Family Reunion 1

"Li Tian, are you going to try in the GPPT?" Hong Yao asked the long-haired boy who was deeply engrossed to the anime on the screen. 

"Mmm. I don't really want to. After all, all it does is bring unnecessary attention onto me." Li Tian answered honestly even while he was still focused on watching. His multitasking ability was what any anime otaku would dream of having. Just imagine, being able to watch anime, while studying. How amazing would that be? Sadly, unless a student had an S tier or even an SS tier level of Intelligence, only then could a person multitask without losing efficiency. 

"Wait, but your plan is to get the top 10 in the survival examination? Isn't doing that going to attract attention on yourself too?" Hong Yao was visibly confused. 

"Yeah. That still does not mean that I want to have more attention put on me. Unless I am forced to, I normally try to stay out of everything." Li Tian answered honestly. Just then, he felt a chill run through his body. 'Oh no…' 

Ding. 

[You've triggered the hidden mission 'Scholar'.] 

[Hidden Mission: Scholar] 

Now that you are beginning to step out into the world, it is time for you to enter with a bang! There should be no need for you to hide your prowess and be in the shadows. Let it be known that you are a genius of Hua. Attain a top 10 position in the GPPT and gain the title of a Scholar. 

Reward: Receive 'Memory Chip I'. 

Failure: Death 

Deadline: Two months (Time left: 60 Days) 

Slumped in his chair, Li Tian was down casted by his own jinx. At this point, he knew that the system did not like it when he had lazy thoughts. What he should've done was say that he was going to try, but instead, fail to get the Scholar role later. 

The reward was not something Li Tian knew about. He highly doubted that the system would give him something as common as a regular memory chip used in machinery. For now, he set aside his random thoughts and just focused on the present. Death was on his ass as per usual. 

"On second thought, I'm going to try in the GPPT." 

"Huh? Do you have bipolar, my guy? One second you say you do not want attention, the next, you want to do well in it." Hong Yao questioningly asked Li Tian. 

Li Tian looked at the anime, came up with a random excuse and started bullshitting. "Seeing how the Princess in the anime was able to rise up to the occasion to protect her kingdom and make a difference in the world, I realized that sometimes, even if we don't seek attention, life presents us with situations where we need to step up and do what a main character should do – take responsibility and make a positive impact. I want to be ready for those moments." 

"Wow… you clearly have a bout of Eighth-grader syndrome…" Hong Yao was speechless. 

"Well, Li Tian is supposed to be in middle school." Kong Huo Yu retorted. 

Hong Yao just remembered the little boy's age, before nodding in agreement, "You're not wrong." 

"…" Li Tian did not bother to correct his friends. If they were to count mental age, Li Tian was already a full-fledged adult. 

Tuesday extracurricular activities went by speedily. At 5.30pm, Li Tian headed back home with his siblings. Normally, the two had longer training sessions in their clubs. Both Li Xi and Li Mei had joined the Swords and Sabers Club and they usually trained till 7pm. Today, their grandpa, Li Kui had called a meeting for his children and grandchildren. 

"Do you guys know why grandpa is gathering everyone up for?" Li Xi asked his siblings. Both shook their heads, but Li Mei made a knowledgeable guess. 

"I'm guessing its because our uncles are all back in town and he wanted a get-together with the family." 

"Highly likely." Li Tian nodded in agreement. 

Li Tian had three uncles, Li Bu, Li Kang, and Li Kong, all of which were normally on the Southern Borders, fending for the country. It was rare where all three of them could be home as they all held core positions in the Li Army. 

"Ugh… It's going to be another comparison-fest… Time to prepare to get my ass kicked." Li Xi stretched in body as the thought of what was to come made him stiff. 

In the Li Clan, although everything seemed harmonious on the outside, the Eldest and third son of Li Kui's, Li Bu and Li Kong, did not have a particularly great relationship with Li Xian. They and their spouses primarily despised Li Xian's husband, Ming Guang Rong, for he came from a lowly background. To them, the offspring of Ming Guang Rong could not be any good. 

Because of this, ever since Li Xi and Li Mei started to learn martial arts, they would get their children to 'teach' the twins a thing or two. In those sparring sessions, it was normal for Li Xi and Li Mei to get their asses handed to them as those that they were up against were older than them. 

Only Li Kang, the second eldest son, did not bare such dispositions for Ming Guang Rong and his sister. It was also why Li Tian was allowed to learn under his care in the Li Army. 

"Li Tian, you better stretch too. Since you have now taken your CPT, uncle and auntie may start targeting you too." Li Xi warned his little brother.