....
It was the summer in a quiet village wrapped in golden fields and the lazy hum of cicads.
On sunny morning, as the village dozed under the sleepy weight of summer, An zhe stood barefoot on the cool floor, fresh from his afternoon shower. His shirt clung slightly to his damp shoulders, and water trickled down the back of his neck. He reached for the white towel hanging on a wooden peg — he draped it over his head and began to dry his hair. Rubbing gently, as he dried his hair, the world around him slowed down. Outside, the village waking up - the creak of bicycle wheels, the low murmur of morning greetings. But inside, it was quiet Peaceful.the towel moved over his face, blocking out the light for a moment, he pulled the towel down, his hair was tousled and dry, and his eyes sparkled with the simple calm of a slow morning. An zhe walked slowly into the kitchen room. On the table, his grandma placed the youtiao Congee - and sat quietly in her chair, her silver hair tied in a neat bun, her hands resting gently on her lap. An zhe sit in his chair,and start eating, his grandma smiled and nodded. No words — just the gesture of his wrinkled hand pointing toward the youtiao with a smile Her eyes, crinkled from years of smiling at moments just like this, stayed fixed on him — her grandson, now taller than the doorway, but still the little boy who once needed help. as An zhe took another bite, her smile deepened — not loud, not big, just enough to light her entire face.
儿子 do you need more ???
An zhe shook his head with a grin, mouth full.
an zhe eating, as her grandmother watching him.a smile that said: "This is enough. This is everything.
I'm full said an zhe as he took a breath and stood up, walked to the small wooden shelf near the door and picked up his dobok — the crisp white uniform folded neatly from the morning. The black belt, he tied it around his waist.
training was long yesterday?" she asked, not looking at him.
An zhe nodded. Yes. We practiced kicks. My legs feel like logs.
She chuckled. good that means your teacher isn't going easy on you. Strength comes from sweat.
An zhe smiled - You sound like Master Wang.
i was a teacher long before him 儿子,
she said with mock she continues I raised two children, and still made Congee 粥 - and youtiao 油条 - every morning. That was martial arts
an zhe laughed - nearly losing his grip on belt-
hie grandma took a slow sip of his tea then looked at him sideways. You're growing up too fast. You don't sit on my lap anymore.
I'd crush you, grandma, "he said, grinning. I'm almost six feet tall.
"Still skinny," she sniffed. "All legs, no weight. Wait till you marry. Then you'll really learn how to carry things — groceries, babies, responsibilities.
an zhe groaned, half-laughing, half-dreading. grandma not the marriage talk again.
She only smiled, sipping her tea. "Fine, fine. You focus on your taekwondo. But don't forget to eat. And don't forget kindness. A strong man is no use if his heart is weak.
He looked at her, quiet for a moment. "You always say the right things.
That's because I've said the wrong things enough times to know better. She said with weak voice
grandma hand reached into the pocket of her pants and pulled out a small packet. Inside was a piece of 山楂餠 - haw flakes - and a few roasted peanuts.
For strength - she said, handing it to him.
Eat before you tie your belt
An zhe took with a soft smile. 谢谢
he walked to the gate. "Take care, she said while placing her hand lightly on his back
He turned to look at her one last time before stepping out onto the quiet road.
go inside grandma, he said.
She stood there, watching him walk away —
her eyes fixed down the road long after An zhe had disappeared.
Then came the sound of running feet — fast, light, familiar.
It was "Zheng fan" An zhe" best friend, panting as he reached the gate, his shirt untucked, and a satchel slung across his back.
Graandma! 奶奶 - he called, stopping in front of her. breathless.
Where's Anze? Did he leave already?
grandma raised an eyebrow, amused. If you'd run a little faster, you'd have caught him at the corner.
I knew it! said "Fan". I thought I'd make it in time. I needed to give him something—" He fumbled through his bag, pulling out lucky wristband. He forgot it at practice.
grandma took the wristband gently from his hand and smiled. "Ah, this old thing you gifted him. He's worn it in every match since he was thirteen. "An zhe says it reminds him to stay focused. Like an
Wait here."
She disappeared inside the house for a moment, then returned with a small glass of lemon water
Sit. Drink. You've been running like your shoes are on fire.
"Fan" sat on the low wall, gulped the water, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "
谢谢 奶奶 -----
"He remembered every move from Master wang Kata drills… but forgot his own lunch last week.
"Tell me, lu feng he's doing okay, isn't he? Out there?"
Zheng turned serious, nodding. "He's more than okay. He's focused. Driven. He trains harder than anyone I know. But… He still talks about your cooking more than any trophy.
feng stood up, slipping the wristband into his pocket.
l'll catch him before he starts warm-up. "Fan" turned and ran off down the road
an zhe mind was already at the dojo — rehearsing moves, breathing in rhythms he didn't hear the footsteps behind him until they grew loud and fast.
"ANZE!" a voice shouted. Hey, ANZE— WAIT!
He turned just in time to see feng sprinting toward him
an zhe blinked. zheng fan, what are you___
Before he could finish, feng skidded to a stop and shoved the wristband into an zhe hand.
You forgot this. he panted. "Your wristband. You ran all the way from the house for this?
Fan smirked. "What kind of friend lets a champion walk into battle without his lucky charm?
an zhe stared at the wristband for a moment, then slowly tied it around his wrist. Thanks, he said quietly
zheng fan shrugged. "Your grandma gave me lemon water and haw flakes, by the way. So technically, I won.
they walked side by side under the clear sky.
zheng fan. an zhe said, "you're skipping school again, aren't you?" Fan looked away, pretending to focus on a distant
It's just one day.
You said that yesterday, too. said an zhe
fan didn't answer. an zhe stopped walking, and so did he
The dojo path curved to the right. The school path curved to the left.- soft wind tugged at their clothes.
"you're smart. "said an zhe" Smarter than me, probably. But if you keep walking away from school like this…
zheng fan" sighed and kicked a small pebble. "It's boring. they talk and talk. I sit there thinking about everything except what they're saying.
an zhe look at him for a long time ----
an zhe took a slow breath, still staring at the road — one path leading to school, the other to jodo
when suddenly, he felt it: zheng fan arm thrown around his shoulder. zheng fan gave a small, crooked grin. "will you be in trouble if you are late.
they enter the gate. Inside, the air shifted
"Welcome back, said Master wang
zheng fan grinned. "Didn't think I'd come, did you?"
Master wang raised one eyebrow. "I didn't think anything. I hoped.Other students inside looked up. Some waved at An zhe, "You brought trouble with you, An zhe?" master wang asked dryly.
Trouble follows me, An zhe said, stepping forward toward Master. Master wang shook his head but smirked "Then trouble better be ready to sweat.
Then you better train with An zhe. zheng fan No slacking.
few minutes later-----
They stepped onto the training mat together — the dojo cool and calm, punches slicing the air, feet stamping with precision, voices calling out. An zhe moved with quiet focus, every strike sharp, every step grounded. zheng fan, less polished but no less determined, matched his energy, laughing through the pain, tripping now and then but always getting up. Lessons were everywhere in discipline, in breath, in falling and rising again.By the end of the session, both boys sat on the mat, drenched in sweat, shoulders bumping as they leaned back, looking up at the ceiling fan spinning above them.
"You still think school's harder than this?" an zhe asked between gulps of water.
zheng fan chuckled. "Definitely. At least here, I get to fall on purpose.
an zhe tossing him a towel. Next time, go to class first.
Next time," zheng fan said we both go… and then train.
a moment passed quietly-----
That's when they came four boys in matching uniforms, loud in their steps and louder in their smirks. They moved together,the tallest one "Jin ling" had a swagger that filled the room before he even spoke. "Look who's back jin ling said, Didn't know they were letting mascots train now.
The other boys snickered.
Well, well
jin ling said, folding his arms as he looked at him. must be hard training with real students when you're just Jiang yi shadow, loud enough for others to hear....
One of them added, maybe they'll make him a junior assistant. You know for sweeping the mats.
Another chuckled. if he can even hold a broom. they all laughed. zheng fan stayed quiet, his hands clenched at his sides, jaw tight.
An zhe froze for a second, but he was used to teasing, Everyone had seen how An zhe was picked on. every time
but this was different. The tone. The eyes. The way they stood just a little too close.
An zhe stepped forward
Jin ling smirked. "Easy, hero. Just joking. We thought your friend here was lost. This isn't school, where he hides in the back row. One of the other boys added, "Hope An zhe knows which end of the mat to bow to...
zheng fan stepped between them, steady, not flinching.
He's here because he earned his spot.said zheng fan, just like you. If you want to test someone, test me
An zhe grabbed zheng fan arm, and pulled him back.
Hard like pulling someone back from the his fear but zheng fan didn't flinched
That's enough - a voice cut through the tension like a blade Master wang.
This is a dojo, he said, voice like iron. Not a playground. You want to fight? Do it on the mat.
the group backed off, but not before one of them gave An zhe a glare
Master wang turned to An zhe. Don't let talk shake your focus. You're not here to impress anyone. You're here to grow.
An zhe nodded, his voice low but firm. Yes, Master.
The dojo shifted. Eyes turned. A few whispers stirred like wind. jin ling smirked as he stepped forward. He cracked his neck, fists already clenched.
zheng fan moved slowly and Calmly
They bowed. Took position.
Master wangs voice echoed: Begin.
Jin ling lunged first — fast and loud. His kicks were strong, but wild. He was used to showing off, not defending.
zheng fan didn't fight like that. he moved with quiet precision. His counters were sharp, clean, without flair just focus. He didn't rush. He didn't boast
but each strike spoke
One hit for the words jin ling had said
One block for An zhe clenched fists.
One sweep for every smirk thrown their way.
And one final takedown swift, silent, undeniable for everything An zhe had swallowed without reply
jin ling hit the mat. Hard. The room went quiet
An zhe watching from the sidelines, said nothing. But his eyes were wide, filled with something between awe and gratitude.
As zheng fan walked back toward him, An zhe whispered, You didn't have to do that.
zheng fan shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. I didn't fight for revenge.
Then for what?
zheng fan looked ahead. For respect. yours
Training was over. The dojo lights dimmed, and the students filed out, bags slung over their shoulders, uniforms damp with sweat.
An zhev and zheng fan walked side by side, the warm evening breeze brushing past them as the sun began to down slow behind the hills.
Neither said much at first
The scent of dust and summer leaves hung in the air.
after a while, zheng fan glanced sideways.
"You okay?"
An zhe nodded. hmmmm
A pause
They kicked off their shoes on the porch. An zhe lingered for a second 我们回来了 奶奶 -
Grandma turned around with a smile. You're late. I was about to send a search party.
We had a long walk, zheng fan said, dropping his bag by the door. An zhe washed his hands and sat on chair Grandma handed him a apple juice, still cold, and placed her wrinkled hand gently on his head.
You look tired, 儿子 she said
An zhe smiled up at her. A little. But better now
grandma smiled, then turned back to the stove as zheng fan joined him at the table. grandma handed zheng fan an orange juice 谢谢
On the table, she placed the basket full of freshly picked lychees. An zhe face lit up with a smile, like he found some treasure. zheng fan face turned to surprise the moment he saw An zhe smile
An zhe picked up another lychee, his fingers sticky with the sweet juice. he smirked as An zhe reached for a third
ge You like lychees so much
Of course I do
He stared at An zhe as he ate the lychees, one by one, slowly, as if savoring every bite on purpose.
the juice dripped down his fingers. You know those were mine, he muttered
An zhe didn't pay attention, just reached for another lychee from the basket.
I don't see your name on them, An zhe said, smirking.
he clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing.
It wasn't about the lychees anymore said zheng fan. An zhe reached his hand for another, zheng fan grabbed his hand halfway.fingers curled tight, not letting go. An zhe look up at him.Their eyes locked.the weird tension in the room grounded them.
It wasn't long that Grandma stepped in, wiping her hands on a towel of her apron. 你在干吗 An zhe snapped his hand back from his grip like it had touched flame, eyes wide and unreadable.she sat between them , her shawl tucked neatly around her shoulders, the scent of jasmine clinging to its folds.
do you remember when you two used to fight over everything? she said softly, not looking at either of them.
You fought over the last lychee, the bigger apple, who got to feed the cat first… even whose shadow was longer in the morning light." She chuckled to herself. zheng fan cleared his throat.
grandma "I have to go now, zheng fan said in low voice
but his eyes lingered on an zhe whose sitting silently on the other side of the table. Their eyes met just for a second. Just long enough. but before he could take a step, her voice stopped him. Why don't you stay tonight?It's getting late."
he looked at the sky, painted in the soft blue-gray of approaching night. zheng fan shook his head slowly. No... I have to go. 奶奶 z
an zhe didn't argue. Just gave him a small nod
I will meet you at school tomorrow ge ba bye...