Can We Get Married First?  61

浮屠-Fú Tú: Her name can be translated to mean ‘Pagoda’ or ‘Buddha’ in adaptation. From now on, I’ll use Fu Tu instead of Pagoda

Chapter 61

An hour and a half before the party’s 5 p.m. start time, the Class 6 students were already at the gates of Longrun Gardens. Chi Lin had informed the security guards the day before, so they waved the students through, even arranging three sightseeing carts to transport them. The guards watched the flamboyant group, including a T-Rex, and couldn’t help but sigh, Youth is truly wonderful, so full of energy.

“Whoa—so cool! We get to ride a cart to Chi Lin’s house?” Dong Xiangwen, dressed as the Hulk, exclaimed.

“Keep your voice down, don’t embarrass us,” hissed Gao Xiang, the vampire standing beside him, uncomfortable with Dong Xiangwen’s boisterousness. “Look how big this rich people’s community is! Each house is a massive villa! It would take us half a day to walk there.”

Dong Xiangwen, preoccupied with the scenery, completely ignored Gao Xiang. “It’s so beautiful and huge! What’s that? A tennis court? An outdoor swimming pool? And a golf course?! Do gods live here?!”

The security guard driving chuckled, while Gao Xiang wanted to bury his head in shame.

Wei Zhuoning, carrying a bamboo basket, a tattered cloth on her head, and a tablecloth draped around her, was dressed as Ning Caichen, a scholar from a famous ghost story.

Lin Xiaozhi facepalmed internally. Knowing Wei Zhuoning’s frugal and unique approach, she should have just brought a bath towel and dressed as a female ghost. It would have been simple, and a ghost preying on a scholar? Perfect.

But Lin Xiaozhi’s initial plan had been too complex. Standing before a pile of clothes in her room, she’d agonized over how to create an instantly recognizable couple’s costume with Wei Zhuoning, who stubbornly refused to reveal her chosen character.

In the end, Lin Xiaozhi abandoned the couple idea and focused on looking glamorous. Matching costumes are just superficial. The important thing is to captivate Wei Zhuoning, she thought, to make her unable to look away.

Lin Xiaozhi chose Black Widow, confident her tight-fitting suit was undeniably sexy. Wei Zhuoning was indeed stunned by her unexpectedly alluring figure.

Unfortunately, Lin Xiaozhi only predicted the first half correctly. Wei Zhuoning, after a single glance, avoided her gaze for the rest of the trip, not daring to look again. The closer Lin Xiaozhi got, the more Wei Zhuoning shrank back. So shy… Today’s little scholar looks especially delicious…

While Lin Xiaozhi plotted how to “devour” the scholar, the scholar herself was still mesmerized by the elegant surroundings of Longrun Gardens. Wei Zhuoning felt like she had stepped into a movie scene. Lush green trees and vibrant flowers in this season? This community was incredible! Despite being outdoors, the temperature was completely different from the biting winter wind outside; it felt like early spring. If it weren’t for the occasional gusts of wind, she would have forgotten it was winter.

Passing a park, they saw a giant screen playing public service announcements about family love and advertisements for high-end pet food. Elegant ladies in thin trench coats strolled leisurely through the park, leading impeccably groomed pets.

The students, bundled up like dumplings, stared wide-eyed. If Lin Xiaozhi hadn’t been beside her, Wei Zhuoning would have joined Dong Xiangwen in their awestruck chatter. Instead, she sat with exaggerated composure, pretending not to be impressed by the novelties of the wealthy neighborhood.

Lin Xiaozhi poked her cheek.

Wei Zhuoning, still looking straight ahead: “What…?”

“It’s your birthday today, isn’t it?”

Wei Zhuoning was surprised. “How did you know?”

“Shocked? I would be surprised if I didn’t know. Coming to someone else’s party on your birthday, playing a supporting role, doesn’t that feel strange?”

“Not really. My mom made me noodles this morning, they were delicious. And I’m used to being a supporting character anyway, I don’t mind.”

Wei Zhuoning’s casual remark made Lin Xiaozhi’s heart ache.

…

“Are you ready?” Chi Lin, dressed in a floor-length robe, asked Lou Mi from the bedroom doorway.

Lou Mi had bought her a “period costume,” but the white robe was a bit ominous, resembling funeral attire. The headdress was also incredibly heavy. Wearing it, Chi Lin felt like her hair might snap. Do modern people have some misunderstanding about ancient clothing… she wondered.

Finally ready, she waited impatiently for Lou Mi, eager to check her left chest for a birthmark.

“Almost.”

“Why are you so slow…?”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Chi Lin was startled. What? They’re here already?

Lou Mi, from inside the room, also asked, “Your classmates are here so early?”

Chi Lin checked the video intercom. It was them, arriving over an hour earlier than planned.

The security guard’s voice came through: “Miss Chi, your classmates are here.”

Chi Lin: “…Just a moment.”

She rushed back to Lou Mi. “Don’t come out yet.”

Lou Mi: “Huh? I’m dressed.”

“Listen to me, don’t come out!”

Lou Mi: “What’s wrong with you?”

Chi Lin absolutely did not want anyone else to see Lou Mi in that revealing outfit.

After giving Lou Mi her instructions, Chi Lin ran to open the door. Even before entering, the classmates were impressed by the size of Chi Lin’s yard and the two-story villa.

The door opened to reveal a spacious living room filled with popular drinks and adorable cupcakes. Chi Lin, in her elegant ancient costume, greeted them. The moment the door opened, an aura of ethereal beauty washed over everyone.

“Chi Lin—!”

“Wow, this is so luxurious…”

Chi Lin: “Come in, everyone. Food and drinks are all ready.”

Gao Xiang: “Where’s our Goddess?!”

Chi Lin: “…She’s inside, she’ll be out later.”

Initially, everyone was a bit reserved. Chi Lin gestured towards the various beanbag chairs. “Sit anywhere you like, everyone. Help yourselves to food and drinks. I’ll put on some music.”

Clueless about modern music, Chi Lin randomly selected a radio station on her phone and had the smart home system guide her through connecting to the Bluetooth speakers. As the music started, the awkwardness quickly dissipated. The delicious and visually appealing cupcakes also helped, becoming the focus of a photo frenzy.

Unable to stand the “ancient” music, Lin Xiaozhi volunteered to take over the music selection, rescuing everyone from Chi Lin’s “elderly” taste.

Chi Lin was baffled. This music is already so loud, and it’s considered elderly taste?

Lin Xiaozhi got the Bluetooth password, and the music instantly transformed into thunderous beats.

“Oh yeah—!”

The atmosphere ignited. Sha Xinyu turned on the party theme projector, cycling through snowstorms to outer space raves. She knew all the latest dance moves. Dressed as a popular leopard-themed game character, her outfit accentuated her waist, and her dancing electrified the room.

Chi Lin watched, dumbfounded. Sha Xinyu, usually so demure, was now practically shaking her hips off.

Except for the stunned Chi Lin, everyone was thrilled. Even the seemingly clumsy Wei Zhuoning swayed to the rhythm.

Standing amidst the frenzy, Chi Lin thought, …So this is the reality of this era?

Lou Mi was equally shocked when she emerged. What is this place? What’s flying in the sky? Lava? Looking around, she saw everyone dancing enthusiastically, a T-Rex swaying drunkenly in the center.

Lou Mi: “???”

Chi Lin pushed through the crowd. “Are you ready?”

Lou Mi: “I’m ready… I don’t think I’ll ever be ready. Your classmates are insane!”

The music was so loud they had to shout at each other, almost like they were arguing.

Chi Lin noticed Lou Mi had buttoned her leather jacket all the way up, feeling both relieved and disappointed. Relieved that her ardent fans wouldn’t see her revealing outfit, and disappointed that she couldn’t see it either.

The intense music faded into a softer tune, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath. They had almost danced themselves into a stroke.

Sha Xinyu switched the theme to “1980s Disco.” Born in 2025, these kids had no idea how to dance to disco music from over 40 years before their time. But with their innovative spirit, they just danced freely, however they pleased.

Lin Xiaozhi pulled Wei Zhuoning aside, offering to teach her disco.

“How do you know how to disco?” Wei Zhuoning asked, surprised.

Lin Xiaozhi: “Learned it from my grandpa. Come on, let me teach you.”

Wei Zhuoning blushed. “Don’t touch my waist!”

“Can’t teach you without touching.”

“…You even rhymed.”

Chi Lin and Lou Mi stood apart, watching the vampire and Hulk, Black Widow and Ning Caichen, awkwardly dancing together. The T-Rex bobbed its head, its dance style defying categorization.

Lou Mi decided she needed to call in reinforcements. The youngsters were too wild; she couldn’t handle it. Calling Xie Buyu and the others, Xie Buyu sounded confused. “Isn’t it at 5? I haven’t even left yet.”

“Hurry up,” Lou Mi urged. “I’m about to lose control here.”

As Xie Buyu and the others rushed over, Chi Lin handed out drinks, fulfilling her host duties. Then, she was going to execute her master plan. The costume party itself was just a pretext for this plan.

Chi Lin discreetly raised the central heating by 5 degrees. Everyone danced even harder, sweating profusely despite the winter weather.

“Is it just me, or is it getting really hot in here?”

“You’re dancing your head off, of course it’s hot.”

Even Lou Mi, who hadn’t danced at all, felt the heat, wiping her forehead. “What’s going on? Is the temperature wrong?”

She sensed something amiss and was about to check the thermostat when Chi Lin stopped her.

“I’m so hot, Jiejie,” Chi Lin said. “Let’s find somewhere cooler.”

Without waiting for Lou Mi’s reply, Chi Lin pulled her towards the yard. Stepping outside, the music and heat were instantly muted by the glass doors. The soundproofing was excellent, the yard a picture of tranquility.

“Is that better?” Chi Lin glanced back, making sure no one followed them out.

“Finally, a breath of fresh air.”

“If you’re still hot, you can take off your jacket,” Chi Lin suggested sincerely.

Lou Mi: “…It’s winter, and I’m only wearing two layers. You want me to take more off?”

Chi Lin: “Doesn’t our community have outdoor heating?”

“It’s still windy.”

Chi Lin spotted the greenhouse tent on the lawn. Perfect. “Let’s rest in there for a bit,” she said, pulling Lou Mi along.

A puzzled Lou Mi followed. The tent was spacious, with no need to stoop at the entrance. It felt like a small, warm bedroom.

Chi Lin had stashed two bottles of alcohol there. Time to bring them out.

“You hid alcohol?” Lou Mi asked curiously. “Shouldn’t you be chatting with your classmates? Is it okay to hide here with me?”

“I didn’t expect them to be so boisterous. Whether I’m there or not doesn’t seem to make much difference to them.” Chi Lin’s reasoning was sound. “I’ll go back when they’ve burned off some more energy.”

Lou Mi took a sip of her drink. She prefers being alone with me, she realized.

Lou Mi hadn’t had a good look at Chi Lin yet. In the long dress she’d chosen, Chi Lin looked stunning. “You know, your buzzcut doesn’t even clash with the dress,” Lou Mi said proudly. “See how well I know you? I always thought you’d look good in ancient clothing.”

Chi Lin thought, So you think I look good in mourning clothes…

Chi Lin said, “I changed my hairstyle. And this isn’t a buzzcut.” Lou Mi was making up names again, and particularly unflattering ones.

Lou Mi smiled at her. “It’s harder than iron, so what else would it be?”

Seeing Lou Mi drinking steadily, Chi Lin initiated phase two of her heating plan, discreetly raising the temperature inside the tent.

The alcohol made Lou Mi feel even warmer. “Is it just me, or is it hotter in here than in the house?”

Chi Lin casually suggested, “If you’re hot, why not take off your jacket?”

Lou Mi seemed to have a sudden epiphany. “You’re right!” she thought. She’s not only interested in my body, but she deliberately lured me into this tent alone. All this effort just to get me to take off my jacket? Something doesn’t feel right. Even as she thought this, she started unbuttoning her jacket.

Chi Lin’s eyes, already practically burning through Lou Mi’s leather jacket, now didn’t dare to blink. As Lou Mi undid two buttons, Chi Lin waited anxiously, her heart pounding at the tantalizing glimpse.

Lou Mi, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying Chi Lin’s conflicted expression, a mixture of desire and shyness.

Just as she was about to undo the third button, Chi Lin heard rapidly approaching footsteps!

“Mi-jie—are you in here?!” Xie Buyu’s voice.

The instant the tent flap opened, Chi Lin lunged at Lou Mi, grabbing the open edges of her jacket and pulling them together, wrapping her up tightly again.

Lou Mi almost choked.

Xie Buyu and Fu Tu, standing at the entrance, froze.

“Sorry to interrupt…” They quietly retreated.

Fu Tu, still processing what she’d just witnessed: “Whoa.”

Xie Buyu, looking satisfied: “See? I told you.”

Fu Tu: “So this is the show you wanted to show me.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s… too steamy.”

Xie Buyu: “…Are you still a virgin or something?”

Fu Tu: “What the hell are you talking about?!”

After they left, Lou Mi, gasping for air, pleaded, “Chi Lin… loosen up a bit.”

Chi Lin quickly released her.

“Sorry, I…”

Lou Mi rubbed her neck, catching her breath, then patted Chi Lin’s shoulder. Surprisingly, she didn’t seem angry, but rather amused. “I understand.”

Chi Lin: “?”

Understands that I want to be the only one to see, not wanting anyone else to catch a glimpse.

Chi Lin didn’t understand her smile. Her plan hadn’t fully succeeded; she still hadn’t seen the birthmark.

Just as Chi Lin was plotting how to get Lou Mi to undress further, fate intervened. A gust of wind shook the tent violently, loosening a string of fairy lights, sending them falling towards Lou Mi’s head.

Chi Lin instantly shielded her, the momentum almost sending Chi Lin’s face into Lou Mi’s ample bosom. This is too exciting, she thought.

Using all her skill, Chi Lin spun Lou Mi around like a windmill, avoiding the falling lights, and in the process, ended up with Lou Mi on top of her.

Before Lou Mi could grasp what had happened, she found herself looking down at a slightly disheveled Chi Lin.

Reconstructing the sequence of events, Lou Mi arrived at a delightful conclusion: So she likes me on top. Just like I thought.

Chi Lin’s arms were still gripping Lou Mi’s. The forceful movements had finally undone the third button of Lou Mi’s jacket.

At such close range, Chi Lin saw it clearly.

Lou Mi’s left chest was smooth, unblemished, with no sign of the birthmark she had been searching for.