The Reincarnated OP Protagonist Is Now A 3rd Grade Student (Patreon)

Chapter 31: Virtue of a Woman Lies in Her Lack of Talent

Chen An couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth as he observed the pair of eyes in front of him, which were staring at him intently. He used the microphone again and heard Tan Jing's next lines transmitted through the earpiece.

"While it may seem like a feudalistic concept at first glance, the saying 'a woman without talents is virtuous' actually embodies a modern spirit of resistance."

Lu Yisheng looked puzzled, wondering why this police officer was speaking in such a detached manner, as if reciting a text from a schoolbook, devoid of emotion. "Can you tell me how this relates to my daughter?"

"That woman in the story was a victim of domestic violence, and she died because of it," Tan Jing replied, still sounding puzzled.

Faced with Lu Yisheng's question, Tan Jing couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated. Why did they have to bring this up now?

However, on the other end of the earpiece, Chen An's anxious voice quickly came through, addressing the content of the conversation.

"Why didn't she speak up?" Lu Yisheng asked, still perplexed.

"She didn't because she had a father and a family. If she had spoken up, her family would have intervened," Tan Jing explained. "In this context, 'talent' for women referred to qualities like submission to authority. She was raised to be obedient, to follow the Three Obediences and Four Virtues—obey her father before marriage, her husband after marriage, and her son if her husband died. These virtues include moral integrity, proper speech, modesty in appearance, and diligent work. The woman in the story had internalized these values and submitted to her husband's violence without seeking help."

Lu Yisheng, still bewildered, looked at Tan Jing. "So, what does this story have to do with my daughter?"

Tan Jing shrugged, equally puzzled. She wanted to know where this was going too.

"Lu Yisheng, are you not curious why that woman allowed herself to be abused?" Tan Jing asked.

"Not really. You said it was because of domestic violence."

Seeing that Lu Yisheng still didn't get it, Tan Jing continued, "The saying 'a woman without talents is virtuous' was coined in ancient times. In modern terms, it means that women should be educated and independent. But in the past, a woman's 'talent' was defined differently. It referred to qualities like obedience to authority. The woman in the story had been raised to be obedient and submissive, even when faced with violence. Her father regretted teaching her these 'talents' because they led to her tragic end. She could have resisted, sought help, and potentially survived if she hadn't been conditioned to obey."

"I see. So, that's what the saying means," Lu Yisheng said, looking like he had gained some knowledge. He then asked, "But Officer, I never taught my daughter the Three Obediences and Four Virtues or any of those feudalistic ideas. On the contrary, I've been grooming her as my successor and provided her with every resource I could find. I don't see how this story relates to her."

"Is that really the case?" Tan Jing responded, neither confirming nor denying. "Lu Yisheng, just by looking at your daughter's demeanor, I can tell that your parenting might be quite strict."

Lu Yisheng shook his head, showing his disagreement. "Not at all. Our upbringing is far less strict than what I received. Nowadays, kids... they just can't endure hardship."

"Have you refused many of your daughter's 'wilful' requests?" Tan Jing asked.

Lu Yisheng frowned and, for the first time, displayed some displeasure. "Officer, isn't this a matter within my family?"

"Yes, it is your family matter, and I'm not here to criticize your parenting. I just want to tell you, Lu Yisheng, that you may unintentionally be suppressing your daughter's spirit of 'resistance' and training her to be submissive to authority."

"Nonsense!" Lu Yisheng retorted. "My daughter is doing just fine."

"Sir, finding out if your daughter has a problem is actually quite simple. You can command her to do some 'unreasonable' things, like... does your daughter have any food she dislikes?"

"Cilantro, she's very picky about it."

"Then order her to eat a large plate of cilantro."

Tan Jing, fully in character, said to Lu Yisheng, "Not just eating cilantro but also commanding her to clean when she's asleep, telling her to break her toys, and making her do various things she doesn't want to do."

"Um... what if she does everything I command?"

Lu Yisheng asked with a lack of confidence.

"If she refuses your commands, it means she still has a 'spirit of resistance against unreasonable authority.' If she obeys you unquestioningly, then it means... she's lost her way."

Tan Jing, following Chen An's words, explained in a tone reminiscent of an experienced doctor, "Once a person gets used to obedience, they will endure injustice and suffering, choosing to suffer in silence. Perhaps she'll find a husband who won't abuse her, but she might encounter extortionists or an unreasonable boss. If she continues to submit without question, she may suffer in various ways."

Afterward, Tan Jing stood up and wrote down her phone number on a piece of paper, handing it to the bewildered Lu Yisheng.

"This is my phone number. If your daughter has truly lost her 'resistance' spirit and blindly obeys authority, then call me. I'll try to help. Of course, I hope it doesn't come to that, and you won't need to call me."

After saying this, Tan Jing stood up and looked at Chen An.

Chen An also put down his microphone, glancing at the child who was happily playing with paper cranes, and then nervously at Lu Yisheng.

Most of his attention had been occupied by this mischievous child, and he had only used a fraction of his abilities. He wasn't sure how effective this approach would be.

It seemed he needed to study the manga more and learn how Conan managed to stay hidden for so many episodes.