Leaving that area, Logan Rowe kept up a steady stream of chatter, trying to strike up a conversation with Molly Su beside him.
But Molly Su barely responded to anything he said.
In Logan's eyes, Molly was like someone immune to all persuasion—"oil-salt-won't-enter"—which left him feeling a bit dejected.
"Molly, is there anything you especially want?"
Logan kicked an empty soda can on the ground as he walked, asking again. Despite seeing her so many times, he still had no clue what Molly actually liked.
But after he asked, Logan got no response—not even a perfunctory one. Instead, he noticed that Molly, who had been walking beside him, suddenly froze, stopping in her tracks.
Logan was startled. Seeing Molly's usual uninterested expression suddenly shift, he immediately sensed something was off.
"Why are you here?"
A soft, faint voice sounded in front of them. Logan looked up at the boy who had just stepped out of the elevator, his brows furrowing as he quickly sized him up, eyes full of wariness.
The words came from the boy in front—not directed at Logan, but obviously at someone else.
"I... I'm just out having some fun, I guess."
Molly hesitated, a faint trace of panic in her voice—like a rabbit caught sneaking carrots from home.
Logan felt it was utterly absurd. With his status, he'd spent ages trying to get close to Molly Su, but she'd never acted like this before!
But this random kid in front of him—why? What did he do to deserve it?
Logan forced down his irritation, squinting as his gaze grew unfriendly.
"Well, isn't that a coincidence."
Evan Lin nodded, unsure what to say for a moment. "Are you planning to leave now?"
"No."
Molly shook her head, hesitated, then looked at Evan and carefully asked, "Did you come here for something?"
"Sort of."
"Oh."
Molly nodded at his words, the tips of her hair falling along her cheek. Her heart thumped wildly, masking her tangled emotions.
"Hello, are you Molly's friend?"
Logan stepped forward beside Molly, reached out to Evan Lin, and tilted his chin slightly, eyes fixed on Evan's face. "Molly hasn't seemed very happy lately—maybe it's because she's been away from home for so long. Now she runs into an old friend here in a foreign city. That's pretty lucky."
"I think your arrival should make Molly happy. Thank you."
Logan's wording was especially deliberate. The subtext was clear: Molly had been with him all this time, and he and Molly were together. As for Evan, at best he was just an ordinary friend of Molly's.
Molly frowned at his words, wanting to explain but not knowing how.
She glanced worriedly at Evan, only to see him calmly reach out his hand, his expression unchanged despite Logan's condescending attitude.
"Hello."
"Molly and I were planning to go out and have some fun, but since you're here, I guess you're here to watch the fights?"
When Logan went in for the handshake, he planned to squeeze hard and show the kid in front of him who was boss. But no matter how much force he used, he couldn't budge the boy's hand at all.
The hand felt like iron, and Logan's face shifted slightly in surprise.
"If that's the case, why don't we all go together?"
Logan composed himself and spoke directly, keeping his expression controlled while plotting how to embarrass the boy in front of him. "Molly, you don't mind, right?"
Logan smiled gently. "I was just saying I'd take you out for some good food and fun, but I guess that'll have to wait."
"I... I'm not hungry now."
Molly froze for a second, then quickly spoke up.
She actually wanted to spend more time with Evan, but she was too shy to find a reason to stay just now.
Still, hearing Logan talk like that, Molly couldn't help but worry—what if he tried to stir up trouble?
From what she'd seen of Logan lately, she felt he was a bit petty. Even though he was born into the Rowe clan, his vision wasn't broad at all—and his jealousy was pretty strong.
Molly was pretty worried he might do something to Evan.
"So, what do you think? Is it convenient?"
Logan smiled at Evan. "If it's not convenient, that's fine too."
"Let's go together then."
Evan nodded, didn't refuse, and walked ahead. As he passed Molly, he quietly said, "Let's go."
Molly nodded obediently and followed beside Evan, practically ignoring Logan altogether.
Logan's face froze. He whipped around, staring at Evan's back. A flash of ferocity crossed his face, then he quickly smoothed it out, glancing at Evan before sweeping his gaze toward the area where the Haizhou Master Lin was located.
"That so-called Master Lin from Haizhou—he's been trying to show off in front of me for days, but never got the chance."
Logan sneered coldly. "This time, your timing is perfect!"
"You'd better pray Molly doesn't have any extra feelings for you. Otherwise, this time next year will be your death anniversary!"
Logan's eyes flashed, and he quickly strode forward to catch up.
He'd long sensed Molly's indifference toward him, and had wondered if there was someone else in her heart.
If that really was the case, Logan figured the solution was simple enough.
All he had to do was destroy Evan's image in Molly's eyes and take his place.
Maybe he couldn't beat a living rival—but if that rival was dead, Logan figured he'd never lose.
By the side of the arena stands, Evan and Molly found seats and sat down.
Originally, the seat next to Molly was already taken, but Logan boldly stepped forward, pulled out a wad of cash, and got the person beside Molly to give up the spot.
It was basically a way to show off in front of Evan, flexing his financial power.
At least from Logan's perspective right now, Evan didn't seem like any kind of rich guy.
"So, brother, what do you do these days?"
Logan asked with a smile.
"School."
"Oh, school, huh."
He nodded. "These days, after you graduate, if you don't have some real skills, it's tough to get by."
Evan didn't respond, not interested in wasting words with him.
Molly was a little dissatisfied, just sitting beside Evan. She'd been restless for a while now, always sneaking glances at him, thinking of something to say but too afraid, worried she'd annoy him.
After all—
No one else knew Evan's true identity.
But she did.
Wasn't he the real Master Lin from Seacrest?
He was the young master who crushed Moyang, shook all of Seacrest, and outclassed even the Jiangnan Sword Sect.
This Master Lin from Seacrest was way more real than the one sitting on the other side.