CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 72 STIRRING UP (TWO IN ONE)_2

Fang Feifei: "Big Bro Lie, does this mean that as long as you have six teacups filled, you won’t have the energy to care about what keys anyone else uses? Teehee..."

Wow!

A genius, she always manages to find that one clever angle in the most bizarre situations...

After thinking it over, Han Lie actually found the suggestion constructive, so he silently nodded.

After watching the commotion for a while longer, Han Lie stopped participating. When it was about time, he logged off and returned to campus.

He skipped the first class in the afternoon, which was Ideological and Moral Cultivation.

Han Lie stayed in the library monitoring his stocks until 3:00 PM, then made his way to the classroom for his second class, English.

As soon as he entered the classroom, many eyes turned toward him.

Yu Yun and Xi Luting both waved at him simultaneously.

"Big Bro Lie, I have an empty seat here!"

"Han Lie, come here for a second. I need to talk to you."

My goodness, talk about making my scalp tingle right off the bat...

Han Lie glanced over with a cool expression and decisively sat down next to Xi Luting, remaining aloof and silent.

Yu Yun is now isolated and much easier to handle; she can be left hanging for a bit.

Queen Luting could explode at any time, so I have to play along.

There’s an art to being a scumbag, got it?!

Xi Luting smugly tilted her chin up and gave Yu Yun a sidelong glance, letting out a cold snort.

Wow, their conflict escalated so quickly?

It’s all out in the open now, no attempt at hiding it...

But Han Lie didn’t plan to get involved in such matters. He took the initiative to ask, "What did Liu Hong want with you?"

"Criticizing me! Putting on airs!"

Xi Luting was clearly unhappy but still kept her voice down.

"He called me in to ask what I was going to do. Liu Hong thinks my actions have had a terrible influence, and he wants to strip me of my class president title..."

"Ignore him! It’s a trivial matter. How bad can it be?"

Han Lie scoffed disdainfully.

Xi Luting frowned. She didn’t resemble the delicate beauty of Lin Daiyu at all; instead, she looked downright ferocious.

"So you think he’s deliberately picking a fight?"

"A guy like Liu Hong is always looking for an excuse to nail you for something, even when there’s nothing, just to assert his authority and squeeze some benefits out of it. Especially since you caused such a big commotion."

"What should I do then?"

"Simple. Buy two cartons of Soft Zhonghua cigarettes, wrap them in a black plastic bag, and stuff them under his desk. Then, send him a private message with a self-criticism, and you’ll be fine."

"Two cartons of Zhonghua for such a petty issue?!"

"Are you going to stay out of trouble after this? Can you guarantee Old Liu won’t catch you making even the slightest mistake? Do you think it’s fun being under his constant scrutiny?"

"Uh..."

The three questions stumped her.

The young woman hadn’t been tempered by the world and didn’t understand the unwritten rules among adults; she was still quite naive.

But she was willing to trust Han Lie.

"Okay, I’ll do as you say. I’ll get it done tomorrow morning."

Her decisiveness took Han Lie by surprise.

She was about to agree to something so private... that clearly shows her level of trust in me.

Or should it be called... reliance?

Anyway, Han Lie noticed that Little Cucumber’s attitude had changed significantly. She was much more obedient than before.

He couldn’t resist a teasing smirk. "Actually, I still prefer that rebellious side of you..."

Xi Luting pursed her lips and wrinkled her nose, waving a small fist at him.

"You dog, don’t get cocky, or I’ll snatch your meal ticket in a minute!"

Wow, how cute!

Queen Luting rarely acts coy, but when she does, it really packs a punch.

It’s mainly the novelty and the contrast—something others can hardly offer.

Han Lie’s heart pounded, but he tried to maintain his composure, not wanting her to get too smug.

Putting on an indifferent facade, he casually made an attempt.

"Hey, isn’t it inappropriate for you to keep holding onto that... toy? There’s too much gossip. How about I keep it safe for you instead?"

Xi Luting reacted quickly, her eyes instantly filling with wariness.

"What are you trying to do?"

"What could I possibly be planning? Why are you so suspicious?"

Han Film Emperor’s expression was perfectly innocent. Unfortunately, Xi Luting still wasn’t fooled.

"Hmph, I don’t need you!"

After her blunt retort, she suddenly flashed a mischievous grin, leaned closer to Han Lie, and whispered,

"I’m planning to try my hand with your number two sycophant first... Don’t blame me for poaching; she asked for this herself!"

Han Lie was dumbfounded.

After a moment, he angrily demanded, "Have you no morals?!"

"Pfft!"

Xi Luting sneered, looking at him sideways. "As if you’re one to talk about morals!"

Han Lie was instantly speechless.

He’d forgotten; Xi Luting’s moral compass wasn’t aligned with most people’s.

Actually, from his limited life experience, it seemed that the moral compass of most successful people was somewhat "deficient."

Those honest, rule-abiding ordinary people—incapable of great good, yet not thoroughly bad—only dared to compete fiercely within the confines set by others, ultimately ending up as stepping stones.

The main thing was... living like that was too exhausting.

Anyway, he had no intention of living so rigidly.

"You can’t do this, you shouldn’t do that"... Says who?!

Selfishness is human nature.

When you lack power, you keep your head down. But once you’re capable, who would still coddle those beasts of burden?

Fair trade in all dealings, not bullying others, not committing evil—that’s already good enough.

As for the rest? Do as you please!

No one better try to shackle me!

Han Lie’s immature worldview was roughly like this, partly influenced by Xi Luting. So, her words had left him completely without a comeback.

"Fine, fine, do whatever you want then! But I’ll be watching to see how you clean up your own mess!"

"Pfft, what trouble could it possibly cause?"

Xi Luting wasn’t scared in the slightest. In fact, she was cracking her knuckles, eager to try.

"Could it be worse than the social death I nearly faced? Anyway, I’m going all out. If I don’t make a stand, I’ll never get the better of Pan Ge in this lifetime!"

"Whoa, that’s some deep-seated resentment, huh?" Han Lie couldn’t help but laugh.

"You don’t know jack!"

"Okay, okay, I don’t know anything. You’re always right!"

Even after being reborn, Han Lie still couldn’t understand Xi Luting’s hostility towards Pan Ge.

Level 3 Psychology wasn’t enough.

He puzzled over it endlessly: why was she so determined to pick this fight?!

Although he didn’t understand, Han Lie couldn’t be bothered to intervene.

Pan Ge isn’t that easy to pursue. Xi Luting won’t get what she wants that easily. As for Fang Feifei and Yu Yun, they can do whatever; it’s no great loss if they’re gone.

With The Goddess CEO about to get its first wave of recommendations, do I really have the mental energy to get involved in this messy drama?

The royalties earned from this book can be put to very good use.

Making money is far more important than chasing romance.

Just let Queen Luting run wild. As long as I keep a tight leash on her, no one connected to her will escape.

Huh?

Isn’t this just another form of a useful pawn?

After much contemplation, Han Lie finally understood.

Letting her stir things up might not be such a bad thing after all.

In ancient times, there was an important position solely for handling... "special" entertainment—the Director of the Imperial Music Bureau.

Wielding a small whip, this director taught the daughters of convicted officials to sing, dance, and play instruments. Anyone who disobeyed got a CRACK of the whip; anyone slow to learn got another CRACK...

Make Xi Luting an empress, and it would be utter chaos.

But appoint her as the Director of the Imperial Music Bureau, and she’d be using her talents to the fullest. Perfect.

That settles it! That’s the plan!

"Alright, alright, I wish you speedy success! If Pan Ge proves too difficult, I’ll authorize you to practice on Fang Feifei. Sigh, I really don’t know what to do with you..."

"Hmph! That’s more like it."

Xi Luting was triumphant and pleased with herself, feeling unstoppable once more.

Just as Han Lie was about to snicker internally, a system prompt suddenly popped up.

[Congratulations on mastering a new skill: Instigation]

[Level: 1 (0/100)]

[I do the good deeds; you handle the dirty work.]

[When used with Cajolement, it can have the effect of passing the buck.]

[When used with Pulling Strings, the effect of Instigation will be amplified.]

[Note: Learn something decent for once! You reprobate, you’re nearly riddled with all five poisons!]