Liberal arts may not be mainstream, but there are still intelligent people among them.
After class, Han Lie was surrounded.
During the self-introduction earlier, no one took Han Lie’s declaration seriously; they simply thought he was good at public speaking and appeared composed and confident.
Now that Han Lie had shared some solid knowledge, the more astute individuals finally sprang into action.
"Bro Lie, you definitely haven’t just started dabbling in the stock market, have you?"
"Bro Lie, is it really possible to engage in value investing in our country?"
"Bro Lie, I’ve always been learning stock manipulation tricks from my dad. Why haven’t they been working well in recent years?"
"Bro Lie, what do you think of those Expendables Teams that focus on hitting the daily limit? The Supreme Leader is my idol!"
"Bro Lie, the recent hot topics in the stock market seem off, with a continuous net outflow from the major blue chips. Is the bear market going to last a long time?"
"Bro Lie, I agree with your overall thoughts, but where should one learn trading skills?"
Questions came one after another, some even quite insightful. The local students of Magic Capital really weren’t lacking in vision or ability.
But to Han Lie, these questions felt steeped in an intense "staleness."
The issues were too heavily marked by the times.
After all, a decade had passed, and the current market environment was completely different. The investors—strong, simple, enthusiastic. Cutting them down would be very satisfying.Not like the future, where everyone had expertise, retail investors neutralized proprietary traders, and sentiments were fickle.
The new generation of tycoons shared too many insights and strategies, fostering numerous highly-skilled individual investors.
And Xu Xiang, representing the stock gods, top private fund managers, and greenhorn idols of the previous generation, was about to be buried with that old era.
If his classmates hadn’t mentioned him, Han Lie would have forgotten about this person, forgotten that the present moment was the last afterglow of a chaotic era.
Han Lie realized that he was far ahead of this "second generation" in many aspects.
His mood couldn’t help but improve.
"Value investing can be done at any time, but are you sure that what you understand as value aligns with future economic trends?"
"I won’t comment on Xu Xiang; time will be his judge."
"There aren’t many manipulated stocks now; the smart ones are steering clear of them."
"Look up trading techniques online, or watch the top performers in competitions."
Han Lie gave brief replies to a few questions before being overwhelmed by more.
Thankfully, the class break was only fifteen minutes, so it wasn’t too much trouble.
Still, by the time he was free, he was sweating from the crowd.
Yu Yun asked him with a mischievous grin, "Regretting it now?"
Bro Lie was puzzled. "What’s there to regret about showing off?"
Xi Luting, who was next to Yu Yun, almost did a spit-take at Han Lie’s blunt honesty.
Fang Feifei gave a thumbs up. "If you’re going to show off, you’ve got to see it through, even if it means crying, right?"
Right, that’s the spirit.
After a bout of laughter and teasing, they finally settled down under the glare of the English teacher.
Han Lie closed his notebook. He felt it was about time to start skipping classes.It was inconvenient to do anything in class, and since he had already learned what was necessary, there was no point wasting more time.
As for participation grades... Seriously, locals aiming for a second-tier diploma might care, but did an insignificant figure like him, content with a third-tier diploma, really need to bother?
Putting thoughts into action, Bro Lie simply hid in his dorm to watch the stock market that afternoon.
His phone PINGED repeatedly with notifications, but he ignored it.
He watched the market until 3 p.m., did a review until 5 p.m., went out for dinner, and then returned to his dorm to write some dominant CEO fanfiction to refresh his mind.
It was incredibly fulfilling.
Around 11 p.m., after exchanging updates on the day’s learning and life with Chen Yanfei, Han Lie suddenly received a "request for advice" from Cucumber.
LonelyCucumber: "Ham Bro, I have an idea..."
HamForCucumber: "Hmm?"
LonelyCucumber: "Well... I want to make up with that jerk. Do you think it’s necessary?"
Absolutely! Not only should you make up, you should go for a hug!
With a sly grin, Han Lie typed a line of particularly earnest words—
"First, tell me your thoughts in detail, and I’ll help you weigh them."
Xi Luting was slightly shy, but since it was over the internet, she didn’t hold back too much.
LonelyCucumber: "Today, he really stood out when the teacher called him to the podium. Of course, the content he talked about isn’t the main point; I didn’t understand any of it. The main point is I suddenly realized that jerk really has the core trait of our male lead—overwhelming confidence, almost absolute. I don’t understand why. I want to know on what basis he has it. Even though I’m still mad about how he treated me, I can endure it for our work. I plan to, uh, get closer to him again, to observe him carefully..."
Xi Luting’s narration was strained, and she struggled to open up.
But Ham Bro didn’t disappoint her, remaining as objective and calm as ever.
HamForCucumber: "You need to understand that developing a strong curiosity about a man often marks the beginning of a relationship."
HamForCucumber: "A piece of work isn’t worth this much."
HamForCucumber: "So you must face your real thoughts."
HamForCucumber: "If it’s just to improve the work, then my answer is no, it’s not necessary. I am the main writer; I have the capability to shape the male lead well."
HamForCucumber: "If it’s your personal interest, then I support you and wish you well."
HamForCucumber: "There’s nothing wrong with being proactive towards someone worthwhile."
HamForCucumber: "Youth shouldn’t be about indulgence, but it should be about bravery. Don’t leave yourself with regrets."
These seven replies thoroughly dissected Xi Luting’s own muddled thoughts.
Xi Luting felt both touched and hesitant. Am I really that curious about Han Lie? Okay, yes. Should I really take the initiative? Seems... yes?
Originally, she wasn’t sure, but after being persuaded by Ham Bro, her emotional balance started tipping drastically.
They say bystanders see things more clearly. Ham Bro is so smart, and he’s a guy my age. His advice should be reliable, right? So... should I try it?
Xi Luting thought about it and posed a new difficulty.
LonelyCucumber: "But... I’m not very good at taking the initiative..."
HamForCucumber: "It’s just about showing goodwill. Don’t you have any examples around you?"
Examples? Yes, two of them!
LonelyCucumber: "I have two female classmates who always hang around him, inviting him to eat."
HamForCucumber: "That’s a good approach; you can advance or retreat. Does he often refuse?"
LonelyCucumber: "No, he never turns them down."
HamForCucumber: "HAHAHA! He really is an interesting person... Then just follow their lead!"
LonelyCucumber: "Wouldn’t that be too much like sucking up? What if that jerk gets a big head?"
HamForCucumber: "Then wouldn’t that be the perfect opportunity to determine if he’s worth such treatment? You wouldn’t lose much anyway. Just withdraw in time if he isn’t!"
LonelyCucumber: "Eh? That makes sense!"
HamForCucumber: "Don’t rush it. Take your time getting to know him. You need to see his strengths and, more importantly, his weaknesses. Particularly note how they compare with your own weaknesses."
LonelyCucumber: "Hmm? Why?"
HamForCucumber: "Because love involves two people, dummy!"
LonelyCucumber: "I’m dizzy... It’s not like it’s love... We’re really not there yet!"
HamForCucumber: "True. But given the way things are developing, the possibility not only exists but is also quite large, right?"
LonelyCucumber: "Uh... Really?"
HamForCucumber: "Uh... Not really?"
LonelyCucumber: "(Bye bye) Going incognito now. I’ll think about it some more."
LonelyCucumber: "Thanks. (Bow) (Love you) (Heart Sign)"
Long after putting down her phone, Xi Luting’s mind was still in turmoil. I just wanted to interact with Han Lie a little, smooth things over, and get a closer feel for the dominant CEO’s core personality... that’s all. How did it ever get to this? But Ham Bro had a point; it’s not a big deal to be proactive when you finally meet someone worthwhile. Xi Luting, haven’t you always hated to lose? Time to brace up!
Han Lie threw his phone aside and rolled around on the bed, laughing so hard he almost split his sides. This move, he thought, could be called ’Teaching My Goddess How to Chase Me.’ Dear, no need to thank me!
... ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
The next morning, Han Lie ran into Xi Luting again at the sports ground.
Today, the leggy beauty was wearing loose jogging pants and had her hair in a bun. She looked like a giraffe, nothing special to look at.
So Han Lie greeted her very calmly, "Good morning."
Xi Luting’s gaze was a bit complicated.
Han Lie seemed not to notice, giving her an encouraging smile that seemed kissed by the sunlight.
"Come on, run with me."
He managed the pace perfectly, allowing Xi Luting to follow effortlessly. The run was both easy and pleasant.
Xi Luting’s mood gradually began to improve.
That jerk is so cute today!
After running five laps, Xi Luting was completely spent and slowly meandered on the track.
Meanwhile, Han Lie continued his workout.
The difference from yesterday was that Xi Luting, after catching her breath, didn’t leave right away.
She walked one lap and then another until Han Lie finally finished his morning exercise.
When he saw her again, he was visibly startled.
"Huh? You haven’t gone back yet?"
Xi Luting felt awkward inside, but her face showed nothing unusual as she spoke openly, "Let’s go. I’m treating you to breakfast to thank you for running with me."
"Is there something on your mind?" Han Lie asked reflexively, surprise clearly written on his face.
"What, are you scared?"
The awkwardness in Xi Luting’s heart suddenly turned into gratification; she felt capable again.
So many questions over a mere breakfast, you’re not that formidable after all!
Han Lie looked at her deeply. That look... was a bit strange.