Upon seeing Zhao Zhen for the first time, Han Lie understood very clearly: he couldn't use wealth to strike at his opponent.

For a second-generation rich kid of this caliber, unless it was an overwhelming advantage, his family having two or three billion more in assets than Zhao Zhen's simply wouldn't constitute an attack.

It's easy to understand—if you can buy something with money, they're not lacking it either.

Cartier only invited about twenty VVIPs to this high-end salon; wasn't each one of them someone who had spent over a hundred million RMB?

When they usually competed, they might have already outdone each other in every aspect. If you came in talking about money like some nouveau riche, would it even make an impact?

Chances were, it wouldn't, and it would likely even make you a laughingstock.

So Han Lie was very cunning; after finding a weak point, he immediately delivered a sharp intellectual blow to Zhao Zhen.

But precisely because of this, Zhao Zhen felt that he had the upper hand in terms of wealth and status.

He even thought of using money to do the talking.

Looking at Han Lie's attire, Zhao Zhen pegged him as an unrefined country bumpkin. This round is mine, he firmly believed.

"You worthless punk, what use is just being sharp-tongued as a man?"

Zhao Zhen was furious, tearing off his veneer of composure and beginning to launch personal attacks directly.

"A man should have his own abilities and career! You're still in school, so I won't talk about careers with you; it would seem like I'm bullying you. But you're here waving Pan Ge's invitation in my face, doesn't that seem a bit too much like you're just relying on others' power?"

"Huh?"

Pan Ge was suddenly stupefied.

Why would he suspect the invitation came from me?

When she turned her head, she realized it wasn't just Zhao Zhen who thought so; Rich Beauties No.1 and No.2 also seemed to share the same thought, their expressions clearly showing it.

In fact, their suspicion was quite reasonable.

The younger guests present today had mostly come with their mothers; they themselves definitely couldn't be VVIP customers of Cartier.

At an age where they all spent their parents' money, who could possibly accumulate that level of expenditure?

And Han Lie, just a university student who came alone without his parents, could only have obtained a guest pass tied to someone's invitation, brought along to gain some exposure.

Their reasoning was simple: if not Pan Ge, then who else could it be?

Seeing Pan Ge's astonished reaction, Zhao Zhen thought he had guessed correctly and, with a snide tone, ridiculed Han Lie, "Did Pan Ge forget to tell you to dress formally? Or... can't you even afford a single decent formal outfit?"

Hearing this, Pan Ge immediately covered her mouth and giggled.

Her laughter left both the Rich Beauties and Zhao Zhen completely bewildered.

Hey, what's wrong with her? She's mocking her own boyfriend! they thought.

Pan Ge paid no mind to their stares. Nudging Han Lie's chest with her shoulder and with a mischievous smile, she fanned the flames.

"You bastard, why aren't you in formal attire? Oh right, why are you here anyway?"

"Why don't you guess?"

Han Lie didn't bother responding to Zhao Zhen. Instead, he looked down at Pan Ge, shared a light laugh, and flirted with her as if no one else was there.

"Guess right, and you'll get a reward."

Shit! Is he some kind of professional gigolo? Does his face have a built-in force shield when he's sweet-talking girls?! Zhao Zhen fumed internally.

He was so enraged his scalp tingled, and he felt like he was completely losing it.

However, before he could explode in anger, Pan Ge suddenly covered her mouth forcefully. Her face was filled with shock, and her wide eyes revealed a torrent of emotions: surprise, joy, disbelief, a veritable flood of feeling. She looked as if she might be overcome and scream at any moment.

Truly, at that moment, Pan Ge possessed a striking, captivating beauty and allure.

And so, Zhao Zhen's eyes reddened with jealousy.

It wasn't just sourness—it was actual pain.

Why could a pretty boy who isn't even that handsome win Pan Ge's admiration to such a degree?

Where do I, this young master, fall short?!

Jealousy drives people mad. Zhao Zhen wasn't just jealous; he also despised Han Lie for implying he was a lolicon. This exposure of a secret hidden deep within his heart made him completely lose his temper.

"Cartier has really stooped low these days, advertising a top-level salon, yet any riffraff can come and join the spectacle!

"Pan Pan, I advise you to open your eyes. I've seen plenty of scum who cling to the powerful and mooch off women, sweet-talking and using PUA tactics on naïve girls like you. Who doesn't know what they're really after?

"You might not believe me, but at least you should trust Uncle Pan and Auntie Zhao.

"You'd better talk to them again. Check out this pretty boy's family background, his hotel booking records, things like that. Really, you'll definitely find some surprises!"

Zhao Zhen pleaded earnestly, quite confident in his own judgment. From Han Lie's few sentences and demeanor, he clearly sensed the aura of his own kind.

The only difference was that Han Lie was more skilled at sweet-talking girls, while he usually just threw money at the problem.

But the outcome is no different, Zhao Zhen thought. If Han Lie isn't a scumbag, I'd even slap myself!

Unfortunately, Pan Ge didn't hear a single word.

She was immersed in the tremendous surprise her "doggie" had orchestrated, having no time to listen to a fool's blabbering.

On the other hand, Han Lie raised his head and looked back at Zhao Zhen with a calm smile, his eyes even carrying a hint of amusement.

"Oh? I, for one, have never booked a hotel room with a girl under eighteen. I wonder, Brother Zhao, have you?"

Shit!

Zhao Zhen was so angry he felt his head would explode. He suddenly lunged forward, intending to roughly shove Han Lie.

However, just as his right hand reached Han Lie's chest, Han Lie effortlessly grabbed his wrist and gave it a forceful squeeze.

"HISS... OUCH, OUCH!"

Zhao Zhen immediately broke out in a cold sweat from the pain. If he weren't so concerned about his image, he wouldn't have merely let out those low sounds of pain; he would have screamed.