"Yo! Bro, reading a book?"
The little northeastern guy walked in front, nodding and bowing to Han Lie as soon as he entered the room.
LV followed behind, the door still ajar. With his tiptoeing gait, he seemed ready to turn and flee at any moment.
"Back already?"
Han Lie responded politely.
Then he stared straight at the two of them, slid his right hand under his pillow, and asked with concern, "And my neighbor?"
LV shivered on the spot.
It was that same familiar wooden stare again!
Bro, can you act normal for once? Look at my face, will you?!
The little northeastern guy, slightly braver, responded with a dry laugh, "You're asking about Huang Wei? His girlfriend just called; he's probably out getting a room with her today."
"He has a girlfriend?"
Han Lie nodded thoughtfully.
The two guys grew more anxious by the second. The more they looked at Han Lie, the more he seemed like a pervert.
Brother Lie withdrew his right hand and redirected his gaze to the book, muttering softly, "It's fine, it's fine. There will be plenty of opportunities..."
The two of them were utterly unnerved.
It wasn't just them; several other guys hiding in the corridor, eavesdropping against the wall, were all equally unnerved.
Huang Wei's back was drenched in a cold sweat.
He was screaming internally: Screw this! I really fucking can't stay in this damn dorm anymore!
LV hurriedly started packing his things, while the little northeastern guy tried to make small talk with Han Lie.
"Yo, Bro, actually reading? Impressive!"
Han Lie suddenly looked up. "Have you read it?"
The little northeastern guy, caught in Han Lie's gaze, wished he could slap himself.
That's what I get for running my mouth!
But he still had to answer. He quickly shook his head. "Haven't read it, but I know this book is awesome!"
"Hmm."
Han Lie nodded, then suddenly asked, "How does one make enemies fewer?"
The little northeastern guy knew nothing about such things.
The answer tumbled out of his mouth before he could think: "Kill one, and there's one less, right?"
Only after he'd spoken did he realize how wrong that sounded, his face turning deathly pale.
He mentally slapped himself twice. Are you fucking nuts?!
Han Lie let out a dry laugh. "Killing is illegal."
He shook his head. "So..."
LV let out a huge sigh of relief and chirpily chimed in, "So, we must live in harmony!"
Brother Lie glanced over with a somber correction, "So, you must never get caught."
LV flinched, wishing he could vanish from Han Lie's sight immediately.
The conversation couldn't continue.
I give up! Isn't that enough?!
The two of them scrambled to pack their things, grabbed their personal belongings, and fled.
The little northeastern guy said goodbye to Han Lie with feigned "enthusiasm."
"Bro, take your time reading. We're off to the internet cafe for an all-nighter. Feel free to use the stuff we left out; don't be a stranger!"
"Neither of you are coming back?"
Han Lie raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He thought to himself: Did I scare the kids too much?
"Nope, not coming back! You get some rest!"
The two of them rushed out of the dormitory room, gently closing the door behind them.
Was that really necessary?
Brother Lie sighed a lonely, helpless sigh.
Sigh!
A bunch of wimps.
He shook his head and continued reading.
「...」
Dealing with the few good-for-nothings from the School of International Exchange was easier than he had anticipated.
The first time Han Lie saw dormitory room 404, he had already made full preparations, devising more than one plan.
This was necessary because they were a group of brats as mischievous as Pan Shaohang.
They might not be as impulsive as Pan Shaohang, but once they ganged up, they were even more troublesome than him.
If he wanted to coexist peacefully with them, he had to display corresponding strength.
Either family background, physical strength, or something else.
Otherwise, he could just wait to be bullied.
Back then, Brother Lie had no choice but to negotiate amiably with them and try to make them see reason.
What reason?
The kind a great man taught: "Make more friends, make fewer enemies."
Being my friend might not bring you any benefits, but being my enemy could get you killed.
Friend or enemy, your choice.
His Level 3 Acting worked wonders, and the brats' comprehension skills were even better; they fully grasped the essence of the truth.
See? Aren't they behaving much better now?
There would surely be more trouble in the future, but at least, no one would likely be foolish enough to try and gang up on him again.
「...」
Brother Lie flipped through the book cheerfully, easily becoming engrossed.
The old Han Lie hadn't liked reading reference books.
After being reborn, his mindset was completely different.
Brother Lie decided to adopt the most open-minded attitude possible and embrace all beneficial new things.
To be the best version of oneself wasn't just about shouting slogans, nor could it rely entirely on the System.
Knowledge could be improved with points, but thoughts could not.
Intelligence could be boosted with cheats, but wisdom could not.
Physical prowess could be enhanced, but happiness could not.
Han Lie wanted to settle down and actively complete the process of breaking out of his cocoon.
That was why he hadn't indulged in extravagant spending or acted like a high-profile, rich young tycoon.
Didn't he want to wear luxury brands, drive fancy cars, and sport expensive watches?
Yes, he did.
He was a normal man, naturally drawn to fast cars and beautiful women, to being the center of attention, to showing off.
He would much rather be carefully pampered than cautiously figuring out how to protect himself.
But that wasn't an option; he was currently short on capital.
So, he chose delayed gratification, putting his desires on hold for a while.
Once he was truly powerful enough in his own right, he would indulge those desires one by one, satisfying all the cravings accumulated over thirty years.
Soon. Just a little longer. Don't rush...
Maintaining a strong sense of hunger was the most effective way to sustain the drive to strive.
Han Lie had worked hard to ignite the flames in his eyes and had no intention of ever letting them extinguish again.
「...」
He read quietly until 10:30 PM, then got out of bed to wash up.
On the bathroom sink, various toiletries were laid out—all famous brands.
His three roommates in room 404 were probably all quite wealthy.
Well, strictly speaking, there were no poor students in the School of International Exchange.
The only difference lay in how much living allowance their families provided.
Han Lie didn't touch their things. He took out his own set and placed it in an empty spot.
After washing up, he began to check his messages.
The first thing he opened was the class group chat, which he hadn't blocked yet.
It was buzzing with activity.
And Han Lie was the reason for the buzz.
Just as Brother Lie opened the group chat, Duan Xiaoyi was right in the middle of being sarcastic.
"We're all students from the Finance major of the Business School, yet some get to live in comfy dorms at the School of International Exchange while we have to suffer squeezing into elevators. How's that fair!"
Fang Feifei: "Really? Xiaoyi, which floor does Han Lie live on?"
Lou Zhi: "Hey, gorgeous, why don't you ask Han Lie directly? How would a loser like me be privy to such information!"
Wang Hongli: "Low Zhi, there you go again! Can you stop being so damn sarcastic? Are you dissing Fei Fei or Han Lie?"
Lou Zhi: "Whoa, the knight in shining armor is here. How would I dare?"
Wang Hongli: "Go away! Can't be bothered with you!"
Yu Yun: "Lou Zhi, go easy on Lili. Aren't you usually such a gentleman?~~~"
Chen Ping: "Haha! Gentlemanly, my ass! That pathetic simp only acts like a gentleman around you, Class Beauty! @Yu Yun"
Lou Zhi: "Chen Ping, you're seriously sick in the head!"
Xi Luting: "Enough! The class group chat isn't a place for arguments."
After the class monitor stepped in to intervene, the group chat gradually quieted down.
However, it was clear the private drama would only escalate.