The Karma of a Scumbag

Star Moon brought over a cup of tea and placed it on the table before Manzhushahua.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, I forgot to add sugar. Hold on.”

Star Moon got up again, retrieved a sugar cube, and casually dropped it into Manzhushahua’s cup.

“…Do normal people just pick it up with their hands like that?”

“What, you mind? I washed my hands.”

“My bad for saying anything.”

Manzhushahua opened her eyes, her hazy golden irises filled with resignation.

She lifted the coffee, her cherry-red lips taking a small sip, leaving a faint lip print on the rim.

A moment later, she frowned.

“Too little sugar.”

“Whoops, I remember you used to be fine with just one cube.”

“Not anymore. I need three.”

“Fine, I’ll grab two more.”

“No need. I’ll drink it like this.”

Manzhushahua and Star Moon sat across from each other, a plate of the Magical Alliance’s signature pastries on the table.

A reunion after seven years, an afternoon tea long overdue.

But for Star Moon and Manzhushahua, this was far more than a simple tea time.

The coffee in her cup ran dry.

Only then did Star Moon speak.

“How rare. You’re actually getting involved in this.”

“In what?”

“You taking the lead of the Elera subjugation team. I thought you’d tell them to stay in line and wait for orders, especially with how messy things are right now.”

She pointed her fork, now clean of pastry crumbs, at Manzhushahua.

“Don’t tell me you’ve got a grudge against Elera too? No way, I’d cry if that’s true.”

“It’s not what you’re thinking. I just figured if I left it entirely to them, they’d go off the rails later. I’m only joining to keep them in check.”

“That’s all?”

Star Moon leaned back into the sofa like a sponge, exuding an unexpected charm.

“It’s not because you’re still hung up on Elera stealing your ex? Looking for some payback?”

“…”

Manzhushahua stared at her for a few seconds before speaking.

“You really… Normal people wouldn’t just blurt that out, even if they knew, right?”

“So, is that what it is?”

“Stop joking. Whatever was between us is ancient history. No point bringing it up.”

Star Moon seemed satisfied with the response.

She downed the rest of her coffee, her nimble tongue playfully sweeping along the cup’s rim.

“Alright, as long as you’re not sulking. I’m heading out. Call me if something comes up.”

Tea time ended, and Star Moon left with a cheerful wave.

It was time to track down that naughty little white cat and catch up properly.

Hiding for seven years—more than that, even—and picking up a daughter along the way?

Acting like none of it ever happened?

You stole something precious from someone.

How could you not be held accountable?

Knock knock!

“Morning… Dad.”

“Morning, my foot. The sun’s burning your butt already. Get up and make lunch to show some respect to your mom.”

“Ugh, lunch? Just fend for yourself… Oh, wait, yeah, let’s go eat together later.”

Together?

A subtle choice of words.

Luo You couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Five minutes later…

Luo Zining came out after washing her face, still wiping it with a towel.

She suddenly noticed her adorable “dad” sprawled on the bed she’d slept in last night, curled up in the blankets like a dumpling with its filling spilling out, begging to be wrapped up tight.

Faced with such a perfect body pillow, Luo Zining was tempted to crawl back into bed for a second nap.

Wait, no!

She took a few steps forward, then snapped out of it.

Her attention locked onto Luo You’s rosy, healthy complexion, the lively spring in her step, and the cheerful tune she was humming.

“…Dad, I’m just saying, just because you’re a girl now doesn’t mean you can go wild and push your body past its limits, okay?”

“Hm? What?” Luo You, still sprawled on the bed, turned her head to ask.

“You were #bleep#-ing before you came here, weren’t you? Don’t deny it. I can tell from that glow.”

Luo You’s mouth fell open, speechless.

That question was an absolute bombshell.

“Look, under normal circumstances, even if someone knew, they wouldn’t just say it, right? And with such blunt wording?”

“Just tell me if you did or not!”

“By your logic, you’re looking pretty radiant yourself. Don’t tell me you were #bleep#-ing too?”

“What—!”

Luo Zining staggered back, her face flushing red, her little tiger fangs bared in fury.

“Pervert! Drop dead! What kind of father says that to their daughter?! Shameless!”

“…”

Talk about double standards.

Luo You wanted to say it but kept it to herself.

If she voiced it, those tiger fangs might just chomp down.

Luo Zining, still fuming, changed her clothes and yanked Luo You out of the blankets.

“Let’s go! I called a car. We’re eating out!”

“A car? Was that necessary? There’s a buffet right here.”

“Buffet, my foot. I made plans with someone. You’re coming too.”

“Who?”

“My sister. I mentioned her yesterday, didn’t I? My aunt and my sister both live in Jiuming Sea. We’re here, so we’ve gotta meet up.”

Luo You’s face practically screamed “disgust” in bold, flashing letters.

First an aunt, now a sister?

Another magical girl, maybe?

If so, Luo You felt like she’d been hit by some karmic weapon years ago.

Adopting a daughter only to find out her whole family’s a bunch of magical girls?

Talk about retribution!

If it was a magical girl, fine.

Luo You just prayed they hadn’t… crossed paths before.

A small wish like that shouldn’t be too hard to grant, right?

“Don’t make that face. My sister’s not like my aunt. She’s super easy to get along with.”

“Is that so.”

“Just come on.”

Luo You shot a quick text to Xue, telling her to stay put in the room and not go anywhere.

Then she was dragged into the car.

The meeting spot was a bit far, at a chain hotel ten kilometers away.

They took the elevator to the fourth floor.

In the crowd, Luo You spotted a tiny figure waving at them.

“Zining!”

A petite girl wrapped in an oversized white puffer coat—no, tiny!

She hopped up from her seat like a bunny and bounded toward Luo Zining.

“Mengmeng-jie!”

“Zining! It’s been forever!”

The loli leaped onto Luo Zining, clinging to her with all four limbs.

Her small frame hung off Zining like a keychain.

Zining called her “Mengmeng-jie” with affection, and she did look adorable.

She could practically pass for Luo You’s granddaughter.

But Luo You wasn’t paying attention to that.

Her knees buckled, and for the second time since last night’s hot spring soak, she dropped to the floor.

“Mengmeng-jie, this is my dad’s… girlfriend! Luo Youyou. Say hi!”

“Oh, oh, this is Zining’s… Whoa, why the big bow?!”

Ji Meng turned and saw Luo You kneeling before her, her face paling in shock.

She scrambled back, flustered.

This was messing up the family hierarchy—she couldn’t handle this!

Luo Zining quickly pulled Luo You up, hissing in her ear.

“Dad, what are you doing?! You scared my sister!”

“I-I overdid my spellcasting this morning. Legs are weak. Quick, help me to a seat…”