Han Lie, Chen Yanfei, and Ding Xiang bumped into a group of their classmates as soon as they stepped out. It wasn't entirely a coincidence, as Wenhui Road was their primary hangout spot.
Fang Xing, who had been in high spirits, looked extrely displeased upon seeing Han Lie.
Luo Zijun's gaze was evasive, not eting Han Lie's eyes directly.
Chen Yanfei greeted them but showed no interest in further conversation, and the two groups brushed past each other.
They had walked less than five ters when a mix of chatter arose from behind them. Han Lie didn't catch the specifics but heard his na ntioned two or three tis.
"Your classmates... are quite interesting."
Han Lie's assessnt was neutral, leaning towards positive. Chen Yanfei nodded with a smile. "Indeed, they're all perceptive enough, and even the most annoying one isn't particularly detestable."
Ding Xiang puffed up with indignation. "Ah?! Aren't they detestable enough? Big Head and Miss Delicate are so annoying..."
That's because you haven't t Pan Shaohang...
Han Lie and Chen Yanfei exchanged smiles, both thinking of the beginning of their fated encounter and also reflecting on Ding Xiang's childishness.
Mature people may not necessarily be more tolerant or magnanimous, but they certainly possess stronger ntal resilience and can quickly soothe negative emotions.
Such a minor squabble wasn't worth making a big deal over.
So Ding Xiang was the truly cute type—innocent, with childlike purity, prone to sulking quietly, and quick to forget, much like a child.
Coaxing her would even be superfluous...
However, Han Lie and Chen Yanfei were kindred spirits. They hardly fretted over trifles and seldom got angry. But if truly incensed, they would decisively turn hostile and hit back hard.
"What are you two laughing at?!"
Ding Xiang received no response. She looked up to see her Sister Yanfei sharing a perfectly synchronized, quiet smile with Brother Lie, and instantly felt slighted.
THUMP! THUMP! She stamped her feet hard twice in frustration.
She rarely acted coquettishly. Being introverted and shy ant she hardly ever showed her emotions, but Chen Yanfei and Han Lie were exceptions. So, she dragged out a long, whining sound.
If Chen Yanfei hadn't been there, Han Lie would have imdiately stepped in to coax her.
Unfortunately, that wasn't an option now, so that scamp Han Lie could only smile without speaking, letting Chen Yanfei take over.
"We're not laughing at you."
Chen Yanfei wrapped her arm firmly around Ding Xiang and said softly, "Han Lie and I ran into soone even more botherso before. Thinking back on it makes us a bit reflective."
"Oh!" Ding Xiang realized who they were talking about, as Chen Yanfei had told her about the encounter before.
But what Chen Yanfei hadn't explained was that today's situation was actually very similar to that ti.
On the train, Chen Yanfei had quietly finished her instant noodles before confronting Pan Shaohang, decisively cutting ties without a shred of rcy.
And today, Han Lie had also dined quietly, only to sharply slap Chen Yantong in the face at the very end.
Their thods were the sa, their attitudes similar, and their core essence identical.
Chen Yanfei was profoundly moved.
She knew all too well that Han Lie had many ways to resolve today's conflict, even possessing the ability to prevent it from happening at all.
For instance, he could have used his high emotional intelligence to control the situation from the start, or used his reputation and wealth to establish his presence, or even deployed his vast knowledge to completely overshadow Chen Dong and the others.
Nevertheless, Han Lie had chosen none of those options, instead mirroring the stance she had adopted towards Pan Shaohang back then.
It had to be deliberate.
From the very beginning, he had been waiting for that opportunity.
What was this tough guy trying to express?
Chen Yanfei wasn't sure.
Perhaps he wanted to tell her: I've always rembered how you were when we first t.
Perhaps he wanted to tell her: We are the sa kind of person.
Perhaps he wanted to tell her: I care about you more than you think. I like you, and I'm grateful to you...
Chen Yanfei couldn't guess the answer, but she was certain that this was the most romantic of expressions, the most beautiful declaration of love.
Ding Xiang hadn't noticed, but ever since leaving the restaurant, Chen Yanfei had been in an unsettled emotional state. That was why she hadn't even wanted to stop and chat with Luo Zijun or Fang Xing, not even for a single sentence.
The mont her eyes t Han Lie's, she couldn't help but break into a faint smile.
Most of the ti, a shared smile is born out of politeness—eye contact is made, one person smiles, and the other reciprocates.
Only on rare occasions does it stem from deep understanding—finding the other's eyes at the first opportunity, eagerly offering the most heartfelt smile to express one's emotions.
So Ding Xiang's discontent was justified.
Her sister and that scamp were secretly flirting right under her nose!
And after their flirting, they would only offer vague words to placate her!
Too bad Ding Xiang really didn't have the cunning or the brains to see through the exceptional pair. In fact, she was starting to feel indignant on behalf of Chen Yanfei and Han Lie.
"Why are there always people envious of you two? Is being too outstanding a mistake? Just thinking about Chen Yantong's attitude gets so angry... Good thing Brother Lie was so cool today!"
Han Lie shrugged nonchalantly, remaining silent.
No need to flirt with Xiao Bai any longer; better to focus on Chen Yanfei.
The "village flower" glanced at Han Lie, then turned to tease Ding Xiang with a smile, "Since he's that cool, would you want him as your boyfriend?"
"Ah?!" Ding Xiang was stunned by the question, and Han Lie was also taken aback.
Damn, could it be that Chen Yanfei, overwheld by my earlier actions, is ready to lay her cards on the table?
At the critical mont, Ding Xiang suddenly mustered a burst of courage, replying shyly yet cleverly, "Then you should have Brother Lie formally confess to first. I want to see if what he says matches what I have in mind..."
Chen Yanfei glanced sideways at Han Lie. "Did you hear that?"
Great, she's put on the spot again...
Han Lie shook his head with a wry smile, sticking to his original plan of stalling.
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