[Dear readers, if you're enjoying this fan fiction, I'd love to hear your thoughts—so don't forget to leave a comment! Your support means the world to me. If you'd like to help the story grow, please consider dropping a few power stones and adding it to your collection. Every bit of encouragement keeps me inspired to write more!]
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[Sunday]
After a rigorous session of training with Jackie and a hearty breakfast of warm rice porridge and steamed buns, Bruce spent the rest of the morning Meditating.
Finishing his chi meditation and wiped the sweat from his brow, he went prepare tea for Uncle.
Toady, Jackie handled the shop's floor and shelves, while Bruce prepared tea for Uncle, carefully balancing temperature and steep time, determined to master what Uncle called "liquid meditation."
Ancient scrolls, ceramic vases, jade pendants, and talismans filled every corner of the shop. It was more like a living museum than a commercial shop and to Bruce, it already felt like home.
Later that afternoon, All three of them had lunch in the kitchen. The scent of soy-simmered tofu and ginger chicken filled the room.
Jackie cleared his throat between bites. "You'll be starting school tomorrow." and pointed towards the text books arranged in the corner of the Kitchen counter
Bruce paused mid-chew. "Wait, what?"
Uncle, lifting his bowl, grunted, "Aiyah, ears full of chi, but not open to sound? Jackie said school. Real one. With homework and classmates."
Jackie grinned and continued "Wanshan Academy. Good school, good discipline. And it has an affiliated high school too. A good Long-term plan."
Bruce groaned and slouched. "Great. But seriously—no dramatic escort or anything, okay? I'll survive." He mumbled
"One more thing," Uncle interjected. "Survival not goal. You go to learn and live with others, not hide behind handsome face."
[Monday]
Jackie handed Bruce a neatly pressed uniform after their usual training and early breakfast. It was a dark Gray jacket with silver trim, paired with a white undershirt, tie and tailored pants.
The fabric was crisp, clean, and somehow managed to look both traditional and stylish.
Bruce slipped it on and adjusted the cuffs and tie in front of the mirror. With his lean but athletic frame, lightly tanned skin, and subtly defined jawline, he looked sharper than most students probably ever did.
Getting downstairs, he brushed a hand through his hair. "Not bad, but feels like I'm dressing for battle."
Jackie chuckled from the kitchen. "School is a battlefield. Just one where the weapons are pencils and pride."
Uncle, sipping his morning tea, added with a smirk, "Aiyah! Do not forget—first impressions are like spilled tea. Easy to make mess, hard to clean up."
Despite Bruce's best efforts to dodge the attention, Jackie insisted on walking him out for his first day.
"This is Route 4. Drops you off right outside Wanshan Academy," Jackie explained.
Bruce rolled his eyes. "I would've figured it out."
Jackie smirked. "After you detour through three noodle stalls and a fruit market, maybe."
[Wanshan Academy]
The school stood proudly on a small hill, flanked by trees and lantern-lit walkways. Its gate bore engraved flowing calligraphy, and the main building showcased red-brick walls blended with traditional Chinese roof curves.
Wanshan Academy was a distinguished middle school, known for its academic rigor and structured discipline. Just beside it, separated by a walkway shaded with cherry blossom trees, stood the high school campus—Wanshan High—where many middle schoolers would eventually graduate into.
Both campuses shared several state-of-the-art facilities: a sprawling football ground, an indoor swimming pool, a multi-purpose basketball court, and a well-maintained running track. These were nestled behind the courtyard, accessible to students from both schools for physical education, competitions, and extracurricular clubs.
Beyond the front entrance, the courtyard hosted a koi pond, a blossoming plum tree, and club buildings along the edges—one styled like an old dojo for the martial arts club, another a tech lab with solar panels, and a smaller wooden hall for music and calligraphy.
Jackie led Bruce into the front office. A bespectacled office lady greeted them warmly.
"Transfer from abroad? Ah yes—Bruce Chan. Documents received. Welcome to Wanshan Academy."
Bruce stood straight, controlling his breathing, Jackie patted his shoulder and grinned. "You'll do fine. Just be yourself."
As Jackie left, Bruce's nerves began creeping in 'This is the first time I'm attending school. Ever. Not just in this world... but any.'
'No!!! I'm won't be afraid, All i have to do is be myself, nothing more nothing less!' He clenched his fists with resolve
The office lady escorted him through bright hallways buzzing with student chatter. The gentle morning chime rang, signalling the start of classes. She led him to Class 3B and motioned toward the door.
"The teacher's already been informed. Good luck," she said, smiling kindly.
Bruce knocked and stepped in.
Mr. Zhao, a tall, wiry man with square glasses looked up. "Class, we have a new transfer student today. Please welcome him."
Bruce took a breath "Hello, my name is Bruce Chan. I just moved here from America."
His Chinese accent wasn't perfect, but understandable—and his accent had a quiet charm to it. His striking mix of foreign and Eastern features, the confidence in his stance, and his sculpted posture from training made heads turn.
He scanned the room and took a seat near the right-middle row, beside a boy with glasses and a pencil pouch stuffed with erasers and color-coded pens.
The boy looked up shyly. "I'm Tao." Bruce smiled. "Bruce. Nice to meet you."
Mr. Zhao resumed teaching, chalk in hand. The math lesson covered geometric formulas and volume calculations.
Bruce, ever eager to make a solid first impression, followed diligently, copying the equations with clean strokes.
When the bell rang, Mr. Zhao looked up. "Bruce, come here for a moment. Lifen, please come up too."
A girl with elegant posture stood. Her long black hair was tied with a silk ribbon, and she wore her uniform like it was tailored by a fashion house.
"Zhao Lifen—the class representative." Mr. Zhao introduced her to Bruce
"Lifen, help Bruce settle in" Mr. Zhao instructed.
Lifen nodded gracefully. "Of course, Teacher" As Mr. Zhao gave a nod to the two of them and exited, she turned to Bruce with a practiced smile.
"Here." She handed him a neatly compiled set of papers. "These are topic notes on what we've covered in class so far. Text book page numbers are marked accordingly. It's my duty as Class Rep to always prepare them in advance for new students."
Bruce blinked. Efficient. Almost mechanical. "Thanks," he said politely and took the papers, but then her tone shifted. "Just one important tip," she said lightly. "You might want to avoid making friends with certain types." Her eyes flicked to Tao. She continued, voice just loud enough for half the class to hear, "I'll introduce you to better people. You belong with our level." While looking behind
Four students in the back snickered—obviously her friends. Stylish, smug, and used to ruling the room.
Near the windows, Tao and a few quiet kids seated near him looked down, shrinking further into their desks.
Bruce's face tightened. "Thanks for the offer," he said slowly, "but I can choose my own friends."
Lifen blinked. "Excuse me?" not expecting such a reply
"I said," Bruce repeated calmly, "I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. You can keep your suggestions to yourself." The class went still.
Gasps rippled. The neutrals students stared. Tao glanced up, stunned. Lifen's friends frowned.
Lifen's eyes narrowed. "You'll regret that." Her voice held ice, and though still poised, a crack had formed in her smile.
'How dare he embarrass me?' she thought. 'Good looks or not—he won't make a fool of me, I'll make him pay for that.'
She turned and walked off, chin high. The room buzzed with whispers.
Bruce went back to his chair, completely composed, not even slightly bothered by her threat thinking 'Let's see what school life has in store.'
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[Dear readers, if you're enjoying this fan fiction, I'd love to hear your thoughts—so don't forget to leave a comment! Your support means the world to me. If you'd like to help the story grow, please consider dropping a few power stones and adding it to your collection. Every bit of encouragement keeps me inspired to write more!]