Chapter 82
“You’re not Chi Lin. Who are you?”
Lou Mi’s words, spoken without hesitation, were more intimidating than the force she exerted on the original Chi Lin’s back.
The original Chi Lin was completely taken aback. She hadn’t expected to be discovered.
But… what did she mean, she wasn’t Chi Lin?
She struggled frantically, growling:
“If I’m not Chi Lin, then who is?! Who’s supposed to be Chi Lin?!”
Several times, she almost managed to turn around, but Lou Mi’s rage fueled an unexpected strength, forcing her back against the wall.
Lou Mi had initially been uncertain about her own suspicions, but the original Chi Lin’s words solidified her theory. Her grip tightened.
“I don’t care who you are, but if you dare to harm my family…”
She pressed down harder on the original Chi Lin’s shoulder, causing tears to well up in her eyes.
Grandma Lou watched, worried: “Mi Mi, don’t actually hurt Little Lin. Let’s sit down and talk, we’re family.”
The original Chi Lin was still yelling, “Who’s family with you?!” Lou Mi grabbed the back of her neck and her arm, spun her around, and threw her out the door.
“In that case, go to your own house. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
Lou Mi’s coldness and indifference as she slammed the door shut surprised the original Chi Lin.
“Hey! Hey! Open the door!” She pounded on the door. Lou Mi locked it, a lock that couldn’t be opened from the outside with facial recognition. She then turned to her grandparents and said, “Stay inside. Don’t open the door for anyone except my dad and Auntie Peng.”
“Okay…”
“Mi Mi, where are you going?”
Lou Mi stepped into the elevator: “I have to go out. By the way, please check on the dog and make sure it’s alright. Little Lin really loves it.”
The elevator doors closed. Tiger didn’t need to be checked on; it was already at their feet, nudging them timidly and looking up cautiously for their reaction.
“This little dog seems a bit slow-witted, doesn’t it?”
Lou Mi took the stairs from the garage and hid behind the bushes in the community’s greenbelt, watching her apartment entrance.
The original Chi Lin, tired of banging on the door, realized the Lous weren’t going to open it. But her phone and bag were still inside!
Damn it all, she thought dejectedly, walking away, intending to find a phone to call Peng Ziyuan and ask her to pick her up.
Before she could leave the community, she saw Lou Lixing and Peng Ziyuan rushing towards her.
“Little Lin, are you alright?” Peng Ziyuan rushed to her side and held her arm.
The original Chi Lin sneered at Lou Lixing: “You should ask your precious daughter that. She almost broke my arm!”
Lou Lixing: “What happened? Are your grandparents still at home?”
The original Chi Lin glanced at him and didn’t answer.
Lou Lixing and Peng Ziyuan exchanged glances. Lou Lixing went back inside, while Peng Ziyuan stayed outside with the original Chi Lin.
“Give me your phone.” The original Chi Lin held out her hand to Peng Ziyuan.
“What’s wrong?”
“Transfer some money to me.” She said impatiently. “Why did you disable the parental controls? I’m out of money!”
Peng Ziyuan handed her the phone. The original Chi Lin entered the password, but it showed incorrect.
“You changed the password?”
Peng Ziyuan said, “Little Lin, tell me what’s on your mind, what you’re thinking. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a proper chat. I thought you had come to your senses, but you’ve reverted back to this. What do you want me to do?”
“What do I want you to do? I should be asking you that. Do you not remember anything you said? Or are you pretending to have amnesia?!”
Peng Ziyuan: “What did I say? That I would love you and your father forever?”
“You have the nerve to say that.”
“You’re my daughter, I brought you into this world, of course I’ll love you forever. But your father… I did say that before, but later, I couldn’t bring myself to continue loving him.”
“Why?!” The original Chi Lin raised her voice, then sneered knowingly. “Of course, I should have known what kind of person you are. You never wear the same clothes twice, you always have new clothes, you’re fickle! Why did you initiate the divorce with my dad? Wasn’t it because you didn’t love him anymore, you were tired of him! Of course you couldn’t, because you’re essentially…”
Peng Ziyuan closed her eyes and interrupted her: “Your father had an affair.”
The original Chi Lin: “…What did you say?”
“It was with a boy around your age.”
“With, with me? Now?”
“No, when we were divorcing. The boy was just 14 at the time.”
The original Chi Lin was stunned by her words, and after a while, she stammered, “You’re lying…”
“I had intended to never tell you this. Your father did love me when we got married, but he’s bisexual. Do you know what bisexual means? Attracted to both men and women. Being bisexual is perfectly normal, what’s not normal is your father.” Peng Ziyuan spoke slowly, without any emotion, as if she were talking about someone else.
“The first time I found out, he begged me to forgive him. Fine, I forgave him. But then what? A few months later, I caught him again, at home. When I found them, your father was wearing my dress, and that man…”
The original Chi Lin kicked Peng Ziyuan’s shin and yelled, “Don’t say it! Why are you telling me this? I didn’t ask you to! I don’t want to know!”
Peng Ziyuan stood motionless: “You have to know. Chi Lin, you’re 18 years old.”
Lou Mi, hidden behind the bushes, heard everything clearly, feeling slightly awkward.
So there was such a story…
“You know about the divorce. My mother found out and caused a scene at his company. He was too ashamed to stay in the country, so he went abroad. You kept telling your classmates that he was dead, or that he died indirectly because of me. I know all of this. I never contradicted you, as long as you were happy.”
The original Chi Lin trembled: “You think you’re so noble?”
Peng Ziyuan shook her head: “I’m not noble, I’m a failure, I know that.”
“Good that you know. In that case, you should think about how to make up for all of this! You haven’t repented, and you’re still going to marry that Lou guy? Let me tell you, if you marry him, I’ll run away from home!”
Lou Mi cursed inwardly. This little brat was still as obnoxious as ever, even worse.
She thought it was time to step in and support Peng Ziyuan, but unexpectedly, Peng Ziyuan said:
“Then go.”
The original Chi Lin: “…Huh?”
Peng Ziyuan put her hands in her pockets and looked at the original Chi Lin calmly. This look unsettled her.
Peng Ziyuan had changed.
She couldn’t pinpoint what was different. Peng Ziyuan had lectured her many times before, but this time, it seemed…
The community lights illuminated Peng Ziyuan’s cold face. The person standing there wasn’t a loving mother, but a woman whose heart had turned to ice.
The original Chi Lin suddenly found the answer in Peng Ziyuan’s eyes.
It was disappointment, a clear and unmistakable disappointment.
As if she were looking at a piece of trash.
“Go.”
Peng Ziyuan smiled and walked past her.
Lou Mi, almost spotted by Peng Ziyuan, quickly hid.
Peng Ziyuan went back inside. When Lou Mi came out to look for the original Chi Lin, she was gone.
Lou Mi ran to the community gate and asked the security guard, who said she had just taken a taxi.
Lou Mi looked at the dark night, speechless.
The original Chi Lin didn’t know where to go. Without money, she could only sleep on the streets.
The taxi carrying her stopped on an unfamiliar street. She couldn’t even afford the fare…
Without paying, the doors wouldn’t open.
She sat in the car, lost and unsure what to do.
Suddenly, Jun Jun’s face appeared on a nearby advertising screen. It was a missing person notice.
Jun Jun was missing. Although she had left a note saying she was going out for a while and not to worry, her parents, unaware of her whereabouts, were frantic, hoping for her safe return.
“Idiots.” Looking at the haggard faces of the old couple in the video, the original Chi Lin muttered to herself, “Your daughter is already dead.”
Knock, knock, knock. Someone was knocking on the car window.
She snapped out of her thoughts and saw two women standing outside.
Both women were tall and thin, wearing black trench coats and thick scarves despite the late hour, but with skirts on their lower bodies.
The woman in front had long, flowing hair and pressed her face close to the window, her bright smile unsettlingly eerie in the midnight street.
The taller woman behind her was even more intimidating. Upon closer inspection, what she wore around her neck wasn’t a scarf, but a giant python.
The original Chi Lin was stunned. Who were these people? From a circus?
The woman held up her phone with the payment code displayed and waved at the original Chi Lin, gesturing for her to move aside.
Were they going to pay for her fare?
She moved as instructed. A beep sounded, indicating successful payment.
As the taxi printed the receipt, the woman opened the car door and nodded at her:
“Come out, Little Ancestor.”
The original Chi Lin didn’t get out: “Who are you?”
A Bao chuckled: “We’re the only people you can rely on right now. It seems your return wasn’t very smooth, still a stray dog. Want to turn things around? Come out, let’s have a chat.”
Hearing the words “return,” the original Chi Lin was shocked.
“Who are you…”
***
As soon as Lou Mi entered the apartment, Tiger came over, wiggling its butt.
“You’re alright?” Lou Mi picked it up. It licked her nose enthusiastically, and she quickly stopped it, handing it to Peng Ziyuan.
“Silly dog.” Lou Mi wiped the drool off her nose with a wet tissue. Peng Ziyuan glanced at Lou Lixing and her parents sitting on the sofa, then gestured for Lou Mi to follow her to the kitchen.
Closing the kitchen door, Peng Ziyuan got straight to the point:
“There’s something wrong with this Little Lin.”
Lou Mi nodded, then shook her head after a moment of thought.
Peng Ziyuan saw that she understood:
“What do you mean, nodding and shaking your head?”
“If there’s something wrong, I’m not sure which Chi Lin has the problem.”
Peng Ziyuan, holding Tiger, fell into thought.
“What are you going to do?” Peng Ziyuan always felt that Lou Mi had a plan and wanted to hear her opinion.
Lou Mi thought for a moment and said, “I shouldn’t interfere with your and Chi Lin’s affairs, you need to resolve this yourself.”
These words spoke volumes.
Since Lou Mi and Chi Lin’s relationship had blossomed, both Lou Lixing and Peng Ziyuan would immediately inform Lou Mi of anything related to Chi Lin, letting her take the lead, implicitly acknowledging them as a couple.
But now, Lou Mi was returning the reins to Peng Ziyuan, separating herself from the situation. This action confirmed Peng Ziyuan’s suspicions.
But…
Although she had jokingly mentioned it before, who would have thought it would actually happen?
Even Peng Ziyuan, a seasoned reader of soul-swap novels, still found it hard to accept that this was actually happening to her.
“I’ve already let her go,” Peng Ziyuan said. “It wasn’t an impulsive decision. I’ve been harboring this thought for years. She’s an adult now, it’s time for her to grow up. We’re both suffering by staying together, it’s better to let her go and live her own life. If she needs my help, I’ll help her, but for now, it’s best we don’t see each other.”
Lou Mi used to think Peng Ziyuan was just dramatic, but after living together for years, she had come to understand her true nature.
As long as her bottom line wasn’t crossed, she was a gentle person.
But if repeatedly challenged, she would become incredibly decisive.
Lou Mi nodded, showing her support for Peng Ziyuan’s decision.
Peng Ziyuan asked, “Then, the other one…”
She didn’t know how to describe it. She only had a vague idea, not the full picture.
“I have some clues about the other one.” Lou Mi looked at Peng Ziyuan and asked her a question.
Peng Ziyuan lowered her eyes, recalling the past few months, the other girl’s gentleness and obedience, a sweet and loving daughter.
She had experienced a mother-daughter bond she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Was blood relation important? Of course, but she didn’t want to force it anymore.
And some connections were simply strokes of fate.
Peng Ziyuan said, “I have no objections.”
“I wish the entire Lou family would just die!”
The original Chi Lin vented about her recent experiences, growing more and more agitated as she devoured the fried noodles in front of her.
After a loud burp, she ordered ten more skewers.
A Bao wrinkled her nose in disgust and leaned back.
Xiao V said coldly, “You want to kill them? It’s simple.”
The original Chi Lin: “You have a way?”
Xiao V: “Yes.”
The original Chi Lin felt uneasy.
She didn’t know who these two were, but from their words, she was certain that they were responsible for her sudden return to her own body.
Xiao V placed a black box in front of her:
“Just put this black box in Lou Mi’s car. It will kill her without a trace.”
“Huh?” The original Chi Lin picked up the box and turned it over and over, finding no seams or openings. “That amazing?”
Xiao V nodded.
“But how do I get this into Lou Mi’s car?”
“Easy.” A Bao leaned back in her chair and explained, “Unless your family’s garage doesn’t use a smart home system and you can’t get in with facial recognition.”
The original Chi Lin thought about it. She could indeed get in. The smart home system even allowed for shared car access; she could unlock Lou Mi’s car with her face.
“But I’ve fallen out with my family, how can I go back there with a straight face?”
“Hey, silly girl, that’s your mom. Just say something nice, and you’ll be back in.” A Bao analyzed the situation for her. “Only when the Lous are gone can you finally vent your anger. After Lou Mi dies in an ‘accident,’ her dad might also die in an ‘accident.’ Hey, in life, who can say they won’t encounter an accident? Then you can appear and comfort your mother. Mother and daughter reconciled, a happy ending for everyone.”
The original Chi Lin’s smile was strained as she looked at the black box.
“This is just the beginning.” A Bao continued. “After you’ve taken care of this, a transfer student will come to South Lake Third High and be your assistant. She can help you with exams and social relationships.”
“So,” A Bao leaned closer, smiling like a fox. “Haven’t I thought of everything?”
The original Chi Lin’s lips curled up: “How can I trust you?”
“So that’s what you’re worried about.” A Bao looked at Xiao V. “What should we do? She doesn’t trust us.”
Xiao V stared at the original Chi Lin, her expression devoid of emotion, her blinks infrequent, like an emotionless AI.
“You have no choice. Do you think you can stay in this body forever? Chi Lin, you’re already dead. Your connection to this body has ended, your soul lamp has long been extinguished. You’re only here now because we’re lending you time.”
“What… then, what about my connection to Jun Jun’s body?”
The two women didn’t answer, just stared at her coldly.
Even when A Bao smiled, her eyes held a chilling coldness that could freeze one’s heart.
“What if I’m still in this body when the time comes?” The original Chi Lin continued to ask.
A Bao stood up without saying a word, patted her shoulder, and left.
The original Chi Lin: “Hey…”
Xiao V answered her question: “Do you know what complete annihilation means? Your soul will disappear forever, with no chance of reincarnation.”
“What…”
Xiao V gave her one last warning: “Finish this quickly, and embrace your beautiful life. Even a fool can see which path to choose.”
The two left the restaurant one after another, leaving the original Chi Lin shivering in her seat.
After temporarily locking Chi Lin’s access permissions in the home system, Lou Mi went to her father and Peng Ziyuan’s room to say goodnight, then returned to her own room.
She video-called Zhuo Jinglan, asking for Jun Jun’s information.
“This kid doesn’t have much information, she didn’t even fill out her family details. What do you need it for?”
Zhuo Jinglan sent Lou Mi the information Jun Jun had filled out during her interview. Lou Mi had wanted to compare the handwriting.
She had seen Chi Lin’s handwriting, neat and elegant, and she was confident she could recognize it.
But the application was filled out electronically, and even the traditional signature was replaced with a fingerprint scan. There was no handwriting to compare.
Lou Mi bit her lip in frustration, staring at the ceiling.
“Have the trainees all gone back?”
“What are you talking about? Look at the time! I’ve been woken up twice by you already. Do you think the trainees are still here? Have some mercy…”
“Do you know where Jun Jun lives?”
Zhuo Jinglan paused for a few seconds, pondering her question: “Did you and your little sister really break up? You’re already looking for a replacement so soon?”
“…Can you not be like Xie Buyu and the others, always thinking the worst? I have serious business.”
“Even if it’s serious business, I’m not her mother. I really don’t know where she lives.”
Lou Mi rolled her eyes, expecting some useful information:
“Fine, I’ll figure it out myself.”
Zhuo Jinglan wanted to say something else, but Lou Mi hung up.
Jun Jun wasn’t at the club, and Lou Mi didn’t know where she lived. There was nowhere to look for her in the middle of the night. She could only force herself to sleep and go to the club in the morning.
Early in the morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the security guard saw the original Chi Lin pacing back and forth at the community entrance. He startled her when he approached.
“What’s wrong, Miss Chi?” he asked. “Can’t get in?”
The original Chi Lin’s expression flickered. She stammered for a bit, then said:
“I think there’s something wrong with the smart home system.”
“Malfunctioning again? There was another resident in another building who was trapped inside earlier. You’re the opposite, can’t get in.”
The security guard was about to ring the doorbell when the original Chi Lin stopped him:
“Actually, my family is out of town, no one’s home. Uncle, don’t you have override access? Can you let me in?”
The security guard said, “I can’t use the override access casually, only in emergencies, like natural disasters, to rescue people.”
“This is an emergency too. I have an exam today, and I forgot my bag inside. It’s a really, really important exam. If I don’t do well, my mom will kill me. Please, Uncle…”
The security guard knew her, seeing her come and go every day. She was just a young girl, and her pleading almost made him forget his own name. He used the override access to open the door for her.
“Don’t tell anyone, or I’ll get my pay docked.” He warned.
“Uncle, I probably can’t start my car either. Can you check if there’s something wrong with our smart home system?”
The smart home systems in Longrun Gardens were installed and maintained by the property management company, and the security guard’s smart lock could indeed access the system.
“It seems your access has been locked.” The security guard checked the system at the Lou family’s door. “Why don’t you ask your parents what’s going on?”
“My mom and dad are on vacation. They told me before they left to contact property management if I had any problems. The uncles at property management are the best.”
The security guard beamed, unlocking her access: “Alright, alright, go on in, your exam is important.”
“Thank you, Uncle!”
After entering, the original Chi Lin quietly closed the door. A blue light illuminated the living room. She checked the access logs on the control panel and saw that no one had left, they were all home.
She turned off the surveillance and quietly took the elevator to the garage.
She knew there were security cameras outside the community that must have recorded her, but she didn’t care.
If something happened to Lou Mi and the blame fell on her, she could just switch back to Jun Jun’s body. Those two women could definitely make it happen.
She didn’t care about this body or this family anymore. Whoever wanted them could have them.
The pain in her shoulder and face was still sharp.
Lou Mi dared to humiliate her like that.
She deserved to die!
After she killed Lou Mi and waited for Lou Lixing to kick the bucket too, she would return to Jun Jun’s body.
That was true freedom!
Haha…
But, this was murder.
The original Chi Lin’s heart pounded as she tried to convince herself.
Don’t think about it, it’s either her or you.
Reaching the garage, she took out the black box, walked over to Lou Mi’s car, and unlocked the door using the family member shared access.
She opened the door, tossed the box under the passenger seat, closed the door, glanced around, and quickly walked towards the garage exit.
Don’t look back, just keep walking!
The only sound she could hear was her own heartbeat. Reaching the garage exit, she bumped into Tiger, who was doing its business in the yard.
To her surprise, the stupid dog didn’t greet her. Instead, it looked at her warily, baring its teeth.
“Shhh! Don’t bark!” The original Chi Lin, terrified, pointed at Tiger and warned it.
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