Tyson Xiang was sent flying like a kite with its string snapped.
Only when he crashed to the ground did the others finally snap out of it, one by one.
"He went and threw hands again?"
"This guy's got a real temper, huh."
They glanced at Tyson Xiang, who twitched on the ground and then went still. Their gaze toward Evan shifted yet again.
Lily Liang stood there, stunned. She hadn't expected Evan to make another move right in front of her.
"If you keep this up, you're seriously going to make enemies with the Shang family!"
Lily hurried forward, blocking Evan's way—afraid he'd take another step and literally stomp Tyson Xiang to death.
"So what if I make enemies?"
Evan looked at her and asked calmly.
Hearing that question, Lily Liang was momentarily at a loss for words.
"What's going on here!"
While Lily was staring at Evan in a daze, a middle-aged man in a white long shirt strode over from inside the compound.
He carried himself with commanding presence and extraordinary poise. The moment he appeared, the faces of all the nearby second-generation heirs lit up with excitement.
"That's Sheldon Shang!"
"Third uncle of the Shang family—rumored to be a first-grade Vajra."
He handles all security matters for the Shang family and serves as their martial arts instructor. Word is, he once had a shot at training with the Ancient-Martial Rowe clan, but that opportunity ended up going to Mason Shang instead!
The crowd broke out in murmurs.
Quite a few people were already scheming how to get close to him.
If they could earn Sheldon Shang's approval, maybe he'd even give them some personal pointers.
A first-grade Vajra, just one step away from the Pointing-to-Mystery Realm—he was like a mountain that ordinary people could only look up to.
All those whispers reached Sheldon Shang's ears, but he ignored them completely. He walked over at his own pace, glancing sideways at Tyson Xiang lying on the ground, frowning slightly, then fixed his gaze on Evan and sized him up from head to toe.
"Did you do this?"
His voice was deep, and his gaze toward Evan flickered slightly.
"It's just a misunderstanding."
Lily Liang, seeing Sheldon Shang question them, trembled in fright and blurted out, "Third Uncle Shang, it's really just a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?"
Sheldon Shang narrowed his eyes, but didn't start anything right away.
Lily Liang stood off to the side and explained everything that had just happened, then quickly added, "He was just messing with Tyson Xiang. That's why he said he came to make trouble."
"Besides, Tyson Xiang started it—he was just defending himself."
"You've got some guts, I'll give you that."
Sheldon Shang snorted coldly, but didn't take Evan's words to heart.
From what he saw, this kid probably still had no idea how deep the Shang family's true power ran.
Just like Lily Liang said, this kid was probably just showing off in front of a girl, trying to act cool.
When a woman was watching, of course he wouldn't lower his head so easily.
"Since you managed to beat Tyson Xiang so easily, that proves you've got some real skill. You're qualified to be a guard for my Shang family."
Sheldon said, "But there are other matters today—the guests from Beijing haven't returned yet, so I don't have time to deal with you right now."
"Go inside, find a spot, and wait quietly. Once things wrap up, I'll arrange a job for you."
"Getting through the gates of my Shang family is a blessing you earned through a hundred lifetimes. Treasure it well."
Sheldon waved his hand, signaling a few people to take Tyson Xiang and his injured relative away for treatment, then turned and left.
He came fast and left just as quickly.
Evan stood there, frowning slightly.
He'd originally planned to make his move right here, but hearing Sheldon mention that 'the people from Beijing haven't returned,' he figured Old Man Liu and Gavin Duan were still on the road.
So for now, he'd just wait here for them to arrive.
"Hey, don't say anything more," Lily Liang said, grabbing Evan's hand and then shouting toward the other side, "Thank you, Third Uncle Shang!"
She waited until Sheldon Shang left.
"Bro, you're pretty awesome!" Someone immediately walked up with a big smile, reaching out to Evan. "Can we get to know each other?"
"Honestly, I've never liked Tyson Xiang and his cousin. Today, you really helped us vent our frustration. I'll treat you to drinks sometime!" another guy chimed in.
"Yeah, yeah, let's all grab a meal together. The more friends, the more connections, right?"
A crowd swarmed around Evan.
Sheldon Shang's words had confirmed Evan's strength—now everyone figured he'd soon be recruited by the Shang family.
Even if he just worked as a gatekeeper, he'd have a shot at connecting with the Shang family. Who knows what the future might hold?
Naturally, they all wanted to befriend him. Just moments ago, they'd been avoiding him like the plague—now they were dying to cling to his leg.
Seeing this scene, Lily Liang looked at Evan, her gaze growing softer by the second.
Evan ignored the crowd and walked straight into the compound.
The would-be flatterers, left hanging, changed expressions awkwardly. They were dissatisfied, but didn't dare complain.
After witnessing Evan's strength, they knew better than to pick a fight with him.
Besides, now it looked like Evan might be recruited by the Shang family—just that alone meant he wasn't someone they could afford to offend.
"Hey, how are you going to thank me?"
Lily Liang caught up to Evan, showing no sign of awkwardness, and looked at him: "If I hadn't helped explain things, you would've started fighting Sheldon Shang just now."
"He's a famous expert of the Shang family, just a step away from the Pointing-to-Mystery Realm. Guys like that have terrifying power, way beyond anything you can imagine."
Lily chattered on nonstop.
As they walked forward, Evan suddenly stopped and looked at her.
"What?" Lily was startled by Evan's gaze.
"The person who should be thanking you is him."
Evan answered seriously, "If you want a reward, go ask him."
"What do you mean?"
Lily looked confused, totally lost.
"If it weren't for you, he'd already be dead."
"You just helped him extend his life."
— END —