My daily life is getting weird because I am caught between being in a band and being an idol.

"Snapped!"

Before Nina could finish speaking, Kotone grabbed a pillow from the bed and hit Nina squarely on the head.

"Go and meet your parents properly! Don't ever tell them about your stupid plan again!"

Qin Yin shouted angrily, her blush deepening.

"Huh? What plan?"

Asahi looked at them with a puzzled expression, "What was Nina trying to say just now?"

Kotone immediately glared at Nina, her eyes full of warning, while Nina, clutching her head where she had been hit by a pillow, stammered and turned her head away, not daring to look at the rising sun.

Rencai lowered her head, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes with her hands, her mind a complete mess.

How could I possibly say that! Be Mr. Hiraishi's bride or something...

Thinking of this, her cheeks turned even redder, even to the roots of her ears, and she was so embarrassed that she almost wanted to crawl into the floor.

Meanwhile, Asahi, who was standing to the side, had already heard Nina's thoughts through his senses.

The bride... ...What's wrong with this idiot's thought process? ... But it's making me a little embarrassed though...

Chaoyang coughed lightly, collected his thoughts, and started the conversation again.

"Um... Nina, do you have time tonight? Just for my sake, or to give me face, talk to your parents. No matter what, even if you really want to be independent, I, as a responsible adult, will assure your parents that you will live a good life in Tokyo."

He paused, then added, "Also, Qin Yin will be attending tutoring sessions with you from now on. The other person is Shi Wang Xing Nan, who should be able to help you a lot."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yin immediately panicked and jumped up.

"Wait a minute, manager, aren't you just selling me out?!"

Chaoyang shrugged helplessly.

"How could that be? Besides, you owe Xingnan a favor, have you forgotten? Xingnan helped us a lot to get where we are today."

"Xingnan? Who is that?"

Renna asked with a puzzled look.

Kotone paused for a moment, then stared at Nina with an incredulous look.

"Ha! You didn't know? The student council president is the number one idol at our First Star Academy!"

Upon hearing the word "idol," Nina immediately showed a disdainful expression.

"Hmph, another idol with an empty head?"

Qin Yin instantly bristled. Although she was indeed very afraid of the Ten Kings, Xing Nan, Xing Nan had once been her idol. How could she tolerate Ren Cai tarnishing his reputation? She straightened her back and retorted confidently.

"Huh? President Xingnan isn't someone you can just casually comment on! She's perfect in every way. I'm afraid you'd feel so inferior after meeting her that you'd hide away!"

"Clap clap."

Chaoyang tapped them on the top of the head once each, one on the left and one on the right.

“They’re arguing again! What’s going on today! Putting Nina aside, Qinyin has not only started the fight several times, but you can’t beat Nina either. Whether fighting is right or wrong is another matter. I hope you can more accurately assess the risks and benefits. As for tutoring partners, that’s irrelevant. We can discuss that later.”

He raised his voice slightly, signaling the two to stop arguing, then turned his gaze to Nina and asked seriously.

"Rin, is it alright for you to come with me to meet your parents tonight?"

Nina lowered her head and pondered for a moment before finally answering softly, "...No, no." After all, she couldn't let Mr. Hiraishi really go to jail. She thought to herself, a hint of helplessness and subtle resistance appearing on her face.

Upon hearing her thoughts, Chaoyang's eyes flashed with a gentle light. He reached out and gently touched her head, soothing her softly.

"Yoshi yoshi, good child... Don't worry, I'll be by your side, you're not alone."

Renna pursed her lips. Although she still felt a little awkward, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

However, Qin Yin on the other side pouted and looked at Chaoyang with a dissatisfied expression.

"Manager, you're being so biased!"

Chaoyang was both amused and exasperated, so he reached out and touched the soundhead of the zither in the same way.

"I'm sorry, Kotone. But Nina's situation is indeed special this time, so let's be understanding, okay?"

Qin Yin gave a muffled hum, but ultimately didn't pursue the matter further and reluctantly accepted Chaoyang's reassurance.

. .

Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere in the booths was heavy and oppressive. Although the tables were full of food, no one touched their chopsticks. It was as if there was a thick barrier between the four people, and no one could truly reach the other's heart.

These four people are Asahi, Renna, and her parents.

Finally, Rencai's father spoke first, his tone stern yet rational.

"...We agreed that we'd only let you leave home if you were going to university, right? Now you've dropped out without a word, want to join a band, and even signed with an agency. These kinds of contracts aren't valid without a guardian's consent, do you understand, Nina?"

At this moment, Renna stared at her father with an icy expression, her voice revealing undisguised anger.

“Father, didn’t you say before that I could do whatever I wanted? I also said that I would go and do what I wanted to do!”

"Doing whatever you want doesn't mean you can completely disregard the agreement, right?"

The father frowned, adjusted his glasses, and raised his voice slightly, "The premise we agreed on was that you would go to university. I won't stop you from pursuing your hobbies, but dropping out without a word and not taking the exam, isn't that going too far? I didn't come here this time to make you give up the band, I just felt it was inappropriate for you to handle everything behind our backs! Don't forget, it was precisely because we respected your choice that we helped you drop out and paved the way for you to go to Tokyo!"

Upon hearing these disciplining remarks, Nina could no longer suppress her anger and slammed her hand on the table, standing up abruptly.

"Nonsense! I handled all of that myself! Whether it was dropping out of school or coming to Tokyo, I made all the decisions on my own. When did it become your place to pave the way for me!?"

Seeing that the atmosphere was gradually getting out of control, Chaoyang gently put down his water glass, cleared his throat, and interjected.

"As an outsider, I shouldn't be meddling here, but I think what I'm saying now is actually unimportant, isn't it?"

Renna and her father both looked at the rising sun, their expressions different: one of anger, the other of doubt.

Chaoyang met Rencai's father's gaze calmly and spoke in a measured tone.

“Uncle, I think I promised you before that Rencai would continue to take the college entrance exam. So the problem you are worried about is not there. The premise she agreed to has not been violated, and I will not let her violate it.”

He paused, glanced at Rencai, and continued.

“The reason why Rencai is like this now is largely because when you were considering the issue, you used a completely adult mindset and ignored Rencai’s feelings. That’s why she feels that even her own family isn’t on her side. I dare say that this is where you went wrong.”

Rencai's father fell silent, his brows furrowing slightly, clearly moved by Chaoyang's words.

Seeing this, Chaoyang turned to look at Rencai, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable firmness.

“Rencai, I know you find it hard to agree with your parents’ actions, and I understand your thoughts. But you also need to understand that adults’ way of thinking is sometimes not simply a matter of right and wrong.”

Rencai bit her lip and didn't say anything, but a hint of hesitation flashed in her bright eyes.

Chaoyang continued.

There's a saying that goes, "Children distinguish between right and wrong, adults only consider advantages and disadvantages. The real world is never as simple as it is in TV dramas. There isn't always a clear answer as to who is good and who is bad. It is precisely because adults consider these pros and cons for you that children can build simple concepts of good and evil without worry. If you don't agree, that's understandable, but I hope you understand that adults are also carrying heavy burdens, and many times, they are trying their best to protect you."

Seeing the atmosphere gradually easing, Chaoyang smiled slightly and continued to speak softly.

"Uncle, you must have something you want to say to Nina, right?"

Rencai's father remained silent for a moment, a complex look in his eyes, before finally sighing, his tone low yet firm.

"...Nina, come back to Kumamoto with me tomorrow... There are some things that need to be settled. Once they're settled, I won't stop you anymore, and I'll give you back the room key."

Renna paused slightly, bit her lip, and a struggle flashed in her eyes, as if she was still hesitating. She didn't respond immediately, and the atmosphere fell silent again.

At this moment, Chaoyang gently patted Rencai's back, his tone gentle and encouraging.

“Go there… No matter what, I will bring you back to Tokyo. If your father really locks you in your room, I will break down the door and take you back. After all, I like Nina very much now.”

Chapter 176 Things Get Serious! (Qin Yin)

As the sun gradually set, the sky turned a deep orange-red. The Rencai family slowly disappeared through the tram station ticket gates.

"Be careful on the road~"

Chaoyang stood still and waved to their retreating figures.

He could tell that Rencai's father was truly determined this time to stand firmly on his daughter's side, to understand her, and to support her.

As for himself, although he believed that Nina would return safely, he was also prepared for the worst. If something went wrong, he would definitely take the Shinkansen and rush to Kyushu overnight to bring her back to Tokyo.

After all... that "like" isn't something you just say casually.

Just as Chaoyang was lost in thought, a familiar voice suddenly came from the side.

"...So that guy finally left? He might as well stay in Kumamoto forever and study hard."

Chaoyang turned his head and saw that it was indeed Qin Yin, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, arms crossed, muttering with dissatisfaction.

He sighed helplessly, "If she really wants to do that, of course she can... But then again, didn't you go a bit too far today?"

"...It's that guy L who went too far!"

Qin Yin frowned and muttered under her breath, "They have such good parents but don't know how to cherish them... How hateful..."

Looking at Qin Yin's sullen expression, Chao Yang sighed inwardly, then suddenly thought of something else.

Indeed, if Xiangzi had a father like that... her personality wouldn't have turned out the way it is now. Perhaps she would still be in a band with Su Shi, sweating on stage, living a carefree life.

Thinking of this, Chaoyang couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Qin Yin frowned, her tone revealing a hint of displeasure: "...It's that guy who's really going too far! He has such good parents but doesn't know how to cherish them... How despicable..."

Chaoyang sighed inwardly as he watched Qinyin's sullen expression. He could tell that although Qinyin appeared angry, she was actually hiding her envy.

Her father collapsed due to debt and ultimately abandoned his wife and daughter. In some ways, he was worse than Xiangzi's father. After all, although Xiangzi's father was cold and ruthless, at least he had no debts. If Xiangzi had been more rational, she could have continued living as a pampered young lady and even secretly helped her father without anyone saying anything.

However, they were all fools who would rather suffer than give up their beliefs. Xiangzi was willing to abandon everything for her father, so how could I bear to say such things about her?

Thinking of this, Chaoyang revealed a bitter smile, then reached out and rubbed the head of the zither, his tone suddenly becoming much gentler.

"...After a while, I'll take some time off, and we'll go find your father together. We'll tell him he doesn't need to run away anymore...and then, come with me into the octagon and have a good fight!"

Qin Yin, who was initially moved by the first sentence, was instantly dumbfounded and stood there stunned when she heard the second half of the sentence.

"That can't be right!?"

Chaoyang retorted with a self-righteous expression.

"What's wrong? How dare he abandon you?! You should have at least sold your blood and organs to stay with me! How could you run away like that!"

"..."

Qin Yin opened her mouth, but was speechless for a moment. Her face showed both gratitude and helplessness. In the end, she could only stomp her foot and mutter with a red face.

"Manager... just how much do you like me?!"

. .

With Rencai's matter temporarily resolved, Chaoyang and Qinyin walked back to their school dormitory chatting and laughing, in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

"Really... you can't fight with my dad! At most, you can yell at him a few times..."

"No, it has to be an octagonal cage!"

However, just as they were walking through an alley, suddenly, two groups of men dressed in black suits and wearing sunglasses surrounded them from both sides, blocking their way.

Qin Yin's face turned pale instantly, and her voice revealed a hint of unease.

"Store manager..."

Chaoyang's heart skipped a beat. Although this was the first time he had encountered such a sudden situation, he quickly calmed down, maintaining a composed expression. He reached out to shield Qin Yin behind him and gently comforted her.

"Just hide behind me."

He then raised his head, stared at the man in the suit who was in the lead, and spoke with a hint of disdain.

"Gentlemen, have you come to the wrong person? ... If you don't want to get hurt, please make way."

Upon hearing this, the man in the suit and sunglasses in front smiled, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable threat.

“Mr. Hiraishi, we don’t want to resort to violence. It’s just that my master wants to see you. Please come with us.”

Chaoyang raised an eyebrow, a playful smile playing on his lips: "Shouldn't you introduce yourself first? Otherwise, I won't know which important person wants to invite me over for tea."

As soon as she finished speaking, Chaoyang noticed that Qinyin had quietly taken out her phone. The screen showed that "110" had been entered, and she was just one press away from calling the police. However, the men in black on the other side had obviously noticed this as well, and two of them immediately rushed towards her, trying to snatch the phone.

"stop!"

Chaoyang let out a low shout, and without thinking, he threw a punch at the black-clad man who tried to approach. The force of the punch sent the man flying. Immediately afterward, he spun around, using the wall beside him for leverage. His body spun instantly, and the recoil propelled him into a beautiful spinning kick that struck another black-clad man hard on the side of the neck. The man was powerless to resist and collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Upon seeing this, the men in black around them were immediately in an uproar, and they all took a few steps back, their faces showing vigilance.

Chaoyang adopted a relaxed yet powerful stance, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.