Wendy Wen stood frozen in place for a moment, her eyes vacant.
Outside the corridor, the orange sunset streamed in, casting a soft glow over Evan Lin, bathing him in a gentle halo of amber light.
When Lynn Chen saw Wendy Wen, she smiled at her in greeting.
Wendy Wen felt oddly dazed, unable to respond in time.
It wasn't until Evan Lin and Lynn Chen turned and headed down the stairs at the end of the corridor that Wendy Wen finally touched her chest, feeling a faint sense of longing.
They left the school.
Lynn Chen hurried over to Lucy Lu's car, lowered her head, and said a few words.
Lucy Lu turned her head quickly, looked at Evan Lin outside the car, and smiled: "Dinner together sounds great, Evan. Did you already book a table? If not, I can help. Last time, your Uncle Chen and I went to a restaurant specializing in Jiangnan cuisine, and it was pretty good."
"They've already picked the place. We can just go straight there later."
Looking at Lucy Lu, Evan Lin's expression softened, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Yeah, but you two aren't in a rush, right?"
Lucy Lu nodded, looked at Evan Lin, and asked.
"They probably won't get off work until after six. There's still about an hour, so we're not in a hurry."
Hearing this, Lucy Lu immediately pushed open the front passenger door.
"Good, then hop in, you and Lynn. I'll take her home to change first. Since you're having dinner with your roommates, you should at least dress up a little."
Lucy Lu smiled, her eyes bright: "If I weren't too old, I'd want to join you young people for dinner myself."
"Auntie Lu, you're not old at all. If you'd like to come, you're more than welcome. They wouldn't mind." Evan Lin didn't hesitate. He was about to take the back seat so Lynn Chen and Lucy Lu could sit up front, but Lucy Lu patted the front passenger seat and gave him a look. Evan could only smile awkwardly and sit up front.
"You really know how to talk. How am I not old? If it weren't for that beauty pill you gave me last time, I'd probably look years older by now."
Lucy Lu rolled her eyes, laughing: "And besides, it's been days since I saw you—why do you feel so distant now?"
As soon as Lucy Lu said this, Evan Lin scratched his head, not sure how to reply.
In the back seat, Lynn Chen rested her chin on her hand. Catching a glimpse of Evan Lin looking like an innocent, well-behaved boy, she was genuinely surprised.
Seeing Evan Lin stay silent, Lucy Lu started the car, eyes on the road, and casually asked, "Evan, what are your two female roommates like?"
"They're both pretty nice. One's an arts student at Capitalview University and an intern reporter at Capitalview TV Station, and the other's a flight attendant. Both are easy to get along with."
Evan Lin answered honestly.
"Oh, an arts student and a flight attendant? So, are they pretty?" Lucy Lu glanced at Evan Lin, smiling as she asked.
"They're okay."
Evan Lin nodded.
Lynn Chen was still daydreaming in the back seat.
After a bit of maneuvering, Lucy Lu finally got the car onto the main road.
"So, who do you think is prettier—your roommates or my Lynn?"
Lucy Lu's sudden question made Lynn Chen's heart leap into her throat in the back seat.
She stared, wide-eyed, genuinely surprised that Lucy Lu would ask this now.
"Mom!"
Lynn Chen called out, trying to stop her.
But Lucy Lu ignored her completely and kept going: "And don't give me that 'everyone has their own charm' answer, Evan. Three choices—pick one."
"My Lynn, the intern reporter, or the flight attendant—who do you honestly think is the most attractive?"
Lucy Lu was relentless, eyes fixed on Evan Lin beside her.
Even Lynn Chen in the back couldn't help herself—she wanted to know Evan Lin's real answer too.
Inside the cramped car, Evan Lin felt cornered with nowhere to escape.
He turned his head, glancing at Lucy Lu, then at Lynn Chen in the back—pretending not to care, but clearly listening intently.
Evan Lin was silent for a moment.
"If I really have to choose, then it's Lynn."
Evan Lin gave his answer.
Lucy Lu felt a surge of satisfaction at his words, her smile growing even wider.
In the back seat, Lynn Chen was secretly delighted, though she kept a straight face and turned to look out the window as if she hadn't heard. But the slight curve of her lips gave away her happiness.
In truth, if you really compared them...
Huang Xingyue was more sophisticated, with the drive of a reporter seeking the truth. Yi Ran Xu had a striking figure, knew how to dress, and was good at flirting. But in terms of looks alone, Lynn Chen really did have the edge.
Besides, the truth didn't really matter—Evan Lin just didn't want Lucy Lu to be upset.
The car continued down the road.
During the ride, Lucy Lu asked Evan Lin about his recent life. Evan answered truthfully, though he left out anything about the Jiangnan Sword Sect.
When they arrived at Lucy Lu's house, she parked the car, led Evan Lin into the living room, and turned on the TV.
"Evan, watch some TV for now. I'll take Lynn upstairs to change. There are fruits on the table—help yourself if you want any."
After giving her instructions, Lucy Lu took Lynn Chen upstairs.
"Mom, it's just dinner. Do I really need to change? Isn't this a bit much?"
Upstairs, after Lucy Lu pulled Lynn Chen into the room, she sat her down on the bed and began rummaging through the drawers and cabinets.
"Why do you call it 'just dinner'? Why do you think Evan's roommates want to have dinner with you?"
Lucy Lu shot her a look and poked Lynn Chen on the forehead.
"Why?"
Lynn Chen was momentarily stunned—she hadn't thought about that before.
When Evan Lin invited her, all she felt was happiness. She never even considered the reason.
"You're just as clueless as your dad. Think about it—Evan is such an outstanding kid. What if one of those girls takes a liking to him?" Lucy Lu said earnestly.
"No way. Aren't they a few years older than him?"
Lynn Chen was puzzled.
"Three years older is a golden match! Besides, age doesn't matter these days." Lucy Lu shook her head. "Don't judge Evan by his age—he's steady, mature, and far more capable than most young men in their twenties or thirties."
"The more outstanding a boy is, the more girls will like him. Boys like Evan are hard to find these days!"
Lucy Lu grew serious: "Lynn, here are ten dresses I bought for you last time I went shopping. If you like Evan, then tonight's dinner is a battle!"