The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

In the ShenZero Baby series, this "useless trait" is only found on mythical beasts and some rare races. Its effect is to increase the opponent's skill point consumption. Ping Xin wondered why such a powerful mythical beast would have such a nearly useless trait. After much thought, he came to a conclusion:

powerful!

Yes, strong, because being strong can bring pressure to the same kind around you, or even to those who are different from you and cannot communicate with you.

Because he is so strong, he does not need more power. He can crush ordinary people with pure strength.

And now, the person sitting at the other end of the student union room, that woman, gave him a sense of oppression.

But this sense of oppression wasn't directed at Ping Xin personally; it was indiscriminate, making no distinction between friend and foe. This could be seen from the female student union members standing beside her, who didn't dare to look up, and from the people outside the door. It wasn't that they couldn't enter, but that they didn't dare to enter, didn't want to enter.

At the long table where the student union held meetings and work, there was only one person sitting in the main seat (the upper seat), and this sense of oppression was her masterpiece.

Perhaps in her eyes, everyone except herself is an "enemy" or something that can be controlled, so there is no need to suppress or control the natural feeling of oppression.

Whether it was due to the bright sunlight outside or to conserve electricity, the lights in the huge student union were completely dark, adding a certain unspoken pressure to the room. After a few minutes of silent and patient waiting, she closed the laptop screen and the person behind her appeared before her eyes.

Wow, turns out to be an acquaintance!

I remember it was called...Tiao Yue Liyin?

It's just that if he had been a little scared of this beautiful yet intimidating woman before, now that he's used to interacting with beautiful girls, things are different now. Ping Xin has enough energy to even take a closer look at her.

She possessed a body far more mature than her actual age. While this description had been used countless times on Asuna, Karin, and Akane, Hirayūnobu's well-honed eyesight told him that her figure was likely even more impressive than theirs. However, she didn't look as easygoing and cute as the other four. She exuded a maturity and aloofness that didn't seem appropriate for her age.

Her almost unadorned black cascade hair almost dragged on the ground when she sat. Even though the length was similar, the feeling she gave was completely different.

Her long hair is not like Asuna's, which uses ribbons as a cute decoration, nor is it like Akane's, which is slightly curled to give people a relaxing and fluffy feeling, nor is it like Karin's, which has some gradient at the end to add beauty, but just hangs straight down with gravity.

There is nothing fancy, even the long, smooth and shiny black hair gives people a beauty similar to steel, tough, straight and indestructible. It is not difficult to imagine what kind of personality the owner of this long hair has.

Apart from her hair, her demeanor and clothing are naturally flawless. The white shirt on her body is filled with volume by the two huge things on her chest. It can be used by beautiful girls like Asuna, Karin, Akane and herself without any damage, which is enough to show that the quality of the school uniform is good (I am sure).

Over a formal, powerful white shirt, she should have been wearing a restrained black suit, but perhaps because of the temperature, the jacket was now neatly folded on a nearby chair, a chair no one dared to sit on. Black and white is a classic combination, but on her, it lacked that harmonious quality, instead giving off a sense of restraint and discomfort.

Even with smartphones now ubiquitous, some people still wear watches for fashion and fun, while others do so to show off their wealth and status. However, the woman in front of me certainly doesn't fall into either of these categories.

She's one of those rare types who wears a watch solely for the sake of checking time. If nothing goes wrong, she's probably the type with a strong sense of time. Of course, she could also be a bit more extreme, a very controlling type.

But this is not the point. In addition to the physical pressure that body shape brings to peers, the real thing that brings pressure to people has just appeared -

Her eyes.

Regardless of era, culture, or country, eyes have always been a symbol of mystery and power. Of the five senses often mentioned, vision is one, the most important, the one used most frequently by any healthy person. Among the many seemingly plausible and sometimes false theories, the one Hirayukoshi most agrees with is this:

Eyes are the windows to the soul, and you can see the truth about a person through their eyes.

Red, crimson, as red as blood.

Diao Yue Liyin has a pair of crimson eyes that make people feel extremely threatening!

Why do countries around the world and throughout the ages often use red as a color of warning and danger?

One theory explains it this way: red is the color of blood, and in ancient times, when humans were not yet called human, bleeding represented injury, illness, enemies, death, and a host of other dangerous, unsettling things that could threaten one's life.

This feeling turns into a sense of crisis, a natural "knowledge", which is passed down through genes, just like people feel fear when they see a snake for the first time. It is an "instinct" learned by our ancestors in order to survive, a gift from our ancestors.

So, thinking back, is the reason for that strong sense of oppression the blood-red eyes?

No, not really, at least not just.

Because those crimson eyes were only a part of the person "Tiao Yue Liyin", a very small part, not enough to reflect her entirety.

And now, the owner of those eyes, which gave people a strong sense of danger and oppression, was staring at Ping Xin motionlessly. He was staring at the man who had sat down without her permission or any "statement", simply because he wanted to, and he was sitting directly across from her at the long table.

Without saying a word or making any small movements, he ignored the person without giving them any sense of disrespect, and used the most respectful manner to do the most disrespectful behavior.

ignore.

What would Ping Xin do in the face of such an attitude? Would he tell funny jokes, philosophical stories, or make hilarious faces like usual?

No, he had done nothing, or rather he had done—

Ignore, the same ignore.

Some may have forgotten what Ping Xin was like in the past, but now it's time to remember that he was a man who loved to fight, to defy all unreasonable things, including the attitudes of those around him. The greater the pressure, the more suffocating the adversity, the more despair that made it impossible to persevere, the stronger, harder, and more indestructible Ping Xin's heart and will became!

He can chat and laugh with the ruffians and beggars who are looked down upon by everyone on the street, he can also chat and laugh with business and political giants in high-end hotels, and he can cheer for the heroes in the stage play with kindergarten children.

He can put aside his unnecessary dignity for the sake of those he cares about, recognizes, and loves, and become someone who can make them happy, joyful, and laugh. For example, he can be a funny clown, a humorous and knowledgeable young man, or a gentle and considerate neighbor. He can do everything that is "necessary."

But now, when that's no longer necessary—

For him, the prerequisite for respecting others is to be respected.

If you don't respect me, why should I respect you?

As for his appearance, even though he has been deliberately neglecting to dress up for many years, his appearance is enough to make the women on the train turn into train foxes; as for his figure, he often wears loose clothes, but even so, you can sometimes see his obvious muscular outline; as for his martial arts, there is no need to say more, a truly strong person does not need any praise, because strength is an absolute fact.

He no longer cared about such trivial things as intelligence and academic ability. What truly allowed him to control others was his keen eye for human nature. With wealth, he could buy anything he wanted in the world. With status, among some people, he held an unparalleled position. If wealth couldn't provide him with what he needed, power and status would easily give him what he needed.

He didn't do anything that harmed others, but instead, he did good things that truly benefited others day in and day out for ten years. Unlike those businessmen and politicians who evaded taxes, he spent countless amounts of money as if he was throwing it away to help countless people who were truly in need. What was his purpose?

No reason, because what I really need has already been obtained in that process——

Human heart and morality.

The former gives him countless helpers in this world, and the latter allows him to dominate and gain the upper hand anytime, anywhere, and for any matter, just like at this moment.

"Tiao Yue Li Yin... What did I do to make you disrespect me so much that you wouldn't even say hello—"

After a silence that lasted the same length of time as when he first entered the room, Ping Xin finally spoke.

Chapter 14 What kind of guild are you?

"I don't think there's any point in introducing myself a second time. Don't people like you and me memorize all a person's information the first time? But if you insist... Diao Yue Liyin, my name is."

"Asuka Maheishin, my name is."

The conversation finally began, but the female student union member standing by was almost fainting from fright.

"As for the silence just now... I think giving people a quiet environment can stimulate their thinking and help them realize their mistakes."

This excuse wasn't just an excuse; it was a statement that only came from within after gaining more information. But it was called an excuse... She might have truly meant it to others, but to the man in front of her, who made her feel uncomfortable, she was doing it on purpose.

"Really? Then your sleep quality must have been poor. Oh, right! I heard coffee is a little hard to come by these days. Do you need me to buy you a few bags?"

With his daily refinement of his ripple power, Ping Xin had long since become able to sense a wide range of emotions. He could now even discern the intense emotions lingering in certain locations and inanimate objects, not to mention the feelings of the girl across from him.

Since you hate me and can't stand me, I have no extra mercy to offer you.

"But it's probably not as good as you, Asuka-san... Four girlfriends, a big boss, so impressive—this thing has spread all over the school. I wonder how you sleep at night?"

She wasn't one to speak so sarcastic, but that was when she was in control of the situation. Now, far inferior to this man in every way, she could only take advantage of his kindness to say some sour words to find a faint sense of pleasure, doing things she normally didn't want to do and looked down upon.

"I've always had good sleep. After all, I don't have as much work as you, Tiaoyue... Every day, besides eating, drinking, and having fun, I just do what I need to do. Although my life is a little dull, it's also warm and interesting. Maybe it's not as lively as your student union~"

Hot..lively?

There were only three people in this huge student union room at this moment. The rest were either standing outside the door motionless and not daring to make a sound, or they were not here because of their own work. But he actually said it was lively here?

Yes, even this distracted female student could easily tell that he was speaking sarcastically.

Because Pingxin has always looked down on those who think they are superior to others. Even he doesn't take the lead, so what are you clowns performing?

But human beings insist on dividing each other into high and low, strong and weak, and into different levels, as if they cannot find peace and cannot survive without things that can make them despise.

In his eyes, Tiao Yue Liyin in front of him was such a pathetic existence. She had no power of her own, and all her power came from the students of this school and relied on the support of these student union members, but she did not take them seriously and truly regarded them as people who could talk to her on an equal footing.

This is completely contrary to Ping Xin's ideal, so he will be unhappy. But there is also a situation where he will be very happy and smile, like now -

Because when such people become enemies, he can trample on them without any burden!

"Yes, but today seems a little too lively... Asuka-san, the commotion you caused has caused us a lot of trouble and unnecessary work."

However, the equally clever Tiaoyue Liyin didn't give him such an opportunity, and simply ignored the cheap talk that was intended to make her angry. Not only did she explain the two times she had made Ping Xin sit there and wait for her to work and the two times she had stared at each other in silence, but she also cleverly shifted the blame for the incident onto Ping Xin.

And after turning the topic to business, Pingxin had no choice but to handle things impartially and calmly according to the rules: the school rules, the student union rules... her rules.

But actually?

The first time, she might have just been playing games on her laptop, and the second time, she might have just been sleeping with her eyes open. Apart from the "party" next to her, there was no direct evidence, nor any handle that could be used to catch her.

Like a seasoned politician, she laid out partial facts, leaving them for the ignorant public to imagine and find a contrived "truth." Even if they were later found to be lies, so what? They weren't lying. What they said was all true, albeit only partial. But what business was it of theirs if the public imagined and "misunderstood" it?

Where’s the evidence!?

The average student might have been repenting, reflecting, seeking a punishment, a relief, and someone to rely on, and then turned their eyes to her and finally obeyed her as if it were a matter of course.

This final trick had no effect on Ping Xin, because he didn't need to explain at all, but now he needed an explanation, something that people could accept -

"Something did happen this morning and this afternoon, and it's related to me. But it wasn't my intention, and I'm really sorry for causing trouble to everyone in the student council... But what does it have to do with you?"

"...ah!?"

A female student union member who was (forced to) be in a state of dementia accidentally uttered a sound of surprise, but when she found that the other two people present didn't care at all, she didn't know whether to be relieved or sad.

Then, Hirayuki gave her a playful wink, as if to say, "No problem, smile," which made her feel genuinely reassured and fulfilled. Such a conspicuous gesture naturally went unnoticed by Tiaoyue Liyin, who had been staring at her and putting pressure on her. When she glanced over, the girl immediately lowered her head again.

"What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? Asuka-san, you're a forgetful person and you might not know this, but I'm actually the president of the student council."

"...You're only a freshman in high school?"

"Yes, otherwise why would I be sitting in this position?"

Tiao Yue Liyin would not let go of any "flaw" she found, completely lacking her usual composure and strategic planning. Moreover, anyone familiar with Ping Xin would have been able to clearly notice it.

Ah, this guy is setting a trap for others again!

"That's strange..."

"strangeness?"

"Yes... According to school rules, the student council president should wear something that can be identified and monitored, but on you..."

Ping Xin glanced at her two oversized headlights.

Thought induction? Verbal suggestion?

I can do these things too!

And they play it more skillfully and more...dirtily than you.

"The previous student council president has already said it himself—"

"No president's badge, no principal's appointment, no public speech after taking office... Tiaoyue Liyin, I wonder... what kind of president are you?"

Chapter 15: Admit Mistakes

"...You, what kind of guild master are you?"

It was a slightly sarcastic question. The last time, when Tiaoyue Liyin, as a member of the student union, expelled them from the empty classroom for extra classes, the question "What department (club) are you" turned into a boomerang and hit her hard. It was not a pleasant feeling... definitely not a pleasant feeling!

"I...I'm the agent appointed by the previous president. Senior XX is preparing for the entrance exam—"

"Oh~~~~~~ I see, but... doesn't that give people the impression that you're appointed? Since there's no election or appointment, it's just a substitute exercising power and responsibilities, a fake... Why didn't you say that earlier? If I didn't know, I'd really think you became the student council president in just the second semester~"

The feeling of someone speaking the most obnoxious words with the most dignified posture and the most indifferent tone, so effortlessly and carelessly breaking through your defenses, is something no one can easily ignore. It's not the simple, direct pain of a knife in, a knife out, but rather an irresistible, yet incredibly annoying "itch," like the sound of a mosquito in your ear in the dark.

"!"

Diao Yue Liyin would not be angry, because she knew that such ridicule and provocation were meant to make her irrational. It was not scary to lose the argument, but if she was led by him by the nose, that would be the real "loss".

But Ping Xin's words unconsciously touched her sore spot, a story about her mother's death and the reason why she left her hometown and came here, a reason that was inextricably linked to Ping Xin.

"...!"

Feeling the change in the opponent's momentum, Ping Xin thought at first that the opponent was irritated by his deliberately straightforward provocation, but he soon found that it was not the case, at least it was more than that.

The aura around Diao Yue Liyin changed. If she was just like a middle-level leader or a small executive in a company just now, now she is undoubtedly like a queen who has the final say and holds all the power, a being who can truly dominate the life and death and destiny of others.

"...So you don't admit your mistake?"

"What have I done wrong? If someone gets in a car accident because they're looking at him twice because he's good-looking, should he be held responsible? If a celebrity is walking down the street and someone accidentally discovers their true identity and a stampede occurs, should he be blamed? Could it be—"

"Well, it's not your fault then."

......ah?