CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 34 TRICKERY FOR FOOD AND DRINKS

Duan Xiaoyi basked in everyone’s praise for a while. His confidence and courage soared, but he always felt something was missing.

He glanced sideways and finally realized what it was.

Han Lie was engrossed in his books, working through problems.

Brother, what’s the meaning of this? Why are you the only one not giving me face?!

Duan Xiaoyi was feeling quite smug. His previous sarcastic remarks hadn’t drawn any retaliation from Han Lie, leaving him both relieved and, oddly, displeased. So, getting ahead of himself, he decided to provoke Han Lie a bit more.

"Wow, Brother Lie is so diligent! What’s up? Still seriously thinking about taking the transfer student exam?"

Han Lie was in the middle of solving a problem and casually replied, "I still need to think about it more."

"Which school are you considering?"

The sudden query came from Fang Feifei, and her tone was affirmative.

She hadn’t been paying special attention to Han Lie, but she was the first to notice his detachment. The young man before her had only shown a certain degree of enthusiasm during his self-introduction on stage. Most of the time, he seemed out of place in the finance class, as if he inherently didn’t belong there. He showed a severe lack of enthusiasm towards his classmates—unconcerned, uninterested, and unwilling to form deep connections, regardless of whether they were beauties or not.

Originally, she didn’t understand why. But today, with the sudden mention of the transfer student policy, she finally got it: Han Lie never planned to stay in the Humanities program for long!

When Fang Feifei asked her question, Xi Luting also caught on. She subconsciously turned her head and stared intently at Han Lie.

"I really haven’t decided yet."

Han Lie finally looked up, smiling at Fang Feifei. "Thanks for your concern, but you’re asking too early."

Fang Feifei was puzzled. "If you haven’t decided, why work so hard every day? I see you’ve almost finished self-studying the last two Chapters of advanced math."

Yu Yun also retorted indignantly, "Liar! If you’re not planning to take the transfer exam, why study math? Does our school even use it? No wonder you don’t like to talk to people..."

Wow, when it comes to playing the ’green tea’ card, you’re a natural...

The expressions on Duan Xiaoyi and Lou Zhi’s faces changed simultaneously.

Han Lie, however, found it hard to suppress a laugh. Even though Yu Yun had used him to create an adversary, he had no desire to expose her.

Where’s the fun in that?

Having been reborn, Brother Lie enjoyed watching these ’kids’ act. Thrilling scenes even deserved applause. If something was truly interesting, he might even join them on stage for a performance.

What does it mean for an adult to look down from on high? This was exactly it.

Lou Zhi, predictably, grew anxious. He said sourly, "What do you mean you haven’t thought it through? Could it be that you know you’re not good enough, so you’re getting cold feet and are afraid to say?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Duan Xiaoyi feigned anger, scolded Lou Zhi, and then sarcastically questioned, "Couldn’t it be that Brother Lie is ambitious and has set his sights high, so he doesn’t want to tell everyone in advance? Right, Brother Lie? Are you perhaps thinking about Fudan University or Jiaotong University?!"

Fang Feifei frowned, Xi Luting looked up, and Yu Yun’s eyes twinkled with amusement. Everyone caught the ill intent in Duan Xiaoyi’s words.

But Han Lie just nodded openly. "Indeed, I’ve considered them."

"Damn! Such a big talker!" Lou Zhi cursed, "If you can get into Fudan, I’ll eat a jin of Yu Yun’s shit!"

PFFT!

Fang Feifei couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

COUGH, COUGH...

Yu Yun nearly choked on her own saliva and coughed violently.

Xi Luting recoiled in disgust, pursing her lips, her eyes full of aversion.

In the end, it was Brother Lie who could handle the situation. He leisurely countered, "You wish! Trying to scam a free meal just by opening your mouth. But did you even ask Yu Yun if she’s willing to let you eat it?"

HA HA HA... HIC!

As soon as Han Lie spoke, the girls almost choked from laughing so hard.

It was only 2013. Live-streaming hadn’t taken off yet, and the internet meme linking outrageous vows like ’I’ll livestream myself eating shit’ to the idea of ’scamming for a free meal’ hadn’t emerged. They had never heard such an interesting and insightful retort before and instantly collapsed in laughter.

Even the usually aloof Xi Luting was clutching her stomach, bent over her desk, erupting in honking laughter.

HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK...

Only Yu Yun couldn’t muster a smile.

"Han Lie!" Yu Yun shrieked, her face flushed, so angry she felt her chest might explode. She then reached out to grab Han Lie’s inner thigh.

Brother Lie obviously had to dodge! He pulled back but didn’t manage to avoid her grasp completely; Yu Yun caught hold of his entire leg.

HISS...

Brother Lie let out an indistinct sound, unclear whether it was from pain or something else.

It would have been better if I hadn’t dodged...

Then, feeling the awkward sting, he asked her, "Lou Zhi’s the one making a fool of himself, why are you pinching me?"

Yu Yun’s ears turned red. She quickly let go and forcibly calmed her racing heart, yet she still spoke vehemently, "I can’t be bothered with Lou Zhi! Anyway, you can’t be like him! It’s so disgusting..."

The other girls finally had their fill of laughter and began to attack Lou Zhi.

"How can you be so crude?"

"Shameless!"

"If you keep acting like a degenerate, we’ll go find Teacher Liu!"

Lou Zhi was so angry his eyes turned bloodshot.

When I say it, it’s crude; when Han Lie says it, it’s humor. Who’s the shameless one here? Huh?!

He was absolutely fuming.

Duan Xiaoyi didn’t have time to care what Lou Zhi thought; he sensed the situation was turning sour.

Why is Yu Yun acting so bashful in front of Han Lie? When has Xi Luting ever laughed so heartily? Damn it!

He couldn’t bear to watch Han Lie and Yu Yun’s playful bickering any longer and hastily interjected, "Great! Brother Lie, you’re truly ambitious! If you really get into Fudan University, say no more, I’ll cover your off-campus housing! My family has a place conveniently near Fudan. As long as you get in, you won’t have to pay a dime for rent for the next three years. I’ll let you stay for free! How about that? Generous enough, right? Brother Lie, you’ve got to work hard. Don’t make a big fuss and then be too scared to apply. That would be pointless..."

So, he’s just brazenly showing off how many houses his family has, huh? And trying to needle me into applying to Fudan at the same time. This guy is truly insidious!

Han Lie certainly understood the implications but didn’t get angry.

I agreed to play along with these kids. When they put on a captivating performance, I should be applauding, not getting upset, right?

Thus, Brother Lie simply smiled calmly. "I truly haven’t decided yet. Mainly because none of the twelve universities offering transfers open up finance-related majors. They’re all major traps like biochemistry, materials science, horticulture, and architecture—pretty uninteresting."

Fang Feifei, Yu Yun, Xi Luting, and even Duan Xiaoyi and Lou Zhi, were all taken aback.

They couldn’t believe Han Lie hadn’t detected the malice in Duan Xiaoyi’s words. With Han Lie’s intelligence, that was impossible.

If he had understood, and yet remained so composed...

The girls’ feelings suddenly became complicated. On one hand, they were somewhat dissatisfied with Duan Xiaoyi’s aggressive and sarcastic attitude. Whether Han Lie applies or not, and where he applies, what business is it of yours? You just can’t stand to see someone else do well, can you?

On the other hand, they were quite amazed by Han Lie’s magnanimity and composure. Faced with Duan Xiaoyi and Lou Zhi’s frequent taunts and provocations, anyone else would have exploded by now. Yet Han Lie remained like a refined gentleman, exhibiting a remarkable demeanor uncommon in an 18-year-old. It was quite a plus.

It might have been fine if there were no comparison. But with Lou Zhi and Duan Xiaoyi sitting right there, the difference in bearing was like night and day.

More importantly... Han Lie was also significantly more attractive.

Thus, the balance of their affections began to tilt dramatically.

After a moment of stunned silence, Xi Luting suddenly interjected, "With your math skills, as long as you don’t set your sights *too* high, you should have a great chance of getting into law at the University of Political Science and Law, or business administration at Huadong University of Science and Technology."

Wow! The icy beauty had a change of heart?! Not only did she proactively praise Han Lie, but she even offered him an out. Was she taking his side?

The girls were surprised, Han Lie found it interesting, and Duan Xiaoyi grew anxious.