Three hours after Evan Lin got home, Queenie Tong called him again.
"I called Rena Yu, but she didn’t pick up. Then I called our old college counselor to ask about her family situation."
"From what I’ve found out, plus what I already know, Rena Yu is from Mercy Bay City in Rivercrest Province. Her family runs a business and is super strict. Since graduation, I only saw her once last month at Changbai Mountain."
"But I did hear from a classmate who went to the reunion that she apparently entered Changbai Mountain with her two brothers, then came out after a while and went back in with more people. I haven’t confirmed that part yet."
Queenie Tong finished, sounding apologetic: "That’s all I could find out. Rena Yu is just way too mysterious."
"Back when we graduated, most of our dormmates’ parents showed up for the ceremony, but not a single person from Rena Yu’s family came."
"If you hadn’t suddenly asked about her, I probably never would’ve realized—I really don’t know her at all."
Queenie Tong let out a sigh.
"When you hung out with her, did you notice anything special?"
Evan Lin stood by the window, still thinking it over.
Rivercrest Province was still a bit unfamiliar to Evan Lin—most of his connections and influence were still centered around Seacrest Prefecture and Jinnan.
"Anything special..."
Queenie Tong thought for a while. "Actually, yeah, there was something."
"One time we went camping and had a barbecue, climbed a mountain to watch the sunrise. We forgot the lighter, and then Rena Yu just snapped her fingers and suddenly there was fire. It happened to be a roommate’s birthday, so I remember it super clearly."
After hanging up, Evan Lin closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.
"There are only about two months left until the college entrance exam. If I leave now, it might just end up as a wild goose chase—and I still have no clue where the Luo family actually is."
"Rivercrest..."
After a while, Evan Lin slowly opened his eyes and muttered to himself, "Rivercrest State University... That’s actually not a bad idea."
"I can’t get into Huaqing, but Rivercrest State University is just as good—a top-tier school on par with Clearwater University."
With that thought, Evan Lin let out a long breath and made up his mind.
Lately, whenever she had time, Irene Xu would cook all sorts of meals for Evan Lin and Stella Huang.
At school, the senior year was in full-on final exam prep mode.
Lynn Chen spent every day grinding through practice problems, memorizing vocabulary even while walking, totally focused. When she ran into Evan Lin, she’d just nod as a greeting.
Evan Lin’s speech at the mobilization rally had taught Lynn Chen a real lesson in self-restraint.
She realized that nothing she did now could make up for the hurt she’d caused Evan Lin in the past.
Instead of dwelling on it, she threw herself into her studies, hoping that someday, once she was capable enough, she could make amends.
Wendy Wen was also working hard to catch up on her weak subjects. Her Chinese and English scores were always outstanding, but she struggled with science. Whenever she had time, she’d bring her questions to Evan Lin for help.
Day by day, time kept passing.
The countdown to the college entrance exam on the classroom blackboard kept ticking down.
Byron Yang would stop by the Class 12 classroom, whether he had lessons or not. He always looked a little melancholy.
Compared to everyone else’s anxiety and stress, Evan Lin seemed unusually calm.
He had no real problems with any of his subjects, but what struck him most was the bittersweet atmosphere of graduation looming ahead.
Seven days left until the college entrance exam.
Evan Lin leaned back in his seat, gazing out the window at the blue sky, looking completely at ease.
"Evan Lin, come outside for a minute. Someone wants to see you."
Byron Yang called out from the classroom door.
Evan Lin left the room and followed him into the office, where he saw Autumn Zheng waiting.
Autumn Zheng was wearing a dark blue suit today, looking crisp and fresh. When Evan Lin entered, she gave him a quick once-over.
Byron Yang tactfully excused himself.
There was no one else in the office.