Inside the bedroom.
Lucy Han, bundled up in a thick quilt, rolled around playfully on the icy bed. Her bright, watery eyes looked up at her brother, Andrew Han. "Brother, come join me!"
Andrew Han stood nearby and shook his head.
The gift Master Miles Ning gave Lucy wasn’t very practical. Andrew couldn’t help but worry—if his little sister spent too much time lying on it, she might catch a cold.
"Lucy, stop playing. Come down now."
With a furrowed brow, Andrew gently picked Lucy up and set her down on the regular bed. Ignoring her hurt expression, he hefted the icy bed and carried it out of the bedroom, all the way to the building entrance.
Bang!
Andrew Han casually tossed the icy bed at the entrance and dialed Master Miles Ning's number.
"Good disciple, what is it?"
An aged voice came through the phone.
Andrew Han first asked, "Master, I want to know... should I make time to practice combat techniques?"
Miles Ning replied calmly, "No need. Combat techniques are merely derivatives of the Nine-Tier Martial Arts; they are not true martial arts. In a few days, I will teach you real techniques."
True techniques?
Andrew Han narrowed his eyes, thoughtful.
Miles Ning didn't urge him, quietly waiting... After pondering for a while, Andrew finally made his request: he asked his master to send someone to move the icy bed.
......
The next night.
In the living room, William Han and Susan Chen worked together, carefully preparing a lavish meal, waiting for their son Andrew Han to come home.
Crack, crack.
William Han held a metal spatula, turning the cola chicken wings in the pan.
He sniffed the aroma, then covered the pan and sighed with emotion: "So many good things have happened lately. Jack Wu and the others have disappeared, and my son Andrew got into Southland University."
Susan Chen smiled and said, "Good things come in pairs."
William Han shook his head: "But I still can't figure out who Jack Wu offended. Even his sister, a government official, left her post and vanished as if into thin air."
Susan Chen replied casually, "Jack Wu has always been arrogant; he must have offended someone important."
As she spoke.
She nudged William Han aside, worriedly lifted the lid, and turned the chicken wings: "Stop worrying so much. Maybe some government official didn't like Jack Wu's attitude. Jack Wu must have left Southriver City, which is a good thing—at least he won't bother our family anymore."
Susan Chen covered the pan, her heart filled with joy.
She knew that today's society is governed by law, and citizens' rights are well protected. There is no way people like Jack Wu could harm others... This only strengthened Susan Chen's trust in the law and the authorities.
She believed in the law; injustices would always be revealed.
William Han breathed a sigh of relief and also chuckled, "We really should thank that important person. Otherwise, Jack Wu wouldn't have been dealt with so easily."
Just then.
Click.
Andrew Han opened the security door, returned home with his backpack, a smile on his lips.
After a normal day at school, he felt relaxed—especially when he came home and smelled the aroma of food. He felt as if he were swimming in a sea of happiness.
"With Master Miles Ning around, I don't have to worry about being bullied anymore."
"My only goal now is to become a martial artist as soon as possible, learn about demons and monsters, and protect my sister Lucy."
Andrew Han thought to himself.
He sat on a chair, smiling as he watched his parents bustling in the kitchen, secretly planning to visit the garden where antiques are stored early tomorrow morning to absorb the gray-white energy.
Lost in thought.
Andrew Han felt a hint of worry in his heart.
After so many days of reflection, he vaguely understood that his emotional outburst back then was likely a side effect of the gray-white energy.
Once he entered a state of rage, the side effect would be triggered.
And that effect was madness.
As for how to resolve it, Andrew Han already had a preliminary plan—for example, he was reading 'The Road Less Traveled' on a mobile app, reflecting more deeply on life.
"Hmm."
"This book is really good; I'll tip the author. Hmm... I'll also cast a recommendation vote."
——
May 27th, ten days until the college entrance exam.
Hoo, hoo.
The sweltering summer breeze made the campus of Riverdale Experimental High School seem like a steamer. All the classroom fans spun, but could only drive away a bit of heat, barely bringing some coolness.