Everyone’s eyes followed the boy. He wasn’t tall, but when he walked, his back was perfectly straight—giving off a steady, composed vibe. Glancing at his profile, you’d see his indifferent gaze and a hint of cold arrogance that made people want to look again.
The girls nearby were all a little surprised. Evan Lin didn’t look much different than before, but something about his presence and energy had clearly changed, making more than a few girls sneak extra glances at him.
But the boys watching Evan Lin had even more hostility in their eyes. Anyone who could make Lynn Chen—always cool and distant—look twice was bound to be seen as a threat.
"Evan Lin?"
The strange tension was broken by Lynn Chen’s surprised voice.
Evan Lin paused, turned his head, and nodded slightly at Lynn Chen, who was surrounded by classmates.
"When did you get here?" Lynn Chen couldn’t help but ask, looking at Evan Lin standing in front of her.
Ever since summer break, Evan Lin had basically vanished. Seeing him suddenly appear here was enough to leave Lynn Chen genuinely shocked.
"I enrolled this afternoon."
Evan Lin answered Lynn Chen simply. Just as Lynn was about to say something else, Mason He—already on alert—stepped forward and planted himself squarely between Evan and Lynn, blocking their line of sight.
"You’re Evan Lin, right? The one who transferred here from Brightsea City in Seacrest Province?" Mason He narrowed his eyes, a smile on his face.
From the brief exchange between Lynn Chen and Evan Lin, Mason could already tell they knew each other—and not just casually, either.
"This is gonna be fun. Mason He clearly doesn’t like this transfer student at all."
"Well, duh. It’s been almost a month and Mason’s been trying to get close to Lynn Chen every day with zero luck. Now this random guy shows up out of nowhere—of course he’s pissed."
"I wonder if this guy even knows who he’s talking to. Mason He is the sanda club minister—if things get ugly, the transfer kid might get knocked flat with a single kick."
Seeing Mason He block the space between Lynn Chen and Evan Lin, the onlookers’ eyes filled with anticipation. They were ready for a show.
Nobody here liked the transfer student much anyway. No matter what, they’d always side with Mason He, their own guy.
Mason He waited for Evan Lin to answer, but Evan just glanced at him with a cold, indifferent look. "This really has nothing to do with you. Even a dog knows when to mind its own business."
"Who are you calling a dog?!"
Mason He’s face changed instantly, and the whole crowd erupted in shock.
Mason He was taller than Evan Lin and had a huge reputation at Capitalview First High School. No transfer student had ever roasted him so bluntly before.
"Evan Lin! How can you talk like that? We’re all classmates now, aren’t we?"
Lynn Chen, stuck behind Mason He, looked a little annoyed. She didn’t think much of Mason—his bragging about being able to fight ten people was just hot air to her, and she found him shallow and irritating, so she usually ignored him.
Still, hearing Evan Lin call someone a dog right off the bat was a bit much, even for her.
Lynn Chen had started to figure out how things worked at Capitalview First High School. Someone like Mason He had deep connections, and if Evan Lin went around offending people, she worried his days at school wouldn’t be easy.
After all, this wasn’t Brightsea No. 2 High.
"Hear that? Even Lynn Chen can’t stand the way you act!" Mason He’s face darkened, then he forced a sly, provocative smile at Evan Lin.
"I thought maybe this transfer student and Lynn Chen were close, but now it looks pretty normal to me." Hearing Lynn’s words, the other students looked at Evan Lin with even more disdain.
"Of course. Lynn Chen got snatched up by the Experimental Class homeroom teacher as soon as she arrived. But Evan Lin? He was basically dumped into Senior Year Class 32 by Director Ben Lu, and Byron Yang didn’t even want him at first." another student snickered.
In their eyes, Evan Lin was obviously not good enough for Lynn Chen. Plus, the gap between the Experimental Class and ordinary Class 32 was like the difference between a top university and a regular college—worlds apart.
Hearing the students gossiping, Lynn Chen instantly regretted her words. Before she could think of how to explain, Evan Lin spoke up again, totally calm. He looked straight at Mason He and said, "You don’t even measure up to a dog. At least a dog knows right from wrong—unlike you, who doesn’t know a damn thing."
"What did you say?!"
Mason He’s face went dark as he stepped forward, eyes locked on Evan Lin. "You really have the guts to insult me again and again? I could let it slide for Lynn’s sake, but only if you apologize right now!"
There was barely concealed anger in Mason He’s voice.
The students watching looked even more excited, anticipation all over their faces.
"It’s about to go down!"
"I can already picture Mason He launching a flying kick and sending that transfer kid flying."
"This transfer student really kicked an iron plate today. He clearly had no idea who Mason He—our club minister—really is!"
The students behind Evan Lin looked at him with pity in their eyes.
If it really came to a fight, Mason He could knock him down with a single punch. That kind of strength came from years of real training—not something an ordinary high schooler could match.
"There’s no one in this world who’s ever had the guts to make me apologize. Who do you think you are?" Evan Lin shook his head slightly, his expression indifferent, a trace of mockery in his eyes as he looked at Mason He.
"I may not be anyone special, but at Capitalview First High School, nobody dares talk to me like that!" Mason He shouted angrily. "Since you’re so tough, let’s see if you can keep it up!"
As soon as he finished, Mason He stepped forward, planted his foot, and leaped into the air—aiming a flying kick straight at Evan Lin’s head.
The kick was brutal, and to the onlookers, it looked downright savage.
Lynn Chen’s face went pale, her heart skipping a beat.