Niu Ben had been filled with too much marketing fluff and the wisdom of ladies of the night, so he was the first to sense something was off.

Han Lie's girlfriend... was no ordinary woman!

He chickened out, didn't dare to pick a fight, and Wen Yu was even less likely to make a scene.

Master Wen had been snubbed by Pan Shaohang just yesterday. Most importantly, he didn't understand why Pan Shaohang had suddenly turned wild like a rabid dog, and he had already started to fear Han Lie from the bottom of his heart.

However, he felt his father had no use for Han Lie, so he only felt fear, with no respect.

After some thought, he decided to maintain his distance, offered a bland greeting to go with the flow, and then started forming his own small clique.

At a class reunion, people mostly stick to their own conversations. It's not uncommon for there to be no interaction across the entire group, like well water not mixing with river water.

With him not stirring trouble, the atmosphere remained pleasant for the first half, though it did become somewhat bland.

Pan Ge's strong presence spared Han Lie a lot of trouble, but being too outstanding also left Pan Ge's myriad creative ideas with nowhere to be applied.

After the initial sourness wore off, the girls quickly warmed up to Pan Ge.

Their curiosity about Pan Ge and Han Lie was as overwhelming as the tide of the Qiantang River; they felt they might develop some serious illness if they didn't get their questions answered.

Among them, Hu Jing's feelings were the most peculiar of all.

She couldn't understand how Han Lie could have changed so drastically in just half a year.

If before it was like looking at flowers through fog, not seeing clearly, now, by just observing Pan Ge, one could generally understand what level Han Lie had reached.

What troubled her most was—Am I really blind?

The guy is clearly a gem, and I treated him like rubble; that's just outrageous.

But Pan Ge is different, she's really amazing...

How did she discover Han Lie and nurture him into who he is now?!

With such a sincere desire to learn, she started a chat with Pan Ge that quickly became a conversation at cross-purposes.

"Pan Pan, how did you realize Han Lie was different?"

"Ah?"

Pan Ge was dumbfounded by the question. After thinking about it, she replied uncertainly, "I just saw it at first glance..."

I've grown up with plenty of boys trying to play hard to get, but I've never seen a beast who could annoy me half to death with ease and even steal my spoon.

Isn't his uniqueness obvious?

As a result, Hu Jing looked at her with renewed respect. "Wow! Then you are really amazing... How did he pursue you?"

Pan Ge was again somewhat bewildered by the question.

Pursue me?

You must have some misunderstanding about his personality...

"Actually, you could say I was the one who pursued him. Back then, there was a female classmate we were close to, and the pressure on me was a bit high..."

"Wow! Then who usually pays for whom?"

Ah, this question is easy!

Pan Ge said cheerfully, "I pay for the small things, he pays for the big things."

The girls then exchanged discreet glances, feeling they had confirmed something—what big expenses could two students possibly have?!

They all felt Han Lie was somewhat unreasonable and that Pan Ge was naive.

But then, looking back at Han Lie, seated at another table with a calm, slight smile, his profile so stunning it made people weak at the knees, they became conflicted again—If he were with me, I'd be willing to spend money on him too!

Strangely enough, the girls began to envy Pan Ge...

On the other side, the atmosphere among Han Lie and the guys was far from tense.

Despite their behind-the-back disdain for Han Lie, when they actually sat down with him, they all became reserved and somber.

Aura is something invisible, intangible, yet undeniably real.

Some people just need to sit there, without exaggerated movements or raising their voices, to make others feel their extraordinariness.

To draw an extreme analogy—if you put a will-o'-the-wisp youth and the top dog from the city at the same table for a meal, they too would become restless.

Niu Ben, in particular, was very pragmatic. After realizing Pan Ge's family was exceedingly powerful, he immediately changed his attitude towards Han Lie, becoming extremely polite.

After all, there was no real feud; it wasn't worth offending someone for no good reason.

So, what was supposed to be a plotline filled with showing off and face-slapping crumbled right from the start.

Han Lie felt this was fine too. It was best to take Pan Ge home quickly once she'd had enough fun; Dream City was such a small place, who knew what unexpected events might occur?

However, just as he began to think this, his phone rang.

He pulled it out, and his expression changed instantly.

The village belle!

Han Lie picked up his cell phone without a change in expression and left the room before answering. Just as he managed a "Hello," Chen Yanfei's cheerful voice interrupted him.

"Tough guy, I just found out that our class reunion and yours are both scheduled for today! And you know what? Both of our classes booked the Sheraton Hotel... By the way, are you there?"

Dog Lie's head buzzed, almost exploding.

"Uh..."

He had intended to bluff his way through, but suddenly something felt off—Why was there an echo on the line?!

With that thought, he quickly turned his head...

Damn!

At the end of the hallway, Chen Yanfei also turned her head, looking toward Han Lie as if by telepathy.

The moment their gazes met, she broke into a brilliant smile and then energetically waved her right hand.

Then, she spoke softly into the receiver, "Alright! You go back first; I'll tidy up a bit and come find you later... Don't worry, if anyone dares to bully you today, I'll make sure they pay!"

No!

Han Lie wanted to stop her, but the call had already been disconnected.

As a result, the mighty Brother Lie could only desperately stretch out a hand, watching helplessly as Chen Yanfei returned to her private room.

Dead, totally dead!

How do I get out of this situation?

Dog Lie was so anxious that cold sweat broke out on the back of his neck. He was wracking his brains for a solution when, at the worst possible time, Pan Ge emerged.

The moment she saw Han Lie step out with his phone, she had vaguely sensed something was amiss.

Yet she didn't mention a word; instead, she asked cheerfully, "Dear, where's the restroom?"

"Over there."

Han Lie pointed unconsciously, and then he realized—Chen Yanfei's room was that way!

But he didn't correct himself or try to make any excuses to stop her.

If those two ran into each other halfway, it would be better for them to just have it out right there, rather than Chen Yanfei storming into our private room and starting a fight in front of all our classmates.

In a private setting, a three-way confrontation... at least I'd still have a chance to manage the situation, right?

So, Dog Lie said considerately, "I'll accompany you."

"Sure!"

Pan Ge nodded joyfully and hooked her arm through Han Lie's.

As it happened, by the time Pan Ge re-emerged, Chen Yanfei still hadn't finished leaving her own party.

Then, a flustered Han Lie was led back into their private room by Pan Ge to begin his torturous wait.

About ten minutes later, the inevitable occurred.

Chen Yanfei gently pushed open the door, her face radiant with a smile, and began greeting everyone warmly as she entered.

"Hi! Sisters from Class Six, Happy New Year! Hope I'm not interrupting, am I?"

Two of her girlfriends followed behind her. They were friendly with many in Class Six and immediately started chattering and laughing upon entering.

At Second Middle School, hardly anyone in the junior or senior grades didn't know Chen Yanfei.

Most of the boys were pleasantly surprised; a few from junior high even got up to greet her, flattered by the attention.

Wen Yu, as the organizer, lit up at the sight of Chen Yanfei—Right, how could I have forgotten her?

Han Lie, your troubles have begun!

Han Lie himself realized this and stood up with a bitter smile, but before he could speak, Pan Ge got up first.

The young lady walked over with a face full of "surprise," and eagerly opened her arms.

"Sister Yanfei! Haha, I was actually thinking of asking you out for coffee tomorrow. Who would have thought we'd bump into each other here..."

Chen Yanfei froze in place, her smile absolutely rigid.

How could she be here?!

Chen Yanfei subconsciously searched for the disloyal man, only to meet his apologetic, bitter smile.

At that moment, Pan Ge embraced her. Pretending to be warm and affectionate, she whispered teasingly in her ear, "Surprise! Are you surprised, my sister?"

A vast shadow instantly shrouded Chen Yanfei's heart.

As a rather smart girl, she understood all too well what Pan Ge's sudden appearance in Dream City during the New Year meant.

Her whole heart sank sharply.