CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 54 BROTHER LIE IS THE REAL DEAL

When Xi Luting saw Han Lie, she was slightly surprised but not particularly shocked.

The school was too small. For places to eat, there was only the cafeteria and this small snack street; it wasn’t strange to bump into anyone here.

However, when she clearly saw the woman seated opposite Han Lie, her pupils contracted violently, and her expression uncontrollably twisted into shock.

Pan Ge!

Why would she be sitting opposite Han Lie?!

Xi Luting had never interacted with Pan Ge but had unavoidably encountered her a few times.

When one stunning woman encountered another, they naturally took notice of each other.

By rights, they moved in different circles, and there was no basis for conflict between them.

Xi Luting had become the class monitor and joined the student council. Initially, she aimed for the role of the gala’s host, and later, possibly using the Literature and Arts Department as a stepping stone, she planned to gradually climb the ranks.

Her goal was clear—work hard to hone her own abilities.

Pan Ge, on the other hand, was uninterested in anything school-related and didn’t participate in any activities, calmly waiting for her chance to study abroad.

Normally, Xi Luting and Pan Ge would have had no interactions whatsoever.

But how could that be possible when the entire Humanities Department was only so big?

Not only did their paths cross, but Xi Luting had been disastrously outdone.

Let’s start from the beginning.

As soon as Xi Luting joined the Literature and Arts Department, she was made a staff member. The department head was preparing to go abroad, leaving the vice president position vacant. Consequently, all the work fell on the shoulders of a few staff members.

To motivate her, the student council president made her a grand promise: by the second semester of her freshman year, she’d be directly promoted to vice president and take full charge of the work.

Xi Luting hadn’t been happy for more than two days when she suddenly heard something—the vice president’s position had been intentionally left vacant, reserved for a specific freshman.

The student council had already made three earnest, behind-the-scenes attempts to recruit that highly sought-after individual, but unfortunately, they weren’t interested.

Even so, the vice president position was still being held for them.

Only if it was certain that this person had completely lost interest would it be Xi Luting’s turn.

So, I’m just a backup plan?!

When Xi Luting first found out, she was furious.

Great, I’m working my ass off just to pick up some leftovers no one else wants?

Having been admired and sought after for so many years, Xi Luting was proud and had never suffered such an indignity.

It was too humiliating!

Without much effort, she discovered who that person was—Pan Ge from the English Finance class, a stunning beauty who was every bit as attractive as she was but came from a much wealthier family.

Concede defeat? Impossible!

If Pan Ge had merely come from a wealthy family but wasn’t as pretty, Xi Luting wouldn’t have minded so much and might even have considered befriending her.

But the problem was, Pan Ge wasn’t inferior to her in any aspect.

One can only imagine how terrible Xi Luting felt.

Consequently, whenever their paths crossed on campus, hostility inevitably flickered in her eyes.

Xi Luting got along with everyone in the Humanities Department, except for Pan Ge; the mere sight of her was irksome.

Now, suddenly seeing Han Lie and Pan Ge sitting face to face, her initial shock gave way to a completely ruined mood.

What a dog of a man! A social butterfly, are you? How can you get involved with just anyone?! Aren’t Yu Yun and Fang Feifei, two beauties chasing after you, enough to satisfy your ego?! So infuriating! So, so infuriating!

Before Han Lie could figure out how to greet her, Xi Luting, seething with anger, charged straight at him.

"Han Lie? What is the meaning of this? Yu Yun is still in the dorm waiting for your message!"

Damn! Cucumber, you’re so insidious! Han Lie thought. Her opening salvo painted him as a complete scumbag.

Coincidentally, Tofu had just asked Han Lie if he was that infamous kept man. Well, that sealed it.

Both Tofu and Pan Ge looked at Han Lie strangely.

Brother Lie’s head throbbed.

I didn’t offend you, did I? Didn’t we just agree you were going to learn the domineering CEO style from me? Ungrateful disciple!

Han Lie felt like stabbing a voodoo doll in his heart but maintained a calm exterior—his Level 3 acting skills were truly paying off.

"I was treating my dorm buddies to a meal when we happened to run into two classmates from the International Finance class. I had originally planned to invite Yu Yun and Fang Feifei too, but it looks like it’s not a good time now..."

Han Lie gave a brief explanation, then immediately turned the tables.

"Class Monitor, you’ve come at the perfect time. Later, could you please help me pack some food to take back to the dorm? Consider it my treat—barbecue for your entire dorm, and it’ll save you from waiting in line for a table."

At first glance, Han Lie’s attitude seemed polite, but upon closer consideration...

Whoa! So assertive!

What did "save you from waiting in line for a table" imply? It meant: You’re not welcome at our table. Either queue up and eat by yourself, or go back to the dorm and find those two for company!

Pan Ge and Xi Luting were the first to understand.

Pan Ge’s eyes curved into crescents, a smile dancing in them; she found this quite amusing.

Meanwhile, Xi Luting’s fox-like eyes narrowed, her face frosted over, emanating a murderous aura.

Yep, she was really mad now.

Ding Ding got the gist of it and instinctively ducked his head, muttering inwardly, Big Bro’s in a foul mood; better not get caught in the crossfire...

Tofu looked left and right, sensing something was amiss, but didn’t plan to get involved.

Only the oblivious Northeasterner, thinking this was some kind of friendly offer, cheerfully jumped in.

"It’s peak dinner time now; who knows how long you’d have to wait? Beauty, if you don’t mind, just squeeze in with us. We’re no strangers here; no need to be so formal!"

Ding Ding’s expression changed, and he surreptitiously kicked the Northeasterner.

Why the hell can’t you mind your own damn business?!

The Northeasterner, startled by the kick, then nodded to Ding Yu with a look that seemed to say, Don’t worry, leave it to me!

He decisively called out, "Waiter, over here! We need another chair!"

Then he winked at Han Lie. "Big Bro, hurry and make some room for your Class Monitor!"

The guy was so agitated, as if interrogating Han Lie: Do I really need to spell this out for you? Take some initiative! His face screamed ’I’m so disappointed in you!’

Ding Ding slapped a hand over his face, utterly dejected.

God, this is exhausting!

Han Lie glanced at the Northeasterner with a half-smile and said softly, "Thanks, brother. Tonight, I’ll teach you to chant scriptures."

Ding Ding and the Northeasterner both shuddered.

Heavens! After reciting from that ’Lay Down the Butcher’s Knife,’ you wouldn’t even dare go to the restroom at night! Bro, you wouldn’t go that far, would you...?

Even someone as dense as the Northeasterner realized it—damn, his attempt to suck up had completely missed the mark and hit a sore spot!

Head bowed and looking sheepish, he didn’t dare utter another sound.

But the stage was set, and it was no longer up to the Northeasterner to smooth things over. It all depended on whether Xi Luting wanted to continue the drama.

Xi Luting’s narrow eyes opened again, and a polite, appropriate smile suddenly appeared on her face.

She unhurriedly sat down at the side of the long table—right between Han Lie and Pan Ge.

Then, smiling, she asked Han Lie, "I’m not disturbing you, am I?"

The Northeasterner, head still low, stealthily raised his eyelids, unable to resist watching the unfolding drama.

Tofu pulled Ding Ding closer and whispered, "What’s going on?"

Pan Ge, though generally indifferent, was also curious, her beautiful eyes glinting with amusement.

Xi Luting wore a forced, polite smile, but her gaze was icy, her aura fully unleashed as she stared fixedly at Han Lie’s eyes, looking like she might explode at the slightest provocation.

Han Lie, however, his expression remarkably calm, his tone exceptionally sincere, and his gaze incredibly firm, replied softly, "Actually, you are a bit disturbing. Don’t you have any idea whether I welcome you or not? Things are already messy enough with Yu Yun and Fang Feifei; why do you have to meddle as well?"

Holy shit! Han Lie, you’re truly made of steel...

Everyone at the table, without exception, was utterly dumbfounded.