Reborn with Consumption System-Chapter 560 - 252 This is no way to live

The gala started promptly at 8:00 p.m.

Watching Yan Qing take the stage in a dazzling red dress, Han Lie felt his youth had ended prematurely.

In his past life, his true youth had begun on the train heading to Magic Capital.

Striking up a conversation with Chen Yanfei was the bravest thing he had ever done.

And the climax of Han Lie’s youthful days was probably seeing Xi Luting appear on the New Year’s Gala stage; the sense of awe was simply too profound.

Well, the usual class monitor Xi Luting and the cold-faced, leggy Queen on stage were two entirely different creatures.

The former always seemed so annoying that people wanted to stay far away, while the latter made scoundrels willingly kneel, crying and begging, "Trample me! Beat me up!"

Of course, Han Lie wasn’t that kind of guy.

He had mustered all his courage to pursue Yu Yun but couldn’t even manage that. A total novice, he had never really harbored designs on Xi Luting.

As for dreaming about her... do the wet dreams of a young boy really count? No way!

In the dreams of young men, various ’teachers’ make frequent appearances—is that adoration? That’s just pent-up frustration!

Anyway, Xi Luting had truly dazzled Han Lie in his youth. She made him realize he shouldn’t waste his college days. He then passionately pursued Yu Yun, only to get completely played by her.

What a sad story...

In his past life, there were two moments when Han Lie truly felt his youth was over.

The first time was when Yu Yun and Duan Xiaoyi—a true case of a bitch finding her dog—finally got together. The ’budget version’ of Brother Lie ’thought’ his youth had officially ended, and that he had thoroughly matured.

The second time was when Han Lie finally landed an extremely difficult client. A new, somewhat attractive female colleague in his department—scoring over seventy in looks—expressed admiration and interest in him. She was eager to treat him to meals and seek his advice, seemingly very keen on Han Lie.

Then Han Lie just laughed it off, not taking a single word seriously.

It wasn’t until several days after the incident that Han Lie belatedly realized: Oh, have I become so mature?

That year... Han Lie was 29.

In modern society, men’s adolescence is extended.

He wasn’t sure if it was just the post-90s generation, but men from Han Lie’s cohort generally married very late. Many were still just amusing themselves well into their thirties, often with a negative mindset and a lack of responsibility.

Han Lie had been the same before his rebirth. Afterward, however, he became quite strange.

The mentality of ’Dog Lie,’ as he sometimes thought of himself, was primarily one of adult clarity, self-awareness, caution, and thoroughness. Yet, it didn’t lack the reckless abandon and spirited vigor of youth. He shifted between these states seamlessly, as if by instinct.

This was precisely why Chen Yanfei, Pan Ge, Xi Luting, and other young women always found this ’dog man’ contradictory and mysterious.

So, in reality, Han Lie couldn’t truly connect with anyone—not Fang Tongzhi or Liu Yingjun, and certainly not Panzi, Dou, and their crew of hardcore partiers.

Who could, then? Only the most exquisite goddesses could tolerate him for a while...

I’m not a lecher; every reincarnator is a solitary soul. I’m just a patient in need of healing.

As Han Lie thought this, he stood quietly in a corner, applauding softly for the first act.

Yin Qin and her team had organized the gala splendidly.

With ample funding, the stage production—costumes, makeup, props, and all—was elevated to a new level. When six vibrant, beautiful young women in matching hot pants and white stockings performed an adorable K-pop dance, it was hard for any red-blooded male in the audience not to applaud enthusiastically.

Hearing the wolf-like howls from the audience, the true instigator of this scene merely smiled faintly, content with his uncredited contribution.

Most of the school administrators were seated in the front row. Wang Tianqing was beside the Director of Student Affairs, with an empty seat next to her reserved for Minister Han. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

But Han Lie didn’t want to sit there.

What a true man would most want to do at this moment was surely to go backstage and offer his congratulations to the valued contributors.

Brother Lie didn’t think twice before heading straight backstage.

Waiting area, props area, men’s dressing room, women’s dressing room...

Whoa, someone better hold me back!

Brother Lie had a clear goal, but alas, he was stopped halfway.

Liu Beibei, looking glamorous with her makeup done, was especially excited to see Han Lie. She wore a halter-style dress, constructed from two pieces of fabric that wrapped up from her waist and tied behind her neck, naturally revealing an expanse of skin at her chest.

Good heavens, as she excitedly took two strides toward Han Lie, his eyes practically bulged.

"Minister, finally got some time to inspect the troops? How did we do?"

Yan Qing and the two male hosts—let’s call them Host A and Host B—stood nearby, smiling politely.

As upperclassmen, their pride wouldn’t allow them to be so undignified. Besides, they didn’t need any favors from Han Lie in the immediate future, so why act so obsequiously?

Brother Lie steadied his gaze and offered a perfunctory smile. "Very good, more passionate than I expected. The audience’s cheers speak for themselves..."

Those pervs, howling their lungs out.

Liu Beibei wanted to chat longer, but unfortunately, Yin Qin arrived.

"Minister!"

Yin Qin, the girl from Henan also known as Wan Wan, was being extra coquettish today. "When we needed you, you were nowhere to be found. Now you show up to cause trouble... Please don’t block the doorway, okay?"

So... should I go in?

Before Brother Lie could decide, Yin Qin pulled him inside.

Liu Beibei, seething with frustration and resentment, could only wave reluctantly. "Bye, Brother Lie! Next time I @ you in the group chat, don’t pretend you didn’t see it again!"

Brother Lie felt wronged.

I really didn’t see it...

In the main chat group for the Arts Department, during peak hours, 99+ messages could flood in within five minutes. People tagged Minister Han every day; how could he possibly keep up?

Besides, none of you ever attach photos to your private messages...