Evan Lin turned his gaze toward Grand‑Patriarch Zhan of the Zhan Family.
Earlier, Evan Lin had already flattened the Rowe clan (Ancient Martial), and by rights that news should have spread quickly—but it’s possible the information stopped right there.
After all, Evan had acted inside the Rowe clan itself, and given the Ancient Martial Clans’ obsession with saving face, they’d most likely treat it as ‘family shame not to be publicized.’
As for Master Daniel Ward and the others, who knows whether they’ll spread the word.
At the very least, when Evan mentioned flattening the Rowe clan just now, Uncle Cheng didn’t seem to react at all—so maybe these Ancient Martial Clans don’t actually share news between themselves?
Evan shook his head, deciding not to dwell too much on all that.
Still, the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan) suddenly jumping out like this did pique Evan’s curiosity.
“Ancient Martial Clans like these are pretty much a mystery to us,” Grand‑Patriarch Zhan said. “I don’t even know when the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan) showed up, though I’ve heard before that the Yun family might have some connections with them.”
Grand‑Patriarch Zhan shook his head, paused to think, and continued: “Most people from these Ancient Martial Clans are proud as hell. Take that guy from earlier—at best, he’s just a doorman in the clan, but whenever he walks among ordinary folks, he acts like he’s king of the world.”
“Since you made a move against him just now, I’m worried the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan) might not let this slide.”
“Of course, it’s also possible the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan) won’t care at all—after all, that guy’s status in the clan isn’t exactly high.”
Grand‑Patriarch Zhan finished his brief analysis, and as his words fell on the suited man’s ears, the guy started trembling all over.
He didn’t really believe that Master Lin from Seacrest could be scarier than someone from the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan), but whether it was Master Lin or Grand‑Patriarch Zhan, either one could easily deal with him—and now the Ma Family’s guy had already fled.
“The Yun family.”
Evan nodded. These days, the Yun family is basically busy producing Youth‑Preserving Beauty Pills for Angel Epoch. As for whatever hidden deals might be going on, Evan didn’t have the time to dig into it.
Unless the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan) comes knocking themselves, Evan wasn’t interested in getting involved.
“All right, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head out. As for this guy, handle him however you like.”
Evan didn’t spare the suited man a glance. Grand‑Patriarch Zhan bowed respectfully, while Tanya Zhan kept her gaze fixed on Evan. Seeing him about to leave, she opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words.
After Evan called today, Tanya ditched Maran Ma and hurriedly contacted Grand‑Patriarch Zhan, rushing over just to catch a glimpse of Evan.
But now that she’d actually seen him, Tanya realized that the distance between her and Evan seemed to have grown even wider.
She didn’t even know what to say to bridge the gap between herself and Evan.
Watching Evan and Eric Wang leave, Tanya’s face was full of worry.
“Don’t dwell on it. Master Lin from Seacrest is like a dragon in the heavens. If you manage to win his heart, I’ll be proud and happy for you. But people like him—unless you catch their attention before they become truly unmatched, it’s hard to get close to their hearts without some kind of miracle.”
Grand‑Patriarch Zhan stood beside Tanya, as if he could see right through her thoughts. Seeing her looking so downcast, he helplessly reached out and ruffled her hair. “But don’t lose hope. Whatever you want to try, you should at least give it a shot.”
“Master Lin from Seacrest—let’s hope he doesn’t let our Zhan Family down. After all, clans like the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan) are stronger than most people can even imagine.”
“So now, does this mean we’ve got half a foot on the Ma Family’s opposing side?”
Grand‑Patriarch Zhan gave a bitter smile. He’d only come today because Tanya dragged him over after hearing Evan was back. He’d rushed here without even thinking about what kind of people Evan was facing.
It wasn’t until he arrived that he realized the opponent was the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan), which left Grand‑Patriarch Zhan pretty stunned.
“Did I just bring trouble down on our Zhan Family?”
Tanya snapped out of it, suddenly realizing: “If Master Lin from Seacrest isn’t stronger than the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan), then our Zhan Family…”
“It’s fine.”
Grand‑Patriarch Zhan shook his head. “The Zhan Family owes Master Lin from Seacrest a favor, and that’s a debt we have to repay.”
“Besides, the Zhan Family has never been the type to leave debts unpaid. If we really end up destroyed because we offended the Ma Family, so be it.”
“But if Master Lin from Seacrest turns out to be stronger than the Ma Family (Ancient‑Martial Ma Clan), then our Zhan Family will truly transform into a dragon in the storm.”
Grand‑Patriarch Zhan was full of emotion, and his aged face showed rare excitement.
Leaving the artificial island—
All the way back, Ming Zhao kept staring at Evan. “So you really are Master Lin from Seacrest?”
He looked at Evan, still a bit unsure.
“Yeah.”
“I noticed everyone’s pretty scared of you.”
Ming Zhao tried to find the right words.
“Yeah, a little.”
Evan nodded.
“So when I graduate, if I can’t find a job, could you help me out?”
Ming Zhao’s eyes lit up at the thought. He didn’t feel the slightest distance from Evan just because of his identity.
“Of course. You could even be general manager if you wanted,” Evan nodded, smiling.
“No way. I have to start from the bottom, and only eat what my ability earns. Just because we’re close doesn’t mean you can give me special treatment,” Ming Zhao refused, dead serious.
Eric Wang stayed quiet, while Sophie Ge listened to Evan and Ming Zhao’s conversation and found it all a bit magical.
Master Lin from Seacrest—a youth who could make Grand‑Patriarch Zhan bow his head—just how much power did he really have?
And yet, a guy like that could still chat so casually with a roommate like Ming Zhao, without a hint of arrogance. Just that mindset alone was way beyond most people.
“So after we English Department folks graduate, if we can’t find jobs, can we look to you too?”
Sophie Ge smiled as she spoke, keeping her tone as calm as possible.
“Sure, as long as Eric Wang nods. If he agrees, I’ll arrange it.”
Evan nodded and glanced at Eric Wang, who looked pretty helpless. “Why does this always end up on me?”
“Alright, so for the sake of our English Department classmates’ futures, I guess I’ll have to cozy up to classmate Eric Wang from now on.”
Sophie Ge grinned and deliberately closed the distance between herself and Eric Wang.
The group headed back to school, while Tyler Tan and Annie Shu were taken straight to the Hilton Hotel by a black Mercedes.