CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 65: THE MALE PROTAGONIST (TWO IN ONE)_2

This girl had such a wild imagination.

Han Lie couldn’t guess what she was conjuring up now. He just waved his hand in front of her face, amused.

"Hey, wake up, we’re here!"

"Ah? Oh, let’s go!"

Xi Luting startled awake, then immediately put on a stern face, as if someone owed her eight hundred Dayang.

Just as they entered the door and turned right, they both froze—someone was blocking their way.

Yu Yun was clenching her little fists, glaring at them with gritted teeth, breathing heavily, her chest heaving dramatically.

Xi Luting suddenly remembered that it was Yu Yun’s turn to treat that scoundrel Han Lie to breakfast today, but she had intercepted him instead.

She certainly didn’t feel guilty, yet she didn’t want to argue with Yu Yun in the cafeteria.

So she nodded calmly and greeted her coolly, "You’re up? I bumped into Han Lie during my morning run, and we’re about to have breakfast together."

Han Lie was even more unfazed, his composure utterly unshakable.

"The class monitor is treating today. She doesn’t know what I like, so you go with her to get the food."

Both girls were stupefied.

Are you even human?!

Yu Yun couldn’t utter a word; everything had been decided for her, crystal clear.

She even began to doubt herself. Did I accidentally make some mistake? Is that why I’m being punished here? Otherwise, how could Han Lie be so brazen?!

Xi Luting was even more bewildered.

I invite you to a meal, you sit there like a king, and you even assign a servant girl to watch what I order... Am I really just supposed to be waiting on a grand lord?!

The two girls exchanged a look and suddenly were no longer angry at each other. With Han Lie present, getting mad at anyone else simply didn’t make sense.

Who could be more shameless than him?

Xi Luting strode forward on her long legs, heading straight for the cafeteria counter, and tossed out, "Come or not, your choice. Whatever I buy, you eat!"

As for Yu Yun... Just a moment ago, she had been united with Xi Luting in their shared indignation. Now, she suddenly sidled up to Han Lie and asked softly, her voice weak, "Lie, did I do something wrong to make you angry? Why did you suddenly meet with Ting Ting today? If I did something wrong, please tell me. I’ll change right away!"

Tsk tsk, a true ’green tea’ girl... she could adapt so quickly even when flying solo...

Han Lie casually deflected, "No, not at all. Today was genuinely an accident. She suddenly wanted to treat me to a meal; I was surprised myself."

Yu Yun got an answer but didn’t look happy.

"Why? Ting Ting... never mind, I won’t ask."

Seeing Han Lie was growing impatient, she quickly changed her tune, her heart plummeting.

She wasn’t afraid of Fang Feifei; no matter how forward Fang Feifei was, that was all there was to it.

But she couldn’t afford not to be afraid of Xi Luting.

That leg goddess—her face alone made her a natural enemy.

Yu Yun stepped forward again, wanting to take Han Lie’s arm, but he firmly pushed her away.

"Go help carry the food. I’ll find us a seat."

Such a blunt dismissal, yet she obeyed meekly, not daring to resist in the slightest.

"Oh."

Yu Yun pouted, her lips turning down in a sulk as she went after Xi Luting.

However reluctant she seemed, she ultimately complied.

Han Lie felt a strange mix of emotions.

How could I have been so stupid in my last life? Why did I waste three years on this kind of woman?!

The reason was actually very simple—

In his previous life, Han Lie truly hadn’t amounted to much. He had no accurate self-awareness yet constantly pined for those out of his league.

Lowering his standards would have made finding a girlfriend easy. Instead, he looked down on those who were suitable and lacked the ability to win over those he admired, resorting to groveling for even a slim chance.

Look at that. He knew the chances were slim but was unwilling to admit defeat, yet he lacked the perseverance for self-improvement. Who else but him would end up so miserable?

There is no trouble in this world except what people create for themselves.

Han Lie was nearly thirty before he truly began to understand himself. Life became much more comfortable after that, quite pleasant even.

Looking back, it seemed foolish, but that’s the reality for ordinary people.

Han Lie had seen a few of those elites who never seemed to make mistakes, as if they were cheating at life. All he could say was that he couldn’t compare, nor could he envy them.

Without the System, Han Lie would still be just an ordinary person with a slightly better understanding of life. He wouldn’t have ended up alone, but he wouldn’t have achieved anything great either, just lived an unremarkable life.

This is self-awareness.

Han Lie knew very well that he wasn’t a born winner. He was more like someone who had unexpectedly risen from the ordinary ranks thanks to a ’cheat’.

The advantage was that he thoroughly understood the mentality of ordinary people; he knew what Yu Yun thought and what she wanted.

A truly privileged individual might not have been able to handle her.

This was a formidable woman, capable of shamelessly flattering her husband when it suited her. Her rate of development far surpassed that of those carefree, straightforward men.

Lost in these thoughts, Han Lie quickly found an inconspicuous corner and sat down like a king.

Xi Luting and Yu Yun bustled back and forth a couple of times before finally bringing all the food to the table.

Steamed egg cakes with pork burgers, beef noodles with marinated eggs, plus two servings of side dishes—it was quite a feast.

However, the two girls, usually as close as sisters, were clearly in a sour mood today.

Yu Yun was pouting indignantly, while Xi Luting’s expression was icy.

No need to ask; they had clearly just argued.

Xi Luting, with her long legs, took a few quick strides and sat down beside Han Lie.

Yu Yun, grinding her teeth, pulled down her tight T-shirt and sat down with a thud opposite Han Lie. Don’t get any wrong ideas; she was clearly just trying to cover her midriff.

After sitting down, Xi Luting handed a pair of chopsticks to Han Lie, "Eat up, Your Lordship!"

Eat! Who cares if the world ends? Food first.

Han Lie was reaching for the chopsticks when suddenly, two people approached.

Two girls, and they were acquaintances.

Their eyes met, and both sides froze for a moment.

Xi Luting’s instincts were sharp. She glanced up, her pupils constricting instantly, her expression growing even colder.

Han Lie greeted them broadly, "Long time no see, you two."

Pan Ge concealed the surprise in her eyes, glanced at Xi Luting with a faint smile, and nodded. "Good morning."

Tofu wasn’t as composed; her expression was a little odd.

"Lie, have you... found a new meal ticket?"

The words made Xi Luting seethe with anger.

Han Lie had no intention of helping her and replied with a teasing smile, "It’s too early to say; the new meal ticket isn’t too stable yet."

Xi Luting’s eyes widened.

Yu Yun felt a surge of satisfaction and chuckled inwardly.

Pan Ge quietly tugged Tofu’s sleeve, but Tofu grabbed her hand back and pulled her down to sit at the table next to Han Lie’s.

Whoa! Things were getting lively...

Of course, Han Lie didn’t mind; he continued eating and chatting as if nothing was amiss.

"Why did you two get up so early today?"

"Early?"

Pan Ge lifted her wrist to check her watch.

"It’s 7:15. If I lived on campus, I’d come to eat at this time every morning."

It was a ladies’ watch Han Lie didn’t recognize; it looked quite fancy.

Moreover, her every gesture was exceptionally graceful—not a contrived affectation, but an ingrained, natural poise.

A flicker of envy crossed Yu Yun’s eyes, while Xi Luting’s gaze turned wary.

"Trying to avoid the rush?" Han Lie asked with a smile.

Pan Ge paused, then smiled and nodded, implicitly agreeing.

The first class in the morning started at eight. Seniors didn’t live on campus, juniors often skipped class, and sophomores didn’t eat breakfast; only freshmen occasionally came to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria’s breakfast rush was between 7:30 and 7:50. Coming twenty minutes earlier, as Pan Ge did, saved a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Anyone could figure that out, but it usually needed explaining.

Yet Han Lie had understood instantly from her single sentence, his mind quick and perceptive.

Watching the two of them interact so seamlessly, their questions and answers flowing effortlessly, Xi Luting suddenly felt a sharp pang of jealousy.

That scoundrel and that beauty... they actually look good together! What’s that term again? Chemistry?!

As if compelled by something, she peeled an egg for Han Lie, gently placed it in his noodle bowl, and reminded him in a cool voice, "Eat properly. I went to a lot of trouble to buy this for you. It won’t taste good if it gets cold."

GASP!

Yu Yun drew in a sharp breath, unable to believe Xi Luting would actually do something like that for Han Lie.

So, am I about to become the ex-girlfriend?

Pan Ge sensed the provocation but found it merely amusing.

Trying to show off to me... Are you flustered?

Tofu had lost all interest in her meal, completely engrossed in the unfolding drama.

What TV show could be more interesting than this live drama? Miss a single second, and you might miss out on some prime gossip!

All the actors were in place; only Han Lie, the male lead, had yet to make his move.

All eyes swiveled in unison, fixing intently on the sole male protagonist.