Chapter 92: A Heartfelt Rejection and a Shifting Affection

Bai Yu found herself steadily retreating, her gaze fixed on Stella, a quintessential mature beauty with golden hair and striking blue eyes. Despite Stella’s allure, Bai Yu felt a distinct lack of warmth towards her.

After all, Stella had immediately imposed herself upon their home, and while she might have been her mother’s colleague, such brazenness struck Bai Yu as utterly preposterous.

Nevertheless, considering Stella shared a life-or-death friendship with her mother and had even saved her life, Bai Yu decided it was best to hold her tongue.

Moreover, Stella had once audaciously declared her intention to become ‘her mother’s person,’ a pronouncement that had left Bai Yu thoroughly shaken.

Yet, knowing her mother as she did, Bai Yu was certain she would never seek a same-s*x partner, much less consider remarriage.

Stella’s pronouncements were likely nothing more than playful banter; ultimately, any serious romantic entanglement was an absolute impossibility.

“What troubles you, Xiao Yu? You seem rather downcast.”

Stella leaned closer, her arms reaching out to embrace Bai Yu, only for Bai Yu to swiftly sidestep her attempt.

“Why, oh why, won’t you let me give you a hug!”

Stella’s face fell with displeasure; she was utterly captivated by this charming girl, who so strongly resembled Tianyu.

Just then, Tianyu approached, delivering a swift, decisive ‘hand chop’ to Stella’s head.

“What in the world do you think you’re doing!”

Tianyu spoke with palpable irritation. While Stella had undeniably rendered significant assistance this time, that did not grant her license to harass Tianyu’s daughter in such a manner.

Furthermore, her connection with Stella was purely professional and platonic; she would never consent to anything beyond friendship.

“Oh, little Tianyu, I assure you I’m not bullying your daughter. It’s simply that she seems to dislike me so intensely, alas.”

Stella adopted a crestfallen expression, her features etched with feigned sadness.

“You’re the one spouting all that nonsense!”

Tianyu’s words were aimed at Stella’s earlier attempt to make Bai Yu address her as ‘Mother’.

Tianyu felt a surge of helplessness. Despite Stella’s persistent pursuit, Tianyu knew her own sexual orientation was unequivocally heterosexual. Moreover, since the passing of Bai Yu’s father, she had harbored no romantic inclinations whatsoever.

“But I was just trying to—”

“Enough!”

No sooner had Stella begun to speak than Tianyu sharply interrupted her.

Tianyu had always harbored suspicions about Stella’s sexual orientation, though Stella adamantly maintained she had no issues, claiming she had simply fallen for Bai Yu. This, ironically, caused Tianyu to fret about her own daughter’s romantic inclinations.

“Bai Yu’s sexual orientation is perfectly normal. It’s you who keeps trying to lead her down the wrong path!”

Tianyu shot back, her voice sharp with accusation.

“When have I ever tried to lead her astray!”

Stella cried out, sounding genuinely aggrieved.

“Just look at the things you’ve been teaching her!”

Tianyu cast a disdainful glance at Stella before turning her attention to Bai Yu.

“Bai Yu, have you noticed how much weight you’ve lost lately?”

Bai Yu instinctively touched her stomach, yet she hadn’t perceived any significant weight loss. Perhaps the recent decrease in her exercise routine was merely creating an illusion.

“Just look at how much she’s thinned down, and you still keep feeding her all that junk food!”

Tianyu exclaimed, her finger jabbing accusingly at Stella.

Stella was instantly rendered speechless. When had she ever given Bai Yu junk food?

“She hasn’t eaten any junk food! Everything she consumes daily is perfectly healthy!”

Stella countered, her voice rising in defense.

Ignoring Stella completely, Tianyu took Bai Yu’s hand.

“Bai Yu, from this day forward, you’ll eat only what I cook. My food is infinitely more delicious than anything she prepares.”

Stella bristled with indignation. How could anyone claim her food wasn’t delicious? Her cooking was, without a doubt, the finest in the entire world!

Tianyu rolled her eyes at her.

“It’s absolutely dreadful!”

Stella seethed with anger. Her culinary creations were universally acclaimed as the most exquisite, yet Tianyu had the audacity to declare them ‘dreadful’!

Bai Yu found herself utterly exasperated by the incessant bickering between the two women. Given their unique mother-daughter dynamic, she knew it was hardly her place to intervene.

“Bai Yu, tell me, do you find my cooking delicious?”

Stella leaned in close to Bai Yu, seizing her hand and imploring her.

Bai Yu paused, considering her response. She had no desire to offend either woman, especially since they were her closest friends, so she resolved to speak her mind truthfully.

“Stella, your food is indeed very tasty. However, when compared to Tianyu’s cooking, I must admit Tianyu’s is slightly more delicious.”

Bai Yu murmured, her gaze cast downwards.

Stella’s heart instantly shattered into a thousand pieces. She had never imagined Bai Yu would utter such words. She adored Bai Yu, and yet Bai Yu had just declared her cooking not delicious!

Tianyu took Bai Yu’s hand firmly.

“Bai Yu, come, let’s go. I’ll treat you to something truly delicious!”

Bai Yu nodded in agreement. She sensed it was best not to linger, lest she be drawn back into the mother-daughter duo’s relentless squabbling, leaving her utterly flustered once more.

Stella watched their retreating figures, a profound sadness settling over her. She had never anticipated Bai Yu’s words; she genuinely cherished Bai Yu.

Stella abruptly burst into tears. She had lovingly prepared so many delectable dishes for Bai Yu, only for Bai Yu to declare them unappetizing!

Tianyu’s expression, however, was now grim, and she fixed Stella with a serious, unwavering gaze.

“There can be nothing between us!”

Tianyu declared with absolute finality, decisively rejecting Stella’s affections.

“But why?!”

Stella stared into Tianyu’s eyes, a desperate question in her gaze. She had even been permitted to move in; was that truly not enough?

“Our connection will forever remain one of friendship and collegiality. My sexual orientation is not in question; I simply cannot develop romantic feelings for women. There will be no change in this, so you must abandon all hope!”

Tianyu turned her back, refusing to spare Stella another glance, and walked directly out of the house.

Bai Yu remained rooted to the spot, momentarily stunned, unable to fully comprehend the dramatic scene that had just unfolded before her.

‘Had I just stumbled into the midst of a major romantic entanglement?’

‘Bai Yu felt as though she had just been treated to a truly monumental piece of gossip.’

Yet, it seemed Stella’s affections had been unrequited from the very beginning. Bai Yu knew with certainty that her mother harbored no romantic interest in women.

After all, she had had a father, even though he was no longer with them.

Her gaze drifted to Stella, who stood beside her, head bowed and face shadowed, lost in an unknown reverie.

Bai Yu could even discern the faint, muffled sounds of Stella weeping.

‘It seemed Stella was truly heartbroken by the rejection.’

Bai Yu shook her head gently, at a loss for words.

She recalled that her initial purpose for coming out was to inquire about her mother’s expedition to the sea to absorb Reverse Metal.

Now, with this dramatic turn of events, it seemed unlikely she would get her answers.

Approaching Stella, Bai Yu, despite being considerably shorter, managed to reach out and gently pat her on the back.

Though she had never personally experienced such a profound rejection, Bai Yu found herself deeply empathetic to Stella’s anguish.

The sting of rejection, especially in such a vulnerable moment, was undeniably excruciating.

Even more so when the rejection stemmed from an unchangeable difference in sexual orientation.

Feeling the gentle pat on her back, Stella managed to suppress her sobs, lifting her gaze to the young Bai Yu beside her.

“Xiao Yu…”

A maelstrom of emotions churned within Stella. It was almost humiliating, a grown woman finding solace in the comforting presence of a child so much her junior.

“My mother is simply unyielding on this matter; she will never change. You should try to move on and find a new objective. There’s no point in clinging to this any longer!”

Bai Yu offered her advice with the gravitas of an emotional sage, momentarily adopting the air of an elder.

Stella’s eyes fell upon Bai Yu’s endearing face, and within it, she saw a clear reflection of Tianyu.

‘They are truly mother and daughter, so strikingly similar, even down to their expressions.’

Stella’s heart was a tempest of conflicting emotions; she found herself utterly unable to define the peculiar sentiment she now harbored for Bai Yu.

“I understand, little Xiao Yu. May I embrace you?”

Stella dabbed at her tears, feeling a flush of embarrassment for her unseemly display as a grown woman.

“A hug?”

Bai Yu paused, surprised, but the sight of Stella’s forlorn expression quickly softened her resolve.

“Alright, consider it a gesture of comfort.”

Bai Yu allowed Stella to pull her into an embrace, and the unexpected warmth of it brought a surprising sense of comfort.

Moreover, the subtle, mature fragrance emanating from Stella made Bai Yu feel a little lightheaded.

“Little Xiao Yu, she was the first person I’ve ever truly fallen for, your mother, and to be rejected so utterly…”

Stella poured out her sorrows, genuinely having no other avenue to release her pent-up emotions.

Bai Yu said nothing, simply holding Stella, for she genuinely felt a profound sense of pity for the woman.

Stella had journeyed tirelessly to rescue her mother, yet on a matter of such fundamental principle, Bai Yu’s mother was utterly unyielding.

Consequently, any romantic future between them was simply impossible.

Tianyu’s decisive and somewhat ruthless rejection was ultimately intended to make Stella abandon her hopes sooner rather than later.

Clarifying things early on, even if harsh, was the more merciful approach; otherwise, the pain would only deepen with time.

Bai Yu sighed softly, a faint wonder rising within her that she had somehow become an impromptu emotional mediator.

Bai Yu guided Stella back to her room, the guest quarters now serving as Stella’s semi-permanent abode.

Even so, Stella had little choice but to remain in their home, given that both she and Tianyu were currently being relentlessly pursued by the Hunter Guild.

Stella settled onto the bed, her gaze lingering on the girl before her, a face that held a curious familiarity. A complex tapestry of emotions wove through her heart.

Under the weight of multiple setbacks, compounded by the sharp sting of rejection and the unexpected solace of Bai Yu’s care,

A certain transformation began to stir within Stella’s heart at this moment; her initial affections for Tianyu gradually began to shift.

They transferred to the girl before her, Tianyu’s very own daughter.

Suddenly, she realized the sheer shamelessness of such a thought. If discovered, it would likely shatter any remaining friendship.

Yet, she found herself unable to avert her gaze, her eyes secretly fixed on Bai Yu.

Sensing the lingering stare, Bai Yu turned around, finding Stella watching her.

“Stella, what’s wrong? Do you need some water?”

Bai Yu, assuming Stella was parched from crying, wondered if she should fetch her some water.

“No, this is fine!”

Stella hastily refused, fearing Bai Yu might leave if she did.

She longed to gaze at Bai Yu a little longer, to imprint every detail of that petite figure onto her memory.

“Is that so?”

Bai Yu felt a touch of exasperation. ‘Are women in love truly so illogical, as if their intelligence simply vanishes?’

“Mm.”

Stella nodded, then retrieved an emblem from her Hunter’s coat.

“Here, take this!”

Stella extended her hand, offering Bai Yu the emblem.