Lühai City—a vacation haven where sea, trees, and light rail intertwine—still preserves many traditional customs.
To the east lay Emerald Mountain; to the south, the bustling heart of Lühai's Maple Leaf Park. A vast crowd had gathered, their voices a tidal wave of excitement beneath a long red banner strung between two trees.
A young girl squeezed through the throng, her gaze falling upon the bold characters emblazoned across the fabric—"Insect Duel Tournament." Just as she took in the sight, a thunderous cheer erupted around her.
"Lu Ran wins again!"
"Wasn't it him last year too?"
"That's right! And it was a flawless victory every time!"
Amidst the murmurs and exclamations, at the very center of the arena, a bald old man sat in stunned disbelief as a boy of sixteen or seventeen rose to his feet.
"Thank you for the match." Lu Ran smiled.
Insect dueling—one of the most cherished folk pastimes of Xia Nation, known as cricket fighting in the northern regions.
And just moments ago, at this very Insect Duel Tournament in Maple Leaf Park, Lu Ran and his prized champion had triumphed over a field of seasoned veterans, securing the coveted title of Insect King.
This was not his first victory.
"You little brat!" The old man ruffled the few remaining strands of hair on his head, frustration written across his face as he glared at Lu Ran.
Ever since this boy began competing, he had never lost a single match. Not once.
How was it possible that a mere teenager had more expertise in cricket dueling than a cadre of old-timers with decades of experience?
"Just lucky, I guess." Lu Ran chuckled.
But suddenly, his body tensed—he had felt a particular gaze from within the crowd.
"Uh, everyone, I'll be off now!" His expression shifted, and with practiced efficiency, he swiftly packed away his champion insect and darted towards the park's exit.
Yet, before he could escape, someone who had taken a shortcut intercepted him.
She was young, tall, and striking, her black-tea-colored hair tied into a sleek ponytail. Long, fair legs exuded youthful energy, but her expression was anything but pleasant.
"So, you skipped school… for this?" Fang Lan crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "And why didn't you pick up my calls?"
"Phone was on silent. Focused on the match." Lu Ran shrugged.
"You do realize you're about to start senior year, right?" She massaged her temples, exasperated.
"Ugh, fine… I'll make up for it tomorrow." He sighed.
"I'm doing this for your own good!" Fang Lan's eyes flicked to the jar in his hands. "But first… another championship, huh? Not bad. Lühai City is a stronghold for insect dueling—any random old man in a park probably has decades of experience. And yet, I heard you completely crushed them again."
Lu Ran grinned. "Experience alone doesn't guarantee victory. Sometimes, talent matters more."
"That wasn't a compliment!" she huffed. "I meant that you should channel all this focus into your studies instead. After the college entrance exams, you can duel crickets to your heart's content."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." He waved dismissively. "Not that it matters. I'm losing interest in this anyway—there's no challenge left."
He fell into thought.
Hunting… Now that could be interesting.
His ancestors were hunters. Maybe that talent ran in his blood…
Hunting, in modern times, primarily served to regulate wildlife populations and maintain ecological balance. But for Lu Ran, none of that mattered. His real reason was simple: he owned a pet with an innate fighting spirit—one that needed an outlet for its nature.
Luckily, Xia Nation still had places where hunting was legally permitted.
Mulling it over, Lu Ran opened the jar, releasing his championship insect into the wild. Just as he had said—this game no longer held any thrill.
"Hunting…?" Fang Lan gave him a baffled look. "Wait. You're not planning to turn that dumb husky of yours into a hunting dog, are you?"
Lu Ran shrugged. "Aside from its looks, it's got nothing in common with a hunting dog."
"I can train it, though. It's got a serious fighting drive—keeping it suppressed all the time isn't good for it. But all this talk is pointless… hunter's licenses aren't easy to get."
"I really hope you're joking." Fang Lan sighed. But then, something clicked in her mind. Her eyes locked onto him.
"Wait a second… You still haven't given up on that, have you?"
"Relax. Even if I were, I'd just hire a professional team. What's the point in all this effort?"
"But—"
"Let's go. It's about to rain." Lu Ran cut her off, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.
"Huh?" Fang Lan blinked, looking up at the crystal-clear sky. Not a single cloud in sight.
"The weather report said so," Lu Ran said with a nonchalant wave as he strolled towards the park exit.
Liar.
It wasn't the forecast that told him.
It was the insects.
Before long, the skies over Lühai City darkened, heavy clouds rolling in, signaling an impending downpour. Seeking shelter, Lu Ran and Fang Lan ducked into a restaurant—not just to escape the rain, but also for lunch.
"I'm heading to Modu the day after tomorrow for school. Why don't you stay at my place? You're about to start senior year—it'll be better if my parents cook for you instead of you living off takeout all the time." Fang Lan sipped her tea. "They've been saying it for a while now."
"I'm fine on my own. But tell them thanks." Lu Ran took a sip as well.
"Call them godfather and godmother!"
"Fine, fine—thank my godparents for me." Lu Ran smirked.
The two had grown up together—childhood friends. Fang Lan's parents were close with Lu Ran's, and after his parents had been officially declared deceased, the Fang family had taken him in.
Still, as soon as he was old enough to handle things on his own, Lu Ran had moved out. His parents had left behind a significant inheritance, more than enough for him to live comfortably.
"I give up. Let them talk to you themselves." Fang Lan sighed. She knew him too well—if he set his mind on something, he wouldn't budge.
Some called it independence. Others called it rebellion. Either way, he was stubborn.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. You just wait for me in Modu—I'll be joining you next year. Senior, you'll have to show me the ropes!"
"If you even get in." She propped one leg over the other, casually scrolling through her phone. She had aced the college entrance exams and secured a spot at Modu University, the top university in the south, where she'd chosen to major in veterinary medicine—a natural fit, given her parents' professions.
Lu Ran, while academically capable, still had a tough road ahead if he wanted to follow suit. The upcoming year would be crucial.
"Piece of cake." He wasn't worried. The only question was what major to choose…
Something related to animals, perhaps?
Like…
"Beast Tamer?" Fang Lan muttered.
Lu Ran blinked. "What? What Beast Tamer?"
Did she mean Animal Science?
But then he realized—she wasn't talking to him. She had been staring at her phone.
"Just saw a post. I'll send it to you."
A notification popped up on Lu Ran's screen.
He tapped the link.
[Help! Do you guys believe in the supernatural?]
Lu Ran's brows furrowed.