Annie Shu.
Hearing Evan Lin's words, Tyler Tan's usual cheeky grin instantly froze.
"Why bother looking for her? She's not as good as being here. Didn't you see all the girls behind me?"
As Tyler spoke, he smiled and waved at the girls sitting nearby.
His gaze darted around, clearly unwilling to meet Evan's eyes.
"They're pretty great, maybe even better than Annie Shu, but don't forget the previous bet."
Evan patted his shoulder and smiled, "I'm giving you a chance here. Whether you want to or not, you have to go."
"Think of it as giving you or Annie Shu a proper ending."
Hearing Evan's words, quite a few people around immediately remembered the personal bet between Evan and Annie Shu.
If Evan beat the entire Math Department, Annie Shu would have to spend a night in a Hilton five-star hotel room with Tyler Tan.
Back then, Annie Shu was always hanging out with Han Yuan, and Tyler's mood was terrible. Plus, the Sanda Club's reputation took a nosedive—something Evan hadn't expected at all.
But there was nothing to be done.
Evan, in front of the whole school, defeated the Sanda Club president and outperformed everyone at the collegiate martial arts competition, thoroughly stepping on the Sanda Club.
Because of this, Annie Shu always felt Tyler only got close to her to help Evan show off and set up his big moment.
Women can hold grudges for a scary long time.
Evan had no interest in meddling with this drama, so he decided to be direct: force Tyler and Annie Shu to share a room. If they could talk things out, great; if not, at least there'd be closure.
Otherwise, Tyler wouldn't even get a chance to explain, just wasting time and life endlessly.
"Forget it, it's better not to force this kind of thing."
Tyler shook his head. "I know you're doing this for me, Evan, but honestly, when it comes to guy-girl stuff, you're not as good as me. I'm basically a little romance expert."
"And honestly, I'm not that into Annie Shu anymore. You see how popular I am with the girls. If I really wanted a girlfriend, I could find someone prettier, with a better figure and personality, any time I wanted."
Tyler was about to say more.
But Evan had already grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up.
"Hey, what are you doing? Let me go! I need to save face, you know?"
Tyler's expression changed as he struggled hard.
"Come on, what face? Everyone knows who sits there secretly watching Annie Shu read." Ming Zhao, full of disdain, looked at Evan and ruthlessly exposed Tyler: "Evan, you don't know—this guy claims he's introducing me to girlfriends, but really, he's just showing off in front of Annie Shu about how popular he is!"
"And you don't know—Tyler shouts 'Annie, Annie!' in his sleep. The sound is so loud, you'd think there's a girl in our dorm!"
"I'm just a prop, really! Someone who loves studying as much as me would never let a girl distract him from his academic path."
Ming Zhao looked completely upright and serious.
"Ming Zhao! Forget about chicken legs in the cafeteria today! You betrayed me, you betrayed your comrade! Weren't we supposed to pee in the same pit?"
Tyler cried out in anguish, "Fine, fine, I'll go—just let me walk on my own. You're really making me lose face here!"
Dragged out of the library by Evan, Tyler watched all the girls smiling as they passed, feeling utterly heartbroken: "My reputation—ruined for life!"
When Evan finally let him go, Tyler tried to bolt, but Eric Wang grabbed his collar and stopped him.
"Come on, it's not like you're heading to the execution ground. Why so scared?"
Evan shook his head at Tyler's antics.
"You just don't get it. Liking is about possession, but love is about letting go."
Tyler puffed out his chest, ready to sound philosophical, but quickly realized that neither Evan nor Eric Wang were interested in his logic. As for Ming Zhao, he was happy to listen, but it was pointless.
Ming Zhao listens to reason, but it goes in one ear and out the other—and he's clearly on Evan and Eric's side.
"Honestly, I kind of envy your roommate bond."
Nearby, Sophie Ge listened to Tyler and the others bickering, a smile spreading across her face.
"Of course you envy us! You can always join our dorm and become one of us."
One second Tyler was lamenting the decline of society and feeling misunderstood, the next he turned to Sophie Ge: "Just take down Eric Wang and marry him—then you'll be part of our dorm!"
"Why am I dragged into this again?"
Eric Wang glared at Tyler upon hearing this.
This guy was addicted to playing matchmaker.
"That depends on whether he's willing. Besides, your roommate doesn't seem to think much of me."
Sophie Ge pouted and glanced at Eric Wang: "He doesn't even try to pursue me—maybe he already has someone in his heart."
"Hey, let me tell you, Eric Wang is like a jar, you know? He's what we call 'men sao'—all bottled up."
Tyler stuck his head out, but before he finished, Eric Wang shoved his head aside.
As they walked through campus, Evan listened to their noisy banter and suddenly felt pulled back into ordinary daily life.
The Shang family, the ancient-martial Rowe clan, and the Upper-Grade Lin Clan—all those messy affairs suddenly felt distant.
"This is what normal college life is supposed to be."
Evan let out a deep breath, feeling completely relaxed.
Originally, Tyler was forced to call Annie Shu, but her phone was off.
The group arrived at the girls' dormitory building.
Sophie Ge found out Annie Shu's dorm room and told Evan and the others to wait downstairs while she went up alone.
"She hasn't been to the library for days. Honestly, I think she's avoiding me because you won."
Taking advantage of the pause, Tyler looked at Evan: "Maybe we should just drop it."
"If word gets out, it'll hurt her reputation."
"My own reputation doesn't matter, but think about it—a girl, not even my girlfriend, going with me to a hotel room. How will she face people at school after that?"
"I don't want her to be embarrassed."
Tyler spoke sincerely.
"Finished?"
Evan glanced at him.
"Finished."
Tyler nodded.
"Then keep waiting."
"I've already booked the room for you."