The argument immediately escalated, and three students began to accuse Huang Wei. Huang Wei, however, was like a dead pig unfazed by boiling water, brazenly retorting.

"What damn influence do you, Dan Zihao, think you have with Han Lie? If you're not happy with him, then bloody well deal with it yourself! Fight if you want to fight, curse if you want to curse—I'm staying out of it! And the rest of you, stop your damn nagging! I don't owe you anything!"

Damn, that little yellow-haired brat is still so rebellious...

Han Lie almost laughed. He shook his head and ignored their squabbling. They wouldn't get anywhere with it anyway.

Although Dan Zihao's family was much wealthier than Huang Wei's, Huang Wei didn't need anything from him. The two young men had roughly the same resources and pocket money at their disposal, so neither was particularly afraid of the other. On the contrary, Huang Wei's fear of Han Lie was bone-deep. That was why he would rather confront Dan Zihao head-on than risk offending Han Lie again.

That deathly gaze, the kind that sent a chill down the back of your neck even in your sleep—only someone who had experienced it could truly understand.

When he finally got back to the dorm, Little Northeast and Ding Ding were surprisingly both there, eating breakfast.

As soon as they saw Han Lie, they both hurried to greet him.

"Bro Lie."

"Haven't eaten yet, Bro Lie? These are shrimp dumplings from Rongfeng Zhai. Want some?"

Han Lie waved his hand. "You guys eat. I'm going to take a shower."

He was done in five minutes. When Han Lie came out, Little Northeast and Ding Ding were excitedly flattering him.

"Bro Lie, that's amazing!"

"Getting to seventh place out of more than 800,000 people! You're like a young cow on a high-voltage wire—freaking awesome, with sparks flying!"

Han Lie smiled calmly. "How did you two find out? Did you guys enter the competition?"

"We actually didn't know at first," Little Northeast replied casually. "Wasn't it announced over the loudspeakers? Our dorm can pick up the broadcast."

Ding Ding explained shyly, "We signed up, but we didn't really pay much attention to it. We just bought a random stock and left it at that."

Han Lie asked casually, "Aren't there a few students in your class with good results?"

Ding Ding scratched his head. "There aren't many in our class who actually study. They usually can't even understand the lectures for our major courses, let alone those taught entirely in English..."

Little Northeast nodded vigorously. "Exactly! For us, just getting past the language requirement is good enough. Those guys with good results are just lucky. Don't be fooled because some of them started trading stocks in middle school—they all bloody well rely on insider information to fleece the newbies! And even with insider info, some idiots still get stuck holding the bag!"

"Yeah, so..." Ding Ding hesitated, then continued, faltering, "Right now, a lot of people in our class are pretty bitter about you... Especially those who love the limelight. They've been saying a lot of nasty things..."

Han Lie nodded, indicating he understood.

Little Northeast dismissed it. "Hah! The school wants to make an example of you, Bro Lie. What right do they have to be jealous? If they've got the skills, let their results do the talking!"

Ding Ding gave another shy smile and murmured, "I just feel the publicity is too much, and too soon. It's unnecessary..."

Oh? This kid is pretty sharp.

Han Lie was starting to see Ding Ding in a new light. The kid was indeed a bit timid, but he had a clear view of things.

In reality, there was no need to push the publicity plan so hastily; the negative consequences were too severe. For one thing, this move alone had made more than half the School of International Relations view Han Lie unfavorably.

Seems rather nonsensical, doesn't it? But that's just how it was. The School of International Relations had always held itself in high esteem, its students seeing themselves as heaven's chosen, always looking down on the "country bumpkins" from other schools. Now, they had been thoroughly outdone by Han Lie, and by a significant margin, leaving many of them resentful. Such is human nature.

If Han Lie could maintain his lead, things would be fine. But any slip-up would inevitably lead to a backlash. This was truly an undeserved calamity.

Furthermore, the school authorities still hadn't officially informed Han Lie. All this publicity was being trumpeted with such fanfare, but where were the actual benefits?! The whole thing felt inexplicably rushed and premature...

Therefore, today was particularly crucial. Another 3% in profit, and Han Lie could secure a spot in the weekly top 10, advancing to the mini live trading competition.

If his profits were to drastically decline... To mess up right after they've publicized you so heavily—the consequences would be self-evident, wouldn't they?

A heavy weight settled in Han Lie's heart. He was beginning to bear an immense pressure he shouldn't have had to.

Time to show some real skill...

Since the school has given me this chance to make a name for myself, then I want to win!

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