The meal lasted for a full hour.
During that hour, Secretary Thomas Liu and Magistrate Ma each made a call.
Secretary Thomas Liu called Zhao Guangyao, the Water Bureau chief.
Magistrate Ma called Director Chen from the Finance Bureau.
On the phone, Secretary Thomas Liu kept it short and sharp.
Given the current staff shortage and the extra workload in the townships, Secretary Thomas Liu suggested they temporarily send Cheng Kaiyuan from the Water Bureau down to a local water plant—let him supervise and sort out the water supply for the residents.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Ma said the county’s financial reports needed a deep audit, so he decided to send Liu Xia to several township finance offices to check all spending from the past three years.
She wore a plain dress and beat-up sneakers—definitely not rich, but at least she was clean and chill, not the annoying type.
Big Tank kept chatting up Magistrate Ma, working the connection whenever he could.
He’d just met Yan for the first time—how friendly was he supposed to get?
By the time the meal wrapped up, both bureaus had sent word: Cheng Kaiyuan and Liu Xia were officially shipped off to the townships. Starting tomorrow, they’re out of the county town—welcome to the real grind.
"Recently, Allen Ju called me. He wants you to hang out in Beijing—got time for that?"
As they stepped outside, Secretary Thomas Liu seemed to remember something, glanced at Evan Lin, and asked.
“Not free at the moment.”
Evan Lin shook his head, and Secretary Thomas Liu didn’t press: “It’s good for young people to stay busy. Here’s his number—call him when you get the chance.”
"He originally wanted to come play in Whitewood, but something came up and he couldn't get away."
Secretary Thomas Liu handed a number to Evan Lin.
He didn't discuss much business with Evan, and just left with Magistrate Ma to handle other matters.
Before leaving, Magistrate Ma made a point to emphasize that the county would fully support the Whitewood Modern Plaza project, putting Evan Lin and Big Tank at ease.
"Young Master, I still need to go to the construction site this afternoon. Do you want me to drive you home first?"
Big Tank looked at Evan Lin and asked.
"No need. Just focus on your own work."
Money? Whatever. Evan didn’t even blink at it.
Around 1:30 in the afternoon, Evan Lin returned home again.
Mooncrest Manor, inside the villa.
As soon as Evan Lin pushed open the door, he saw a thin, petite girl sitting on the sofa in the living room.
The girl looked timid, with ordinary features, about eighteen years old, clutching a can of cola in both hands.
Hearing that, Evan’s face fell. "Mom, what’s with all the death talk? As long as I’m here, you’re not going anywhere."
"H-hi... hello."
Seeing Evan Lin enter, the girl quickly stood up from the sofa, her eyes anxious and uneasy, like a startled kitten.
"No need to be so formal."
Evan Lin nodded slightly at her.
Back downstairs, Evan saw Yan quietly watching TV, leftover watermelon rinds stacked up nice and neat in the trash. Thinking of Joy’s words, Evan’s eyes softened a bit.
Joy Zheng came out carrying a plate of freshly cut watermelon.
"Here, Yan, have some fruit first."
Joy Zheng set the fruit plate on the table, then picked up a piece and handed it to Evan Lin.
"You’re home so early. My phone died this morning—I was going to call you."
Joy Zheng smiled at Evan, then began introducing: "This is Yan, a student at Longspring High School. She’s ranked top three in her grade, and did really well on the college entrance exam."
After introducing Yan, Joy added to her: "This is my son, Evan Lin. He’s also in your grade, but probably a year older than you."
"Hello, Brother Evan Lin."
Yan stood up and greeted him, her voice soft and gentle.
"Hi."
Evan Lin took a bite of watermelon.
"Yan, just watch some TV here for now."
After turning on the TV and handing Yan the remote, Joy Zheng took Evan Lin’s hand and led him upstairs.
They went upstairs.
Joy Zheng shot Evan Lin a look: "She’s a guest in our home. Can’t you say a few more words and be a little warmer?"
"Mom, I am being warm."
Evan Lin looked a bit helpless.
He’d only just met Yan for the first time—how warm could he really be?
They were basically strangers.
"Yan’s had a tough life. Years ago, her parents went out to work and died in a car accident, so she’s been living with her grandparents ever since."
"Originally, the compensation from her parents’ death would’ve been enough to put her through college, but her uncle took all the money, and she almost had to drop out."
Joy Zheng looked genuinely moved as she spoke.
As she walked toward the bedroom, she continued, "Early this year, I heard about her from a teacher at Longspring High, so I went to check on her myself."
"Now she has no parents, her grandparents are in poor health, and she’s all alone. I sponsored her senior year tuition, and she did well on the college entrance exam. She might get into a top university, so I plan to fund her all the way through college."
While she spoke, Joy Zheng quietly took out a bank card: "Also, something happened at her home, so she might need to stay with us for a few more days."
She spoke in a low voice, clearly not wanting Yan downstairs to overhear.
"Is that okay?"
At the end, Joy Zheng held the bank card and looked to Evan Lin, clearly asking for his input.
"Yeah, as long as you’re happy."
Evan Lin nodded, not really caring either way.
Money was a trivial matter—Evan barely gave it a thought.
Helping poor kids go to school was just a good deed. If it made Joy Zheng happy, Evan had no reason to object.
"Hey, don’t bring this up in front of Yan later. You have to look out for her self-esteem."
"And be a little warmer, don’t be so cold. If I’d died when you were in primary school, how would you have survived alone? Just think about how hard that would be for someone else."
Joy Zheng couldn’t help but quietly scold Evan again.
Hearing that, Evan felt uncomfortable and his expression hardened: "Mom, what are you talking about—death and all that? As long as I’m here, you’ll never die."
"Alright, alright, let’s drop it."
Joy Zheng put away the bank card: "By the way, tonight I’m taking her out to buy some clothes. Want to come along?"
"I’ll pass. I’m going out with Hank Chu and Ken tonight."
Evan Lin shook his head, and Joy didn’t insist.
When they went back downstairs, Evan saw Yan quietly watching TV, the leftover watermelon rinds neatly stacked in the trash. Remembering Joy’s words, Evan’s gaze toward her softened a little.
Just as Joy Zheng was about to say something after coming downstairs—
Suddenly, the doorbell rang outside.