Chapter 171: Chapter 114: Like a Fish in Water
Soon, Little Northeast led Han Lie to knock on the door of Room 204.
The air in the room was thick with smoke and a foul odor. Heavy, double-layered blackout curtains covered the windows. The only two beds had been pushed to the side of the balcony, clearing most of the dormitory space, with a round table in the center. Around the table sat a total of seven people, yet it still appeared spacious. It looked like there was room for at least three more.
Apart from them, there were six other youths in the room. Some served tea and water, others sliced fruit, and a few watched the fun. One, smiling broadly, greeted Ding Ding and Little Northeast.
"Brother Wang!"
Little Northeast greeted him politely, and the man replied even more courteously, "My brother, you’re here! Come over and sit down, let’s chat!"
Little Northeast didn’t move but introduced Han Lie to the man. "This is my dorm mate, Han Lie. He’s not short on cash or connections. Brother Lie, this is a senior from our department, Wang Xiaotian."
Han Lie nodded with a smile. "A pleasure to meet you."
Wang Xiaotian immediately offered a cigarette. "Now that you’re here, you’re a friend. Welcome, Young Master Han!"
The man had a round, honest, and good-natured face, with a constant smile. He was clearly someone very down-to-earth.
Little Northeast and Ding Ding stuck to Han Lie like shadows. Since Han Lie didn’t move further inside, they stood quietly behind him, watching as he exchanged pleasantries with Old Wang.
"What does Young Master Han usually like to play?"
Han Lie casually replied, "I know a little about everything, but I’m not proficient in anything."
"Yo!" Old Wang gave a thumbs up. "You look like a regular and an expert!"
Those who organized such games valued perceptiveness and insight above all; they could never judge by appearances alone. Old Wang treated every newcomer with the same respect, always courteous and attentive. He wasn’t rude, nor did he engage in petty actions like trying to size people up prematurely. School was different from the outside world. You could usually see people any day you wanted, so there was no need to size them up immediately. After a few encounters, you’d naturally get a sense of what kind of person they were.
If you flattered the wrong person, it would just pass with a laugh. It was nothing more than a few wasted words, which was always better than offending someone. If you flattered the right person, that could mean you’d forged a tie and established an initial good impression.
Han Lie was impressed by the man’s smooth and low-profile manner, and his smile deepened. "Actually, I haven’t seen much of the world. I just enjoy being part of a lively scene."
Wang Xiaotian felt like he had found a kindred spirit and became even more attentive.
At that moment, Little Northeast’s occasionally reliable insight finally kicked in. He took the initiative to boast about Han Lie. "Brother Lie usually doesn’t have time for these things. He trades stocks during the day and has a very regular routine. You know about that A-share contest Tencent is running, right? Brother Lie was the national champion for the first week!"
This statement wasn’t made quietly. It happened to coincide with the end of a round at the main table, causing the group of older guys there to turn their heads in unison.
"The one praised over the loudspeaker?"
"Interesting. Our little den actually gets graced by someone with serious business, huh?"
"Wow! A big shot has arrived!"
"Little brother, come over here!"
Out of the seven people, four spoke up one after another. One of them, a brash-looking guy, beckoned Han Lie over.
Wang Xiaotian hastily introduced, "That’s our sophomore year’s top dog, Liu Yingjun—Brother Jun."
Upon hearing this name, Han Lie instantly knew who he was: the legendary figure who’d supposedly spent over ten million yuan in four years. His family genuinely owned a mine. Although he wasn’t the richest in his cohort, he was the boldest spender in the whole school.
"Brother Jun, everyone, my apologies for barging in and disturbing you seniors," Han Lie said with an innocuous smile. He looked just like an honest, unassuming kid.
Liu Yingjun nodded in satisfaction. "Now that you’re here, don’t be shy. Find a seat!"
Of the remaining three who hadn’t spoken, two didn’t even lift their heads—one was cursing loudly, and another was laughing while shuffling cards. The last one, however, was someone Han Lie actually recognized: Dan Zihao, the outrageously arrogant yet quite foolish guy.
Han Lie calmly walked over. An extremely pale-faced, handsome young man was teasing Dan Zihao with a smirk.
"Boss Dan, so Boss Lie knocked you off your number one spot, huh? You were bragging so much before, but you couldn’t even last three days. Now that the real expert is here, aren’t you going to greet him?"
Dan Zihao’s eyes were practically shooting fire, but surprisingly, he didn’t lose his temper with Han Lie. Instead, he sarcastically retorted to the handsome guy, "Zhou Ci, mind your own damn business! Brother Lie is already sharing a spoon with Pan Ge. Why are you wasting your time on me? Is your brain full of crap?"
Damn!
It’s only been a few days, and the little fool has actually improved... Did he learn that ’kill with a borrowed knife’ trick from me?
Han Lie’s heart tightened, but he wasn’t afraid of anyone. He simply observed quietly, thoughtfully gauging everyone’s reactions.
And sure enough, all eyes snapped towards him. Their gazes held more shock and anger than before, and their expressions were barely controlled. Even those serving at the table, watching the spectacle, or lying in bed playing on their phones, all focused their attention on him, scrutinizing the sudden newcomer.
Clearly, Han Lie hadn’t previously grasped the full extent of Pan Ge’s influence at the International Studies University.
The belle of the entire department? She’s really something else...
Amongst everyone present, it was Liu Yingjun who surprisingly had the friendliest attitude. He gave Han Lie a thumbs up.
"Little brother, you’ve got some luck with the ladies! Impressive!"
Faced with an increasingly unclear situation, Han Lie decisively began to bluff. "Don’t listen to Boss Dan’s jokes; that’s not how it is at all. Uncle Pan asked me to look after Pan Ge. I find her annoying, so sometimes we argue a bit. Last time Boss Dan annoyed her, he tried to use me to deflect her anger, so I just snatched her spoon away. But the way Boss Dan tells it, it sounds like something really happened between us."