Chapter 180: Chapter 117: A Battle of Wits and Bravery
"Darling, where are you?"
The first thing Han Lie said made Pan Ge’s lips twitch.
"You beast, don’t call me like we’re so close!"
Lie Lie laughed in response, "Weren’t you the one who first called me Lie Lie?"
"That was a spur-of-the-moment thing, and since you didn’t respond, my enthusiasm cooled. So now, stop trying to cozy up; we’re not close!"
Her cheeks flushed red all of a sudden, spreading to the base of her neck. Hot steam seemed to rise from her forehead, her heart burning fiercely, anxiety making her restless.
"AH!!!!"
She burst into a defensive scream, growling fiercely, "If you have something to say, say it; if you don’t, scram!"
"I do have something!"
"Hmm?"
"I miss you so much... that’s the biggest thing."
"Scram!"
CLICK. Pan Ge hung up the call and then flopped onto the bed, rolling around to relieve her embarrassment and rage.
Feeling both amused and annoyed perfectly described her current state.
When face-to-face at school, she could be bolder than anyone, even flirting with Han Lie in return.
That was because I’d planned to ’play’ Han Lie, to trouble that beast, acting with a combative mindset. Han Lie didn’t dare to resist on campus, which is why I could handle it with ease. But now, in private, that beast has gone full throttle, and I have to face my true self... This is the result. I really can’t stand up to Han Lie, that seasoned rogue. Any trace of calm or reason just shatters with his every tease.
"AH AH AH AH AH!"
"Beast, you’re so annoying!"
Pan Ge simply couldn’t help it and started rolling on the bed, venting like mad, when her phone rang again.
She lay face down on the bed, reaching out her right hand to fumble through the bedding, finally grabbing the phone. Flipping over to sit up, she checked the caller.
Why is it that beast again?!
Before she fully understood, she had subconsciously answered the call.
"What now?"
"What do you mean what now? We haven’t even gotten to the main point; we were just flirting and bickering just now."
"Pah! Who was flirting and bickering with you?"
"Your mouth is really tough... no wait, that’s not right, it’s the other way around..."
Pan Ge took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her shyness and embarrassment.
She kept telling herself: This can’t go on! Stay calm, Pan Pan, you have to stay calm!
And it worked quite well.
Among her peers, her emotional control had always been exceptional.
So after taking deep breaths, her voice returned to being rational, gentle, and resolute.
"Put away that disgusting act! Teasing at the right moment is a joke; acting like a thug all the time is vulgar, shallow, and revolting! If you have something real to say, out with it. Don’t make me lose respect for you!"
Han Lie was taken aback by the retort.
Heh, Little Pan is quite something under pressure. No matter what she’s really thinking, she’s put on a strong front—most people couldn’t touch that. But clearly, I’m not most people.
"Alright, I’ll stop."
Pan Ge silently let out a sigh of relief, a hint of smugness appearing on her face.
"What’s the matter? I’m listening."
Han Lie replied leisurely, "Isn’t Uncle Pan’s stock account in my hands? The performance this week has been quite good. Today’s Saturday, and I’m planning to visit your house to report to Uncle Pan, just giving you a heads-up..."
Pan Ge was dumbstruck.
There seemed to be two more sentences, but she hadn’t heard a word.
Her head wasn’t just buzzing; it was POUNDING...
"You’re coming to our house?"
"MHMM~~~"
"No, no, I..."
Her refusal came on instinct, but her reasoning didn’t follow.
Wait a minute! If Dad agrees, how can I possibly stop him?!
That scoundrel immediately asked, "Why not?"
"Because... because... I have to go out!"
After a lot of umming and ahhing, she finally came up with a not-so-great excuse.
And just like that, Han Lie blew it apart.
"Oh, you do whatever you need to do. I’m just going to chat with Uncle Pan; it won’t interfere."
Like hell it won’t interfere! If I’m not home, who knows what trouble you’ll cause!
For the first time, Pan Ge felt like her brain wasn’t up to the task. She thought and thought. No matter how I look at it, I just can’t stop that beast!
So, she panicked.
"Then come if you want, why give me a heads-up?"
Han Lie’s voice was full of grievance, "But I also wanted to see you along the way... I miss you a lot."
Pan Ge covered her forehead and sighed deeply.
"I was wrong."
"Hmm?"
Han Lie’s tone abruptly rose, and even through the phone, Pan Ge could feel his smugness.
I’ll endure!
Pan Ge meekly admitted her mistake, "Really, I was wrong. Let’s not fight anymore, shall we make up, pretty please?"
"So, are you still going out?"
"I’m not going out! No one can make me!"
Pan Ge bit back her frustration but firmly caved in, "I’ll obediently wait at home for you. Call me before you get to my doorstep so I can come and meet you, okay?"
TSK TSK TSK, is it any wonder Pan Ge is more vexing to deal with than Xi Luting? Just look at how she can bend and stretch. Normal boys wouldn’t last two rounds being manipulated by her.
However, meeting Han Lie really was bad luck.
"Would that be too much trouble for you?"
At first listen, Han Lie seemed the perfect gentleman, but Pan Ge clenched her teeth and put on a façade of tender sweetness, "How could it be? That’s only proper! And actually, I miss you too..."
BLEH! I’m going to be sick from my own words! But I can’t afford to be true to myself right now.
My house, my turf? How naive! Only school is my turf, where, in front of everyone, I can use the situation to crush Han Lie. Any other time, any other place, belongs to that beast.