Lucy Lu came downstairs, bringing Lynn Chen with her.
"You’re here! Everyone, have a seat. Drinks are ready over there too." Lucy Lu smiled warmly. Behind her, Lynn Chen had changed into a new outfit and put on some light makeup, looking much more radiant and beautiful than before.
"Hello, Uncle Sheng. Hello, Auntie Pang."
Lynn Chen gave a sweet smile and greeted Haiyang Sheng and Susan Pang.
"Good, good! Wow, Old Chen, your Lynn is getting prettier every day." Haiyang Sheng praised sincerely.
"Haha, she still can’t compare to your Claire—she’s been adorable since she was little!" Charles Chen laughed and motioned for everyone to sit down.
Lynn Chen’s gaze shifted to Claire Sheng and Nina Pei, a hint of wariness in her eyes. When she noticed Nina’s long legs, her sense of rivalry grew even stronger.
"Claire, it’s been ages—come sit down!" Lynn Chen beamed, and as she spoke, she shot Evan Lin a glare when she caught him sneaking extra glances at Nina Pei.
"Hi, Lynn-jiejie." Claire Sheng smiled softly, then introduced, "This is my best friend, Nina Pei."
"Hello."
Lynn Chen and Nina Pei exchanged greetings.
Unlike Claire Sheng’s gentle personality, when Nina Pei and Lynn Chen first locked eyes, there was an instant spark of rivalry between them.
Come on, Evan, have a few drinks with your Uncle Sheng! It’s rare for everyone to get together.
Charles Chen looked cheerful. Once everyone was seated, Haiyang Sheng poured a glass of wine, looked at Evan Lin, raised his glass, and said, "Last time, I really owe it to you. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know where I’d be lying now."
Your Uncle Sheng may not be very capable, but if you ever need anything, just ask! I’ll help you however I can!
Haiyang Sheng was already a martial artist. After Evan saved him and taught him the Qi Source Body-Forging Art, his strength had reached mid-Inner Strength in just a few months. His physical condition had improved dramatically, and his spirits were much higher.
He looked at Evan Lin, his eyes full of genuine gratitude.
This sudden scene left Nina Pei a little startled and confused.
To her, Haiyang Sheng was the boss of a real estate company, yet he showed Evan Lin such favor and respect. What was even stranger was that neither Claire Sheng nor Charles Chen nor anyone else at the table acted like this was out of the ordinary.
"It was nothing. Looks like you’re recovering well—keep training, and you’ll definitely improve even more." Evan Lin picked up his glass and nodded slightly.
His attitude was more like an elder giving advice to a junior.
By the way, Evan, have you decided what university you want to apply to? Claire’s also been thinking about where to take her college entrance exam, but she still hasn’t made up her mind. Why don’t you give her some advice?" Susan Pang asked, smiling at Evan Lin, clearly very pleased with him.
I asked him before, but Evan said he hasn’t decided yet and still needs to think about it, right, Evan?" Lucy Lu cut in quickly, not giving Evan a chance to answer.
In that case, why don’t you and Claire go visit some universities together in the next few days? You can check out the campuses and see which ones you like. There are still a few days before the New Year, after all." Susan Pang said with a smile.
That might be a bit tricky. Evan will be leaving soon for some family matters, right Evan?
Lucy Lu looked at Evan Lin, tossing the question to him.
Lucy Lu and Susan Pang went back and forth, both understanding each other’s intentions perfectly well.
Right now, Evan Lin was a hot commodity—whether for his character or his ability, he was a rare find.
Lynn Chen heard this and turned to Evan Lin, asking, "How much of your winter homework have you finished?"
Each class got sixty practice papers this time. If you don’t finish them all, you’d better watch out—your teachers will definitely scold you.
Evan Lin took a sip of wine and shook his head. "I haven’t done any of it, and I don’t plan to. It’s way too easy—just a waste of time."
As soon as he said that, Lynn Chen’s eyebrows shot up. Nina Pei, sensing an opening, smiled at Evan Lin and asked, "So you must be really good at school, huh?"
I always thought you were just good at math, and Claire’s math is pretty bad, so you could tutor her. But if you’re also good at physics, chemistry, or biology, maybe you could help me out sometime too?
After Nina Pei finished speaking, she glanced at Lynn Chen. Seeing Lynn’s frown, she felt like she’d scored a win in their little rivalry.
Claire Sheng’s eyes widened with anticipation.
She knew Nina Pei liked Evan Lin, but that never bothered her at all.
If I have time, I can help. But lately, I probably won’t have much free time.
Evan Lin thought it over—a half yes, half no.
His answer eased some of the subtle tension around the table.
Come on, eat up!
Charles Chen was sweating—Lucy Lu had already stomped on his foot several times under the table. He gave a wry smile, only now realizing what was happening.
Everyone at the table had their own thoughts as they ate.
Claire Sheng kept picking out pieces of meat for Evan Lin with her chopsticks, sweetly telling him to eat more.
Nina Pei kept praising Claire Sheng and told all sorts of funny stories about boys chasing her at school. Evan Lin didn’t say much, but the atmosphere stayed lively.
Lynn Chen watched all this, feeling frustrated and unwilling to lose.
Lucy Lu kept giving Lynn Chen meaningful looks, but Lynn just couldn’t bring herself to serve Evan Lin any food. She couldn’t be as natural as Claire Sheng and ended up clearly losing ground.
Haiyang Sheng and Charles Chen chatted about company management, wisely steering clear of the mysterious battle between the women.
After dinner, Lucy Lu put down her chopsticks and sighed to herself about Lynn Chen’s reserved attitude. But she quickly took out two movie tickets, handed them to Evan Lin, and smiled: "Evan, I happened to get two movie tickets. I was going to see the movie with your Uncle Chen tonight, but now we can’t go, so I’ll give them to you instead."
Movie tickets? What movie?" Charles Chen was startled, craned his neck to look, and when he saw the title, his face turned odd: "Haunting Premiere? Isn’t that a horror movie? Looks pretty scary."
Why do you suddenly want to watch a horror movie? Weren’t you always the most afraid of horror movies?
Before Charles Chen could finish, Lucy Lu smiled sweetly and, under the table, reached out and pinched a chunk of flesh on his waist, twisting it hard.