"Is that really true? But as far as I know, Evan Lin was rejected by her." Lynn Chen lifted her head, a hint of hope in her eyes as she waited for an answer.
"Of course it's true! Everyone says the best thing is what you can't get. If that girl had said yes to him, maybe Evan wouldn't be so hung up on her. It's exactly because she rejected him that he can't let her go, so now he's doing everything he can to transfer back!"
Eric Yu insisted confidently.
Lynn Chen took a bite of her ice cream cone. It was cold and sweet, but as it slid down her throat, there was a hint of bitter aftertaste she couldn't quite explain.
"So Evan Lin really does like Rachel Liu, huh?"
"Is Rachel Liu really that great...?"
"So what if she's a little taller than me, has a bigger chest, acts a bit colder, gets better grades, and her family's got more money..."
A mix of emotions swirled in Lynn Chen's heart, tangled and messy. Rachel Liu's image kept flashing through her mind, and she couldn't help but compare herself to her, over and over.
"If you ask me, he must really, really, really like that girl. Otherwise, look at all the fuss he's made at school—plenty of girls like him, but you never see him get close to any of them."
Seeing Lynn Chen's expression turn a little strange, Eric Yu quickly pressed his advantage. The best outcome would be for Lynn Chen to finally give up on Evan Lin.
Lynn Chen didn't reply, nor did she feel like responding.
Just then, a jeep rolled up on the street in front of Easy Breeze Restaurant and stopped right at the entrance.
From the jeep stepped a middle-aged man in camo. He strode into Easy Breeze Restaurant with long, purposeful steps, and behind him, more than a dozen soldiers in camo followed closely. Their synchronized march made the ground thrum with each step.
The momentum was overwhelming.
"Did something happen in there?"
Watching the group pour into Easy Breeze, Lynn Chen's face changed. Forgetting her own doubts and daydreams, she suddenly stood up.
"Relax, relax. They're probably just here to eat, right? Come on, what could possibly happen here? You don't actually think Evan Lin could get the military district to show up for him, do you?"
Seeing Lynn Chen stand up, Eric Yu hurriedly gestured for her to sit down. "Or do you think my dad, or yours, could actually call in the military?"
"That's just impossible! They're obviously here to eat. Stop letting your imagination run wild."
Listening to Eric Yu's words, Lynn Chen stood there for a moment before finally sitting back down, looking completely deflated. Once again, she drifted into thoughts about whether Evan Lin really liked Rachel Liu.
Just earlier, when she tried to call Yolanda Fang for advice, the call didn’t go through, which left Lynn Chen feeling even more uneasy.
If Yolanda were here, she’d probably help Lynn analyze the situation, come up with a plan, or just grab Evan Lin by the collar and demand answers. Or maybe she’d drag Lynn Chen back to Minghai, storm into Brightsea No. 2 High School, and haul Rachel Liu out for a direct showdown.
That girl Yolanda Fang was always clever, bold, and totally fearless—never scared of anyone. Back in the day, whenever Lynn Chen was bullied, it was always Yolanda who stepped in, beating up whoever dared mess with her, boy or girl. She was the classic wild-child, clear about her grudges and loyalties.
Inside the Bamboo Room.
Evan Lin was still sitting on Hugh Hu’s back, completely at ease.
Hugh Hu was gasping for breath, still trying to move and struggling to get up from the floor.
"Don't bother moving. It's a waste of effort, so why try?"
Evan Lin yawned and spoke calmly.
"Bullshit! You're sitting on me and you expect me not to move? If I just lie here, I'd be a turtle!"
Hugh Hu's face was dark with rage, his teeth clenched tight.
"Just wait, you'll see who's really impressive soon!"
Quentin Yu, whose face was bruised red and blue from Helen Qi’s blows, shouted at Evan Lin.
Helen Qi, still reeling from having eaten her own mucus, kept retching.
"You have no more chance to regret. I hope you'll bear the consequences of your actions. I'm sure Ms. Ling will be very pleased when she hears about today."
Linda Guan folded her arms and looked at Evan Lin, flashing a charming smile—one that rippled with victorious disdain.
"Sigh."
On the other side, Charles Chen and Auntie Lu both sighed and sat down, their faces pale.
"And you two, Mr. Chen, it looks like I really have to keep my word now. Before Ms. Ling arrived, she told me over and over not to clash with you, but your choice just now leaves me no other option."
Linda Guan glanced at them, her lips curling up: "Of course, I won't be totally ruthless. Once this kid's matter is settled, I think your company's bid can be voided as well."
"No matter how well you do here in Capitalview, once you leave Minghai, you still need powerful backers. Ms. Ling is your best option—maybe you should think it over."