CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 118: THE STRIDE THAT RECOGNIZES NO KIN

When Pan Ge returned home, it was almost five-thirty.

Pan Ge had walked the whole way. She wasn’t leading the dog anymore; instead, her hands were clasped behind her back as she bounced along ahead of him.

She was in a very good mood.

As she opened the villa’s door, the cunning Pan Ge cheerfully called out, "We’re back!"

Zhao Anni, dressed in loose-fitting home pajamas, walked to the second-floor landing. At the sight of Han Lie, a strong surge of surprise flickered in her eyes, and she hurried down the stairs.

"Oh, Han is here? Why didn’t you tell us in advance that Han was coming?"

Pan Ge was scolded until she looked utterly confused.

Huh?! You guys didn’t know Han Lie was coming?

Still astonished, she heard Han Lie respectfully and shyly respond, "Hello Auntie Zhao. Don’t blame Pan Ge. I was accompanying her to a movie this afternoon and just gave her a ride home on my way. I thought I should say hello... Where’s Uncle Pan?"

Damn it!

Pan Ge was so angry she wanted to throw the damn guy to the ground and give him a fierce thrashing right then and there.

You were supposed to report work to my dad, weren’t you? So, it turns out I invited you over?

Zhao Anni beamed with joy, completely oblivious to her daughter’s face, which had suddenly clouded over with fury, pouring all her enthusiasm onto Han Lie.

"Your Uncle Pan has a little something to take care of at the company... No problem, I’ll call him to come back right away! Have a seat, Han. Please, take a seat!"

Then, she turned her head and called out to a servant, "Xiao Liu, go to the kitchen and get the vegetables ready. I’m going to cook myself!"

Han Lie quickly stopped her. "Auntie Zhao, please don’t bother. I just came to visit you and Uncle Pan. I have to go to the gym soon."

"The gym can wait a while."

Zhao Anni was adamant, insisting on keeping him.

"Listen to Auntie. Don’t go until after you’ve eaten!"

"This..."

Han Lie looked troubled and glanced hesitantly at Pan Ge.

Zhao Anni also followed his gaze to her daughter, sending a veiled threatening look.

Pan Ge forcefully squeezed out a smile and softly pleaded with Han Lie, "Right, you should eat before you exercise. It won’t affect anything, okay?"

At this point, rather than fall out with the damn guy, it was better to show her mother her "change." Otherwise, wouldn’t I be suffering for nothing?

Zhao Anni was startled. When she looked at Han Lie again, gratitude and affection were beginning to fill her eyes.

Hey, Han, you’re really something! Our sweet girl has never treated any guy like this. Could it be you’re having an effect?

With that thought, she became full of fighting spirit and rolled up her sleeves to head for the kitchen.

"Sweetie, why don’t you take Han upstairs for a bit? Mom will cook for you!"

The Pan Family had a cook, but Zhao Anni didn’t want her presence to interfere with the youngsters’ budding relationship, so she decisively stepped aside.

Her first task in the kitchen was to call Mr. Pan.

"Come back right away! Stop boozing with your buddies! Han has come over!"

Man, to those unaware, it would seem like a new son-in-law had arrived...

As soon as Zhao Anni left, Pan Ge, teeth clenched, cheeks puffed, glared furiously at the damn guy.

"Good job! You’re really something!"

With a cheeky smile, Han Lie gestured upstairs. "Aren’t you going to invite me up for a tour?"

"Pah! Keep dreaming!"

Han Lie shrugged and turned to walk towards the kitchen. "Well, then I’ll go help out in the kitchen."

"Hey, stop!"

Pan Ge panicked and quickly grabbed the damn guy. Her heart was filled with anguish, but she had no choice but to force a pleading smile.

"I was just joking with you..."

Inside, Han Lie could barely keep from laughing.

He looked down carefully at little Pan.

Her face was full of collagen, her skin white and delicate. Her large eyes were slightly curved, conveying a strong plea. She looked timid, as tender as a big, adorable god.

Man, ordinary people really couldn’t handle her acting coy...

Even Han Lie was finding it hard to resist, so he wrapped his arm around her waist in response.

"Let’s go upstairs!"

Pan Ge shivered all over as some unsavory memories reawakened.

She quickly pinched the soft flesh around Han Lie’s waist, her voice trembling as she warned him, "If you dare do that to me again, I’ll strangle you!"

After giving it some thought, she decided she needed to take protective measures in advance. If she waited until the damn guy closed in on her, she would be dumbfounded in less than three seconds.

Just bluffing! Han Lie inwardly chuckled. He teased her with a couple of sentences but did nothing inappropriate.

Pan Ge was nothing like Xi Luting in temperament.

To deal with Xi Luting, you could be forceful all the way through.

But the best way to handle Pan Ge was to maneuver indirectly, pulling at her slowly, making her anxious and full of second guesses.

So, Pan Ge walked in apprehension the entire way.

Unexpectedly, the dominating Han Lie didn’t make any excessive moves. He truly just took a tour with her and then sat with her in the upstairs small living room, chatting intimately but appropriately.

By the time she finally got used to it and her heart had settled a bit...

The damn guy suddenly leaned in close again.

Face to face, only ten centimeters remained between them.

Pan Ge immediately held her breath, subconsciously clamping her lips tightly together.

This was her last act of defiance.

Han Lie didn’t do anything but just stared into her eyes, sighing sentimentally, "Your eyes are so beautiful... They’re stunning."

Without thinking, Pan Ge met his gaze, sighing in her heart: So are yours. How can they be so clear and so clean? Like a baby’s, so pretty...

After being lost in the moment for a while, she suddenly snapped out of it.

No! I can’t be charmed by the damn guy and fall for his tricks again!