"Yolanda! Why did you run off so fast? I turned around for one second and you were gone!"
The boy caught up to her, sounding a bit aggrieved as he spoke.
He handed the strawberry milk tea to Yolanda. "You said you wanted this, so I waited in line forever to get it. When I turned around, you were gone—I was really worried I'd lose you!"
"Uh."
Yolanda was clearly startled when she saw him running over.
But noticing that Evan Lin was also watching the boy, she immediately took the milk tea and, flashing a deliberately sweet smile, said, "Thank you, Zheng Sheng."
"No problem! It's the least I could do!"
Zheng Sheng was obviously surprised by Yolanda's reaction, but that didn't stop him from feeling overjoyed.
"Let me introduce you—this is my friend, Evan Lin."
Yolanda quickly spoke, then stepped back to stand beside Zheng Sheng.
Only then did Zheng Sheng look at Evan Lin and hurriedly greet him.
"This is my boyfriend, Zheng Sheng."
As she spoke, Yolanda took Zheng Sheng's arm.
"Boyfriend?"
"Huh?"
Zheng Sheng was stunned at first, then his face lit up with wild joy. He looked at Evan Lin, as if announcing his status: "I'm Yolanda's boyfriend. Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you too," Evan Lin nodded.
"We're about to catch a movie, so we'll head off now."
Yolanda waved at Evan Lin, then led Zheng Sheng down the street to the end.
Evan Lin watched her back, shook his head slightly, and said nothing as he walked into the bookstore.
Over there.
Yolanda walked with Zheng Sheng, hand in hand, across one street and around another corner.
"Are you serious, Yolanda?"
"So I'm your boyfriend now?"
"How about we grab dinner first? I know a dessert shop that's pretty good."
"After we eat, we can catch a movie. There's a new sci-fi film out—I love sci-fi!"
Zheng Sheng was still riding the wave of sudden happiness, chattering nonstop the whole way.
Hard work pays off!
He'd been chasing Yolanda for several months now.
But all this time, Yolanda had always acted distant and refused him.
This time, Zheng Sheng had finally run into Yolanda out shopping on the street, and was desperate to stick with her, refusing to leave.
Yolanda just told him to go buy milk tea.
So Zheng Sheng went.
When he got back, Yolanda was nowhere to be seen. He thought she'd left.
But to his surprise...
Just one cup of milk tea later, Yolanda had changed her mind!
Thinking back now, Zheng Sheng felt like it was all a dream.
But before he could enjoy it for long...
Yolanda glanced back at the street behind them.
They were already some distance from the bookstore, and Evan Lin was nowhere in sight.
Her eyes dimmed as she let go of Zheng Sheng's hand.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"If you don't like sweets, we can go for hotpot instead."
"If you don't want to see a sci-fi movie, we can watch a romance instead!"
Zheng Sheng looked at Yolanda, asking her.
As he spoke, he tried to grab Yolanda's hand again, but she dodged him.
"Let me ask you: do you like red or white?"
Yolanda glanced at him.
"I guess... I like white a bit more."
Zheng Sheng answered honestly.
"Oh, I like red. Sorry, we're not a match, so let's break up now."
Yolanda waved her hand. "Don't bother me anymore. Hope you find a girl you really like."
With that, she walked off, leaving Zheng Sheng stunned and clueless.
She pushed through the crowd and across the street, not even sure where she was heading—her mood was clearly bad.
"Wasn't that girl someone we've met before?"
Faye Zheng glanced at Evan Lin, who was browsing bookshelves in the bookstore, and asked curiously.
She remembered Yolanda Fang, but seeing her leave holding a boy's hand made Faye's imagination run wild.
"Yeah, she's a good friend."
Evan Lin nodded. Yolanda seemed to be hiding something.
Evan had just seen through her little act, but didn't expose it to avoid awkwardness.
He just felt a bit sorry for the guy she dragged out as a human shield.
"You don't look sad at all."
Faye Zheng looked at Evan Lin, blinking. She meant to ask more, but seeing Evan stay silent, she let it drop.
After browsing for a while, Faye Zheng bought a few books and dragged Evan Lin to a milk tea shop, buying two cups.
Winter was deepening.
The streets were crowded.
Back at the Zheng estate, the whole family gathered for dinner in a lively, festive atmosphere.
"Only a few days left until New Year. It's our first time celebrating at home—so much better with everyone together."
Grandpa Zheng sat at the head of the table, smiling.
Grandma Zheng looked at Joy Zheng. "Joy, when you have time, let Autumn take you around Oceanport's schools and check them out."
"See if there's a school you like. After New Year, if you still want to teach, come to Oceanport. That way, the family can look after you."
Grandma Zheng had brought this up more than once.
"Let me finish sending this batch of students to middle school first."
Joy Zheng's attitude was less firm than before.
Grandpa and Grandma Zheng were both old now, and who knows how many years they have left.
"I know most of the teachers in Oceanport's schools, but you don't have to teach if you don't want to. You could just stay home and keep Grandpa and Grandma company."
Autumn Zheng smiled gently.
"That's right. Even better, next year we should find a wife for Evan. That would be perfect."
Grandma Zheng laughed and looked at Evan Lin. "Evan, is there any girl you like?"
"That girl we met in Whitewood County seemed nice. Why not consider her?"
Back in Whitewood County, Lin Yan was always by Evan Lin's side, while Lu Shu worked hard to win over Grandma and Grandpa Zheng.
She genuinely intended to push Lin Yan toward Evan Lin.
"Well... I'm not in a hurry. It's not time yet."
Evan Lin shook his head.
"You're not young anymore. Date for a few years, then graduate college and get married."
After speaking, Grandma Zheng looked at Faye Zheng. "If Evan doesn't like her, let Faye see if there's a good girl around her."
"Normally, we elders shouldn't meddle in young people's affairs, but I really want to see Evan settle down before I pass away."
"If Evan has a family, I can rest easy."
Grandma Zheng spoke sincerely.
"Mom, what are you saying? You'll live for many years yet."
Joy Zheng and the others were a bit displeased when they heard this.
Grandma Zheng just smiled, but her brow was furrowed.
After dinner, Evan Lin returned to his room. Just as he closed the door, he received a call from Northfish Xiao.
"The tomb is about to open. I'll come find you the day after tomorrow."