If it were anyone else, after being screwed over by a scumbag so many times, they definitely wouldn't bet with him again.

But for Xi Luting, a hard-headed girl... scared? Not a chance.

Her small head lifted. "Bet on what?!"

Her momentum was sky-high in an instant.

"Let's bet on who has the higher return rate, how about that?"

"No way!"

Xi Luting might be stubborn, but she wasn't dumb. She refused on the spot.

"Teacher Wu already said you're an expert. It's my first time buying stocks in my life, and you want to bet on returns with me. Have you no shame?"

"Exactly, Han Lie, isn't that bullying?" Duan Xiaoyi suddenly turned her head from the row in front, chiming in with a snicker.

She no longer dared to directly clash with Han Lie; usually, she'd walk the other way.

However, perhaps because she saw an opportunity to prove herself in the competition, she was exceptionally excited today and had the courage to vie with Han Lie for the spotlight.

The other girls nearby also joined in on the excitement.

"Yeah, you're so skilled, you should at least give the Class President a 10% handicap, right?"

"10% wouldn't be enough. It should be more like 20%!"

"Given Han Lie's level, no matter how much of a handicap he gives, it'll be tough for the Class President to win. If you ask me, it's best not to bet with him at all."

Duan Xiaoyi suddenly had a bright idea and tried hard to persuade Xi Luting.

In truth, that was sound advice, but it backfired. Xi Luting promptly declared, "Give me a 20% handicap. If you dare to do that, I'm in!"

Han Lie was elated. "Deal, it's settled!"

Leek Ting, if your moves are still like in the previous life, I'd win even if I gave you an 80% head start...

"So what's the wager?"

In front of everyone, Han Lie didn't dare to go too far and casually said, "Whatever you want, just ask. If I win, you have to forgive me unconditionally once."

"What are you planning to do?" Xi Luting's eyes widened instantly, full of suspicion.

"What can I do?" Han Lie spread his hands innocently. "At most, you'd catch me two-timing!"

A roar of laughter erupted from the classmates.

"Wow, Class President, is there a story between you two?"

The silly ones egged them on madly.

"Ptui! I like women! Why the hell would I care if you're cheating?!" Xi Luting felt both embarrassed and angry inside.

You scumbag, you really are the epitome of shameless slime!

But they were in a classroom, and she had to maintain her poise and authority as the Class President, so she could only tough it out with sharp retorts.

"Date as many women as you want; your love life has nothing to do with me."

Seizing the moment, Han Lie pushed, "Then what do you want for the bet?"

Without thinking, Xi Luting blurted out, "If you lose, you're not allowed to date anyone throughout college!"

"Hahaha!"

The surrounding crowd immediately burst into laughter, many applauding Xi Luting.

"Well played, Class President!"

"That's it, hold Han Lie back!"

"You can't go easy on Han Lie. Having Yu Yun and Fang Feifei isn't enough for him—he still dares to have ideas about you!"

Xi Luting ignored the laughter around her, challenging Han Lie with a provocative look. "How about it? Dare you?"

Han Lie wasn't scared at all, but he was puzzled. How does me not dating benefit you?

Xi Luting's thoughts, however, were quite simple.

Her heart hadn't settled yet. She liked Han Lie but resisted him. She longed for love yet feared it.

So, she might as well lock this scumbag down and slowly... ahem, you get the gist.

No sooner had she said this than Fang Feifei laughed so hard she doubled over, while Yu Yun became really anxious.

Fang Feifei had just started hanging out with Xi Luting and was caught up in the novelty of it. Although she still liked Han Lie, her desire to date him had ebbed away.

Her current state was peculiar. She was neither averse to something happening with Han Lie nor willing to drift apart from Xi Luting. She was in a very confused state.

But Yu Yun was a normal girl, her mind full of becoming Mrs. Han.

"Han Lie, don't listen to her; she's up to no good!"

Unfortunately, she couldn't stop Han Lie.

"Fine! It's a deal!" Han Lie held up his right palm, gave Xi Luting a challenging look, and she huffed and smacked his hand hard.

Fang Feifei clapped heartily. "I declare the bet officially on!"

"Just you watch, you scumbag!"

"Way to go, Class President! You've got to stand up for us girls!"

The girls were mostly supportive of Xi Luting, and quite a ruckus ensued.

Han Lie shook his head with a smile, not arguing with them any further.

Let's wait for the outcome...

After discussing for a while longer, everyone finally had enough and dispersed.

Yu Yun was itching to cling to Han Lie, but then she was pushed away for the Nth time.

Now that Xi Luting was almost in the bag, what use were Fang Feifei and Yu Yun, two pawns? Han Lie wouldn't push Yu Yun onto someone else, but he certainly wasn't about to commit to her either. He'd just keep dragging things out.

After the onlookers had mostly gone, Zheng Lei suddenly caught up.

"Han Lie, I want to ask you something... um, about that trading model. Is that okay?"

Han Lie was very accommodating. "Of course, why wouldn't it be? Ask away."

Zheng Lei was an interesting guy.

He was mediocre in his studies and slightly above average in looks. With a lazy personality, his catchphrase was "boring," and he lacked youthful vigor. Yet he was kind to others, so he got along well with most of his classmates.

It wasn't until he got married in 2019 that everyone first learned about his background. His father was a major official in a prefectural-level city, and his bride, truly his childhood sweetheart, was the only daughter of a local entrepreneur.

After the wedding, the couple laid low, prematurely living a retired life. They had one son and two daughters. Their only serious income was from stock trading. It was a constant stream, never yielding explosive returns, but they earned more in good markets and lost less in bad ones, ensuring long-term stable profits.

Life's winners couldn't ask for more.

He was a typical example of character determining fate.

Han Lie looked down on most of his classmates in the finance program, but he always admired and envied Zheng Lei.

If possible, Han Lie hoped to take Zheng Lei under his wing and truly unlock his potential. To not use such a talented and good-natured student to manage his funds would be a total waste.

Moreover, the prefectural-level city where Zheng Lei's father was an official was Dream City's superior administrative city.

When Han Lie introduced himself and explained his trading model, he showed off twice in a high-profile manner. Eighty percent of his motivation for this was to win over Zheng Lei and Xia Hongjuan.

Otherwise, as a person who had risen above low-level tastes, Brother Lie would definitely have held back. Really!

At this point, Zheng Lei's character was already formed, but his skills were still nascent.

"Brother Lie, I want to do trend investing, but I don't know how to train my trading skills. I can't find buy and sell points with a high degree of certainty..."

Once Han Lie heard this, he understood that Zheng Lei hadn't truly grasped market trends.

Just as he was about to explain, several people nearby perked up their ears and gathered around again. Among them were Xia Hongjuan, Duan Xiaoyi, Smoothy, and Fang Feifei.

Dammit, each one of them was too clever for their own good.

Han Lie didn't mind teaching techniques to Zheng Lei, Xia Hongjuan, and Fang Feifei. After all, there was endless money to be made in the market.

But what the hell were Duan Xiaoyi and Smoothy? Back off!

Directly telling them to scram wasn't practical.

But Han Lie had plenty of tricks up his sleeve. He hesitated briefly before replying with sincere earnestness, "Whatever I tell you now, you'll only half understand. The chance of you learning it directly isn't high.

"How about this: you go ahead and trade according to your own thoughts, and think more deeply. After the competition ends, or during Teacher Wu's in-session comments, I'll tell you where your thinking is wrong and where your operations are flawed. What do you think?"

Zheng Lei was overjoyed, nodding eagerly. "Yes, yes! Thanks in advance, Brother Lie!"

Xia Hongjuan looked at Han Lie, then suddenly smiled brightly. "I'd like to book a seat in advance to listen as well. Is that okay, Brother Lie?"

"Of course!" Han Lie nodded happily.

In such a large finance class, only two students had shown professional promise, and both had good character. How rare.

Han Lie wouldn't be stingy with any beneficial help, because there would certainly be a return.

Duan Xiaoyi and Smoothy realized there was no chance to steal a lesson. They exchanged glances, scoffed in disdain, and turned to leave.

The classroom gradually returned to calm, leaving only Yu Yun loyally by Han Lie's side.

Han Lie cocked his head. "Let's go eat."

He had previously found her too clingy, but come mealtime, she was Brother Lie's good friend again.

However, Yu Yun didn't mind at all and was instead quite excited.

As long as you still need me, everything else can come slowly!

"Mmm, shall we go eat spicy hotpot today?"

"Let's just go to the cafeteria. I can't be bothered."

"Oh... then after eating, will you accompany me for a walk on the sports field?"

"No. Don't make it seem like we're dating."

"Alright, I know your heart isn't set on campus life but on more distant ambitions. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I will always be by your side, waiting for you..."

What a smooth talker!

That's why they say the winners are always the scoundrels and the green-tea girls. So skilled, so considerate!

The pitiable and obedient affection that Yu Yun displayed when she spoke—how many men could resist that?

If Han Lie hadn't already been burned once, he'd have cracked under the pressure by now.

The level of empathy was outrageous.

And so, Brother Lie was unusually hesitant for once.

Mainly, it was about how to "handle" her next.

There were two plans. One was rather cruel, and the other exceptionally cruel.

A perfect ending? She didn't deserve it. Right now, all her obedience and kindness were based on the mistaken belief that Han Lie's family was wealthy and influential. If the truth came out, she'd hate Han Lie more furiously than anyone else. She was only fit to be a spectacle. So…

Han Lie turned his head slightly, gazed at Yu Yun with a half-smile, and responded coldly, "I'm not one to believe in promises. I only believe in time."

Yu Yun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood.

Xi Luting's deduction wasn't entirely correct, but she was mostly right—Han Lie had definitely been hurt by love before! No wonder he hadn't shown any interest in me or Fang Feifei. He was afraid of being hurt again... Looking at it this way, becoming his official girlfriend seemed difficult. But if it was hard for me, it would be hard for others too. If I held on, it wasn't without chance! Healing from heartbreak needed time, so I will give him time! Five or eight years, so what? I don't believe I can't melt your icy heart!

That was the difference between a high-end 'green tea' master and a basic 'green tea' girl. She required no external motivation, possessing self-sustained and self-generating drive.

Han Lie watched Yu Yun suddenly light up despite his cold words. Honestly, he felt somewhat dumbfounded.

I didn't lead her on, did I? Could it be...

Brother Lie hurriedly opened the panel and glanced at his skills.

Impressive. His Dragging skill, which had just reached Level 2, was already about to max out its experience... An unconscious upgrade, not bad?

He took a brief look, then quickly closed the panel, feeling somewhat guilty.

Alright, case closed. It seemed he hadn't done a single good deed lately. Forget it, I'll just recite some scripture when I get back—"May I, in future lives, when I attain Bodhi, have a body as clear as lapis lazuli, clean and unstained both inside and out." This life, let it be as it may. First, I must compensate for past regrets and achieve spiritual fulfillment. Only then will I be eligible to become a Buddha, right?

Han Lie didn't know if that was right. But a man's resolve is as strong as steel to the end. Since he's made a decision, he won't change it.

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