Chapter 99
Lou Mi wasn’t concerned about being alone with Chi Lin in the live stream room, even if Zhuo Jinglan might barge in.
She had wanted to give Chi Lin a more striking makeup look for the stream, after all, it was a special occasion.
Chi Lin’s face looked good with any makeup, and Lou Mi, who considered herself somewhat skilled in makeup, thought she had done a good job. But Chi Lin, seeing her heavily made-up face in the mirror, was startled.
“This won’t do…” She immediately reached for a tissue to wipe it off.
“Why not?” Lou Mi had expected praise for her skills, not this outright rejection.
“It’s too strange.”
“Don’t use a tissue, come here.” Lou Mi took her hand and the tissue, discarding it, and started removing the makeup with cleansing oil. “You’re just not used to wearing makeup. I’m curious, didn’t you wear makeup before?”
“I did, but just light makeup.” At this, Chi Lin suddenly smiled, remembering something.
Lou Mi had her close her eyes, placed a cotton pad soaked in cleansing oil over her eyelids, waited for three seconds, then gently wiped it off, removing the makeup cleanly.
“What are you smiling about?” Lou Mi asked curiously. “Tell me, did I also enjoy putting makeup on you in our past life?”
Chi Lin nodded.
“Really?” Lou Mi’s eyes lit up. “Tell me everything!”
When they first met at the Imperial Academy, they were both young and clueless about makeup.
Chi Lin was focused on her studies.
Her Majesty, however, was curious about everything, especially cosmetics. But she only had one face, and the trends in Shangjing changed too quickly, so she decided to find another canvas.
That unlucky canvas was Chi Lin.
As the princess, Jin Yi was pampered and could do whatever she wanted at the Imperial Academy. No one dared to refuse her.
But Chi Lin was different, her focus solely on the classics, not caring what the princess did to her face.
One day, Jin Yi, after pestering her for over an hour, with cosmetics scattered across the table, applied the latest Shangjing trend to Chi Lin’s face and proudly presented her with her reflection in a bronze mirror. Chi Lin, seeing the gaudy monstrosity staring back at her, was so startled that she dropped her brush.
Jin Yi couldn’t understand her reaction: “Doesn’t it look good? So beautiful!”
Chi Lin ran to the pond and immediately washed it off.
“Chi Lin, how dare you!” Jin Yi was furious. She had spent so much effort on her masterpiece, and it was instantly erased.
Chi Lin, her face and sleeves dripping wet, bowed to Jin Yi and apologized:
“This commoner is unworthy of Your Highness’s efforts. Please find someone more deserving.”
Lou Mi was shocked: “You really spoke to the princess like that?”
Chi Lin sighed: “I was young and arrogant, I did many foolish things.”
“Then what? What happened next?” Lou Mi pressed.
“Later, Her Majesty kept pestering me, insisting on putting makeup on my face.”
Lou Mi burst out laughing: “What a twisted fate. But it does sound like something I would do.”
Chi Lin agreed: “Her Majesty’s personality hasn’t changed.”
For the live stream, Chi Lin insisted on light makeup, which suited her elegant and refined aura.
Her nervousness and slight awkwardness in front of the camera added a touch of innocence that Lou Mi adored.
The cameras were recording them quietly. Online, fans had already noticed the accidental early start of the stream, the two of them whispering sweet nothings, completely oblivious.
Don’t tell them! Let me watch! Let me see how much more Lou Mi can flirt!
I’m Lin Jie! Lou Mi, come and cuddle me! I’m Lou Jie! Let me touch my Little Lin! Who am I?! I’m losing it!
Golden Palace x5, Golden Palace x5…
Fu Tu, picking up some food for Xie Buyu, glanced at the live stream and gasped, almost dropping her chopsticks.
“What are Sister Mi and Little Sister doing? This… isn’t appropriate, is it?”
Zhuo Jinglan, emerging from the back room, saw the scene and yelled, “What the fuck?!” The glass windows rattled, her face turning green.
“Wasn’t the data connection supposed to be offline?! Why is it live?!”
Huhu shuddered: “It’s, it’s been live for a while.”
“For a while?!”
Her phone rang. It was a call from the tech department.
She didn’t need to answer to know what it was about. She slipped and rushed towards the live stream room!
Lou Mi, snuggling close to Chi Lin, one leg casually draped over her, practically wanted to sit on her lap.
Chi Lin was used to Lou Mi’s clinginess by now, having endured it for two lifetimes. The more she looked at her, the more adorable she found her.
Having been two years older than Her Majesty in their past life, and now seven years older, indulging her whims was easy.
Lou Mi, wanting some intimacy before the stream officially started, half-sat on Chi Lin’s lap, leaning closer.
The room was dimly lit, not yet ready for the stream. Lou Mi cupped Chi Lin’s face, the atmosphere perfect for a series of kisses…
Yes! Kiss her!
Don’t stop!
Sister Lou is so dominant!
I’ve got their heads locked; everyone, focus on sending gifts!
Gkd! Gkd! Gkd! (Hurry up!)
Just as their lips were about to meet, Zhuo Jinglan burst through the door with a loud bang that echoed in Chi Lin’s heart.
Startled, Chi Lin leaped into the air, landing several meters away in the corner of the room.
Lou Mi, losing her balance, almost fell, but Chi Lin had steadied her before flying off.
Lou Mi glared at Zhuo Jinglan: “What the hell is wrong with you?! You scared me to death!”
Zhuo Jinglan’s words tumbled out:
“Live stream! It’s live! It’s being broadcast!”
“Huh?” Lou Mi quickly understood and turned to look at the camera, which, sensing her movement, also turned slightly.
It was indeed on.
…wtf…
Lou Mi’s heart sank.
So, everything she and Chi Lin had just done was being broadcast live?
Millions of viewers had seen it all?
Her cuddling Chi Lin, calling her Lin Jie, all of it?!
Zhuo Jinglan, the interrupter of their intimate moment, had incurred the wrath of the internet.
??? So close!
Who is she?! Off with her head!
It’s Nine Heavens’ manager, she probably realized the stream was live.
Wait, did Little Lin just fly? She disappeared in a blink! Qinggong?
She also steadied Sister Lou before flying off. Relationship goals!
I’m convinced the person who saved Sister Lou on the highway was Little Lin! Those skills, that attentiveness!
Golden Palace x10, Golden Palace x10…
Chi Lin, her heart pounding, previously frozen in her chair, was now frozen in the corner.
Zhuo Jinglan frantically gestured at Lou Mi, whose soul, after a brief trip to the astral plane of embarrassment, returned to her body.
Don’t panic, stay calm.
They were here for PR, weren’t they? Although this PR was a bit excessive, an overload of sweetness, panicking now would only make things worse.
Lou Mi smiled at the camera: “Are you all happy? Satisfied? Was the candy sweet enough?”
The chat was active again, the stream back online. Lou Mi saw her own murderous smile on the screen.
Great Sword x10, Great Sword x10…
So sweet! I can live on this for a lifetime!
Where’s Lin Jie?! Show us Lin Jie!
Seeing the words “Lin Jie,” Lou Mi remembered what she had said.
In front of millions of people, not only had she used that embarrassing nickname, but she had also been all over Chi Lin…
Her reputation was ruined.
Since it was already ruined, what was there to lose?
Lou Mi called out sweetly to Chi Lin, who was still off-screen: “Lin Jie, come here, everyone misses you.”
Lou Mi beckoned her, and Chi Lin reluctantly returned.
As they appeared on screen together, Lou Mi smiled sweetly, leaning her head on Chi Lin’s shoulder. The chat went wild:
From this moment on, I’m a Lin Xue shipper! Don’t try to stop me!
Who would have thought the ruthless HighTowerMiyuki could be so sweet?!
Seeing Sister Lou so calm, was that accidental live stream a mistake or a blessing? Her acting is too good!
No more Sister Lou, only Lin Jie and Lou Mei Mei!
Lou Mei Mei, I’m yours!
***
Chi Lin didn’t dare to look at the comments, the screen seemed to be exploding.
Lou Mi, a seasoned streamer, could read the comments with a single glance, even her peripheral vision could decipher what those little bastards were saying!
Well, she had only herself to blame…
No, wait.
Lou Mi glared at Zhuo Jinglan—it was all her fault! Hadn’t she said the connection was being tested?
Lou Mi was about to unleash her fury on Zhuo Jinglan, expecting at least a hint of remorse.
But Zhuo Jinglan was watching the live stream on her phone, chatting and laughing with Xie Buyu and Fu Tu in the next room.
Lou Mi: “??”
Not only was she not apologetic, but she was also enjoying the show?
Zhuo Jinglan, covering the lower half of her face with her phone, looked at Lou Mi.
Xie Buyu, Fu Tu, and Huhu, peeking through the door crack, had the same amused expression.
Lou Mi: “…”
Chi Lin coughed, not daring to look up, afraid of her blushing face being broadcast, afraid of seeing the comments and dying from embarrassment.
“Captain,” she said formally, “shall we start the dungeon now?”
The chat exploded again:
Little Lin is so shy, her little head is practically buried in her shoulders!
Ksl! (So cute!)
HighTowerMiyuki, you beast! Preying on such an innocent girl!
Captain? Seriously? Weren’t you just calling her Your Majesty? If I’m not mistaken, this is the first time anyone has called HighTowerMiyuki “Captain,” right?
Lou Mi inwardly cursed Zhuo Jinglan and Xie Buyu, those ungrateful traitors, while maintaining a calm and composed facade, as if everything was under control.
Hearing Chi Lin’s sweet voice, a sliver of rationality returned:
“Yes, let’s start the dungeon. Everyone, slow down with the comments, let’s focus on the game. I think most viewers are here for the game.”
Her words only fueled the frenzy:
No, no, we’re here for the CP!
I used to be a fan of HighTowerMiyuki’s gameplay, but after seeing Lin Jie, I realize how shallow I was. Games are nothing compared to CP!
We can skip the dungeon, but not the CP!
What’s a dungeon? Is it as fun as Lin Jie?
Say “Lin Jie” again! Can we have more of this sweet Lou Mi?!
Lou Mi almost choked.
Whose fans were these?! Definitely not hers!
The situation was out of control. As Lou Mi fumed, another wave of laughter erupted from the next room; Zhuo Jinglan was losing it.
Lou Mi: “…”
Chi Lin, who had been keeping her head down, glanced at Lou Mi and couldn’t help but laugh.
Lou Mi: “……”
That night’s live stream, thanks to the accidental early start, became a viral sensation.
Lou Mi had thought there were only a few million viewers, her usual number.
But the accident had attracted tens of millions.
Inside the dungeon, Lou Mi, distracted, made several mistakes, all of which Chi Lin covered for her.
Lin Jie is so caring.
Ah, this cursed love, making HighTowerMiyuki lose her edge.
Finally, after forcing a smile until the very last second, and after triple-checking that the stream was indeed over, Lou Mi jumped out of her chair and grabbed Zhuo Jinglan, ready to duel.
Zhuo Jinglan and the tech team immediately apologized:
“It was an accident, we didn’t mean for it to happen, the platform’s people are downstairs, their CEO came to apologize personally. Please calm down.”
Zhuo Jinglan added, “Don’t be mad, Lou Mi, do you know that tonight’s stream broke all records? Viewers, engagement, donations, everything! Millions in donations alone! The CEO said they’re waiving their cut and giving it all to you and Little Sister as an apology. Happy now?”
Lou Mi: “I’ll give it all to you if you let me strangle you.”
She was about to pin Zhuo Jinglan to the sofa, but Zhuo Jinglan, knowing Lou Mi’s strength, ran for her life, disappearing in a flash.
Xie Buyu and Fu Tu, dragging Huhu between them, also fled. Lou Mi pointed at their retreating figures:
“Don’t let me catch you!”
Chi Lin, witnessing Lou Mi’s usual bullying at the club firsthand, shook her head—she was still a child at heart.
The platform’s CEO arrived, apologizing profusely to Lou Mi and Chi Lin. Zhuo Jinglan, risking her life, returned to mediate.
Lou Mi, putting on a mature facade, told the CEO it was fine, accidents happened, it wasn’t a big deal. The donation split should remain the same.
Zhuo Jinglan whispered in her ear, “So magnanimous.”
Lou Mi glared at her: “You think I’m like you?”
Zhuo Jinglan couldn’t resist: “Did Lin Jie teach you to say that?”
She tried to escape, but Lou Mi, quick as lightning, grabbed her waist from behind.
The CEO: “?”
Zhuo Jinglan sighed and covered her face.
Lou Mi smiled at the CEO: “Sister Lan said it was her fault, she didn’t communicate properly, it’s all on her. She’s treating you and the tech team to dinner tonight. Right, Sister Lan?”
Zhuo Jinglan cursed inwardly—how could she be so treacherous?!
The CEO: “Oh, you shouldn’t! We should treat you! If you and Lin Jie… ahem, and Miss Chi are free tonight, how about some late-night snacks? There’s a Chongqing hot pot place nearby.”
Lou Mi suspected that the CEO, who almost called Chi Lin “Lin Jie,” had also been lurking in the live stream chat.
Seriously, when would modern people stop being so obsessed with other people’s relationships?
The CEO treated the Nine Heavens team to dinner, discussing future live stream collaborations.
Hearing the word “live stream” made Chi Lin want to disappear.
Her phone was buzzing with notifications; she didn’t need to look to know what they were about.
She couldn’t think about tonight’s events, it was too embarrassing.
Chi Lin put her phone away, telling herself that if she ignored it, it didn’t exist…
Wei Zhuoning rushed to the Lin Xue CP super topic and posted the first fanfiction.
[God, her writing speed is insane! How many years of being single does it take to achieve this level of skill?]
[Is there smut? Even kindergarten level is fine!]
[I’m not greedy, just let me smell the exhaust fumes!]
As Wei Zhuoning chatted excitedly with fellow fans, a user named “Wu Baiyuan” suddenly appeared:
[Your author has zero practical experience, are you sure you want to get on this train? Aren’t you afraid it’ll derail?]
Wei Zhuoning: “??”
This Wu Baiyuan was undoubtedly Lin Xiaozhi, always watching her so closely, and always with bird-related names!
What did she mean, zero practical experience…?
Wei Zhuoning, indignant, sent a private message to Wu Baiyuan:
[Why don’t you give me some experience then! [Angry] [Angry]]
Lin Xiaozhi, fresh out of the shower, having missed the live stream incident, saw Wei Zhuoning’s activity in her “special attention” list. She checked and saw that Wei Zhuoning, instead of studying, had spent the night writing fanfiction, about Chi Lin and Lou Mi, no less.
She claimed she had no time to hang out, but apparently, she had time for this.
Lin Xiaozhi was about to tease her when she received the private message.
Had the little rabbit discovered her true identity?
What did that mean? Did it mean what she thought it meant?
This was an unexpected development. Lin Xiaozhi immediately replied:
[I’ll give you some experience right now, meet me at your community gate in half an hour.]
Wei Zhuoning: “??”
That fast? Wait!
No matter how many messages or calls Wei Zhuoning sent, Lin Xiaozhi didn’t respond.
What was going on?! Why was she being so aggressive?!
Panicked, Wei Zhuoning quickly changed and ran downstairs.
***
The dinner lasted until 11 pm. The CEO still had a lot to say, but seeing Chi Lin’s fatigue, Lou Mi excused them.
“My little sister is in her senior year, she’s busy with school, we have to go.” Lou Mi grabbed their jackets. “Let’s get together again sometime.”
The CEO beamed: “Of course, of course, studies are important.”
He offered to see them out, but Lou Mi declined. Zhuo Jinglan and the others continued their dinner with the CEO, while Lou Mi and Chi Lin returned to the car.
The weather was getting warmer, even the night air was slightly humid.
Chi Lin, having had some wine, felt warm, her face flushed.
“I wanted to tell you earlier, that wine wasn’t very good, and yet you were drinking it like it was the finest vintage.” Lou Mi placed her cool hand on Chi Lin’s face. “I didn’t know you liked alcohol so much. You can drink at home, anything you want from my wine cabinet.”
Chi Lin shivered at her touch and held her hand:
“Why are your hands so cold?”
“I didn’t drink, of course I’m not as warm as you.”
Chi Lin said seriously, “It sounds like a Yang deficiency.”
“I thought you only knew how to trick people with fortune-telling, I didn’t know you were also a doctor.”
“I know a little.”
“Did you learn it to take care of Her Majesty?”
Lou Mi tried to pull her hand back, but Chi Lin held on, smiling:
“Let me warm your hands, it’ll be quick.”
“It’s summer, why warm my hands…” Lou Mi said, but her smile reached her eyes.
Lou Mi leaned against Chi Lin, watching the city lights blur past.
So many people were still working overtime, struggling to make a living, while she was on her way home with the person she loved.
She was truly blessed.
Remembering Chi Lin’s fondness for alcohol, Lou Mi asked:
“Have you always liked alcohol?”
Chi Lin played with Lou Mi’s slender fingers: “I didn’t like it before, it’s a habit I developed during my years in the northern border. It was so cold there, no amount of clothing could compare to a flask of wine, I would freeze without it.”
“When you were younger…” Lou Mi suddenly thought of something important and sat up abruptly. “How old are you, exactly? The Chi Lin I saw in Dayuan, was that your real age?”
“I was thirty-two when I arrived, and it’s been almost ten months, so I’m thirty-three now.”
Lou Mi was silent for a moment.
She had thought she was seven years older than Chi Lin, but it turned out she was seven years younger!
What a twist of fate…
But she snuggled closer to Chi Lin, feeling even more entitled to be pampered.
Chi Lin, after playing with her fingers, started toying with her hair. Lou Mi sensed she had something to say.
“What is it? Are you hiding something from me?”
Chi Lin hesitated, then asked, “Has Your Majesty remembered anything else from your past life?”
Lou Mi pouted and shook her head dejectedly: “No.”
Chi Lin hummed.
“Don’t worry. I know you’re waiting for me to remember so we can go back and restore Dayuan, but time is frozen there, we can go back anytime, right?”
“That’s true, but there are too many distractions in this era…”
This era was too comfortable, too enjoyable, and now, with Her Majesty… Chi Lin was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would become complacent, numb, even forgetting that her homeland was in danger.
Lou Mi sat up and looked at Chi Lin: “I know how important Dayuan is to you, I’ll help you restore it, I’ll do my best to remember, and I’ll take care of everything you don’t like. I only have one small request.”
Lou Mi held Chi Lin’s hand: “Stay in this era, don’t hate it, live here with me.”
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