With an almost casual grace, Han Lie hauled Pan Shaohang to his feet.

The other young men and women either watched Han Lie with concern or snickered as they enjoyed the unfolding drama. Some worried about Chen Yanfei losing her temper; the reactions were varied and numerous.

One jeering comment was particularly representative of the mood—

"Brother Han, you dared to go after Sister Yanfei, dared to lay hands on her, dared to humiliate Liao Miaochen, strutting around like you own the place. Now that the man himself is here, you wouldn't be too scared to clear things up with Pan Shaohang, would you?"

"That's right! Surely you're not so scared your legs have gone soft and you can't even stand?"

As the jeers suddenly erupted, Chen Yanfei finally couldn't take it anymore. There's safety in numbers, and she knew she couldn't lash out at everyone. However, she was confident she could handle the likes of Pan Shaohang. But just as she was about to raise her hand to slam the table and stand, Han Lie suddenly grabbed her hand.

Startled, she turned her head to look back. Han Lie was smiling warmly, giving her a look—it was hard to describe the sheer confidence hidden within those clear, smiling eyes.

Whatever it was, she suddenly felt no need to rush.

Half a year ago, in a direct confrontation, Han Lie had indeed suffered a significant loss.

But she had practically watched with her own eyes as Han Lie started working out, practicing boxing, growing taller, getting stronger, and accomplishing one major feat after another.

Then, thinking about how highly her own university principal regarded Han Lie, a sense of calm settled over her.

What kind of status did the principal of Shanghai International Studies University hold?

And what kind of status did Pan Shaohang hold?

They weren't even in the same league for comparison!

Chen Yanfei quieted down. Then, Han Lie slowly rose to his feet, hands stuffed in his trouser pockets, his head tilted slightly as he looked at Pan Shaohang with an unreadable, faint smile.

That expression couldn't simply be described as composed; it was more akin to a teasing smirk, underpinned by sheer dominance.

If Pan Shaohang had merely been numb before, now he felt like he was about to go insane.

Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it! Which idiot dragged him over here?! Oh, it was Chen Yanfei... Well, that explains it.

Pan Shaohang felt so aggrieved he was about to explode. However, when Han Lie finally spoke, he realized his suffering had only just begun... 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Amidst everyone's mocking gazes, Han Lie greeted him nonchalantly, imperiously, and simply.

"Oh, it's Little Pan... What's wrong? Hasn't Brother Pan taught you your lesson yet?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room was stunned.

What the hell?!!!

A large question mark seemed to materialize above everyone's head.

After Little Xiao, how did another 'Little' something pop up?

Brother Pan?

Does Young Master Pan have an older male cousin on his father's side? Never heard of one...

Unable to read anything from Han Lie's expression, everyone turned in unison to look at Young Master Pan.

Pan Shaohang felt like he was going to die.

No! That wasn't right!

He felt like he was already dead!

In his short nineteen years of life, he had never experienced such an awkward and helpless situation; he finally, truly understood what 'social death' really meant...

Yet, the most terrifying part was that he still had to desperately try to smooth things over.

Han Lie probably wouldn't hit him, but his dad most certainly would. And it would very likely be a merciless beating, one that would leave him battered and bloody, before he was dragged to Han Lie's home to apologize—a truly horrifying end...

Pan Shaohang couldn't even begin to think about something as distant as his family going bankrupt. First, he had to survive this completely uncalled-for beating!

Young Master Pan gritted his teeth and forced a smile onto his face that looked more like he was about to cry.

Then, mimicking his father's deferential manner when visiting Director Shen, he bent slightly at the waist, held his hands out respectfully, and scurried over with quick, small steps.

"Oh my! Han... Brother Lie... My, what a coincidence this is..."

At his current level, that was the best he could manage.

Of course, it was more than enough.

The eyeballs of everyone present, every single one of them, seemed to clatter onto their own feet.

DAMN!

What in the world was happening?!

Among them, Wen Yu was the most dumbfounded, District Director Zheng the most flustered, Liao Miaochen the most bewildered, and Chen Yanfei was the quickest to accept the situation.

She pursed her lips, a smile playing on them, as she mentally exclaimed: Yes, this is how it should be!

But the others didn't think it should be like this at all.

Wen Yu subconsciously shuffled back a couple of steps. He wasn't thinking; he just felt an instinctive need to get away, as far and as fast as possible.

District Director Zheng stood rooted to the spot, utterly helpless, his heart pounding frantically in his chest, his mind a complete blank.

As for the onlookers who had been mocking Han Lie just a second ago...

"Stunned speechless" was a fitting description.

And it wasn't over yet.

Facing Pan Shaohang's outstretched hands, Han Lie showed no intention of taking them. Still with his hands in his pockets, he looked at him with that same faint smile and asked, "Brother Lie? I'm not worthy. Calling me 'that punk' was quite friendly, wasn't it..."

Damn it, damn it, damn it! Serves me right for that big mouth of mine!

Pan Shaohang was so filled with regret he wanted to slap himself, to shut that stupid, bragging mouth of his.

"How... how could I...?"

Young Master Pan, forcing a smile, stammered out an explanation, "Bro... Brother Lie, you see, my dad warned me. He said I have to respect you like an uncle. But our bond... uh, isn't that the kind of friendship forged from a fight? You're definitely my brother, really!"

Deep down, he still possessed a youth's stubborn pride and self-respect; he couldn't quite bring himself to utter "Uncle."

But this level of deference was already so extreme it left everyone in utter disbelief.

Their eyeballs had already hit the floor once; this time, a chorus of jaws seemed to shatter and fall to the floor.

Yet Han Lie, that rascal, still didn't relent.

"Oh..." Han Lie drawled, then asked with that same faint smile, "Little Pan, I didn't realize you were one to hold a grudge. Still nursing that idea of teaching Chen Yanfei a lesson, huh?"