The Zheng family personally escorted Evan Lin and Joy Zheng to the train station. Old Madam Grace Zheng was reluctant to see them go and tried several times to persuade Joy to stay in Oceanport, but Joy insisted on returning so Evan could attend school.
Although life in Oceanport was carefree and their material conditions far surpassed those in Whitewood County, Joy still felt that living in Whitewood was more meaningful.
Once they boarded, the train headed toward Minghai City.
Originally, Big Tank and his men were supposed to wait at the train station, but Evan Lin dismissed them all with a single text. Up to now, Joy Zheng still hadn’t fully processed that her son was actually Master Lin from Seacrest, so she kept having heart-to-heart talks with Evan, mainly hoping he wouldn’t stir up trouble. Evan agreed to everything she asked.
Minghai City train station, plaza at the entrance.
People bustled all around, the place was packed with cars and crowds.
Bundled up in a down jacket and wearing bunny-ear earmuffs, Lynn Chen stood in the plaza with Lucy Lu, both looking toward the entrance of the station.
Lucy Lu checked the time. "They should be here soon. When you see Auntie Zheng, remember to greet her properly, okay?"
"Got it, got it, Mom, you’ve said that a million times already." Lynn Chen tapped her toe on the ground, looking nonchalant. "But why did Auntie Zheng and Evan Lin go to Oceanport anyway? Do they have family there?"
Before this, Lynn only knew from her mother that Evan Lin and Joy Zheng had gone to Oceanport, but she didn’t know the reason. In her mind, Joy and Evan had always lived in Whitewood, and Oceanport seemed like a far-off metropolis, separated by mountains and rivers.
"Don’t go asking about that, or you might say something wrong."
Lucy Lu just shook her head, and Lynn Chen obediently replied with a quiet "Mm."
"They’re here."
Moments later, Lynn Chen’s eyes lit up—she spotted Evan Lin and Joy Zheng walking out from the station and hurried over to help Joy with her luggage.
"Hello, Auntie Zheng."
Lynn Chen greeted her sweetly.
"Oh, good, good! Here, this is a New Year’s red envelope from Auntie Zheng."
Joy Zheng smiled at Lynn, then took a red envelope from her pocket and handed it straight over.
Lynn didn’t refuse—she thanked her, shot Evan Lin a quick glance, and then took the small bag from Joy’s hand.
"You look like you’re in great spirits today."
Lucy Lu patted Joy Zheng on the arm. Seeing Joy’s bright, genuine smile, she finally felt relieved.
Her biggest worry had been that Joy would only share the good news and hide her troubles, swallowing any grievances she suffered in Oceanport, then pretending everything was fine on the phone.
But now, seeing Joy looking so sincerely at ease, Lucy felt like a weight had finally been lifted from her heart.
"It’s all thanks to little Evan."
Joy Zheng nodded and let out a soft sigh.
"Of course! Evan’s really become more and more impressive. If I had a son like that, I’d probably wake up smiling even in my dreams."
"You’re really blessed."
Lucy Lu glanced over at Evan Lin and said, "Let’s go. Since the snow hasn’t melted yet, I didn’t drive today. We can walk and chat along the way."
"Oh, right—Lynn, didn’t you have a ton of questions you wanted to ask Evan?"
Lucy called out to Lynn, who was standing off to the side holding the little bag.
"Ah, yes!"
Lynn Chen kept sneaking glances at Evan Lin, and when she heard Lucy Lu’s words, she panicked a little and her voice came out louder than usual.
Still, she didn’t hesitate—she took a few quick steps and ended up walking side by side with Evan.
"We two old ladies will hurry ahead and swing by the supermarket for some fish."
Lucy Lu pulled Joy Zheng along at a brisk pace. Joy understood what she was up to, so she gave Evan a couple of reminders to look after Lynn, then hurried off with Lucy, leaving Evan and Lynn with some private space.
Lynn was still a little hesitant, while Evan looked totally calm.
"Did you have fun in Oceanport?"
As the two walked down the street, Lynn was secretly frustrated—how was she supposed to ask about exam questions in a situation like this?
No paper, no pen, and her mind was a mess anyway.
"It was all right."
Evan asked, "So have you decided? Are you going to try for Beijing University?"
"Yeah, unless something unexpected happens, I want to give it a shot. Who knows, I might have a chance." Lynn’s face grew more serious. "Right now, I don’t really need to review Chinese or English anymore, but my main problems are still with math and physics—that’s where I’m weak."
"Then you’ll have to work hard. There’s not much time left—after the new term starts, there’s just a few months until the college entrance exam. If you really get in, Auntie Lu will be thrilled."
Evan’s tone was casual: "If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask. I’ll tell you the approach, but you’ll have to work out the details yourself."
He didn’t sugarcoat his words at all.
Hearing that, Lynn couldn’t help feeling a little indignant.
Back then, Lynn had been the model student, and Evan the one always at the bottom of the class. Now Evan’s grades had shot through the roof, and even though he’d surpassed her, Lynn still felt a bit uncomfortable being talked to that way.
Lynn took a deep breath, her mind racing. Determined not to let Evan look down on her, she recited a tricky physics problem she’d been pondering for ages—no paper, no pen, just a verbal description of the setup.
She glanced at Evan. "I’ve never figured out where to even start with this one. Can you give me a hint?"
Lynn looked a little smug.
The physics problem was so complicated that even on paper it would take several force diagrams and require considering friction and air resistance. By the time she finished describing it, even Lynn was a bit dizzy—she really just wanted to knock Evan down a peg.
But Evan only thought for a moment before explaining: first, break down the initial force; then resolve the friction at a thirty-degree angle, combine it with gravity, and use Newton’s second law to solve the problem step by step.
Evan spoke in a calm, unhurried voice. Lynn had expected him to bluff, but when she really listened and thought it through, she realized the problem that had stumped her for so long was suddenly clear—his explanation opened the door to the solution as if it were nothing.
"You’re a total monster."
Lynn stood there stunned for a long moment, muttering to herself—just then, she noticed a young man and woman walking toward them from up ahead.