“Do you care about me?”
Song Cha: “……”
Just now, when Chu Man and Shao Yumiao were at odds, it was already forcing Song Cha to make a choice.
And now, Chu Man’s direct approach of choosing her or me has completely brought this confrontation into the open. It was very much a situation of either her or me, but not both.
But how could Song Cha possibly make a choice?
If she chose Chu Man, her relationship with Shao Yumiao would definitely not be as good, and they could even become enemies. Perhaps one day when she becomes stronger, she would end up in tragedy.
And choosing Shao Yumiao would also be a tragedy. Chu Man is currently at the Mahayana phase, while Shao Yumiao would have to reach the peak of Nascent Soul to be on par with Chu Man at the peak of Mahayana. Moreover, Chu Man has an innate alchemy skill, allowing her to use elixirs to command those in the Transcending Tribulation and Mahayana phases.
So, if she chose Chu Man, she would definitely be doomed in the future.
If she chose Shao Yumiao, she might as well be doomed now.
So… this choice, must not be made.
Song Cha simply turned to Chu Man, asking with a wronged tone, “Master, don’t you care about me anymore?”
Chu Man: “……”
Seeing Song Cha’s coquettish behavior, Chu Man was a bit puzzled. What she had just mentioned was clearly a choice, so why could Song Cha ask if she cared about her?
But Song Cha’s coquettish appearance was too adorable, making it impossible for Chu Man to resist. So, despite still being angry, Chu Man answered Song Cha’s question, “Cha’er is my disciple, of course, I care about you.”
After saying this, Chu Man waited for Song Cha to answer her question about who to choose.
After catching Shao Yumiao slandering her, Chu Man was mentally prepared for whom Song Cha would choose. Good friends are important, but a master is even more so.
Since this good friend could slander her master, then it’s better off without such a friend.
Thinking this, Chu Man took another look at Song Cha, wanting her to consciously give the answer she wanted.
Then, amidst Chu Man’s anticipation, Song Cha finally spoke.
At this moment, Song Cha looked even more wronged, “Master, do you really care about me? Why can’t I feel your care?”
Chu Man: “……”
A flash of shock passed through Chu Man’s eyes. She truly couldn’t understand why, despite caring so much for Song Cha, she was deemed indifferent. Couldn’t she feel it?
She clearly cared so much for Song Cha, treating Song Cha as a future partner!
Seeing Chu Man silent, Song Cha continued, “I heard that if you truly care about someone, you wouldn’t make things difficult for them. You are my master, and the beautiful sister is my best friend. Why can’t the two of you get along and force me to choose between you?”
Perhaps too heartbroken, Song Cha couldn’t help but cover her face, crying bitterly, “I simply can’t make a choice.”
Chu Man: “……”
Song Cha’s voice sounded muffled, as if she had cried.
Chu Man felt pity and wanted to comfort Song Cha.
But before she could offer comfort, she felt something was amiss.
How was she supposed to comfort her now?
Comforting someone often meant agreeing with them.
Was she supposed to reject every word Song Cha said while comforting her?
When Song Cha, covering her face in pain, said she didn’t want to make a choice, was she supposed to say, “Cha’er, don’t be sad, but you must make a choice”?
Just thinking about such a scenario made Chu Man feel suffocated.
While Chu Man hesitated, Shao Yumiao had already walked over.
The coldness on Shao Yumiao’s face had been replaced with concern. She held a white handkerchief in her hand, carefully wiping Song Cha’s face.
“Cha Cha, stop crying,” Shao Yumiao’s voice softened a lot, very gentle, “I promise I’ll get along with your master from now on, never causing you trouble again, so your master won’t force you to make a choice.”
“Cha Cha, caring for someone means not forcing them to choose. I won’t make you choose. I’ll go apologize to your master right now.”
Chu Man: “……”
Hearing Song Cha’s words, Chu Man, who was hesitating at the side, felt like she was about to explode.
Shao Yumiao is simply a natural at being a backhanded compliment expert, with such low emotional intelligence yet so skilled at insinuating.
What does it mean to let your master force you to make a choice? What does it mean by I won’t let you make a choice?
Isn’t this portraying her as someone who doesn’t care about Song Cha, someone who insists on forcing Song Cha to choose between two options?
Can this be tolerated?
It can’t be tolerated.
At least Chu Man couldn’t it.
She felt that if she tolerated it now, given Shao Yumiao’s way of praising herself while subtly insulting her, it’s very likely that by the time Shao Yumiao finished comforting, Song Cha’s heart would no longer be with her.
Chu Man also walked towards Song Cha.
She picked up a handkerchief and began to help Song Cha wipe away her tears.
“Cha’er, don’t cry. Your master will never force you to make a choice again. If you want to make friends in the future, your master won’t stop you,” Chu Man said hypocritically.
Although Chu Man’s comfort was hypocritical, it was sincere. At least these were the words Song Cha wanted to hear.
But how could a crying person be easily consoled by a few kind words?
People who can be easily consoled by a few kind words often give the impression that their tears are cheap and can be easily dealt with.
Song Cha would not leave such an impression on others.
So, Song Cha still covered her face, tears slipping through her fingers.
She was quiet, not saying a word.
Seeing Song Cha still crying, and the tears seemed to fall even more fiercely, Chu Man became even more worried.
“Cha’er, stop crying,” Chu Man’s voice carried self-blame, “It’s the master’s fault.”
Song Cha: “……”
Hearing Chu Man’s words, Song Cha finally lowered her hands from her face.
Her face was streaked with tears, and she looked at Chu Man with grievance: “Master, it’s not, not your fault. It’s all because my friend spoke ill of you, that’s why you acted this way.”
“Master, I won’t make friends anymore.” Saying this, Song Cha seemed even more aggrieved, “I… I just want the beautiful sister as my only friend, okay?”
Song Cha’s expression was too aggrieved, saying for the sake of her master she would no longer make friends, and that she only wanted the beautiful sister as her friend from now on.
These words perfectly hit Chu Man and Shao Yumiao’s soft spots, softening their hearts even more.
Chu Man felt a slight self-reproach. She knew Song Cha was a naive and kind person. Even if Shao Yumiao spoke ill of her, it was only Shao Yumiao’s fault. She should have just privately lectured Shao Yumiao, why force Song Cha to make a choice?
She, as a master, was too harsh on her disciple!
And hearing Song Cha’s words, Shao Yumiao also began to feel guilty.
Song Cha said she would only have her as a good friend from now on, which made her a bit happy. She would also only have Song Cha as a good friend from now on. However… although happy, Shao Yumiao also knew this was her fault. It was okay for her to know that Song Cha’s master was not good, she could have just secretly told Song Cha.
Why did she choose to tell Song Cha in such a dangerous place at the inn’s entrance, not only arousing Song Cha’s master’s vigilance but also causing Song Cha’s master to question Song Cha, forcing her to make a choice?
She, as a friend, was too harsh on Song Cha!
