The situation at Yangcheng No.1 High School wasn’t too bad. In the past few years, there were always some students who got into the martial arts program each year, and last year there was a breakthrough—five students got in at once.

Although Class 4 of Senior Grade 3 was just an ordinary class, out of the five who got into the martial arts program last year, two actually came from an ordinary class!

Because of this, even the school leaders who previously didn’t have much hope for the ordinary classes started to pay close attention to martial arts program registration this year.

Whether you can get in or not, you have to sign up first—if you don’t, then you really have zero chance.

But the high registration fee was the first hurdle, blocking 99% of people.

Just signing up cost ten thousand yuan. Unless you were confident in yourself, no one wanted to just muddle through—unless your family was rich, of course.

So when the homeroom teacher brought it up, there were only a handful of responses; just a few students in the class who had even a sliver of hope played along for a bit.

After talking about registration, the homeroom teacher added one last thing: “For those signing up for the martial arts program, next Wednesday afternoon, the school will organize a pre-exam Q&A session.

This time, the school went to great lengths and invited James Miller, a student from Nanjiang Martial Arts University, to come back and give a speech. Everyone should cherish this opportunity.

Those who have registered for the martial arts program will be notified by the school. Remember to dress neatly...”

The homeroom teacher gave repeated reminders, basically emphasizing the need to show that you take it seriously.

As for this James Miller from Nanjiang Martial Arts University, he was actually just a freshman martial arts student, who got into Nanjiang Martial Arts University from Yangcheng No.1 High School last year.

Yet, even just a freshman at a martial arts university was taken extremely seriously by the teachers at Yangcheng No.1 High School.

At that moment, Brian Carter once again realized the status gap between ordinary people and martial artists.

Meanwhile, Ethan Brooks, whose focus was different from Brian Carter’s, subconsciously muttered, “The school really went all out this time. The appearance fee must be at least fifty or sixty thousand...”

Brian Carter’s brow twitched slightly, and he couldn’t help but say, “Just to come back to his alma mater and share a bit of experience with the younger students, he still charges a fee?”

Ethan Brooks laughed, “Of course. Do you think it’s that easy to invite a martial artist?

Martial arts students are much busier than liberal arts students. We still have winter and summer breaks, but even when they’re on break, they have to make money and keep training.

If you don’t pay, who would waste their time giving advice to others?

Even if Senior Miller doesn’t ask for it, the school will still offer it.

Favors will run out eventually. If you make these martial arts students give speeches for free every year, once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often, those favors will be used up.

Now, by giving them an appearance fee, you leave a good impression. In the future, when these martial arts seniors become successful, at least they’ll remember the kindness.”

After hearing this, Brian Carter finally understood.

Then he looked at Ethan Brooks with some surprise and said, “Didn’t expect it—you’re pretty insightful.”

Ethan Brooks was just a high school student, and there were some things that Brian Carter hadn’t even thought of due to differences from his previous life, but this guy was totally clear on it.

“What’s the big deal...”

Ethan Brooks gave a self-deprecating smile, shook his head, and didn’t say anything more.

Brian Carter didn’t continue either, but started thinking that martial artists really did make money much more easily than ordinary people.

A freshman student comes to the school to answer some pre-exam questions, at most two or three hours, and the appearance fee is fifty or sixty thousand.

Although you can’t treat this as the norm, fifty or sixty thousand yuan is more than his parents could earn in a whole year of hard work.

...

After the homeroom teacher’s class ended, Brian Carter endured a few more periods, and finally the afternoon dismissal bell rang.

Today was Saturday, and there was no evening self-study at school.

Actually, with the college entrance exam approaching, some students preparing for the martial arts program didn’t even bother coming to evening self-study. Whether they came or not was up to them. The school valued martial arts students far more than liberal arts students, even though only a few got in each year.

Leaving the school with a few classmates he was on good terms with, they parted ways at the school gate.

Following the familiar route from his memories, Brian Carter walked home.

As he walked, Brian Carter started to feel a bit hesitant. Although this world had many similarities to the one in his memories, there were also many differences.

Was his home in this life still in the same old place?

Even if it was, would his parents still be the same people?

As someone with a mental age close to thirty, if his parents suddenly changed, Brian Carter wouldn’t know how to address them.

“They probably haven’t changed, right?” Brian Carter tried to reassure himself, not too sure.

His classmates hadn’t changed, his teachers hadn’t changed, so there was no reason his parents would.

Of course, it would be best if nothing had changed. But even if things had, as long as the people were the same, a change in family circumstances wouldn’t be bad. For example, if Brian Carter went home and found out his family was actually the richest in Yangcheng, that would be perfect!

Or maybe his parents were top martial arts experts—that would be even better!

Of course, that was just wishful thinking.

Feeling the world’s malice, Brian Carter didn’t hold out any hope for that.

...

Over twenty minutes later, Brian Carter arrived at his residential complex.

Jinghu Garden Community.

The name sounded nice, but in reality, it was one of the few old neighborhoods in Yangcheng with buildings over thirty years old.