Han Lie was eating when he suddenly received a friend request. He gave it a casual glance and was momentarily puzzled.
The requester’s nickname was "Sing a Dream."
The verification message contained an unexpected line: "I am Pan Ge."
Han Lie wiped his hands and rested his chin on his palm, deep in thought.
First of all, my relationship with Pan Ge isn’t that close. At most, we’re alumni who get along fairly well, not to the point where she’d be preoccupied with me. Secondly, the timing is too suspicious. I just gave Xi Luting the brush-off, and in less than 10 minutes, Pan Ge takes the initiative to add me as a friend—how could that be a coincidence? So, the conclusion is simple... She’s here because of Xi Luting!
Without exerting much effort, Han Lie figured out the crucial point and smiled playfully.
Interesting, very interesting. The Black-hearted White Lotus finally couldn’t resist confronting the Queen face-to-face? But you want to use me as a pawn... Dream on!
After accepting the request, Han Lie proactively sent a question mark.
I’ve given you the chance to perform. Now let’s see what tricks you can pull.
Pan Ge was concise and went straight to the point. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NovᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt
"Do you have time today? I’m craving Japanese food and pre-booked a table at Sushi One, but the friend who was supposed to join me can’t make it, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to return the favor and invite you. Don’t think I’m insincere; you’re the first one I asked."
Han Lie couldn’t figure out what she wanted, but he sensed it must be related to Xi Luting, so he cleverly asked, "Lunchtime?"
Pan Ge replied, "Lunch is at noon, but it would be best if you could come out earlier. I plan to take a stroll in the morning."
Han Lie immediately understood.
Done deal. Eight out of ten, Xi Luting was tormenting Pan Ge again, and the Black-hearted White Lotus was ready to launch her counterattack. As for why she would use me to strike back... Asking that question would be to underestimate Pan Ge’s intelligence. Anyone smart could tell from our past two encounters that I was Xi Luting’s nemesis. Previously, Pan Ge had her reservations and was reluctant to involve me. Today, she must have been pushed to her limit and was ready to go all out. So, should I go or not?
After considering it for a while, Han Lie decided not to indulge either of them.
Xi Luting had called me, and I didn’t go with her. If Pan Ge called and I went running, that wouldn’t sit right. What’s the use in trying to please Pan Ge? She wasn’t the kind of woman you could win over just by sucking up to her. If she were, I could flatter her into tears within minutes and then use her allowance to upgrade my ’Honeyed Words, Hidden Dagger’ skill to three lanes. Why bother struggling then? Isn’t a true ’lie-flat’ victory more comfortable? Too bad such good fortune doesn’t even happen in dreams. Besides, the two of them together would definitely be like Mars crashing into Earth—non-stop conflict. My current level isn’t high enough; I absolutely wouldn’t be able to control the situation. When the time comes, whose side would I take? Better to stay out of it then. I’ll just focus on leveling up and bide my time. Once I earn enough spending money...
With determination, Han Lie silently typed his reply: "Sorry, I really am busy today. A classmate asked me out for an escape room earlier, and I couldn’t even make that. We’ll see about another time."
Pan Ge was taken aback, caught completely off guard.
She was a girl who had never been rejected by a boy.
It was... quite a novel experience.
But this did not affect her maintaining politeness.
"No worries, you do your thing. We’ll hang out another time."
After replying, Pan Ge tossed her phone aside, lost in thought.
Classmate? Escape room? Those two words together... it had to be a girl. The only girls who would dare to ask Han Lie out could only be Fang Feifei, Yu Yun, or Xi Luting. First thing this morning, Xi Luting grumpily asked me to get our hair done. She must have suffered a setback with someone. She and Han Lie both happen to have the habit of exercising early in the morning. Putting all these clues together, the answer was obvious. Well, well, Xi Luting. So you took your anger out on me after being slighted by Han Lie. That’s just like you! Fine. Just you wait. We have plenty of time to play this game.
After mentally jotting down Xi Luting in her little notebook, Pan Ge started to ponder: Was Han Lie’s last "explanation" intentional or unintentional?
It didn’t seem like an explanation, more like a subtle warning... Otherwise, why would he suddenly bring up a classmate and an escape room? Did he really need to explain that to me?
It wasn’t surprising that Pan Ge overthought things; her upbringing had conditioned her to deeply contemplate any situation she encountered.
If Han Lie’s message was intentional, then the subtext of his last sentence would be— "I know why you suddenly added me and asked me out. I don’t want to get involved in your affairs. I rejected Xi Luting, and I will reject you just the same." And, "Next time, it’s best not to do this." An incredibly subtle warning, a truly artful admonishment. So sophisticated, far beyond what you’d expect from someone his age. But could Han Lie really be that sophisticated?
Pan Ge found it hard to believe, so she took the initiative and messaged Xi Luting.
"What salon opens this early in the morning? Why don’t we find somewhere to kill some time first?"
Xi Luting quickly replied, "Never mind, let’s go play an escape room!"
As she read those words, Pan Ge’s pupils constricted sharply.
Soon, she squinted and licked her lips.
Han Lie! Are you some kind of monster?
Monster Lie was engrossed in typing.
Typing wasn’t joyful, but watching an interesting plot turn into words under his keystrokes brought a profound sense of achievement.
If there were also good results as feedback, that would be even more satisfying.
The apparent performance of *The Goddess CEO* was soaring quickly.
Part of this was reflected in the bookmarks and rewards.
Another part was evident in the growing number of increasingly enthusiastic comments.
In the plot, the male and female leads had just experienced a minor misunderstanding.
Xi Mengjun was accompanying her heartbroken best friend for a late-night snack when a group of hooligans, emboldened by alcohol, decided to harass the female protagonist.