Pan Ge was especially surprised. She always felt that her father’s enthusiasm for Han Lie was somewhat over the top.
Could it be... they actually found some kind of kindred spirit in each other?!
That’s absurd... Get full chapters from NoveI[F]ire.net
Old Pan was in high spirits, his conversation animated. The topics ranged from the stock market to finance and even macroeconomics.
The most impressive part was that no matter what topic Old Pan brought up, Han Lie could follow and had his own thoughts on it.
The more Old Pan talked, the more exhilarating and, at the same time, alarming he found the conversation.
What a kid! He’s surprisingly astute, isn’t he?
In truth, Han Lie’s knowledge of economics wasn’t profound enough to truly debate theories with Old Pan on an equal footing.
However, his foundational knowledge of economics, augmented by his memories from a past life, was more than capable of impressing someone like Old Pan, whose expertise was more practical than formally academic.
And he wasn’t just bluffing the entire time—
For things he knew, he elaborated a bit more; for topics he was clueless about, he didn’t try to feign expertise.
He projected an image of steady competence.
As a result, perhaps he performed too well, because Old Pan suddenly let out a sigh.
"Sigh! Han, if only you were my son-in-law..."
Although Han Lie was mentally prepared, he was still startled by Old Pan’s comment.
Is he showing his true colors already?
Isn’t it a bit too early?
Is he really not going to build up to it anymore?
Clearly, Old Pan was burning with impatience and couldn’t bother with subtlety anymore.
He forcefully slung his arm around Han Lie’s shoulder and whispered urgently, "What do you think? Is my daughter good enough for you?"
"She’s good enough, but..."
Old Pan, with an arm firmly around Han Lie’s neck, cut off his hesitant reply, "As long as you find her appealing, nothing else is a problem!"
At this crucial moment, Han Lie decided to be a little mischievous.
"But... I like Xi Luting..."
Old Pan’s eyes widened in anger. "That girl likes women, don’t you know?!"
"I did see her messing with chokers and stuff..."
Han Lie nodded hesitantly. Every word was true; he was indeed maximizing his rumor-mongering skills.
Immediately after, with a somewhat dauntless attitude, he added—
"But, you know, if I don’t try, I’ll always have regrets..."
Hearing the first part of his sentence, Old Pan felt his heart sink.
It seems Xi Luting is definitely the dominant one in a relationship; her classmates and admirers are all aware of it...
Which means my Nannan is truly the one in the passive role!
Hearing the second part made Old Pan even more infuriated.
He growled in a low voice, "Why are you wasting your time on a tomboy? With that kind of energy, why not go after our Nannan? She’s easy to win over!"
Han Lie couldn’t hold back and choked on his own saliva, coughing violently.
Wow, Uncle Pan, you sure know a lot!
But Old Pan was actually just in his early forties, so it wasn’t that surprising.
The three ladies turned their gazes towards them again. Old Pan immediately burst into a hearty laugh, "Haha! Han, you can’t handle your liquor! The older the Jiang, the spicier it is, eh!"
The three dubious looks were withdrawn.
Zhao Anni also chided with a laugh, "You, take it easy. Han Lie is a good kid; don’t bully him."
This made Pan Ge and Xi Luting purse their lips.
The scoundrel finally regained his composure and, with a pained expression, pleaded with Old Pan.
"Uncle Pan, please don’t make it hard for me. I can’t control who I like!"
Of course, Old Pan understood, but he was still unwilling to give up.
Han Lie’s overall qualities were truly rare. Even if Pan Ge weren’t in the picture, Old Pan would have greatly admired the young man before him.
It’s easy to talk big; university debate clubs are full of such people.
But someone like Han Lie, who had real substance, could control his desire to show off, and could remain measured even when the conversation got exciting—that was extremely rare.
Old Pan asked himself: If I had won that kind of major competition, what would I have done?
I would have definitely been floating on cloud nine, so full of myself that my own house wouldn’t have been big enough for my swagger.
But what about Han Lie?
Not yet twenty years old, yet he’s as clear-headed as a veteran general who has survived countless battles.
He’s truly exceptional!
Actually, the reason was simple—Han Lie had already seen the answers beforehand and had a high degree of understanding and foresight regarding the current market.
So, there was no need for wild jubilation in victory; if he faced setbacks, he would simply try again.
Once the bull market arrived, everything from the early stages would be trivial.
It wasn’t at all as Pan Shengwu thought, that Han Lie possessed an extremely strong mentality.
Old Pan’s assessment of Han Lie was a bit too high.
So, his misjudgment, combined with his strong unwillingness to accept the situation, made him cling to Han Lie as a lifeline, adopting a very humble attitude.
"Ah, this ’liking’ you young people talk about is worthless! I’ve been through your age; I understand perfectly. Isn’t it just about liking whoever looks good, right?
Can you honestly say you don’t have even a little bit of fondness for my Nannan?
A real man, when he’s young, often falls for one after another. What’s the big deal about dating a couple of girls at the same time!"
At this, Han Lie was truly dumbfounded.
I was just trying a tactic of feigning retreat to advance, but listening to you, Uncle Pan...
Something seems very off here, doesn’t it?!
Seeing Han Lie’s ’hesitant’ expression, Old Pan immediately fanned the flames further, truly casting aside all pretense as he urged him on.
"Which capable man hasn’t had three wives and four concubines?
Although I wouldn’t dare, I’ve seen plenty who have!
Just pursue them and see; whoever you catch is yours!
If you manage to win them both over, Uncle Pan will admire you for it! That shows you’ve got real ability! Manly!
I promise I’ll have no objections, and I’ll give you whatever you want!
Of course, I still suggest you primarily pursue Nannan. She’s gentle, easy to court, and being with her would be stress-free..."
Saying such things to a young man, even with Old Pan’s thick skin, he couldn’t help but blush a little.
He quickly picked up a glass of liquor, GULPED it down, and pretended the alcohol had gone to his head.
With some time to recover, Han Lie finally grasped the situation.
Wow! Uncle Pan, are you really this desperate?
So what does that make me?
Am I being given an imperial decree to two-time?!
Of course, Han Lie was still lucid, so he could fully understand the special nature of the current situation.