Chapter 76
“Jun Jun, dinner’s ready!”
Chi Lin was lost in thought in front of the mirror when a middle-aged woman’s voice came from outside.
Jun Jun?
Chi Lin pushed open the wooden bedroom door and looked out. A middle-aged couple sat at the dining table, shoveling food into their mouths. The clock on the wall showed 12:05.
It was dark outside, so it definitely wasn’t noon.
Eating a full meal of hearty dishes in the middle of the night, the two figures with their backs to her made loud eating noises in the dimly lit room. The eerie feeling intensified.
Chi Lin hesitated. Should she leave the room immediately and go to Longrun Gardens to find Lou Mi, or should she stay put and calmly investigate the situation?
The woman who had called out, after a bout of enthusiastic eating and sniffling, realized the person she called hadn’t come. She looked back and saw half of Chi Lin’s head peeking out from the crack in the door.
“Jun Jun, come on.” The woman tapped her chopsticks on a serving dish. “The food’s getting cold!”
The woman spoke with a thick local accent. Her face was bare, devoid of any makeup. Her dry, frizzy hair was tied carelessly behind her head, and her hairline was receding.
Chi Lin stepped out of the room and sat on the empty chair between the couple.
A bowl of rice had already been served for her. The stainless-steel bowl was comparable in size to a large soup bowl at Lou Mi’s house.
Chi Lin glanced at the three dishes on the table: spicy shredded cabbage, spicy shredded potatoes, and spicy twice-cooked pork.
She picked up her chopsticks and ate quietly, blending into her current role while discreetly observing the two people eating with her.
The couple were focused on the food in their bowls, occasionally sniffling from the spiciness.
These two were presumably Jun Jun’s parents, around fifty years old, overweight, with an unnaturally pale complexion.
Based on Chi Lin’s observations of this era, she deduced they were likely ordinary factory workers.
Due to working indoors year-round without sunlight or much exercise, and having late shifts followed by binge eating after returning home, they had become what they were now.
After quickly finishing a large bowl of rice, the woman leaned back in her chair, burped loudly, and picked up a toothpick.
While picking her teeth, she turned to Chi Lin and suddenly yanked her hair:
“Look what you’ve done to your hair.”
The tug actually hurt.
Chi Lin hadn’t expected such rudeness, and she couldn’t just pry the woman’s hand away.
She didn’t know how this Jun Jun usually interacted with this couple, and not wanting to expose herself yet, she simply leaned back slightly in protest.
The woman didn’t seem to notice and urged her to eat quickly.
Chi Lin had no appetite. She picked at her food a bit and said she was finished.
“That’s all you’re eating?” The man put down his chopsticks and glared at Chi Lin questioningly.
Chi Lin didn’t say anything and quickly ate half a bowl of rice. The couple were finally satisfied and began clearing the table.
After taking the dishes to the kitchen, the woman started washing them, and the man went to the balcony to smoke.
Hearing the man yawn loudly, Chi Lin knew this was her chance to escape.
She told the woman: “I’m going to bed.”
The woman didn’t turn around and simply replied, “Oh.” Chi Lin returned to her room, locked the door, and started looking for a phone.
She knew that to navigate this era, a smartphone was an essential key.
Whether it was calling a taxi or making payments, she couldn’t do without a phone.
But after searching the room twice, from the desk to the bed, checking every possible place, she found no trace of a phone.
Chi Lin felt suffocated: Could this girl not have a phone?
Impossible. In this era, you couldn’t even leave the house without a phone.
Finally, she found two hundred yuan in a jacket in the closet. Chi Lin had to make do with that for now.
Having understood from a young age that “taking without asking is stealing,” Chi Lin apologized to Jun Jun while putting the money in her pocket, promising to return it double later.
Chi Lin quietly opened the window. The cold wind immediately rushed in, giving her goosebumps.
This place was completely different from the temperature-controlled Longrun Gardens. It was cold and dark, surrounded by bare tree branches and overflowing garbage bins.
High-rise buildings stood shoulder to shoulder, forming a massive complex.
Scattered lights made it look like a modern civilization built from matchboxes, cramped and narrow. The cold air was filled with a strange odor, and occasionally, the roar of motorcycles racing down the road could be heard.
Chi Lin glanced down. It was high up, at least eight stories.
She had practiced martial arts since childhood and had excellent Qinggong skills, but jumping directly from this height would definitely break her legs.
However, for some reason, the windows of the apartments two floors below were all enclosed in metal cages.
Using the cages, Chi Lin successfully climbed down to the ground.
Wearing a thin, uninsulating jacket, she walked outside, knowing she needed to figure out where she was.
There was no phone, no computer, and no System in the bedroom. Chi Lin decided to try her luck outside.
She had prepared herself for a conversation with the community security guard, thinking up a bunch of excuses for being out so late. When she reached the community gate, she realized there was no security guard…
Although she didn’t know why, she was no longer “Chi Lin,” but Jun Jun.
Seeing the original Chi Lin’s favorite Nori the Demon Child doll in Jun Jun’s bedroom, along with her moles and birthmark, Chi Lin had a theory.
A few months ago, when she entered the original Chi Lin’s body, the original soul had transmigrated into this Jun Jun’s body.
And now, Chi Lin had become Jun Jun. So where was the original Chi Lin?
Unsure of the original Chi Lin’s condition, she had to go back and find out.
Chi Lin hurried along the main road for over half an hour in the middle of the night, kicking aside a few unsavory thugs, before finally spotting a subway sign in the distance.
The subway station was closed, but she went to the entrance to look for the station name and a map, and also discovered a functioning AI kiosk.
As Chi Lin approached, the AI automatically spoke, asking if she needed any assistance, in a very familiar voice.
Excellent, it was Mr. System! Chi Lin almost burst into tears of relief.
Early in the morning, Peng Ziyuan got up and went to knock on Chi Lin’s bedroom door with a cup of hot water.
She knocked softly a few times, but there was no response. Chi Lin was probably still asleep.
Peng Ziyuan was a little worried. She glanced at the key in the lock, wondering if she should just go in.
Previously, Chi Lin never left the key in the lock. After entering her room, she would lock the door and refuse to talk to anyone in the family.
Recently, her personality had become much more cheerful. She didn’t even hide her key anymore, and sometimes even left the door open. Peng Ziyuan could chat with her daughter whenever she came over.
Perhaps the recent improvement in their mother-daughter relationship had made Peng Ziyuan bolder.
In the past, she would never have considered opening the door directly, unless she wanted to trigger another family war.
“Auntie.” Lou Mi came from the kitchen, also holding a thermos. “Chi Lin is probably still asleep.”
It was ten minutes to six, and Lou Mi was already awake.
“Mi Mi, you’re also worried about Little Lin, getting up so early.”
Lou Mi sighed silently: “I didn’t sleep last night.”
“Ah… we’re all worried about Little Lin. I wonder how she is now.” Peng Ziyuan was anxious and had a headache. “What happened exactly?”
Lou Mi recounted how Chi Lin had suddenly developed a fever while watching the match yesterday. Peng Ziyuan became even more worried:
“She had a fever all night?”
“After we got back, I gave her some medicine. Her fever subsided in the latter half of the night, and she slept soundly. I thought she’d probably sleep until noon.”
Hearing this, Peng Ziyuan felt slightly relieved.
She hadn’t expected Lou Mi, who usually seemed carefree and indifferent, to take such good care of Little Lin. Peng Ziyuan couldn’t help but fantasize about their loving married life…
“Isn’t today the day to return to school?” Lou Mi asked Peng Ziyuan.
“Yes, but it’s not that important, it’s just to listen to the teachers drone on.” Peng Ziyuan, having been through it herself, understood the school’s routines. “It still depends on Little Lin’s condition. If she’s still not feeling well later, she shouldn’t go back to school this afternoon. I’ll call her homeroom teacher.”
“I think so too,” Lou Mi said. “I don’t know why she suddenly got a fever. It’s better for her to stay home and rest until it’s completely gone before going back to school.”
While they were talking, Lou Mi’s phone kept vibrating.
Peng Ziyuan: “Mi Mi, aren’t you going to answer?”
“I don’t know where these harassing calls are coming from. They’ve been calling since last night. I’ve already blocked several numbers, and they still manage to call from different ones.”
Lou Mi took her phone out of her pajama pocket and glanced at it. It was another unknown number.
Her phone number had been leaked several times. Every time she accidentally answered, she was either sexually harassed or verbally abused. Since then, she never answered calls from unknown numbers.
She didn’t even read text messages. People who knew her would contact her through WeChat. Text messages had become a breeding ground for harassment and spam.
It seemed this number would have to be retired as well.
Lou Mi was annoyed. The people who sold her phone number were so irritating. Didn’t they know how troublesome it was to change phone numbers?
After several consecutive days of matches, today was a rest day, and she didn’t have to go to the club.
Lou Mi told Peng Ziyuan to go to work without worry. She would stay home and watch over Chi Lin, and would let her know immediately if anything happened.
Peng Ziyuan thanked Lou Mi, who clicked her tongue in disapproval:
“What’s there to thank me for? We’re family.”
After Lou Lixing got up, he also inquired about Chi Lin’s condition. Chi Lin was still asleep. He and Peng Ziyuan then left for work.
By noon, Chi Lin still hadn’t come out of her room. Lou Mi felt something was wrong. She had been sleeping for too long.
“Chi Lin?” Lou Mi knocked on her door. “Are you awake? How are you feeling?”
There was no answer, but she heard movement inside the room.
Lou Mi: “Honey, you must be hungry after sleeping for so long. Come out and eat something.”
Footsteps slowly approached the door. It seemed Chi Lin was indeed awake.
Click. The door opened a crack, and Lou Mi saw one of Chi Lin’s eyes peeking out, scrutinizing her.
“What are you doing?” Lou Mi was amused by her wary look. “I didn’t sneak in while you were asleep or anything. You told me to leave last night, and I did. I really didn’t come back in.”
Chi Lin continued to stare at her silently, and after a while, finally asked:
“Where’s my mom?”
“Your mom…” Having always addressed Peng Ziyuan as “Mother,” the sudden change in address caught Lou Mi off guard. It sounded almost like an insult. “At this hour, your Mother is naturally at work.”
Chi Lin’s eyes looked downwards, as if pondering something.
“What do you want to eat for lunch?” Lou Mi didn’t push the door, patiently continuing to ask. “I’m not going to the club today, I’ll stay home with you. Come out and let me take your temperature. You have no idea how worried I was when you suddenly fell ill yesterday. You…”
As Lou Mi was speaking, Chi Lin slammed the door shut.
Lou Mi: “?”
Was Chi Lin throwing a tantrum?
Lou Mi stood at the door, puzzled.
No way, Lou Mi immediately reflected. She had only seen Chi Lin briefly after the match yesterday. They hadn’t interacted before that, so there was no opportunity to offend her.
Moreover, was Chi Lin the type to get angry easily?
Based on Lou Mi’s understanding of her, she was the one who tended to be impulsive and force kisses on Chi Lin. Chi Lin’s emotions were usually very stable.
But every emotionally stable person was suppressing their feelings deep down. Lou Mi understood this feeling.
Chi Lin was probably even more so.
Lou Mi understood her reserved nature, so occasional emotional fluctuations were understandable.
Lou Mi went to the kitchen and ordered four dishes and a soup. After Mr. System finished preparing the food, she carried it to the dining table and went to call Chi Lin again.
“I’ve prepared lunch, come out and eat something, okay?”
She had expected Chi Lin to stall for a while longer, but the door opened, and Chi Lin walked out.
It was evident that she had been ill last night; otherwise, her usually meticulous “iron ball” bun wouldn’t be so messy, looking like a ball of yarn that had been attacked by a cat.
Chi Lin was wearing a plaid pajama set that she seemed to have dug out from somewhere, the buttons mismatched, seemingly oblivious.
Probably from sleeping for so long, Chi Lin’s eyes were unfocused and dazed. She looked around the room and at Lou Mi blankly.
Although her gaze was a bit dull, in Lou Mi’s eyes, she was still adorable.
“Look at you, you’re starving.” Lou Mi took her hand and led her towards the dining table. “Come and eat something quickly.”
After being led a few steps, Chi Lin suddenly seemed to realize something and flung her hand away.
Lou Mi: “What’s wrong?”
Chi Lin stared at her: “Don’t touch me.”
Lou Mi: “…”
It seemed she was genuinely angry.
Lou Mi froze, panicking slightly.
Ancestor, what did I do wrong, and when did I do it?
She immediately searched every corner of her memory, but couldn’t recall any instance where she might have offended Chi Lin.
When Chi Lin brought her classmates to the box to watch the match, hadn’t their WeChat exchange been perfectly fine?
In the messages, Chi Lin seemed enthusiastic, with no hint of anger.
When they met again later, Chi Lin had already developed a fever.
Hadn’t they even touched foreheads?
When they arrived home, Chi Lin was too weak to move in the car, and Lou Mi had struggled to carry her inside and all the way to bed.
She had waited on her hand and foot all night, giving her medicine and water, with absolutely no opportunity to make a mistake.
Wait a minute…
She seemed to remember.
When Chi Lin arrived at the box with her classmates, she had sent a WeChat message, and Lou Mi had only replied with one word.
Could it be that Chi Lin thought she was being too cold and perfunctory?
Lou Mi brought this up with Chi Lin. Chi Lin sat at the dining table, looked at the sumptuous dishes, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating rapidly, without responding to Lou Mi.
It seemed that was it.
Lou Mi sat opposite her and explained softly:
“Actually, I wasn’t being cold. You know whether I’m cold or not. I was really happy when I knew you were coming to watch my match. But, I have this bad habit of playing it cool. I don’t know why, but when I’m really happy, I don’t like to express it outwardly. I feel like it’s childish to be overly enthusiastic. If it’s really because of this, I apologize.”
Chi Lin stared at her silently for a moment, then said with a crooked smile:
“You know that, huh…”
Seeing that she was finally willing to talk, Lou Mi smiled at her cheerfully:
“So, are we not angry anymore?”
Chi Lin ignored her and continued eating, specifically picking out the beef. In the blink of an eye, she had finished the only meat dish on the table, without touching any of the vegetables.
“Another plate,” Chi Lin said impatiently to Lou Mi before swallowing the food in her mouth. “No, two plates! Extra spicy!”
Lou Mi: “…Okay, just a moment. Eat slowly, don’t choke.”
Lou Mi had never seen Chi Lin eat so much, so ravenously.
She usually ate very lightly, a plate of vegetables was enough. Even when she ate meat, it was mostly chicken or fish.
She ate beef, of course, but never like this, gobbling it down.
Could it be that she hadn’t eaten since yesterday?
Calculating it, it was very likely!
She remembered Chi Lin saying yesterday that she was studying and had rushed over to watch the match, so she might not have had time to eat.
Then she got sick, went straight to bed when they got home, and slept until noon.
If she hadn’t eaten lunch yesterday, that meant she hadn’t eaten in 24 hours. No wonder she was so hungry.
Lou Mi’s heart ached. Seeing her eat so enthusiastically, she knew the fever must have subsided.
Having an appetite was a good sign. Lou Mi found her focused eating just as adorable as her usual precocious demeanor.
She really wanted to touch her fluffy hair; it must feel very soft.
Chi Lin finished eating, rubbed her belly, leaned back in her chair, and let out a loud, long burp.
Lou Mi: “…”
Great, after their intimate moments, Chi Lin was gradually treating her like one of her own.
After all, who doesn’t burp or fart?
Lou Mi had felt that Chi Lin was too aloof and reserved before.
It seemed Chi Lin intended to be herself around her from now on. This way, their relationship would only grow closer.
The more Lou Mi thought about it, the happier she became. Her eyes, fixed on Chi Lin, were filled with love.
Chi Lin felt a little creeped out by her stare and said tentatively:
“Take the dishes to be washed.”
“Okay!”
Lou Mi happily obeyed, taking the dishes and chopsticks to the dishwasher.
Chi Lin watched Lou Mi’s back as she worked, raised an eyebrow, and muttered to herself:
“She actually does it?”
After setting the dishwasher, Lou Mi returned and saw Chi Lin packing her school bag.
“Are you going out?”
Chi Lin didn’t respond.
“Your hair is so messy from sleeping, shouldn’t you comb it before going out?”
Chi Lin turned around and said, “You comb it for me.”
Lou Mi patted the chair in front of her: “Come, sit here.”
Chi Lin sat down on the massage chair nearby, casually draped her left leg over the armrest, and lifted her chin:
“Come here.”
Lou Mi obediently walked behind the massage chair and picked up a comb to gently smooth Chi Lin’s hair.
Halfway through, Chi Lin suddenly swatted her hand away and glared at her:
“You’re hurting me.”
Lou Mi: “Huh? Really? I haven’t even started combing yet.”
“I said, you’re hurting me. Didn’t you hear me?”
“Oh… I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Lou Mi reached out and touched her head. “Let me blow on it for you, there, there, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Chi Lin struggled. Lou Mi was all too familiar with this reluctant act.
So cute.
Lou Mi’s hand, stroking Chi Lin’s head, unconsciously moved down to her chin.
Chi Lin: “?”
Lou Mi caressed Chi Lin’s delicate chin and couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss her.
Chi Lin’s eyes widened. Realizing what was about to happen, she panicked and jumped up, bumping her head against Lou Mi’s mouth.
Lou Mi, completely unprepared, had her delicate lips smashed against her own teeth by Chi Lin’s hard head. Her lip immediately started bleeding.
Lou Mi touched it, and her fingertip came away bright red.
Chi Lin glared at her furiously. She inwardly cursed, “This is bad,” and apologized pitifully:
“Sorry, Little Lin, I…”
“Get out!”
Chi Lin kicked over the chair beside her. The back of the chair hit Lou Mi’s unsuspecting toes, the pain almost making her lose her balance.
Chi Lin grabbed her bag and rushed out the door, leaving Lou Mi alone in the living room, bewildered, sitting on the floor rubbing her foot.
Leave a Reply