As the Lunar New Year approached, Beijing transformed into a tapestry of red: couplets pasted on doors, dragon dances rehearsing in squares, the air thick with the scent of candied hawthorns from street stalls. Li Wei's journey with the Seduction System wove deeper into this festive fabric, each thread pulling him closer to Zhang Lan without haste, honoring his romantic essence. The system's directives remained measured, fostering genuine bonds over rushed conquests, much like the slow-brewed pu'er tea that warmed family gatherings.
University demanded more now—midterm exams loomed, circuits and algorithms blurring in late-night study sessions under the glow of his laptop. Zhang Hao's taunts evolved into subtle sabotage, like 'borrowing' Li Wei's notes without return, but Li Wei countered with alliances. In the library, amid stacks of engineering tomes and whispers of Confucian texts, he befriended a quiet girl named Xiao Yu, who admired his poetic interludes during breaks. "You see beauty in equations," she said, sharing dumplings from her thermos.
The bullies noticed his growing circle, their jabs less effective. During a group presentation on renewable energy, Li Wei spoke eloquently, drawing parallels to the harmonious flow of qi in traditional philosophy. Applause followed, and even Zhang Hao muttered a reluctant "Not bad." The system rewarded his poise: **Social Gain: +500 RMB. Task Progress: 37%. Tip: Vulnerability strengthens romantic ties."
Home life pulsed with anticipation. Wang Mei's teahouse shifted to holiday hours, serving festive oolong to crowds preparing for family reunions. Li Wei assisted more, accompanying her to the market for ingredients—fresh lychees, sticky rice for zongzi. In the crowded aisles of the wet market, their arms linked against the press, he felt her warmth, inhaling her jasmine scent amid fishmongers' calls. "You're my right hand this season," she teased, squeezing his arm.
Evenings brought intimacy: wrapping dumplings together, flour-dusted hands brushing, laughter echoing as they shaped the wrappers. Li Wei's gaze traced her form—the way her blouse clung when she leaned over the table, hinting at the swell of her breasts. His fantasies intensified; alone later, he gripped his cock firmly, pumping as he pictured peeling away her layers, sucking her nipples until they peaked, then sliding into her tight heat, her legs wrapped around him in marital betrayal turned ecstasy.
The system's sub-task aligned with the festivities: Sub-task: Invite her to a shared tradition. Build emotional intimacy. Reward: 1,500 RMB and Affection +1. Li Wei timed it perfectly, knocking on Zhang Lan's door with handmade spring couplets, red paper inscribed with wishes for prosperity and love—subtly tailored for her.
"Auntie, for your door. May the year bring you joy," he said, his eyes meeting hers with sincere warmth.
Touched, she stepped aside. "Come in, Li Wei. Help me hang them? My husband's still away—Guangzhou's markets keep him longer than expected."
The apartment felt alive with holiday prep: a small altar for ancestors, incense curling like dragon smoke. As they affixed the couplets with tape, their bodies drew near—his ladder steadying against her hip, her guidance soft on his back. Conversation deepened over slices of nian gao, the sticky rice cake symbolizing progress. Zhang Lan opened up about her youth: a village girl married off at twenty, dreams of studying art in Beijing deferred for duty.
"I paint sometimes, in secret," she admitted, showing him a hidden sketchbook—delicate watercolors of lotuses, evoking purity amid desire. Li Wei praised them, his fingers grazing hers as he turned pages. "They're beautiful, like you—hidden depths waiting to bloom."
Her blush was visible, a flicker of connection. The system noted: Sub-task Complete. 1,500 RMB. Affection Level: Noticeable warmth. Progress: 45%.
New Year's Eve arrived with fanfare: fireworks exploding over the skyline, families toasting with baijiu. Li Wei's household celebrated traditionally—his father recounting folktales, Wang Mei in a festive cheongsam that hugged her curves, red silk shimmering. They watched the CCTV gala, spring couplets glowing. Midway, Wang Mei pulled Li Wei aside for a private moment on the balcony, city lights sprawling below. "I'm proud of you, Wei. You've become a man of heart."
Her hug pressed her body to his, breasts soft against his chest, stirring his arousal. He held her longer than propriety allowed, whispering, "You're my inspiration, Mei." Back in his room amid the festivities' din, he masturbated furiously, cock throbbing as he envisioned fucking her against the balcony rail, her pussy clenching around him, cries lost in the fireworks.
Post-holiday, interactions with Zhang Lan intensified subtly. He 'ran into' her at the temple fair, buying lion dance masks and tanghulu. They strolled together, sharing skewered fruits, his arm occasionally supporting her in the crowd. She laughed at his jokes, a melodic sound that fueled his dreams. One afternoon, helping her carry festival leftovers, he caught a glimpse through her slightly open door—her changing, back turned, the curve of her ass in panties. The sight burned into him.
That night, the system advanced: Sub-task: A lingering touch. Test boundaries gently. Reward: 2,000 RMB. During tea in her kitchen, as rain pattered—a post-festival drizzle—Li Wei adjusted her scarf against the chill, his fingers trailing her collarbone. She didn't pull away, her breath quickening. "You're kind, Li Wei. More than most."
Progress reached 52%, rewards funding small luxuries—a silk scarf for Wang Mei, echoing his growing allure. Li Wei's romantic path unfolded deliberately, hearts entwining like vines on the Great Wall, the full seduction still a distant, tantalizing horizon.