Chapter 19: Li Bin’s Changes, Warming of Affections

After pondering for a while, she still shook her head and reluctantly smiled, saying, "No, brother-in-law, I'm not really fond of handbags. Even if I buy one, I won't use it. Let's buy something else. Let's go..."

Wen Lan's words naturally revealed her hesitation, as she didn't want Li Bin to spend money on her anymore. She pretended not to like it to save face.

In the past, Li Bin would have probably taken her seriously.

But now, Li Bin could clearly see the status bar above Wen Lan's head.

[Current status: longing, conflicted, excited, sad, reluctant]

"Please pack this one for me. I'll take it," Li Bin smiled knowingly and confidently told the salesperson.

"Sure, sir! I'll pack it for you immediately."

As she watched the salesperson carefully and meticulously pack the bag into a luxurious carry bag, Wen Lan was completely stunned. Her cheeks turned red, and her eyes towards Li Bin were filled with gratitude and happiness.

"Brother-in-law..."

Li Bin waved his hand with a smile and casually took out his phone.

This impulsive spending, the feeling of acting without thinking, was truly satisfying.

Li Bin had never felt so comfortable and indulgent before.

Having been poor for half his life, being thrifty and frugal, now that he had money, he could buy whatever he wanted. It truly felt better than anything else!

It was no wonder that nouveau riche, after becoming wealthy, enjoyed buying mansions, luxury cars, and all sorts of extravagant goods.

Only when you wildly and recklessly purchase luxury items you wouldn't even dare to think about before, can you truly experience the pleasure of this retaliatory consumption.

It's like a person who has been thirsty for too long suddenly saw a pool of mountain spring water and eagerly want to jump in and drink it all!

Li Bin was tired of being poor. He used to hesitate and compare prices even when buying new clothes.

He didn't want to live those tight days anymore!

Now, with system as his backing, Li Bin just wanted to live recklessly, to vent the desires he had suppressed his whole life!

"Beep..." The sound of the front desk announcing the payment immediately rang out. "Payment Received: 15,000 yuan."

Li Bin took the carry bag and handed it to Wen Lan with a smile. "Now, it's yours."

"Brother-in-law... I..." Wen Lan looked excitedly at the luxurious handbag Li Bin handed over, unable to find words.

This was the bag she and her friends had always dreamed of!

And now, she had obtained it so easily!

If she were to return to university with this bag, her friends would definitely be envious!

As for her roommate who always liked to show off her bags in front of her, her expression would be priceless!

Thinking of this, Wen Lan's heart couldn't help but beat faster.

Her face turned completely red, and she was too overwhelmed to speak.

She felt even more grateful and fond of Li Bin.

She always felt like Li Bin could see through her heart, always giving her the best comfort when she needed it the most...

Wen Lan secretly glanced at Li Bin, looking at his gentle and considerate smile, and suddenly felt a flutter in her heart.

In the past, she used to have some disdain for Li Bin, wondering how her beautiful and accomplished elder sister ended up with an average-looking, useless man like him.

But now, Wen Lan suddenly envied her elder sister.

Compared to Zhao Jiahao, Li Bin's maturity, stability, tenderness, and understanding were marginally attractive. Wen Lan couldn't help but develop a dependency and a faint admiration for him, wanting to get closer.

[Current status: excited, proud, moved, grateful, content, happy]

[Intimacy: +10 (89: Very Close)]

With the prompt from the system, Li Bin seemed to suddenly realize something that he himself couldn't believe it—he had advertently become very good at pursuing women.

Initially, his sister-in-law, Wen Lan, was like an unattainable swan in his mind while he was like an ugly toad.

In front of the beautiful, lively, and outstanding sister-in-law, Li Bin was reserved and shy, not daring to initiate a conversation.

Despite his feelings, he didn't dare to get closer.

Just like when he was in school, Li Bin only dared to silently admire the class beauty from afar.

Even if he longed for her and liked her, he still didn't dare to actively pursue her. He could only watch as she was pursued by other handsome suitors while he suffered in pain and sadness on the sidelines.

But now, the goddess-like sister-in-law was no longer unattainable, no longer an unattainable dream!

In just two days, their intimacy had skyrocketed.

They had reached an intimacy level of 89!

Once it reached 100, he could have a physical relationship with her, completely conquering the sister-in-law he had yearned for and dreamed of!

Thinking about this, Li Bin felt excited.

And there was a particular reward from the system too for conquering his sister-in-law--a masterpiece-level novel!

Making a masterpiece-level novel was something Li Bin had always dreamed of!

With this reward, not only could he fulfill his dream of becoming a successful online writer, he could also show off and rise above the grievances he had suffered all these years, making a glorious name for himself.

Moreover, he would receive a continuous stream of royalties! It would allow him to live a good life!

Even in a big place like Hangzhou, he could live a decent life!

A 160-square-meter apartment, a luxury car, and the ability to splurge freely!

Just thinking about this kind of life filled him with passion!

…

After strolling around with his sister-in-law for a while, Li Bin couldn't resist her insistence and allowed her to buy him a set of casual wear and a new pair of Adidas sneakers. Only then did they return home, feeling somewhat tired.

As Li Bin grew more familiar with his sister-in-law, he realized that she wasn't as difficult to approach as he had imagined. On the contrary, once Wen Lan accepted him, she became easygoing and even clingy. Even inside the mall, Wen Lan would affectionately hold Li Bin's hand, and sometimes he would directly take her hand. Wen Lan would simply blush and smile sweetly, showing no resistance or discomfort.

Moreover, under Li Bin's emotional and financial advances, Wen Lan started to speak freely, without inhibitions. Their relationship quickly escalated, and by the time they left the mall, they were as close as siblings. Despite Wen Lan's outwardly cold and proud appearance, she was somewhat lonely deep inside. With Li Bin's genuine care and thoughtful attention, Wen Lan became increasingly dependent and affectionate, like a little bird.

"If only you weren't my sister's husband..." Upon returning home, as they jokingly walked upstairs, Wen Lan suddenly expressed her melancholy to Li Bin.

Li Bin was taken aback and immediately sensed a different kind of emotion in her words. He smiled and teased, "If I'm not your sister's husband, then who am I to you? If I'm not your brother-in-law, maybe I wouldn't even know you, silly girl."

"Wouldn't it be better if you were my real brother? Hehe..." Wen Lan stuck out her tongue and forced a smile.

"Being a brother-in-law is the same. From now on, you can treat me as your real brother. Just think of me as your big brother," Li Bin chuckled, his heart growing increasingly moved as he gazed at Wen Lan's charming and adorable face.

"Ah, I'm so tired from all the walking. I'm all sweaty. I'll go take a shower." Wen Lan sweetly smiled, turned around, and walked into her own bedroom.

Li Bin glanced at the time. It was already past three in the afternoon. In a little over an hour, his parents-in-law and his wife would probably be back. Considering the limited time, Li Bin realized he couldn't ignite any romantic sparks with his sister-in-law. He returned to his room, opened his computer, and casually browsed the author group's chat.

Empty: Today's recommendations are out, and I've been promoted again! This time, the new book selection is filled with excellent authors. It's so challenging.

Dog-Headed Person: Empty, you're amazing. You actually made it to the new book selection!

Little Fat Otaku: Empty is incredible. This book will definitely ascend to godhood!

...

Li Bin looked at the chat where a bunch of newcomers were praising an author who made it to the third round of the trial for the new book selection and couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

The promotion on Qifei Chinese Novel Website was based on a ranking system. The first recommendation would be given when a book reached approximately 50,000 to 100,000 characters. However, there was a significant gap between the recommended books. Authors and works favored by the editors would be prominently placed with cover images, gaining much more exposure. On the other hand, works deemed less favorable would be tucked away in a less noticeable section, with only a book title for recommendation.

In this context, nearly twenty books competed against each other during the same period based on reader collections and reading time. Those ranking higher would advance to the next round of better recommendations. The new book selection was the third round.

Li Bin had been writing for two years but had never had the fortune of receiving such a recommendation. This recommendation seemed like an unattainable dream to him. Even last year, when one of his books gained some popularity and earned him over a hundred thousand yuan, it only made it to the second round of the new book selection before being eliminated.

If Li Bin hadn't persisted in writing until he reached around five to six hundred thousand characters, gradually accumulating readers, he would have thought his book was trash that no one wanted to read. However, the reality proved that his book was the best-written and most successful among those in the same period.

Unfortunately, just as he approached one million characters, his book was abruptly banned due to a crackdown. Li Bin was furious and asked the editor why his book was sealed. The editor casually replied, "All books in this category have to be sealed. It's not just yours. What's so strange about it? It's a national policy. If you have the ability, go argue with the country."

The editor's words left Li Bin speechless. After working hard for over half a year, just as his book was showing promise, it got banned. Li Bin was left with nothing and had to start from scratch.

In a fit of anger, Li Bin posted a protest on the forum, providing solid evidence to clear his name. However, this didn't lead to the release of his book. Instead, it only made the editor bear a grudge against him. Now, Li Bin couldn't even secure a contract.