Night had fallen over Riverdale, shrouding the Han family's home in darkness.
In the somewhat cramped living room sat Andrew's father, William Han, and his mother, Linda Chen. Andrew held a pristine white soup bowl, while his parents quietly watched him, listening as their son shared stories from school.
"Today, Gu Yuanliang spaced out through the entire evening self-study period."
"I stayed after school for cleaning duty, so I got home a bit late."
Andrew drank his soup as he recounted amusing events from school, striving to be detailed and vivid, recreating the real atmosphere so his parents would not sense anything unusual.
He was a Martial Arts Program Student, and his Martial Arts Rank had already reached the Sixth Rank.
Beyond that is the Fifth Rank, which qualifies one for admission to Elite Universities. As for the Fourth, Third, Second, and First Ranks after the Fifth, those are still a distant goal for him and not something he considers for now.
For now, the most important thing was to hide the fact that he had become a Martial Arts Program Student, so his parents wouldn't worry.
After all.
It is difficult for an ordinary family to accept the path of a Martial Arts Program Student for the college entrance exam, and regular people have no idea about the incredible power martial arts can bring.
But he understood.
It was as if everyone else was lost in a dream while he remained clear-headed. No matter how lonely or misunderstood he felt, Andrew Han had to stay committed to the path of martial arts. He could never stop—until he possessed incredible power, enough to keep his family together and protect them for a lifetime.
"Xiao Dong."
William Han tapped the dining table and asked in a serious tone, "There are only two months left until the college entrance exam. If you feel you need tutoring, tell us immediately... After all these years of hard work, it's finally time for a result."
Linda Chen added, "I heard New Oriental English tutoring is pretty good."
Tutoring?
Andrew quickly refused, "I don't need tutoring right now."
As he spoke, he took a small sip of the pork rib soup. Ribs that used to be tough to chew were now easily crushed—one of the benefits of bone training.
It must be understood.
He was taking the college entrance exam as a Martial Arts Program Student, so tutoring was meaningless. Besides, he could feel his physical strength increasing every day and night—he was sure the Fifth Rank was close.
A week at the shortest, half a month at the longest.
The combination of Graywhite Aura and high-frequency stance training was truly unmatched.
Suddenly, silence fell in the living room.
William Han and Linda Chen exchanged glances, worry evident in their expressions.
Even though they were busy managing the supermarkets and taking care of Xiao Qian, they vaguely sensed that their son Andrew, who used to focus solely on his studies, didn't seem as devoted to his academics anymore.
William Han frowned and coughed lightly. "Xiao Dong, you've been studying with classmates on weekends a lot lately. How's it going? Has your academic performance improved?"
Linda Chen also gazed intently at her son, Andrew.
In that instant, a heavy, interrogative pressure filled the living room, startling Andrew.
No matter how high his Martial Arts Rank was, facing the parents who had raised him still made his heart race. He sighed inwardly... No matter how well he hid his martial arts training, he couldn't fool his own parents.
No one knows a child better than their parents—so it goes.
"Dad, Mom." Andrew swallowed a mouthful of soup and said softly, "I'm one hundred percent confident I'll get into an Elite University... I've already narrowed it down to Greenfield College of Finance or Greenfield Institute of Technology."
As soon as he finished speaking.
William Han and Linda Chen exchanged glances, their eyes full of shock and delight.
"Really?"
Linda Chen asked in a trembling voice.
"Heh, Mom, don't worry." Andrew tapped his soup bowl with his right finger, looking relaxed. "I never overestimate myself, and I rarely lie—let alone make wild claims about the college entrance exam. Getting into an Elite University is absolutely no problem."
Pa!
William Han's face flushed as he couldn't help but slap the dining table, excitement shining in his eyes.
After years in business, he could immediately sense the certainty in Andrew's expression—unquestionable resolve, absolute confidence.
As a father, of course he believed in his son.
This was William Han's philosophy of education, a principle he had always upheld—trust is the greatest gift. If he couldn't believe in his own son, how could he expect anyone else to?
"Good!"
"Very good! Excellent!"
William Han couldn't help but stand up, rubbing his hands together. "Son, is studying at your classmates' house really that effective? From now on, I'll drive you myself."
"Hey, keep your voice down—Lucy is still sleeping." Linda Chen tugged at William Han.
William Han nodded quickly, but couldn't contain his excitement, pacing around the living room—happier than any business success.
To see his son succeed—finally, his hopes were bearing fruit.
He himself had missed university by just one point, a regret that lingered for years. Every time he recalled his own college entrance exam, he felt a trace of persistent sorrow.
So.
He turned those regrets into hope and poured them into his son, Andrew Han. In truth, even getting into a Regular University would have made William Han very proud.
As for his son Andrew getting into an Elite University?
He hadn't dared to hope for that.
"That's wonderful! If Xiao Dong gets into an Elite University," William Han said, gritting his teeth, "Dad will buy you a car, or you can just drive mine."
Andrew couldn't help but laugh and cry, "Dad, no need to buy a car. I plan to study in Greenfield City, and taking the high-speed train home is quite convenient."
Upon hearing this.
William Han and Linda Chen exchanged another look, both seeing joy in each other's eyes... Their son's words were so confident, as if victory was already in his grasp!
After so many years of hard work, now that they were older, their ambitions for their careers had faded.
At their age, it's no longer about who has more money or power, but whose children are more outstanding and accomplished!
William Han said excitedly, "Son, if you need any help from Dad, just say the word. These next two months are absolutely critical—if you can go even further and perform beyond expectations..."
Gulp.
He couldn't help but swallow, his left hand trembling as he gripped the back of Andrew's chair. His weathered face showed a look of anticipation. "Academy?"
William Han's thinking was simple.
Since his son was so confident about getting into an Elite University, maybe there was hope to aim for the Academy... The Academy! It's above even the Elite Universities!
Academy?
Andrew was stunned.
Martial arts are divided into nine ranks. The Seventh Rank corresponds to Regular Universities, the Fifth Rank to Elite Universities, and the Third Rank grants admission to the Academy.
But the Third Rank was incredibly difficult to achieve.
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A Fifth Rank Martial Arts Program Student was already outstanding; Fourth Rank was exceedingly rare, and as for the Third Rank... In the past five years, not a single Third Rank student had appeared in all of Riverdale!
"Academy."
Andrew hesitated.
He had never considered whether he could get into the Academy, because 'Third Rank grants admission to the Academy' seemed out of reach. If he had another half year, he might have a seventy or eighty percent chance.
Unfortunately.
Time was too short.
Since his rebirth, he had practiced martial arts day and night, without rest. But with so little time before the college entrance exam, reaching the Fifth Rank was already lucky.
Andrew pondered for a while.
William Han and Linda Chen were incredibly nervous, especially William, whose hands were clenched and who was nearly holding his breath, his gaze fixed on Andrew.
Dad, I'm afraid...
Andrew was about to shake his head and speak, but he saw the eager look in his mother Linda Chen’s eyes, his father William Han’s tense face, excited eyes full of bloodshot veins, and the striking white hairs at his temples.
I...
I'll do my best.
Andrew gripped his porcelain bowl, gritted his teeth, and spoke every word slowly and firmly.
Good! Good!" William Han rubbed his palms together, saying quickly, "In the coming days, I'll try to spend more time at home so you can study in peace. No matter how much the supermarket earns, it can't compare to your success."
Alright.
Linda Chen grabbed William Han’s arm: "Don’t get so excited, calm down, or you’ll be up all night... Andrew, go study, we won’t disturb you."
William Han added, "Yes, yes, studying is most important, don’t waste your time."
Okay.
Andrew replied softly.
He turned and went to his bedroom, locked the wooden door, walked to the window, and gazed at the dimly lit street outside, his heart surging, speechless for a moment.
When he first started martial arts, his goal was the Seventh Rank.
Because he had to get into university, to give his parents an answer, and not let down their years of hard work and trust.
With the help of Graywhite Aura and Yang Pole Stance, he quickly reached the Seventh Rank, and set his sights on the Fifth Rank to get into an Elite University. Now that he was about to reach that goal, his anxious heart relaxed a little.
But at this moment, his father William Han’s nervous excitement and his mother Linda Chen’s silent hope weighed on his heart like a heavy stone.
This is a son’s responsibility and burden.
He willingly bore it, ready to give his all and fight for it.
Academy.
Third Rank.
Andrew silently repeated the words, stretched out his arms to both sides, then formed a simple hand seal, producing a faint crackling sound from his bones—practicing the Yang Pole Stance!