Chapter 104 p1
Chi Lin scored in the top 10 of her class for the first time, her grade ranking also improving significantly.
Compared to last year’s cutoff scores, she could get into a first-tier university.
But her ranking was borderline; she could easily slip to second-tier.
And according to Sha Xinyu, the competition was even fiercer this year, with students from the science and technology classes having an advantage due to their research projects.
The science and technology classes… Chi Lin had looked into them and found them fascinating, a gathering of prodigies.
The CEO of N-T Group, the company that developed Return to Jianghu, was a graduate of such a class.
Now, the college entrance exams weren’t just about test scores, but also about a comprehensive evaluation of a student’s achievements throughout high school.
If Chi Lin had arrived earlier, she would have definitely applied to a science and technology class.
She had to work harder…
Even during summer break, she couldn’t relax.
On the first day of summer break, while Lou Mi was planning a celebratory dinner for her exam results, Chi Lin started her summer studies.
She finished all her homework in three days, and from the fourth day onwards, she woke up at 7 am every day, prepared breakfast for Lou Mi, then sat at her desk and studied diligently.
If Lou Mi was home at noon, she would cook for her. If not, she would study until Lou Mi returned in the evening.
The evenings were for Lou Mi. Chi Lin finished all her work during the day, so she could devote her full attention to Lou Mi in the evenings.
Lou Mi, busy with training and meetings at the club, often came home with a splitting headache.
But seeing Chi Lin’s bright smile and feeling her warm embrace, the headache would instantly vanish.
This was what home felt like.
It had been home before, but just for her and Lou Lixing. They both had busy schedules, and even at home, they were mostly resting and recharging.
They chatted casually, lived their own lives, occasionally checking on each other, but there wasn’t much deep emotional connection between father and daughter.
But Chi Lin was different.
Chi Lin was like her wife, was her wife.
No matter how tired or frustrated she was, no matter how many problems awaited her, seeing Chi Lin’s smile, feeling her warm embrace, brought Lou Mi a sense of peace and happiness.
She didn’t know why she was so clingy with Chi Lin.
It wasn’t about age, but an instinctive need.
Perhaps it was because Chi Lin loved and pampered her, allowing her to be completely vulnerable and unrestrained in her affections.
With Chi Lin’s care, Lou Mi could focus on her work. Even with the new season approaching, she managed her time well, scheduling a five-day vacation before the intensive training began.
Just as they were about to leave for their vacation, Grandpa Yan, who had been absent for a while, suddenly reappeared.
Not only did he reappear, but he also brought Lou Mi’s grandparents, asking Chi Lin to appear on TV.
“TV?” Chi Lin instinctively looked at the large, wall-mounted TV in the living room.
“The opera channel wants to do a special on Danzhou opera,” Grandpa Lou explained. “We all think it’s a good opportunity to promote Danzhou opera, to let more people appreciate its beauty. But who wants to see us old fogies on TV? It wouldn’t be very effective, so we thought… well, Little Lin is on summer break now.”
After his slightly awkward explanation, Grandpa Lou glanced at Lou Mi, who was sitting quietly, her eyelids drooping.
Lou Mi, taking a bite of a peeled orange, looked like she was chewing on their heads:
“Why are you looking at me?”
“I was just worried you might not be happy about this…”
“Oh, so you knew you were doing something I wouldn’t like.”
Chi Lin, used to Lou Mi’s playful antics, had almost forgotten her sharp tongue.
Grandma Lou, seemingly anticipating her reaction, peeled another orange and handed it to her, saying cheerfully:
“Mi Mi, don’t worry, it’ll only take one day, just one day. Little Lin is so clever, she’ll be done quickly.”
Grandpa Yan also chimed in: “Just one day, it won’t take any longer. The thing is, Little Chi is the best Danzhou opera singer, we can’t compare to her. The TV station people saw our previous recordings, and they think her voice is the most authentic.”
“One day, just one day.” Grandpa Lou promised. “I’ll bring Little Lin back safe and sound.”
Lou Mi handed the orange to Chi Lin without eating it, then smiled: “What, are you planning to replace her with a fake?”
Everyone assured her that they wouldn’t, they couldn’t, they wouldn’t dare.
Lou Mi felt like a bandit leader, having kidnapped a fair maiden, and these elders were here to ransom her.
But regarding the Danzhou opera, Lou Mi now understood why Chi Lin could sing it, knowing her true identity.
She glanced at Chi Lin, who was looking at her intently…
So, Danzhou opera must be related to Dayuan, something she knew from her past life.
Chi Lin didn’t seem opposed to it, her eyes even holding a hint of anticipation, as if saying:
Your Majesty, let me try.
“Fine…” Lou Mi said. “But I’ll be there, just one day, we still have our vacation.”
Grandpa Yan and Lou Mi’s grandparents were overjoyed and immediately contacted the TV station, scheduling the recording with Chi Lin.
On the day of the recording, Lou Mi personally escorted Chi Lin to the station, watching from outside while she filmed inside.
During the interview, Chi Lin’s expression was slightly awkward and unnatural, like any eighteen-year-old.
But Lou Mi knew her true form.
Imagining that expression on her true face was exhilarating.
Lou Mi took photos with her phone throughout the interview. Chi Lin, already uncomfortable in front of the camera, felt even more self-conscious under Lou Mi’s constant attention…
But as soon as she started singing Danzhou opera, her demeanor changed.
The interview took the longest; the singing was done in one take, moving several staff members to tears.
As the recording neared its end, Lou Mi went downstairs to buy a drink from a vending machine.
Stepping out of the elevator, she saw Chi Lin emerging from the small recording studio.
The director was talking to her. Chi Lin was listening attentively, but then she spotted Lou Mi.
Her attention immediately shifted, her gaze constantly flitting towards Lou Mi, her body turning slightly in her direction, as if ready to pounce.
As soon as the director finished speaking, she rushed towards Lou Mi.
Lou Mi, touched by Chi Lin’s constant attention, felt a warmth spread through her despite the cold drink in her hand.
The director finished speaking, patted Chi Lin’s shoulder, and left.
Finally.
“Sister,” Chi Lin’s face lit up with a sweet smile as she turned and hurried towards Lou Mi.
This was too much, Chi Lin, always prioritizing Lou Mi, her eagerness to return to her side after even a brief separation…
Lou Mi’s heart raced as Chi Lin approached.
It felt like their first kiss.
“Has Your Majesty been waiting long?” Reaching Lou Mi, close enough to block out everyone else, Chi Lin switched back to the formal address.
“Not long, I took a lot of photos.” Lou Mi smiled, patting her pocket.
Chi Lin wrinkled her nose playfully, a small protest.
“You must be thirsty after all that talking and singing. Here.” Lou Mi handed her the drink.
“Thank you.” It was a grape drink Chi Lin had discovered recently, with real fruit pieces, not too sweet, and very refreshing.
She hadn’t mentioned it to Lou Mi, but Lou Mi must have noticed her preference.
Her Majesty was so attentive…
Chi Lin held the drink, a shy smile on her face, her gaze on Lou Mi even more intense.
Feeling Chi Lin’s gaze, Lou Mi thought, where did this adorable creature come from?
“It’s just a drink, why are you looking at me like I just gave you the entire Golden Palace?”
Chi Lin tugged at Lou Mi’s sleeve, leaning closer:
“Even the Golden Palace can’t compare to Your Majesty’s drink.”
Lou Mi almost couldn’t resist.
She endured it until they reached the car. As soon as the door closed, she kissed Chi Lin.
Chi Lin responded with equal passion, her arms around Lou Mi’s neck, pulling her closer.
The car’s spacious interior allowed Lou Mi to lift Chi Lin onto her lap, their faces close.
Chi Lin’s hair, slightly disheveled from their embrace, covered her hazy eyes.
“Your Majesty.”
Chi Lin’s soft moan almost drove Lou Mi crazy.
***
Finally, it was time for their vacation. Even the night before, at 10 pm, Lou Mi was still playing games on the sofa.
Chi Lin, fresh out of the shower, asked, “Your Majesty, have you packed yet?”
Lou Mi, battling a new, incredibly difficult game, didn’t respond for a few seconds:
“Oh, not yet.”
Chi Lin, seeing her focused expression and the game on her phone, didn’t disturb her further.
After finally beating the game and posting a celebratory screenshot on Weibo, Lou Mi remembered Chi Lin’s question.
“Little Lin,” she called out towards Chi Lin’s room, but the response came from her own bedroom.
“Your Majesty, I’m here.”
Lou Mi, wearing her fox slippers, went to her bedroom and found Chi Lin kneeling beside her suitcase, neatly folding and packing Lou Mi’s clothes.
“I chose a few outfits you usually wear, and some sunscreen, slippers, and other things.” Chi Lin said. “I don’t know what people in this era wear to the beach, you can pack the rest yourself.”
Lou Mi hugged her: “My darling, you’re so thoughtful. You should have just called me over to pack myself.”
Chi Lin chuckled in her embrace: “I saw you were playing a game, I didn’t want to disturb you, it’s just a small task.”
Lou Mi kissed her on the lips: “Why are you always kneeling? It’s bad for your knees.”
“That’s how we do things in Dayuan.”
“You don’t sit directly on chairs?”
“No.”
“Doesn’t it hurt your knees after a while? Don’t your legs get numb?” Lou Mi was curious.
“They do.”
“Then?”
“Other positions are unseemly.”
“…”
Lou Mi understood. No matter how long she spent in this era, Chi Lin was still a person of Dayuan at heart.
Some habits were hard to break.
Chi Lin had packed everything perfectly, choosing the exact clothes Lou Mi had planned to bring.
Looking at the suitcase, Lou Mi’s heart swelled with affection.
How could she be so lucky to have such an adorable girlfriend?
Mine!
Lou Mi didn’t bother checking further, just tossed in the new swimsuits she had bought for the trip, and that was that.
“Little Lin, I packed your swimsuit,” she told Chi Lin.
“Okay.” Chi Lin thought, swimsuit? Presumably, something people in this era wore for swimming.
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