"even" as "even though"

yeah 连 means "even".

simply means ： even

literally, this character 连 means "even". When we use it, we tend to use the structure 连 ··· 都 ···， or 连·····也····， let me give you 2 examples: 我最近太忙了，连吃饭的时间都没有. 我最近太忙了，连吃饭的时间也没有. Both are correct.

这件事儿连我都知道了，他一定早知道了。 you can say 这件事儿我都知道了，他一定早知道了。as well "连”means nothing but emphasize.强调语气的意思。