After parting ways with Dean Liu, Director Che hurried straight to the Principal's office.

Before entering, he skillfully bowed.

"Principal Zhang!"

"Ah, Che, is that you?"

Principal Zhang, dressed in the style of a Shanghai gentleman, lifted his eyelids and took off his gold-rimmed glasses.

"What can I do for you?"

"Well, it's like this…"

Director Che clearly reported Han Lie's achievements, the benefits this matter would bring to the school, and his publicity plan. He also sought the leadership's opinion regarding the reward scheme.

While Old Che seemed to have no bottom line, even flattering a young girl, his work performance was genuinely impressive, thorough in every aspect.

However, Principal Zhang's reaction was quite strange.

"Are you saying it was Old Pan's daughter who approached you инициативно?"

"Huh?" Director Che paused. "Yes, that's right. I was quite surprised myself when I received the call..."

"And the boy's name is Han Lie?"

Principal Zhang pressed on with interest, "Is he quite thin, with large, bright eyes?"

"Yes, yes! Do you know him?"

An image of a steady young man surfaced in Principal Zhang's mind, and he found the matter increasingly interesting.

"I've met him once. Old Pan seems to have a good impression of the kid."

Dismissing it casually, Principal Zhang issued his instructions, "The plan is good. Go ahead with your idea. Set the upper limit for the reward a bit higher, and we'll reassess after the competition results are out."

"Alright! I'll get on with the arrangements immediately."

"Mm, go on then."

Director Che left the office in high spirits, barely able to keep from grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Damn, I finally hit the jackpot!

As a shrewd man, Director Che easily inferred several facts from Principal Zhang's responses—

First, Principal Zhang was not familiar with Han Lie.

Second, Chairman Pan wasn't really familiar with Han Lie either; they likely weren't old family friends.

Third, therefore, there could only be one truth: Han Lie's relationship with Pan Ge was not simple!

Fourth, and Chairman Pan did not oppose their "interactions."

Fifth, thus, Principal Zhang was very willing to do Han Lie a favor.

What's the final conclusion?

Rewarding and praising Han Lie as much as possible equals pleasing Pan Ge to the greatest extent!

Once the little princess is satisfied and casually praises me to Chairman Pan when she gets home...

The position of Office Director is far from my, Old Che's, ultimate goal!

Director Che placed such importance on Pan Ge mainly because private third-tier institutions like theirs didn't have a formal employment hierarchy for promotions, unlike regular universities.

In the entire humanities college, only Principal Zhang, who was also a vice-principal at Shanghai International Studies University, and the finance director, who was seconded from SISU, held such positions. All other leaders were hired independently.

The so-called vice-principals, deans, and department heads were, to put it bluntly, just high-level employees.

In the humanities college, authority over personnel matters theoretically lay with Principal Zhang. However, in reality, when it came to promotions to senior positions, the board of directors' voice often carried more weight than the principal's.

The problem was that mid-level leaders like him had no way to reach the board of directors.

Especially a major shareholder like Chairman Pan; it was already fortunate if he merely nodded and smiled at you. Trying to curry favor was useless; the gap in wealth and status was simply too vast.

So, he had to find an alternative path.

For instance, fulfilling the little princess's wishes, humoring her beau.

Then, at some crucial moment, if she puts in a good word for me...

Won't that do the trick?!

Humming a tune at this delightful thought, the ever-so-clever Director Che sang, "Ah~~~ the jubilant gongs and drums mark the festive cheer year after year... Today's a great day, hey!"

Returning to his office, thoroughly content, Director Che's first order of business was to call Pan Ge.

"Pan Ge, Uncle Che really has to thank you!"

Pan Ge was bewildered.

"Thank you for recommending such an outstanding talent to the school!"

Pan Ge was stunned.

"If it weren't for your reminder, Uncle Che might not have thought of such a promotional strategy. Rest assured, I will definitely turn Han Lie into a campus idol!"

Pan Ge felt an overwhelming urge to flip a table.

Pan Ge's breathing grew heavier, so heavy that Director Che could hear it clearly. Old Che got the hint and couldn't help but feel inwardly delighted.

"Haha! No need to get so excited; Han Lie deserves this! Alright then, you can notify him in person later, okay?"

Composure, composure! Pan Ge told herself.

Whew...

Pan Ge let out a heavy sigh, fighting back the urge to curse.

I have to bear the consequences of my own actions, even if it means swallowing tears!

I can't very well change my story now and give that fatty Che another reason to laugh at me, can I?!

"Alright, thank you, Un-cle Che!"

"You're welcome, you're welcome! If there's anything else, feel free to come to me. I might not be able to help with big matters, but looking out for young Han is certainly something Uncle Che can do!"

Director Che beamed, feeling that his path forward had considerably widened.

Pan Ge clenched her teeth, silently making a mental note about this pig.

Putting down her phone, she immediately grabbed her backpack and headed for the door.

Tofu was startled. "Where are you going?"

"Home!"

Tofu glanced at the time, puzzled. Didn't we agree to wait for the family car to pick her up? Rushing off like this... strange...

「 」

As Pan Ge rushed out of the school gate and hailed a cab, Principal Zhang dialed Chairman Pan's number.

「 」

Han Lie calmed himself and diligently typed out three whole chapters of his novel before finally stopping to take a break.

He opened WeChat to routinely check messages from his patrons.

Then, much to his surprise, he saw a message from someone who had been silent for a while.

**Tough Guy:** "Aren't you in the finance class at Dream City's Commerce and Business College?"

Why would she ask this?

Han Lie was both surprised and delighted.

Chen Yanfei and Han Lie hadn't been in touch for over ten days.

Initially, their chats had been quite animated, but as time passed, the distance and their different living environments had inevitably carved a chasm between them.

This kind of situation is perfectly normal.

Very few long-distance relationships bear fruit because he couldn't understand her troubles, and she couldn't empathize with his confusion.

So, what was there to talk about?

Life, work, studies—all proceeded at different rhythms, often leaving them scrambling to find topics for conversation.

Over time, it naturally grew tiresome.

So, when she suddenly asked about this, Han Lie couldn't help but be surprised.

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "Yes, I'm in Finance at the School of Business. Why do you suddenly ask?"

Chen Yanfei's excitement shone through her text.

**Townhouse Beast:** "Wow! Then do you know who 'School of Business Finance 1358' is?"

Han Lie understood immediately.

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "I know. Did you participate in the Tencent A-share contest?"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Exactly, exactly! I joined in the fun with one of my dorm mates, but our trading was a complete mess! Haha!"

**Townhouse Beast:** "But it was pretty interesting!"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Then today, she told me our college was finally making a showing, and when I looked, the top rank was actually someone from your class, so I thought I'd ask you."

**Townhouse Beast:** "Do you know that genius well? Could you introduce us? My classmate really idolizes him!"

Han Lie started to laugh, feeling particularly happy.

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "What about you? Do you idolize him too?"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Not really! I've just heard my bestie raving about how incredible he is, but I can't quite grasp the awe myself..."

**Townhouse Beast:** "Tough Guy, are you jealous? Hahahaha!"

He sent a nose-picking emoji.

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "What do I have to be jealous of? Not only do I know him well, but you also know him."

**Townhouse Beast:** "How could I possibly know someone from your class..."

**Townhouse Beast:** "Damn! It's not you, is it?!!!"

She sent three terrified face emojis.

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "It's your Tough Bro, alright. Student number 58. Just finished an interview with Tencent Finance."

**Townhouse Beast:** "Hold on, give me a moment to process this!"

Good grief, her "moment" lasted a full minute and a half.

Then she sent several emoticons.

**Townhouse Beast:** "Nicely done, Little Lie! You've really made us proud at Dream City No. 2 High!"

**Townhouse Beast:** "My bestie keeps asking me what you look like. Should I tell her?"

Han Lie's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked.

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "What do you plan to tell her?"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Not very tall, eyes not very big, got his face beaten to a pulp but still pretends to be tough... How's that?"

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "!!!"

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "You should know, people can change a lot in just a few days!"

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "I hit a second growth spurt, shot up several centimeters, had some work done on my eyes, and my skin has lightened up. I'm incredibly handsome now, okay?!"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Psh!"

She sent a panda meme sticker that said something like, "No picture? Then you're just full of it!"

Han Lie scrolled through his stickers and sent back a similar panda meme.

He replied with a sticker: "If there's a red packet, I'd post nudes, let alone regular photos!"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Alright, you said it!"

In less than ten seconds, she actually sent a red packet.

The WeChat red packet function was a relatively new feature, so it was impressive how adeptly she used it, and that she even had spare change in her account.

Han Lie sensed something was off and didn't rush to open the red packet.

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "Swear to me, if there's only one cent in it, you're a dog!"

**Townhouse Beast:** "You actually don't trust me?!!!"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Fine! I swear! If it's one cent, I'm a dog!"

Han Lie relaxed slightly and carefully clicked on the red packet...

Damn it!

It was indeed 0.01 yuan!

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "..."

**Townhouse Beast:** "WOOF! WOOF WOOF WOOF!"

Damn it, she wins, Han Lie thought.

**Townhouse Beast:** "Hahahaha!"

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "No photo for you then."

**Townhouse Beast:** "Who'd want to see it anyway... Hey, my bestie says she wants to come visit you this weekend to ask for some advice. Will you receive her?"

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "Are you coming?"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Of course I'm coming! My bestie is super pretty, a hundred times prettier than me! Do you think I'd let her go see you alone?"

He sent a sly smile emoji.

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "Are you worried about her, or are you worried about me?"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Pfft! Tough Guy, you're getting pretty cocky now, huh?"

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "Totally cocky! The goddess of No. 2 High is coming to see me; I'm so ecstatic I can't even remember my own name."

**Townhouse Beast:** "Ptui! Listen here: I'm not going to see you for fun; I'm accompanying my bestie to get a lesson from the master!"

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "Then I'm not free."

**Townhouse Beast:** "...You're such a dog."

**Dry Wood Fierce Fire:** "Says the little vixen calling someone else a dog?"

**Townhouse Beast:** "Alright, bye! If we keep talking, this isn't going anywhere good. Scared now, I'm out!"

She was true to her word, disappearing without a trace, not even mentioning any follow-up.

Tomorrow's Saturday, so is she coming or not?

Han Lie was caught between laughter and exasperation but didn't ask.

It would be best if she didn't come, but it would be okay if she did.

Mainly, it had been such a short time, yet so much had changed; it would be difficult to explain.

But she probably wouldn't remember things that clearly, so it should be fairly easy to gloss over.

So... she can come if she wants to.

「 」

Meanwhile, Pan Ge had just arrived home when Old Pan called her over.

Seeing the "kind" smile on her father's face, her heart gave a thump.

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