After dinner, Evan Lin sent Joy Zheng home.
The next morning.
"Evan! Over here!"
As soon as Evan Lin got to the neighborhood gate, he spotted Hank Chu coming out from inside.
Hank's hair was still damp—he'd obviously just showered.
When he saw Evan, Hank walked over and threw an arm around his shoulders.
"It was crazy hot last night, I was sweating buckets. Just showered, so I'm running a little late."
"When did you get back?"
Hank was all smiles.
"Just got back yesterday."
Evan glanced at Hank. "You look like you're in a good mood?"
"Not bad. The college entrance exam is finally over, so I can actually chill for once."
Hank grinned. "Let's go—I've already called Ken, he'll be out soon. We'll grab ramen together in a bit."
After saying that, Hank kept his arm around Evan and led the way out.
It was still early, the neighborhood was quiet, and only a few early joggers were around.
"So, got any plans for the future?"
Evan asked, curious.
"What plans? Just wait for our scores, fill out the college apps, and head off to school, that's it."
There was a little emotion in Hank's voice. "You probably did pretty well this time, huh?"
"Not bad."
Evan nodded.
"Honestly, out of the three of us, I always worried about you the most."
Hank said this, shooting Evan a serious look.
"Worried about what?"
Evan always felt Hank was the easygoing type—never seemed to worry about anything, honest and hardworking, never one to complain.
He hadn't expected Hank to suddenly say something like this today.
"Of course I was worried about your future."
Hank shook his head. "I could always tell—you were really self-conscious in junior high, never dared try anything, and way too nice. Otherwise, Chloe Cheng's family wouldn't have pushed you around so much back then."
"But now? It's great. It's like you've become a whole new person—confident, brave, and getting stronger every day."
Hank paused. "Sometimes I wonder if you're even the same Evan Lin I used to know."
"No kidding." Evan smiled. "But you and Ken were always great, too. Ever since elementary school, I always kind of envied you guys."
"You were always good at sports and school, and Ken could get along with anyone. You even helped me out in fights more than once back then."
Thinking back on those days, Evan felt a wave of emotion.
Even after becoming the Nine Mysteries Immortal Lord, no matter how many people surrounded him, none of it felt as close as friends like Hank and Ken—guys he'd grown up with since they were little.
They'd known him when he was at his weakest and most insecure, but never once looked down on him or drifted away.
"That's different—I was just born lucky, good genes and all. Ken's dad helped him out, so he kind of became a second-gen. But you? You came out on top, totally defied the odds."
Hank just kept shaking his head, still full of admiration.
To everyone else, Evan was the definition of a rocket rise. Just a year ago, he seemed like a total loser.
Now, he'd completely transformed—could do anything, and his whole vibe had changed, almost beyond recognition.
You should see how Ivy Deng and those girls talk about you now—they're all excited. And from what I know, you're the most talked-about guy in the class groups for both Whitewood No. 1 and No. 2 High.
Hank clicked his tongue in amazement. "Hey, want to call Ivy Deng out? She's asked me about you a bunch of times, and said when you got back, she'd treat us to dinner."
"No need."
Hearing Evan turn her down, Hank just switched topics without missing a beat.
They walked a few more steps and waited about ten minutes at the roundabout in the middle of the street before Ken finally showed up, late as always.
"Damn, you guys could've warned me! If I'd known, I wouldn't have stayed up so late chatting with my Baby Mandy!"
Ken looked smug, his face practically glowing.
Hearing this, Hank laughed and kicked him, then turned to Evan to explain: "This guy's officially off the market—totally in love. Last time I tried to get him out fishing, he missed all the bites because he was glued to his phone."
Now, every time I see him, it's Baby Mandy this, Baby Mandy that—he's acting like a total girl, it's disgusting!
Hank looked downright disgusted.
Ken tossed his hair dramatically, showing off his little fringe. "You're just jealous, man. As a single dog, you wouldn't understand."
But speaking of which, Amelia Jiao wants to talk to you—are you really not interested? She's a total knockout, you know. If you wait until college, someone else will snatch her up. Doesn't that bother you?
Ken winked at Hank, but Hank just kicked him.
Ken, once you get to college, there'll be plenty of good girls.
Evan looked at Ken's blissful, goofy face and hesitated, but finally spoke up: "Last time I was in Capitalview, I saw Mandy Yu having dinner with a few guys—they seemed pretty close."
"I know, I know." Ken waved it off. "Baby Mandy already told me—they were just having dinner with friends. It's no big deal."
As for what you said about good girls in college, that's got nothing to do with me. I'm sticking with Baby Mandy—I'm not coming down! The rest of the girls can go to someone else.
Ken kept fiddling with his phone as he talked, but it looked like Mandy Yu still hadn't woken up.
Hearing this, Evan didn't say anything more.
When it comes to relationships, if you're not involved, it's best not to meddle too much.
The three of them went to the ramen stand outside Whitewood No. 2 High. Back in middle school, Evan's favorite noodles were always from this place.
Spicy enough, plenty of flavor, and in the cold winter, nothing beat a hot bowl of beef ramen drenched in chili oil. That feeling was pure nostalgia.
Evan had wanted to help Hank with his college entrance exam worries, but since Hank didn't bring it up, Evan let it go.
They had noodles and went online.
That night, the Whitewood County news reported on the two men from yesterday.
They were detained for fifteen days for disturbing public order.
The next day, Evan got a call from Violet Tong. After hanging up, he said goodbye to Joy Zheng and left Whitewood, heading to Rivercrest Province.