I Can Replicate Martial Arts-Chapter 160 - 88: Jade Sea Tide-Rising Melody
"Who says you can’t bring a friend home to hang out just because your dad’s here? I’m not that old-fashioned!"
Just as Miao Miaomiao finished speaking, a deep, resonant voice rang in their ears, as quiet as a whisper.
"Secret Transmission!"
Zhao Rui paled in shock. ’It’s a Grandmaster Realm expert!’
"Dad, you were eavesdropping on me!"
Upon hearing the voice, Miao Miaomiao let out an indignant huff, clearly displeased.
"Welcome to our home, young man. Come on in; I assure you, I’m quite friendly!"
The voice continued to echo in Zhao Rui’s ears.
’Friendly?’
Zhao Rui gave an awkward laugh. ’It’s a good thing he and Miao Miaomiao don’t have that kind of relationship,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, if we’d tried to kiss at the door, I’d have been sent flying by one of his palm strikes.’
"Since you’ve invited me, Senior, it would be rude of me to refuse. My apologies for the intrusion!"
Zhao Rui called out.
"None of that ’Senior’ business. Just call me Uncle!"
Miao Miaomiao gave Zhao Rui an embarrassed look and said softly, "You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. It’s fine."
"I would be honored to meet an expert like your father. Of course I want to go. Miao Tongxue, please lead the way."
He had nothing to fear; their relationship was completely innocent.
A smile graced Miao Miaomiao’s face at his words. She gave a slight nod, then turned and led Zhao Rui toward her apartment building.
A few minutes later, Miao Miaomiao unlocked the door with her fingerprint and led Zhao Rui inside.
Miao Miaomiao’s home was a large, two-story duplex. The massive living room was bright and tidy, its exquisite decor both high-end and tasteful.
A man and a woman were sitting in the living room. Neither looked very old; in fact, they seemed to be under thirty.
Hearing the door open, the woman stood up and came over to greet them.
"We’re so glad you could visit."
The woman said with a smile, her eyes casually sizing Zhao Rui up.
Zhao Rui was taken aback when he saw her. He hesitated to greet her, glancing uncertainly at Miao Miaomiao.
The woman before him looked far too young.
Her delicate, pretty features strongly resembled Miao Miaomiao’s, though she possessed a more gentle, elegant, and mature charm.
She looked more like her older sister.
Seeing Zhao Rui’s dumbfounded expression, Miao Miaomiao couldn’t help but chuckle. "Zhao Rui, this is my mother."
"Hello, Auntie!"
Zhao Rui froze for a second at Miao Miaomiao’s words but quickly recovered and offered a polite greeting.
"Please, come in and have a seat!"
Mrs. Miao smiled and led Zhao Rui into the living room.
"Hello, Uncle!"
As they reached the living room, Zhao Rui turned to the expressionless man on the sofa and greeted him politely.
"Have a seat."
The man sat up a little straighter, gesturing to a nearby seat as he spoke coolly.
Once Zhao Rui was seated, the man looked him up and down. "You have a respectable look about you. Are you and Miaomiao classmates from university?"
"We’re teammates on the Martial Arts Team."
"Oh? And where are you from?"
Hearing this, Miao Miaomiao quickly cut him off. "Dad, is this an interrogation? That’s no way to treat a guest."
The man chuckled. "Alright, alright. Whatever my daughter says."
Just then, Mrs. Miao brought over a platter of washed fruit for Zhao Rui to try.
She then sat down beside the man and asked with a smile, "How old are you?"
"Mom, you too!"
"You silly girl!"
"Anyway, no more questions from you two. Just appreciate how handsome he is, and that’s it."
Zhao Rui: ...
"Alright, alright, we won’t ask!"
The woman chuckled and kept urging Zhao Rui to have some more fruit.
The silence was becoming awkward. Zhao Rui hadn’t come over just to eat fruit; he had to make conversation.
He immediately said politely, "Uncle, your Secret Transmission technique earlier was incredible. The sound was so focused and clear, yet it traveled so far with perfect precision. It’s truly something to aspire to."
"Oh? You have a keen eye, young man.
I can see your energy is well-contained and your breathing is deep and even. You must be on the verge of reaching Level 8. You’re quite a promising martial artist."
"I can’t compare to Miao Tongxue!"
Zhao Rui replied modestly.
"The path of the Martial Dao is long and arduous. You must never be arrogant or complacent, nor should you lose heart over a temporary setback."
"And Miaomiao, you need to remember that as well."
After a bit more small talk, Zhao Rui felt it was time to go and rose to say his goodbyes.
When Miao Miaomiao returned inside after seeing Zhao Rui out, she found her parents sitting on the sofa, watching her with teasing looks on their faces.
"Well, daughter, he’s a decent-looking young man, but you can only learn a person’s true character over time."
A smile graced Mrs. Miao’s delicate features.
"Mom, what are you thinking? We’re just... um, regular friends."
Miao Miaomiao hesitated for a moment. ’Are Zhao Rui and I even friends?’
"Of course, of course. ’Regular friends.’"
Mrs. Miao said with a light chuckle.
"I’m done talking to you two. I’m going to my room."
Miao Miaomiao huffed, then got up and hurried back to her bedroom.
"Do you think our daughter used the Dissipating Skill because of him?"
After their daughter had gone, Mrs. Miao leaned close to her husband and whispered.
"It’s quite possible!"
Father Miao nodded, his face grim. Even a Grandmaster Realm expert wasn’t immune to the feelings a father gets when he realizes his daughter has a crush.
"That girl... she hasn’t spent much time around boys. I hope she doesn’t get tricked. Still, I thought he had an honest face."
"If he’s the reason our daughter used her Dissipating Skill... If that kid dares to betray her, I’ll never forgive him."
"Shh, don’t you go doing anything rash. You’ll scare the boy."
"I know!"
...
Recovering from using the Dissipating Skill was a long process. Even though Zhao Rui had the complete Cultivation Technique, he had to take it one step at a time.
Rushing would only destabilize Miao Tongxue’s foundation.
