That evening, Evelyn reviewed in Alexander's study. She didn't ask him to help. She knew these two courses well enough to handle them on her own.
Alexander sat at his desk, studying financial reports. They stayed on opposite sides of the room, neither disturbing the other.
Earlier, Alexander had turned down a friend's invitation. Evelyn didn't know who it was. She only heard him say he needed to accompany his wife tonight, and they could reschedule.
Then he looked up at her.
Evelyn quickly lowered her head, pretending not to hear.
But honestly, her heart still felt warm. Even if it was just an excuse from Alexander.
That night, they stayed at the villa. They slept soundly until dawn.
Since she had an exam in the morning, Evelyn returned to school after breakfast.
Only two exams remained in the final week. After that, all courses for this semester would be over.
When the last exam finished, Evelyn relaxed.
Good or bad, it was done.
Winter break was about to start. She could finally rest for a while.
The dormitory atmosphere felt much lighter than during exam week.
Emily lay in bed, propping her iPad on her knees, reading her favorite novel.
Stella was on the phone with her family, chatting happily.
Evelyn packed her things. Her home was close enough that she could move back tonight.
But she decided to move tomorrow.
The dormitory planned to have dinner together tonight.
Emily and Stella said they had treated her to a big meal last time. This time, they wanted to treat her back, just before the holiday.
Evelyn said they didn't need to.
Emily insisted anyway.
"Let's go for barbecue. I feel like I haven't had meat in forever!" Emily said, licking her lips.
"It hasn't been that long! What about that big meal we had last Friday?" Stella laughed.
"Well, exams are exhausting. I burned off all those calories today!"
"Then let's eat barbecue. I haven't had it in a while either." Evelyn agreed.
Charlotte had called her earlier, asking her to go for barbecue together. She didn't go because she was busy.
Charlotte had scolded her for it.
So they decided to go to the barbecue place near school.
Evelyn packed all her clothes into her suitcase and grabbed a travel bag with her books.
"Evelyn, are you moving everything home?"
"Yeah, I might not come back to school next semester." Evelyn looked up to reply.
"That's fine. Next semester, I'll just check in at most and start my internship." Stella echoed.
"Time flies. In the blink of an eye, we're all about to graduate!" Emily sighed.
"I feel the same way!" Evelyn nodded.
She still remembered her sister sending her to school on registration day.
Her father was on a business trip. Her mother was in a hurry to play mahjong. Like Granny Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, she came to report with curiosity.
Now she was a senior. She would graduate in another semester.
"Alas, we're about to graduate, and we still haven't found boyfriends. We're pretty pathetic!" Emily sighed.
"It's okay. When you graduate, you can find a husband directly!" Stella comforted her.
"Yeah, I want to find a rich, handsome husband who loves me and spoils me. He'll give me a black card to spend, and I won't have to worry about anything." Emily waved her iPad and declared boldly.
"You read too many novels!" Evelyn laughed.
"Not too many, but I'm possessed!" Stella smiled.
"Don't you think this kind of life is the most comfortable? You have no sense of humor!" Emily sighed, looking aloof.
"I think we should have our own jobs. That gives us security." Evelyn replied with a smile.
Even though she was married to Alexander and didn't need to worry about money at all.
She had always believed this.
No matter who the other half was, women should have an independent financial foundation. That way, no matter how life changed in the future, they could maintain their independence and dignity. They wouldn't be lost if they lost their support.
"I think so too!" Stella turned her head and smiled. "It's good if the other half has money. But we also need to have our own abilities. Otherwise, the rich husband will become someone else's, and we'll become the next ex-wife. It doesn't matter if I'm a housewife. But it's terrible if I have nothing at all!"
"Stella is right. Being a housewife isn't scary. But having nothing is terrifying!" Emily agreed.
Evelyn looked at them and smiled. How did the topic change from barbecue to the question of being a housewife?
Since they were going out to eat tonight, they took baths, dressed up, and headed out.
"Barbecue, barbecue, I'm coming!" Emily laughed.
"You're scaring me. Anyone would think you haven't eaten meat in a year!"
"I haven't eaten meat in a long time! Imagine a piece of marinated three-layer meat roasting on the iron plate, making a sizzling sound. The oil seeps out little by little, and the fragrance lingers on the tip of my nose. What a happy moment when I eat it!" Emily said, looking intoxicated.
"It's a pity Emily doesn't study literature!"
"It's okay. She can sell insurance. With such good literary talent and eloquence, she can definitely sell insurance very well!" Evelyn laughed.
"Alas, it's a waste of energy talking about delicious food with two guys who have no romantic cells at all! I'd better save my energy and eat two more pieces of meat later!" Emily scoffed.
Evelyn and Stella both laughed.
When they got to the barbecue place, it was packed. No seats available.
The three of them walked out of the barbecue shop dejectedly. "What do we eat if not barbecue?" Emily asked.
"Spicy hot pot! Or regular hot pot!" Evelyn suggested.
"Evelyn, this is your territory. You recommend one!" Emily turned to Evelyn.
"Aren't we all the same?" Evelyn smiled.
"You're local. We're all from out of town. Now it's time for you to use your local advantage." Emily and Stella said.
"I know there's a hot pot restaurant on the food street. How about we eat there?" Evelyn thought for a moment.
"How much per person?"
"About two hundred for the three of us." Evelyn estimated. "But I haven't eaten there in a while. I don't know if the prices have gone up."
"It's a bit expensive. But we'll have winter break tomorrow. Forget it, let's have a good meal." Emily said.
So the three of them took a taxi and headed to the food street.
"Big sister—" Evelyn didn't expect to run into her sister Victoria at the hot pot restaurant.
"Evelyn, why are you here?" Victoria was also surprised.
"Eating hot pot with my classmates! This is my sister, Victoria! Sister, these are my classmates, Emily and Stella!" Evelyn introduced.
"Hello. Has Evelyn caused you any trouble?" Victoria said politely to Emily and Stella.
Evelyn looked at her sister with a smile, feeling she had completely changed.
Usually, her sister was never this gentle with her!
"No, no. Evelyn is very good. Sometimes she even helps us!" Emily said hastily.
"That's good! Evelyn is a bit slow. Thanks for taking care of her!" Victoria glanced at Evelyn and said gently.
Evelyn suddenly felt a chill. This was her sister's peaceful nature—
She had always spared no effort!