Ha, Karma! – Chapter 35

“Our Young Master is so good to me, I’m so touched~”

After finishing their conversation about the past, Fu Lianxue began to feel bored.

She squeezed onto the sofa with Chu Zhaoqiu, resting her legs on the latter’s lap, arrogantly using the Young Master as her footrest.

After propping up her legs, she began to fidget, touching here and there, completely restless.

Having already barged into a private residence, she no longer cared about such courtesies.

Besides, she didn’t need to be courteous in front of Chu Zhaoqiu.

Chu Zhaoqiu didn’t stop her either, letting her move about as she pleased, as if this wasn’t just her room, but their shared home.

When at home, one should feel free to be themselves.

Fu Lianxue fidgeted around until she noticed the book Chu Zhaoqiu had been reading earlier.

She picked it up, placing her thumb where Chu Zhaoqiu had left off, then casually flipped through it.

A textured deep blue cover, clearly printed inner pages, inside was written…

Fu Lianxue skimmed through quickly, raised an eyebrow, and turned to look at the person leaning against the chair: “You want to grow flowers and plants?”

Chu Zhaoqiu replied honestly: “Mm, growing the Blue Stars to give to you.”

“Oh?”

“I promised you.”

Because of love, every request must be fulfilled.

Regardless of the past, she now only wanted to do everything possible to make Fu Lianxue happy.

Fu Lianxue held the book motionless.

In that moment, she recalled the distant past.

As her thoughts withdrew from those memories, she looked at the person before her with rare seriousness.

No matter what, Chu Zhaoqiu’s thoughtfulness truly surprised her.

She reached out to gently caress Chu Zhaoqiu’s face, her eyes twinkling with a smile, voice coquettish: “Our Young Master is so good to me, I’m so touched~”

Then she leaned in slightly closer: “If you really give me the Blue Stars, I’ll definitely…”

Her words trailed off as her gaze fell seductively on Chu Zhaoqiu’s lips, her hand delicately resting on the latter’s nape.

Chu Zhaoqiu was drawn in by her allure, unconsciously leaning toward her.

The distance between them grew smaller and smaller.

Their fragrances began to intertwine.

Fu Lianxue raised her thumb, brushing it across Chu Zhaoqiu’s lips.

In an instant, the atmosphere became charged with ambiguity, like fire.

Just as their foreheads were about to touch, Chu Zhaoqiu saw Fu Lianxue’s lips curl into a smile as she said: “I’ll definitely thank you properly.”

After saying this, she even patted her shoulder.

Just teasing, no kiss.

She did it on purpose.

Chu Zhaoqiu: “…”

She couldn’t help but laugh.

This was within expectations.

Fu Lianxue closed the book, put it back, then crossed her arms and asked: “What are you laughing at? Have you gone stupid?”

Chu Zhaoqiu gazed at her tenderly: “Laughing at myself.”

Fu Lianxue: “Hm?”

Chu Zhaoqiu said: “Knowing you wouldn’t kiss me, knowing you’re doing it on purpose, yet I still can’t help taking the bait, can’t help but hope.”

Fu Lianxue raised her eyebrows proudly: “It just shows how charming I am.”

Chu Zhaoqiu smiled and played along with her words: “Yes, that’s right.”

Fu Lianxue poked her again: “It also shows you’re stupid.”

“Chu Zhaoqiu, you’ve become foolish.”

The old Chu Zhaoqiu wouldn’t have fallen for this.

The current Chu Zhaoqiu… she’d take the bait with just a crook of my finger.

Sure, your magical arts have improved, but your resistance to temptation has gotten worse, much worse.

After hearing this, Chu Zhaoqiu turned to look into her eyes, gaze both tender and serious.

“If it’s you, I’m willing to be this foolish next time too.”

Once, twice, a thousand times, ten thousand times – as long as it’s her, she would willingly take the bait, continuing to hope there might be something between them.

Fu Lianxue was caught off guard by this sincere confession.

Whenever this happened, she could never find the right words to respond.

She had lived for thousands of years, yet here she was, being flustered by a few words from this twenty-something-year-old enemy!

How embarrassing for a demon!

No, she had to regain some ground.

“Heh, easy for you to say! Haven’t you heard the story of the boy who cried wolf? After three times, you definitely won’t believe it anymore!”

Chu Zhaoqiu said: “A wolf is a wolf, you are you.”

“I can guard against wolves, can chase them away, but you’re different.”

“Lianxue, I’m happy you come to see me, will you come more often in the future?”

She curved her eyes into a smile, looking tenderly beautiful, very captivating.

Fu Lianxue: “…”

“Do you think I’m some idle person? Who has time to keep visiting you!”

“Then can I come visit you?”

“Can I?”

“No, you can’t!”

Fu Lianxue awkwardly got off her with a twisted expression.

“I’m a big star, is a big star someone people can just casually meet? Even if you’re some young master, you still can’t!”

Chu Zhaoqiu suggested with a gentle smile: “It’s not good for a big star to keep climbing through other people’s windows.”

Fu Lianxue: “…”

“Fine, I’ll seal this window right now, and never come again.”

Fu Lianxue turned and raised her hand, about to cast a spell.

Chu Zhaoqiu moved first, grabbed her hand, interrupting just in time and apologizing: “I’m sorry, it’s my honor that a big star would climb through my window.”

Fu Lianxue turned her face away tsundere-style: “Hmph, good that you know.”

Chu Zhaoqiu held her hand without letting go, eyes burning bright: “Then will you come more often?”

Fu Lianxue looked back into her eyes.

Chu Zhaoqiu’s gaze was clear and gentle like water, full of anticipation: “I want to see you, every day, seeing you makes me happy.”

Fu Lianxue instantly regained the upper hand, yanking her hand back triumphantly: “Why should I make you happy?”

She poked Chu Zhaoqiu’s chest, right where her sword had once struck: “Loving me is your retribution, understand?”

No matter how well Chu Zhaoqiu treated her now, no matter how sincere her attitude, it couldn’t change the fact that she had once stabbed her with a sword.

She had remembered this sword wound for thousands of years – how could she just let it go? That would be too spineless.

She wasn’t happy, and she wouldn’t let her be happy either. That’s just how mercurial [sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind] she was!

“Until you have the Blue Stars ready, let’s not meet again.”

Fu Lianxue left after saying this, completely cold.

Chu Zhaoqiu stood by the window, watching the direction Fu Lianxue had gone.

She raised her hand, pressing it where Fu Lianxue had poked, silent.

That sword strike from back then must have hurt her deeply…

Qu Xinru went back and thought carefully.

She still couldn’t let it go, still cared deeply, cared enough to want to ask Cen Zhu directly: Do you really like her?

But she was also afraid of hearing an answer she didn’t want to hear…

Qu Xinru stood at her door, hand on the doorknob, hesitating to press it down.

Just then, there was a sudden knock on her door.

Her father’s voice came from outside.

“Xiaoru, Dad brought back some late-night snacks, with your favorite grilled corn and chicken legs, and cola. Come out quickly, or Mom will eat it all!”

Then her mother’s voice: “Nonsense! I’ve only eaten one hot dog!”

Qu Xinru listened to their voices, unconsciously curving her eyes into a smile.

She liked Cen Zhu, and she also loved this home, loved these parents.

A few seconds later, she no longer hesitated, walking out to eat late-night snacks with her parents.

Dad brought late-night snacks, so she would eat them first – she couldn’t disappoint Dad’s thoughtful gesture!

But while eating, she couldn’t help thinking of Cen Zhu again.

The three of them had eaten barbecue together before…

Cen Zhu wasn’t home now, probably out looking for Chu Sining…

Mr. and Mrs. Qu keenly noticed their daughter’s unusual mood.

The couple exchanged glances.

Mom spoke first: “Xinru, do you have something on your mind lately?”

Dad followed quickly: “If something’s bothering you, don’t keep it bottled up, you can consider telling Mom and Dad.”

Mom nodded: “Yes, keeping things bottled up inside isn’t good for you.”

Qu Xinru looked at their concerned expressions, feeling warmth in her heart, but also more conflicted.

Her troubles weren’t easy to tell parents directly.

How should she tell them?

Tell them that she actually likes girls, and that girl happens to be Cen Zhu, but she doesn’t know if Cen Zhu likes someone else, so she’s worried now, like she’s experiencing heartbreak?

But what if they couldn’t accept her coming out? Wouldn’t that just give her more headaches?

This really wasn’t something she could say directly…

“Um… it’s nothing much.”

She lowered her head, looking at the corn in her hands.

“Just wondering if a friend has found another close friend…”

Her father blurted out: “You mean Xiaozhu?”

Qu Xinru immediately exclaimed excitedly: “Not her, not her!

“It’s- it’s someone else!”

The couple exchanged glances again, then looked at their daughter together.

“Mom thinks you shouldn’t overthink it, shouldn’t make wild guesses, you should just ask directly.”

“Dad thinks the same way, ask directly.”

“No matter how much we guess, even if we guess until our hair falls out, it’s not as good as getting a clear, straightforward answer from the other person.”

“Right, and sometimes wild guessing can also harm your relationship, that’s not good.”

Although they didn’t know exactly what was troubling their daughter, they gave what advice they could.

Their child was still young, it was normal to feel lost occasionally on life’s journey.

As parents, they should provide guidance rather than ignore their child’s emotions.

Qu Xinru took it all in.

What they said made sense.

What good would it do to rack her brains guessing here?

Sure, Cen Zhu was diligent about meeting Chu Sining, but did that necessarily equal love?

She shouldn’t overthink it, she should boldly ask, put a period to all her wild thoughts and wandering mind.

“Thank you, Mom and Dad, I know what to do now.”

Tomorrow she would ask Cen Zhu directly if she liked Chu Sining!

Sunday morning, Qu Xinru got up early to brush her teeth and wash her face, then went to the apartment across to find Cen Zhu for breakfast together.

For all these years, this had been their routine.

Everyone in the neighborhood knew these two children from different families were close, always inseparable.

The two found a breakfast shop and sat down, ordering soy milk, xiaolongbao, and youtiao, slowly enjoying them in the rising steam.

Qu Xinru scooped up some soy milk, secretly lifting her eyes to look at Cen Zhu across the table.

Cen Zhu was gently pushing all their ordered items toward her, wanting her to eat more.

She was always taking care of her like this.

Qu Xinru really liked this side of her.

It made her feel that she had a place in her heart, that she was important to her.

But now Chu Sining also occupied a place in Cen Zhu’s heart…

Thinking of this, Qu Xinru’s eyebrows drooped dejectedly, becoming conflicted again.

After a moment, she softly asked: “Ah Zhu, are you going to meet Sining later?”

Cen Zhu took a sip of soy milk and replied: “Mm.”

She needed to seize the time to cultivate well, strive to live a bit longer.

Then, she heard Qu Xinru follow up with: “Do you… like her?”

Cen Zhu froze for a moment, as if hearing an unbelievable question.

“Who?”

“Sining.”

“Who likes Sining?”

“You…”

After speaking, Qu Xinru didn’t dare raise her head.

She didn’t dare look at Cen Zhu’s face, afraid to see an expression she didn’t want to see.

But things didn’t develop in a bad direction.

She suddenly heard a laugh reach her ears, a very unexpected laugh.

She blinked helplessly, raised her head to look at Cen Zhu, and saw the other person laughing happily, as if all her questions were just an amusing joke.

She tilted her head in confusion: “?”

Was her question really that funny…

Cen Zhu finished laughing and immediately put on a serious expression, explaining very patiently: “Xinru, Sining and I aren’t that kind of relationship, we’re just friends, I don’t like her, I—”

The words paused here.

Then, she reached out and stroked Qu Xinru’s hair: “Anyway, don’t misunderstand, don’t overthink things, you and I will always be the closest.”

The unfinished words were never spoken.

Only then did Qu Xinru’s eyes curve into a bright smile, her mood suddenly relaxing.

“Mm!”

Her mood was brilliant, her appetite opened up, and she ate with even more enthusiasm.

Hehe, she said we’ll always be the closest…

Cen Zhu looked at her smiling face, feeling both helpless and satisfied, ultimately saying nothing, quietly accompanying her for breakfast.

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