Reborn with Consumption System

Pan Ge observed Han Lie with a very subtle look for two full hours.

It made the scoundrel feel prickly all over, his mind constantly muttering doubts.

What's up with Little Receiver Pan now?

Did she find me too handsome, and now she's feeling the stirrings of spring?!

That doesn't seem right...

Han Lie guessed and guessed again, but Pan Ge was not a simple, open-book kind of girl. Thus, the master of psychology suffered a crushing defeat and couldn't pinpoint the problem.

Since he couldn't figure it out, he decided not to dwell on it. Han Lie turned his attention back to the system panel.

[After a heartfelt performance, your acting has improved, Experience +1,537.]

[You easily bamboozled a bunch of old slickers, gaining a deeper understanding of deception, Experience +3,689.]

[You...]

Wow, that performance really paid off—I've racked up a ton of skill experience!

Han Lie had recently noticed a pattern: the more successful the use of a skill and the more perfect the result, the more experience points he would gain.

If a skill were to fail—for instance, if he tried to deceive Pan Ge but she exposed him—then the experience points gained would be greatly reduced.

However, successful or not, merely using a skill yielded some reward.

This was the power of system skills; it was akin to another form of "you reap what you sow."

Truly amazing.

Moreover, these rewards weren't just reflected in the numerical changes on the system panel.

In reality, every single experience point fostered a profound understanding within Han Lie, genuinely enhancing his abilities.

Ordinarily, people must learn, contemplate, understand, practice, and digest, spending vast amounts of time to transform knowledge into experience and capability.

But Han Lie didn't need to.

The moment the experience points were credited, the ability was instantly acquired.

It wasn't an external element forcibly instilled but an understanding that developed naturally, as if it were the most self-evident truth.

If one had to describe it, System Experience Points were like "forced inspiration for efficient thinking," and the conclusions reached were invariably correct.

It was continuously transforming Han Lie, inside and out, pushing him toward becoming something beyond human.

What's a genius, anyway?

Even the greatest geniuses in human history couldn't compare to Han Lie's growth rate; they weren't even in the same league.

From now on, please call me Han Dun · Einstein · Teslie.

BWAHAHA!

Han Dun, feeling utterly content, closed the system panel and turned his attention back to the banquet.

Just as he was about to tease Little Receiver Pan, a DING suddenly resounded in his mind.

Huh?

What's going on?

Didn't I turn off experience gain notifications?

Puzzled, Han Lie reopened the panel. After a single glance, his pupils instantly constricted.

[Host's Intelligence meets the standard, knowledge structure is adequate, skill combination satisfies the conditions. Activating one Special Talent.]

[Strategic Judgement (Talent)]

[As one navigates the world, one will always encounter various complex situations: duels between masters, negotiations with ruffians, catfights between beauties, idiots spouting passive-aggressive nonsense, and so on.]

[Most ordinary people, when faced with such situations, can only huddle to the side, trembling in fear.]

[But a true prodigy can analyze all sorts of details in a short time and thereby gain complete control of the situation.]

[Advance, and you control the field; retreat, and you become invisible. Let the autumn wind and cold rain cut down the withered leaves; I will dodge left and right, emerging unscathed.]

[Talent Nature: Passive]

[Duration: Permanent]

[Related Attribute: Intelligence]

[Effect: You are innately skilled at quickly and accurately judging situations, thereby choosing the most advantageous course of action for yourself.]

[Description: You often handle complex situations with ease. Those who dislike you call you slippery, but in truth, those who admire and like you are always more numerous.]

[Note 1: As Intelligence increases, the talent's effect is continuously enhanced.]

[Note 2: Even the best swimmers can drown. Don't get arrogant, don't be reckless, don't court disaster. Some situations are easy to judge but extremely difficult to resolve. You get it.]

I don't get it!

I'm *going to* get arrogant, I'm *going to* be reckless, and I'm *going to* court disaster!

Han Lie was ecstatic; even the excited gasps of air he exhaled felt several degrees hotter.

What an awesome talent! Right?!

Strategic Judgement was related to Intelligence and EQ, but merely having enough of these attributes didn't guarantee one could awaken this talent.

On the contrary, this ability was incredibly precious.

When it comes to judging situations, who does everyone think of first?

Han Lie thought of great historical figures.

I dare not elaborate on specifics; just shouting 'Awesome!' is enough.

As for negative examples, there were far too many.

For instance, joining the Nationalist army in 1949, leveraging investments in real estate in 2018, or fleeing abroad to escape the pandemic in 2020... all geniuses in their own way.

Regarding the grand scheme of things, Han Lie didn't really need much judgment; with over a decade of memories from his rebirth, he could navigate it with his eyes closed.

However, in specific practical areas such as interpersonal relationships, business negotiations, maintaining stability in his harem, and so forth, the new talent could play an immense and exceptional role.

Immediately, Han Lie glanced towards Pan Ge.

I really want to be reckless for a bit...

However, he didn't get the chance.

After the main terms of the cooperation were settled, Han Lie became the absolute focus and center of attention for the remainder of the time.

These 'fat sheep'—the wealthy attendees—had many questions, and each harbored their own subtle intentions, cleverly concealed within seemingly casual conversation.

If it had been the Han Lie of before, he could have managed, but it would have been more strenuous and mentally taxing.

Today, however, was different.

After just a few sentences exchanged, the prodigy with the new talent had already assessed the situation, largely figured out their intentions, and quickly made his decision.

One word: Pretend.

Can't be too approachable; I need to put on airs.

One of the 'fat sheep,' a particularly enthusiastic older woman, chatted with him about everyday matters with great warmth. Yet, he consistently maintained a polite but distant demeanor, giving the distinct impression that he was unwilling to develop any personal friendships.