Can We Get Married First?  6

Chapter 6

Xiaoyaoyou was the first chapter of the Daoist classic Zhuangzi. Chi Lin had memorized it at the age of five.

In her time, children of noble families were expected to be well-versed in literature. Imperial favor could save them twenty years of struggle.

Competition at the Imperial Academy was fierce. Failure to recite classic texts led to ridicule and brought shame upon one’s family.

Chi Lin wasn’t one to show off, but when called upon, and hearing whispers about the Cultural Festival being jeopardized, she felt compelled to perform well.

After her recitation, the classroom fell silent. Everyone stared at her, stunned.

Chi Lin had a slight pang of regret. Perhaps she should have made a deliberate mistake.

“Ahem, well done,” Mr. Xia said, rare praise from him. “You should all learn from Chi Lin. She clearly put a lot of effort into memorizing this text. As I’ve told you repeatedly, nothing is impossible with hard work. Even a struggling student can surpass you. Chi Lin has shown dedication. What’s your excuse? The college entrance exam is approaching…”

Mr. Xia continued his lecture for another five minutes after the bell rang before finally leaving.

Liu Huixin stared at Chi Lin, bewildered. “Did you stay up all night memorizing this? Tell me, what time did you finally go to bed? It’s not like you to show off like this.”

Chi Lin shook her head.

Liu Huixin persisted. “Or did you skip class this morning to study secretly?”

“My sister needed me for something this morning,” Chi Lin explained, realizing she had to offer some explanation to satisfy her persistent deskmate. “I memorized this text when I was younger, so it was easier to recall.”

“Sister? Since when do you have a sister?” Liu Huixin was puzzled. “Hello? You’re an only child from a single-parent family. Where did this sister come from?”

Chi Lin hadn’t shared her true circumstances with her deskmate and couldn’t elaborate.

“Wait, do you actually have a sister? Or a sworn sister? Tell me!”

Liu Huixin’s curiosity was insatiable. If the geography teacher hadn’t entered the classroom, she would have continued her interrogation.

The geography teacher reviewed the previous week’s exam, explaining the answers while the students took notes.

Chi Lin now understood the metal stylus was used to write on the glass screen, which served as the textbook.

The paper and pen of this era were remarkably durable and reusable.

Chi Lin imagined the cost savings this technology could bring to Dayuan.

She opened the geography textbook, marveling at its contents.

She had always been interested in geography, having read the Commentary on the Waterways Classic countless times. The Yuanhe Reign Period Illustrated Gazetteer and the Yuanfeng Reign Period Gazetteer of the Nine Domains had also kept her up at night.

However, the geography of this era was vastly different.

After a few pages, Chi Lin was filled with wonder. She didn’t know how many years had passed since Dayuan, but the people of this era clearly had a far deeper understanding of the world.

If the Empress were here, she would be equally amazed and fascinated.

They would study together, explore together, sparking new ideas.

The thought of the Empress brought a pang of sadness.

She had followed the Empress’s soul to this strange new time, a romantic notion, a flicker of hope for restoring her kingdom.

But where was the Empress?

The Preceptor had said some of the Empress’s characteristics might be retained, even an identifying mark.

At the time, it had sounded like hope. Now, it seemed like mere consolation.

The bustling cities and vast population of this era were beyond anything imaginable in Dayuan.

She couldn’t search blindly. She needed a starting point.

Inhabiting the body of someone with the same name might be a stroke of luck, a sign that the Empress had indeed brought some clue from her past life…

Lost in thought as she took notes, Chi Lin unconsciously held the stylus like a calligraphy brush.

She sat upright, posture impeccable, her strokes elegant and precise.

Liu Huixin, busy texting under her desk, didn’t notice. Wei Zhuoning, sitting across the aisle, stared at Chi Lin as if she were a strange creature.

“What’s with her now?”

During lunch, Liu Huixin dragged Chi Lin to a small restaurant near the school.

The restaurant catered to students, offering quick and cheap rice bowls.

They ordered using facial recognition and sat at their usual table. Liu Huixin scrolled through the school forum on her phone, gossiping about the basketball team and the school heartthrob.

Chi Lin barely listened, preoccupied with her search for the Empress.

The afternoon consisted of math and English exams.

Chi Lin stared at the math paper, bewildered by the unfamiliar symbols.

The English exam was even more baffling. Why was this era so focused on the language of foreigners?

She handed in both exams practically blank, a first in her life. A humiliating experience.

Thankfully, her family couldn’t witness this disgrace.

At least the original owner’s poor academic record provided cover.

School ended at 6 pm. The English teacher kept them a few minutes longer. Chi Lin left the school at 6:15.

As they entered the elevator, Chi Lin felt a vibration in her pocket. She pulled out the “phone.” Three large characters appeared on the screen: “Big Mimi.”

Throughout the day, she had observed her classmates using their phones, making calls and sending messages. She understood the name on the screen indicated the caller. The phone was like a long-distance speaking tube, a remarkable device.

Chi Lin didn’t know who “Big Mimi” was. It sounded like a nickname.

Mimicking what she had seen, she pressed the “Answer” button. A voice filled the phone.

“Are you out yet?”

It was Lou Mi’s voice, clear and close. Amazing!

“Yes, I’m out,” Chi Lin replied, feeling slightly awkward using this device for the first time. It felt like talking to herself.

“Meet me at the convenience store two blocks left of the school gate.”

Before Chi Lin could respond, the call ended.

Liu Huixin leaned in, curious. “Who was that? Your sworn sister?”

Chi Lin had already experienced the elevator’s descent and remained calm this time.

Liu Huixin resumed her questioning. Chi Lin, not wanting to reveal anything personal, steered the conversation towards the school heartthrob.

As expected, Liu Huixin launched into a detailed account of his exploits.

As they exited the elevator, Chi Lin wondered if she should continue associating with this inquisitive child. It was rather tiring.

Following Lou Mi’s directions, even without knowing what a “convenience store” was, she spotted Lou Mi’s car parked down the street.

As she approached, Lou Mi had already opened the car doors.

Remembering the window incident, Chi Lin felt a twinge of embarrassment.

Lou Mi was wearing the access crystals, eyes closed, arms crossed, leaning back in her seat, her foot twitching occasionally.

Chi Lin didn’t want to disturb her, grateful that she had come to pick her up.

She quietly sat in the passenger seat. The door, now repaired, closed automatically.

Lou Mi was still immersed in her game. Chi Lin remained silent.

The passing scenery kept Chi Lin entertained.

The enclosed car was comfortable, cool and not dry, with a pleasant fragrance.

Chi Lin liked the scent.

After descending the snowy peak in her game, Lou Mi found an inn to rest and checked the time. Where’s that brat? she wondered.

She removed the access crystals and saw Chi Lin sitting beside her.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” she asked, setting the car’s navigation to “Home.”

“I didn’t want to interrupt your game.”

Lou Mi thought she detected a hint of gentle amusement in Chi Lin’s smile, the kind a benevolent elder might bestow upon a younger relative.

…Is she still playing a role?

But this version of Chi Lin was far less annoying than the destructive little monster she was used to.

Lou Mi felt a flicker of hope.

Whatever had caused this change, if Chi Lin maintained this behavior, Lou Mi would make a pilgrimage to the temple to offer thanks.

The Bodhisattva at Lingchun Palace was truly powerful, subduing even a demon like Chi Lin.

Seeing the hint of a smile on Lou Mi’s face, Chi Lin knew they had made progress.

Whether at school or home, building good relationships was crucial.

Strong relationships facilitated access to information. Chi Lin understood this well.

“Big Mimi,” she said, “what are we having for dinner?”

Lou Mi, about to start the car, froze, wondering if she had misheard.

“What did you just call me?”

Her smile vanished, replaced by a menacing glare.

Chi Lin’s face stiffened.

So… “Big Mimi” wasn’t Lou Mi’s nickname…

What had she said wrong this time?

Lou Mi grabbed Chi Lin by the back of the neck. “Say that again. I dare you.”

Chi Lin recoiled, shaking her head. “I won’t.”

Lou Mi shoved her away, face flushed. “If I ever hear you call me that again, I’ll skin you alive!”

Chi Lin mumbled an apology.

As she drove off, Lou Mi unconsciously adjusted her collar.

The fragile peace had shattered. Chi Lin felt exhausted. This era was difficult. A single day felt like a century…

What did “Big Mimi” even mean…?

***

T/N:

眯眯(Mimi): myopic person

咪咪(Mimi): Alternative form

In its alternative Chinese form, “Mimi” can also mean “kitty” or, in slang, “breast”.

Reference