"Alright, everyone!" Kai Zhen's voice carried easily across the gym. "Self-defense isn't about being the strongest. It's about being the smartest. Using your opponent's momentum against them. Would anyone like to volunteer for a demonstration?"
Dead silence.
No one wanted to embarrass themselves in front of the general.
Kai Zhen's eyes scanned the crowd and landed directly on Lin Yuer.
Oh no.
"You. The scholarship student. Lin Yuer, right?"
Every head turned to stare.
"I'm not really—"
"Come on. It'll be fun. I promise I'll go easy on you."
The crowd started chanting. "Lin Yuer! Lin Yuer! Lin Yuer!"
Trapped.
Lin Yuer stood and walked to the front, hyper-aware of hundreds of eyes on him.
Kai Zhen smiled. "Don't worry. I'll make you look good."
He moved forward, reaching for Lin Yuer's wrist in a basic grab—a simple demonstration of how to break a hold.
But his grip was tighter than necessary. Testing.
