The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

Now, let's get to the point. Ping Xin's eyes changed, no longer the humble and reserved look of the younger neighbor. His aura also changed, giving people the impression of being serious and steady, like the leader of a family.

"...I came here today to talk to you about Mizukari. If she can manage to balance her studies, band, and flower arranging, would you please stop opposing her hobbies? You're her biological father, and if you support her, it would surely be a great encouragement to her."

"..."

After a long silence, Meizhumei finally spoke. He no longer held his back straight as before. Sitting on a double-layered cushion, he wasn't speaking as the leader of the Meizhu Sect or "Uncle Meizhumei."

But it is a father, Mizukuri's father.

"...I wonder how much you know about our family?"

"To be honest, I've known Meizhulan for many years, but I know very little about her family. Fortunately, I have a group of reliable friends, so I also know a little about your family situation.

I know all about it, including how you helped Meizhulan's mother grow from a rebellious teenager to a strong and reliable leader of a faction, and how Mrs. Meizhu, who was born with a weak body, insisted on giving birth to Meizhulan despite your dissuasion, and died of her weak body a few years after giving birth before she could even see Lan go to elementary school.

I'm truly sorry to have brought up something that upset you, but please believe that I didn't do this out of malice. On the contrary, I just want everyone to have a good ending.

I came prepared, and my understanding isn't limited to the point I just made. Of course, I also have a 'slight understanding' of the concerns you left unfinished that day.

"—I see. It seems you're not like Ran, making decisions on impulse... I wish she could be as worry-free as you are."

"No, no, I'm just collecting intelligence as a habit and trying my best to ensure the outcome of the matter."

"...Then what is your identity today? A friend of Mizukuri? A music teacher? Or..."

"I'm here today to resolve Mizukari's problems. Of course, this includes the congenital weakness she inherited from her mother."

"!"

"That day, I was deeply concerned about your unfinished sentence, and I tossed and turned all night, unable to fall asleep. So the next day, I asked about Mei Zhulan's four childhood friends. For no other reason than to find out what could possibly cause a father to risk breaking up with his child and refuse to give in. After all, I don't think you dislike her or have any prejudice against her.

Only then did I realize that my child, once a lively tomboy in kindergarten, had spent significant periods of time in a wheelchair in elementary school, even taking extended leave when her health was at its worst. I realized you weren't the kind of naive, old-fashioned parent who turned a blind eye to their children's situations and simply forced them to follow your preconceived plans.

The strict education you gave her since she was a child was just because you hoped that she would become a successful person. Your cold attitude towards her is not just because you will think of your deceased wife when you see her. It is more because you don’t know how to communicate with your daughter, or do you feel guilty about her in your heart?

At least you definitely didn't harbor any resentment towards her or intentionally distance yourself from her. Quite the opposite. You might not know her best, but you definitely loved her the most. For someone who loves Zhulan so much to do something like this...

According to my guess, you must have noticed that Mizukami's congenitally weak constitution has recently shown signs of resurfacing, so you wanted her to put aside the pressure of studying and the band and relax in flower arranging to find peace of mind, right?

Perhaps the reason you began diligently practicing flower arrangement and ultimately achieved such success was to make Mrs. Meizhu, who was born with a frail constitution, feel happy and comfortable. After all, patients with a positive attitude tend to live longer and be happier.

Ping Xin's words weren't very long, but every pause lingered on Mei Zhumei's heart, making him feel like he was naked and exposed to surveillance. It was truly astonishing that at this age, he had such insight, not to mention the ability to see through people's hearts. Fortunately, he was a sincere and serious child who cared about others.

"...Huh—are all kids these days as terrifying as you? Now that you understand this, you must have a solution, right? Don't try to get away with vague words like 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. You don't want to know what an angry father could do for his child."

"...Of course not. My presence here means that things have entered their final stages. Since you know my name is 'Ping Xin', you should also know something about my family situation, right?

After all, how could a qualified father allow his daughter to bring her friends to frequently hang out with a suspicious person who suddenly moved here and never comes out of the house? "

"...Could it be that your surname, 'Ping', is your reliance? It's said that your father, Ping, came from a long and ancient family in Yan Country. Don't tell me your so-called 'method' involves some so-called metaphysics, ancient remedies, or folk prescriptions. If you can't provide concrete evidence, I won't agree no matter how nicely you put it."

Mizukami, initially agitated by the feeling of being understood, calmed down as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her upon seeing Hirayukoshi's mysterious expression. This "I know you well," "I have a solution to your problem" attitude, without any concrete evidence, was like the rhetoric often used by scammers, pyramid schemes, or even cults.

To be fair, if a young man who is 16 years old or not even an adult suddenly appears and says mysteriously that he can cure your family member's incurable disease, would you believe it?

This isn't some urban-themed miracle doctor movie set!

"...Of course that's impossible. After all, there aren't any ghosts or gods in this world. I imagine you probably donated money to some temple or shrine back then, praying for blessings. That's why you reacted so strongly.

What I want to ask is, do you know what is called 'Yan Guo Kung Fu'? It's not the fancy action scenes in movies that use special choreography and special effects, but the real Yan Guo 'Kung Fu'."

Because the alliance between Yan State and Dong State has been extremely smooth in recent years, and the relationship is so close that it can be called a honeymoon period, Mei Zhumei certainly has some understanding of Yan State's traditional culture, such as martial arts culture, but most of her understanding comes from the martial arts moves she saw in the film that showed the weak defeating the strong and were highly entertaining.

Can those things involving fighting and killing really help Mei Zhulan solve her physical problems?

He was a little hesitant at first, but after seeing Ping Xin's sincere expression, he patiently listened. In the past, in order to seek a way to prolong the life of his lifelong love, he had visited countless famous doctors and miracle doctors. Now, for his daughter, he could persist in the same way.

"...Tell me about it."

"Have you noticed that I look very different now than I did a few days ago? For example, my muscles... and my height..."

After hearing this, Meizhumei realized that Pingxin looked very different. Although they had not interacted with each other directly before, he had been introverted and thin a few days ago. Now, not only was he taller and stronger, but even his whole demeanor had changed a lot.

After hesitating for a moment, Meizhumei asked, "You...did it?"

Ping Xin, who had been patiently guiding the rhythm of the conversation for a long time, finally couldn't hold it anymore and couldn't help shouting out loud.

"You're the one who put it on!"

"Cough cough..."

Hearing this, Mei Zhumei touched the double-layer cushion under her seat with a guilty conscience and changed her position. She didn't expect that the "chair socializing" that a certain prime minister liked to use had actually been used so long ago.

"...Forget it. After all this talk, there's only so much progress. It really is simpler to just let the facts speak for themselves."

After saying that, Ping Xin pulled out a sharp knife from his pocket and pointed it at Meizhumei. Then... he peeled an apple for him.

"I wonder what Uncle Meizhumei thinks of my knife skills. Is it fast and steady?"

You call this... knife skills? Can peeling an apple be considered knife skills? Could this be... the legendary Yan Kung Fu of simplifying the complex and returning to its original state?

Mei Zhumei was completely baffled and could only reluctantly reply, "Your sword is very sharp."

"Well—my sword isn't bad either!"

But when he heard this, Ping Xin immediately slammed the table and stood up, drew his sword, and then held the knife upside down and stabbed it hard in the middle of his chest, all the way down to his lower abdomen.

Mei Zhumei was stunned at first, and then shocked again——

What are you doing! I believe you, my dear nephew, why are you so depressed?

But after Ping Xin stopped, he realized that it seemed... okay?

"Uncle, you don't know that what you usually see are only the most superficial 'techniques' for show. A true Yan Nation martial arts master, in addition to technical skills, must also cultivate extremely profound internal energy.

And this is the confidence that inner strength brings me—"

Ping Xin attacked again, swinging his right hand. He swung the dagger and slashed at his left arm three times. No blood flowed, no skin was broken, but the dagger had already broken.

"..."

If I say that I just used a dagger to "open the middle door" and the shirt became an open-chested, double-breasted style with one cut, there is still room for deception.

Then there is no chance for any clever tricks in these three real sword strikes. Each sword is swung with great force, and when it falls, there will be a crisp collision sound of metal colliding. The blade is broken and the edge becomes uneven. It does not seem like it is being chopped on a human body, but rather on an iron pillar.

Da Yan Kung Fu not only impresses, but also makes people fear!

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"Can Lan also learn this kind of martial arts? And...if this martial arts is really that powerful, why were you so weak before? Why did you also fall down with an acquired disease?"

Come on, this is the question I was waiting for -

At this moment, Pingxin is as confident as a college student who has guessed the original question correctly. He will definitely not fail the exam this time!

"To be honest, this is a martial art passed down in our family. It's just that I fell seriously ill a few years ago and neglected my martial arts, which is why I became so weak. Until a few days ago, my illness improved. Look, in just a week or so, I have grown 10cm taller and developed such a 'strong body'."

Uncle, tell me, can I cure your Miss Lan's illness?"

I'm sorry, Dad, and the elders and fellow countrymen of Yan Country. If anyone else "believes" in Yan Country Kung Fu in the future, I might have to take some of the blame...

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But at this moment, a huge wave was set off in Mei Zhumei's heart——

Can it be done? It’s easy to open your teeth!

But... this was Pingxin's family's ancestral martial arts. He had never heard of such a powerful and unique skill before, and it certainly wasn't something that could be easily passed down to outsiders. So, this favor... Mei Zhumei had no reason to refuse. After all, this involved her own child's life. Could there be a parent who prioritized face over their own child? At least he wasn't that kind of father!

"I'm already aware of the power of your family's martial arts... no, I've witnessed it myself. But can my Lan really practice it? And how long will it take for her to have a physique like a normal person?"

"Uncle, please rest assured. The ingenious aspect of my Kung Fu (Ripple) is that as long as there's a pioneer guiding the practice, those who follow will be able to learn with half the effort and twice the result with half the effort. Actually, I had this idea a while ago, but due to my physical condition, I hadn't been able to do it. It wasn't until just now that I finally broke through that barrier and gained the ability to guide Mizukuri, so I came here to discuss it with you."

He'd actually been preparing for this? No wonder the neighbors kept saying he'd been leaving early and coming back late lately, rarely seen, and even skipping school. At the time, I thought it was just the uninhibited eccentricity of a genius, but now I realize how much effort he'd put in behind the scenes. It's truly admirable!

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However... even a layman like Mei Zhumei understood that to rapidly improve a martial art that required gradual progress, even using the body of a chronically ill patient, achieving such a degree in such a short period of time would require a sacrifice like that of an angel of hell. While he appeared to be undergoing a secondary development, he must have been forcing himself through some forbidden technique. While he had overcome a difficult barrier, he had also lost several years of his lifespan. He had seen this tactic too many times.

If Ping Xin could know what Mei Zhumei was thinking, he would definitely shout - I know it all!

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At this point, Mei Zhumei had no reason to refuse. How could anyone question the feelings of a good friend who was willing to sacrifice several years of his life for her daughter (?).

"I understand. Then please guide her, Master Hirayukoshi. As long as her body can be cured, anything like a band will be fine—"

"No—it's not 'that kind of thing,' Mr. Mizukami. I can assure you that Mizukami will have a healthy body capable of balancing her studies, flower arranging, and band activities.

But...about her performance, you'll understand after you see it in person. If you still think her hard work is insignificant after seeing it in person, then I would advise her to give up her band activities and focus on learning flower arrangement. This might be better for her—"

But isn't this a unilateral agreement that puts you at a disadvantage? Meizhumei thought Pingxin's previous statement of "coming here to resolve the misunderstanding between father and daughter" was just a lie to paralyze him, but she didn't expect it to be true!

Since... such an outstanding child also recognizes Lan's activities, it is indeed worth seeing. And as a father, if possible, how could he not want to watch his daughter do what she wants to do?

"...I understand. So, from now on, my Ran will be in your care, Ping Xinjun. Although she may be harsh in her words, she's actually a very good child. I ask that you take good care of her from now on."

"...No, that's me. I'll be looking forward to your and Ran's guidance from now on."

Although he didn't know why Mizuki suddenly bowed so formally to him, Ping Xin also subconsciously bowed his head in return.

For you to bow down to a nobody like me...Mei Zhulan, your father really loves you!

After politely declining Mizuki's invitation to have dinner together to express his gratitude, Pingxin felt much more relaxed as he walked out of Mizuki's house.

It wasn't just because of the formal and polite conversations just now, but also because a huge stone that had been weighing on my heart for a long time had finally fallen to the ground, and my long-term efforts (actually less than a week) were not in vain.

"...Hello? Moshimoshi, is that Lan? Did you hear everything we just said?"

"..."

The call was clearly connected, but no one spoke on the other end. Ping Xin checked the person he was calling again, and of course, the nickname "Rebellious Red Highlights" was displayed on the screen.

In fact, until Ping Xin entered the "Proof of Truth with One's Own Body" segment, Ping Xin was still in touch with Mizukuri. Therefore, their conversation included why Mizukuri had been strict with Mizukuri since childhood and always had a stern face, and why she was now stopping her from continuing her energy-consuming band activities. Everything was explained.

Mei Zhulan once thought that her father might not love her or even resented her. After all, it was because of her birth that the health of Mei Zhumei's lifelong love, who was also her mother, began to gradually deteriorate, and she eventually died and became a Buddha at an early age.

So, this is how he sees me...

It turns out that he loves me!

At this moment, Mei Zhulan's heart was filled with relief, but more of it was love and warmth.

"...I told you that, didn't I? There's nothing truly unspeakable between true family members. The same goes for people; the vast majority of misunderstandings stem from insufficient communication. Coincidences can turn lovers into enemies, and something you do with the intention of caring for the other person might actually lead to resentment.

In the future, friends and family should never be the first to blame each other when encountering any situation. It's precisely because we're so close that we can't tolerate others 'slandering' (misunderstanding) us. When we're irrational, we often do things that we'll regret. I don't want you to make that mistake anytime soon.

"...I understand. I'll wait for you at home."

Then the call was hung up by Mei Zhulan——

"Why is this child still shy? Hahaha... That's not right. What do you mean by asking me to take care of you in the future? What do you mean by waiting for me at home?! Shouldn't you and your daughter reconcile and make peace at this time? Why are you still living in my house?

That’s definitely weird, right?!

At this point, the misunderstanding between father and daughter has officially come to an end, so the next step is you——

Meganil!

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Chapter 9: Night Raid (Additional )

This officially concludes the conversation with Meizhulan's father, Meizhumei. So—

Next is you, Meganelle, who has committed the sin of pride!

But before that, I still have to eat dinner. After all, a full stomach makes it easier to work. Eat well, work well, and enjoy every day well. This is life...

What, some people doubt that Ripple can achieve that kind of invulnerability?

So Ping Xin can only say... you guessed it! The answer is invincible... but not invincible.

Ahem, the answer is a stand-in, Pingxin added "World"!

As expected, if you want to seize the initiative in a conversation, you have to show off your "muscles" and scare the other party. Is there any muscle in this world harder than the "world"? This is the confidence that the world's number one muscle tyrant brings to Ping Xin!

Pingxin returned home while humming a little tune. He was now starving.

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version