"Mm."
Out of the corner of her eye, Lily Zhong saw the crowd that had surrounded Lakeview Pavilion three layers deep. Even knowing how powerful Evan Lin was, she couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"Let's see how cocky you are now!"
Hank "Doggy" Han's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"It's over, it's over. Even if these guys can fight, could they really take on ten at once? Or twenty or thirty? No way."
"This kid's way too arrogant. He never expected Hank could call in hundreds of people with just one phone call."
"He's still too young."
The guests on this side all shook their heads and sighed.
If Evan Lin hadn't given Hank the chance to make that phone call, Hank would've been totally screwed today.
But now, with so many people here, the situation was completely different.
After all, as the saying goes, two fists can't beat four hands—and a wild brawl can take down even a master.
"Damn it, now that we're fed and watered, grab your weapons!"
Big Tank wiped his mouth, slammed the table, and barked out the order.
His crew instantly stood up—each one full of energy and fighting spirit.
Shawn Shi and Donny D moved to Evan Lin's side. With their late- and mid-stage Strength Cultivation, they were absolute experts in the eyes of these street fighters.
Evan Lin pulled out a napkin, wiped his hands, then looked at Hank Han—whose face was full of arrogance—and spoke calmly: "You don't submit? I'll make you submit."
Evan Lin slowly stood up from his seat and placed the napkin on the table.
Seeing this, Shawn Shi, Donny D, Big Tank, and the others immediately straightened up, standing respectfully and tall.
Everyone watched as the youth finished his meal, rose calmly, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked toward the exit with an indifferent expression.
The burly thugs who moments ago looked fierce as wild beasts now stood like obedient sheep on either side of Evan Lin's path, eyes full of reverence and awe.
The youth's figure looked a bit thin and solitary.
Everyone had thought he was just a bully, relying on Big Tank and his crew to act tough in Clearstream County. But now, seeing him walk out alone, proud as a lone wolf, people couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
"What's he trying to do?"
A young guy looked around in bewilderment, and everyone nearby wore the same puzzled expression.
"There are at least a thousand people outside! A thousand! Let's see if you're tougher as an out-of-town dragon, or if I'm meaner as the local snake!"
A cruel smile appeared on Hank Han's face.
Lily Zhong got up, finally unable to hold back, and quickly followed after Evan Lin.
She was scared and worried—afraid that Evan Lin might get hurt because of this.
Outside the door, the sea of thugs all wore cruel grins on their faces.
Lily Zhong trailed Evan Lin by a single step, glancing sideways to see the growing indifference on his face.
That calm, almost icy look made Lily Zhong's heart tremble.
At last, the youth stepped out the front doors of Lakeview Pavilion.
Outside, everywhere you looked, there were people—nothing but people.
At that moment, Hank Han screamed himself hoarse at the crowd outside: "Kill him! Whoever the hell takes him out gets a million from me!"
As Hank Han's shout faded, the mob's eyes went blood-red as they all surged toward the youth walking out from the shattered doors of Lakeview Pavilion, shouting and roaring.
Lily Zhong saw countless steel pipes, countless savage faces—the sight made her own face go pale as paper, drained of all color.
A wind began to rise.
The wind lifted the black hair at Evan Lin's temples, gently fluttering it.
Evan Lin swept his gaze across the crowd, hands behind his back, and spoke in a calm voice.
"Kneel!"
Just two simple words, but as soon as they left his lips, it was like a great bell ringing at dusk or dawn—striking everyone straight in the heart!
Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
One second, the mob was brandishing clubs and looking arrogant; the next, they were dropping to their knees in waves before the youth!
A thousand heads bowed!
The marble floor in front of Lakeview Pavilion echoed with the sound of knees slamming down, one after another.
The whole place fell silent!
Seeing this, Lily Zhong felt a tidal wave of emotion inside.
Big Tank and the others were overwhelmed with excitement!
This was the Master Lin they followed!
Inside the hall, Hank Han—who'd just been full of hope—completely broke down, collapsing to the floor, his face drained of all color.
The guests stared blankly at the sea of people kneeling before the youth outside the doors, their minds wiped clean.
The youth turned, walked slowly back into the main hall of Lakeview Pavilion, and stood before Hank Han. He gave him nothing but a calm glance.
Hank Han instantly started shaking, his eyes dull. Seeing Evan Lin approach, he shrieked in terror, clutching his head and curling up on the floor.
He was scared out of his mind!
......
"I heard you transferred schools?"
Leaving Clearstream County, Evan Lin and Lily Zhong sat together in the back seat of the car.
Big Tank was driving, with Shawn Shi in the front passenger seat.
Old Man Zhong was tossed into the trunk, but they made sure he wouldn't suffocate.
"Yeah, I'm studying in Jingzhou now," Evan Lin nodded. "What about you? Planning to keep teaching?"
"If you want to keep teaching, I can help you arrange it. You can go to any school you want. Over in Minghai, the pay and prospects aren't great. I think Jiangcheng No. 1 High is pretty good."
Evan Lin thought for a moment before speaking.
Lily Zhong kept her eyes on Evan Lin. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke: "I don't want to be a teacher anymore."
"If possible, I hope I can help you."
It was as if Lily Zhong had mustered all her courage just to say it: "I've always been a burden to you—thank you so much! If it weren't for you, I might already..."
At this point, Lily Zhong didn't continue.
"It's all in the past," Evan Lin sighed inwardly. He understood the feeling of wanting to change your life but being unable to.
Evan Lin's feelings about Lily Zhong were complicated—at the very least, he didn't dislike her.
"So I hope my future job can help with your work. As for studying, with your level, there's nothing more I can teach you. You even won the Math Olympiad! How could you not tell me about something so big?"
Thinking of this, Lily Zhong gave a little huff.
"How about this, Miss Zhong can come work with me. We're definitely going to start a big company in the future, and we'll need people who can handle big things. I never went to college, so I can only do the rough work. If Miss Zhong could help, that would be perfect!"
Big Tank hesitated, then spoke carefully. After finishing, he glanced at Evan Lin.
Lily Zhong's eyes lit up, full of anticipation.
Evan Lin didn't need to think much. He nodded seriously at Lily Zhong: "If you're willing, you can start working right away."
When they reached Minghai, Lily Zhong wanted to return to her old place. As she parted from Evan Lin, she watched the Hummer carrying him fade from view and murmured, "I can't be your teacher anymore. If I keep being your teacher, then teacher and student... How could that work?"
Then, as if something occurred to her, Lily Zhong's face flushed. She quickly patted her cheeks and scolded herself: "Lily Zhong, what are you thinking! No matter what, he was once your student!"