"Who are you, kid?"
Hearing Evan Lin's words, the young man driving and Lily Yan in the back seat both turned to look at him.
"We weren't talking to you. Why are you butting in?"
The young man glanced at Evan Lin's wrist—no expensive watch, no fancy accessories anywhere. He immediately dismissed Evan from his mind.
He said this, then turned again to Hank Chu: "I'm talking to you, did you get that?"
"Don't say I didn't give you face—I'm putting it right here. If you know what's good for you, remember my words: from now on, don't go looking for Julie Chu. She's not someone you deserve."
The young man's tone was harsh, and the way he looked at Hank Chu was more like scolding a primary school kid.
He was about to keep talking.
Evan Lin stepped forward, yanked open the driver's door, grabbed his collar with one hand, and hauled him out of the car.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
The young man jumped in shock and tried to struggle: "Let me tell you, these clothes cost thousands!"
"If you get them dirty, you can't afford to pay for it!"
He shrieked, but Evan Lin casually tossed him aside. He crashed into a roadside utility pole, arching his back in pain and gasping sharply.
"What are you doing!"
Lily Yan in the back seat turned furious, first glaring at Evan Lin, then suddenly looking at Hank Chu: "Hank Chu! You must be out of your mind, huh? You actually let your friend lay hands on Gary He!"
She got out of the car, ran over to the man, and helped him up—still wearing an angry expression as she glared over here.
Hank Chu looked dazed, still shaken by Lily Yan's earlier words.
"I'm asking you—was that message just now sent by Julie Chu?"
Evan Lin looked down at the two, his words completely calm.
No anger, no excitement—just calm.
But the calmer Evan Lin was, the more it made Lily Yan feel uneasy inside.
"Does it even matter? Anyway, Hank Chu isn't good enough for Julie Chu!"
Lily Yan's voice trembled: "Let me tell you, don't think you can just hit someone and get away with it!"
"You probably don't even know who you've messed with!"
Lily Yan was fierce on the outside, but weak inside.
The young man she was helping was still hunched over, too hurt to speak.
"If there's any problem, just talk it out with Julie Chu directly."
Evan Lin didn't look at the two of them but turned to Hank Chu, speaking softly: "No matter what, I'm always behind you."
"You don't need to worry about anything. You can do whatever you want—confess or give up. I'll support your decision."
Evan Lin's tone was gentle.
He didn't know Julie Chu, and it wasn't impossible that she might be a heartless girl.
But Evan Lin never really wanted to change the normal life trajectory of those around him.
Just like how Ken Feng was obsessed with that unworthy woman before, Evan Lin only stepped in when Ken needed help most—helping him save face—but never interfered with whether Ken kept seeing her.
Even if the world isn't worth it, that's still life.
People only grow through pain, and growth itself is a lonely, drawn-out process.
Evan Lin's attitude toward Hank Chu was the same now.
He could choose Julie Chu, and Evan Lin wouldn't interfere. But at the same time, Evan would protect Hank Chu and help him deal with unnecessary trouble when he needed it most.
As for what happens between Hank Chu and Julie Chu in the end, that's not Evan Lin's concern.
As long as Hank Chu thinks it's worth it, then it's worth it.
Life flashes by in just a few decades—who hasn't made mistakes or taken a wrong turn?
"Where is she now?"
Hank Chu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
The huge gap between him and Julie Chu had always been an obstacle for Hank Chu to confess his feelings.
Hank Chu had never really faced these feelings head-on. He gave a lot, but never dared hope for much in return.
It wasn't until Lily Yan's words just now stabbed at his heart that Hank Chu suddenly realized—right or wrong, feelings always need an ending.
"She's at school right now. I'm telling you, you don't stand a chance!"
Lily Yan glared at Hank Chu: "With the way you are, you probably can't even get through the gate!"
"And let me tell you—today's Julie Chu's birthday. Ryan Wu, Young Master Wu, has arranged an insanely luxurious birthday banquet for her! After tonight, she'll be his woman. You, a poor dog, have no right to ruin Julie Chu's happiness!"
Lily Yan's voice was shrill, so sharp it made people uncomfortable.
"Ryan Wu? The one whose family owns a publicly listed company?"
Will Han, who had been standing silently nearby, heard the name and his face changed instantly. He trembled and stared wide-eyed: "His dad was once on the Forbes rich list. He was ranked low, but that's still crazy rich!"
"That's right! It's Ryan Wu!"
Lily Yan looked at the group with contempt: "Let me tell you, Young Master Wu's family are major shareholders in NewAir Airlines! Even one of their planes is something you guys could never afford in your entire lives!"
"NewAir Airlines?"
Evan Lin heard the name and raised his eyebrows slightly.
"NewAir Airlines has been recruiting pilots and flight attendants from our school for years. There's nothing to talk about with someone like you—just a brute who only knows how to fight!"
Lily Yan was still fuming.
She thought throwing out Ryan Wu's identity would be enough to make everyone back off, and force Hank Chu to give up on Julie Chu.
"It's just a small airline. Why make such a fuss?"
But to her surprise, the unfamiliar young man in front of her wasn't scared at all. Instead, he shook his head: "A frog in a well, clueless woman. Hopeless."
"Who are you calling clueless?" Lily Yan's face twisted with rage.
Evan Lin ignored her. Women with no vision and too much noise—he didn't even care enough to slap her.
"Alright, let's go."
Evan Lin looked at Hank Chu, noticing his strange expression: "What's wrong?"
"Evan... maybe we should just forget it..."
Hank Chu was still feeling timid at this moment.
The courage he'd just managed to muster was mostly gone after Lily Yan revealed Ryan Wu's identity.
He stood there, his expression shifting several times, then lowered his head, full of pain and conflict.
"Maybe... I'm just too poor."
"And her... she doesn't like money, but she needs it. I know that..."
Hank Chu's face was full of struggle.
"Money? How much do you need to go?"
Evan Lin looked at Hank Chu and spoke calmly: "Brother, as long as I'm here, you'll lack a lot in this life—but I promise, money won't be one of them."