Scum A with a Sweet Black Lotus O – Chapter 144
by Little PandaFlowers in the Mirror (5)
Fu Chaoyun leaned closer again.
“Then Zhizhi—”
“Your answer for me is…?”
The Alpha before her was undoubtedly outstanding, captivating, even describable as perfect.
Now, she so earnestly offered her heart, smiling brightly, fearlessly and dauntlessly presenting it to her—
Thump-thump.
Thump-thump.
Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump.
Pei Xuezhi could hear her own heartbeat, one beat after another, first uncontrollably shifting from regular to irregular, then she could only secretly suppress it, bringing it back to the boundary of regularity.
She was, after all, not…
Pei Xuezhi’s eyes lowered slightly.
“No.”
“I refuse.”
Though they were more familiar now, this time there wasn’t even a perfunctory “sorry.”
Fu Chaoyun didn’t seem disappointed, nor surprised. She nodded, as if calmly accepting this outcome.
Before Pei Xuezhi could breathe a sigh of relief, she asked again.
“Why?”
That hand once again caressed the ends of Pei Xuezhi’s hair, stroke after stroke, as if for solace.
The Alpha didn’t become angry out of shame; on the contrary, she offered a beautiful smile, seemingly capable of lowering one’s guard.
“Even if I’m rejected, Zhizhi, you should at least give me a reason… shouldn’t you?”
—She doesn’t seem as calm as she’s letting on either~
But.
A reason.
What reason?
The clichéd “We’re not suitable,” “You deserve a better choice”…
Just thinking them over in her head, Pei Xuezhi gave up on them.
—None of these are appropriate.
Even if Fu Chaoyun acted easygoing in front of her, she was still a heaven’s favored daughter, with an inherent pride in her bones. How could she be someone who gives up so easily?
She would inevitably insist on getting to the bottom of things1. Their recent interactions allowed Pei Xuezhi to imagine her reaction just by sketching it out, down to every minute gesture and expression while speaking.
“Where are we not suitable? Tell me.”
“I think Zhizhi is my best choice—the best, there won’t be any better.”
Thus, Pei Xuezhi decided to solve it once and for all2, “I don’t like you.”
I don’t like you.
Fu Chaoyun nodded again, indicating she understood.
The next second.
“Then what type does Zhizhi like?” Fu Chaoyun still smiled beautifully. “I can slowly change.”
Her eyes were so clear, so earnest… so focused that Pei Xuezhi couldn’t bring herself to say any more decisive words and fled in disarray.
Fu Chaoyun’s confession was rejected!
Normally, the distance between two people should gradually widen to avoid putting both in an awkward situation.
But ever since being brought back from the police station, Pei Xuezhi had been taken in by the Fu family. The entire Fu family, including Fu Chaoyun, treated her very well. She was selfish and cold, but not ungrateful.
For now, she had no legitimate reason to leave.
Besides.
Fu Chaoyun wasn’t exactly thin-skinned.
So what if she failed once?
She would just continue pursuing.
This Alpha had never tasted failure growing up. This occasional instance didn’t defeat her; instead, it spurred her on, making her more determined with each setback.
After all, that was the mission she liked, the one she held on the very tip of her heart.
—And, it wasn’t as if she was completely unmoved, utterly defeated3.
This chase lasted for a very long time.
Pei Xuezhi said, “You can find someone who likes you.”
Fu Chaoyun huffed lightly, “So many people like me, but I only want to find the one I like. Besides, I’ll return the same words to Zhizhi.”
The one who liked “Pei Xuezhi,” wasn’t that precisely “Fu Chaoyun”?
Pei Xuezhi then said, “You’re an Alpha. Your future partner should be an Omega, not someone who can’t differentiate.”
Fu Chaoyun didn’t care at all. “I’ve always said, pheromones are not my first choice.”
“But your family’s situation…”
Fu Chaoyun directly interrupted, “Our family doesn’t have a throne to inherit.”
“Besides, if it’s about inheriting the family business, my older sister is there to take the lead, it won’t be my turn. She’s also started going on blind dates recently. As for my parents’ situation, doesn’t Zhizhi already know it clearly?”
Pei Xuezhi: “…”
So filial!
As someone taken in by the Fu family, Pei Xuezhi naturally knew the character of the Fu family members—wealthy but not rigid, otherwise, those two children wouldn’t be able to live so freely.
In terms of economic status and social standing, the Fu family was indeed a prestigious family, but it was different from what Pei Xuezhi was familiar with.
No.
It was completely and utterly different.
…
Pei Xuezhi eventually found these clichéd excuses and listed them one by one for Fu Chaoyun.
But for every reason she stated, Fu Chaoyun wouldn’t listen or believe it. On the contrary, she could always find ten thousand counterarguments.
She was indeed bright and flamboyant, a complete contrast to herself. Pei Xuezhi also reminded herself ten thousand times not to get close, not to be bewitched, yet…
She was uncontrollably drawn to her.
Everyone saw Fu Chaoyun’s pursuit of Pei Xuezhi, but since Pei Xuezhi never nodded in agreement, some people started to get ideas.
“Pei Xuezhi doesn’t like you at all!”
After a confession was rejected, the other person’s originally tender and sweet voice gradually became sharp, piercing the eardrums.
But it seemed it wasn’t just the eardrums that were pierced.
“Look at me! I’m an Omega! We are the ones whose family background, looks, and gender are compatible! Fu Chaoyun, why must you be so hung up on an adopted daughter!!”
The other person wasn’t wrong in a single sentence.
Pei Xuezhi’s origins were unknown, she was living under someone else’s roof4, not to mention she hadn’t differentiated yet, making her an anomaly. Only her face could match Fu Chaoyun’s.
She was indeed excellent, but she hadn’t entered society yet. This bit of excellence was like submerged gold, incomparable to the overwhelming family backgrounds others possessed.
Fu Chaoyun was pursuing her.
But in a sense, she was indeed Fu Chaoyun’s “stain.”
Fu Chaoyun’s tone was usually somewhat lazy, occasionally acting shamelessly cute and soft when facing her, but at this moment, it was unprecedentedly cold.
“What’s it to you.”
Eavesdropping was immoral, but for Pei Xuezhi, she felt more disdain for such behavior.
Having unintentionally stumbled upon it, she should have left, but at this moment, for some unknown reason, her feet seemed glued to the spot. At the same time, she uncontrollably looked up—
Fu Chaoyun’s usually smiling eyes were now narrowed, her entire exquisitely beautiful face suffused with coldness.
“You can say the same thing to your own pursuers.”
Fu Chaoyun didn’t want to get entangled with the other person. After saying this, she was about to leave, but as she looked up, her gaze met Pei Xuezhi’s.
Dark and deep.
Close by, yet seemingly distant.
Unsure if it was because she was caught red-handed or due to embarrassment, the moment their eyes met, Pei Xuezhi turned and walked away. Fu Chaoyun couldn’t care about anything else and quickly chased after her.
Pei Xuezhi’s pace was a bit rushed at first, then gradually seemed to slow down. Or perhaps Fu Chaoyun was chasing too closely. Eventually, Fu Chaoyun caught up.
It was indeed awkward to encounter such a thing. Besides, Fu Chaoyun and that person had made things very clear just now. At this moment, Fu Chaoyun just followed beside Pei Xuezhi, not speaking, merely accompanying her quietly.
“Not leaving?” It was Pei Xuezhi who spoke first.
“Leave?” Fu Chaoyun smiled, her tone just like usual. “Leave to where?”
To the place where the heaven’s favored daughter, Fu Chaoyun, should go.
The thought flashed through her mind, but the words were swallowed.
“Fu Chaoyun,” Pei Xuezhi called.
“En?” the Alpha responded lazily, adopting her usual demeanor, perhaps also to make Pei Xuezhi less embarrassed.
Sometimes, the companionship of actions is more powerful than pale words.
“You previously—”
When Pei Xuezhi spoke again, her voice, for some unknown reason, carried a hint of dullness. She paused for a moment, as if clearing her throat.
A moment later.
“The suggestion you made earlier, if it hasn’t changed…”
Once the words were out.
The countless suppressed emotions from before were like a sponge squeezed to its limit. She had merely torn a small opening, allowing a tiny bit of air in, and in an instant, it swelled into a towering entity.
Layer by layer, it rapidly shot upwards towards the sky. Finally, Pei Xuezhi stood beside it, feeling like a tiny ant, only able to look up in awe.
She had been suppressing it day after day, repetitively. Had this emotion unknowingly accumulated and swelled to such an extent?
…To a degree that even she herself was shocked.
At the same time, Pei Xuezhi also realized that besides selfishness and indifference, she actually possessed other inferior emotions—
Jealousy and possessiveness.
No matter how many reasons were given, they were all excuses!
She actually knew it all along. Analyzing pros and cons was fruitless, rational treatment was fruitless, unable to escape or perhaps fundamentally unwilling to escape…
To some extent, she was also timid and cowardly.
Countless dark emotions filled the space around Pei Xuezhi, almost twisting her into a black vortex, deeply trapped within, unable to break free.
Everything was initiated by someone else, so how could she be the only one trapped in the vortex now?
Come down!
Since she had decided she wanted it, then she must disregard everything and snatch it back fiercely!
It was offered by the other party to begin with, wasn’t it? She had given the other party so many chances to run away, but unfortunately, that person didn’t cherish them… Then they could just wait for her to devour them bit by bit.
After figuring this out, Pei Xuezhi’s thoughts became exceptionally clear. When she looked at the person again, her dark, profound eyes reflected the other’s settled appearance.
She said.
“I agree.”
Agree that they could try.
Her long-cherished wish fulfilled, Fu Chaoyun should have been pleasantly surprised, but now it was as if their roles had reversed; Fu Chaoyun’s reaction was unexpectedly calm.
“What if I’ve changed my mind?” the Alpha asked in return.
Pei Xuezhi’s eyes seemed to dim for a moment. She opened her mouth, “Then—”
Before she could finish.
Fu Chaoyun moved right over, hugging Pei Xuezhi tightly, her head lowered, resting on Pei Xuezhi’s shoulder.
“It won’t change.”
The Alpha hugged her, nuzzling gently in this position, as if acting spoiled. Due to her posture, her voice also seemed a bit muffled, not very clear.
In short, there was none of an Alpha’s self-important bad temper!
But perhaps because the distance was too close, or perhaps her focus was intense, Pei Xuezhi still heard everything clearly.
“Zhizhi.” Tilting her head, her lips seemed to accidentally brush against Pei Xuezhi’s neck, like an ambiguous kiss. “I’m very happy.”
It turned out it wasn’t just the feeling of a maximally compressed sponge instantly expanding, but more like dropping an ice cube into sparkling water, stirring up countless bubbles of excitement, even the tip of her heart danced with joy.
They had just confirmed their relationship; was Fu Chaoyun acting a bit too frivolous with such a gesture?
Forget it.
Having finally faced her own feelings, Pei Xuezhi chose to be tolerant. Just consider it… consider it a reward for always following the rules.
Yes, and a sweetener too.
Pei Xuezhi embraced the person in her arms, also embracing an inextinguishable warmth.
She made the final decision5, “We’re together.”
…
Achieving her goal by such a strange twist of fate6, she actually had to thank that confessor.
As for the interrupted sentence in between?
“Then I’ll take back what I said”?
—“Of course, impossible!”
After experiencing some setbacks, Fu Chaoyun and Pei Xuezhi finally got together.
Strictly speaking.
It wasn’t really “setbacks,” merely “pulling and tugging,” perhaps with the words “flirtatious spice” added.
Back when she was pursuing her, Fu Chaoyun had already made everything about herself crystal clear. The only hurdle to overcome was Pei Xuezhi’s.
Also the final hurdle.
Once this layer was broken through, their relationship rapidly warmed up, though there were still some issues—
“Zhizhi still hasn’t differentiated?” Suddenly, Fu Chaoyun asked while stroking Pei Xuezhi’s hair.
Pei Xuezhi glanced sideways at the Alpha. “Regretting it now?”
Her temperament was rather solitary and indifferent, mostly a self-defense mechanism. Once she was willing to truly open her heart to someone, and if that person genuinely cherished her, she would inevitably pick up a touch of spoiled willfulness.
Now, the coldness in her expression had faded, seemingly carrying a hint of charm.
“Of course not.” Fu Chaoyun, now promoted to girlfriend, had her survival instinct maxed out, leaning close to Pei Xuezhi’s ear to whisper a couple of sentences.
“I’m definitely an adult, otherwise, you can check my bone age7.” Pei Xuezhi answered very seriously, only the roots of her ears turned a little red when she tilted her neck up.
Then Fu Chaoyun leaned down and captured her lips.
The two frolicked for quite a while, ending with Pei Xuezhi gently stroking Fu Chaoyun’s hair—it had gotten messy during their earlier “encounter.”
The Alpha leaned against her, lazy and languid, as if she had no bones. Her features, which had blossomed over the past year or so, were even more exquisite, the corners of her eyes tinged with crimson, looking somewhat satiated.
Outside, the sky darkened, looking like it was about to rain.
Pei Xuezhi suddenly remembered the evening she first met Fu Chaoyun—dim, cold, and the other person had spotted her at a glance.
The hand stroking her hair paused slightly.
“Jiejie.”
Fu Chaoyun was a few months older than Pei Xuezhi, but they were the same age cohort. Pei Xuezhi was also strong-willed, so she rarely called the other “Jiejie.” Instead, it was the clingy Alpha who, shamelessly, would sweetly call “Jiejie,” “Jiejie” when she wanted something.
Not a bit of shame!
—Why feel ashamed when there are benefits to be had!
Pei Xuezhi’s voice softened. “Did you have those kinds of thoughts about me from the very first time we met?”
Fu Chaoyun suddenly looked up, her eyes shining brightly.
“You’re only just realizing it!” Saying so, she went to kiss Pei Xuezhi’s lips.
…
Naturally, it wasn’t that deep love is not fated for longevity8 from the first meeting, but it was indeed being smitten by beauty at first sight9.
Subsequently, as she gradually understood her, she fell deeper and deeper, made a decisive plan, arranged her forces, but when it came to actually making a move, it was a slow and steady approach…
The accident on the day of her agreement was not her arrangement—no matter what, her pursuit should not be achieved by harming the other party.
Fortunately, the ending was good.
…
…
Outside the house.
A torrential downpour.
Rainwater slid down the windowpanes. The temperature difference between inside and outside caused a layer of mist to form on the indoor glass. The dim yellow light fell, making the two figures reflected on the hazy glass indistinct.
Faintly, they looked like crane necks gently intertwining, preening each other.
Raindrops washed down, layer by layer, falling…
—At least this night, was no longer cold.
The author has something to say:
The Flowers in the Mirror arc is just one chapter away from ending, then we return to the main storyline.
In my outline, it was supposed to be just one chapter’s worth of content…
Footnotes
- 打破砂锅问到底 | dǎ pò shāguō wèn dàodǐ | Literally “break the clay pot to ask to the very end.” An idiom meaning to probe relentlessly, to insist on getting to the bottom of an issue.
- 一劳永逸 | yī láo yǒng yì | Literally “toil once and be at ease forever.” An idiom meaning to solve a problem once and for all, achieving a lasting solution with a single effort.
- 一败涂地 | yī bài tú dì | Literally “one defeat smears the ground.” An idiom meaning to suffer a crushing or disastrous defeat.
- 寄人篱下 | jì rén lí xià | Literally “lodge under another’s fence.” An idiom meaning to live under someone else’s roof, dependent on others, often implying a feeling of insecurity or being an outsider.
- 一锤定音 | yī chuí dìng yīn | Literally “one hammer sets the tone/tune.” An idiom meaning to make the final decision, to settle the matter with one decisive stroke.
- 阴错阳差 | yīn cuò yáng chā | Literally “yin error, yang mistake.” An idiom meaning by a strange combination of circumstances, due to a freak coincidence, or through a series of unexpected mishaps leading to a particular outcome.
- 骨龄 | gǔlíng | Bone age. A measure of skeletal maturity, often used to assess if a person has reached full physical development.
- 情深不寿 | qíng shēn bù shòu | A literary phrase meaning that very deep or intense love often does not last long, or that those who love too deeply are not destined for a long life. It implies an intensity that burns out quickly or invites tragedy.
- 见色起意 | jiàn sè qǐ yì | Literally “see beauty and conceive an idea.” An idiom meaning to be attracted to someone’s physical appearance at first sight and develop intentions (often romantic or lustful).
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