Late afternoon, sun hanging low, melting everything in gold and twenty-foot-long shadows slashing over this sad, battered basketball court that's been through way too many gym classes and not enough love. Most sane people have already dipped, 'cause, honestly, who wants to hang around school after hours if they don't have to? But here's this little gang, refusing to go home, all buzzing on that tension you get before something big goes down. There's that weird electricity in the air—like, you know when everyone sort of expects drama, but no one says it out loud? That's the vibe.
Li Wei's hanging at the edge, fiddling with his backpack straps, probably to kill time, probably 'cause he's nervous—maybe doesn't want anyone to see his hand shaking a little. But what's really wild is he keeps touching this jade pendant in his pocket. And it's—get this—warm, almost alive. Not, like, burning or anything—you ever hold something that just… feels important? That's the one. It's beating, not literal-heart-style, but, yeah, you get the idea. He doesn't have a clue where it really came from except it used to belong to his dad, and if anime has taught us anything, obviously there's more to this trinket than meets the eye.
Right behind him is Zhang Jie—classmate, backup, chief worrier. Total opposite vibe. He's clutching his own backpack like he expects it to shield him, voice set to "stage whisper." He goes, "You sure about this, Wei? Like, really sure?" Gotta love how hard he tries to sound brave, but the guy's all nerves. "Heard Chen Guang's not just showboating anymore. Kid's legit been in a dojo. He's not only talk anymore." He doesn't say it, but the unsaid bit is: 'Don't want to see you get your face rearranged, dude.'
Li Wei flashes a look at him, half "thanks for caring," half "chill, dude." You know, teenager style. "Can't keep hiding just 'cause I'm scared," he says. That's classic Li Wei—more stubborn than a cat on a sunny windowsill. "If I bail, he's just gonna keep pushing. That's not how I wanna roll."
And Zhang—man, he's just like, "Yep, you have a screw loose. Dangerously loose." But underneath, you can tell he's not going anywhere either. Real friends, right?
So, our party heads towards the gym. The place is sad—looks like it eats dreams for breakfast and never tidies up. Shadows like old ghosts hug the walls. Somewhere past those doors, you can catch scuff-sounds and—boom—Chen Guang strides out. Dude thinks he's the main character in a boxing movie. Got his crew with him, all "back me up" types, as if he needs props for intimidation.
Chen Guang leads with the cheap shot: "Look who actually showed. Figured you'd weasel out." That shit-eating grin of his, ugh.
Li Wei doesn't flinch, just sticks his hands in his pockets, too casual for the mood. "You're feeling yourself today, huh? Still mad I dropped you in that argument last time?" Bit of a troll, gotta respect it.
Chen Guang's face twitches—hate to see a rich kid lose his cool. "Talking won't help you here." One of his boys tries to sound tough: "He's about to give your mouth a proper workout." Clever? Not really. Intimidating? Doubtful.
And you can practically feel Li Wei's whole body tense. Chest tight, arms ready. Not scared, though—excited? Or… something weirder. The pendant's all but humming now, like it's just waiting for spotlight time. Like, for real, if you put your ear up to it, you'd expect a tiny voice going, "It's go time!"
Cue the brawl. Chen Guang fires first, aiming straight for Li Wei's jaw. Thing is—Li Wei moves like he's in zero gravity, or maybe someone uploaded a martial arts montage straight into his DNA. He doesn't just dodge—he glides. Not to be dramatic, but it's beautiful, like a dance nobody taught him.
Zhang Jie's off to the side now, jaw somewhere near his knees, just staring like, "When did my buddy go full kung fu panda?" (Well, a slightly less round version.) Chen Guang can't land squat. He tries swinging harder, faster—nothing. Li Wei just bobs, ducks, counter-jabs—never going for the face, just knocking Chen off balance like he's teasing him.
Pendant in his pocket pulses with some wild energy, fueling every move. And Li Wei—he's not just dodging punches, he's locking eyes, like, "I see you." That's power, and confidence, and yeah, a smidge of cockiness, too. He's never fought this well in his life. It's not even close.
Chen Guang's face goes red as a warning sign. "You're faster than before. What's your deal!?" And Li Wei, grinning now, just shrugs, "Just keeping up, man. You said you'd been training, right?"
The whole thing snowballs—faster, wilder. Voices echo inside the gym. At one point, Chen tries a wild, awkward hook, Li Wei sidesteps and sweeps his ankle—textbook trip, like something out of a Shaolin movie. Down goes Chen—the crowd of lackeys suddenly real quiet.
Chen's fuming, "Get up! Get up!" like that'll work. His flunkies pull him up, but their eyes are shifting now. You can tell they're looking at Li Wei different, all, "Whoa, maybe don't mess with this guy."
Zhang finally recovers enough to talk: "You're nuts, but, like—legendary nuts." And Li Wei, a little breathless, dusts off his sleeves. "Legendary's a stretch. Let's just call it 'not dead yet.'"
Chen limps away, throwing out threats, but honestly, his squad aren't buying it. They're shook, and everyone knows it.
After the dust clears, Li Wei's still buzzing—hasn't felt that in, well, ever. Not that fake-tough-guy rush, but actual control. Like, destiny just turned a page and there he is, name in bold. Might be some magic in that pendant, or maybe just the courage to face down the school bully. Maybe a little of both.
Later, Li Wei's sprawled on his bed, pendant sitting in his palm, warm as ever. For the first time, he lets himself wonder: what secrets did his dad leave him? What's this crazy world he's only just peeking into? Feels like there's more waiting out there—misty mountains, hidden scrolls, you know the whole ancient secret routine. And weirdly, instead of feeling freaked out, he's ready. Destiny's out there somewhere, probably already marching his way—Li Wei's just got to meet it halfway.
And, hey, if this is just the start? Things are about to get wild. Honestly, you love to see it.