Then there are those student council guys, all underlings of the 'big brothers'...

In our grade, there are also a few tough cookies, like Zhou Ci, Dan Zihao, Pan Ge, and Li Xiang.

Kong Yize is fierce in a fight, but he's really unpopular and doesn't have many friends.

Now, Zhou Ci, Dan Zihao, and Li Xiang are all hanging out with the sophomores. If you're not part of that inner circle, messing with any of them means big trouble."

Han Lie got it.

It was too early right now; the 'Four Terrors' of the 13th grade hadn't officially taken shape yet. The rankings wouldn't appear until next year.

But it was very likely going to be those same people.

Ding Ding, full of worry, reminded him, "Brother Lie, Yu Xueqin and Kong Yize have had their eyes on Xi Luting for a long time. Everybody who pays attention knows you two eat together every day. Be careful."

"It's actually not a big deal," the Little Northeasterner spoke up to reassure him. "How can Kong Yize even compare to Big Brother? Just because he studied at a martial arts school? With the murderous aura you've got, Brother, you wouldn't even need to lift a finger; you could scare him to death in minutes!"

Han Lie thought, You must have some misunderstanding about me. My 'murderous aura,' when it meets a brute, means *I'm* the one who gets a real beating...

"As for Yu Xueqin," the Little Northeasterner continued, "you're the school's poster boy right now; the school leaders all value you. What's a student council president compared to that?"

Han Lie thought, Little brother, you're misunderstanding again. The school leaders aren't focused on *me*...

"Bro, as long as you don't get too close to Pan Ge, you don't need to be afraid of anyone! That group of 'big brothers' is all watching Pan Ge closely. Dan Zihao isn't a big deal among them. Don't you go doing something stupid!"

Han Lie thought, Well said, but please stop talking. My future father-in-law already promised Pan Ge to me. I've already received nearly 4.5 million of the betrothal gift. Where could I possibly hide? Besides, why should I hide? If anyone dares to stop me from freeloading, I'll crush them!

Han Lie had the will, but in reality, the situation was desperate from all sides.

One had to admit, the ecosystem in the Humanities department was quite interesting.

The so-called 'big brothers' were, to put it bluntly, just a bunch of rich second-generation kids squandering their wealth.

With net assets in the tens or hundreds of millions back home, they acted like kings in their small towns. But taken individually, they were really nothing.

However, the closed environment of the school amplified their power many times over.

And when they banded together, bullying anyone became a piece of cake.

At the very least, Han Lie didn't have the Strength to resist.

To break out, he'd have to wait for the May exam next year. But would they wait for him?

It wouldn't take long. As soon as the news of yesterday's public kiss with Pan Ge or the overnight absence with Xi Luting got out, some people were likely to explode in rage very soon.

Han Lie fell into deep thought.

At first glance, the trouble is indeed not minor. The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease. So, should I take the initiative and make an example of someone?

Han Lie's personality had gone through several major changes.

In his youth, he was insecure and introverted. As he experienced more setbacks, he gained a clearer understanding of society and gradually became more laid-back and cynical.

Anger was suppressed in his heart, always constrained by reason.

The moment he was reborn, his desires surged, and his heart suddenly swelled with ambition.

After continuous reflection, tempering through various experiences, and deliberately spending three months to restrain and sculpt himself, he could now be considered clear-headed, tenacious, proactive, and ambitious.

Sometimes he still couldn't hide his 'loser' habits, but overall, he was a new man.

Trouble? he mused. On the path to rising, one is bound to infringe upon others' interests. How could there possibly be no trouble? When trouble comes, just crash into it head-on! I can't give up the Pan Family's support. Giving up once leads to countless more times. Not seizing an opportunity bestowed by fate—how cowardly would that be? And I certainly can't give up my dearly gained little pet. The peach I've bitten—what right do you lot have to even think about it? But their side is a solid front; a straightforward approach surely won't work. So... I've got to strike first. They are a solid front on the outside, but what about the inside?

Thinking of this, Han Lie, with a curious look, asked the Little Northeasterner, "Is there still a gambling game on the second floor today? I want to go check out the excitement."

Ding Yu looked hesitant, not too willing.

But the Little Northeasterner was instantly excited. "Sure! Old Wang invited us yesterday to join them whenever we have time. It's just a word to take you there for some fun!"

"Great, then I'll leave it to Brother Bei."

A casual joke immediately made the Little Northeasterner beam with happiness.

"They usually start around seven or eight in the evening and go on until tomorrow morning. However, after 11 o'clock at night, they don't let outsiders in. When do you plan to go over, Big Brother?"

Han Lie calculated the time and casually replied, "How about 9 o'clock?"

"Oh, that's freaking awesome!" the Little Northeasterner exclaimed, happily agreeing. And so, the matter was settled.

After discussing serious matters, the two young friends were too tired to stay awake and went to the dormitory across the hall to catch up on sleep.

Despite their good relationship now, they still weren't accustomed to sleeping under Han Lie's watchful eyes.

What a sin... Han Lie thought. Look at the psychological trauma these kids have!

But Han Lie didn't feel guilty at all and contentedly began his preparations.

He opened his laptop, randomly searched for a few poker tutorial videos, then found a deck of cards in the Little Northeasterner's drawer and earnestly began to practice.

The lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit.

Although Han Lie only intended to observe his 'opponents,' he didn't relax in the slightest.

First, he sought to understand the overall concept of gambling techniques, then the specific methods of cheating, starting with simple sleight of hand like shuffling and cutting cards.

Under normal circumstances, such preparation would be child's play.

But in less than two hours, a new skill appeared in the system—

Gambling Level 1 (1/1,000)

Han Lie's remaining experience points weren't many, but it was enough to raise the new skill by two levels.

Soon, the panel updated.

Gambling Level 3 (1/200,000)

This was still not very significant. It might be enough to guard against cheating, but definitely not for cheating himself.

However, the wonder of the system's skills wasn't just in their superficial effects.

As the skill rose to Level 3, a subtle, almost imperceptible change occurred. In an instant, Han Lie mastered a plethora of plays, techniques, and experience.

From a complete gambling novice, he became a well-rounded but mediocre gambling apprentice.

What was the cost?

A mere 11,000 consumption experience points.

Such power was precisely the source of Han Lie's confidence in facing any peril.

Previously, he had only grasped Rogue Skills, but did anyone really think Han Lie could *only* grasp Rogue Skills?

And to be serious, what fundamentally were those so-called Rogue Skills—like bluffing, string-pulling, and instigating? They were methods of dealing with people; they were emotional intelligence.

Without them, how could Han Lie have stood before Panzi and spoken so confidently?

Now, Han Lie's introversion, poor articulation, and difficulty in perceiving others' emotions—weaknesses deeply rooted in his personality—had been rectified. It was time to start grinding a wide range of skills.

As for where the consumption experience points would come from... Those 'big brothers' aren't short of money, nor are they short on connections. Wouldn't they generously sponsor a round? I'm not asking for much—just cough up 2 million, and we'll call it even for you guys eyeing my wife!

At 8:30 PM, Han Lie returned from the gym, took a quick shower, changed into loose, casual sportswear, and was immediately dragged out the door by an excited Little Northeasterner.

The second floor of the male dormitory was off-limits to most students from the Humanities department.

Room after room, they were all double-occupancy.

Coming out of the stairwell and turning right, there were 30 rooms in a row, from 201 to 230.

The doors of rooms 219 and 220 were wide open, with a young man sitting at each doorway playing on his phone.

Seeing Ding Ding, the Little Northeasterner, and Han Lie, one of them lazily lifted his eyelids. "What's up?"

"Brother Wang invited us over," the Little Northeasterner said, a hint of arrogance in his tone.

The other party didn't react much, just looked them up and down and waved them through. "Oh, it's Junior Qi from the finance class... Next time just give your own name; I'll remember it. Go on."

As he passed by, Han Lie glanced inside the rooms.

Room 229 was empty. In room 230, five people were gathered around a round table in the spacious dormitory, drinking beer and eating hot pot.

Ding Ding whispered, "They're lookouts. They can even hold off teachers for a while."

"Teachers are nothing!" the Little Northeasterner chuckled. "When they get truly unruly, they'd even dare to manhandle the campus police! What, is the school going to expel five or six students who are on track to study abroad all at once?"

Damn, that's freaking professional! Han Lie thought. No wonder they don't want to leave the school. What hotel could be safer than here?

Han Lie suddenly realized that those rich second-generation kids and Yu Xueqin weren't going to be easy to deal with...

I don't know if you'll believe this, but it's a true story from when a friend of mine was in college.

Actually, I had prepared a lot of savvy moves for Han Lie, but I never dared to write them before...

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