Ha, Karma! – Chapter 40

Oh my, I forgot to remind her about something.

Chu Zhaoqiu brought Qu Xinru back to the Chu family.

This was her decision after hearing Qu Xinru’s confession.

She called Chu Zhaohua first, and after briefly summarizing the situation, Chu Zhaohua agreed to her decision—there were some things she needed to consult Chu Zhaohua’s opinion about.

Fu Lianxue came too.

Because Qu Xinru was afraid, she dared not enter the territory full of demon hunters alone with Chu Zhaoqiu.

Fu Lianxue was quite unwilling to come.

This matter had nothing to do with her, and she couldn’t be bothered to get involved.

But Qu Xinru clung to her, crying miserably, refusing to let her leave.

Even Chu Zhaoqiu joined in persuading her to come along.

Chu Zhaoqiu said, “After this matter is over, I have something to give you.”

Looking at Chu Zhaoqiu’s serious eyes, and remembering what Qu Xinru had just said about the past, she unexpectedly agreed.

As it happened, she also had something to say to her.

Now, they stood outside the Chu family villa – one human, one demon, and one ghost.

Qu Xinru held onto Fu Lianxue’s arm, and upon seeing Chu Zhaoqiu’s home, couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

She knew the Chu family was wealthy, but this was her first time directly experiencing their luxury.

Although she knew Chu Sining, Chu Sining was a young lady who didn’t chase after brands – as long as something looked good, she would wear even off-brand items worth just a few dozen yuan.

She looked at the large villa, then turned to face the calm-faced Chu Zhaoqiu: “Qiu Tianshi [秋天師 | Qiū Tiān Shī | Master Qiu/Demon Hunter Qiu], I didn’t know your home was so big…”

Fu Lianxue snorted with laughter: “What’s so big about this? I could afford it too.”

Chu Zhaoqiu gazed at her gently, then said composedly: “Let’s go in, they’re waiting inside.”

Qu Xinru suddenly hesitated.

She held Fu Lianxue tightly, viewing her as a floating log in water, her only lifeline.

“Do I really have to go in? What are you going to do to me?”

Chu Zhaoqiu said: “I won’t do anything to you, we just need to resolve your stay or departure.”

“Stay or departure?”

“Mm.”

“Can’t I… can’t I remain as I am?”

“You’ve already been exposed in front of Cen Zhu, how can you remain as you are?”

“And do you think this is fair to Qu Xinru’s parents?”

Chu Zhaoqiu’s two questions made Qu Xinru fall increasingly silent.

Everyone knew the answer, everyone knew she was struggling.

Finally, she compromised.

At this point, avoiding it would only be self-deception.

Just recently, Cen Zhu had been worried about her getting hurt, but was Cen Zhu’s concern really for her? She was just a ghost who had usurped another’s nest.

After decades of time, being able to stay by Cen Zhu’s side and having a pair of loving parents was actually enough.

It was time for her to be free.

“Let’s go in,” she said bravely after mentally preparing herself, “to decide my fate, to confess to Cen Zhu.

“I can’t keep deceiving them anymore.”

“Jie!”

Chu Sining’s voice suddenly rang out.

The three turned their heads to find Chu Sining and Cen Zhu standing at the door.

Behind the two of them stood a kind-faced elderly person.

“You’re back,” Chu Zhaohua said in a gentle tone.

“Nainai,” Chu Zhaoqiu replied obediently.

Qu Xinru sensed Cen Zhu’s gaze and guiltily hid behind Fu Lianxue.

The next second, she and Chu Zhaoqiu heard Fu Lianxue make a puzzled sound: “Eh?”

She raised her head to see Fu Lianxue staring intently at Chu Zhaoqiu’s grandmother, saying:

“Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s gaze instantly converged on Chu Zhaohua.

Chu Zhaohua maintained her smiling expression, speaking unhurriedly: “Where has Miss Fu seen me before?”

Fu Lianxue stroked her chin in thought for a moment, then shook her head: “I can’t remember.”

Chu Zhaohua smiled: “Then you must be mistaken.”

She turned and walked into the house.

“Don’t stand there foolishly, come in and let’s talk while sitting.”

Fu Lianxue watched the elderly person’s retreating figure and raised an eyebrow.

“Your Nainai has quite the presence,” she whispered to Chu Zhaoqiu.

In the living room, everyone sat facing each other.

Chu Sining sat next to her Nainai, with Cen Zhu beside her.

Fu Lianxue and Qu Xinru sat opposite them, including Chu Zhaoqiu.

Cen Zhu still didn’t know what was happening.

She only saw Qu Xinru following beside Fu Lianxue, never daring to look at her directly, as if feeling guilty.

After a while, she finally heard Qu Xinru speak to her.

Qu Xinru said: “I’m sorry.”

Cen Zhu was stunned for a moment: “Why are you saying sorry?”

Qu Xinru said: “Because I deceived you all.”

“I’m not the real Qu Xinru, the real Qu Xinru has already… died.”

When she found this lifetime’s Cen Zhu, Qu Xinru was already dead.

Dead in that river, her young body floating with the current, like a piece of driftwood at the mercy of the wind.

At that time, the young Cen Zhu stood helplessly on the shore.

She ran after Qu Xinru’s body, reaching out and calling her name constantly: “Xiao Ru! Xiao Ru!”

But the child in the river no longer responded to her friend on the shore.

Little Cen Zhu didn’t know what to do, even stepping into the water to save her friend.

She watched this scene from the shadows, her heart tightening, and without thinking of anything else, directly used her spiritual power to push little Cen Zhu back to shore, then retrieved Qu Xinru, placing her gently on the riverbank.

To those young children, it was like a magical world.

Not knowing what force had pushed her away, not knowing what force had rescued her friend from the water.

She also didn’t know what death meant.

Other children called for Qu Xinru’s parents.

They stumbled running to their child, picking up the ice-cold water-soaked body, crying as if the sky had fallen.

She watched her little General.

The tiny child stood at the side, helpless and confused.

She was terrified.

She began to cry heavily.

She seemed to understand her friend wouldn’t return.

The ghost hidden in the shadows suddenly felt very sad hearing their cries.

She had saved the little General, yet still couldn’t prevent another life from slipping away.

How heartbroken that child’s parents were, they must have loved her so very much…

Then she made an extremely bold decision that violated her agreement with Qiu Tianshi—she possessed Qu Xinru’s body.

She was spitting out the water in her mouth.

She opened her eyes in her parents’ embrace.

She saw light return to their tear-filled eyes.

That day, she was tightly held in her parents’ arms for the first time, as they fearfully and gratefully kissed her again and again.

She was so happy, experiencing parental love for the first time, even though this love didn’t belong to her.

She was even happier that Cen Zhu stopped crying.

Thus, she became Qu Xinru.

The Qu Xinru who accompanied Cen Zhu, grew up with her, and had loving parents.

But all these beautiful things were about to leave her.

“I’m sorry…” she lowered her head, tears falling onto the back of her hand, “I didn’t mean to deceive you all… I’m sorry…”

It was her greed that made her save Cen Zhu.

It was her greed that made her unwilling to leave after becoming Qu Xinru.

She had greedily lived until today, and that should be enough.

She didn’t dare to look into Cen Zhu’s eyes, unable to imagine how sad the other would be upon discovering she wasn’t her childhood friend.

But she heard her say:

“I’ve always known you weren’t human.”

She raised her head in astonishment.

Cen Zhu gazed at her tenderly: “I knew you were different from ordinary people, knew you didn’t want to talk about it, so I never asked.

“It’s also because I knew you were different that I wanted to become a cultivator, wanted to become a demon hunter, so I could live longer and protect you.”

She remembered that magical day, remembered her companion who returned from death.

When she was young, for a long time she thought Qu Xinru had asked an angel to come back to accompany them, to keep them from being sad.

And after she grew up, she found herself uncontrollably falling in love with this “angel.”

She was honest about her feelings.

If she liked someone, she liked them, there was nothing to hide.

Her way of showing affection was to become as similar to her as possible.

She wanted to stay by her side, longer, even longer.

“I didn’t let you come with me to see Sining because I was afraid the demon hunters would be sensitive to your existence and might harm you,” Cen Zhu said, “Xinru, from beginning to end, I’ve always been grateful that you came into my life.”

Qu Xinru’s tears immediately became uncontrollable, falling more heavily.

“So you…”

Her General hadn’t feared her, hadn’t pushed her away.

Her General also wanted to protect her.

“Silly, what’s there to cry about.”

Cen Zhu immediately got up to help wipe her tears.

Seeing this, Fu Lianxue withdrew her hand and moved position, giving them an intimate space.

She turned to look at Chu Zhaoqiu, finding her methodically cleaning her hairpin, patiently picking off wood debris hanging on the tassels.

She couldn’t help leaning over and saying: “So why use this as a weapon, a sword would be much quicker.”

Chu Zhaoqiu replied unhurriedly: “I don’t like using swords.”

Fu Lianxue raised her eyebrows, asking: “Why?”

Chu Zhaoqiu countered: “What do you think is the reason?”

Fu Lianxue said mockingly: “You stabbed me, felt guilty, and now don’t dare to use one.”

Hearing this, Chu Zhaoqiu smiled and nodded: “Mm.”

Fu Lianxue dismissed it: “Your memories haven’t even returned, what ‘mm’ nonsense.”

Chu Zhaoqiu cleaned the hairpin with a smile in her eyes, giving Qu Xinru enough time to compose her emotions.

She had suffered for so long, finally able to face Cen Zhu as herself despite the regret, this wasn’t easy.

Qu Xinru cried for quite a while before calming down under Cen Zhu’s comfort.

Chu Sining also came to comfort her.

She said thank you, then looked toward Chu Zhaoqiu, asking softly: “So what should I do now?”

Qiu Tianshi hadn’t taken her in initially out of pity, wanting to give her a chance to meet the General again.

Now that they had met, and she had repaid the kindness, her wish fulfilled, would the demon hunters make her leave this body, leave Cen Zhu and her parents?

But then she saw Chu Zhaoqiu look toward Chu Zhaohua.

Chu Zhaohua sat there composed and unperturbed, saying: “You shouldn’t have stayed in this world for so long, so long that you’ve lost the chance for reincarnation.”

Cen Zhu and Chu Sining were both startled.

Though Qu Xinru was prepared, hearing there was no chance still weighed heavily on her heart.

“However, our Deity likes to give opportunities to His kind mortal children.”

Chu Zhaohua’s eyes curved into a smile.

“Back then you listened to Zhaoqiu’s words, and though you became a wandering ghost, you still remained kind to others, thus accumulating quite a bit of merit.

“Though these merits aren’t enough to help you become an immortal, they’re enough to exchange for a chance at reincarnation.”

Qu Xinru immediately broke into a joyful smile, looking gratefully toward Chu Zhaoqiu.

—Master Qiu’s words were indeed all true, Master Qiu would never harm her!

Chu Zhaoqiu breathed a sigh of relief.

Fu Lianxue quietly stared at Chu Zhaohua, still pondering whether she had mistaken the person.

“Then, do I have to go now?” Qu Xinru asked hesitantly, “Can’t I stay?”

She had finally met Cen Zhu, finally been honest with her, she didn’t want to leave so soon…

Cen Zhu also nervously looked toward them.

Knowing too little, she could only rely on the Chu family at this moment, hoping they could give her beloved a way to live.

“Well,” Chu Zhaohua looked kindly toward Fu Lianxue, “that depends on how Miss Fu’s flower is growing.”

Everyone’s attention in the room instantly converged on Fu Lianxue.

Cen Zhu and Chu Sining didn’t understand.

Qu Xinru only partially understood.

Only Chu Zhaohua and Chu Zhaoqiu truly knew what it was.

It was the flower within a charm demon’s body, a three-petaled flower, nourished by the demon’s spiritual power, sharing life and death with the demon.

A charm demon only has one flower, the stronger the demon, the greater the flower’s power.

Like the petal Fu Lianxue had given, which could reconstruct a soul body.

But there was a difference between one petal and a whole flower.

A whole flower could resurrect the dead and grant immortality.

One petal couldn’t grant immortality or prevent aging, its “favor” would be reclaimed once it grew back.

This information wasn’t recorded in the “Record of Heaven and Earth’s Spirits”.

The world never lacked people with ulterior motives; writing it too clearly might bring deadly disaster to the charm demon race.

Fu Lianxue crossed her arms, appearing composed.

Even with two people here who knew she possessed this treasure, she wasn’t worried at all.

Her flower wasn’t given voluntarily, others couldn’t take it.

But since they asked, she didn’t hesitate to answer.

“The flower is growing well, though it still needs some time to fully grow,” she touched her chin, “Hmm… about the lifespan of an ordinary human.”

Chu Sining looked confused: “What’s this about, Nainai, I don’t understand.”

Chu Zhaoqiu said: “It means she won’t disappear immediately, she can still live for several decades.”

Qu Xinru and Cen Zhu immediately brightened up.

This meant they could stay together for a long time?!

Then Chu Zhaohua poured cold water on their excitement: “But don’t get too happy too soon.”

Her calm gaze turned to Qu Xinru, “The people who truly need your honesty are still waiting, your fate should be decided by them.

“You should know who I’m talking about, right?”

Qu Xinru knew.

It was those parents who lost their daughter, the ones she had grown attached to.

Chu Zhaohua’s voice fell upon her ears.

“They are, after all, Qu Xinru’s parents. The choice Qu Xinru couldn’t make should be made by them.”

Father Qu and Mother Qu were watching television at home.

The day was like any other, nothing special.

The only difference was that their daughter returned today with an unprecedented gravity in her expression.

Cen Zhu was also with her.

They seemed to have something to tell them.

They walked into the house, closing the door.

In a spot where no one noticed, a butterfly quietly landed on the dining cabinet.

Seeing this, Father Qu took the initiative to ask: “What’s wrong, the problem from last night hasn’t been resolved?”

When Qu Xinru heard they still remembered her troubles from last night, her eyes instantly reddened, making it even harder to speak.

Once she spoke, this love would no longer belong to her…

Cen Zhu quietly held her hand, giving her a sense of security.

Even if they couldn’t accept it, she would use every means to stay by her side.

Mother Qu instantly noticed her daughter’s reddened eyes, immediately got up to pull her over to sit down, asking seriously and anxiously: “What’s wrong, did someone bully you when you went out?

“Tell Mom, I’ll go get justice for you right now!”

It would have been better if she hadn’t spoken, for once she did, her daughter’s eyes grew redder, tears falling steadily.

Father Qu and Mother Qu became flustered at once.

This was the first time they had seen their daughter cry so hard in front of them.

Cen Zhu comforted both Qu Xinru and her parents, asking them to give Qu Xinru some time to prepare.

Qu Xinru cried for a long time, unable to control herself, helpless.

Just thinking about losing all of this made her heart feel like it was being cut open, hurting so much she could barely breathe.

But Chu Zhaoqiu and Chu Zhaohua were right.

Deception wasn’t fair to these parents.

Their love should be given to an honest child.

Qu Xinru wiped away her tears, gathering courage to say: “Dad, Mom, there’s something I must be honest with you about.”

Father Qu and Mother Qu were still earnestly responding: “Mm, tell us.”

She choked up: “I… actually… am not your daughter.”

Father Qu and Mother Qu immediately objected.

“What do you mean you’re not my daughter, I carried you for ten months and gave birth to you, how would I not know?”

“Nonsense, you are Dad and Mom’s daughter, we have your birth certificate.”

“Don’t make such jokes anymore, it’s not funny at all.”

Qu Xinru listened while gripping Cen Zhu’s hand tightly, feeling indescribable sadness in her heart.

Her birth parents had never shown her such protection, they only wanted to push her away, only wanted to sell her for money.

But the parents before her had given her such meticulous love… No, she couldn’t deceive them anymore.

“I’m not Qu Xinru!” she cried out, “Qu Xinru already died, when she was little, in that river, already dead! I’m just a wandering ghost occupying her body!

“I… I’m sorry…”

With courage exhausted, her voice weakened as if drained.

But Father Qu and Mother Qu still didn’t believe.

“Nonsense, there’s no such thing in this world.”

“Are you and Xiao Zhu doing some kind of reaction test? I’ve seen those trending online, testing parents’ reactions.”

“Don’t play like this, this isn’t funny at all, what’s this about not being Mom and Dad’s child, don’t say such things, you are our child.”

Qu Xinru couldn’t help but grow anxious.

She feared confession, and also feared they wouldn’t believe after she confessed.

Chu Zhaohua had said, only if Father Qu and Mother Qu knew the truth and agreed to let her stay could she continue using this body.

She and Cen Zhu exchanged a glance.

Cen Zhu said: “Uncle and Auntie, she really isn’t Xinru.”

Mother Qu looked at her: “You’ve learned bad habits too, Xiao Zhu.”

“Dad, Mom, then look at this,” Qu Xinru said, “seeing this, you should believe.”

With these words, she instantly withdrew from this body.

Mother Qu hadn’t yet processed what was happening when she saw her daughter’s body stiffen, then fall limply toward her.

She instinctively caught her, still thinking the child was acting.

“Why are you acting now, stop playing around, this is very serious.”

But then Cen Zhu gently took her hand, first placing it under Qu Xinru’s nose—no breath.

Then on her chest—no heartbeat.

She was suddenly stunned.

It was exactly the same, exactly like that year.

“Father Qu…” her voice began trembling, “come quick and look…”

Father Qu reached out to check, only then realizing something was terribly wrong.

Breathing could be faked, but how could a heartbeat be faked?

“You can’t joke like this.”

“Xinru, open your eyes, Mom doesn’t like this joke.”

“Don’t scare Dad, Xinru, Xinru.”

“Xinru, talk to Mom, Xinru…”

No matter how they called out, the child in their arms gave no response.

They were helpless and panicked, everything was too sudden for them.

Cen Zhu watched this scene, seeming to hear the sounds from that summer in her ears.

Sounds of breakdown, despair, and confused crying.

The nightmare had returned to them once again.

But this time they didn’t cry.

Because before they could cry, the soft-hearted ghost had already returned.

—She once again opened her eyes in their arms.

“Can you believe me now?”

Speaking different words from before.

Cen Zhu instantly pulled away from the memory, returning to reality with Qu Xinru.

Father Qu and Mother Qu didn’t say they believed, nor did they say they didn’t.

Their eyes reddened, the atmosphere in the living room became very silent.

Mother Qu’s hand still tightly gripped Qu Xinru’s, unwilling to let go, like an instinct.

After a long while, Father Qu spoke: “Tell us about what happened that year first…”

Qu Xinru turned back to look at Cen Zhu.

Cen Zhu encouraged her to speak.

She recounted that year once again.

While she spoke, no one interrupted, the atmosphere in the room was silent and oppressive.

“So now, you need to decide whether I stay or go…”

After she finished, Mother Qu unconsciously tightened her grip, her breathing seeming to stop.

Another suffocating silence.

Neither Cen Zhu nor Qu Xinru spoke.

Father Qu and Mother Qu needed time.

After a long while, Mother Qu turned her face away, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

“We should have known…” she murmured, “should have known all along…”

How could a child who clearly died in their arms come back to life?

They thought it was heaven’s blessing at the time, but never imagined their daughter was still gone.

It was all their fault, all their fault for not watching over their child properly…

Mother Qu sobbed softly, leaning against Father Qu as she quietly wept.

Father Qu held her, his eyes severely reddened.

Qu Xinru couldn’t bear to see them cry, apologizing with teary eyes.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have selfishly possessed Xinru’s body, deceiving you for so many years, I’m sorry.

“I will leave immediately, I won’t stay where I’m not wanted…”

As soon as the words fell, her hand was grasped by Mother Qu.

She froze for a moment.

Father Qu’s hand also came to rest on top.

She raised her head in astonishment, hearing Dad speak in a very gentle voice—

“But you are also our child.”

They couldn’t bring themselves to blame this child.

What wrong had she done?

She just didn’t want Cen Zhu and them to be unhappy, she just wanted to receive parental love too.

“You’ve already done well enough, at least,” Mother Qu choked up, forcing herself to stay strong, “at least you saved one child…”

Don’t blame kindness, everything was destined.

Besides, the child before them had truly accompanied them for over ten years, how could she not be considered their real child?

Mother Qu held her hand tightly.

“We’ve already lost one child, we can’t lose a second one.”

Hearing this, Qu Xinru cried with joy, excitedly turning to share the good news with Cen Zhu: “I don’t have to leave, I don’t have to leave!

“I have a family now!”

She had a home now, she had parents who loved her now.

She could stay with her General forever!

Father Qu and Mother Qu looked at her, a gentle smile emerging through their fragile expressions.

With this child’s companionship, they were actually very happy too.

And their little Xinru, in the next life, or the life after that, could be their daughter again…

The two lowered their heads and wiped their tears sorrowfully.

Cen Zhu and Qu Xinru hurried forward, each comforting one parent.

The pain of losing a daughter, even after so many years, remained deeply etched in their hearts.

On the residential building’s rooftop, four people stood.

They learned of the Qu couple’s decision through the butterfly.

The little girl who had worked so hard to follow her General could finally live openly with her own identity, and this matter could be considered perfectly resolved.

Cen Zhu and Qu Xinru would also have the Qu couple keep the secret, with no need for their intervention.

Chu Sining lowered her hand, happy for her friends, yet somewhat worried.

“Nainai, is this really alright?

“A ghost occupying someone else’s body, living with another’s identity, won’t it incur heaven’s punishment?”

Chu Zhaohua smiled kindly.

“Trust in our deities.”

Chu Sining looked at her grandmother puzzled: “Trust the deities about what?”

Chu Zhaohua’s eyes curved as she gently tucked her granddaughter’s long hair.

“Trust that They are also very kind.”

The deities love humans the most.

Fu Lianxue raised her head to look at the moon, wordless.

Chu Zhaoqiu stood beside her with smiling eyes, silently.

Fu Lianxue turned her head to see Chu Zhaoqiu’s gentle expression.

Without asking, she was certainly happy for those two young ones below.

After many lifetimes, the person before her seemed to have grown even fonder of all living beings under heaven.

“Hey,” Fu Lianxue poked Chu Zhaoqiu with one finger, “things here are resolved, but our matter isn’t settled yet, where’s what you promised me?”

Chu Zhaoqiu said softly: “Not here, I’ll take you to get it.”

Then turned to Chu Zhaohua: “Nainai, we have matters to attend to, we’ll leave first.”

Chu Zhaohua nodded: “Go ahead, return home early.”

Seeing this, Fu Lianxue found it quite curious and said playfully: “Chu family head, you really trust letting your granddaughter leave with me? We still have a grudge, aren’t you afraid I’ll kill her?”

Chu Zhaohua smiled: “You won’t harm her.”

Fu Lianxue raised her eyebrows: “So confident?”

Chu Zhaohua maintained her unhurried demeanor.

“If you really wanted to kill her, you wouldn’t have let her return alive the first day you met.”

“Miss Fu,” the elder looked at the demon before her with kindly eyes, “all these years you’ve been seeking Zhaoqiu, you actually had another purpose, right?”

Though her eyes were gentle, they were like sharp beams of light, piercing straight into Fu Lianxue’s heart, seeming able to illuminate every thought hidden in its depths with perfect clarity.

Fu Lianxue’s brows furrowed for an instant, turning her gaze away.

She responded carelessly: “You can go back and guess for yourself.”

Then pulled Chu Zhaoqiu away.

Chu Zhaohua was no simple woman, making even a great demon who had lived for thousands of years feel like a child before her, feel like being read completely.

She hated this feeling.

Chu Zhaoqiu turned back to nod goodbye to grandmother, then actively took Fu Lianxue’s hand to guide the way.

“It’s this way, follow me.”

They left.

Chu Sining blinked at their departing direction, then looked at grandmother.

“Nainai, you really trust sister going with her?”

Chu Zhaohua casually replied: “What’s there to worry about? Your sister trusts going with her herself.”

Chu Sining: “…”

Chu Sining: “Then do you also think she should seek revenge against sister?

“Should this life’s person really pay for a previous life’s grudge?”

Hearing this, Chu Zhaohua raised her head to look at the moon at the edge of sky, calmly feeling the cool night wind.

“This matter is about one lifetime’s grievance for your sister, but for Miss Fu, it’s about this lifetime…”

She wouldn’t interfere in this matter, the children’s grievances should be resolved by the children themselves.

Only by resolving this matter could Chu Zhaoqiu make her choice.

Then she belatedly said: “Oh my, I forgot to remind her of something.”

“Remind her of what?”

“To remind her next time to use the front door to find your sister, instead of always climbing through windows.”

So you knew all along she was climbing in through sister’s window!!

Nainai truly knows everything.

---

---