After Rebirth, the Heroine is Consumed by Overwhelming Regret Chapter 18

She shot up, startling the System.
The System hesitated for a moment before saying, “I can’t say for sure. There’s no precedent for this. After listening to you last time, I drafted an application. It’s still under review. If it doesn’t pass, then there’s nothing I can do either…”
Qi Qing was already pleasantly surprised. “It’s okay, it’s okay! As long as there’s a way. You secretly did so much, why didn’t you tell me sooner? You had me on edge all day, I was even prepared to die at any moment.”
Although she had indeed said before that she could just die, who would willingly give up their life if there was a chance to live?
The joy of surviving a disaster filled her chest; she almost wanted to pull the System over and give it a couple of kisses. Seeing her almost delirious with happiness, the System quickly poured cold water on her enthusiasm. “Don’t get too happy too soon. It’s still hard to say what the result will be!”
“I know. Just having this possibility is good enough. Thank you, really, thank you so much!” Qi Qing threw herself onto the bed, feeling refreshed and clear-headed, all the gloominess swept away.
“Also, before that application is approved, someone will definitely come to investigate your situation secretly. To convince the reviewers, you can’t just talk; you have to prove with actions that you subjectively want to complete the ‘conquest,’ but can’t due to irresistible forces. If you just slack off, the application definitely won’t pass.”
Qi Qing frowned. “Isn’t feeling disgusted just thinking about her enough?”
“Who can see the thoughts in your head?” the System said. “Whether you’re disgusted or not is also your subjective feeling. It doesn’t count.”
Qi Qing knew it had a point. But the thought of getting close to Ling Aorui made her afraid she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from attacking. Besides, she had no standing to approach her. She had loathed Ling Aorui so much before, anyone could see it. To now talk about deep sisterly affection between fellow disciples—never mind others, even she herself wouldn’t believe it.
“Then what do you think I should do?” Knowing the System was on her side, Qi Qing no longer bottled everything up and directly asked for its thoughts. The System was silent for a moment, then said, “How about trying to apologize first?”
“Apologize for what?”
“The urge to attack is easy to deal with—just don’t bring your sword. As for your stance, aren’t you just afraid that your previous attitude was too bad, and it would look awkward to approach her now?” the System said. “In that case, why not just go and apologize? That would be a reasonable excuse, and it doesn’t involve feelings, so it’ll be easier for you to accept, right?”
Qi Qing was unwilling. “Why should I apologize to her?”
“It’s just a temporary measure!” the System said. “The Ling Aorui of this world hasn’t done anything wrong. Just treat her as a stranger. Besides, those who achieve great things don’t sweat the small stuff. If you can’t even endure this little bit of grievance, how can you welcome a beautiful new future?”
“Let me think about it.” It wasn’t that Qi Qing couldn’t endure grievances; she just genuinely found it repulsive. Although it was a temporary measure, it truly touched her bottom line. Just thinking about it made her want to vomit.
The System didn’t say anything more, only told her to consider it carefully, and went back inside her to sleep.
After a while, Qi Qing let out an almost inaudible sigh.
She rolled out of bed, composed herself, and headed towards Ten Thousand Flowers Peak.
Since it was like facing a blade whether she stuck her neck out or pulled it back, it was better to get it over with quickly. It was just an apology; it wouldn’t kill her.
Meanwhile, Yu Yan was sitting among a group of so-called Immortal Reverends, listening to them drone on about nonsense. She was already annoyed to death and wished she could just leave in a huff.
But she had no excuse.
These people all had high statuses and were very concerned about face. Even if she didn’t care, there was no need to suddenly leave and offend everyone.
She tapped her fingers lightly on the table in annoyance as she listened to them turn the conversation to discussing the Dao. She had initially thought she might hear some profound insights, but who knew it would just be more unoriginal nonsense—either grand principles everyone already understood, or distorted sophistry designed to be unconventional.
Compared to the flourishing scene during her youth a thousand years ago, the caliber of these people was far too ordinary. If this was the highest level in the world, then it was no wonder Mo Tao could become the number one person in the Immortal Realm.
She didn’t want to listen anymore, so she sent out a wisp of her spiritual sense to wander in the courtyard and relax.
This Ten Thousand Flowers Peak truly lived up to its name. Flowers of all colors bloomed profusely. Their fragrance, unlike other perfumes, was gentle and refreshing. Yu Yan moved among them, feeling as if she had fallen into a sea of flowers. This was also her greatest pleasure in descending to the mortal realm. That Heavenly Palace was so boring, without even a single flower. How could it compare to the mortal world?
As she was leisurely strolling, picking flowers and chasing butterflies, a familiar figure suddenly flashed past the flower bushes. She focused her gaze; it looked like Qi Qing.
Actually, at her level of cultivation, there was no such thing as her eyes playing tricks on her. The reason she wasn’t sure was that she felt the other person shouldn’t be appearing here.
Qi Qing had clearly expressed her disgust for this Ling Aorui. She would have been utterly unwilling to come. How could she suddenly appear here now? Could she be here to confront someone?
Yu Yan thought for a moment and realized that the two of them had barely spoken a few words that day. So, she knew practically nothing about the whole situation.
Should I follow and see?
Yu Yan hesitated. Since Qi Qing had chosen this time to come, she definitely didn’t want others to know. It would probably be inappropriate for her to go up rashly.
Forget it.
Besides, that Ling Aorui can’t hurt anyone anyway.
But after this, she suddenly lost all interest in admiring the flowers.
It wasn’t anger, nor dissatisfaction. She just began to wonder if she had been too hasty. Perhaps in Qi Qing’s eyes, what she had done was merely meddling.
She had never been in love, nor did she know how to be. Perhaps she had misjudged the boundaries. Qi Qing was different from those who eagerly threw themselves at others; she was never impatient, never dependent. What could she offer the other person? And what she offered—did the other person even like it?
Love… it was a little harder than she had imagined.
Qi Qing, on her end, had no idea that her small action had already stirred up a storm in Yu Yan’s heart. She suppressed the discomfort of about to meet Ling Aorui and cheered herself on inwardly.
It’s alright, just this once.
After apologizing, her plan to switch targets will be halfway complete.
After taking a deep breath, she stood outside the door, still unable to stop herself from resisting. Is there really no other way?
The System urged, “Knock on the door!”
Just as she was about to speak, the door opened on its own.
“Who is it?” Ling Aorui stood inside the doorway, her face slightly turned, trying hard to identify the visitor by sound. Though her eyes were open, they held only a misty haze.
It was just like back then, when Qi Qing had first come to her door and knocked. At that time, Qi Qing’s eyes had widened, unconsciously captivated by the other’s beauty and fragility.
Unfortunately, life can never be like the first meeting.
Now, when Qi Qing recalled that scene, she only felt that she had been pitifully foolish. She had thought that as a transmigrator, she could control everything. But she had forgotten that the human heart is more terrifying than anything else.
“It’s me. I’m Qi Qing.”
Qi Qing’s voice was icy to the extreme. She lifted her face, devoid of the warm smile she had in her previous life.