After leaving the Chen family’s house, Madam Han led Ryan Ren back toward their own home. Ryan kept glancing back at the villa behind them, a reluctant look in his eyes.
When they got home, a middle-aged man was sitting in the living room reading the newspaper. Seeing Madam Han and Ryan come in, he nodded slightly: "You're back. They must have agreed, right?"
The man’s name was Derek Ren. He ran a trading company, and in Capitalview his financial situation was above average. He also held a local household registration, making him a genuine native.
"Sigh, not yet. Things are a bit strange."
Madam Han shook her head, and Ryan’s expression was also a bit dejected. This made Derek Ren pause in surprise, his brows furrowing: "That’s odd. Didn’t Charles Chen just come to Capitalview to set up his company? I was about to help him meet a few local officials. Surely he wouldn’t refuse to let his daughter accompany Ryan to a school arts gala?"
"Looks like that family has a bit of an attitude. Do they really think anyone can just blend in and get ahead in Capitalview?"
Derek Ren discreetly put down his newspaper, his expression growing more displeased. "If I didn’t think Charles Chen was a decent guy, and if Ryan didn’t have his eye on their daughter, I wouldn’t bother with his business at all."
"And now they’re getting greedy?"
Derek Ren snorted coldly. Madam Han shook her head, first sending Ryan off to his own room before sitting down beside Derek. After a moment of silence, she spoke: "Charles Chen’s backer seems to be Wansheng Real Estate in Seacrest Province. It’s not as simple as we thought."
"Wansheng Real Estate? Wayne Wang’s company?" Derek Ren froze, his face full of surprise.
"That’s right. And there was a boy at their house this afternoon who not only knows Wayne Wang’s son, but also Sawyer Summer and even Victor Su!" As Madam Han spoke, her face went pale and she seemed dazed, still finding it hard to believe.
Those three each have backgrounds deeper than the last; ordinary people can hardly meet even one of them.
"Tell me exactly what happened just now." Derek Ren’s expression turned serious after hearing this.
Madam Han recounted everything that had just happened at the Chen house. Derek Ren listened, his face growing solemn: "It seems Charles Chen really might be backed by Wansheng Real Estate. Tell Ryan to prepare well for the arts gala—if he gets close to Lynn Chen, it could be a big opportunity."
"The Chen family’s potential is far greater than I imagined. The kids live close by now—if Ryan can get together with Lynn Chen, our families might do business together in the future."
Derek Ren nodded slightly.
"But it looks like Lucy Lu actually wants Lynn Chen to get close to that other boy in their house. And that kid..." Madam Han sounded worried. If Evan Lin really knows so many big shots, his background must be formidable. If they offend him, she’s afraid there’ll be trouble.
"No need to worry about that. I bet that kid doesn’t have any real background. All that talk about knowing this person or that is just vanity. Have you ever seen a truly wealthy young master live in a community like ours?" Derek Ren looked completely confident, crossing his legs. "Tomorrow, go visit their house again and keep building ties. The Chen family really does have potential!"
......
Early the next morning, Evan Lin got up and, as usual, ran a lap around the neighborhood. By the time he returned, Lucy Lu had already prepared breakfast. Lynn Chen came downstairs, not even glancing at Evan, just chomping angrily on her bread as if it were Evan himself, her pretty face full of indignation.
Lucy Lu noticed Lynn Chen’s little mood and glanced at Evan, who was quietly eating his breakfast. She could only smile helplessly.
She drove Evan and Lynn to Capitalview First High.
As soon as they got out of the car, Lynn Chen sped up, putting distance between herself and Evan as she rushed into the school. Evan strolled in at his own pace.
When Evan entered the classroom, before he’d even sat down, he noticed the other students looking at him differently today.
"Damn, did you leave school with Lynn Chen yesterday?"
Jason Liu, who had just walked in, saw Evan at his desk with his backpack still in hand. He rushed over, face full of excitement.
Seeing Evan nod, Jason looked even more impressed. "You’re seriously a beast! Do you realize Lynn Chen’s never gone home with a boy since she transferred here?"
"And you scolded Mason He too?"
Jason Liu looked at Evan like he was some kind of rare treasure. In his mind, there had never been such a legendary transfer student at Capitalview First High.
"I didn’t scold him, just gave him a simple lesson." Evan leaned back in his chair and shook his head. "He’s not even a small character—why make such a fuss?"
"Just a simple lesson? Not even a small character?"
The moment Evan said this, the students around him were speechless. Mason He was the sanda club president, famous for his fists.
Plus, he was a top student in Experimental Class 2—a real campus celebrity. Tons of girls chased after him. And now this transfer student just called him a nobody?
"Quit bragging. Are you just running your mouth, or do you think boasting is free? Mason He nearly kicked your mouth crooked, but he slipped and twisted his back. You just stepped on his face while he was down—how can you call that teaching him a lesson?"
Ryan Luo, who’d switched seats to the far side of the classroom, scoffed loudly. But when Evan glanced at him with a cold, indifferent look, Ryan’s face went pale and he tensed up, startled.
Everyone watching found the scene a bit funny.
"Try saying that again, Ryan Luo. Louder, so I can hear you." Evan yawned, looking completely relaxed.
Everyone stared at Ryan Luo. His face turned beet red, mouth opening and closing, but he just didn’t have the guts. His whole face looked like a piece of liver.
Even Liam Liu had been knocked out by Evan with a single slap. Ryan Luo really didn’t dare say anything now.
Seeing Ryan Luo go silent, Evan sighed, looking a little bored.
Meanwhile, in the math department—
"Scores are out. The highest score... someone actually got a perfect score?"