Evan and Wendy sat side by side in a cheap little diner.
After filling their stomachs, they finally had time to talk.
Wendy put down her chopsticks and asked casually, "Where's your hometown?"
"Ridgefall."
"You?"
"A mountain hole outside Stonebrook."
Evan made a sound of understanding.
Wendy found another topic. "What hobbies do you usually have?"
This question truly defeated Evan.
What hobbies did he have?
None, really.
Since childhood, he had simply followed old rascal Jack around and learned whatever crooked thing Jack happened to know.
Evan shook his head. "No hobbies."
"Then you're kind of boring," Wendy said, curling her lip.
"Am I? I think I'm not boring at all."
Wendy asked again, "You don't seem to live in the dorm. Renting outside?"
"No. Staying at a relative's place."
"Oh."
"What about you?"
Wendy sighed. "On weekends I stay with a relative. Usually I'm in the school dorm."
"Fine."
Wendy's eyes turned, and she suggested, "By the way, do you want to find a part-time job? Earn some living money."
Evan looked at her.
"Sure."
"Before I came here, I thought the same thing."
"I walked around asking, but bosses only wanted long-term workers, not short-term students. Later it got annoying, so I stopped."
Wendy thought about it and volunteered.
"Then I'll ask around nearby."
"If I find something suitable, I'll call you to interview with me."
"Good. No problem."
After paying, the two walked together along the busy street.
At first, the mood was still a little stiff.
But as they walked, Evan became bolder.
He reached out and held Wendy's hand firmly.
Wendy's face reddened and her heart jumped. She struggled once, failed to pull free, and then simply let him hold it.
They wandered for a while.
Evan spent a little money buying Wendy a small plush toy, then walked her all the way back to school.
It was Monday, but there had been no class. Since there was morning class the next day, Wendy had to return to campus.
Back in the girls' dorm, Wendy kicked off her shoes and climbed into bed.
The moment she closed her eyes, the images of last night in the motel flooded back.
Thinking about it, her cheeks turned hot again.
She pulled the bed curtain shut, hugged the little plush toy Evan had bought, and fell asleep deeply.
At the same time, in the small woods behind school, Fiona looked at Mason with surprise.
"Really? Your cousin is really willing to bring people and help me?"
Mason exhaled smoke with a proud face.
"Of course."
"He's my real cousin. Family helps family."
"Great."
"That bitch Wendy has been glaring at me these days. I want to dig her eyes out and crush them."
Mason sneered.
"I found out something too."
"To make Evan take the trouble for her, that little bitch slept with him."
Fiona stared at Mason strangely.
"Why are you telling me that?"
"Don't tell me you want me to sleep with you too."
Mason grinned and rubbed his hands.
"Why not?"
"Fiona, you know how long I've chased you."
"I've liked you for so long."
"Until now, I've only held your hand and kissed you a few times."
"Wanting some real progress isn't too much, right?"
Fiona's eyes turned.
She understood perfectly.
If she gave him no sweetness and made no firm promise, Mason might not truly help her. But if she gave everything too fast, she was afraid Mason would get what he wanted and throw her aside.
After thinking, Fiona decided to pull and release.
"No. This kind of thing goes step by step."
"But I can promise to give you a little sweetness first."
Mason frowned, not fully satisfied.
But after thinking, free advantage was free advantage.
"Fine. When?"
Fiona leaned closer and said softly, "After Evan is dealt with."
"We'll go to the motel near the school gate, and I'll help you cool down."
Mason's heart bloomed.
"Deal."
On the other side, when Evan returned to the apartment complex, it was already afternoon.
He took out his keys and inserted them into the lock as quietly as possible, turning little by little.
After entering and changing shoes, he did not even dare wear his slippers. He carried them in one hand and tiptoed toward his room like a thief.
Just as he reached the hallway, the door opposite him opened with a click.
It was Hannah's bedroom.
"Evan Carter, where did you die last night?"
The voice was cold.
Evan turned stiffly and gave two dry laughs.
"I... I really went to Wayne's place."
"We drank too much. He kept making me drink."
"So annoying."
Hannah crossed her arms and studied Evan coldly.
She wore a tight white T-shirt, and the fabric strained enough to create a full-force visual attack.
"Really?"
"Then why didn't you answer my calls? Why did you turn your phone off later?"
Hannah narrowed her beautiful eyes and stepped closer.
Then she leaned toward Evan and sniffed the air carefully.
Her face darkened.
"I don't think you went drinking."
"You went out to find a woman, didn't you?"
Evan's heart thudded.
He sighed helplessly.
He had not expected Hannah's nose to be this sharp.
Forget it.
He might as well admit it.
He was already a grown man. What was wrong with dating properly?
Evan nodded. "Yes. I admit it. I'm seeing someone."
Hannah snorted coldly. Her tone carried a slight sourness.
"A girl at school? In your class?"
Evan nodded honestly.
"Where's she from?"
"Stonebrook."
Hannah's mouth curled slightly.
"Then be careful."
"Mountain girls are famous for being clever and wild."
"Don't let her eat you clean and make you count the money afterward."
Evan quickly waved his hands.
"You're thinking too much."
"We only just started. We haven't even held hands. Nothing happened."
"Whether something happened is your business."
"At your age, dating is normal."
"But as someone with experience, I still have to warn you."
"The prettier a woman is, the better she is at lying."
After hearing that, Evan suddenly took one bold step forward.
His face came so close to Hannah's that they could feel each other's warm breath on their skin.
Hannah was startled by the sudden pressure, and a blush rose over her cheeks.
"What are you doing? Is there a flower on my face?"
Evan stared into her eyes and smiled wickedly.
"Hannah, didn't you just say the prettier a woman is, the better she lies?"
"Then what about you?"
"You're this beautiful. Why do I feel like you don't know how to lie at all?"
Hannah's heartbeat skipped.
She rolled her eyes to hide it.
"Smooth-talker."
"Go back to your room and rest."
After saying that, she turned and fled toward the living room. She had made plans to eat dinner with a friend.
Evan returned to his room and lay on the bed.
He carefully replayed Hannah's tiny expression changes.
In truth, he had deliberately admitted he was dating someone.
He wanted to test Hannah's reaction.
The result was that Hannah's tone had been a little sour, but she did not show obvious jealousy or anger.
Evan laughed at himself.
Forget it.
Why think so much?
Last night, Wendy had drained him too hard.
Evan slept straight into the middle of the night before waking in a daze.
His stomach growled with hunger.
He walked out in the dark, intending to make noodles in the kitchen.
But the moment he turned on the living room light, he saw Rowan standing stiffly on the black balcony, smoking.
The red tip of the cigarette glowed and dimmed.
Evan nearly jumped.
This Rowan truly moved like a ghost.
"Damn it, Rowan. Why are you pretending to be a ghost in the middle of the night? You scared me."
Rowan put out the cigarette and walked back into the living room. He grabbed Evan's shoulder tightly.
"This business trip will last a full week."
"For you, this is a once-in-a-thousand opportunity."
"Remember."
"You must use this time to make your relationship with Hannah warm up quickly."
"Most importantly, create more chances for physical contact."
"Did you hear me clearly?"
As Rowan gave his almost insane instructions, he took a black DSLR camera from a cabinet and shoved it into Evan's hands.
"She likes taking photos."
"When you have time, take her out and help shoot a few sets."
"If you don't know how to use it, learn online."
Evan weighed the heavy camera and took a deep breath.
"I understand, Rowan."
"Go on your trip without worry."
"Leave the house to me. I'll take good care of Hannah."
Author's Note:
This story will continue updating here.
If you want to read more, you can unlock it here:
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Thank you for reading.