Queenie Tong sat quietly to the side, saying nothing. Liz Ji, her agent, also kept silent, but hearing the meaning behind Sam Su’s words, she understood even more clearly: he was planning to introduce the young man before them to a regimental commander in the military district!
Such an honor was enough to make anyone sigh with envy.
If it were anyone else, they’d probably jump at the chance, but Liz Ji saw that this so-called 'Master'—the boy before her—acted as if he hadn’t even heard, his face as calm as still water, showing not a trace of excitement.
A wild Master and a Master who’s formally accepted into the military—those are worlds apart.
If he showed off his skills in front of the military, and caught their eye, he’d become part of the national machine!
His identity and status would be completely transformed.
The whole café was quiet. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you could see the endless flow of cars outside.
Sam Su was extremely nervous.
Evan Lin shook his head. "Not interested."
Not interested!
Sam Su was stunned when he heard that. Liz Ji, sitting beside him, was also taken aback, thinking this kid had to be out of his mind.
A chance to enter the inner circle like this doesn’t come every day!
Queenie Tong remained serene from start to finish. When she looked at Evan Lin, her eyes were filled only with awe and admiration.
"Master, do you want to think it over? If my brother’s regiment performs well, and with some help from my old man, maybe my brother could get promoted to major general!"
Sam Su was visibly excited as he spoke.
If the Su family produces another general, it’ll greatly boost their influence in Jinnan and help reverse their current decline.
"Not interested."
Evan Lin glanced at Sam Su. "If there’s nothing else, you should go."
A clear order to leave!
Hearing Evan Lin’s words, Sam Su’s expression changed several times, but in the end he stood up and nodded to Evan. "Then I’ll take my leave. If you need anything, just tell Luo to handle it."
"Also, I've already had him clear several floors of the Shangri-La. Tonight, you can relax as much as you like!"
Sam Su pondered for a long time, still hoping to plead with Evan Lin—after all, this matter was crucial for the Su family.
Especially with Old Man Su’s birthday coming up soon, that day the Lin family would come in person to propose marriage.
If Su’s eldest could secure a major general’s rank, what would they have to fear from the Lin family? Even if they couldn’t face them head-on, the Lin family would have to think twice before making a move.
But Evan Lin really seemed completely uninterested. Sam Su worried that saying even one more word would annoy him, so he stopped, sighed, and said, "I’ll take my leave now, I won’t disturb you any further!"
Sam Su strode away, and most of his men left with him. Only a handful stayed behind as temporary security at the Shangri-La, ensuring Evan Lin wouldn’t be disturbed.
Once Sam Su was gone, Liz Ji finally let out a breath of relief.
Compared to someone like Sam Su, he was not someone she dared to provoke.
"Name your price."
Liz Ji pulled out the chair in front of Evan Lin, her face cold. She took a blank check and a pen from her bag, and pushed them straight toward Evan Lin.
"Sister Ji, what are you doing?" Queenie Tong was stunned.
She didn’t doubt Evan Lin’s intentions—she believed he stayed only to treat her sister. If Evan Lin really liked her sister, Queenie would actually be happy deep down.
She’d traveled everywhere with Serena Tong, met plenty of rich heirs, but in Queenie’s eyes, none of them were good enough for her sister.
Only that boy who stepped onto the lake and summoned a water dragon could truly win her respect.
"Ziqi, don’t say a word! Haven’t you caused enough trouble? You’re letting the wolf into the house!"
Liz Ji shot Queenie Tong a glare.
She needed to stop things before they went any further.
"You want me to name a price?" Evan Lin looked at the blank check and pen in front of him, smiling.
"Serena is our top star at Imperial Star Entertainment, and we’re pushing her as the next film queen. There can’t be a single mistake."
Liz Ji fixed her gaze on Evan Lin and spoke coolly: "To put it bluntly, no matter how strong you are, it doesn’t matter. Do you even know who owns Imperial Star Entertainment? Maybe you don’t, but honestly, you don’t need to."
"What you do need to know is, Serena isn’t someone you can set your sights on. Her future’s already reserved by powerful people—she belongs to Imperial Star Entertainment, and even more to those big shots who value her. Her purity isn’t something you can touch!"
Liz Ji’s tone was firm, her face resolute.
"How come you didn’t say any of this in front of Sam Su? Were you scared, or do you just think I’m easier to push around than him?"
"Name your price. You shouldn’t leave empty-handed. Take the money and go, and I promise Imperial Star won’t give you trouble. All you have to do is forget everything you saw today."
Liz Ji pulled out a lady’s cigarette, lit it, took a drag, and smiled with confidence.
Serena Tong was still being interviewed by Huang Xingyue. Queenie Tong stood by Evan Lin’s side, wanting to speak but holding back.
Evan Lin glanced at Liz Ji, then picked up the blank check and pen from the table.
"Master..."
Seeing Evan Lin take the check, Queenie Tong froze, feeling a sudden pang of disappointment.
Liz Ji, meanwhile, looked even more pleased with herself.
Is there really anything in this world that can’t be solved with money?
"Just write any amount?" Evan Lin glanced at her.
"Of course. Imperial Star Entertainment isn’t short on cash." Liz Ji sneered and nodded.