Bruce's Pov
Han Zixuan finally leaned back, his calm composure unshaken. He gave me a short nod, then glanced at Qin Yue beside with a smile.
Without another word, he turned and walked toward the exit as the class was about to begin and the timing was perfect.
The bell rang and the teacher stepped in moments later, and all murmurs died down but Tao, seated on my right, leaned closer, whispering just low enough for me to hear.
"We're talking after school," he muttered, eyes sharp. "Don't think you're walking out of this."
I sighed but didn't argue. His tone made it clear he wasn't letting it slide. 'He's not wrong. That whole exchange with Han Zixuan wasn't normal. Of course Tao would want to talk about it'
The teacher launched into the day's lesson. My classmates scribbled notes, some pretending to pay attention while sneaking glances my way. I could feel the stares like tiny needles against my skin, but I forced myself to focus on the board.
I took careful notes, letting the rhythm of writing calm me. Knowledge, structure—these were my anchors. The fire of competition was still burning in my chest from earlier, but I pressed it down. There'd be time for that later.
By the time the bell rang for lunch, the tension had dulled into a steady hum. Tao and I walked together to the cafeteria, and we soon found our usual group—Zhang Weiren, Lin Qiun, Guo Minghao and Mei Yanyan waiting for us. We all grabbed trays, filled it with food and claimed a table at the entrance of the Cafeteria as usual.
The moment I sat down, though, I felt it. Eyes. Everywhere.
Whispers rose around us.
"That's him. The middle schooler who beat Feng.""No way!""Look at him—he doesn't even look that strong."
I wanted to ignore it, but it was impossible not to notice. The cafeteria buzzed louder than usual, the energy swirling around me like a storm.
Mei Yanyan grinned, stabbing her chopsticks into her rice. "Well, well, Mr. Celebrity. Should we start charging people for autographs?"
The others laughed, and Zhang Weiren added, "Careful, if we sit with him too much, we'll all need bodyguards."
"Yeah," Tao muttered. "Bodyguards… or medical bills."
I shot him a look, but his smirk told me he was half-joking. Only half.
I rubbed the back of my neck, embarrassed. "Come on, it was just one fight."
"Just one fight," Mei Yanyan echoed dramatically. "Against a high schooler. While you're still in middle school." She tapped her chopsticks against her tray like a drumroll. "Do you know how insane that sounds?"
I laughed awkwardly, trying to deflect, but inside I knew she was right. That fight wasn't something people would forget anytime soon.
The cafeteria doors opened, and the noise dipped slightly. Qin Yue entered, her presence instantly commanding attention. But it wasn't her alone—Han Zixuan walked at her side, calm as always.
He didn't even need to speak, his aura alone silenced people near him.
They walked toward the central table where the most prominent students sat, but halfway across, Qin Yue's eyes caught mine.
For a heartbeat, the noise of the cafeteria vanished.
She smiled faintly, nodding in her usual polite way.
I returned it with a small smile of my own, nothing exaggerated. Just acknowledgment.
Then she moved on, taking her seat beside Han Zixuan.
Of course, that little moment didn't go unnoticed.
Mei Yanyan immediately leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Okay, hold on. Did everyone see that? She nodded at him. She actually smiled."
Guo Minghao's brows shot up. "Wait. Qin Yue? Smiled at Bruce?"
I held up my hands. "It's nothing, don't make it into something."
But before they could press further, Tao spoke up, his voice steady. "Actually, it's not nothing."
The group's attention snapped to him, and Tao recounted the earlier exchange—Qin Yue sitting in front of me, introducing her fiancé, Han Zixuan coming over to shake my hand, and finally the challenge he left me with.
He didn't dramatize it, but the information was enough.
By the time he finished, my friends were staring at me like I'd sprouted a second head.
"You… you shook hands with Han Zixuan?" Mei Yanyan asked, incredulous."And he talked to you like that?" Lin Qiun added.
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "He just said to work hard. That's all."
But even as I said it, my pulse quickened. 'Work hard, reach the top five… six months. That wasn't just advice. That was a challenge.'
The rest of the school day passed in a blur as I forced myself to focus on classes and finally, the last bell rang
Next, I made my way to the Calligraphy Club room.
The scent of ink and old paper calmed me as I entered. Students were already at their desks, brushes poised.
I found my spot, unrolling the practice paper Uncle had given me.
The brush felt balanced in my hand.
Moments later, Qin Yue entered. She walked with her usual composure, but instead of sitting with her usual group, she crossed the room and sat beside me.
I blinked in surprise. "Didn't think you'd switch seats."
She glanced at me briefly, expression cool. "I wanted a different perspective today."
I chuckled softly but didn't press. We dipped brushes into ink, the soft scratch of strokes filling the room.
At one point, she leaned slightly toward me, her voice low. "Your structure's improved."
"Thanks," I murmured.
Her lips curved just slightly. Not quite a smile, but close.
The activity continued until the teacher dismissed us. As we packed up, I said, "See you next time."
She met my eyes and replied softly, "See you."
Then she was gone, leaving only the faint scent of ink behind.
Outside the campus gates, Tao was waiting. Arms crossed, expression grim.
"Finally," he said. "We need to talk."
I sighed but nodded. We started walking together, the streets slowly emptying as students headed home.
"You don't get it," Tao began, tone serious. "What you agreed to… the top five… you have no idea what that means."
I stayed quiet, letting him continue.
"The ranking fights happen every weekend, at the Mansion. You know that much. But here's the catch—if you get on the list, anyone can challenge you. And if you're low-ranked, you'll get flooded with challenges. People will want to climb, and you're the step they'll use."
I frowned. "So? I just fight them."
"It's not that simple!" Tao snapped. "Each ranked fighter only gets one challenge a week they can issue. But before they can do that, they have to fight everyone who challenges them first. You'll be drowning in fights before you can even think about moving up. It'll wear you down physically, mentally… it's brutal."
I absorbed his words, silent for a moment. Then I nodded. "I get it. But I'll be fine. I'm ready."
Tao stared at me, frustration clear. "Ready? Do you even know who you're trying to reach? The top five aren't just strong—they're monsters. They don't lose. Ever. And Han Zixuan… he's number one for a reason!"
My heart thudded, but I didn't back down. I met Tao's gaze firmly. "That's fine. I'll still climb. Six months. I'll reach him."
Tao groaned, dragging his hands through his hair. "Unbelievable. You're insane."
But even as he said it, I saw the flicker of respect in his eyes.
I tilted my head, smirking slightly. "By the way… Han said there's something exclusive to the top five. What is it?"
Tao hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't know. Nobody does. That's why it's called exclusive. Only they're allowed in whatever circle that is. The rest of us just hear rumors."
I hummed thoughtfully. 'So it's real. Something hidden. All the more reason to climb.'
Tao finally sighed, resigned. "Fine. If you're really going through with this, I'll come to the weekend fights too. Just to make sure you don't get yourself killed."
That earned a grin from me. "Oh? Only to make sure I'm okay? Not to check out the party vibes at the Mansion?"
Tao froze, then scowled. "Don't push it."
But his ears betrayed him, turning red.
I chuckled, letting him off the hook. "Got it, got it. You're just coming for me."
He muttered something under his breath, but I didn't press. His presence was enough.
For the first time that day, I felt the fire in my chest settle into something steadier. Determination, yes. But also… trust.
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