CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 53: IS IT YOU?

"Brother Lie, let me introduce you."

Lil’ Northeastern displayed the hearty style typical of Northeasterners and played middleman.

"This fair-skinned and pleasantly plump girl is the class president of our finance class, Fu Doudou, nicknamed Tofu!"

Tofu, quite cheerful and lively, laughed and slapped Lil’ Northeastern, "You’re so annoying! You were the first to call me Tofu, right?"

"HEH HEH!"

Lil’ Northeastern chuckled, his introduction of Pan Ge particularly exaggerated.

"Now this one is impressive—the belle of our class, the campus flower of the International Relations faculty, the freshman flower of the 13th level, and the school flower of the entire Humanities College... Pan Ge, the great beauty Pan!"

Honestly, Han Lie felt embarrassed for Pan Ge.

She probably felt the same; her smile was clearly a bit stiff.

Lil’ Northeastern, this silly kid, still thought he was being funny and was about to turn his head and introduce Han Lie.

Han Lie really couldn’t let him carry on like that, so he hurriedly greeted them proactively.

"Hello everyone, my name is Han Lie, from the Business School’s finance class. We’re sort of classmates."

Both finance classes were core specializations in their respective departments. However, the finance program in the International Relations faculty was taught entirely in English, using original textbooks from Harvard Business School, with annual tuition fees as high as 60,000+.

However, if one were to split hairs, the core content taught in both classes wasn’t really that different.

That’s where "sort of classmates" came from.

Surprise flashed in both Tofu’s and Pan Ge’s eyes.

They probably didn’t understand why Ding Ding and Lil’ Northeastern’s roommate would be a student from the Business School.

Tofu had a very forthright personality; she nodded with a chuckle, "That does indeed make us classmates. You’re in the same class as Xi Luting, right?"

Lil’ Northeastern suddenly slapped his thigh, "That tall girl who’s always cold-faced is in Brother Lie’s class?"

"Yep!"

Tofu asked back in surprise, "You’re in the same dorm as Han Lie and you didn’t know this?"

"UH..."

Lil’ Northeastern was stumped by the question.

What could he say?

That he was so scared by Brother Lie he almost peed his pants, so he didn’t dare to ask?

How embarrassing!

At a critical moment, Pan Ge gently tugged Tofu, "Let’s order something first. Don’t keep the waiter waiting."

Lil’ Northeastern immediately agreed, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, let’s order! Brother Lie is treating today, order whatever you want, don’t be polite with my big bro!"

The two girls were startled again and turned their heads simultaneously.

If they had known a stranger was treating, they wouldn’t have sat down so carefreely.

"Let’s just order individually," Pan Ge suggested.

"No way!"

Lil’ Northeastern panicked and turned to look at Han Lie, seeking his support, "Brother Lie? What do you think..."

Great, you guys finally remembered me... Han Lie couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

The group had been chattering back and forth until now, and he’d barely been involved.

But from this, one could also discern everyone’s personalities.

Ding Ding was introverted and shy, still not very talkative even among acquaintances.

Lil’ Northeastern was an outgoing chatterbox who loved to organize things but clearly missed the main point, his mouth working faster than his brain.

Tofu was cheerful, lively, and straightforward, with no hidden agenda.

Pan Ge...

Pan Ge was not quite what Han Lie had thought.

Just from that little tug on Tofu, one could tell she was perceptive and highly emotionally intelligent.

With just one sentence, she had defused the situation for three people.

Plus, agreeing to sit with a stranger for Tofu’s sake added another virtue—a willingness to consider her companions’ feelings.

Han Lie had always thought Pan Ge was some kind of high and mighty princess.

The reason for such a misunderstanding was that the pre-rebirth Han Lie simply hadn’t possessed the right skills to judge people properly; his level was too low.

As the saying goes, "A miss is as good as a mile."

One really shouldn’t judge by appearances; it’s a lesson to keep in mind...

Han Lie reminded himself inwardly, then smiled at Tofu and Pan Ge, his attitude calm and friendly.

"Meeting here must be fate. There’s no need to make such a fuss over a meal. Nobody’s family is short on money for a barbecue. Let’s just consider it a small get-together among classmates, okay?"

That was well put.

Tofu and Pan Ge looked at each other. The latter nodded slightly, so Tofu confidently lifted her drink.

"Alright, then thank you... Brother Lie."

"Please, don’t. I’m really not necessarily older than you. Ding Ding and Lil’ Northeastern were just joking—just call me Han Lie."

Han Lie decisively rejected the "Brother Lie" address.

Having girls call you "Something-Bro" wasn’t necessarily a good thing; it sounded too much like street talk and wasn’t conducive to closing the distance.

So, what was best to be called?

Actually, a reduplicated nickname like Ding Ding’s was the easiest way to quickly become familiar.

Who cared if it sounded cringey to guys, as long as the girls liked it? After all, one wasn’t trying to date guys, right?

Unfortunately, Han Lie couldn’t be the one to suggest this.

To just blurt out, "You guys can call me Lie Lie," would be perverted...

Tofu chuckled and was about to tease him some more when Ding Ding promptly handed over the menu, "Let’s order!"

The handsome young man had only said that one sentence the entire time, so Tofu immediately complied.

TSK, TSK.

The three young people noisily ordered their dishes, also calling for a dozen beers and a bottle of soda.

Pan Ge and Han Lie didn’t join in, but they weren’t just sitting idly either.

Pan Ge took the initiative, "I can’t drink much, but I can have one with everyone. Han Lie, please don’t mind."

This attitude put everyone at ease.

Han Lie smiled, "Drink whatever you’re comfortable with. We’re just having a small get-together, not following those awful drinking party customs. The main thing is to enjoy the food."

Pan Ge smiled, her lips pursed, while Han Lie discreetly observed her eyes—her irises were a light amber, a rare color for someone of East Asian descent.

Suddenly, Pan Ge looked up, and their gazes met.

Caught in the act, Han Lie boldly held her gaze for another moment, and surprisingly, Pan Ge didn’t flinch or look away.

During the three seconds their eyes met, she remained very calm.

Ultimately, it was Han Lie who first shifted his gaze—any longer would have been impolite.

"Your eyes, their color is very rare."

"Mm-hm."

Pan Ge nodded lightly, "My mother is from an ethnic minority; her irises are deep brown. Mine are a couple of shades lighter. Isn’t that odd?"

"Not at all."

Han Lie wasn’t foolish; he naturally shook his head in denial, "They’re especially beautiful."

And they truly were beautiful, incredibly clear, utterly captivating.

Pan Ge, having been complimented, showed no particular reaction; she was already used to it.

She just casually asked, "Where are you from?"

"Dream City. Ever heard of it?"

"Mm-hm, a newly emerging city rich in mineral resources. How’s the scenery?"

"Lots of mountains, but not much in terms of actual scenery."

"Damage from mining?"

"Yes, the price of development."

The two chatted casually and naturally, with no particular aims or probing, and their interaction could be considered harmonious.

Meanwhile, the other three quickly finished ordering and started clinking bottles as they opened their drinks.

Lil’ Northeastern initiated the first round of drinks; Tofu downed hers, and Pan Ge took a small sip.

After refilling her glass, Tofu brought it over to Han Lie.

Just as she was about to drink, she suddenly slapped her thigh.

"Oh my! I knew your name sounded so familiar!"

"Hmm?"

Han Lie was startled.

He thought she was about to mention his glorious feat of scaring off six people single-handedly and was already wondering how to embellish it a bit, so he wouldn’t truly be seen as some "Claw-hammer War God."

But then...

Tofu, her face alight with a gossipy expression, eagerly asked, "At the Business School, there are two beautiful girls chasing after one guy, taking turns treating him in the cafeteria. That guy has become the newly crowned king of living off women... Hey, isn’t that you, Big Brother Lie?!"

"What? There’s such a thing?"

Ding Ding and Lil’ Northeastern were both stunned. Then, fueled by their love of gossip, their gazes turned peculiar.

Pan Ge widened her eyes, took another look at Han Lie, and the corners of her mouth subtly lifted into a knowing smile.

Han Lie felt a deep sense of the world’s malice, metaphorical black lines streaking across his forehead.

Just as he was about to argue... to explain, Lil’ Northeastern, as if possessed, suddenly grabbed his arm excitedly.

"Bro, bro!"

"Hm?"

"Look, look! Isn’t that one of the beautiful girls chasing you?"

Han Lie turned around to see Xi Luting, strikingly tall at 1.8 meters with incredibly long legs, stepping through the shop door.

It felt like fate; their eyes met the instant she entered.