood, my little schemer! So, to celebrate the official formation of our 'scandalous pair,' shouldn't we find a place to do something thrilling?"

Pan Ge was terrified.

She leaped back like a startled rabbit, eyeing the cunning man warily. "What are you planning? I'm warning you, don't even think about any of those weird things!"

Then, before Han Lie could deploy his usual tactics and silver-tongued persuasion, she immediately rushed, TAP-TAP-TAP, toward Han Lie's apartment building.

Run!

Once I'm inside, I'll be safe!

Han Lie was left speechless. What's her deal? Am I really that scary or unreliable? Hmph, clever girl!

When the two of them, teasing and laughing, arrived home, Panzi was engrossed in explaining the art of tea to Han Yong, while Annie was chatting with Ma Honglian about skincare. The atmosphere was one of perfect harmony.

Panzi had good taste. He refrained from telling Han Yong the teapot's actual value, instead persistently encouraging him to drink more of the tea he had brought, claiming it was "good for his health."

But Han Yong, long accustomed to frugality, kept waving his hands in refusal.

"Oh, my, how could I possibly afford such things... No, no, the coarse-leaf jasmine tea is perfectly fine, it quenches the thirst!"

Hearing this, the muscles in Panzi's jaw twitched.

What a sacrilege! Gu Jingzhou's masterpiece, reduced to this! Old master, I've failed you!

Looking at the array of teas spread across the table—Tieguanyin, Pu'er, Keemun black tea, Xinyang Maojian—Panzi felt a wave of despair. Old Han, I even parted with the pot for you, I've paired the teas perfectly; why won't you just listen to me?!

Han Yong also felt quite aggrieved. What kind of rich family is this supposed to be? A pot of tea is several thousand yuan, and with such tiny cups! If I were to quickly drink just two mouthfuls, ten thousand yuan would be gone! What is all this fuss about, anyway?