"You... What kind of room is this?"

Han Lie gave a mischievous smile and raised an eyebrow. "Didn't the butler who led you in tell you? It's the Presidential Suite."

Her eyes widened. "Is this the room you booked after I asked you?!"

"Ah, slip of the tongue!" Han Lie quickly reminded her. Everything was going so well before, why suddenly go off-script?

Xi Luting's pretty face turned red. She suddenly threw her bag onto the sofa and turned to walk inside.

"I don't know what you're babbling about... I'll take a look around!"

Han Lie wasn't in a rush.

You've come all this way; you think you can leave without leaving something behind?

So, rather than stopping her, he suggested, "Don't wander on your own. Call the butler and have her show you around."

"Is that okay?"

Xi Luting looked hesitant, lifting her gaze to Han Lie's eyes as if trying to discern something.

She was feeling a bit intimidated.

It was normal. No matter how assertive she was, she was still a 19-year-old girl who hadn't seen much of the world. In this vast, magical city, there were many things that could intimidate her.

"There's nothing wrong with it."

Han Lie's reassurance was not tender, but very bold and confident.

"I've spent enough money; she provides a service worth that money. It's perfectly justified. Besides, I don't understand it either. Let's broaden our horizons together."

Xi Luting gained an unexpectedly reassuring sense of security from Han Lie, and she gave a shy smile.

"Okay, then let's take a look."

Nata swiped her card to open the door, clasped her hands at her abdomen, and gave a slight bow to the two before asking with a smile, "Mr. Han, may I help you with anything?"

Xi Luting glanced at Han Lie subconsciously, her mouth curling slightly.

Mr. Han... What a strange way to address him! It wasn't the address itself that was strange, but rather it didn't fit with that dog man's usual style.

Han Lie noticed her look and suddenly, with ill intent, curved his lips and said to Nata, "This is Mrs. Han. Please show her around the suite."

"Of course."

Nata nodded obediently, her smile still generous and enthusiastic, seemingly oblivious to Xi Luting's suddenly greenish complexion and fierce eyes.

However, as Nata continued her introduction, Xi Luting gradually began to relax.

"Our Baohua Marriott is part of the Marriott Hotel Group..."

Han Lie listened earnestly and didn't mind exposing his ignorance at all, asking questions whenever he didn't understand.

Before the age of 25, a man is bound to be ignorant of far more than he knows, and this applies to every aspect of life. Maturity and growth take time, and even more so, they require a calm acceptance of one's current state. As long as you are not ashamed to ask questions, no one has the right to look down on a man at this stage. Most importantly, we need to correctly understand our 'ignorance.' We must realize it's only temporary and not a big deal. Don't be arrogant, nor self-deprecating; that's the way to be.

Indeed, Nata's attitude was always sufficiently respectful and thoughtful, without a hint of perfunctoriness.

Han Lie felt that he learned a lot.

Of course, one had to filter out Nata's self-praise to extract the truly useful information.

The Marriott International Hotel Group is the top tier in the world's hotel industry, with four major categories: Luxury five-star, upscale five-star, select-service (three to four-star), and extended stay (economy type).

The Baohua Marriott is a collaboration between Marriott and Baohua Plaza, a standard upscale five-star hotel.

It's a bit better than entry-level five-star hotels, yet doesn't quite reach the level of luxury; truly an awkward positioning.

Han Lie figured this out himself.

It was quite a large hotel, with only one Presidential Suite. The master bedroom was quite nice—luxurious and clean—but the second bedroom had a faint, stuffy, and musty odor.

Not dirty, but rather that 'old' smell that comes from a place being unoccupied and poorly maintained for a long time.

Yet the Baohua Marriott had actually been open for less than a year...

Nata also hinted to Han Lie that if he booked the Presidential Suite again, making an advance reservation would secure better discounts and gifts.

Evidently, their Presidential Suite had a considerably high vacancy rate.

An idea was lingering in Han Lie's mind, yet it never quite materialized, as if it was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

He didn't dwell on this and turned his attention back to Xi Luting.

The little cucumber was very interested in the super-large bathtub in the super-large bathroom, fiddling with each item, her fox eyes filled with surprise.

Nata, ever observant, took the initiative to introduce it: it was an aromatherapy brand from Eagle Country, called AA something.

Han Lie leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "It suits you very well."

Xi Luting was delighted, her eyes nearly squinting into happy crescents.

But then she suddenly noticed the dog man's gaze, meaningfully aimed at her chest...

She instantly became irate.

Why is it that every single time I start to feel a tiny bit of affection for you, you effortlessly manage to ruin the mood?! Damn it!

Nata didn't stay too long.

It wouldn't take long to tour a 210-square-meter space anyway.

Soon, only Han Lie and Xi Luting remained in the suite, which now felt vast and empty.

She gradually grew uneasy, and that dog man just had to add fuel to the fire: "Sleep?"

Though just two simple words, they sent a shiver down her spine.

"I... I'll sleep in the second bedroom!"

Han Lie raised an eyebrow. "Dream on. You think you're here to share the rent with me? Fine, the second bedroom is eighteen thousand. Pay up!"

Damn it! I'm so done with him... How many other ways can you think of to ruin the mood?!

Xi Luting clenched her teeth and glared at the dog man spitefully. "So what do you want?"

Han Lie showed no hint of lewdness in his demeanor, but his words were utterly shameless.

"It's up to you! Either we sleep together, or you teach me how to use that set of toys. I'm good with either."

"I'm not okay with either!"

Xi Luting was fuming, but then she noticed Han Lie casually fiddling with his phone. Her vision went black with anger.

"What the hell are you doing??? Show some respect!"

Han Lie angled his phone screen towards her, showing her a glimpse.

Xi Luting's expression instantly changed.

It was their WeChat chat. Pan Ge had sent a message with just four words: "What are you doing?"

The dog man stroked his chin, asking her with a smile, "How should I reply?"

"Reply my ass!"

Xi Luting, having just blown up, suddenly changed her mind.

"Wait a minute! Do you dare to tell her directly that you're in a hotel with me?"

Han Lie smirked playfully. "If I tell her that, will you sleep with me?"

Xi Luting went berserk. "Sleep, sleep, sleep, is that all you know?!"

"You've come all this way..."

In Xi Luting's eyes, the bastard in front of her grinned like a total sleazebag, seemingly having her wrapped around his finger, which was utterly infuriating.

However, he wasn't wrong about one thing.

I've come all this way, and we've talked this much... we're just a hair's breadth from a full showdown. Why back down now?

"Fine."

She took a deep breath, clenched her jaw, and decided to go all in.

"Confess to me right now, ask me to be your girlfriend, and promise not to get all tangled up with Pan Ge, Chen Yanfei, Ding Xiang, Yu Yun, and all those other wildflowers and weeds... Just give me that promise, and I'll give you everything tonight!"

Damn, she's got guts!

At this critical moment, Xi Luting truly showed her courage. In a way, this was exactly the kind of personality Han Lie admired most.

Decisive and straightforward, no beating around the bush, no feigned coyness, and no hypocritical affectations.

So, he pounced on her.

He pinned Xi Luting down on the sofa, looked into her eyes, directly facing her nervousness. Then, with deep emotion, he began to speak.

"Xi Mengjun, have I been too fucking lenient with you, is that it?!"

Xi Luting was completely stunned, her eyes wide, her mouth slightly agape.

What kind of shitty development is this?! I was asking for a confession! Han Lieye even fucking spouts sweet nothings to Xi Mengjun, but when it comes to you... ugh...

Amidst her horrified expression, Han Lie decisively and forcefully lowered his head.

With her, arguing was useless; being fierce was the only way!

After what felt like an eternity, she couldn't hold back anymore. With a forceful tug, she pulled the dog man's face away, her voice weak yet furious as she roared out.

"Bastard! Is kissing all you fucking know how to do?!"

Brother Lie's eyes sparkled, and he gave her an OK sign.

Half a minute later, Xi Luting's eyes widened in sheer terror, her expression completely contorted...

******

Don't overinterpret it—I'm still a baby.

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