CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 65: THE MALE PROTAGONIST (TWO IN ONE)

"You damn man, what’s wrong with you?!"

Xi Luting had reached her boiling point and couldn’t hold back, firing another verbal barb at Han Lie.

"What do you mean, what’s wrong?"

Han Lie pursed his lips tightly, his face stern as he puffed out his chest.

"My back is itchy... you hit too hard."

He engaged his Level 3 acting skills, his eyes instantly taking on an expression of utmost innocence.

"Hmph!"

Xi Luting snorted haughtily, seemingly accepting Han Lie’s explanation.

In fact, she felt a little guilty herself.

When I lashed out, I wasn’t thinking. It was only after venting my anger that I started to feel embarrassed and... a tad scared.

How could I be so unladylike?

Besides, this guy might not have the looks of a domineering CEO, but he definitely has the temper of one. He never coddles women. What if he had fought back?

If he had swung his big hand and slapped me...

Yikes!

Just thinking about it feels sharp... and painful.

Lately, Xi Luting had been devouring those hardcore novels, and no matter how high her resistance, she couldn’t help but be influenced.

Plus, she had always seen Han Lie as the embodiment of the male lead, fully immersing herself in the story’s experience.

In an instant, her mind raced, conjuring all sorts of *those* scenes.

Her ears quietly turned crimson.

I can’t really be blamed for my wild thoughts.

To be fair, people who appreciate beautiful and delicate writing are often like this.

They excel at association, adeptly converting words into images. Their inner worlds are rich and colorful, and wild ideas often uncontrollably spring forth...

Otherwise, how would I have become such a daydreaming oddity?

It’s just my nature, after all.

Xi Luting struggled to maintain her composure, feigning indifference as she turned and walked towards the school gate.

"Keep up!"

Han Lie smirked, leisurely trailing behind her.

You were the one who insisted...

If anything unexpected happens later, you can’t blame me!

After they had walked about fifty meters, one behind the other, Xi Luting finally regained her composure and started making small talk with Han Lie again.

"Why are you delivering packages so early in the morning? Aren’t you being a bit too diligent?"

Han Lie almost burst out laughing again.

Asking me?

Heh, little cucumber, you’re asking the right person. I actually do know!

The inter-campus delivery service shares a drop-off point, so it’s already fast. Plus, Brother Ham specifically requested an expedited delivery for you...

Hold it in, hold it in, don’t laugh!

Han Lie replied with feigned seriousness, "It just proves you’re lucky today, and your wishes are coming true! Hey, what’s your star sign?"

At the mention of this, Xi Luting’s attention was immediately diverted.

"I’m a Capricorn! And I’m the last Capricorn of ’94! You know about astrology too?"

I know jack squat about astrology. I just know you’ve got a major stroke of luck heading your way today...

While Han Lie was thinking this, it didn’t stop him from smoothly saying, "Strong-willed, sensitive, proud, steadfast in love, with a rich inner world... Hmm, that does sound a lot like your personality!"

Xi Luting was instantly delighted, her mood soaring.

Plenty of guys had tried to get close to her using star signs, attempts she usually dismissed. But now, it felt like she’d found a kindred spirit.

See? Fawning over someone gets you nowhere.

Only when you yourself are outstanding enough do shared interests and hobbies become a catalyst.

"Hey, so what’s your star sign?" Xi Luting pouted, mimicking Han Lie’s earlier question.

"Take a guess," Han Lie teased with a half-smile.

"Um... Leo?"

"WOW! Not bad at all!" Han Lie exclaimed, his face a mask of surprise.

"Hmph!"

Xi Luting puffed up with pride, tilting her chin slightly. A vein stood out on her slender, swan-like white neck, exuding a peculiar allure.

"Bossy, strong, rational, decisive in your actions... If not a Leo, what else could you be?"

"Impressive, impressive!"

Han Lie gave her a thumbs-up, flattering her until her eyes, crinkled with joy, curved into crescents like a fox’s.

"Let me tell you... BLAH BLAH BLAH..."

Xi Luting eagerly shared her knowledge of star signs with Han Lie, her mouth not resting for a moment all the way.

Han Lie nodded along, making agreeable noises, all the while secretly chuckling.

He knew exactly what was going on.

When Brother Ham was writing the story, he deliberately set the male protagonist’s birthday as August 1st, just eight days before Han Lie’s own.

The real and the fictional male leads... they’re the same damn star sign.

Xi Luting subconsciously guessed Leo—how could she possibly be wrong?!

Engaged in pleasant conversation, they soon arrived at the university gate and found the delivery guy.

She casually took the package and gave it a shake.

"Huh? It’s so light..."

"Let’s go eat; I’m starving," Han Lie said, deliberately feigning indifference and showing no curiosity about her package.

"Okay, let’s go!"

Xi Luting glanced at the delivery slip; the item description simply read "Jewelry."

The beautiful girl breathed an inward sigh of relief.

She had realized halfway there that the item sent by Brother Ham was probably not something she should open in front of Han Lie.

Brother Ham’s exact words were: "a good item," and "tremendous help."

What could it be?

She had genuinely feared Brother Ham might send a specialized academic book about Si Ma. If that were opened in front of Han Lie, it would be utterly mortifying.

Jewelry is good. Jewelry is easy to explain away.

...

Despite repeatedly warning herself, Xi Luting still couldn’t control her wildly drifting thoughts.

Suddenly, a thought struck her: Han Lie must absolutely never know the truth about this. But... what if he just got a tiny glimpse?

He’s the embodiment of the male protagonist, after all...

If he saw it, would that count as some form of participation on his part?

Would it enhance my experience?

Would it...?

Heavens!

No, no! Absolutely not!

Xi Luting, you absolutely cannot get too carried away with this role!

...

As they neared the cafeteria entrance, Xi Luting fell silent. Puzzled, Han Lie glanced back and saw her lost in thought, grinding her teeth as she wrestled with some bewildering and frustrating idea.