Chapter 90 p1
Traditionally, no one pressured the players to drink at celebratory dinners.
Not only were they not pressured, but even if they wanted to drink, Zhuo Jinglan would keep a close watch, making sure they didn’t overdo it.
Usually, Lou Mi was the one under strict supervision. Today was different; she was an outsider, unable to play in the final match. She was here to see Chi Lin and to protect her.
Although she knew no one would force Chi Lin to drink, Lou Mi was worried she might feel uncomfortable.
After all, Chi Lin was usually so shy. Being surrounded by a group of veterans, especially Xie Buyu with her dirty mind, Lou Mi worried about Chi Lin being corrupted.
Unable to relax at the hospital, she pestered Lou Lixing and Peng Ziyuan to cover for her so she could sneak out.
As it turned out, Lou Mi was overthinking it.
Chi Lin was the accomplished Empress, a veteran of court politics. What kind of situation hadn’t she seen?
Not only was she adept at social interactions, but she also handled the formalities with grace.
No one could get close to her, yet no one felt neglected.
This surprised Lou Mi.
Thinking about it, it added a certain charm to Chi Lin’s character.
Chi Lin was constantly aware of a burning gaze on her. After finally excusing herself from the crowd, she went to push Lou Mi’s wheelchair.
“Sister,” Chi Lin whispered, only loud enough for Lou Mi to hear, “you’re staring too intensely.”
“Is there a problem?” Lou Mi said. “If I don’t stare at you, who should I stare at?”
Chi Lin smiled, not falling for her teasing.
“So, shy little Lin, is exclusively for me?”
Chi Lin frowned slightly.
“Okay, I already know the answer.”
“Why are you answering for me in your head?”
“Look, the exclusive shyness is back. So composed with everyone else, but flustered only around me. This time, it’s not just shyness, but also a bit of annoyance. Like adding a dash of pepper, just the way I like it.”
Lou Mi’s playful descriptions made Chi Lin laugh. Lou Mi asked her to push her to the balcony for some fresh air.
Leaving the noisy celebration behind, as Chi Lin closed the balcony door, Lou Mi stood up and walked towards the railing.
“Careful.” Chi Lin quickly followed.
“Afraid I’ll jump? I don’t have your Qinggong skills. I can’t get out.”
Lou Mi pointed to the chest-high glass railing.
Chi Lin stood beside her: “I always worry too much.”
The city lights illuminated Chi Lin’s delicate and serene face. Knowing her true identity, Lou Mi saw a magical blend of ancient and modern.
Past life, present life, reincarnation.
So this world truly held hidden secrets.
And Chi Lin was a witness to these secrets.
Looking at Chi Lin, Lou Mi couldn’t help but wonder:
Were Chi Lin’s restrained yet genuine emotions, her quiet yet unwavering devotion, for her, or for the Empress?
Lou Mi leaned against the railing, arms crossed, and looked at Chi Lin:
“Kiss me.”
Chi Lin looked at her quietly for a moment, then stepped forward and kissed her.
The kiss was typical Chi Lin, light and fleeting, full of longing and reluctance.
“Kiss me again.”
Lou Mi wanted more.
She could see the affection in Chi Lin’s eyes.
She wanted to confirm the intensity of that affection.
To break through Chi Lin’s reserved exterior, to find more compelling evidence within her passionate heart.
Chi Lin placed a hand on Lou Mi’s shoulder, closed her eyes, and kissed her again, as she wished.
Still a light, quick kiss.
Lou Mi didn’t let her go, returning the kiss with more passion.
Chi Lin, slightly startled, tried to pull back, but Lou Mi held her arm, not giving her a chance to escape.
Being so close to the glass railing was slightly dangerous. Lou Mi’s remaining rationality guided her to turn and gently push Chi Lin towards the wheelchair.
With nowhere to retreat, Chi Lin sat down.
Lou Mi leaned over, one hand on the armrest of the wheelchair, the other cupping Chi Lin’s face, tilting her head up, and continued the kiss.
Chi Lin, being kissed, didn’t know where to put her hands.
She wanted to place them on Lou Mi’s shoulders, but that felt too resistant.
Hesitantly, she placed them on Lou Mi’s arms, maintaining their balance, ready to catch her if she lost her footing.
Chi Lin’s lips were slightly cold and dry. She had been too focused on the match to pay attention to herself.
Lou Mi’s lipstick, transferred through their kisses, now coated Chi Lin’s lips, a vibrant color that didn’t quite suit her.
But it added a certain allure.
When Lou Mi finally pulled away, Chi Lin’s eyes were still closed, her breathing uneven. With her head tilted back, the curve of her neck was elegant and exposed.
It looked tempting to bite, but Lou Mi restrained herself.
They couldn’t predict when someone might come to the balcony, and any further intimacy might lead to something more.
These few kisses were enough for now.
Chi Lin opened her eyes, saw the smudged lipstick on Lou Mi’s lips, and immediately realized her own appearance. She instinctively covered her mouth and turned her face slightly, exposing her earlobe.
“It looks good, why are you hiding it?”
Lou Mi noticed the faint mark from her earlier playful bite on Chi Lin’s ear and couldn’t resist touching it with her fingertip.
Chi Lin’s ear, small and delicate, turned visibly red.
“Don’t do that.” Chi Lin covered her ear.
“Your ear is so soft, so easy to tease.”
Chi Lin’s ears and cheeks flushed. She continued to hide her face, averting her gaze.
Lou Mi couldn’t read Chi Lin’s mind, but she understood her heart.
Chi Lin was still struggling with her inner conflict.
The similarities between Lou Mi and Her Majesty were too numerous, too compelling for Chi Lin to resist.
It was a soul-deep attraction.
But until Lou Mi fully regained her past life memories, Chi Lin had to restrain herself.
That line, which neither of them had crossed, was Chi Lin’s final reservation.
Lou Mi didn’t speak, just straightened up.
Seeing the change in her expression, the slight sadness, Chi Lin thought her reservedness had upset Lou Mi and quickly stood up.
“Are you cold?” Chi Lin asked indirectly, hoping her concern would reach Lou Mi.
The temperature fluctuated greatly in early spring. Lou Mi had only worn a thin jacket when she left the hospital, but now, as night fell, the temperature dropped, and a chilly breeze ruffled her hair.
Lou Mi shook her head. Chi Lin took off her down jacket and, standing on tiptoe, draped it over Lou Mi’s shoulders.
“Are you warm now?” Chi Lin adjusted the jacket, waiting for Lou Mi’s response.
The jacket, still warm from Chi Lin’s body heat, brought tears to Lou Mi’s eyes.
She opened the jacket and pulled Chi Lin inside, enveloping her in the small, warm space.
Lou Mi’s breath tickled Chi Lin’s neck and ear. Chi Lin’s heart fluttered, but this time, she didn’t pull away, just smiled:
“Too close, it tickles.”
Lou Mi didn’t take the opportunity to kiss her again.
She knew that if she asked for another kiss, Chi Lin would agree. Chi Lin’s love wasn’t fake.
It was their initial mutual attraction that led to Chi Lin’s conviction. Lou Mi understood that in this cause-and-effect relationship, Chi Lin’s love came first.
But she couldn’t bear to take advantage of that love.
She had to regain her memories.
Holding Chi Lin tightly, Lou Mi told herself she had to remember, to recall every loving moment they shared in their past life.
Chi Lin had told her the story, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted to relive it, to feel it with all her senses.
When she regained her memories, she would help Chi Lin restore her nation, fulfill her every wish.
Then, Chi Lin would no longer have any reservations, no longer suppress herself.
Lost in thought, Lou Mi’s mind wandered.
When that happened, would everything be permissible?
Could they finally explore their emperor-subject fantasy?
Maybe Chi Lin would even take the initiative.
The thought of Chi Lin taking the initiative made Lou Mi’s heart race.
Xie Buyu dragged Fu Tu towards the balcony.
“Are you crazy… No way!” Fu Tu refused.
“What?! I woke up at 5 am to put on makeup for you! Using the tutorial from your favorite beauty vlogger! My hand almost fell off, and you’re saying no?” Xie Buyu, slightly tipsy, was both enthusiastic and demanding.
“Have some decency, there are so many people here!” Fu Tu gestured to the crowd.
Xie Buyu whined: “That’s why we’re going to the balcony! I know this place well, come on, I’m dying here.”
“Are you some kind of creature that’s always in heat?!”
As they reached the balcony door, Fu Tu pulled Xie Buyu back:
“It’s occupied!”
Xie Buyu rolled up her sleeves, ready to confront the occupants: “Wait here.”
“Wait!” Fu Tu, recognizing the figures outside, stopped her. “It’s Sister Mi and Little Sister!”
Xie Buyu almost slipped: “What the hell, now we have to wait in line to make out with our girlfriends?”
Fu Tu: “I never agreed to be your girlfriend.”
“Fine, I know other places, let’s go.”
Fu Tu: “?!”
Xie Buyu raised an eyebrow: “Obsessed with me now?”
“How many shady things have you done here? You’re not getting any until you confess.”
Xie Buyu, who had dug herself into a hole: “…”
By the end of the dinner, the main characters had disappeared. Zhuo Jinglan searched everywhere, rounding up the team members one by one for a group photo with the owner before finally calling it a night.
They had the morning off and would continue with meetings in the afternoon.
Chi Lin could come after school.
Zhuo Jinglan held Chi Lin’s hand, feeling grateful: “You’ve worked so hard, Little Sister, juggling school and the competition in your senior year. But we really had no choice, you saved the day. After the final match, you can focus on your studies. Just three more days, we can do this.”
Chi Lin said, “Sister’s matters are my matters, it’s okay, I’ll manage my time.”
Lou Mi, sitting in her wheelchair, couldn’t take her eyes off Chi Lin.
Chi Lin had just echoed the same words she had said to her earlier.
Lou Mi’s smile reached her ears.
Lou Lixing took Lou Mi back to the hospital. Chi Lin wanted to go with them, planning to stay with Lou Mi again, but the entire family objected.
Neither Peng Ziyuan nor Lou Lixing could persuade her. Chi Lin was determined. Finally, Lou Mi intervened.
She also wanted Chi Lin to stay, but for Chi Lin’s sake, she wanted her to go home and get a good night’s sleep:
“You’re exhausted after playing all day, be good and go home to rest. My dad is here with me, I’ll be fine.”
“But…” Chi Lin didn’t trust anyone else to take care of her. Only she could do it properly.
Lou Mi took her hand, wrinkled her nose, and whispered, “If you come, I’ll definitely want to tease you again, and then neither of us will get any rest. My injuries will never heal.”
Considering Lou Mi’s condition, Chi Lin relented and went home with Peng Ziyuan.
Before leaving, she reminded Lou Mi, “Call me if you need anything, my phone is always on.”
Lou Mi teased: “Are you going to rush over here in the middle of the night again? Be good, turn off your phone and get some sleep, don’t worry about anything else. It’s just a couple of days, I’ll be discharged soon.”
Chi Lin went home and slept, but Lou Mi couldn’t.
She spent the entire night searching online, almost exhausting the search results for “how to regain past life memories.”
She tried several methods, but nothing worked, not even making her sleepy.
She ended up with dark circles under her eyes.
How could she regain her memories?
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