Chapter 106
Hearing the words “Young Master Lin,” the fan club’s cheer echoed in Chi Lin’s mind, and she gave the little girl an awkward smile.
“You are, you really are!” Little Twelve clutched Chi Lin’s sleeve excitedly, her voice trembling.
She had watched Chi Lin’s two Winter World Cup matches countless times.
She hadn’t been interested in esports before, seeing it as her sister’s domain, always showing indifference towards anything her sister liked.
She had only watched the World Cup because her friend had insisted.
She had never imagined someone so skilled, so decisive, so powerful…
Learning that Lin had no prior professional experience, that those two breathtaking matches were her debut, made Little Twelve even more awestruck.
Was there actually someone who could rival her two mothers?
Since then, she had become a fan of Lin, a fan of esports, a development that intrigued Shi Yue and Xu Youyuan.
“Doesn’t Little Twelve dislike games? I saw her watching matches recently.”
Xu Youyuan was pleased: “She’s my daughter after all, even if she says she doesn’t like it, she can’t resist the allure of games.”
The two mothers basked in the warmth of their family bond, while Little Seven, listening nearby, sighed inwardly:
Naive. Twelve wasn’t interested in games, she was interested in the cool big sister.
And now, the object of her admiration was right before her, having just saved her life, just like in the game…
Little Twelve clung to Chi Lin’s sleeve, refusing to let go.
Shi Yue approached to thank Chi Lin, but her daughter was still holding onto Chi Lin’s sleeve.
Shi Yue gently pried her daughter’s hand away, diffusing the awkward situation, and, looking at Chi Lin’s familiar face, understood her daughter’s infatuation.
Chi Lin patted Twelve’s head: “Your other mother is here, let’s go home with her.”
Twelve turned to Shi Yue and said, “This is my mommy.”
Chi Lin was stunned. She hadn’t expected this capable, elegant, and youthful-looking woman to have such a big child…
“I’m her mother.” Shi Yue, actually in her early thirties, pulled Little Seven closer, keeping both girls within her sight. “It’s my fault, I didn’t notice them sneaking out, if it weren’t for you, the consequences could have been disastrous…”
As Shi Yue expressed her gratitude, Xu Youyuan put down her suitcase and rushed over, hugging Twelve tightly and checking her for injuries.
Xu Youyuan’s eyes were red, her heart still pounding from the earlier scare.
Shi Yue comforted her wife while continuing to thank Chi Lin.
“You’re welcome, it was nothing. And…” Chi Lin smiled at the twins, her voice gentle. “We met at the beach this afternoon, didn’t we? What a coincidence.”
Shi Yue’s heart sank. They went to the beach this afternoon? She thought they were sleeping…
When did they sneak out and come back? She hadn’t noticed at all!
Xu Youyuan, while thanking Chi Lin profusely, glanced at Shi Yue.
Shi Yue sighed inwardly.
She wouldn’t be sleeping in the bed tonight.
Chi Lin had saved her daughter, so Xu Youyuan exchanged contact information with her and invited her to dinner tomorrow.
Just then, Lou Mi arrived, slightly out of breath.
They had come together, but halfway there, Chi Lin had suddenly disappeared, leaving Lou Mi dumbfounded.
If it weren’t for the darkness, Chi Lin flying through the air would have been tomorrow’s headline news.
Lou Mi had followed Chi Lin towards the climbing wall and found her with the twins and two other women.
She recognized them immediately.
“Are you alright?” Lou Mi rushed to Chi Lin’s side, checking her over anxiously.
Chi Lin shook her head.
After making sure Chi Lin was unharmed, Lou Mi whispered in her ear:
“You just saved your mom’s boss’s daughter.”
Chi Lin’s eyes widened as she watched Lou Mi shake hands with Shi Yue:
“Shi Zong, what a coincidence.”
“HighTowerMiyuki.” Shi Yue, of course, knew her, the reigning champion of their company’s most popular game. They had even met at an awards ceremony and had each other’s contact information.
“This is your little sister?”
Shi Yue, busy with work and her wife, hadn’t followed the Winter World Cup closely.
“I heard about a talented newcomer, HighTowerMiyuki’s little sister, I’ve been wanting to meet her. What a coincidence.”
Their polite exchange felt a bit too formal, like a business meeting.
Shi Yue, used to her CEO persona, tried to lighten the mood, leaning closer to Lou Mi and whispering:
“Tell me honestly, what’s the deal with your little sister? I just saw her flying.”
Lou Mi, anticipating this question, said, “She’s a time traveler, skilled in both martial arts and academics, flying is nothing, she can chop down trees with her bare hands.”
Shi Yue, who had just wanted to gossip, chuckled knowingly:
“Haven’t changed your WeChat, have you? You’re here on vacation? For how long?”
Their conversation became more relaxed and casual.
Xu Youyuan brought Little Twelve to Chi Lin, telling her to thank her personally:
“This big sister saved you, what do you say?”
“Thank you, Big Sister.” Twelve’s cheeks were flushed, her voice surprisingly sweet.
Even Xu Youyuan, her mother, was stunned. Was this really her daughter, the little terror who dominated the hockey rink? Could her daughter be this adorable?
Her heart melted.
“You’re welcome,” Chi Lin said. “But don’t be so reckless next time, listen to your mothers.”
Xu Youyuan, maintaining a smile, noticed the faint smell of alcohol on Twelve.
Alcohol, the beach, almost falling…
Her smile faltered, and she glanced at Shi Yue, who was chatting with Lou Mi.
Shi Yue quickly averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact, her hand, holding Little Seven’s, sweating.
When Wei Zhuoning woke up, Lin Xiaozhi wasn’t there.
She sat up, wrapped herself in the bathrobe, and, her legs still weak, went looking for her.
“Xiao Zhi?”
It was past 11 pm. Lin Xiaozhi wasn’t in the bathroom, where was she?
Wei Zhuoning searched the room, growing slightly anxious.
She found Lin Xiaozhi on the balcony, her back turned.
A wisp of smoke drifted away in the breeze.
Wei Zhuoning opened the balcony door. Lin Xiaozhi immediately extinguished her cigarette.
“You’re awake?” Lin Xiaozhi seemed tense. “Did I wake you?”
Wei Zhuoning shook her head silently and stood beside her, looking at the stars and the sea.
They usually spent their time together bickering or kissing, quiet moments like this were rare.
After a moment of silence, Wei Zhuoning spoke:
“Xiao Zhi, is something bothering you?”
“Huh? No, I’m fine.”
“Then, why…”
Wei Zhuoning saw the cigarette.
Even if Lin Xiaozhi had been quick, the smell lingered. She had smoked at least three cigarettes; Wei Zhuoning, standing so close, couldn’t miss it.
“Do you hate it when I smoke?” Lin Xiaozhi asked, avoiding the question.
“It’s not about hating it or not…” Wei Zhuoning leaned against the railing, looking at Lin Xiaozhi with concern. “You’re you, I like everything about you.”
Lin Xiaozhi smiled and pinched her cheek.
“I’m just worried, I thought you might have something on your mind you didn’t want to tell me.”
“No, I’m very happy now.” Lin Xiaozhi hugged her from behind, holding her close. “I started smoking in middle school, it’s a hard habit to break.”
“Middle school?” Wei Zhuoning was surprised. That young…
“Why?” A pang of sadness shot through her; she hadn’t known about this.
Lin Xiaozhi kissed the back of her neck and whispered:
“Because you were ignoring me, avoiding me. And we were about to start high school, choosing different schools, I was afraid I would never see you again, I was scared and frustrated, I didn’t know what to do.”
During that time, Lin Xiaozhi had been depressed, contacting Tan Luo to find out about Wei Zhuoning, while simultaneously hating herself for it.
Seeing Wei Zhuoning at school every day, yet unable to approach her, every attempt met with fear and avoidance…
That was when she started smoking.
The habit had persisted, and although she had tried to quit, she couldn’t.
Even now, with Wei Zhuoning by her side, their bond deeper than ever, she still craved nicotine.
“It was all because of me.” Wei Zhuoning’s heart ached, but she also felt a sense of happiness, knowing that the seemingly invincible Lin Xiaozhi, who seemed to have everything figured out, also had her worries and insecurities.
She turned and kissed Lin Xiaozhi deeply.
Lin Xiaozhi pulled away slightly, frowning.
“What’s wrong…”
“I taste like cigarettes, you must hate it.”
“I like it.” Wei Zhuoning kissed her again, insistent.
She loved everything about Lin Xiaozhi, even the smell of cigarettes was sweet and intoxicating.
Wei Zhuoning’s rare display of passion was irresistible. Lin Xiaozhi, losing control, carried her back to the room, pushed her onto the bed, and pulled at her bathrobe.
“Xiao Zhi…”
Wei Zhuoning covered her face, only her hazy, longing eyes and flushed cheeks visible…
Xu Youyuan and Shi Yue, each carrying a daughter, returned to the hotel lobby with Lou Mi and Chi Lin.
Xu Youyuan said, “I’ve booked a boat trip tomorrow, would you like to join us?”
Chi Lin, feeling slightly awkward, looked at Lou Mi.
Lou Mi knew Chi Lin wasn’t good at socializing, having only made two friends since arriving in this era. She probably hadn’t fully adapted yet.
Lou Mi politely declined. Xu Youyuan, understanding, didn’t press the issue and said goodnight, heading towards the elevator with her wife and daughters.
Little Seven and Little Twelve whispered to each other in the corner. Xu Youyuan, her face dark, stared at the city lights outside the elevator.
Shi Yue, fearless in all things except for her wife’s silence, stood frozen like a popsicle, already anticipating her punishment.
Chi Lin and Lou Mi also entered the elevator. Chi Lin, curious, asked:
“Can two women have children?”
Lou Mi said, “Yes.”
“Does that mean… one gives birth, and the other is like an adoptive mother?”
“No, they’re both biological mothers.”
Chi Lin was stunned: “What kind of sorcery is this?”
Lou Mi, amused by her genuine surprise, burst out laughing:
“It’s not sorcery, it’s science. There’s a program abroad, the NAC Project, that allows female couples to have children, but the slots are limited, and the waiting list is long. But those two are resourceful, they got a slot early, and they even had twins. It’s amazing, the girls look like both of them, a true love child.”
Chi Lin glanced at Lou Mi: “Does Your Majesty like children?”
There was no such technology in Dayuan. She and Her Majesty hadn’t had time to discuss children before being separated.
Lou Mi shook her head: “No.”
“Then…”
“I only want children with you, our children.”
Back in their room, they made love until late at night, Chi Lin falling asleep with this thought in her mind.
This era was truly amazing; even women could have children together.
What would their child be like?
Chi Lin and Lou Mi, wrapped in the warmth and comfort of their vacation, drifted off to sleep. In another suite, the atmosphere was completely different.
Xu Youyuan sat on the sofa, her face dark, not touching her drink.
The stress of work and the exhaustion from traveling were nothing compared to the earlier scare.
Little Seven, Little Twelve, and Shi Yue stood before her, silent and apprehensive.
They knew that Xu Youyuan was usually easygoing and affectionate, but when angered, she was a force of nature.
Shi Yue signaled to Little Twelve, who obediently poured a glass of water for Xu Youyuan:
“Mommy, have some water. Are you tired…?”
Xu Youyuan took the glass but didn’t drink, putting it aside.
The three of them thought simultaneously: We’re doomed.
“Did you go to the beach alone this afternoon, or did Mommy take you?” Xu Youyuan asked the twins.
They both looked at Shi Yue.
Shi Yue cursed inwardly, those little brats, throwing her under the bus!
She forced a smile: “Of course I took them.”
Xu Youyuan: “Xiao Yue, I trust every word you say.”
Shi Yue’s heart sank: “They snuck out.”
Little Twelve quickly explained: “We didn’t go diving, we were just having a breath-holding competition.”
That only made things worse. Xu Youyuan’s eyes widened: “What? You didn’t go diving? When did you ever go diving? Shi Yue! You took them diving?!”
Shi Yue looked at the ceiling, speechless.
“No, no,” Little Twelve, realizing her mistake, quickly corrected herself, “we went by ourselves!”
Xu Youyuan: “What?! By yourselves?! With no supervision?!”
Shi Yue covered her face. Someone, save her!
Little Seven also wanted to disappear, her sister’s bluntness was truly a curse…
She discreetly pinched Twelve, giving her a look:
Shut up!
Xu Youyuan’s face turned green: “So you’re getting bolder now, keeping secrets from me? What else have you done behind my back? Confess everything now.”
Just then, Little Seven burped, the smell of alcohol filling the air.
Xu Youyuan’s eyes could kill.
Little Seven immediately said, “Mommy, I’m sorry.”
Little Twelve followed suit: “Mommy, I’m sorry.”
Shi Yue chimed in: “Mommy, I’m sorry.”
Xu Youyuan glared at Shi Yue: “Who’s your mommy?!”
Shi Yue immediately said, “My wife is like a mother to me. Youyuan, my love, my mommy, I was wrong, please don’t be angry.”
She knew apologizing was useless, she had to resort to her usual tactic: acting cute.
She leaned against Xu Youyuan, refusing to let go, no matter how much Xu Youyuan pushed her away, whining and complaining:
“Don’t you miss me? I’ll let you do whatever you want to me tonight.”
Little Seven and Little Twelve: “Ew.”
Shi Yue glared at them: I’m doing this for you!
Xu Youyuan blushed: “Don’t say such things in front of the children! Have some shame!”
Shi Yue: “I’m shameless, boo hoo… I was such a delicate flower when I married you, and now you think I’m old and undesirable, boo hoo…”
Little Seven and Little Twelve also started crying.
Xu Youyuan, exasperated: “That’s not what I meant! Stop crying! Shi Yue, Shi Yue… Why am I the one comforting you?! Stand up straight! I haven’t even started lecturing you yet!”
Shi Yue, her attempt to change the subject having failed, obediently stood up straight.
Xu Youyuan, not fooled, was even angrier.
Shi Yue knew Little Seven was the mastermind; she shared Xu Youyuan’s interests and was her favorite.
She discreetly signaled to Little Seven: Time to repay your mother, go!
Little Seven, having no choice, said, “Mommy.”
Xu Youyuan looked at her.
“Mommy, today is a happy day, don’t be angry.”
“Happy day?” Xu Youyuan glared at Twelve. “I almost lost a child today, and you call it happy?”
“But Little Sister is fine. I’ll tell you a secret, Little Sister has a crush.”
“What?” Xu Youyuan’s gaze intensified.
Little Twelve, betrayed: “Hey! Don’t make things up!”
Little Seven, ignoring her, continued: “It’s the big sister who saved her, Young Master Lin from Nine Heavens, Little Sister loves her, she watches her matches all the time.”
Little Twelve tried to cover Little Seven’s mouth, and they almost started fighting.
Xu Youyuan had noticed Twelve’s unusual behavior towards Chi Lin, and Little Seven’s words seemed plausible.
Shi Yue, seeing Xu Youyuan’s attention diverted, seized the opportunity, patting Twelve’s head:
“Twelve, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, if you like someone, admit it.”
Twelve’s face was burning: “But I’m… too young.”
Shi Yue asked Seven, who said, “Young Master Lin is 18, she’s an adult.”
“Oh?” Shi Yue calculated quickly, then lifted Twelve up with a smile. “You have an eleven-year age gap with your crush, that’s my girl! So, how are you planning to pursue her? Need some tips from your mom? My techniques are tried and tested, look how I snagged your Big Mom, even with the age gap. Age is just a number, it’s all about strategy…”
Xu Youyuan, who was also eleven years older than Shi Yue, was furious and kicked Shi Yue’s butt:
“Shi Yue! Are you crazy?! Bragging about this? Is this how you teach children?!”
Shi Yue, agile, dodged the kick and ran towards the balcony with Twelve in her arms, continuing:
“Do you really like her? Is she married? What kind of person is she…”
Xu Youyuan threw all the pillows on the sofa, but none of them hit Shi Yue.
She was both angry and amused.
Fine, Shi Yue was still as playful as ever.
She could sleep with her daughter tonight.
The next morning, Lou Mi, still half-asleep, snuggled against Chi Lin, waking her up.
“Your Majesty?”
Lou Mi’s hand, even before she fully opened her eyes, started wandering.
Chi Lin’s breathing quickened. Lou Mi sat up and tilted Chi Lin’s chin up:
“Morning, baby.”
Despite not going to the gym during their vacation, Lou Mi had been getting plenty of exercise.
Morning stretches with Chi Lin left her feeling refreshed and energized.
As she poured them coffee, she saw Chi Lin sitting on the bed, looking at her phone.
“What are you looking at?” Lou Mi sat beside her and kissed her ear.
“Don’t…” Chi Lin’s voice was soft, a smile on her face. “The Danzhou opera documentary is on TV.”
“Already? That fast?”
“Yes, people in this era are so efficient. My classmates sent me the link, they’ve all seen it.”
“Of course, it’s Chi Lin, after all. Do you know how many fans you have now?”
Chi Lin shook her head.
Lou Mi opened Weibo: “Almost ten million, fan clubs everywhere. Even a small action from you attracts attention, let alone appearing on TV.”
“So, more people will know about Danzhou opera now, right?” Chi Lin’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, Lin Jie.” Lou Mi enjoyed using different terms of endearment for Chi Lin.
Chi Lin watched the documentary, noting a few areas where she could improve her singing.
They hadn’t expected that during their lunch break, the documentary would exceed 50 million views online.
And at the same time, a dynasty called “Yuan” was unearthed from the dust of history by internet sleuths.
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