Reborn with Consumption System

"Hey, handsome, you look so familiar. Have we met before?"

"I don't think so, Miss Fan."

Han Lie shook his head with a smile, hands behind his back, observing her with interest to see how she would continue her act.

Honestly, Miss Fan's flirting skills were quite awful.

But often, what's important isn't the skill of the approach, but the person making it.

Miss Fan was dressed to kill today, donning a white blazer over a chest-high evening dress; a genuine, ample portion was exposed, capturing all attention.

She waved away her assistant and bodyguards, took a step forward, and studied Han Lie carefully, her seductive eyes tracing his young face, her lips curled into a smile.

TSK, TSK, it's such a waste for you not to play Pan Jinlian...

Her expression suddenly became certain, and she clapped her hands lightly. "Ah! Is it Teacher Han? We talked at the Whampoa Club banquet last time, with Chef Xie!"

Really?

Han Lie was momentarily baffled by her and started to struggle to remember.

But after thinking it over... Talked? Like hell we did! She wasn't even there that day, alright?!

However, while Han Lie was deep in thought, she had already moved in close, standing beside him, only a fist's distance away.

"Teacher Han, are you here to see the exhibition too? What a coincidence, shall we walk around together?"

Damn! This skill in seizing an opening, isn't it at Level 5 peak?! This isn't even seizing an opening; this is blatantly forcing it...

Everyone knew she couldn't be unaware that it was a private exhibition, and this was no coincidence; she was clearly heading straight for Han Lie.

So, whether it was Eric, Lu Yisi, or even the young assistant Liang Wu, none of them made a peep.

The final decision could only be made by Han Lie.

Brother Lie couldn't help but chuckle silently, finding it all too amusing.

No matter what her intentions were, she dared to dream and act boldly, forging ahead against the pressure. This gave Han Lie a unique and enjoyable new experience.

So... why not play along?

"Okay."

Han Lie nodded, still maintaining a somewhat distant attitude, but also leaving a small opening for her to slip through.

With the mindset of enjoying the performance, he decided to wait and see what would unfold.

Once Han Lie relented, Lu Yisi immediately sprang back to life.

He said politely yet firmly, "Miss Fan, your bodyguards and assistant can go no further, please understand."

"Understood!"

Miss Fan swiftly waved her hand. Her assistant stepped forward to take her purse, stealthily giving Han Lie a discreet glance.

Perhaps she was also wondering why her boss was scheming so meticulously.

Miss Fan lightly shrugged her shoulders, took off the blazer that had been draped over her, and handed it to her assistant as well.

Then, with utmost naturalness, she looped her arm through Han Lie's and said with a smile, "Then shall we go, Teacher Han?"

Good Lord! The moment she leaned in lightly—the heady fragrance, the soft touch, and that playful voice—was simply devastating.

Logically speaking, she shouldn't have any particularly strong investment needs. At least, not so strong and insistent as to proactively try to please me to this extent.

Celebrities indeed lack reliable investment channels, but they can buy property, collect antiques, jewelry, and art, or even start companies.

—Legitimate companies aren't guaranteed to make money, but fleecing fans is practically foolproof.

Wealth management, in the narrow sense, wouldn't rank very high on their list of options.

So, the young assistant Liang Wu widened her eyes, utterly confused and unable to understand.

But Han Lie, on the contrary, found it normal.

If simple funds weren't sufficient, what about adding close ties with top luxury jewelry brands?

At this private exhibition, by purchasing any top-tier gemstone, Han Lie would instantly become a top client of the brand—one of the very select few at the forefront of their internal VIP list.

This would grant him a considerable number of impressive privileges.

These privileges included invitations to major fashion shows with guaranteed front-row seats and personal attention from industry leaders. He could freely borrow jewelry, with the company sending personnel for on-site service. Furthermore, he could be recommended as a brand ambassador or a "friend of the brand," and leverage the brand's endorsement when dealing with other fashion powerhouses, among other things.

While Han Lie himself didn't particularly need these privileges, that didn't mean they were valueless.

On the contrary, they were what celebrities dreamed of.

Miss Fan, in her earlier quest to boost her status, had desperately courted LV and Chanel, buying paid articles to boast that she was their sole spokesperson.

In reality, she was merely a "friend of the brand."

She was exploiting the ignorance of netizens at the time, brazenly promoting herself.

Now, with a genuine opportunity to become an ambassador for a top-tier luxury jewelry brand—an absolute domestic exclusive—why wouldn't she seize it?

It wouldn't cost her much: just swallow her pride, proactively approach him with some kind words, and flirt a little with a handsome young man.

Isn't it worth it? It's totally worth it.

Moreover, after seeing Han Lie, she even felt that if she really could cozy up to him... she would actually be getting the better deal. Even though Han Lie didn't have the kind of handsome looks that top stars in the entertainment industry possess, he had that powerful magnate aura! Compared to that young Wang who had just returned to the country, he was, frankly, winning by a landslide.

The group continued forward.

When they arrived at the entrance of the exhibition hall, Lu Yisi signaled for the alert security guards to come over and quietly ordered, "Expand the security perimeter to the elevator hall entrance. Don't let anyone else get close."

Two burly men in suits, one in black and one in white, nodded and moved to block the rear.

Not long after, another commotion erupted from that direction.

Han Lie glanced at Lu Yisi with a smile, which made Lu Yisi break out in a cold sweat.

Ugh, the information leak was indeed quite serious. It was obvious someone else was scheming again...

But this couldn't really be blamed on him.

The real reason was that Han Lie had made things too grandiose.

Dealing with just one company would have made secrecy much easier.

But negotiating with four companies, then striking deals with three, all at a cost of nearly ten million RMB to host three private gem exhibitions in succession... How the hell do you keep that a secret?

If this private exhibition weren't in Huaxia, but in a country like the US or somewhere in the West, the situation would be far more intense. The escort detail would consist of a whole team of armed security, equipped with live ammunition and driving armored vehicles.

As it stood, it was just a few socialites, wealthy ladies, and celebrities wanting to ride the wave of publicity and meet Han Lie—a relatively minor commotion.

Of course, the exhibition hall, now restored to its headquarters' original appearance, was silently telling Han Lie: This is no minor commotion; this is a major event bankrolled by tens of millions.

Obviously, such a stir couldn't be kept hidden.

Various unexpected incidents might become the norm over the next couple of days.

But what does that matter?

As long as the money is well spent, someone else will deal with any trouble, and all that's left will be pleasant surprises.

Han Lie looked at the familiar facade and was suddenly reminded of scenes from his last visit.

The place is the same, but the people are different?

Well, it's not that dramatic.

But during his last visit, he was definitely a nobody, practically invisible.

This time, however, a high-end exhibition, jewelry worth hundreds of millions, perhaps over a billion RMB, and dozens of staff members front and back...

Everything was prepared solely for him.

Spending money like this is very satisfying.

The previous setup and decorations had been dismantled long ago, but with enough money, nothing was a problem.

As they walked, Lu Yisi proactively began to report the expenses.

"Mr. Han, this time, the company headquarters sent a total of eight security personnel, one security manager, as well as one field operations manager and Vice President Ralph.

The executives are staying in the Presidential Suite at the Mandarin Oriental. The eight security guards are in rooms next door and opposite, all booked for two days and two nights.

Simultaneously, we rented the Mandarin Oriental's exhibition hall for two days. One day was allocated for setup, one day for the exhibition itself, with dismantling scheduled for overnight.

Upon arrival, due to a scheduling conflict with the company's aircraft, we chartered the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental jet belonging to Bolloré, one of France's top billionaires..."

Lu Yisi rattled on, itemizing each expense, explaining its necessity, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...

Han Lie wasn't interested in the slightest, but he listened silently, nodding occasionally.

This was the expected demeanor of someone who had spent a significant amount of money.

I might not be interested, but if you don't bring it up voluntarily, my assistant will surely ask. And that would be a loss of face for you.

The final bill was even higher than Han Lie had anticipated—

Cartier's expenses alone had already reached 3.81 million RMB.

And that wasn't the final figure.

Because Han Lie decided to increase his spending.

"You've all worked hard."

Han Lie waved his hand, signaling that Lu Yisi could conclude his report.

Then, he said nonchalantly, "I'll sponsor the small salon you're hosting later. Consider it a token of gratitude for your dedicated service.

Just send the bill to my assistant. Anything below two million, I'll cover it in full."

As soon as he finished speaking, Han Lie felt his arm tighten as a large area of warmth pressed against him.