Classrooms, they've got this background noise you just can't escape—whispers bouncing around, chairs dragging like they're auditioning for a horror movie, and pens tapping out that low-key soundtrack of stress. Li Wei's got his regular seat in the back, acting like he's deep in his notes, but you know how it is—his brain's running laps. All that drama building up lately: those sketchy alley fights, Wu Jian being Wu Jian, and Chen Guang strutting around like he's the king of the world. And now? There's a whole new arena to worry about. Not fists, not feet—this one's all mind games and smarts.
Chen Guang's up at the front, sprawled out like he's on a throne, wearing a grin that screams "I'm better than you." He's tapping his pen, glancing at Li Wei—those looks are pure calculation mixed with a dash of "I wish I was you, but I'd never admit it." Classic rich kid move, thinking money and connections are cheat codes for life. But lately, Li Wei's been flipping the script—faster, tougher, somehow always dodging trouble. It's got Chen Guang rattled, even if he pretends otherwise.
You can just hear Chen Guang mutter under his breath, loud enough for Li Wei to catch it: "Someone's showing off again." The guy's got that tone—half mocking, half daring him to snap back.
Li Wei's not rattled, at least not on the outside. He just meets Chen Guang's eyes, cool as can be. "Better to improve than to just coast on luck or your parents' money," he fires back. Voice steady, but inside? He's running through strategies like he's prepping for a boss fight. Because today, it's brains on the line, not brawn.
Cue Mr. Gao, walking in with a mountain of papers. "Class, we're having a surprise quiz," he announces, and instantly the room's vibe nosedives. Groans everywhere. Li Wei? He's not dreading it—he actually feels a little spark of excitement. Chen Guang's grin just gets wider, like he's already picturing himself on top.
Quiz time. Pens start flying, pages turning. And here's the thing—Li Wei's got his secret weapon: the pendant tucked under his shirt. It's not just a lucky charm; lately, it's been dialing up his focus and memory, like some kind of brain booster. Suddenly, formulas and answers come to him like old friends. Even the weird, twisty questions don't throw him off. He's almost shocked at how easy it feels.
Meanwhile, Chen Guang starts off looking all confident, breezing through the first few pages. But Li Wei catches it—a tiny hitch, a blink-and-you-miss-it hesitation. These questions aren't just about cramming; they want you to think on your feet. Chen Guang's bravado starts to slip, just a bit.
The clock's ticking, the whole class just buzzing with tension. Li Wei feels the pendant warm against his skin, steadying him, like it's got his back. He's seeing patterns, reading between the lines, basically playing mental chess while everyone else is still learning the rules.
Zhang Jie, sitting nearby, can't help but notice. "Wei, dude… you're like, unstoppable today," he whispers, eyes wide, half amazed, half freaked out.
Li Wei doesn't look up—he's all in. He knows this isn't just about a grade. This is about who's got the real smarts, who people will talk about after. Chen Guang's challenge is way bigger than a street fight—here, it's all about reputation, brains, and who's got guts.
Quiz ends, and the room is a mess of nervous energy. Mr. Gao's flipping through the quizzes, his face a whole mood—eyebrows up, down, all over the place. Then he hands them back. You can feel the shock ripple through the room. Some kids are grinning, others just look like they've seen a ghost.
Chen Guang? He's staring at Li Wei's paper, face frozen. Li Wei aced it. Every single answer—spot on. Chen Guang's trademark smirk just melts away, replaced by this tight, annoyed line. He can't believe it.
Li Wei doesn't rub it in. He just lets himself feel the win for a second. Sure, the pendant helped, but it's not like he didn't put in the work. All those late nights, grinding away, pushing himself. This was the first time he took on Chen Guang in the one arena the guy thought he owned—and he won.
Chen Guang leans over, voice low but just loud enough. "It's not over, Wei. Marks or fists, I'll beat you. Just wait."
Li Wei just shrugs, meeting his eyes with this calm confidence. "I'm ready for whatever's next. I'll keep getting better—mind and body. You'll have to do more than talk."
As everyone heads out, Li Wei spots Mei Lan leaning against the wall, grinning like she's got the inside scoop. "Brains and muscle? Seriously, Wei, you're making it too easy for yourself," she jokes, but there's real admiration in her voice. "Keep this up, and school might actually be fun to watch."
Li Wei lets out a real smile this time. Yeah, he's earned it. And honestly? With friends like these and rivals that keep him on his toes, school's starting to feel like the real adventure.