Ordinary people can't recognize a dragon.
As soon as Evan Lin said this, everyone present frowned.
"So you're calling us ordinary?" The guy with glasses looked annoyed. "If we're just ordinary, then what does that make you?"
"Are you seriously claiming you're a dragon?"
He snorted.
The girl next to them shook her head again and again. "Why do you always have to say things that rub people the wrong way? We brought you here out of kindness, but instead of appreciating it, you keep acting all sharp-tongued the whole way."
"If you say ordinary people can't recognize a dragon, then tell us—where's this Master Lin from Seacrest everyone keeps talking about?"
She talked as she looked out the car window. "The rumors say Master Lin from Seacrest is awe-inspiring; I bet his aura must be extraordinary too."
"But looking around, is there anyone here who fits the bill? Not even close! And you still say he's already arrived?"
The girl rolled her eyes.
Outside the car window, there were tons of people and cars, plenty of eye-catching guys and girls—but barely anyone who gave off that 'dragon among men' vibe at first glance.
"He's just making stuff up. You guys actually believe this?"
The muscle-bound guy grinned. "Don't bother with him. Once we get off, let's find somewhere to sit."
"Either way, we came all the way from Oceanport, so we might as well eat and drink as much as we can. After the wedding banquet, I'm gonna try to network with the Zhan Family."
The group kept chatting, once again ignoring Evan Lin.
Bella Bai, sitting nearby, would occasionally glance at Evan Lin. She didn't think he was lying, but the more she considered it, the harder it was to believe.
After all, aside from his steady demeanor, this guy didn't really give off any particularly impressive vibes.
If he really knew where Master Lin from Seacrest was, or if he actually knew the master personally, that would mean his own identity was pretty special.
In that case, someone should've come to pick him up at the high-speed rail station.
But in reality, he just waited around for a taxi like everyone else.
Thinking of this, Bella Bai shook her head, feeling oddly conflicted inside.
The car soon pulled into the parking lot.
As soon as the doors opened, the group got out.
"So, bro, now that we're at the Zhan Family estate, where are you planning to go?"
As soon as they got out, the muscle-bound guy looked at Evan Lin.
He wasn't really worried about Evan stealing his thunder, or about Bella Bai actually falling for this guy.
After all, in his eyes, this kid was pretty much useless.
But seeing Bella Bai sticking close to Evan Lin, the muscle guy still felt a bit annoyed.
"To the Zhan Family estate."
Evan Lin replied calmly.
I knew it.
The aloof guy with crossed arms scoffed at Evan Lin: "You see us going to the Zhan Family, and you want to go too."
He's just forcing himself to tag along with us.
We're going to the Zhan Family for food and drinks, so what are you going for?
He spoke up.
Before Evan could reply, the guy with glasses jumped in: "What else? He's obviously here for food and drinks, too."
What else could he do alone? He saw us going for food, so he's going for food too.
But hey, little bro, do you have an invitation from the Zhan Family?
The guy with glasses looked at Evan Lin, full of mockery.
If you don't have an invitation, you might not even get in.
"Haha, maybe you could sneak in while the Zhan Family isn't paying attention," joked another girl with painted nails, looking at Evan Lin and laughing.
They kept moving forward, still tossing comments at Evan Lin.
"Food and drinks aren't the point. I'm here to crash the venue."
Evan Lin shook his head, his voice calm.
Hearing this, the muscle-bound guys were clearly stunned.
Then they all burst out laughing.
"Crash the venue, huh? That's some big talk!"
"Who do you think you are? Are you here to crash the Zhan Family's party or the Ancient-Martial Ma Family's party?"
"You probably don't even get the situation. Do you really think you can crash a place like this?"
They looked at Evan Lin with utter disdain, as if he was a lunatic.
"Enough, everyone!"
Bella Bai walked beside Evan Lin. She thought his words sounded way too arrogant and unreliable, but seeing the muscle-bound guys mocking him, she actually felt a bit sorry for Evan.
She turned to Evan Lin and said gently, "Just stay by my side later, and go in with me."
"They don't check invitations that strictly. Everyone can bring their own friends."
Bella Bai spoke slowly.
After she spoke, the muscle-bound guys couldn't help but curl their lips in annoyance.
"Bella, I'm telling you, don't get too close to this guy. Didn't you hear all the stuff he's been saying along the way?"
"First he says he's coming to the Zhan Family, then he claims Master Lin from Seacrest is on his way, then he says he's not here for food and drinks but to crash the venue."
"With a guy who talks nonsense like that, you'd better keep your distance. Otherwise, when lightning strikes, you might get caught up in it too."
The guy with glasses tried to persuade Bella Bai with all his might.
But Bella Bai glared at him, making the guy with glasses awkwardly shut up. Still, he couldn't help but glare at Evan Lin as he walked beside Bella.
All the way there, Evan Lin's mind wasn't on these people at all.
He glanced around.
"I've been to the Zhan Family a few times before, but it looks like all their staff have changed."
Evan thought to himself: Nearly all the busy staff he saw now weren't familiar faces.
Most of them must've been replaced by people from the Ancient-Martial Ma Family.
When they reached the Zhan Family gate, the place was packed with people.
After handing over their invitations, they got in smoothly.
The staff checking invitations were mostly just going through the motions. The Ma Family and Zhan Family's announcement came so quickly, plus the Ma Family wanted to expand their influence—so even people without invitations, as long as they had a bit of reputation, were let in.
The Zhan Family courtyard was filled with all kinds of tables and chairs, and everyone sitting here was either rich or powerful.
All you could see was a sea of people everywhere.
A few tables in the innermost area were still empty—those must be reserved for the VIPs.
"The Zhan Family and the Ancient-Martial Ma Family aren't simple. If we get to know a few people here, this trip will definitely be worth it!"
The muscle-bound guy's eyes lit up.
But none of them noticed the boy standing next to Bella Bai, whose face was growing colder and colder.