Han Lie’s words carried three layers of meaning.
First, I don’t welcome you.
Second, as for the matters concerning me, Yu Yun, and Fang Feifei, I never intended to hide them from anyone, so you needn’t stick your nose in.
Third, don’t fall for me; it’s pointless.
In front of everyone, Han Lie truly didn’t spare Xi Luting any dignity, making his point emphatically.
Ding Ding and the guy from Northeast were itching to give Brother Lie a wild round of applause and then shoot him big thumbs-ups.
It wasn’t because Xi Luting’s strong presence was that off-putting—not at all.
It was purely because of Han Lie’s composed, tough, uncompromising attitude, which possessed a strong personal charm.
No matter how beautiful you are, if I say I won’t indulge you, then I won’t!
It deeply resonated with these two simple-minded youths.
On the other hand, Xi Luting felt as if she’d been stabbed straight in the lungs, the pain making her vision blur. Her eyes widened in shock, disbelief written all over her face. But she also clearly saw the calmness in Han Lie’s eyes. That type of calm often signifies a resolution made after deep consideration.
So, she fully accepted the reality—Han Lie had indeed responded to her rudeness in a manner that wasn’t very gracious.
More overbearing than a domineering CEO, like a despot.
"Fine, I understand," she said, gritting her teeth so hard the words squeezed out between them. Then she abruptly stood up and turned towards the door. She took large strides, her posture rushed, yet she still held her head high, unwilling to lower it even slightly. Her retreating figure was somewhat disheveled, yet it carried an air of simmering anger. Anyone could see her sense of grievance.
Ding Yu and Tofu immediately felt a twinge of sympathy, a bitter taste in their mouths.
The guy from Northeast watched Xi Luting until she left, smacking his lips before giving Han Lie a thumbs-up.
"Brother Lie, damn, that was assertive! Confronting a top-tier beauty like that..."
Han Lie offered a light smile, calmly reciting an ancient adage, "Great tolerance leads to greatness; freedom from desire leads to strength."
His expression was neither happy nor sad, his tone neither arrogant nor impetuous. The man had truly maxed out his cool quotient.
Everyone looked at him with respect.
Though Han Lie might not be a gentleman, he was a true man through and through. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ɴovel(ꜰ)ɪre.nᴇt
Pan Ge, regarding the boy before her with newfound respect, empathetically sighed for Xi Luting, "She must be feeling terrible..."
"Do you really think so?" Han Lie glanced at her and smiled as he asked, "Besides that, do you feel anything else?"
Pan Ge tilted her head, thought for a moment, then suddenly covered her mouth and giggled, "Well, there’s also a little bit of schadenfreude~~~"
Han Lie met her gaze, and they shared a knowing smile.
"You two don’t have any conflicts, do you?!" Tofu couldn’t understand, his eyes wide. "Ting Ting and I are both in the student council, and I think she’s quite nice."
"Of course, there’s no conflict," Pan Ge shook her head and calmly replied. "But Xi Luting’s personality is too domineering, and her double standards are too much for my liking."
Tofu was increasingly confused. "I know she’s domineering, but double standards? Surely not?"
Pan Ge waved her hand dismissively. "Let’s not talk about it; it sounds like we’re gossiping. You’ll see for yourself eventually."
"Come on, tell me! Just tell me!" Tofu wrapped his arms around Pan Ge, insisting incessantly. "Pan Pan, you know I also work with her in the student council. What if I accidentally offend her?"
But no matter how much Tofu persisted, Pan Ge just smiled without a word.
Later, annoyed by his pestering, she simply passed the buck. "Ask Han Lie. They’re in the same class."
Brother Lie was taken aback, staring at her intently for several seconds.
Hey now, that’s not playing fair! I never would have guessed that someone who looks so straightforward could be !
Pan Ge felt a bit embarrassed under his gaze and turned away, but her lips still held back a smile.
Now, it wasn’t just Tofu who was curious; even the guy from Northeast and Ding Ding were intrigued.
"Brother Lie, tell us about it!"
Han Lie thought for a moment. After all, he had caused the situation, and this wasn’t exactly speaking ill of someone behind their back—it was just an objective analysis.
So, he slowly nodded.
"Xi Luting’s double standards are mainly reflected in her control of personal distance. She demands that others strictly maintain a distance from her. You can only stand there, you cannot be rash or impulsive; otherwise, she will get angry. But she herself often does whatever she pleases. She will aggressively cross boundaries, do something very abrupt, and then return to her original position, continuing to demand you treat her with respect. Do you think that’s reasonable?"
"Oh!" Everyone thought about Xi Luting’s recent actions and suddenly understood.
The guy from the Northeast slapped his thigh. "Isn’t that just being a bitch?!"
To everyone’s surprise, Han Lie shook his head. "The word ’bitch’ is not used correctly here."
"Then what is it?" the guy from the Northeast asked, but everyone looked up, very curious about the answer.
Han Lie hadn’t felt like explaining, but the label ’bitch’ was too harsh, and Xi Luting was definitely not that kind of person.
So, he spoke carefully, "Xi Luting isn’t intentionally toying with feelings to gain advantages or fishing for backup options, like a ’green tea bitch.’ So, this can only be called a lack of maturity, being too willful, or perhaps a bit self-righteous. Making mistakes and committing malicious acts are entirely different in nature. Everyone in this world is selfish. We can’t set our standards too strictly; otherwise, as far as the eye can see, there wouldn’t be a single good person. If you view people and situations like that, it’s too extreme."
The guy from the Northeast scratched his head, feeling like he had listened for nothing. He quickly turned to look at Ding Ding and found his good buddy looking just as lost, his expression quite contorted. The two exchanged glances, both finding it utterly ridiculous.
Ha! Brother Lie is telling everyone not to be too extreme? Who was it again that pulls out a hammer at the slightest disagreement?! We poor kids have had nightmares for several nights because of that, you know?! No, you don’t!
Ding Ding grimaced, quietly pointed to his own temple, then shook his head.
The guy from Northeast understood. Brother Lie is now in a Buddha-like state, having laid down his butcher’s knife. Don’t argue with him; just applaud and be done with it!
Han Lie caught the two fools’ little antics and cracked a smile.
Actually, talking about these things with teenagers is pointless. Even if they understand for a moment, it ultimately goes in one ear and out the other; no one truly achieves a unity of knowledge and action.
But Han Lie hadn’t intended to educate anyone; he wasn’t that naive. He was just talking idly, showing off a bit, and incidentally, gauging Pan Ge’s character.
Tofu had a thoughtful expression, seemingly having truly understood and been prompted to reflect.
Pan Ge, on the other hand, wore a calm, faint smile, her eyes filled with a hint of appreciation. Clearly, she was more mature and objective than Han Lie had imagined. Her level of understanding far surpassed her age, and she fully grasped and accepted the core idea Han Lie was trying to convey.
Han Lie’s evaluation of Pan Ge was getting higher and higher. This girl was superior to Xi Luting in every aspect, truly deserving of the title of goddess. It’s just that her league was too high; the average man couldn’t even dream of getting close.
Perhaps her academics weren’t top-tier, but her upbringing was undoubtedly excellent. If she went to an Ivy League business or philosophy school to further burnish her credentials, it wouldn’t take many years for her to become an absolute boss.
Unfortunately, she’s too proper, not as fun as Little Cucumber.
So, during the meal, Han Lie just ate normally; he didn’t try to engage Pan Ge in a deeper conversation.
She wasn’t a girl he could easily bluff. Brother Lie simply couldn’t be bothered to waste his efforts on her; he was pragmatic to a fault. The desire to conquer, so characteristic of young men, was too blind. Han Lie didn’t have it. The gambler’s typical wishful thinking was too vain. Han Lie also lacked that. Han Lie only had a heart gnawed by dogs—both cold and dirty.
The dog of a man finally received Little Cucumber’s tearful complaint and smirked as he opened his alternate account.
Han Lie was responsible for stirring up trouble, and Brother Ham was responsible for smoothing things over.
Self-produced and self-sold, absolutely brilliant!