He took a moment to consider which path to tread further in this life. It is near impossible to come up with a valid reason to drop off and convince family, without taking my mask off.
Naturally, time was abundant --this mortal plane's ascension criteria were unknown. He has to explore on his own.
Science or engineering? He had mastered them long ago. Software engineering? He was already among the best, his skills surpassing even the so-called pioneers of this era. The army or its branches? His Dao was the only pursuit that mattered --why waste effort serving a transient regime?
Political science? What ideology? Mortal constructs were fleeting. He had seen countless empires rise and fall --none were worth his time.
Find a job? If necessary, his parents' company was an option, though they preferred him to gain experience elsewhere.
Medicine? It was intriguing, but why confine himself to mortal tools and prescriptions when he could heal with a thought? Art, like film making? The mortals were too sensitive these days --his immortal musings wouldn't align with their narratives of the woke people.
Fashion? Bussiness? Possible, but why bother?
Law?..... A game of loopholes, yet dissecting cases without super abilities might be an amusing challenge. Crime analysis? Too tedious.
His parents expected him to pursue science or software engineering, following their footsteps. But Han Chen had already chosen along his own path. His decision was completely impervious to influence.
The final classes were done. People exchanged their thanks and gratitude. Only thing, I, as an ex- immortal got distressed during these years was putting up with the work given as a part of these studies.
With the enlightened mind coming up with solutions before he blinks and speed writing technique, it wasn't much of a hassle. But get annoyed by it over time. Coming to the present;
In the small time period of free time before exam he spent time sharpening his spirit will; to prevent previous situations. His parents made him sit inside his room to study in the name of major exam. Han Chen, meanwhile, was already far away in his cultivation practice, stepping into the third layer foundation building.
...
Year-end exams done. No surprises, I was first in class. Then the national entrance test happened. There were no impeding events just like before.
Exams happened as per usual for a total of 3 days. There was nothing worthwhile happened except for someone from media who asked his opinion on the exit.
Students' private information was confidential, so reporters didn't know specifics. But word had gotten out --rumors of a student who had been consistently scoring full marks in model exams and mock tests.
But they quickly sorted out some outstanding student's information by asking around.
That was enough for a news team to take interest. And because Han Chen was the first student to leave the test area, a reporter and her team were already waiting at the exit.
A woman in a sharp blazer and heels rushed up to him, holding a microphone with the logo of Tianhai News. It was a pretty well-known news station. His parents watch it, so he stopped.
Lin Ruoyu, early 30s, sharp eyes, the type who could smell a headline from a mile away. She had probably expected an arrogant genius or an under performer, someone who would make good TV.
Instead, she got Han Chen.
"Hello! We're live!" she said, breathless but professional. "You're the first to finish the exam! Mind if we ask a few questions?"
Han Chen gave her a nod. "Okay."
Lin Ruoyu blinked. Up-close seeing the handsome features of him, she thought she made a good catch and ratings will rise. She was waiting for more.
"Uh, great!" She quickly composed herself.
"Can you introduce yourself? How do you feel about the difficulty of this year's national exams?"
"I was a student here and exam, ...It was fine," Han Chen replied.
A pause. Ruoyu thought this was a shy student who doesn't like his name to be on TV. Fair enough.
She was expecting something more than a two-word answer.
"O-Okay…! So, would you say it was easier or harder than the mock exams?"
Han Chen thought for a second. "About the same."
Another pause. Lin Ruoyu fought the urge to massage her temples. This was live television. She needed more words. "Alright! Then, how do you think you performed?"
Han Chen tilted his head slightly. "I probably got everything I attempted correct."
The cameraman let out a quiet snort. Lin Ruoyu shot him a warning glare before turning back to Han Chen. She had been expecting some hesitation, maybe nerves but definitely not a blank answer.
"Wow! That's... confident!" She tried to inject some energy into the segment. " Are you familiar with Mr. Han Chen, who is said to be the top scorer in the model exams? "
This time Han Chen took a pause scrutinizing them. " .... Hmm, I know, he attended the exam."
" How is he usually? has any genius quirks he is known for?"
" No, he is pretty low key. I think he is a cool guy." She even felt that he was just pretending to know, hearing the answer.
"That's… very helpful. Enough about him, how was your preparation for this?"
Han Chen considered it.
"Hmm. Study."
The cameraman lost it. He turned slightly to avoid shaking the camera. Lin Ruoyu's fingers tightened around the microphone.
"That's… certainly the goal." She exhaled. "Well! You must be feeling relieved now that exams are over. Any plans to celebrate?"
Han Chen looked thoughtful for a moment. Then, very seriously—
"I'm going to sleep."
Lin Ruoyu took a slow, steady breath and plastered on a professional smile.
"Well, thank you for your time! That was—uh—an enlightening interview!"
She turned to the camera. "Back to you in the studio!"
As soon as the live feed cut, Lin Ruoyu turned back toward Han Chen, ready to ask a few off-air questions. Only to find he was already walking away.
She stared. Infact some other channels nearby also were waiting for someone to respond, but seeing the response, they backed thinking whoever this guy was, he was probably just an average student who left early out of frustration.
Nothing to report.
A beat of silence. Then she sighed, adjusting her blazer. Such a boring handsome guy. Must have performed average, that's why he must have felt frustrated asking this and that on live TV. " Let's go to the other exits." She motioned the crew for potential stories.
...
High school is over. So is my leisure time. Merely a year following my parent died in previous life and troubles began.
I have to prepare however, I am free for a period of a month, but my parents suddenly told me in the morning that they would need us to visit their parental family after that, as it was a family meetup and they themselves invited us to get back together.
This is on the father's side. Mother's parents already died before she and my father met.
Anyway, this event never happened in last life. I need to increase my strength to Foundation building middle level at-least. Go when you are nuclear proof, absolute low profile. He chuckled.
"In previous life, I was an average guy. Got accepted for Arts University a little distant from home and had to move over. " Only period I got to enjoy before meeting life.
While mulling over the past, Han Chen glanced toward the living room and noticed Xue Qing sitting there, already deep in conversation with his mother. Why is she here again?
"Han, you should accompany her outside," his mother said as soon as she saw him.
Han Chen paused. Did he mishear?
Xue Qing looked just as startled. She let out an awkward cough before saying, "We broke up. Sorry for not telling you earlier. And it'd be weird if he came along."
His mother blinked. Then, suddenly, she gave Xue Qing an amused look. "Ah, so you were dating in the first place. My son told me nothing at all. Hey, he's a handsome boy --what happened? If he's not good enough, girl, your standards are way too high."
Han Chen held back a sigh.
Xue Qing, however, waved her hands quickly. "That's not it, Aunty! Back then, he was the one who rejected my confession. We never actually dated. I had another boyfriend later."
His mother's expression shifted. She turned toward Han Chen, eyes narrowing slightly. "Han Chen, you are pretty, but you never mentioned any of this to me at all." A pause. "Wait… you do like girls, right?"
The way she said it. That tone.
Xue Qing snickered.
Han Chen, deadpan: "I'm not interested in men sexually."
His mother laughed. "You all speak very directly. I like it."
She leaned back, taking a sip of tea. "Anyway, I actually came here to ask --have you decided on a prom partner for the graduation ceremony?"
"Yes," Han Chen answered simply. "Cuī asked me out earlier."
Xue Qing raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that so?" Her voice was neutral, but he caught a hint of regret in it. " I will be focusing on acting career. It will be far away from here in the central province. I came to say bye to aunty...."
For a while both mom and her had so many to answer each other for and Han Chen of course became a side character. In essence, her family arranged for modelling and acting career for her with long plans and going to a prestigious university for studies, admission and everything set long before results were even published.
She finished the last sip of tea and stood up. "Well, see you at the party then. Have you applied for college yet?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Bye, Aunty!"
His mother waved, watching as Xue Qing left. As soon as the door shut, she turned to Han Chen with a sharp look.
"You don't like her, do you?"
"I already told you."
"No," she said, setting down her teacup. "I meant, you don't even like her presence here at all. Why is that?"
Han Chen didn't answer immediately.
Instead, his mother sighed. "And another thing --you never say anything to me about your life. Why are you excluding me?" Her voice softened. "It's every mother's right to know about her son's life. But before I even noticed, you already graduated. You act too mature for us to treat you like a child and we forgot it conveniently."
For a moment, he just stood there. Then, finally, he exhaled.
"She didn't actually like me back then." His voice was even. "At first, it was just out of obligation—childhood friendship. Then it changed into wanting the 'handsome boyfriend' in class. I think she's just a gold digger in progress."
His mother's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise.
Han Chen turned to leave. "Sorry for not throwing tantrums like a proper child and keeping you busy with useless things."
As he walked away, his mother sat in silence for a long moment before finally shaking her head.
She had something to gossip about with his father tonight. " I forgot to ask about his prom date again"