Uncle Ken led them through a quiet pathway lined with bamboo and lanterns until they arrived at a spacious pavilion.
"This is my home," he said casually.
Alexander stepped inside with Lisa, taking in the refined interior—traditional on the outside, yet subtly modern within.
At the dinner table, they sat on soft cushions on the ground. The dinner table was low and filled with many different types of food.
Sitting there waiting for them were one woman, one girl, and one boy.
Ken clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright, introductions."
He gestured to the elegant woman beside him.
"This is my wonderful wife, Jane."
She smiled warmly.
"Welcome, Alexander."
Ken then pointed to the young woman sitting upright across from him.
"My oldest daughter, Lian."
"She's eighteen and just graduated this year."
"Still figuring out her future career path."
Lian crossed her arms slightly and smiled.
Next, Ken motioned to the boy sitting beside her.
"And this is my only son, Wei."
"He's the same age as you."
Wei leaned forward immediately, eyes full of curiosity.
Ken finally gestured toward Alexander.
"And this is your Uncle John's son."
"Alexander."
Alexander smiled at everyone.
"You can just call me Alex."
"It's nice to meet everyone."
"I've heard about everyone from Uncle Kenny over the years."
Jane chuckled softly.
"I hope you can handle flavorful traditional Chinese food."
"I don't cook cheeseburgers and French fries or any of that greasy American and British food."
"We eat rice with every meal."
Alexander grinned.
"No problem, Aunt Jane."
"My mom cooks traditional Chinese food. So I can eat anything."
The meal began, and it didn't disappoint.
Rich flavors and strong spices.
There were many dishes Alexander had never seen before, but he enjoyed eating the food.
Wei wasted no time.
"So, what's Hogwarts like?"
Alexander smirked.
"A very interesting school."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a thick photo album.
"Here. This is my photo album from my first year at Hogwarts."
Wei leaned in eagerly as Alexander flipped it open.
Enchanted photos began moving from scenes from his Hogwarts life.
Classrooms, the people, pranks, and many moments of chaos.
Alexander added.
"I wanted to go to Ilvermorny in the US, but my parents decided to transfer their jobs to the UK."
"So I ended up at Hogwarts."
Wei had a big smile on his face as he watched the photo album in silence.
Completely absorbed and barely touching his food.
Soon, Wei was asking many questions, and Alexander answered every single one.
Lian, however, raised an eyebrow.
"You're bragging."
Alexander smiled at her.
Soon, Wei froze.
"Wait."
He leaned closer.
"You beat up the Sorting Hat? TWICE?!"
Alexander shrugged.
"Yes, I was helping to educate it."
Wei looked horrified.
"That's a magical artifact from the founders!"
Before Alexander could respond—
Lian suddenly snatched the album.
"WHAT?!"
She watched the Alexender beat up the Sorting Hat during the sorting into houses, and at the lake, hitting and casting spells at the Sorting Hat.
After watching it, she turned to her parents.
"This is exactly why I should've gone abroad!"
"Instead, I stayed here in China! Learning these boring Chinese traditions!
Ken frowned.
"They are not boring… They're essential!"
Lian started arguing with her parents.
While Wei took the album back and started looking through it again.
Alexander calmly continued eating and explaining things to Wei.
"So anyway, during October, we did plenty of pranks for Halloween…"
Wei tried to listen, but kept getting distracted by Lian arguing with her parents.
Toward the end of the meal, Ken suddenly raised his hand.
"Enough!"
Everyone stopped talking and looked at him.
He smirked.
"Let's make things interesting."
"If either of you can guess one of Alex's nicknames in the UK…"
"I'll give you a very expensive prize!"
Both Wei and Lian's eyes lit up.
"Deal!"
They immediately started guessing.
"Young Genius!"
"Monster Child!"
"Mini-Dumbledore!"
Ken shook his head each time.
"Nope."
"Nope."
"Nope."
After a full minute, Ken leaned back with a grin.
"Time is up! You're both wrong."
He paused dramatically.
"One of his nicknames is…"
"Troll Slayer."
They turned to Alexander and stared at him with disbelief.
Ken continued proudly.
"He defeated a full-grown adult mountain troll."
Wei was excited.
Lian frowned, not believing her father.
Alexander smiled.
"I don't like the nickname, but it stuck. The school also said they would let me keep the troll if I was at the top of my class."
He shook his head.
"Which I did, but my Headmaster took my briefcase for the summer."
"Otherwise, I would show you my awesome magical creatures, not just the troll.
Wei stared at him.
"You're joking, right?"
Lian scoffed.
"That's impossible."
"Even I would need preparation to fight an adult troll."
"You were only twelve!"
Alexander chuckled.
"Fair."
He reached into his pouch again.
"Here."
"Year two of adventures at Hogwarts."
All four of them leaned in this time.
The first images appeared as Alexander was casting a powerful barrier.
Wei's eyes widened.
"You did it again!"
"You're attacking the Sorting Hat!"
Lian immediately cut him off.
"Forget the hat!"
Her eyes locked onto the spell.
"That's Protego Maxima!"
Her voice rose.
"How are you casting that at your age?!"
She stared at Alexander like he was a monster.
Ken laughed loudly.
Jane covered her mouth in shock.
"What kind of school allows this?!"
Alexander grinned.
"I'm a star student."
"Handsome, rich, and talented."
"I only got one month of detention."
They couldn't help but laugh.
Soon Wei flipped to the photo of him fighting the troll.
The troll was massive and terrifying-looking.
They all gasped at the troll.
They all watched as Alexander calmly fought the troll and stood victorious with a tied-up troll next to him.
Ken slammed the table lightly.
"See?!"
"I told you that your cousin is the Troll Slayer!"
"Even the UK newspapers covered it!"
Wei's expression changed instantly from excitement to admiration.
"That's insane! Fighting an adult troll!"
Lian, however, was completely still.
She suddenly stood up and said.
"I challenge you!"
Alexander blinked at her.
"…Huh?"
Lian pointed at him.
"I challenge you to a duel!"
Ken smiled with amusement.
Alexander looked at Ken.
Ken just shrugged.
Alexander laughed.
"Sure, but when?"
Lian's eyes burned with determination.
"Now."
"I want to see it for myself."
Jane sighed and stood up.
"I'll clean up."
Clearly uninterested in the challenge.
Ken stood up as well.
"Alright. Let's all go to the public training ground."
Wei jumped up instantly.
"YES!"
Lian turned and walked off.
"I'll go change."
Wei turned to Alexander.
"Do you need to prepare or change clothes?"
Alexander waved it off.
"Nah, it's just a friendly duel."
"I'll be fine."
Wei's eyes sparkled.
"I'm getting my camera!"
And he sprinted off.
Ken walked over to Alexander.
Lowering his voice slightly.
"Go easy on her."
Alexander smiled.
"Don't worry. I'll treat this as a learning opportunity."
He gathered his photo albums and waited. Ten minutes later, Lian returned dressed for combat.
She was calm and focused.
Wei came running back with his camera.
Ready to take pictures of the duel.
The group headed toward the training ground.
Jane stayed behind, claiming she had housework.
But Ken knew she didn't want to witness what was about to happen.
As they stepped onto the dueling stage.
The air had shifted as people began to gather.
Word had spread quickly about the duel.
Main family member vs. returning prodigy.
Alexander stood in his spot.
A slow smile is forming.
Finally.
Let's see what the Chen family can do.