In front of the strength tester, Chen Pingchuan stared at the dilapidated machine, at a complete loss for words. The display was blurry, the force-testing system was peeling, and the speedometer looked like it could shoot out sparks at any moment.
"Maybe we should just forget about it."
"Big brother, does it not meet your expectations? Then... then... then... maybe I should just give you your money back." The little girl bit her lip. Her expression revealed her inner conflict, but her inherent kindness ultimately pushed her to make this difficult decision.
Seeing this, Chen Pingchuan couldn’t help but chuckle. "It’s fine. Just consider the money my tuition fee."
The little girl pondered for a long time before her expression turned to one of resolve. "But you didn’t learn anything, not even your physical stats... No, I can’t take your money. I have to give you a refund."
With that, she turned and ran toward the service counter, ready to return the registration fee Chen Pingchuan had just paid.
Chen Pingchuan quickly grabbed her arm to stop her. An inexplicable joy washed over him, a sense of deep emotional satisfaction.
"It’s really okay. How about this? You tell me the story of you and your..."
"Right, you and your grandpa. We’ll call that my tuition fee. After all, I’m not short on money. You might not understand the pull that comes with being a young noble."
To prove his point, Chen Pingchuan pulled a thick wad of Federation Coins from his pocket, about ten thousand in total, which left the little girl completely dumbfounded. Indeed, in her youth, she had no idea of the wiles of adults and was easily swayed by his words.
"I heard young masters from noble families eat from titanium alloy bowls, go to school in the most advanced aircraft, and even use gene-enhancement potions for mouthwash. They sleep on beds made of piled-up Federation Coins, and it’s super comfortable."
Chen Pingchuan was speechless. For some reason, a phrase suddenly popped into his mind. Even an emperor tills his fields with a golden hoe, huh?
Perhaps infected by the girl’s innocence, Chen Pingchuan laughed heartily and gently ruffled her hair. "Alright, then let me ask you a few questions, and we’ll call it even. As for the money, let’s just call it my consultation fee. You know what a consultation fee is, right?"
"Okay, big brother, go ahead."
"So, about your advertised ’luxurious lineup of master teachers’?"
Before Chen Pingchuan could even finish, the little girl understood instantly and replied, "That would be me and my grandpa."
"And the ’high-precision body analysis instrument’?"
"There," she said, gesturing with her chin. "It’s right in front of you."
"The ’one-on-one analysis’?"
"There’s no one else here, so of course it’s one-on-one." After speaking, she stuck her tongue out playfully at Chen Pingchuan, looking utterly adorable.
"So the ’extra-large training area’ is only ’extra-large’ because there’s no one else in it, right?"
"Big brother, you’re so smart!"
Even though it was a compliment, Chen Pingchuan couldn’t help but feel it was a bit awkward. As for the ancient martial arts techniques, he didn’t even bother asking, assuming it was probably just some booklet on health exercises.
When Chen Pingchuan didn’t ask another question, the little girl looked up at him in confusion. "Big brother, why aren’t you asking me about the ancient martial arts texts?"
"Ah! Is there any need to ask?" Chen Pingchuan gently smoothed the girl’s soft black hair again, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
The little girl, however, puffed out her cheeks in a pout. "Of course, there is."
Chen Pingchuan chuckled and, feeling he had no choice, placated her. "Alright, alright. So, what about the ancient martial arts texts mentioned in the advertisement?"
This time, the girl’s expression turned serious, all traces of playfulness gone. She enunciated each word clearly, "They’re real."
"Yeah, right. Even if they’re fake, it doesn’t matter, since... wait, what did you say?" Halfway through his sentence, Chen Pingchuan suddenly froze. He looked at the little girl in disbelief, wondering if he had misheard her.
Then, he gave a self-deprecating laugh. If it were true, the dojo wouldn’t be in this state. Kids just see things differently than adults.
Although he was convinced she wasn’t telling the truth, his expression remained unchanged as he continued to smile warmly at her. Unexpectedly, the girl grew dissatisfied with his attitude and pressed on. "Hmph! Big brother, you don’t believe Zhenzhen’s words!"
"I believe you! Who says I don’t? I believe you ten thousand percent." Chen Pingchuan put on his best ’coaxing a small child’ act.
Sure enough, upon hearing his affirmation, the little girl beamed. Her pure, innocent smile finally allowed Chen Pingchuan, who had been under a gloomy cloud for days, to relax. His mood brightened considerably, and he decided to play along.
"Then tell me, what are these texts, and what’s so amazing about them?"
"That won’t stump me! I know them by heart." After saying this, she adopted the air of a little adult, clasped her hands behind her back, and began to recite. "Our Black Tortoise Martial Arts Hall possesses a collection of one hundred and eight secret techniques. Among them are as many as thirty-six basic cultivation methods, as well as the twenty-four styles of stance work, a complete guide to cold weapons, and many other ancient martial legacies."
"Among these texts, the most powerful legacy is that of the Qi Blood Martial Arts. Legend says that once you master it, you can burn the heavens and boil the seas, forcing even the gods to yield."
"That powerful?" Chen Pingchuan did his best to feign astonishment.
And just as he’d expected, the little girl named Zhenzhen fell for it completely.