Suddenly, an out-of-place voice rose from the crowd. Evan Lin glanced over and saw Sisi Shao standing there.
Sisi Shao stared at Evan Lin in shock—she hadn’t expected to run into him here.
After coming back from White Dragon Mountain, Sisi hadn’t seen Evan at all—and things had gotten pretty tense up there.
Sisi was always closer to Liam Li’s group, and as for Evan Lin—if it weren’t for Lynn Chen, Sisi wouldn’t have even glanced at him. No looks, no background, and, most importantly, no future potential whatsoever.
But Evan kept shattering Sisi’s worldview, stomping all over the supposedly untouchable Liam Li again and again—which left Sisi feeling seriously frustrated.
“Sisi, you know him?” The slightly chubby girl next to Sisi looked surprised when she heard her speak.
At school, Sisi Shao was famous for looking down on students from No. 2 High—a total snob, but, well, she was pretty enough to get away with it.
Her grades overall weren’t great, but she had rare talent in math—that’s how she got a spot on the team this time.
“Yeah.” Sisi nodded, her gaze complicated as she looked at Evan Lin. “Don’t tell me you’re representing your school in the Olympiad? I thought your grades were terrible?”
Sisi couldn’t help but ask Evan a few pointed questions.
Her words made Howard Huang pause. He glanced at Evan, then at Old Man Liu, noticing the old coach’s slight frown. Howard quickly cut Sisi off: “Sisi Shao, you can’t talk like that. Sure, you’re rivals, but you’re also teammates now. We’re all here to win honor for our schools—and for Brightsea City.”
“Alright, alright, let’s get on the bus. It’s getting late.”
Howard, worried Sisi might say more, hurriedly ushered the students onto the bus. Then he turned to Old Man Liu: “Sorry about that, Mr. Liu. Kids don’t always know how to talk. Hope you don’t mind.”
Old Man Liu just nodded, said nothing, and got on the bus.
Nearby, Rachel Liu, Lydia Liao, Thomas Zhao, and Ivy Zhao all glanced at Sisi, then looked at Evan Lin with surprise.
But Evan stayed perfectly calm, totally unfazed by Sisi’s appearance.
To Evan, Sisi Shao was just a random passerby.
The First High students boarded first. When Evan Lin got on, a lot of people looked his way.
Evan quickly picked up on the obvious hostility in several First High boys’ eyes.
Clearly, thanks to Sisi, they were already unhappy with Evan.
These hardworking boys, who always put in the effort at school, naturally couldn’t stand seeing their school’s pretty girls take any interest in outsiders.
Excuse me.
Evan looked at the leg blocking the aisle and spoke slowly.
Hey, man, you’re Evan Lin, right? I think I’ve heard of you. Aren’t you that idiot from No. 2 High who confessed to Rachel Liu in public? The bespectacled boy in the next seat grinned and adjusted his glasses.
Owen Ou! If you don’t want to compete, get off the bus with me! Howard Huang had just gotten on and barked at Owen, seeing his leg blocking the aisle.
Don’t be like that, Mr. Huang! I’m just chatting with our friend from the other school. Owen grinned, feeling smug, and was about to say more to Evan.
But Evan suddenly stepped forward and stomped his foot right onto Owen’s knee.
Owen’s thin calf visibly bent for a moment under Evan’s foot, then snapped back. In just a few seconds, Owen’s face twisted in pain and he cried out.
The pain made Owen break out in a cold sweat all over, like he was being stabbed by a thousand needles. He shrank back into his seat, and when he looked at Evan, his eyes were filled with fear.
Owen! Stop screaming on the bus and behave! Howard Huang was getting angry at Owen’s behavior.
Sorry about that," Howard Huang said to Evan, looking apologetic.
Evan didn’t reply. That stomp just now wasn’t as simple as it looked.
Owen might look fine now, but within a month, that leg would start to rot, leaving him crippled for life.
Evan found a seat.
The Education Bureau had chartered a luxury bus with room for twenty-four people, so there was plenty of space.
Evan had planned to take a whole row to himself, but to his surprise, Rachel Liu walked straight over, her expression cold, and sat down beside him under everyone’s shocked gaze.
The boys who’d been watching Rachel Liu all along felt a pang, and their eyes turned even colder as they looked at Evan.
Why should a totally ordinary guy like Evan get Rachel Liu’s attention?
Rachel Liu was famous not just at No. 2 High—even at First High, she was a legendary beauty.
Some even claimed that if Rachel transferred to First High, she’d instantly become their new top school beauty—outshining all the others.
You’re making me even more hated," Evan said, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at Rachel Liu, still unsure why the usually cold girl who disliked him would choose to sit here.
You’re not hated enough already?" Rachel replied coolly, not looking at Evan.
Evan had no comeback for that, but Rachel was right.
The bus slowly started moving.
The Math Olympiad was being held at River City First High.
It was about a three-hour drive from Brightsea to River City First High.
Rachel sat beside Evan for a while, surprised when he didn’t speak. She couldn’t help turning her head to look at him.
She saw Evan propping his head with one hand, his gaze fixed outside the window.
Outside, the city scenery streamed past the window like flowing light.
Evan stayed perfectly still, his eyes clear.
Sunlight poured in through the window, casting a faint golden halo around Evan.
For a moment, Rachel was dazed, her heart beating a little faster.