The year is 2100. The world has undergone a major transformation in civilization and technology. Shenzhen, once the economic and industrial center of China, has become the heart of artificial intelligence and home to the most advanced technology on the planet. Skyscrapers tower, surrounded by a network of air transportation, flying vehicles pass silently through the sky, and robot servants deftly assist in various aspects of daily life.
But behind the astonishing technological advancements, social life has not necessarily improved. The standard of living is getting higher, and the expectations of young people are getting heavier. In the midst of this modernity, there is a high school student who seems out of step with the times—Jiu Fan.
Jiu Fan sits on a bench in the school garden located between the two main buildings of Shenzhen Global Institute High School. He hugs his bag and looks up at the blue sky that is slightly covered by the haze created by the artificial climate system. This school is one of the best in the city, accepting only outstanding students or those from elite families. Jiu Fan is neither. He was accepted on an academic merit scholarship, but his social life at the school is very difficult.
He was known as a weird student. Every day, Jiu Fan would draw monsters and write scenarios on how to defeat them. He talked about "the coming outer space threat", and "the true hero who will rise to protect the earth". To his classmates, he was like a child who never grew up.
"Look at that Jiu Fan, he's daydreaming. He must be planning to save the world," one of the male students sneered while laughing with his group.
"Does he think he's a cartoon hero or something?"
But Jiu Fan remained silent. His gaze was blank, but in his mind, he was formulating a strategy. Not an academic or career strategy like most students, but a strategy on how he could prove that his dream was not just a fantasy.
At that moment, soft footsteps were heard approaching. A girl with long, bluish-black hair and calm eyes like a winter lake came and sat down next to Jiu Fan. She was Wu Lixue, one of the most outstanding students in the school. Smart, beautiful, and had an elegant aura that made everyone reluctant to approach her. But for some reason, today she chose to sit next to the most ostracized person in school.
"Jiu Fan..." She said softly.
Jiu Fan turned his head, a little surprised. Usually people like her never talked to him.
"Sometimes humans do have diverse natures," Wu Lixue continued. "But why do you always have dreams of protecting the world? I suggest you think about your future. Stop thinking about things like that."
Jiu Fan was silent. For a long time. He lowered his head, staring at his old shoes that were starting to tear on the right side.
"It turns out everyone is the same," he muttered softly, almost inaudible.
Wu Lixue seemed a little shocked. But she immediately replied, "I didn't mean to belittle your wishes, I just advised you to stop acting like a child. But..."
She turned his head and smiled faintly. "I'm sure, in the future... you will become a successful man."
Jiu Fan lifted his face. For a moment, he stared at Wu Lixue closely. The girl's eyes were clear and calm, different from the eyes of the people who usually laughed at him.
"You... why are you looking at me with that smile?"
Wu Lixue smiled, then said, "I just don't want you to be sad like that, Jiu Fan."
"Why are you so concerned about me?"
Wu Lixue seemed to be thinking. She turned her gaze to the artificial trees planted neatly around the garden.
"Ahh... no. I just want to accompany you. Actually, I feel sorry for you who are often insulted by your friends."
Jiu Fan looked at Wu Lixue with an unpredictable gaze. Maybe he still couldn't believe that someone like Wu Lixue could understand him, or maybe he was afraid that all of this was just empty sympathy. But before he could ask further, the bell rang for class. Wu Lixue stood up.
"Come on, let's go in."
---
The day continued with a fast-paced lesson. Educational technology in the year 2100 allowed teachers to deliver material in the form of interactive holograms, with real-time simulations and modeling. But despite the technology, the content was still heavy, and for Jiu Fan, there was nothing more interesting than daydreaming about intergalactic battles in the middle of Quantum Math class.
After school, Jiu Fan walked side by side with Wu Lixue. The sky was starting to turn red, and low-flying air vehicles were ferrying passengers to their homes scattered across residential towers. They walked through automated pedestrian corridors filled with holographic advertisements.
Jiu Fan suddenly stopped. His eyes fell on a large holographic poster displayed on a public information board. The poster read:
| "Earth's Heroic Protector - Epic Sci-Fi Drama, Premiering This Week at Virtual Cinema World!" |
It depicted a man in a robe standing proudly with a ruined city behind him. Below it, the bold words: "Only he dares to fight against destruction."
Wu Lixue also stopped. "Why have you been staring at that poster?"
Jiu Fan immediately turned his head and said softly, "Nothing."
Wu Lixue smiled, then read the poster carefully. "Oh, so it's about the drama 'Heroes Protecting the Earth'? It seems interesting."
She looked at Jiu Fan, her eyes sparkling. "How about we watch it together? I'm curious too."
Jiu Fan looked surprised. He didn't expect to receive such an invitation. But he slowly nodded, and for the first time that day, a big smile spread across his face.
Today, for Jiu Fan, was no ordinary day. Today he felt... his life was not alone. That there was someone who at least understood and saw him as more than just a joke.
But neither of them knew that this small step would be the beginning of a big story. A story of fate, power, and decisions that would determine the fate of the world. Because far above the skies of Shenzhen, in a hidden orbit undetectable by human radar, something had awakened. Something that was watching, judging, and waiting for the right moment to appear.
And when that time came—only one person could stand against it.
His name is... Jiu Fan.
To be continued...