Ha, Karma! – Chapter 26

A Fanatic Fan Right Beside Me?!

On Friday, as school let out for the weekend, Chu Sining took a car home.

As soon as she got home, she tossed her bag aside and flopped unhappily onto the sofa.

Chu Zhaoqiu came down from upstairs to find her sister sprawled on the sofa playing dead.

She turned her head to glance at the dining table.

The ayi [阿姨 | āyí | housekeeper/maid] was placing the prepared dishes on the table, not much, just portions for two.

Their parents were managing the Chu Yun Group and had their own house outside, only returning during free time.

Their grandmother had gone to visit a friend today and wouldn’t be back for dinner either.

Today it would be just the two sisters having dinner together.

Chu Zhaoqiu went downstairs to help serve rice and dishes, and only after everything was ready did she call out to her sister on the sofa: “Sining, wash your hands for dinner.”

Chu Sining obediently got up at her words.

Though unhappy she might be, matters of eating couldn’t be taken lightly.

She washed her hands clean, took a bottle of soda from the refrigerator, took two gulps with a “glug glug” sound, then said: “Jie, I’m unhappy.”

Chu Zhaoqiu was helping her pick up food with chopsticks, not even lifting her eyes.

“Tell me.”

Chu Sining plopped down, putting down her soda: “Do you remember our school’s anniversary celebration is coming up?”

This was something Chu Zhaoqiu indeed remembered.

Chu Yun had also been a student at this school before, and every year around this time, the sisters’ school would begin preparing for the school anniversary celebration, never missing once.

“What about the school anniversary?”

“Do you know who they’re inviting this year?”

“Who?”

“Fu Lianxue!”

Chu Sining’s voice instantly shot up, her tone exaggerated, filled with disbelief.

Chu Zhaoqiu paused slightly, finally raising her eyes to look at her sister.

During this time, Fu Lianxue hadn’t sought her out, hadn’t paid attention to her, hadn’t caused her any trouble – so this was because she was preparing for Zhou University’s anniversary?

Chu Sining was extremely unhappy.

Why did it have to be Fu Lianxue, why specifically Fu Lianxue!

In the past, she would have been overjoyed to hear this news.

But now that Fu Lianxue had become a sworn enemy who wanted to kill her sister, how could she happily participate in this anniversary celebration?!

She wasn’t happy, she was very unhappy!

“Why is she like a lingering ghost that won’t go away!”

But she heard her sister calmly say from across the table: “I remember, she was invited to your school’s anniversary celebrations before too.”

Chu Sining: “How do you know that?”

Chu Zhaoqiu: “I saw it when I was looking up information about her.”

Chu Sining: “?

“Why are you looking up her information—oh, I get it, ‘know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never be defeated in battle’. You should look her up, definitely should, look up more!”

She didn’t even consider the possibility that her sister might like Fu Lianxue.

“But when I see her, my heart still feels something…”

Then, she began making bold assumptions: “Could it be that she knew I’m studying at Zhou University this year, so she came to participate in our school’s anniversary celebration to use me to threaten you?”

After saying this, she felt it made perfect sense, as if this was definitely the truth, and couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath: “She’s so evil!”

Chu Zhaoqiu listened to her conspiracy theory and shook her head with a helpless smile: “She wouldn’t do that.”

“Why wouldn’t she?”

“Because the person she has a grudge against is me, not you. She won’t harm innocent people.”

“That’s strange, how can you be so sure?”

Chu Zhaoqiu picked up some boiled meat slices [水煮肉片 | shuǐzhǔ ròupiàn | a popular Chinese dish] her sister loved and placed them in her bowl, saying gently: “Think about it, since the day we met, has she ever targeted anyone besides me? Has anyone in the Chu family been harmed because of this matter?”

Chu Sining hesitated with an “um.”

It seemed there hadn’t been any such cases.

Never mind others, even the target of Fu Lianxue’s hatred, her sister, was still sitting unharmed before her.

Fu Lianxue clearly said she hated her, yet there had been no sign of revenge…

Seeing her contemplating, Chu Zhaoqiu spoke softly again: “Jiejie knows you’re feeling indignant on my behalf, but at the root of it, regarding this school anniversary matter, Miss Fu hasn’t done anything wrong, right?”

Chu Sining pursed her lips, responding reluctantly: “Mm…”

Chu Zhaoqiu said: “Your school made these arrangements to make you all happy. With her current fame and ability, there must be many people at your school who like her. You were once one of them.”

Chu Sining immediately looked embarrassed: “I won’t be a fangirl anymore!”

Chu Zhaoqiu smiled and reached out to pat her little head: “It’s okay, there’s no crime in liking someone. When you discover they’re not good or not worth your affection, you can just withdraw that feeling.”

After hearing her sister’s comfort, Chu Sining felt somewhat moved.

Her sister was really becoming more and more like their grandmother.

Benevolent, kind, and broad-minded.

“Jie, you’re so good. She wants to kill you, yet you’re still speaking up for her.”

Chu Zhaoqiu smiled and withdrew her hand, scooped up some soup to drink, then asked with complete composure: “So, does your school anniversary allow family members to attend?”

Chu Sining: “?”

The Zhou University anniversary arrived as scheduled.

Chu Sining still attended.

The school anniversary was always organized to be lively and interesting each year, and she didn’t want to miss it because of Fu Lianxue.

She also didn’t believe Fu Lianxue would dare to make a move against her in front of so many people.

If Fu Lianxue really dared to do so, she would immediately call her sister over!

The evening anniversary celebration didn’t allow family members, and since she had something come up suddenly, Chu Zhaoqiu didn’t come.

However, she promised her sister that if anything happened, she would rush over immediately, and if nothing happened, she would come pick her up after the celebration ended.

As soon as Chu Sining entered the school, she ran to meet her classmates.

Two classmates, one from her class, one from the neighboring class.

The one from her class was a short-haired, cold-faced girl called Cen Zhu [岑竹 | Cén Zhú].

The one from the neighboring class was a girl with long hair and neat bangs, with delicate features, called Qu Xinru [曲馨如 | Qǔ Xīnrú].

Cen Zhu and Qu Xinru had grown up together, and now they had even tested into the same university, their relationship was very close.

Chu Sining only knew Qu Xinru through Cen Zhu, but their relationship was ordinary, far from being as close as Cen Zhu and Qu Xinru were.

Cen Zhu was two months older than Qu Xinru, and Qu Xinru had always particularly liked to stick close to this jiejie.

“You’re here.”

Qu Xinru smiled and greeted Chu Sining.

The girl had sweet features, and when she smiled, she had two small dimples, making her appear very approachable.

Chu Sining responded with a smile, then said sheepishly: “I came a bit late, seems like there’s no time to buy bubble tea now, right?”

They saw Cen Zhu expressionlessly pull out three cups of bubble tea from behind her.

Qu Xinru said with a smile: “She already bought them!”

Chu Sining delightedly accepted her cup: “Thank you!”

Cen Zhu nodded, saying calmly: “Let’s go, we should head in, they’re starting to line up.”

The anniversary performance venue was still set up in the gymnasium, with two large screens inside, allowing students in the stands to see clearly.

The seating areas were divided by major and class, with counselors leading their groups in in an orderly fashion.

Chu Sining and Cen Zhu had adjacent seats, and next to Cen Zhu was Qu Xinru’s class section.

Qu Xinru had specifically exchanged seats with a classmate to be near Cen Zhu.

The three of them sat together, perfectly arranged.

This anniversary celebration had also invited many celebrities, all names familiar to young people.

Their principal loved new things and wasn’t old-fashioned at all, so they were very good at gauging student preferences in this aspect.

Therefore, Zhou University’s annual anniversary celebration was like a mini concert, organized with great excitement.

Chu Sining had been quite happy last year, but this year wasn’t going so well.

Especially after Fu Lianxue appeared first, her expression became even more conflicted.

Fu Lianxue was good at warming up the crowd, and since she had other commitments later, she was scheduled as the first performer.

As soon as that beautiful face appeared on the big screen, the whole venue erupted in endless screams.

Being in such a heated atmosphere made it easier to be assimilated.

Chu Sining hadn’t compromised yet, she was still trying to resist.

—Don’t cheer, Chu Sining, she wants to kill your sister, don’t open your mouth, have some backbone!

She turned her head to look at those beside her.

Everyone had already raised their prepared light sticks to show support.

Cen Zhu was calmer, not raising anything.

But Qu Xinru was something else – not only had she prepared Fu Lianxue’s fan support stick, her eyes were shining incredibly bright.

Chu Sining: “?”

A fanatic fan was right beside her?!

“Good evening, dear students~”

Fu Lianxue’s voice came through.

Sexy, alluring, carrying an enchanting smile, simply flawless.

She was completely at ease on stage, smiling as she talked about her previous visits to the school anniversary, smiling as she wished their school continued success, and finally naturally transitioned to work, asking them what song they wanted to hear.

She casually pointed to a student in one of the sections to request a song.

Interactive performances had always been part of Zhou University’s anniversary celebrations.

The person really made a request.

Fu Lianxue really did sing.

It was a passionate, powerful song. The moment the drums struck, the blood flowing through everyone’s bodies became burning hot like fire, making people shiver, and the venue ignited once again.

Chu Sining sat with pursed lips, her brows tightly furrowed.

She had to admit, this demon Fu Lianxue was really amazing at singing.

Several times she almost broke her resolve, nearly joining in singing with those around her.

She turned her head again to look at the fanatic fan Qu Xinru, but caught a glimpse of tears in her eyes.

She: “?”

Huh? Was this supposed to be a tear-jerking song?!

Fu Lianxue finished singing and gracefully left the stage amid an atmosphere of reluctant farewells from the students.

The host came on stage to transition, as the second performer was about to take over this heated atmosphere.

Chu Sining saw Qu Xinru suddenly stand up and bow to leave.

She asked in confusion: “Where is she going?”

Cen Zhu replied: “To the bathroom.”

“Oh.”

Chu Sining turned her attention back to the big screen, this time with an incredibly lightened mood.

From now on, she wouldn’t have to restrain herself anymore!

Qu Xinru walked alone in the direction of the bathroom.

The mini concert in the gymnasium was in full swing, and since nobody wanted to leave, there weren’t many people on the way to the bathroom.

But the bathroom wasn’t her real destination.

“Click.”

The lights overhead suddenly went out, and darkness quickly enveloped everything.

Qu Xinru stood motionless.

She heard the sound of high heels clicking nearby.

Step by step, softly echoing in the empty corridor.

Then, something came to her side.

She saw a pair of beautiful purple eyes.

“Little one.”

Fu Lianxue’s voice fell on her ears, the sound of high heels circling around her, elegant yet eerie, full of pressure.

“Why do I smell a familiar scent on you?”

“This smell… doesn’t seem human, does it?”

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The author has something to say:

Fu Lianxue to others: An elegant and powerful demon

Fu Lianxue to Chu Zhaoqiu: A seemingly not-so-smart villain

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