Fan Tu was always known as the one with the loudest laugh. His body was a bit larger than Li Yuan's and Mu Yi's, and he was always the first to grab food when they ate together. But behind his strong build and booming laughter, there was a dream he had never told anyone... except the two of them.
Fan Tu lived with his mother, father, and seven-year-old younger sister. His father was a lumberjack, while his mother tended to the house and sold vegetables from their small garden at the market. His family was simple—but full of love.
"I want to become a village guardian," Fan Tu said firmly one evening as they sat on a large rock overlooking the river.
"I want to be strong… so I can protect my family. If danger comes, or bad people show up, I want to stand in front and say: 'You'll have to get through me first.'"
Mu Yi fell silent. Li Yuan looked at him, this time with a gaze deeper than usual.
"I know… maybe that sounds silly," Fan Tu added with a small laugh, scratching the back of his head. "But I don't care. I'll keep training until my body becomes like stone."
Li Yuan smiled.
"That's not a silly dream, Fan Tu. That's… a noble one."
From that moment on, they understood one thing: each of them had their own reason to grow strong.
Li Yuan, to explore the world and protect himself.
Mu Yi, to keep life light and joyful, even after losing his mother at a young age.
Fan Tu, to become a shield for his family.
Fan Tu was never great at reading, but he always tried to keep up with the training. His hands, rough from helping his father chop wood, were slowly becoming more flexible through martial arts. And every time he fell during practice, he would get back up and say:
"I won't let my little sister cry alone if someone hurts her."
They were still young, still green—but their determination had begun to take root. And in that quiet village, though the world beyond remained unknown, they were slowly beginning to walk their own paths—not just as children… but as individuals with dreams.