180: Chapter 180 The Parents' Fury

"Anshan."

"Uh... I'm here?"

"Explain."

"Well..."

"I want you to explain!"

Z23 slammed the table hard.

Alert shrank back, startled.

"It's just... I gave Alert and Kano some equipment and let them go conduct an investigation. To avoid you stopping us, I just..."

Anshan's voice grew quieter and quieter; she knew that what she had done seemed rather unethical.

However, she hadn't thought much of it at the time, thinking it wasn't a big deal, so she just did it. Now, it was a mess; the Commander was holding back and just ignoring her, but now that Z23 knew, it was...

"I was wondering why they didn't come back on Saturday night. You even said you let Kano take Alert out to play, so I didn't think much of it..." Z23 closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "And what's the result? Anshan?"

"I thought there was no problem at the time." Anshan shook her head. "I didn't think this was a major issue worth discussing together; it was just a normal social activity."

"So, this is the result." Z23 was expressionless, causing even Kano beside her to shrink back together with Alert, terrified. "If A6 hadn't noticed the problem in advance, I might still be deleting videos online with Gang Yishawa right now, while spending a fortune to contact operators to control the traffic."

"I admit it, it's my fault!" Anshan shrank back. "I shouldn't have kept it from you."

"It's my fault too, I shouldn't have..." Alert stood up, then was forced back down by Z23's gaze. "...wanted to go..."

"Anshan, you must understand, this isn't about whether you kept it from us or not." Z23 sat down. "Do you know how anxious everyone was after I proactively asked Logic? I originally intended to notify the Commander immediately, but Gang Yishawa stopped me."

Speaking of which, her voice softened a bit. "Alert, I know you are worried that your actions might affect everyone, but we are family. I hope you can think about it next time. Even the Commander isn't absolutely impossible to persuade."

"I... I understand... I'll be careful next time..."

"And you, Kano." Z23 looked at Kano. "The others don't understand, but you don't either? Why did you join in on their nonsense?"

"Because I thought... it was no big deal..." Kano poked her fingers. "It wasn't dangerous for us anyway..."

"Then do you remember why the Commander came here?"

"Because of studies and... to treat his psychological issues..."

"Then do you think, given his current state, that what you did was actually counterproductive?"

"Umm..."

"Alright, that's it." Z23 shook her head. "Now, I want you to think carefully about why I'm so angry today. I haven't said much, but I hope you can understand."

"Especially you, Anshan. Although I don't know your past, I hope you can understand that force is not the prerequisite for everything."

"Alert... I can understand your thoughts, but just as the Commander said, we have actually discussed you getting involved in these matters. It is indeed a bit too early, but..."

Looking into Alert's eyes, "Since you have already participated, please make sure to see it through."

"...Yes!"

"And you, Kano..." Z23 hesitated for a moment. "I am very grateful for your protection of Alert, but I still hope you will think twice before acting. You are Verres's deputy, and I think you can understand what I mean."

"Yes, I understand... I will remember it..."

"How is the Commander's condition?"

A6 stood by the Commander's bed. "He is completely unconscious. Based on experience, his consciousness should have already fallen into that... space."

"I understand." Z23 looked worried. "I hope there won't be any problems."

Anshan leaned against the doorframe. "Nothing will go wrong."

Seeing them look over, Anshan continued, "Because he is more capable than you imagine... This is also one of the reasons I considered at the time. In fact, you all have underestimated the power that humans can unleash in an unfamiliar environment."

"Anshan..."

"Z23, there are some things... I admit, I went a bit too far, but in my philosophy, Li Ming must endure it." Anshan interrupted her. "Alert and Kano were here just now, so there were some things I couldn't tell you, but I must say that although I am stubborn, so is Li Ming."

She closed the door and came to Li Ming's bedside. "I have a way to check. How about it, do you trust me?"

"Hmm..." Z23 was silent for a while, then she pulled A6 back to the table.

Anshan placed her fingers on his forehead, and some blue light emerged from her fingertips.

"...Not bad. It seems Logic gave Li Ming quite a few good things." Anshan withdrew her hand. "Most of the threats over there can no longer harm him. Z23, perhaps you don't understand the Commander as well as I do anymore."

Z23 breathed a sigh of relief and then looked at Li Ming's sleeping face.

Honestly, Li Ming's sleeping expression wasn't good; it even seemed a bit distorted.

But as a Ship Girl... as a sworn ship, she still never tired of looking at him.

"Li Ming has his own philosophy, viewpoints, and opinions. But he has never discussed some core issues with us." Anshan continued to explain her actions. "However, on other issues, he seems too dependent on you... on the decisions of the decision-making group, to the point where he seems to have no opinions of his own. This is a disconnect."

"But..."

"The Commander needs time to treat his psychological issues, right?" Anshan asked. "That is certainly no problem, but in reality, the situation is a different matter."

"Your Commander needs more than just gentle and calm healing. He certainly likes these things, but... A6, if I remember correctly, you went on an expedition with Li Ming, right?"

A6 nodded.

"How do you think he performed at that time?"

"Too... calm. He remained very rational in a crisis environment."

"That's it. Li Ming needs an occasional safe haven, but he doesn't need to be drowned in a comfort zone. Perhaps a comfort zone can make him feel comfortable, but over time, he loses the desire to change himself." Anshan withdrew her hand. "His trauma cannot be treated by validation alone; it requires a change in his self-perception. But the problem is, his perception is deeply rooted."

"Do you mean that we should appropriately let him take over tasks?"

"No, I mean, let him express his own views, whether actively or passively, whether good or bad. At the very least, let him say it out loud, just like this time."