Ken Feng was getting anxious, and Hank Chu, realizing what was happening, felt a jolt of worry too.
If Brandon Yang really managed to call his brother Brian Yang over, the three of them would definitely end up flat on their backs in the hospital tonight.
Max Ma and the others just snorted, treating what Evan Lin had just said as a joke.
Even though they were puzzled why Brandon Yang seemed afraid of Evan Lin, they absolutely didn’t believe Evan could really break Brandon’s leg.
After all, no matter what, Evan Lin was just a high schooler their own age.
"It’s fine."
Evan glanced at Hank and Ken, noticing their worried expressions, and gave a small smile.
On the other side, Max Ma picked up his drink. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, he called everyone to eat, though the way he looked over here was definitely a bit strange.
"Didn’t Jason Jiang say he was coming today too? How come he’s not here yet? Where is he—Xiaodie, do you know?" Max Ma asked.
As he asked, his gaze casually swept over Hank Chu—and sure enough, Hank’s face changed.
Hank Chu liked Amelia Jiao, and Amelia was known to be close to Jason Jiang—everyone knew it.
After getting repeatedly ‘slapped’ by Evan Lin, Max Ma decisively switched targets and set his sights on Hank Chu.
Hank popped open a beer on the table and took a big swig, feeling miserable.
Amelia Jiao shook her head, a faint look of annoyance flashing across her pretty face. "I have no clue what he’s been up to lately, always hanging out with those three."
These past few days, Amelia had even tried to ask Jason out a couple times, but he always made excuses. Later, she happened to run into him on the street.
Back then, Jason was with two guys and a girl, wandering through a supermarket. Usually he acted like a cocky rich kid, but that time he actually seemed like their servant. The sight left Amelia feeling weird inside.
She even tried to drag Jason off to hang out with her, and the other three told him to go with her too. But Jason stubbornly refused to leave their side, so in the end, Amelia left in a huff.
Since then, she hadn’t seen Jason again. When Max brought it up, Amelia could only sigh.
"Maybe he’s worried about wearing you out. Last time I saw him leave your place, he looked totally exhausted," a guy at the table joked with a sly grin.
The moment those words left his mouth, Hank’s face turned even uglier.
Amelia shot the guy a glare, gave him a playful slap, and laughed—though she didn’t really deny anything.
Hank’s grip tightened; the beer can in his hand crackled under the pressure.
Evan watched and shook his head slightly.
That guy was clearly trying to get a rise out of Hank, but Evan knew Hank’s feelings for Amelia ran deep. Still, when it came to matters of the heart, Evan didn’t intend to meddle.
Ken patted Hank’s arm, picked up a beer, said nothing, clinked cans with him, and swallowed a big gulp.
"I heard Jason confessed to you, right? So, are you thinking of saying yes? I think Jason’s pretty decent—his grades are whatever, but he’s got money, and most importantly, he’ll treat you well. He even told me he’s planning to buy you the newest iPhone," Max Ma said with a grin.
Rubbing salt in the wound.
Hearing the words ‘he’s got money’, Hank just lowered his head helplessly.
That was his weak spot. Family background isn’t something you can choose. So even though he really liked Amelia, he knew there was a gap between them he just couldn’t cross.
Amelia might not be super materialistic, but at this age, what girl doesn’t like a generous, stylish guy with good social skills?
Compared to that, Hank had zero advantages.
"I still need to think about it. He hasn’t even reached out in days—his attitude sucks."
Amelia arched her brows, clearly annoyed.
Max Ma and the others burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, Brandon Yang hobbled over on crutches, supported by Yvonne Xie.
After his trip to the restroom, Brandon looked much calmer. He sat down, grabbed a drink, and smiled, "Why aren’t you guys eating? There’s tons of food on the grill—dig in, dig in."
After speaking, Brandon picked up a piece of grilled tenderloin, bit into it, and kept glancing at Evan, a chill flickering deep in his eyes.
"Yeah, Hank, eat up—turn your grief into appetite." Max Ma urged Hank to dig in, his words sharp as knives.
Hank didn’t hold back—he grabbed food off the grill and started wolfing it down.
Amelia fiddled with her phone, looking bored—obviously waiting for a message from Jason.
At that moment, Max Ma switched seats and sat down next to Ivy Deng. Ivy shifted over, making a bit of space so they wouldn’t be too close.
When Max sat down, Ivy instinctively glanced toward Evan, only to find he hadn’t looked her way even once. Ivy quietly shook her head, thinking Evan probably knew the gap between himself and Max.
It’s human nature to fear power.
In Ivy’s eyes, everything Evan had just said and done—including following them here—was probably for her. But now that Max was sitting right beside her, it sent Evan a strong message and made him feel out of place, just like Hank burying his head in food and refusing to look at Amelia.
Everyone had their own thoughts. Max kept smiling, and after eating for quite a while, Ken decided it was about time to leave with Hank and Evan.
But just then, the roar of engines approached from a distance.
That buzzing rumble disturbed the calm lake. The newly released fish darted across the water, sending ripples spreading out in circles.
They’re here!
When Brandon heard the roar, he thought the sound of those diesel engines had never been so beautiful.
Hank had drunk quite a bit, his face flushed. Ken, hearing the engines, hadn’t reacted yet. Evan’s expression remained perfectly calm, like still water.
He’d seen real storms, watched the world change, lived a hundred years—compared to that, this was nothing but a dream. There are always ants lining up to die, just like today’s crowd. Why bother?
Evan shook his head, sighing inwardly.
Suddenly, Brandon sprang to his feet, slamming his half-empty beer can to the ground. His face twisted into something vicious.