CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 179: TOP-LEVEL TUG-OF-WAR

[Chen Yanfei originally had no intention of believing you, but you changed her mind with your exquisite acting skills, natural micro-expressions, perfectly timed dialogue delivery, and a seamless physical portrayal...]

[... Performance Experience +10,051]

[... Bluffing Experience +6,783]

[... Tussle Experience +4,201]

[... Spotting an Opening Experience +2,956]

[A brilliant victory!]

Chen Yanfei wasn’t easy to deceive, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be.

Before she’d had enough experience being played for a fool, Han Lie’s first few performances had easily outmaneuvered her.

Of course, if you kept doing this kind of thing, sooner or later you’d face the backlash. And besides... a conscience can be a painful thing!

Watching Chen Yanfei and Ding Xiang getting all fired up, Han Lie blinked, and his conscience suddenly pricked him.

"Hey, hey, snap out of it!"

The scoundrel opened his palm and waved it in front of the two young women, a smile in his eyes.

"You really believed that? I was just messing with you two... You have no idea how good my life is right now! In the entire School of Humanities, who’s more important than me? The guys all have to call me Big Bro. The girls either call me Hubby or ’Your Majesty.’ What’s a little grievance I suffered before compared to that...?"

Chen Yanfei and Ding Xiang froze instantly.

Ding Xiang’s mouth hung slightly open, staring at Han Lie dumbfounded, unable to discern truth from fiction, looking particularly helpless.

As for Chen Yanfei... her entire face flushed crimson.

I was just about to steel myself to go all out for your sake, to fight for justice on your behalf... Damn it!

The usually radiant Chen Yanfei couldn’t manage a smile. Veins throbbed near her temples, and she started grinding her teeth.

"Han Lie, you! Are! Something!" she hissed through gritted teeth, pausing on each word.

Han Lie, however, pretended not to notice. He waved his hand dismissively, still grinning. "Oh, come on. I’m doing quite fine. You don’t need to stand up for me."

Logically speaking, Han Lie at this moment was as infuriating as one could be.

But with that statement, the furious Chen Yanfei suddenly wasn’t so sure anymore.

What’s the deal with this damn guy? Does he not want me getting involved? Is he still holding on to his male pride? Am I being too earnest, so he has to use humor to ease the pressure? My head is spinning; he’s so hard to figure out!

Actually, Han Lie’s earlier performance had been a bit over the top. Once the initial fervor passed, Chen Yanfei might have realized it after she went back. She was smart; with more thought, she could very likely see through that scoundrel’s act. However, this sudden reversal had completely baffled her. Thinking it over and over, nothing felt right. Instead, she grew increasingly convinced that Han Lie was just trying to save face and didn’t want her involved. Aren’t all young guys like that? Fighting over a girl in school, and when asked, they’d always say, "It’s none of your business!" They’d get their heads bloodied before admitting anything. So childish!

Chen Yanfei was still angry, but not quite as furious as before.

She glared at Han Lie for a while. Then, suddenly, as if deciding he wasn’t worth her breath, she turned away, huffing and puffing indignantly.

Ignoring me? Perfect! I’ll go tease Ding Xiang instead...

Han Lie was about to tease Ding Xiang again when she suddenly stood up and hurried toward Liang Wu.

"Sister, let me help you... I’m sorry for the trouble."

Little Xiang Xiang’s voice was soft, but she was quite deft with the plates, quickly helping Liang Wu set the breakfast on the table.

Liang Wu smiled at the two beautiful young women and was about to leave.

"Minister, take your time eating. I need to make a phone call."

This woman was remarkably perceptive. Han Lie had introduced her to Chen Yanfei and Ding Xiang to give them a little shock, subtly displaying his own value. Having made his point, this ’tool’ could now attend to her own business. Staying any longer might even have a negative effect. Many people are disliked by their leaders simply because they can’t discern when to leave and when to stay; they always seem to lack a bit of emotional intelligence. In a similar situation, finding an excuse to depart is always the right move. If the leader wants you to stay, they will definitely ask you to. If you linger without being asked, the leader might feel awkward telling you to leave. More considerate leaders might even smile and say, "Sit, sit, join us," all while inwardly shaking their heads. In fact, this isn’t exclusive to leaders. Such social situations are all too common, and a smart person must learn how to navigate them.

Han Lie solicitously moved the soy milk closer to Chen Yanfei. "Your sweet soy milk. How’s the sweetness?"

Chen Yanfei was quite magnanimous. Han Lie offered an olive branch, and she took it.

After taking a sip of the soy milk and glancing at the small dish of granulated sugar, she picked it up. She then deftly used Liang Wu to steer the conversation in a new direction.

"It’s pretty good. Your assistant is so competent... How much do you pay her?"

Good, she’s back to normal! Not only that, but after that recent emotional rollercoaster, she was clearly more invested in Han Lie. Her attention to Liang Wu was proof.

"Haven’t decided yet."

The Tussle Master dangled another hook, capturing their interest. He took a leisurely sip of his congee before explaining.

"I got roped in by our school’s Principal Zhang. Didn’t I mention it to you before?"

He took a roundabout path again, and Chen Yanfei and Ding Xiang were even more hooked.

"What?"

Chen Yanfei searched her memory and recalled a little. "A lecture? Or the student council?"

"The student council," Han Lie nodded in confirmation.

Ding Xiang’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued. Still somewhat dazed, she asked, "Does the student council have anything to do with your abilities?"

"Not much, but they’re afraid I’ll bolt."