Chapter 181: Chapter 117: A Battle of Wits and Bravery_2
Including her own home.
In the past few days, she had perceived some extremely ominous signs; Uncle Pan and Old Zhao’s gazes were truly terrifying. But she couldn’t explain it. She had wanted to have a deep conversation with her mother, but now she didn’t dare.
Xi Luting’s kiss had really screwed her over. She thought she could cover it up and it wouldn’t be a big problem, but the actual consequences far exceeded her imagination.
Regardless of whether her parents knew or not, rumors had already started spreading throughout the school. Xi Luting might not have spread them, but what about Yu Yun and Fang Feifei? What reason did they have to cover up for her? It would be generous to say they wouldn’t exaggerate the story.
Therefore, even though she knew Xi Luting and Han Lie hadn’t returned to the dormitory that night, she could only pretend to be unaware.
I absolutely can’t let the situation worsen!
And, she needed to quickly determine who would win between her and Xi Luting. She had to either stabilize Han Lie or completely control him; there were no other options. The longer she delayed, the more likely the situation would spiral out of control.
The most terrifying outcome isn’t failing to win over Han Lie, but rather all three of them getting completely entangled—a man with two women, who themselves are a couple! Good Lord, once labeled like that by others, what would happen to my reputation? That I’d sleep with anyone? That I’m promiscuous?!
Pan Ge knew that her biggest weakness was her concern for her image. That’s why she couldn’t accept such an outcome. Unfortunately, Han Lie knew her weakness too. Not only did he know, but he also exploited it very effectively. So her attempts to control Han Lie quickly failed, and now she could only temporarily submit, waiting for an opportunity.
At the very least, could he not create more trouble for me at home?
If they were face-to-face at this moment, Pan Ge might even adopt a pitiful "pretty please" expression, acting cutesy—anything would do.
Fortunately, we weren’t face-to-face... Otherwise, with that scoundrel’s rogue nature, who knows what advantage he might take of me...
Pan Ge’s mind raced. She was, as they say, adept at self-consolation.
Then, she heard the scoundrel ask airily, "Really?"
"Really!" She nodded, teeth clenched.
"Great! Let’s go out this afternoon, then head home together when it’s time, how does that sound?"
CRACK!
The bolt from the blue completely dumbfounded Pan Ge.
She was silent for a good while before hearing the scoundrel chuckling, "You wouldn’t be unwilling, would you?"
"Of course...not..." As she answered, her soul seemed to have left her body, drifting in the air.
"How wonderful! It’s like we’re the prince and princess from a fairy tale, running towards each other..."
Pan Ge flopped onto the bed with a thud, feeling as though she had lost all strength and even the will to resist.
How did he manage to say those words? Running towards each other... fairy tale... prince... UGH!
Feeling a wave of nausea, Pan Ge pulled herself together and, with her last bit of wits, suddenly made a suggestion.
"Let’s go see a movie? I’ve been wanting to see ’Thor 2’ for a long time. ’Gravity’ is also great, but my girlfriends all like those sappy romance films; no one wants to go with me... You’re a boy, you definitely won’t dislike sci-fi movies, right? Wow, this is perfect!"
Han Lie was taken aback. His plans had been interrupted before he could set them in motion.
What movie should we see? What can you even do in a cinema?
But, with Pan Ge being so proactive, so cooperative, and so excited, he really couldn’t object anymore.
Goodness, she’s a handful...
Han Lie didn’t believe she actually liked sci-fi films, not with her princess demeanor. However, seeing a movie would allow them to avoid dangerous situations, and sci-fi films gave Han Lie no grounds for objection, which was really quite clever.
Interesting... Very interesting!
Han Lie felt a thrill of challenge and readily agreed.
"Alright, which cinema?"
Pan Ge’s voice was very jubilant, "Just wait, I’ll check the showtimes... Uh, I’ll hang up for now, and I’ll call you back later!"
BEEP BEEP BEEP...
The dial tone sounded. Han Lie touched his chin and smiled.
Alright, you little trickster, I’m curious to see what stunts you’ll pull!
...
Half an hour later, Pan Ge kept her promise and called back, informing Han Lie, "Meet me at the entrance of Magic Capital Science and Technology Cinema."
Han Lie looked up the address and found that the cinema was less than 500 meters from her home, essentially right on her doorstep.
Well, she’s guarding against me as if I were a thief.
Han Lie realized it, but he didn’t care. He quickly got ready and hailed a taxi.
At the entrance of the cinema, Pan Ge then told him to go straight upstairs to the waiting hall. Arriving at the waiting area, Pan Ge had already bought popcorn, grilled sausages, and cola. As soon as she saw Han Lie, she stuffed everything into his arms.
"I’m so tired of holding this... You help me!"
At first glance, it looked like she was acting coquettishly, but in fact, she had taken control of Han Lie’s hands on the spot.
It was Saturday, and the cinema was crowded. There were no seats available in the rest area, so the impressive Han Lie could only stand there holding a pile of stuff. Meanwhile, Pan Ge was beaming, displaying an unprecedentedly pleasing attitude.
"Are you hungry? Shall I feed you some grilled sausage?"
Han Lie watched her perform with a smile. Before he could shake his head to refuse, she had already lifted the skewer with the sausage to his mouth.
Well then... might as well humor her?
Han Lie lowered his head and took a bite of the sausage. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed someone on the side taking photos. It was a girl wearing a scarf and sunglasses.
Judging by her figure, it’s not someone I know.
Han Lie kept his composure, acting as if he hadn’t noticed.
Within two minutes, Pan Ge started fiddling with her phone, her fingers typing rapidly.
The same trick as last time? So, who are you trying to show this to this time, Pan Ge?
Han Lie couldn’t take out his phone right now, so he could only silently speculate. But it wasn’t a big issue. Times were different now; Xi Luting had completely backed down, and for the short term, Han Lie was utterly unconstrained.
I couldn’t care less!
He stood there for over ten minutes. Then, the screening of ’Thor 2,’ for which Pan Ge had bought tickets, began. The seats were central in the middle row, a really good spot, but surrounded by people on all sides—suitable only for watching the film, not for doing anything inappropriate. Pan Ge had really maxed out her scheming for self-preservation.
However, Han Lie still casually grabbed her hand, and from then on, he never let go.
The moment she was caught, Pan Ge stiffened. She turned her head and glared fiercely at Han Lie. In the dark, those light-colored eyes sparkled.
Han Lie lifted her hand and gently kissed the back of her soft hand, chuckling, "Behave, and later if Uncle Pan asks me about anything, I can explain for you."
Pan Ge instantly flashed a pleasing smile—invisible in the darkness—but she immediately took Han Lie’s hand in hers, interlocking their fingers.
It’s just holding hands, right? Would this look more convincing?
Han Lie felt both satisfied and amused.
With Pan Ge’s caliber, if she hadn’t met me, she would never have suffered a loss in her entire life. Invincible acting skills and no sense of shame... Tsk tsk, truly a match made in heaven with me... A Best Actor plus a Best Actress... if we went out scamming people, we’d be absolutely unstoppable. Should I involve Pan Ge in my money-making scheme? With her help, the most crucial step would be considerably easier and more covert. Without her help, I can manage on my own too.
As he thought it over, the showing of ’Thor 2,’ which he had seen more than twice, finally ended. Pan Ge was still holding Han Lie’s hand, snuggling up to him, slowly walking out of the theater with the crowd.
It left Han Lie feeling rather exasperated.
"I need to go to the bathroom, can we cut for a moment?"
"Oh."
Pan Ge understood the deeper meaning of "cut," yet just sweetly smiled and obediently let go of his hand.
As soon as Han Lie left, she immediately took out her phone. Looking at the photo she had just received on WeChat, she patted her chest, smiling proudly.
You scoundrel, this time I’ll see you crash and burn!
***
*My cold is finally getting a bit better, I’ll try to update more tomorrow.*