Lunch was bountiful, but both of them found it tasteless. Neither of them touched a bite of the seafood or soy products, as they had gotten a bit full earlier. Before two in the afternoon, they checked out and went their separate ways.

Han Lie had just gotten to the dormitory when Ding Ding suddenly stood up straight, with the word 'Guilt' practically written across his face.

"What happened? Is something wrong?"

Han Lie had a bad premonition and sized up Ding Ding from head to toe.

No doubt about it, the kid definitely did something bad!

"Brother Lie, that... earlier Pan Ge asked me what you were up to, and I told her I didn't know, that you weren't in the dorm... Did I say something wrong?"

Is that all?!

Han Lie frowned, "No problem, I did in fact leave early today."

"PFFT!"

Little Dongbei suddenly covered his mouth and laughed.

And Ding Ding, looking pitiful, shrank his neck.

"That... uh... Pan Ge asked last night, and I made a special trip back to the dorm..."

Damn, you're good, aren't you?!

Han Lie clenched his teeth and nodded at Ding Yu, then turned and headed towards his bed.

Fuck, where's my hammer?!

Little Dongbei leaped forward in one stride, wrapped his arms around his Big Bro, and pleaded, "Bro, it's not worth it, really not worth it!"

Okay, I'll give you another chance.

Han Lie took a deep breath, motioning to Ding Yu with a crook of his finger, "Come, give me some good news... You didn't happen to inform your sister as well, did you?"

Ding Yu's eyes flitted nervously, and instead of moving forward, he quietly inched towards the door.

"Bro, it wasn't on purpose, I just casually mentioned it while chatting with my sister..."

"Huh... And then?"

"Then... then Sister Fei Fei also started asking..."

"Fuck!" Little Dongbei exclaimed in surprise, thought for a second, then suddenly let go of Han Lie. "Big Bro, this kid really needs a beating, go on!"

Han Lie was almost amused by the anger.

What's the use of beating him now? Those who should know and those who shouldn't, they all fucking know already...

But honestly, I don't blame Ding Yu. That's his biological sister; what's wrong with him protecting her a bit? Ultimately, it's my own fault for not being impressive enough to completely win Ding Yu over. If I were truly outstanding enough to earn Little Ding Ding's wholehearted admiration, do you think he wouldn't help cover for me? He might even personally persuade Ding Xiang to help!

"Alright, let's not make a fuss anymore."

Han Lie waved his hand, indicating he was letting the matter drop.

What's done is done; blaming fate or others is pointless. The only thing to do now is to slowly try and mend things. Besides, this was bound to happen sooner or later. Just consider it an early dress rehearsal.

Ding Yu blinked, still not quite understanding how he'd managed to survive.

However, he did sense a trace of Han Lie's magnanimity.

"Didn't you two go out to play yesterday? How did you manage to return in the middle of the night to check up on me for Pan Ge?" Han Lie asked calmly, as if making casual conversation.

"We did play!" Little Dongbei replied animatedly. "We were just playing poker downstairs. Damn, Ding Ding was so incredibly lucky last night, he won over 80,000!"

Han Lie frowned at Ding Yu. "You're gambling with them?"

Ding Yu scratched his head sheepishly. "I was just playing around... We play for small stakes, not like the sophomores and juniors who go all out."

Little Dongbei also hurried to explain, "Our usual win or loss is at most 30,000 or 40,000, just for fun. And it's all classmates from our year, we don't mess around outside..."

Wow, over 80,000 in one night and he calls that small stakes?

"A million or so a month, you guys have that much pocket money?"

Ding Ding and Little Dongbei exchanged glances, then suddenly understood: Their Big Bro really hasn't played cards much.

"Hey, who loses every day, huh?"

"Yeah, it's all the same classmates, win some, lose some. Losing more than 200,000 a month would be considered really bad luck."

"Those who dare to play are all from wealthy backgrounds with plenty of pocket money, and besides, we don't play every day..."

Tsk tsk, listen to that nonchalant tone! Actually, it's quite understandable. People are different; their perception of money, of what constitutes a large or small amount, clearly can't be measured by the same standards. That sophomore surnamed Liu spent over ten million during his four years of college. Could kids from ordinary families even believe that? They probably wouldn't dare to even imagine it. Yet, he didn't think anything of it, not even knowing where all the money went. This kind of disparity can sometimes be truly disheartening.

Of course, Han Lie wasn't about to feel envy or resentment, but there was one thing he really couldn't wrap his head around.

"Why do you have to play cards in the dormitory?"

"Where else?" Ding Ding was puzzled by the question. "It's so safe in the dormitory! They're all schoolmates from our year... and it's less trouble."

Little Dongbei rattled off a detailed explanation.

"It's not that we can't afford to book a room, but hotels outside are likely to be raided. If we were to play at a local student's villa, it would be a problem if their parents showed up unexpectedly. The dorm is the best! Most of the leaders in the student union are seniors from our department, super safe. The sophomore who helps set up the games is the head of the student union's discipline department. Good lord, he rakes in a daily commission of around twenty thousand!"

Han Lie was finally somewhat shocked. "He keeps that whole twenty thousand to himself?"

"How could that be?" Little Dongbei shook his head, his expression animated as he enlightened Han Lie. "Old Wang has to take care of everyone's food, drinks, cigarettes, and liquor. On game days, those few underlings are busy ordering meals from top-tier restaurants every day; they eat lavishly. Not to mention cigarettes—even soft-pack Zhonghuas aren't considered high-class enough. With an average of ten people a day, it must cost about ten thousand or so daily. What's left is what Old Wang pockets."

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