Chapter 170: I Can’t Rely On My Face To Get A Meal
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
During the first day of the Lunar New Year, Fang Ping’s family did not have many relatives they had to pay a visit to*. (TN: There are 15 days of Chinese New Year)
They had already called Fang Ping’s aunt and agreed that they would come to Sun City on the second day.
Thus, on the first day, Fang Ping stayed at home and watched television whilst chatting with others in his group chat.
Wu Zhihao’s family was quite alright too. Although he had many relatives, he did not have to visit all of them.
Fu Changding’s folks though — that was awful.
Fang Ping saw Fu Changding venting in the group. As an MCMAU student and an official martial artist, Fu Changding was considered a grown-up and could officially represent himself and a.s.sume some familial responsibility.
Hence, from this year on, he was to visit his seven paternal aunts, eight maternal aunts, various uncles and other relatives alone…
This poor b*stard even sent them a schedule that was filled to the brim!
From the first day to the tenth day, he had to visit nearly a hundred of his elders, all of which he had to go to their house to visit.
Fang Ping did not really want to visit anybody, and as he was a student, naturally n.o.body would visit him either.
Although many of the top-tiers in Sun City knew that Fang Ping was a Peak Rank-1 martial artist, Fang Ping was too young. n.o.body had been in contact with him, so there was no need to visit each other.
However, there were still people who visited the Fang family today!
…
When Fang Ping saw seven or eight girls, all red-faced as they entered through the doorway to pay a lively visit to Fang Yuan, Fang Ping nearly choked to death!
“Sister Yuanyuan, Happy New Year!”
“President, we haven’t seen you in days. Do you want to go out and play today?”
“Sister Yuanyuan, is Big Brother Fang not home?”
“…”
Fang Ping glared at the girl. ‘What does that gaze of yours mean!
‘I’m such a big figure, yet you can overlook me?’
It was no wonder that other people could overlook him. Fang Ping was huddled on the couch, too lazy to move around. Moreover, these people came to look for Fang Ping, so he did not get up to greet them.
Consequently, he was so wonderfully overlooked!
Hearing someone mention him, Fang Ping put on a self-proclaimed gentle smile, leaned forward, and said, “I’m here!”
“Whoa! Big Brother Fang is home!”
A girl squealed in surprise.
The next moment, the thing that had initially left Fang Ping speechless happened yet again.
“Run! Big Brother Fang is home!”
“Quick, run!”
“We’re leaving! Sister Yuanyuan, we’ll contact you through the phone!”
“…”
Not five seconds later, the seven or eight girls had dashed off, their shadows disappearing with them!
They did not even take the elevator. Instead, they ran straight down the staircase!
Fang Ping stared at them wide-eyed, mouth agape. What was this?
‘When did I become so unpopular with women!?’
Over at MCMAU, Yang Xiaoman and the others disliked him. Before this, Liu Ruoqi was so scared of him that she fled.
Now, a few girls saw that he was home, and their first responses were not to wors.h.i.+p him or ask him for autographs, but to run away!
“My luck with women…”
Fang Ping was completely speechless. ‘Why!
‘Am I not handsome?
‘Am I not strong enough?
‘Or am I poor?
‘None of them apply!’
What was happening now? He could not meet a single reliable girl.
Fang Ping’s expression became sour. He huffed before huddling back on the couch to watch television. This should not be happening!
Fang Yuan carefully glanced over at Fang Ping. Seeing that his expression was as black as the bottom of a wok, she could not help feeling a little guilty.
‘Fang Ping wouldn’t know that I’ve been badmouthing him, would he?
‘I didn’t say anything either. I just said that he likes to beat people up, slice people in half, and pinch people’s faces, only letting go after he’s pinched it round… I only spoke the truth!’
Fang Yuan mumbled inwardly before hurriedly running upstairs, afraid that Fang Ping would pinch her face later.
She had already become thinner, but these few days when Fang Ping was home, her face had become visibly swollen again. Nevertheless, Fang Yuan would not admit she had been eating more tasty things these days!
…
On the second day, their aunt’s family came to the door.
Their cousins came too. With these two bear-like kids around, Fang Ping’s head spin. He had no free time for two or three days in a row.
Auntie and Uncle were unaware of the fact that Fang Ping had entered the champions.h.i.+p.
These few days, they praised Fang Ping every time they saw him. They praised him so much that Fang Ping very nearly did not dare to stay at home.
Their home was only so big, and they met hundreds of times a day. If they kept praising him like this, he was going to crumble.
This continued until the sixth day, when Fang Ping finally did not have to stay home and accompany the three bear kids.
The martial artist gathering Sun City was hosting had started!
…
Sun City Hotel.
The Sun City Martial Artist Gathering was being held on the second floor of the hotel.
At the moment, Tan Zhenping had been tasked with the responsibility of welcoming the guests.
The martial artists coming this time were not just local ones from Sun City, there were also a few Sun City martial artists who had developed in other places entering.
It was fine if they were familiar martial artists, but n.o.body was familiar with the martial artists who had grown up in other places. Thus, they still needed martial artists from Sun City to be on hand to receive them.
Tan Zhenping was not alone. Beside him, there was also a deputy director from the Department of Investigation Services.
Two of them welcomed the guests as they chatted softly.
“Zhang Fengyang reached Rank-2 already, hasn’t he? Earlier, the way he carried himself was very different. It seems he’s a little stronger than we are.”
“That should be the case.”
Tan Zhenping nodded before shaking his head and saying, “We came from the martial arts training course. Now, Rank-2 isn’t very popular either.”
“That’s not entirely accurate. Reformation is also an upper-management matter. In Sun City, Rank-1 is Rank-1, Rank-2 is Rank-2…”
As the two of them spoke, a taxi stopped in front of the door.
At first, the two people did not notice them. This was until the youth came out of the car. Tan Zhenping suddenly smiled and said, “Fang Ping, I thought you weren’t coming.”
“There were too many people hailing cabs. I nearly couldn’t get one.”
Fang Ping laughed and greeted them as he walked. “Uncle Tan, why do you have to stand outside and welcome people?”
“There are some Rank-2 and even a few Rank-3 martial artists coming today. We have to do the formalities…”
Tan Zhenping laughed before introducing the person beside him. “This is Sun City’s deputy director of the Department of Investigation Services, s.h.i.+ Tao…”
“Good day, Director s.h.i.+!”
“It’s true then. Student Fang is young and promising. I nearly couldn’t recognize you since you’re so young…”
s.h.i.+ Tao was also extremely polite and warm. The genius student of MCMAU was somebody he, a deputy director, could not compare with.
After they exchanged a few pleasantries, Tan Zhenping had to continue greeting people. Although Fang Ping was a guest, Tan Zhenping was his elder by one generation, and he could not just go up like that. Therefore, he stood by the side and chatted with him.
Right then, a cla.s.sy black car stopped in front of the door.
Then, two men came out of the car, one old and one young.
Seeing the people who had just arrived, Tan Zhenping frowned slightly before putting on a smile. “Old Chen…”
“Tan Zhenping?”
Seeing Tan Zhenping, the middle-aged man who had exited the car suddenly furrowed his brows and huffed coldly. “What, you’re a doorman now?
“I had thought that after you underhandedly got rid of me, you would’ve been a big director now or something. I didn’t think you’d just be a rubbish doorman!”
“Chen Qitao!”
Tan Zhenping knitted his brows as he said, “Don’t go over the line. What happened back then… everybody is very aware of who was wrong and who was right!”
“Hah, very aware?
“Are you aware of the trash you are mad of?
“It’s so early in the morning, and I have to be disgusted by such an off-putting sight. When Commander Bai invited me, he didn’t say Tan Zhenping would be here!
“If I had known this joke was here, then I wouldn’t have left my business to come join this hateful gathering!”
“President Chen, calm down…”
s.h.i.+ Tao, who was standing at the side, smiled. “President Chen, today is the gathering for martial artists who hail from Sun City. You and Director Tan’s matters…”
“Director s.h.i.+, it’s not that I, Chen Qitao, am not giving any face. The moment Commander Bai invited me, I immediately set aside the business I was currently handling and traveled miles to hurry over!
“But who knew, that in Sun City, I would have to see this Tan person!
“You’re now using this joke to nauseate me? Is this the warm welcome Commander Bai mentioned?”
The Commander Bai Chen Qitao was mentioning was the highest authority in Sun City.
After Sun City became a county-level city, the topmost person was referred to as the commander. Even so, he was better suited to be called a false commander.
Nearly all the commanders nowadays were Rank-3.
Here at Sun City, however, he was Rank-3.
Chen Qitao could be personally invited by Sun City’s commander because he was quite strong, a Peak Rank-2.
Ten years ago, he was also Rank-1.
However, in the past few years, his business did well, so he bought and used a few medicinal pills, unlike Tan Zhenping who stayed at Rank-1.
Fang Ping, who was standing by the side, frowned slightly but decided against speaking up.
The youth beside Chen Qitao suddenly said, “Dad, why are you competing with a Rank-1? There’s no meaning to it. Let’s go in.”
The youth’s tone carried quite a bit of disdain.
Tan Zhenping knitted his eyebrows and said in a deep voice, “Hao, your father and I…”
“Don’t. Director Tan, is it? You and I aren’t familiar.”
The youth known as Hao immediately dismissed the relation, saying lightly, “I couldn’t care less about you and my father’s matters, but my father’s mood has worsened after seeing you. Look, isn’t he avoiding you? Blocking the way isn’t very good in this case, is it?”
Tan Zhenping suddenly felt his blood begin to boil.
At that moment, s.h.i.+ Tao pulled him away. Chen Qitao was Peak Rank-2, and his son was a Rank-1 martial artist and a South Sino University of Science and Technology student to boot.
s.h.i.+ Tao wanted to deescalate the situation. There was no need to make too much noise.
Of course, everybody was just making noise with their mouths but did not dare to do anything to Tan Zhenping. After all, an official’s status was the biggest protection.
Just then, Fang Ping stepped forward.
Tan Zhenping had always taken care of his parents in Sun City and was pretty good to him too. Tan Zhenping’s son had even taught him pole-standing in the beginning, and all of them were friends.
Fang Ping could not say much upon seeing Old Tao being ridiculed by someone because of some past disputes.
However, a young person joining in—that was inappropriate.
It seemed that Tan Zhenping clearly knew this youngster and may have shared a good relations.h.i.+p with him in the past.
Standing by your relatives regardless of if they were being reasonable or not was a tradition left behind by their ancestors.
Moreover, looking at this father-son duo, it did not seem as if they were very powerful. In reality, there were not many powerful martial artists in Sun City.
Fang Ping stepped forward and smiled. “We’re all Sun City people. There’s no need to argue so stubbornly…”
“Just who are you?”
Before Fang Ping could finish speaking, the youth huffed, his face full of contempt.
Fang Ping brushed his nose with his thumb, unable to resist saying, “You don’t recognize me?”
s.h.i.+ Tao had said earlier that this brat was from South Sino University of Science and Technology, yet did he not watch the martial arts champions.h.i.+p?
“You…”
The youngster wanted to say something, but Fang Ping suddenly snapped with a cold expression on his face, “Brat, you’re a student from South Sino University of Science and Technology, right? I see you’ve just entered Rank-1, yet you already look down on other Rank-1 martial artists.
“Watch, I’ll use just one hand. If I can’t kill you with one hand, then you can continue being presumptuous!”
“You!”
The youngster was enraged. Chen Qitao also furrowed his brows, wanting to say something.
Fang Ping huffed coldly once again. “I’ll give you two some face and let you cool off a little. If you cause any more disturbances, then you two can come at me together. If I cripple both of you, n.o.body would say a word. n.o.body would object!”
The fire instantly fizzled out of the father and son. They could not tell just what to make of Fang Ping.
Upon seeing this, s.h.i.+ Tao swiftly whispered, “This is Mr. Fang, MCMAU’s Fang Ping…”
“Fang Ping?”
Chen Qitao probably could not remember, but his son’s expression changed slightly, and he could not resist looking at Fang Ping again.
Fang Ping felt much better. ‘Thank you for recognizing me!’
Glancing at him, Fang Ping chuckled coolly. “How’s it going to be? Consider your next move carefully. I can also fight you without using my hands if you want!
“You’ve embarra.s.sed all martial arts university students!
“In the Eight School Alliance’s last battle in the champions.h.i.+p, w.a.n.g Yuelong from your school lost, but everybody still respected him!
“Your vice-chancellor, Grandmaster Old Liu said, ‘Martial arts university martial artists don’t shy from battle or fear it. Every battle must be fought with a heart prepared to die.’ This speech gave us martial arts university students so much encouragement!
“What kind of a joke are you?
“Using a martial arts university student’s mantle and pretending you’re some kind of big deal!
“Honestly, the reputations of martial arts universities are ruined by idiots like you!
“The grudge between your father and Director is what the older generation call a dispute. I doubt that they share some great hatred.
“You, on the other hand, opened your mouth and immediately spoke as if Rank-1 martial artists aren’t much, before telling Uncle Tan to make way for you. Who the h.e.l.l are you?”
Fang Ping lectured him as if he was a grandchild. The youngster’s face flushed red, but he did not say anything, not daring to object.
“Next time, you better not let me see you in Magic City. If I see you, I’ll pummel you on the spot! If whoever your peers in South Sino University of Science and Technology want to make a deal out of it, I’ll make sure to show them what kind of trash you South Sino University of Science and Technology students are!”
“You…”
The youth’s face hardened. He wanted to rebut, but he could not say anything.
His father also felt that something was not right, but chose not to say anything.
s.h.i.+ Tao had been watching for a while and quickly decided to step in, smiling as he smoothed things over. “Everybody calm down. We’re all from the same community. Sun City isn’t big, and there aren’t many martial artists who come from here. President Chen, why don’t you see if you and this young man want to go up and rest a while?”
Chen Qitao looked at Fang Ping, then looked at his son. He swiftly nodded and brought the silent youth along as he headed in.
The moment they left, Tan Zhenping became a little down-hearted, sighing softly. “Thanks. If not for you, your Uncle Tan would have probably been greatly embarra.s.sed.”
“You’re welcome, Uncle Tan. If Tan Hao and the others knew you were bullied and that I didn’t intervene, I would’ve been scolded to death.”
Fang Ping laughed. However, Tan Zhenping suddenly said, “It seems I’ve been enlightened. Strength is a necessity.
“I, myself, am not suitable, but Hao and Tan still have a future.
“When I go back this time, even if I have to sell everything, I’ll support them so they can become martial artists quickly!”
Did Fang Ping have a prestigious background?
No!
Even if he did, the Chen father and son did not know this.
However, the second Fang Ping’s name popped up, that carbon-copy son of Chen Qitao had been scolded as if he were Fang Ping’s grandson without daring to rebut.
Why?
Fang Ping had strength!
With Fang Ping’s strength, he could cripple them with just one hand.
Even if his father entered the fight, it would be no use. A Rank-2 Vitality martial artist would have a death wish if he tried to take Fang Ping on.
It was because Chen Qitao’s son knew this that he did not say a word. He was afraid of being ridiculed by Fang Ping.
Tan Zhenping went deep into thought, but Fang Ping did not do the same.
At that moment, he was only cursing inwardly. ‘That brat didn’t know my face!
‘I had thought I could use my face to at least get meals among Rank-1 and Rank-2 martial artists! (TN: What he means is basically using his face as a symbol of celebrity status to get benefits)
‘If I meet someone wanting to pick a fight in the future, will I have to announce myself and say that I’m MCMAU’s Fang Ping?
‘That’s too embarra.s.sing!’
It seemed he would have to make his face even more well-known, like when Old w.a.n.g went to MCMAU’s Martial Arts Society in the past. The moment the Martial Arts Society members heard Old w.a.n.g being mentioned, they had all exclaimed, “Wow, it’s w.a.n.g Jinyang. I can’t provoke him.” This was the right way to go about it.