Evan Lin walked out of the Riversouth Garden Bistro, strolling leisurely down the street.
The street was packed with cars and people, yet Evan seemed like a lone boat drifting through the world.
The bistro was still several blocks away from Dragonview Apartments, where Evan lived. When he finally got home, went upstairs, and opened the door, he was just about to wash his face when he saw Lynn Chen sitting on the sofa with Irene Xu and Stella Huang.
The three girls heard the door open and quickly looked over.
"Told you so, he was definitely fine. No need to worry at all." Irene Xu grinned when she saw Evan looking completely unfazed.
As she spoke, Evan could keenly sense that Irene was actually relieved.
After all, Director Victor Su’s identity is a bit special—he’s Su family. Seeing Evan come back safe and sound, Irene might act tough, but she was still a little worried deep down.
"They didn’t give you any trouble, did they?" Stella Huang looked at Evan, a hint of apology in her eyes. "It’s all because of me that you got dragged into this mess."
"I apologize for my two roommates as well."
Stella’s face was full of guilt. She’d just wanted a nice meal today, but it all got completely ruined.
Stella Huang had known that Evan Lin was acquainted with Second Brother Su, but she never meant to drag Evan into it. She’d planned to deal with Leo Li herself, but Leo just stuck to her like glue, and in the end Evan still got pulled in.
"They don’t have what it takes to really make trouble for me." Evan shook his head, not bothered at all.
"You’re really amazing." Lynn Chen blurted out, then instantly regretted it.
When Stella and Irene dragged Lynn out earlier, she’d wanted to turn back several times. She always felt like she and Evan lived in different worlds.
It was as if there was never any fear at all in Evan’s world.
But in the end, Lynn still couldn’t resist Irene and Stella and was brought back by them.
After what just happened, Irene and Stella’s hostility toward Lynn had eased a lot.
Hearing Lynn’s words and seeing the mood turn awkward, Irene quickly spoke up: "Lynn was actually really worried about you just now."
"Yeah, the three of us had a pretty good chat too," Stella added, nodding.
Evan glanced at them, then looked at Lynn sitting in the middle. "It’s getting late. Come on, I’ll walk you home."
It was half past eight, almost nine o’clock at night.
Lynn Chen and Evan left the apartment complex; there were still plenty of people on the street.
Evan had planned to just call a cab, but Lynn suggested they walk for a bit. Evan didn’t refuse.
"You weren’t hurt, were you?"
On the way, Lynn hesitated for a long time before finally asking.
"No."
Evan shook his head.
The atmosphere fell into silence.
The streetlights glowed dimly yellow. Luckily, the city lights burned all night, scattered here and there. Looking at the distant skyscrapers, there was a sense of cold isolation, as if surrounded by a fortress of steel.
"They kept praising you just now, saying you’ve saved them more than once."
Lynn walked forward, kicking at little pebbles and occasionally stepping on fallen leaves, doing her best to keep her tone calm.
"Mm." Evan made a quiet sound in response.
Seeing how little Evan said, Lynn bit her lip, looking a little conflicted.
She hesitated, wanting to ask something, but was honestly scared of what the answer might be.
They passed through an intersection. Red light.
Lynn stood a bit behind Evan, quietly glancing at his proud, solitary figure, her eyes full of tangled emotions.
When the light turned green, they crossed the street, walked onto the sidewalk, then turned into a quieter side street.
Lynn finally reached the breaking point of her bottled-up courage.
She stopped in her tracks, standing still.
Looking down the street, the end was still bustling with cars and noise.
Only this short stretch of narrow alley was truly quiet.
"Why’d you stop?" Evan paused and turned slightly, looking at Lynn from about five steps away.
"Um..."
Lynn sounded uncertain and a little nervous, rubbing her fingers and lowering her head.
The alley’s only cold streetlamp stood right between them.
The orange glow spread out in a halo, stretching their shadows long across the ground.
Wearing her princess dress and full of hesitation, Lynn stood there for a long time before slowly raising her head to look at Evan.
"Can I ask you a few questions?"
Lynn took a deep breath, her gaze growing more determined.
"Go ahead," Evan replied calmly.
All around, drifting dust floated in the air, the noise of the outside world completely shut out.
A breeze picked up, lifting the hem of Lynn’s princess dress.
"Back at the restaurant, that guy said you’re Stella Huang’s boyfriend. Is that true?" Lynn asked nervously.
It felt like even the wind around them had turned a little colder at that moment.
Lynn stared nervously at Evan, her heart in her throat.
"No."
Evan shook his head.
The last time he pretended to be Stella’s boyfriend, it was just to help her get rid of Leo Li.
There’s a fundamental difference between a fake boyfriend and a real one.
Hearing Evan’s crisp, decisive answer, Lynn instantly relaxed, feeling a mix of relief and secret joy.
"Ready to go? Let’s get you home early so Aunt Lu doesn’t worry."
Evan frowned slightly.
Hearing Evan mention Lu Shu, Lynn suddenly felt that without Lu Shu, Evan might never have really noticed her at all.
In the past, Lynn had had many prejudices against Evan, but Lu Shu always treated him like her own son. So even now, as Evan grew stronger, he was still willing to act like a junior in front of Lu Shu, and by extension, gave Lynn and her father Chen Qiangshan extra respect.
That thought flashed through Lynn’s mind, leaving her eyes full of loneliness.
She walked forward step by step, side by side with Evan out of the alley. At the busy street corner, the crowds made Lynn feel empty inside again.
Evan walked Lynn all the way to the entrance of her apartment complex, and she didn’t say another word the whole way.
"This is far enough. Go on in, I’ll wait here until you’re inside." Evan stopped at the entrance, watching Lynn.
Lynn paused, nodded with her head down, and walked slowly into the complex. After a few more steps, she stopped again, turned around, and looked back at Evan, who was still standing outside watching her go. Lynn finally turned away and walked a few more steps.
Separated by the complex’s traffic barrier, Lynn gathered her courage once more.