At dawn, rosy clouds split the horizon, sweeping away the faint mist and spilling over the Public Rearing Center on the outskirts of the city.
Outside the gates, several boys and girls huddled together around a thin, frail youth, chattering as they tried to persuade him.
"Meng Yichen, are you really leaving?"
"It's nothing like our center out there. High school may waive tuition, food, and lodging, but what about everything else in life?"
"Exactly, exactly. And once you graduate high school, you'll have to rely entirely on yourself. When that time comes, you'll be left grasping at straws."
"Xu Xiang is right. We don't have parents to support us, so it's better to follow the center's arrangements. At least we'll have stable jobs after graduation!"
"Yeah, Yichen, you'd better think this through. I heard there are still plenty of people who discriminate against people like us..."
The youths chirped away, speaking of their scant knowledge of the outside world and their fear of the unknown.
Surrounded by them, Meng Yichen did not feel annoyed. Instead, he quietly listened to the nagging of these friends who had grown up alongside him since childhood.
Only after quite some time, when the voices gradually faded, did he look at the faces filled with reluctance and concern.
"Thank you, everyone, but I've already made up my mind. After all..."
Meng Yichen paused slightly, seeming somewhat hesitant, but in the end, he spoke firmly.
"Only by entering Youlan First High School will I have a chance to join the Martial Arts Class and continue down the path of martial arts."
"Martial arts?"
The youths looked at one another. Their mouths opened several times, but when they saw the determination on his face, they ultimately did not try to dissuade him further.
Although