This was a perfect example of an iron fist in a velvet glove...

But Xi Luting wasn't buying it. She sneered back defiantly, "Ha! Han Lie would never secretly admire anyone. If he truly liked someone, that dog of a man would charge straight ahead. So, is it possible... that the woman is just too full of herself?"

Chen Yanfei's expression shifted slightly.

It wasn't because she felt attacked by Xi Luting's comment—she wasn't that fragile.

It was just that Xi Luting's confidence was so absolute, as if she were stating an irrefutable fact. This made Chen Yanfei suddenly realize that she didn't know the Han Lie of today.

What exactly had happened in the short span of two and a half months?

Suddenly winning the weekly championship in a stock trading competition, suddenly having so many beautiful girls fawning over him, suddenly becoming so assertive and composed…

It seems I've missed out on a lot…

A sense of bitterness welled up in Chen Yanfei's heart, but her fighting spirit grew even stronger.

"So, who has he charged at among you?"

Chen Yanfei's lips curved upwards. She looked directly into Xi Luting's eyes, her smile deep and meaningful. "You?"

Xi Luting was taken aback. She clenched her teeth, her expression growing colder and stiffer.

Chen Yanfei then turned her gaze to Yu Yun. "Or you?"

Ding Xiang's cheeks turned beet red. She wished she could applaud Sister Fei right then and there.

So strong! So strong! A double kill!

Xi Luting's arrogance deflated by at least half. Chen Yanfei had completely turned her own logic against her.

The unspoken challenge hung in the air: If Xi Luting knew Han Lie so well, why didn't he like her? If she claimed he liked her, why hadn't he pursued her? It seemed it was all just empty boasts...

Xi Luting felt extremely uncomfortable, more so than when she faced Pan Ge. Her confrontations with Pan Ge were one-on-one, without that dog of a man caught in the middle.

However, surprisingly, Yu Yun wasn't affected in the slightest.

Partly because of her resilience.

Furthermore, she had always been the one actively pursuing him without success, a clear underdog.

I've long gotten used to Brother Lie rejecting me. Who do you think you are to affect me?!

At the critical moment, Naiyun boldly stepped forward.

And she was surprisingly fierce.

"I just silently like and admire Brother Han, never expecting anything in return. Sister Fei, our school is much worse than your college. Brother Han is a standout in the humanities department, so many girls like him. He doesn't need to actively pursue anyone; girls are the ones chasing him. So, it's not that Brother Han lacks initiative. He genuinely doesn't need to take any. We all believe that once Brother Han finds a truly worthy target, he will bravely take that step. Sister Fei, if Brother Han really did have a secret crush on you in high school but didn't do anything, could it be... because you were too dominant, or perhaps too... open? Otherwise, it doesn't make sense, right? Why did Brother Han become the campus heartthrob the moment he left your side? Looking at it this way, it's not so bad being an academic underachiever like me. At least we never pressure Brother Han. We only encourage him, support him, and care for him..."

Damn! A Tea Tree Spirit and a master of insinuation?! You'd have to watch a hundred melodramatic idol dramas to come up with lines like that!

Han Lie, Ding Yu, Ding Xiang, and Xi Luting were all stunned by her.

It felt incredibly surreal.

Chen Yanfei, on the other hand, was completely blindsided by this sucker punch.

She'd never expected that the one to land a critical hit out of nowhere would be this scheming 'white lotus' who'd been hiding in the tall grass. How would I know how Han Lie became a 'heartthrob'? The term 'heartthrob' for Han Lie just sounds so damn ridiculous… Er… well, maybe not entirely ridiculous. Even though he got beaten up badly last time, the overall qualities and potential Han Lie displayed were indeed outstanding. It's not too surprising that he'd flourish at university and quickly become a 'heartthrob'. But still… How can you be such a 'green tea'?! I really want to break your kneecaps to stop you from putting on that coy act!

Although Chen Yanfei felt frustrated and disgusted, a 'guardian beast' was a 'guardian beast' for a reason. At crucial moments, she could be incredibly fierce.

"So, I should thank you all? Thank you for the 'critically important' encouragement that bolstered Han Lie's confidence, helping him become the 'heartthrob of the village pond'? But the thing is, Han Lie was already outstanding when I first met him. Could you please elaborate on what exactly your role in all this was? No rush. Take your time."

Chen Yanfei smiled, her expression both radiant and scornful. Yu Yun was instantly riled up, her anger flaring.

Role? I massaged his legs during class to help him relax from the fatigue of studying… PAH! No, no! That's not it! I've done proper things for him!

Yu Yun's eyes lit up. Then, completely out of the blue and with no regard for fair play, she dropped her bombshell.

"Role? Brother Han is completely focused on his studies and often forgets his wallet or meal card. So, almost every day, either Luting or I treat him to meals and look after his daily needs. It might not be much money, but we're as close as family…"

They actually did that?!

Chen Yanfei's anger instantly boiled over. She shot Han Lie a venomous glare.

You've got some nerve, Han Lie! You really do! Several girls fighting to take care of you—fine, I'll give you that, you're charming. But accepting kindness from every single one of them… Pah! No wonder people call you a dog of a man!

"Well, well, 'Tough Guy Han.' I never realized you had such a big 'family'..."

Han Lie's face turned green. The back of his head throbbed with a dull ache.

Damn it all! The meal ticket has rebelled, and the neutral boss is about to devour me! What do I do? There's no way out! Can't be saved! Just gotta wait for death!

Ding Ding covered her mouth, stifling a gloating laugh. This whole situation was far too interesting—a hundred times more exciting than going out for karaoke or hitting the bars.

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