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Chapter 3: Trouble with a Smile
Han Sen had a grin too big for his face.
He was only fourteen, but he was already chasing after girls, dreaming of glory, and making a fool of himself almost daily. Kai sometimes wondered how someone so careless could one day become the hero he knew from his past life.
But for now, Han Sen was just a reckless kid.
That morning, he walked into school humming, with a red envelope in his hand.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
Han Sen smirked. "A love letter."
Kai blinked once. "To who?"
"Lin Yuerong," Han Sen said proudly. "She's the prettiest girl in Year 3. Tall, smart, beautiful—basically perfect."
Kai's expression didn't change. "She's also the granddaughter of the Lin Consortium's chairman."
Han Sen hesitated. "…Really?"
Kai just sipped his drink. "She has four bodyguards."
That didn't stop Han Sen.
---
During break, Kai sat on a bench in the courtyard, quietly flipping through a martial theory textbook. Nearby, Han Sen approached Lin Yuerong under a cherry tree, armed with nothing but a smile and that red envelope.
Kai didn't look up, but he was listening.
"I like you!" Han Sen said boldly, extending the envelope with both hands. "Please go out with me!"
The courtyard fell silent. Students turned.
Lin Yuerong, tall and calm, looked down at him with a blank expression. She didn't speak.
Her four bodyguards were less patient.
One stepped forward. "Scram."
Han Sen scratched his head. "Wait, I'm serious—"
The bodyguard grabbed him by the collar.
Kai stood up slowly, slipping his book into his bag.
---
By the time Kai reached them, one of the guards had Han Sen pinned against the wall. Another was about to swing.
"Let him go," Kai said calmly.
The guard looked at him. "This isn't your business."
Kai's voice didn't change. "Now it is."
One of the other guards stepped toward him. "You think we won't—?"
He didn't finish.
Kai's hand moved, fast and smooth. He struck a pressure point in the guard's arm, twisted, and dropped him in a single motion.
The others turned instantly.
Kai stepped in front of Han Sen. "You've made your point. He's an idiot. Let it go."
The girl, Lin Yuerong, finally spoke. "Stand down."
Her voice was clear, commanding. The guards froze, then slowly backed off.
She looked at Kai. "You're his brother?"
Kai didn't answer. He just nodded once and turned to leave.
Han Sen scrambled after him, red-faced and breathing hard.
---
Back in the alley behind the school, Han Sen rubbed his neck. "Thanks for that."
Kai didn't look at him. "You should've known better."
Han Sen laughed awkwardly. "How was I supposed to know her family was loaded?"
Kai gave him a glance. "You proposed to someone you don't know."
"It wasn't a real proposal! It was practice."
Kai stared. "Practice?"
Han Sen shrugged. "Look, you're always so serious. You don't get it. Love's part of life, too, you know."
Kai leaned back against the wall. "So is getting punched."
Han Sen chuckled. "Okay, fair."
He paused, then asked, "Why'd you help me?"
Kai didn't answer immediately. Then, after a few seconds: "You're not ready to die yet."
Han Sen blinked. "That's… dramatic."
Kai walked away without another word.
---
That night, Kai trained in the basement.
The Blood Pulse Sutra had grown fiercer. Every session was a war with his own body. Veins bulged. Blood surged. Muscles cracked under pressure and healed stronger each time. His breathing technique flowed between the explosive force of the Blood Pulse and the illusion-like precision of the Falsified Sky Sutra.
His mother watched from the corner. "You stepped in for Han Sen today."
Kai didn't stop moving. "He was going to get hurt."
"He's young."
Kai moved into a flowing stance. "So was I. That didn't stop the world from hurting me."
Luo Lan stepped forward. "You may be cold, Kai, but you still care. That's good."
"I don't care," he said flatly. "I just don't like wasting potential."
She smiled. "If you say so."
---
Later that night, Han Yufei returned home and heard the story from Luo Lan.
He found Kai sitting outside, looking at the stars.
"You stepped in for your brother," Han Yufei said.
Kai said nothing.
"You don't talk much, but you act when it matters."
Kai turned. "I don't like seeing fools die early."
Han Yufei nodded. "Still, you're watching out for him."
Kai stared at the sky. "I know what's ahead for him. And me."
There was a long silence between father and son.
Then Han Yufei said quietly, "When the time comes, you may have to choose. Him, or your path."
Kai didn't flinch. "I'll walk my path. But I won't let him fall."
---
The next day, Han Sen strutted into school like nothing happened.
He waved at Lin Yuerong, who ignored him completely.
Kai shook his head. "Hopeless."
But a tiny part of him was amused.
Even heroes had to start somewhere.
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