Brightsea City, train station.
Faye Zheng and Leo Li stood at the entrance, their eyes scanning back and forth, watching the crowds coming and going, full of vigilance.
"The train's at nine, and it's already eight thirty—he still hasn't shown up. Could it be he found out I called people to ambush him in Oceanport, so he ran off early?" one of the rich kids said suspiciously.
"Sounds possible. That kid's sly as a fox—last time he bribed a bus driver to screw us over, and who knows where he's hiding now. Yesterday he even called Faye to invite her to go back to Oceanport together. Doesn't make sense at all." Another nodded, agreeing.
"Even if that deadbeat dodges us for a while, he can't hide forever! Unless he never sets foot in Oceanport again, sooner or later we'll catch him!"
Leo Li's face was pale, his eyes full of venom.
He'd been played by Evan Lin again and again, and last time at the cinema, Evan beat him up out of nowhere, making him howl in public and lose all face.
Ever since he started following Master Yan, Leo Li hadn't felt so humiliated as he had these past few days.
He'll have to go to the Oceanport Zheng Clan eventually. Even if he runs now, he'll have to return to the Zheng clan sooner or later." Faye Zheng crossed her arms, standing in front, her pretty face frosty. "His mom is still with the Zhengs. As long as she's there, he'll have to come back."
"It's just a matter of time, that's all."
Faye's eyes grew even colder as she spoke.
Back at the cinema, she'd felt so unwell she nearly had to be hospitalized for dehydration. The whole thing was seriously bizarre.
After returning to the hotel, Faye Zheng thought about it for a long time and finally pinned the blame on Evan Lin.
She didn't know exactly how he did it, but if anyone could, it had to be him!
For the past two days, her mind kept replaying that humiliating scene—she couldn't bear to think about it, feeling both ashamed and furious.
"True. He seems pretty filial, so as long as he goes to Oceanport, we've got him! We can give him a proper welcome."
Leo Li nodded heavily.
"It's eight forty. Let's head in first—if we miss the train because of that kid, that'll be a pain!" someone checked the time and said.
"Yeah, if he doesn't show, I'll call my friends and tell them to leave, so they don't—" Before he finished, his eyes suddenly sharpened, looking off into the distance.
"He's here!"
His eyes lit up, and he shouted excitedly.
"Huh?"
Faye Zheng, Leo Li, and the others whipped their heads around and saw, in the middle of the crowd, a teenager in a black down jacket with a backpack stepping out from the masses.
That tall, skinny figure appeared, and even from a distance, Faye Zheng's heart skipped a beat.
She froze for a moment, her mind blanking out.
For a split second, she felt like she knew this silhouette walking toward her.
It was almost like seeing the flaming Master Lin from Seacrest atop Thousand-Saints Mountain!
"No way he's Master Lin! Get real!"
As Evan Lin got closer, Faye Zheng finally snapped out of it when she met his calm, deep black eyes.
She sized Evan up, realizing that no matter his vibe or looks, he was nothing like that legendary Master Lin.
Master Lin was sharp and overwhelming, but Evan always gave Faye a weirdly quiet, unsettling feeling.
"You're early," Faye said.
When Evan walked up, Faye's face turned cold, her words icy as she stared at him, clearly unfriendly.
"Didn't think you'd actually show up!" Leo Li snorted, glaring at Evan.
"Want me to pay another price?" Evan glanced at him, voice casual.
Leo Li's face changed instantly, his mood flickering. He grumbled angrily but didn't dare act up, scared Evan would beat him down in public again.
"Enough, the train's about to leave. Let's go!"
Someone quickly grabbed Leo Li and shot him a look.
They've already got people waiting in Oceanport. Once we get there, that kid's gonna get what's coming to him.
"Showing off now doesn't mean squat. I hope you keep talking tough later!"
Faye Zheng shot Evan Lin a cold look, then headed toward the waiting hall.
Once on the train, Evan Lin sat alone while Faye Zheng and her group took seats together.
On the train, Evan gazed out the window at the scenery flashing by, pondering Oceanport and his own curiosity.
After all these years, Joy Zheng had suffered plenty, but she'd never talked about her background in Oceanport. Clearly, there was a lot she was hiding.
Even now, it seemed Joy Zheng had no intention of mentioning Evan's father.
Evan couldn't help but wonder, curiosity finally getting the better of him.
"No matter the reason, the Oceanport Zheng Clan messed up."
"If my mom can let it go, and you guys in the Zheng Clan can sincerely apologize, maybe you'll dodge most of the fallout."
"But if you can't..."
Evan's eyes flickered, a hint of fire flashing and then vanishing—like nothing ever happened.
Faye Zheng sat in her seat, glaring at Evan Lin, teeth gritted.
"I've already called Eric Yang and his crew. They're waiting at the station. As soon as the train arrives, we won't say a word—we'll just beat him down and drag him out to the suburbs for two days and two nights of payback." someone whispered to Leo Li.
"Two days and two nights? What if someone dies?" Faye Zheng frowned.
"No way anyone's dying, relax. But he'll remember this beatdown for the rest of his life, that's for sure!" Leo Li smirked, itching to get started.
"We just have to make sure the kid doesn't run off. I wanted to call Harvey He, Big Boss He, to help out. If he was here, we'd wreck this kid so hard he'd wish he was never born!" One of the rich kids shook his head, a little disappointed.
"Harvey He? Isn't he in Oceanport?" Faye Zheng was surprised.
Heard the Southriver Sword Sect in Jinnan was recruiting, so he went to try his luck. He still hasn't come back.
Maybe he actually made it in.
The guy looked serious as he spoke, voice low.