Ha, Karma! – Chapter 59

It’s okay, look on the bright side, there are plenty of fish in the sea¹.

After dinner, Ye Linlin walked into Chu Zhaoqiu’s room, full of anticipation.

This time, Chu Zhaoqiu closed the door.

This was their true time alone.

Ye Linlin couldn’t help but feel even more expectant.

“Have a seat.”

This was the first thing Chu Zhaoqiu said.

Ye Linlin nodded, obediently sitting down in the other chair, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at the person in her heart: “Zhaoqiu-jiejie, what did you want to tell me?”

The next second, she heard Chu Zhaoqiu say:

“Linlin, your feelings for me, I know all about them.”

Ye Linlin froze upon hearing this.

She knows?!

Wait a minute, how does she know??

Could it be…

“Did Fu Lianxue tell you?”

Chu Zhaoqiu didn’t deny it.

At the mention of the yaoguai, Ye Linlin’s expression soured. Immediately, with both disdain and nervousness, she asked, “What did she tell you? Did she speak ill of me in front of you!”

Chu Zhaoqiu shook her head. “Linlin, she isn’t that kind of yaoguai.”

She added, “She only reminded me that you like me.”

Ye Linlin instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as Fu Lianxue hadn’t badmouthed her or obstructed her path of secret admiration, that was good. It also proved Fu Lianxue wasn’t the type of yaoguai to spread gossip².

But she quickly grew nervous again.

She really hadn’t expected her secret crush to be exposed like this!

Now that Chu Zhaoqiu knew she liked her, what should she do?

And what would Chu Zhaoqiu do?

Would she be willing to let go of that yaoguai and accept her?

“Zhaoqiu-jiejie…” Ye Linlin called out cautiously.

“Linlin,” Chu Zhaoqiu began, “I’m very sorry, but I cannot return your feelings.”

Ye Linlin was stunned.

Chu Zhaoqiu stated clearly, “My heart belongs to someone else, and that won’t change no matter what happens. So, I should also tell you clearly, to give you closure.”

Ye Linlin asked blankly, “Why…”

Chu Zhaoqiu said, “There is no why.”

Ye Linlin: “…”

Ye Linlin suddenly stood up, looking at the person before her in disbelief. “But she doesn’t like you!

“Why must you like someone who doesn’t like you back, and besides, she’s a yaoguai!

“Can’t you just turn around and look at others, look at the people around you?

“Clearly, clearly, I came first, why do you have to like her!”

The more she spoke, the more upset she became, but the person before her remained calm.

It was as if she was dead set³ on rejecting her, wanting her to see the error of her ways and turn back⁴.

“Linlin, matters of the heart don’t follow reason, nor can they be calculated like this.”

“Why can’t they be calculated like this! She arrived so late in this lifetime, why can’t you like me!”

Chu Zhaoqiu looked up at her, her tone utterly calm. “From the moment I fell in love with her thousands of years ago, whenever she arrives is never too late.”

Any time they reunited would be fine.

As long as she came, as long as they could reunite, that would be the best time.

Ye Linlin was momentarily speechless.

A few seconds later, she said bitterly, “But she doesn’t like you. She’ll only exhaust your kindness and affection. Liking her will be very hard for you. Can’t you just stop liking her? Please? Zhaoqiu-jiejie…”

But Chu Zhaoqiu gently shook her head. “No.”

Fu Lianxue’s name was carved all over her heart; she could no longer give her up, could no longer say she didn’t like her.

Fortunately, she liked her too, she just refused to admit it.

She looked back at Ye Linlin, her tone softening, speaking gently like an elder sister, “Linlin, from beginning to end, I’ve only ever seen you as a little sister. I treat you just as I treat Sining and the others.

“Towards a little sister, how could I possibly have other kinds of feelings?

“I know you can’t accept this, but I’m sorry, you can only accept it.”

“Liking me will be very hard for you. Don’t like me anymore.”

She returned her words back to her.

Ye Linlin’s eyes widened, her fists slowly clenching at her sides.

Resentment, pain, vexation—it felt like a fist slamming hard into her chest, hurting so much she couldn’t speak.

How could she not understand the reasoning in Chu Zhaoqiu’s words?

How could she not know how hard it was to like someone who didn’t like you back?

But how could she willingly let go in this moment?

That was… that was a yaoguai.

“You’ve changed!”

She threw these three words down and stormed out of Chu Zhaoqiu’s room.

Chu Zhaoqiu started to follow but stopped at the doorway.

At this moment, it really wasn’t appropriate for her to chase after her. Her comfort would likely only make Ye Linlin more upset. It was better to let Ye Linlin be alone for a while.

Or, find someone to accompany her.

Just then, Chu Sining’s voice sounded from behind:

“Jie, what happened?”

Ye Linlin ran out of the Chu residence, running a long way in one breath.

She ran to a nearby park, found a bench, plopped down, and started sulking.

Her anger was quite unreasonable, but she was just angry.

Angry that Chu Zhaoqiu’s heart was taken, that she didn’t like her.

Angry that the person in Chu Zhaoqiu’s heart was a yaoguai!

She hated yaoguai the most; not a single yaoguai was any good!!!

Just then, someone sat down beside her.

She looked up, about to speak, only to find it was Chu Sining.

And Bu Yu was there too, silent.

It was obvious Chu Zhaoqiu had arranged for them to follow her.

Chu Sining crossed her arms, looking straight ahead. “Young Miss Linlin, sitting here sulking all by yourself?”

Ye Linlin averted her gaze and didn’t speak.

Chu Sining added, “Don’t sulk, it’s bad for your health. If you’re unhappy, just curse out loud.”

Ye Linlin gave a humorless laugh. “Do you know who I want to curse?”

Chu Sining ventured a guess: “My Dajie⁵?”

Ye Linlin choked on her words, let out a “Heh,” and fell silent again.

Chu Sining turned to exchange glances with Bu Yu, then suddenly raised her hands to cover her ears, lightly nudging Ye Linlin with her elbow.

“It’s okay, go ahead and curse. We won’t listen.”

She covered her ears and turned her head, signaling Bu Yu to plug her ears too.

Ye Linlin: “…”

This time, she was genuinely amused.

After a short chuckle, she immediately composed her expression and remained serious—she was angry, she couldn’t laugh.

Seeing her smile, Chu Sining felt relieved. She first shifted over to let Bu Yu sit down too, then stretched out her legs, relaxing her posture. “Although I don’t know what happened, I genuinely suggest you let out your anger. Don’t keep it bottled up inside.”

Ye Linlin said, “But the one I want to curse is your sister…”

Chu Sining: “Curse her then.”

Ye Linlin: “?”

Chu Sining shrugged nonchalantly. “My Jie said you can do or say whatever you want, as long as you don’t get hurt. See? She specifically sent us two—no, specifically sent Bu Yu-jie to protect you.”

Ye Linlin looked down at her toes, her feelings complicated.

Chu Zhaoqiu still cared about her safety, just like before. It seemed like nothing had changed, yet it also felt like something had—there was someone else in Chu Zhaoqiu’s heart.

Ye Linlin lowered her eyes dejectedly, her voice soft: “But I want her to give up Fu Lianxue, and she can’t do that…”

After saying this, she abruptly realized the two beside her didn’t know about her feelings for Chu Zhaoqiu, and her heart suddenly tightened.

Right after, Chu Sining’s voice drawled over: “Ah, so you like my Jie.”

She cautiously glanced over, only to see Chu Sining state affirmatively, “Well, that can’t be helped. After all, my sisters are really outstanding. It’s perfectly normal for them to win over everyone, guys and girls alike⁶.”

After saying this, Chu Sining even nodded emphatically, showing strong approval of her own words.

Whether it was Chu Zhaoqiu-dajie or Chu Yun-erjie⁷, in her heart, they were tied for first place in the world. It was normal for men and women outside to be captivated by them, and it showed good taste too. She personally understood completely!

Ye Linlin: “…”

She really had worried for nothing.

Chu Sining asked again, “Did my Jie reject you?”

Ye Linlin nodded honestly.

Chu Sining finally understood, placing a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay, look on the bright side, there are plenty of fish in the sea.”

Ye Linlin frowned and shook her head. “I can’t look on the bright side.”

“How could she fall for a yaoguai? She’s a demon hunter, the Young Head of the Chu Family!

“And how am I inferior to that yaoguai…”

Chu Sining scratched her head, troubled.

She didn’t know how best to comfort someone in this situation either.

Besides, the relationship between Chu Zhaoqiu and Fu Lianxue wasn’t an ordinary romance, but a bond and a heart knot that had lasted for millennia; it couldn’t be taken lightly.

She thought for a moment, then said, “They knew each other thousands of years ago, which probably shows they have a stronger yuanfen⁸. And my Nainai said, this is my Jie’s heart knot, no one can interfere, which also destines that a third person will never appear in their world. So, let’s just try to accept it, no need to dwell on it. My Jie isn’t the only outstanding person in the world, right?”

Listening to her words, Ye Linlin slowly clenched her hands.

“Giving up isn’t that easy…”

She had liked Chu Zhaoqiu for so long. If she could let go in an instant, what would her feelings even count for?

If giving up was truly such a simple thing, why couldn’t even Chu Zhaoqiu herself do it?

“I know,” Chu Sining said, “So take it slow!”

She grabbed Ye Linlin’s and Bu Yu’s arms. “For now, let’s go get something good to eat first. Fueling up like this gives you the strength to take it slow.

“Today’s treat is on Third Miss Chu, let’s go!”

“Hey!”

Ye Linlin was pulled to her feet in a daze.

The three walked back, planning to drive out and relax.

Just then, a man walked towards them.

The man had ordinary features, his face flushed red, and he was staggering⁹ as he walked. As he got closer, the pungent smell of alcohol assaulted the senses¹⁰.

He walked forward heedlessly, seemingly uncaring if he bumped into anyone.

Seeing this, Bu Yu frowned and pulled Chu Sining and Ye Linlin behind her, stepping aside to avoid the drunkard.

The drunkard seemed to sense he was being shunned, turning slightly, a trace of sarcasm in his half-closed eyes.

“Tch, what trash.”

He cursed drunkenly, then turned and walked away again.

“Hey, how can this person—” Ye Linlin raised her hand.

Bu Yu immediately pressed her raised hand down, shaking her head.

Demon hunters cannot casually use magic on ordinary people; this was a rule of their profession.

Ye Linlin could only lower her hand unwillingly.

She glanced again in the direction of the drunken man.

The man had already walked some distance, his steps still slow. Under the streetlight, his shadow stretched long.

Suddenly, Ye Linlin’s gaze froze.

She vaguely saw a faint red shadow standing beneath a nearby tree, as if someone was standing there, quietly watching the drunkard.

She immediately turned back to call Bu Yu and Chu Sining to look.

The three instantly looked towards the tree, but this time they saw nothing.

It was empty, like an illusion.

Chu Sining looked again and again, confirming she saw no red shadow, before saying, “Could you have seen wrong?”

Ye Linlin retracted her gaze, half-believing, half-doubting. “Maybe…”

“Let’s go, let’s go get something to eat!”

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The author has something to say:

Sining: I can understand you guys falling for my sisters, I get it (pats shoulder)

I open my eyes, how come my Mo Wen¹¹‘s damage got nerfed¹²!

Is this the retribution for all my hard work doing calculations¹³ + playing Jian San¹⁴?

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