"Leo and the others grew up in Oceanport, never suffered much, and are obsessed with saving face. You beat them that day, so honestly, they deserved it. I'm apologizing to you!"
Faye Zheng held up a wine glass, smiling sweetly at Evan Lin. "You wouldn't really make things hard for a girl like me, would you?"
She looked at Evan Lin, her eyes flickering.
Claire Zheng and Joy Zheng both watched from the side.
"I bet Evan's got a big heart, he'll definitely forgive Faye, right?" Gavin Pan tried to smooth things over.
Evan Lin glanced at the red wine in his glass, then at Faye Zheng standing in front of him. After that, he picked up the wine bottle and topped off both half-filled glasses until they were brimming.
"Ah, this kid is sincere! Sure, that's not how you drink red wine, but it shows Evan's got a generous spirit." Gavin Pan watched Evan's move, clearly pleased.
Faye Zheng saw her wine glass filled to the brim. She kept smiling, but her eyes were full of disdain as she looked at Evan Lin—like she was staring at some country bumpkin.
After Evan Lin filled the glasses, Faye Zheng was about to clink glasses and make peace, but Evan simply set his own glass down on the table.
He looked a little indifferent, glanced at Faye Zheng, and said calmly, "If you want to apologize, drink both glasses. Then we'll call it even."
"What did you say?!"
Faye Zheng's eyes widened in anger as she gripped her wine glass tighter.
"How does that make sense?" Gavin Pan stiffened awkwardly.
Both Claire Zheng and Joy Zheng's expressions shifted slightly.
"Drink them and I'll accept your apology. If not, forget it." Evan Lin leaned back in his chair, his tone cool and casual.
Faye Zheng gritted her teeth, her eyes full of shock and fury as she stared at Evan Lin.
She hadn't expected Evan Lin to pull this move, making it look like she was the one begging for reconciliation.
"What's wrong, won't drink?"
Evan Lin let out a mocking laugh. "Looks like you're not that sincere. Fine, forget it. No need to force yourself."
"I'll drink!"
Faye Zheng clenched her teeth, anger surging inside, but for the sake of what was coming next, she kept reminding herself to stay calm and not act on impulse.
Faye Zheng took a deep breath, then downed the first glass of wine in one gulp, followed by the second.
The wine wasn't strong, but drinking two glasses at once still made Faye Zheng feel a bit dizzy.
"I drank them."
She flipped the glass upside down to show she'd finished every drop.
"Mm."
Evan Lin nodded, face completely calm.
His expression made Faye Zheng even more annoyed.
"Alright, alright, the apology's done. Come on, let's eat—it's all family here." Gavin Pan was clearly unhappy with Evan's move, but since he wanted something from Evan Lin, he held back.
Faye Zheng sat down and quickly ate a few mouthfuls to sober up.
"So, Evan, your mom and I already talked it over. New Year's is less than half a month away, and your mom's on break. If you don't have anything going on in Whitewood, why not come back to Oceanport with us tomorrow?" Claire Zheng smiled. "The old folks are really hoping you and your mom can come home soon."
"Last night, she even called me just to say so. She was super emotional on the phone."
Claire Zheng looked at Evan Lin, waiting for his answer.
Joy Zheng nodded too. "I was planning to go in a few days, but since you're free, if we go early, you can have some fun in Oceanport."
Just mentioning Oceanport made Joy Zheng a little sentimental.
Before Evan Lin could answer, Faye Zheng, having cleared her head with food, quickly spoke up: "There's still some time before New Year, and it's my first time in Seacrest. How about this—"
"Mom, you and Dad take Aunt Joy back to Oceanport first, and let... let Evan Lin come with me to Minghai City for a few days? I'm not familiar with Minghai, he can show me around. Plus, it'll give us a chance to get to know each other better."
Faye Zheng finished, looking expectant.
"No way. If you want to have fun, go by yourself. Evan should come home with us first—the old lady can't wait to see her grandson." Claire Zheng shook her head.
Hearing that, Faye Zheng got a little anxious. If Evan Lin went to Oceanport, their whole plan would be ruined.
"I've got something to take care of in Minghai over the next few days. Mom, why don't you all go to Oceanport first, and I'll come over in a few days?"
In less than a week, it would be February 14—the day of his duel with Master Morgan.
If he went to Oceanport now, he'd just have to ride all the way back for the fight. That would be way too much hassle.
"See, Mom? He agreed!" Faye Zheng nodded eagerly, shooting Evan Lin a beaming smile.
"Well..."
Claire Zheng was still hesitating.
Joy Zheng had already nodded. "Alright, Evan, you take Faye and show her around Minghai for a few days. Just make sure she's safe."
"Oh, and Auntie Lu called me earlier. She was going to come to Whitewood, but she's busy, so I told her not to bother. When you get to Minghai, remember to buy some fruit and go visit Auntie Lu."
Joy Zheng reminded him, and Evan Lin nodded in agreement.
On the side, Faye Zheng felt a rush of triumph. She glanced at Evan Lin, who was calmly eating, and couldn't wait to tell Leo Li and the others waiting at Whitewood Grand Hotel the good news.
As long as they got Evan to Minghai, once Master Yan showed up, Leo Li could play the victim in front of him and everything would fall perfectly into place.
Both Joy Zheng and Claire Zheng enjoyed the meal, while Faye Zheng and Gavin Pan kept sneaking glances at the quietly eating Evan Lin.
Father and daughter, both scheming their own plots.
Halfway through the meal, Gavin Pan finally couldn't hold back. He put on a big smile, looked at Evan Lin, and asked, "Evan, can I ask you something?"
"That Youth-Preserving Beauty Pill you gave your aunt—where did you get it? Can you tell me how much it costs? Is it possible to buy in bulk?"
Gavin Pan's eyes were burning with greed.
He'd seen the pill's effects with his own eyes and was thrilled at the thought.
A pill like that was practically a miracle!