If you disagree, you can all come at me together.
As soon as Evan Lin said this, those people were about to make a move.
But at that moment, the crowd was suddenly parted.
"Holy crap, Summer Bro!"
Outside the crowd, a surprised voice called out. Keaton Wang, dressed in a white shirt and black vest, rushed over from the other side. Seeing Summer Mu standing there, his face lit up with excitement.
"What are you doing here?" Summer Mu was also taken aback to see Keaton Wang. Keaton was a few years younger than him, and as the Wang family's only third-generation heir, he'd been spoiled and domineering since childhood.
The Wang family holds a portion of Jared Qian’s company shares. When Steward Qian saw Keaton Wang, his expression clearly softened: "Young Master Wang, Summer Mu’s invitation doesn’t allow him to bring guests. I was just about to clear out any unrelated people before the auction starts."
"That's right. Just look at this kid—he's got 'broke loser' written all over him. How could he possibly qualify for the auction? What a joke!" Summer Jade sneered, while Leon Zhao added in a chilly tone, "The Jared Qian Auction is famous for its high standards all across River City. How could we let some random nobody ruin our mood?"
"Bullshit, you idiots." Keaton Wang glanced at Summer Jade and Leon Zhao, his tone full of disdain, making both of them freeze on the spot.
Being cursed out by Keaton Wang in public left them both humiliated and unable to save face.
A woman and two girls.
The woman looked to be around forty, but her bearing was dignified. The two girls were both under twenty—one fresh and lively, the other much more elegant and cool. What they shared was a beauty that could entrance any man.
Evan Lin?
One of the girls spotted Evan Lin in the crowd, her face full of surprise.
"What are you doing here?" Evan Lin was also surprised to see Rachel Liu not far away; they'd just parted ways that morning, and he hadn't expected to meet her here.
"You know each other, Rachel?" Keaton Wang's mother had wanted to say something—she knew Summer Mu, but had some reservations about his friend.
Judging by his clothes, Evan Lin was worlds apart from their circle. But with her experienced eye, Keaton Wang's mother sensed a strange steadiness about him, standing there as if nothing could faze him.
As if Mount Tai collapsed before him and his expression didn't change.
That was the general feeling.
"He's my classmate." Rachel Liu nodded. Megan Liu, standing beside her, looked Evan Lin up and down with curiosity.
Rachel Liu's mother couldn't help but glance at Evan Lin several times.
"Since he's Summer Mu's friend and Rachel's classmate, let him come in with us." Keaton Wang's mother nodded, giving up her earlier idea of making Evan Lin leave.
But in her words, she made it clear—Evan Lin was Rachel's classmate and Summer Mu's friend, but had no connection to Keaton Wang.
She was speaking to Evan Lin, but also to everyone around.
Nowadays, countless people try to cozy up to the Wang family, but Keaton Wang's mother had just cut off Evan Lin's path.
Hey, you're my sister's classmate—are you trying to chase after her?" Megan Liu squinted at Evan Lin, a sly smile on her face.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either. Since everyone's attention was focused here, Megan Liu's words made the whole crowd prick up their ears, waiting for Evan Lin's answer.
Rachel Liu's mother also looked at Evan Lin, her gaze cold and warning.
"Not interested, at least for now." Evan Lin replied calmly, and his words instantly drew mocking laughter from the crowd.
"Not interested for now? That sounds like you think you could get her if you wanted." A nearby woman muttered, giving Evan Lin a playful look.
Holy crap, where did this toad come from? Doesn't he feel even a little ashamed saying something like that?" a man couldn't help but snicker.
Rachel Liu and Megan Liu are well-known beauties among the younger generation, so for some broke guy to say he's not interested in Rachel Liu is just laughable.
Rachel Liu frowned slightly and looked at Evan Lin, wanting to speak but hesitating. But when their eyes met, she suddenly realized that at some point, Evan Lin's gaze had become clearer and calmer—as if nothing in the world mattered to him anymore.
Not even Rachel Liu.
It made Rachel Liu wonder if the Evan Lin who once sent her love letters and became the school's laughingstock was even the same person as the one before her now.
Wow, you're the first person to ever say that." Megan Liu was stunned for a moment, then looked at him in surprise.
Summer Bro, your friend is something else—he's got real personality." Keaton Wang tiptoed and whispered in Summer Mu's ear.
Yeah." Summer Mu nodded; he couldn't really define Evan Lin either.
Evan Lin had a maturity and conviction that didn't belong to his age. Sometimes, his disregard for everything felt as sharp as a blade.
The auction should be starting soon—let's head in.' Rachel Liu's mother glanced at Evan Lin, then turned to Keaton Wang's mother and spoke.
She didn't pay Evan Lin any mind at all.
If you want to stand out as a toad, you need to have the capital to stand out.
Rachel Liu frowned slightly and looked at Evan Lin, wanting to speak but hesitating. But when their eyes met, she suddenly realized that at some point, Evan Lin's gaze had become clearer and calmer—as if nothing in the world mattered to him anymore.
Not even Rachel Liu.
It made Rachel Liu wonder if the Evan Lin who once sent her love letters and became the school's laughingstock was even the same person as the one before her now.
Wow, you're the first person to ever say that.' Megan Liu was stunned for a moment, then looked at him in surprise.
Summer Bro, your friend is something else—he's got real personality.' Keaton Wang tiptoed and whispered in Summer Mu's ear.
Yeah.' Summer Mu nodded; he couldn't really define Evan Lin either.
Evan Lin had a maturity and conviction that didn't belong to his age. Sometimes, his disregard for everything felt as sharp as a blade.
The auction should be starting soon—let's head in.' Rachel Liu's mother glanced at Evan Lin, then turned to Keaton Wang's mother and spoke.
She didn't pay Evan Lin any mind at all.
If you want to stand out as a toad, you need to have the capital to stand out.