When You Shouldn’t Speak, Stay Quiet, That’s Basic Courtesy

Evan Lin spoke in a calm tone, glancing over at Gavin Pan, who was sitting nearby.

As soon as Evan spoke, Gavin Pan's expression froze slightly. Claire Zheng, sitting beside him, also stared at Evan in surprise, as if she hadn't expected the boy who'd seemed so quiet and ordinary since entering to suddenly say something so bold.

"How big could a kid's appetite possibly be? Are you after a condo in the center of Oceanport City, or maybe a flashy car to show off with?" Gavin steadied himself and snorted. "I'm worried your appetite is just your own arrogance talking. When you really understand what kind of family the Zheng clan is, I hope you'll still have the guts to say things like that."

"At that point, I won't worry about you not eating enough—I'll just hope you don't choke."

There was an edge to Gavin's words, his tone clearly annoyed.

Evan's unexpected remark had thrown Gavin off balance, leaving him more than a little resentful.

"That's enough out of you!" Claire Zheng shot Gavin a glare and snapped.

She knew her husband's personality well: not much real ability, just good at puffing himself up and talking big. He loved acting successful in front of people weaker than him, chasing that sense of achievement from being looked up to.

"I'm just telling it like it is," Gavin muttered, taking a sip of tea and not daring to argue back.

"Your uncle's just like that—he doesn't think before he talks. Don't mind him." Claire looked at Evan with an apologetic expression.

Evan glanced at her, nodded, and decided not to bother holding Gavin accountable for now.

"I've already talked with your mom. Joy said she wants to respect your own decision on this." Claire glanced at Joy Zheng, saw she wasn't going to object, then continued gently: "The reason I'm here this time is because the old man at home—your grandfather—hopes you and your mom can come back for New Year."

"We're all family. Over the years, we know your mom's had a tough time out here—we've seen it too. Now your grandfather's finally come around, so he asked me to invite you both home for New Year."

"What do you think?"

Claire Zheng looked at Evan, eyes full of hope.

"Sure," Evan nodded.

Hearing this, Claire finally relaxed and broke into a smile.

Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open from outside.

"Mom, we're heading out for karaoke. We'll be back late tonight."

Faye Zheng pushed open the door, glanced nonchalantly toward Joy Zheng, then at Evan's back beside her.

At first glance, she felt a strange sense of familiarity.

"This kid's spent his whole life in a little backwater like this—now he's got a shot to soar, and you think he won't grab it with both hands?"

Faye Zheng rolled her eyes, a cold smile playing at her lips.

"Faye, you're just in time—come meet your..."

Claire Zheng saw Faye walk in, nodded slightly, then looked up at her. But when she got to this part, she paused: "...your brother."

Faye was a year or two older than Evan.

But as soon as Claire said it, Faye snorted, not bothering to show any respect. "Brother? I don't have a brother like that."

"My brothers are all over in Oceanport. This random kid who popped up out of nowhere? No way he's my brother. If I took him out, people would laugh themselves to death."

Her words were pure acid.

"Faye, how can you talk about your brother like that? He's still your aunt's son, after all." Gavin Pan fanned the flames, his tone full of amusement.

Joy Zheng looked embarrassed. Faye glanced at her, about to say something, but Claire Zheng's face was already darkening.

Evan, sitting quietly, took a sip of tea and gently set his cup down on the table.

Bang.

The bottom of the cup tapped crisply against the wooden tabletop.

"Someone like you doesn't deserve to be my sister."

Evan's voice was calm as ever.

Faye's eyebrows shot up, her pretty face turning cold. "Sharp tongue, huh? You really don't know your place, do you?"

Just as she spoke, Leo Li and his crew came out of the neighboring private room.

These past few days, Leo had been in a terrible mood—dark and irritable. He kept feeling weak all over, like he couldn't muster any strength. Otherwise, he'd have already gone looking for trouble with Evan and the others.

"Junior sister, let's go—the other room's already booked. We can head over now."

Faye stood at the doorway as Leo Li and his crew peered inside through the gap, most of their eyes landing on the boy sitting across the room.

They, too, felt a strange familiarity, but didn't pay it much mind.

"What's wrong, did someone mess with you?" Leo Li walked up, noticing Faye's sour expression and raising an eyebrow.

"It's nothing. You guys go have fun—enjoy yourselves." Claire Zheng, feeling a headache coming on, just wanted to get rid of these people as quickly as possible.

"No rush, Mom. It's still early. Why not let him come with us?" Faye's lips curled as a cold look flashed in her eyes. "It's just karaoke—maybe it'll help us bond a little."

With Claire present, Faye couldn't do much. But if Evan left with them and got separated from Claire and Joy, she'd have all sorts of ways to make him pay for what he'd just said.

Faye had zero warmth for this kid from Whitewood County.

"Yeah, Aunt Zheng, let him come hang out with us—we'll take good care of him!" one of the rich kids chimed in, grinning.

"We can show him a bit of the outside world, give him a head start. Otherwise, when he finally leaves Whitewood, he'll be totally clueless." Another one stepped up, laughing.

They eyed Evan's back like hungry wolves.

Making Faye mad was basically picking a fight with all these second-generation heirs.

Earlier, a whole group of them had been beaten with chair legs, and the grudge was still festering. They looked down on people from Whitewood County from the bottom of their hearts.

"Why so quiet now? Weren't you pretty talkative just a minute ago?"

Faye sneered, glaring at Evan with open hostility.

Joy Zheng stood up and looked at Faye. "Evan's not really into karaoke. Why don't you all go have fun without him?"

Joy could tell something was off.

She didn't want Evan getting caught up in trouble.

"Auntie, we weren't talking to you. Why are you butting in?"

A cocky rich kid behind Faye snickered, "Don't talk when you're not supposed to. It's called manners."

Before he could finish, everyone saw the boy at the table—quiet until now—reach out and pick up a bowl.

He weighed it in his hand, then with a flick of his wrist, sent the bowl flying straight at the crowd.