Pan, Dou, Zhang, along with the Four Sheep Group and two newcomers, gathered in the Western-style private room Han Lie had booked.
Though Han Lie had organized the gathering, Uncle Pan eagerly took on the responsibility of hosting.
By the time Han Lie arrived, the private room was already full.
"Come, come, Little Lie, let me introduce you to two good friends!"
Uncle Pan was very enthusiastic, his face flushed and beaming, and his way of addressing Han Lie had changed yet again.
From Teacher Han to Little Han, and now to Little Lie, the shift in address reflected a change in attitude: from respect, to cordiality, and finally, to showing off.
Respect was self-explanatory; cordiality implied an internal acceptance. Calling him Little Lie, however, was purely to send a signal to outsiders—This is my son-in-law; we're super close!
Actually, customs in Magic Capital didn't include addressing someone as 'Little' followed by their first name.
