At the podium, Byron Yang glanced at the time.
The exam had started at eight o’clock, and the official end time was ten thirty. Now it was 9:10 AM, and down below the podium, the student Byron Yang was watching most closely—Evan Lin—had already set his pen down.
Originally, there wasn’t supposed to be an integrated science exam this time. Byron Yang had decided on it at the last minute, wanting to see how Evan Lin would perform in science subjects.
The difficulty of the test paper was about average.
After finishing the paper, Evan Lin didn’t leave the classroom. He just sat quietly at his desk.
Such an ordinary action actually left Byron Yang, the homeroom teacher, a bit taken aback.
"Still no news about the mastermind behind the attack on Serena Tong. That one’s not urgent. Molly Su’s Fire Spirit Physique—I should find a chance to visit the Su family soon."
Not to mention, Evan Lin had always acted totally indifferent toward Byron Yang. Now Byron Yang was the one taking the initiative and softening up—it was obvious he’d finally given in.
It was nearly November now, and the season had just turned to early autumn.
Outside the window, fallen leaves danced in the air. The stone paths across campus were covered in a thick layer of golden ginkgo leaves.
Hearing the teacher’s voice, Evan Lin turned his head and glanced at him. "Thanks."
When the exam ended, Byron Yang began collecting the test papers.
When he received Evan Lin’s paper, Byron Yang glanced at the boy, who was still staring blankly out the window, and felt a strange surge of emotion.
This teenager had only transferred to Capitalview First High a few months ago, but he’d already become the most talked-about figure in the whole school.
The Sword Debt of the Moore Family should be repaid.
"There are only a few months left until the college entrance exam. From here on out, work hard and try to get into a good university."
Lost in thought, Byron Yang blurted this out without realizing, his tone unusually gentle.
As soon as he finished speaking, not only did Byron Yang regret it a little, but several students nearby were left frozen in shock, staring at Evan Lin with weird looks.
Everyone knew that when Evan Lin first arrived, Byron Yang couldn’t stand him at all. But then Evan rose up in an extraordinary way, became a campus legend, and got all sorts of awards—basically slapping Byron Yang in the face.
Not to mention, Evan Lin had always acted totally indifferent toward Byron Yang. Now Byron Yang was the one taking the initiative and softening up—it was obvious he’d finally given in.
Even though those words were perfectly appropriate coming from a teacher.
Byron Yang felt a little awkward. If Evan Lin just ignored him, it would be even more embarrassing.
Hearing the teacher’s voice, Evan Lin turned his head and glanced at him. "Thanks."
Just those two simple words made Byron Yang freeze for a moment. Then, feeling a surge of excitement, he hurried out of the classroom with the papers, rushing straight to the office to find the physics, biology, and chemistry teachers to grade Evan’s test.
After class, Evan Lin got a phone call. It was from Sam Su, who sounded nervous and deferential on the other end.
He had to swing by the Su family anyway—might as well take care of Molly Su’s Fire Spirit Physique while he was at it and save himself the hassle later.
All day yesterday, Sam Su had been on edge, terrified that Serena Tong hadn’t managed to properly take care of Evan Lin.
That morning, when Sam saw the news someone posted online, he’d also assumed it was about Evan Lin and Serena Tong, and only then did he relax a little.
"What’s up?"
Evan Lin asked.
"Here’s the thing—next Saturday is my old man’s birthday. Didn’t I ask you to help me out last time, and you helped me pick out a magic artifact at the auction?"
Sam Su laughed nervously, "This time I’d like to invite you to come along—just to join the fun. I also want to introduce you to my old man…"
At this point, Sam Su paused.
He was worried Evan Lin would turn him down. From what he knew, things like wealth and connections that ordinary people cared about didn’t attract Evan Lin at all.
Otherwise, when Sam tried to introduce him to his big brother yesterday, Evan wouldn’t have refused.
When the bell rang for class, Evan Lin didn’t bother heading back to his classroom. Instead, he pulled out his phone and dialed Melissa Mu.
The call went through, but all he got was a busy tone—no answer. Typical.
After hanging up, Evan Lin thought for a second, then called Sam Su to ask for the Moore family’s exact address.
Hearing Evan Lin agree so readily, Sam Su was overjoyed and thanked him again and again.
"By the way, Master, this Friday my big brother’s regiment is having a district combat competition. Would you be interested in coming to watch?"
Sam Su, still nervous, brought it up again.
"Not interested."
Hearing Evan Lin’s crisp rejection, Sam didn’t dare say another word, afraid of upsetting him.
After hanging up, Evan Lin spotted Chen Linyan leaning on the hallway railing. She glanced at him coolly, then turned and walked back into the classroom to focus on her studies.
Chen Linyan hadn’t slept well all night. After she got home, Lü Shu and Chen Qiangshan bombarded her with questions.
But she kept her mouth shut. In the morning, Yu Yingjie tried to pick her up for class, but Chen Linyan turned him down too.
The incident backstage at Shangri-La last night only spread among a small group. None of the students dared gossip about Evan Lin.
When the bell rang for class, Evan Lin didn’t go back to the classroom. Instead, he called Mu Hanran.
The call went through, but there was only a busy tone—no answer.
After hanging up, Evan Lin thought for a moment, then called Sam Su to ask for the Mu family’s exact address.