Chapter 64
Lou Lixing and Peng Ziyuan cheerfully brought out youtiao (fried dough sticks) and congee. Lin Xiaozhi and Wei Zhuoning thanked them in unison.
“Don’t mention it! Make yourselves at home,” Peng Ziyuan beamed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Xiao Lin rarely brings friends home. I’m so glad you’re here. She’s become much more cheerful. You should come over more often. It’s so wonderful that Xiao Lin has made friends…”
Tears welled up in Peng Ziyuan’s eyes. “I was always so worried she didn’t have any friends…”
Lou Mi: “Auntie, you’re going to scare them. Do you want them to come over or not?”
Lou Lixing quickly handed her a tissue.
Dabbing her eyes, Peng Ziyuan said, “Don’t mind me. I have a flair for the dramatic. Eat up, everyone.”
Lin Xiaozhi: “Auntie is so sweet, just like my mom. Very expressive.”
Wei Zhuoning, having a few spoonfuls of congee, became curious about Lin Xiaozhi’s mother. She wondered who Lin Xiaozhi took after, her father or her mother.
Lin Xiaozhi whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, my mom is very down-to-earth. You two will definitely get along.”
Wei Zhuoning wanted to retort, but remembering the supposed etiquette of the upper class – no talking while eating – she held back, afraid of being bothersome.
After breakfast, Lou Lixing and Peng Ziyuan left for work. Wei Zhuoning asked Chi Lin and Lou Mi if they wanted to go out together.
It was a genuine invitation, but Lin Xiaozhi, standing behind her, frowned and nudged Wei Zhuoning, making faces at Chi Lin and Lou Mi.
Chi Lin and Lou Mi looked past Wei Zhuoning, catching Lin Xiaozhi’s signals. “Should we… go or not?”
Wei Zhuoning turned around, confused. “Huh?”
Lin Xiaozhi resumed her normal expression. “Let’s go together! Isn’t going out the whole point of holidays? Or do you two want to have a romantic day at home? How enviable.”
Wei Zhuoning: “…”
Lou Mi wanted to high-five Lin Xiaozhi. She wasn’t particularly keen on hanging out with high schoolers, especially after last night’s chaos. She preferred a quiet day at home with Chi Lin.
“You two go ahead. Chi Lin and I have to visit her grandparents today,” she said, making up an excuse.
Lin Xiaozhi seamlessly responded, “That’s too bad. Another time, then. Zhuoning, let’s go.”
As they left, Wei Zhuoning pinched Lin Xiaozhi’s arm. “What was that? So rude.”
“Couldn’t you tell they wanted to be alone?”
“We should still be polite.”
“Barely an adult, and you’ve already mastered adult hypocrisy? Isn’t efficiency better?”
“…” Wei Zhuoning realized she might have some misconceptions about rich kids. Lin Xiaozhi, Chi Lin, and Lou Mi all seemed to live much more freely than she did.
They had both changed out of their costumes. Lin Xiaozhi had brought a change of clothes, and Wei Zhuoning borrowed a hoodie from Chi Lin. Both wore thick down jackets.
Lin Xiaozhi: “Chi Lin’s hoodie is too big for you. Are you even 160cm tall?”
Wei Zhuoning: “…Does height really matter?”
“Not really, as long as I’m over 170cm.”
“?”
“That averages out to 165cm for our future kids.”
“…K-Kids? Are you on rocket fuel? Why are you thinking so far ahead?”
“How is that far ahead? We’re both adults now, we could get married today. We could snag a spot in the NAC and have kids in no time. Want to pick out names today?”
Lin Xiaozhi was clearly teasing, but Wei Zhuoning’s face turned serious. “Children are living beings, you can’t just casually decide to have them.”
Wei Zhuoning boarded the bus, and Lin Xiaozhi followed. The bus from Longrun Gardens was mostly empty, occupied mainly by elderly people.
Wei Zhuoning sat in the back row, and Lin Xiaozhi squeezed in beside her.
“Did I say something wrong?”
Wei Zhuoning looked out the window.
Lin Xiaozhi said earnestly, “I didn’t mean to be flippant about having kids. If it were our child, I would cherish them forever.”
Wei Zhuoning: “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s my issue.”
“You don’t like kids?”
“It’s not that.” Wei Zhuoning said, “I’ve never told you about my family. I…” Hesitating for a moment, she finally found the courage. “I’m from a single-parent family. I’ve never met my father. He’s a scumbag who ran off before I was born.”
Lin Xiaozhi quietly watched her.
Wei Zhuoning: “Did you know already?”
“No,” Lin Xiaozhi said. “How would I know? It’s not that unusual. Lots of people are from single-parent families. Chi Lin, too.”
“It’s different. Her father passed away. Mine ran away.” Hugging her knees, Wei Zhuoning practically disappeared inside her oversized jacket. “I never knew what kind of person he was.”
“Haven’t you asked your mom?”
Wei Zhuoning shook her head. “I don’t want to bring up painful memories for her. She gave birth to me alone in the hospital. She sacrificed so much for me. Without me, her life would have been so much better…”
“So you’ve always felt unimportant, like a burden?”
The winter sunlight streaming through the bus window turned Wei Zhuoning’s pupils amber. “I’m a burden to my mom. It’s the truth.”
Lin Xiaozhi slipped her hand inside Wei Zhuoning’s sleeve, holding her cold hand tightly.
“When are you taking me to meet your mom? I want to thank her in person.”
“What…?”
“For bringing the best person in the world into my life.”
Under Lin Xiaozhi’s gentle gaze, Wei Zhuoning’s face flushed crimson. “There’s nothing special about me. I’m incredibly ordinary…”
“Are you fishing for compliments?”
Wei Zhuoning couldn’t help but smile. “No, I’m not.”
Lin Xiaozhi continued to reveal her feelings. “I’ve had a crush on you since middle school.”
Wei Zhuoning couldn’t believe it. “Impossible.”
“I have proof.”
Lin Xiaozhi showed Wei Zhuoning a photo on her phone.
It was Wei Zhuoning in her middle school uniform, sitting at her desk, taking notes with a stylus, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration, looking a bit silly. Taken from a distance, it was a close-up of her face, every detail clear.
Wei Zhuoning’s eyes widened. “Holy crap, that’s really me.”
“I have over a hundred photos like this.”
“Lin Xiaozhi, are you a creep?!” Mortified, Wei Zhuoning practically yelled, her outburst turning heads on the bus.
Meeting their gazes, Lin Xiaozhi responded indulgently, “If you say I am, then I am.”
They continued their playful banter all the way to the mall. Wei Zhuoning insisted she delete the photos. “You didn’t have my permission! That’s invasion of privacy!”
“Yes, I’m not denying it. It was sneaky.”
“Then you should delete them!”
“I took them fair and square, why should I delete them?”
Lin Xiaozhi, light on her feet, easily dodged Wei Zhuoning’s attempts to grab her phone.
Out of breath, Wei Zhuoning resolved to exercise more, at least enough to catch Lin Xiaozhi.
Lin Xiaozhi, who had been casually dodging, was surprised Wei Zhuoning couldn’t keep up. Smiling, she reached out to take her hand, when she noticed Wei Zhuoning’s expression suddenly change.
Someone had reached out from behind Lin Xiaozhi and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Xiao Zhi.”
Without even looking, Lin Xiaozhi stomped hard on the person’s foot and, with a swift backhand, struck their throat.
She was about to strike again when she saw who it was.
“Oh my god… cough, cough, cough…” the person gasped, clutching their throat. “Just saying hi, was that necessary?… Is my foot broken again?”
Wei Zhuoning immediately rushed to Lin Xiaozhi’s side. “Are you okay?!”
Lin Xiaozhi: “…I’m fine.”
“Hey, Tan Luo?” Wei Zhuoning recognized her, pointing. Turning to Lin Xiaozhi, she began, “Your ex-”
Before she could finish “ex-girlfriend,” Lin Xiaozhi glared at her.
Wei Zhuoning flinched, realizing her near slip-up. Calling Tan Luo her “ex” had been fine when they were just messing around, but now, with their changed relationship, saying it out loud would be mortifying.
Tan Luo, recovering, immediately checked her reflection in a compact mirror, relieved to find her beauty unscathed. Her face was clearly her top priority.
Dressed in a long brown wig, her makeup more elaborate than usual, a cashmere coat, bare legs, and high heels, Tan Luo was clearly dressed for a date.
Wei Zhuoning stared. How can she not be freezing?
Lin Xiaozhi covered Wei Zhuoning’s eyes. Don’t look at that trash, she thought, then asked Tan Luo, “What are you doing here?”
Unfazed by the assault, Tan Luo smiled sweetly. “Like you, I’m here on a date.” Looking at Wei Zhuoning struggling in Lin Xiaozhi’s embrace, she smiled. “Congratulations, Xiao Zhi. Looks like you finally got what you wanted.”
Wei Zhuoning: “?”
Lin Xiaozhi glared at her. Tan Luo’s smile widened. “So scary. But you’re cutest when you’re being fierce. I won’t bother you any longer,” she said, waving cheerfully. “My little Chi Lin is waiting for me.”
Her last words stunned them both.
Chi Lin?
Watching Tan Luo walk away, Wei Zhuoning asked Lin Xiaozhi, “Did I hear that right? Did she say Chi Lin is waiting for her?”
Lin Xiaozhi: “You heard correctly.”
“Chi Lin is going on a date with her? Impossible.”
Overcome with curiosity, they discreetly followed Tan Luo to the ninth floor: the cinema.
Tan Luo bought two pink ice cream cones, eating one and seemingly saving the other for her date.
Hiding behind a display stand, Lin Xiaozhi and Wei Zhuoning peeked out. They refused to believe Chi Lin would date her. Why would Chi Lin even bother with her? Wasn’t Lou Mi a million times better? Choosing Tan Luo over Lou Mi, who was both young, rich, and beautiful? Unless Chi Lin had gone blind.
But Tan Luo didn’t seem like the type to lie without reason.
What if…
As Lin Xiaozhi focused on Tan Luo, Wei Zhuoning noticed someone coming up the escalator.
Wei Zhuoning pinched Lin Xiaozhi’s thigh hard.
Wearing only thin pants, Lin Xiaozhi almost screamed, feeling like her leg had been bitten off. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Honey, that was brutal.”
Wei Zhuoning pointed at the escalator, her face a mask of shock.
Lin Xiaozhi followed her gaze and saw Chi Lin.
It really was Chi Lin.
Wei Zhuoning and Lin Xiaozhi exchanged looks.
What the hell…
Reaching the ninth floor, Chi Lin spotted Tan Luo immediately.
“Hey!” Tan Luo waved cheerfully. Chi Lin didn’t move, so Tan Luo approached her, offering her the ice cream cone. “I bought this for you. Don’t let it go to waste.”
Wei Zhuoning whispered to Lin Xiaozhi, “What is she saying?”
Lin Xiaozhi shook her head. “Too quiet, I can’t hear.”
They could only see Chi Lin’s lips moving, her expression urgent.
Tan Luo smiled, a slight furrow in her brow, not immediately answering.
Wei Zhuoning: “I’ve never seen Chi Lin so flustered… How did Tan Luo even manage to get her here?”
…
An hour and fifteen minutes earlier, Wei Zhuoning and Lin Xiaozhi had just left Longrun Gardens.
“Are you going to the club today?” Chi Lin asked.
“I have a video conference this afternoon, then I’m free. I’ll go tomorrow.”
Lou Mi and Chi Lin sat in the living room, the TV on, neither having returned to their rooms. Tiger jumped onto the sofa, curling up on Chi Lin’s lap.
Chi Lin stroked its fur while scrolling through her phone.
Lou Mi massaged her temples. Noticing this, Chi Lin asked, “Is your head hurting again?”
“A little.”
Chi Lin put Tiger down and moved behind Lou Mi to massage her head.
“Don’t, your hand is still injured.” Lou Mi reached back to stop her, her hand landing precisely on Chi Lin’s. It felt cool and soft, not at all like the hand of a martial artist.
Lou Mi was surprised by her accuracy. Reluctant to let go, she found, to her surprise, that Chi Lin didn’t pull away.
“I’m fine, it’s healed,” Chi Lin said. “I know the pressure points. If I get them right, it can really help with your headache.”
Lou Mi gently caressed the back of Chi Lin’s hand before releasing it. “Then I’ll look forward to it.”
“Rest your head here.” Chi Lin guided her head back against the sofa.
Lou Mi leaned back obediently, the top of her head brushing against Chi Lin’s stomach.
Chi Lin: “I’ll start now. Tell me if it’s too much pressure. You can close your eyes if you want.”
Lou Mi closed her eyes blissfully. “Is this what presidential treatment feels like?”
Chi Lin’s technique was masterful, each press relieving some of the pain. After half an hour, Lou Mi was almost asleep.
“You’ve worked hard. Take a break.” Lou Mi yawned, feeling completely refreshed. She shook her head, which felt incredibly light. “With you around, I don’t need any painkillers.”
“The most important thing is regular exercise and plenty of rest.”
“Time for my little sister’s lecture again.”
Chi Lin seized the opportunity. “I’ve learned some new brain training techniques recently. Want to try them?”
After the amazing massage, Lou Mi was intrigued. “So you’ve evolved from physical training to brain training? Don’t let Grandpa Yan hear about this, or he’ll have you teaching a winter class immediately.”
Chi Lin: “Close your eyes and press your right index finger against the center of your forehead.”
Lou Mi followed her instructions. “Then what?”
“What do you see?”
“…What can you see with your eyes closed? I’m not a psychic.”
“Focus and try. Do you see a white light where your finger is pressing?”
This was one of the “N Ways to See Your Past Life Memories” Chi Lin found online. It was the most commonly mentioned method, dubbed “Opening the Door to Your Past Life.”
“White light… no. Should I press harder?”
“Try applying a little more pressure.”
Lou Mi pressed until her fingertip turned white, but still saw no white light.
“If I keep this up, I’m going to poke a hole through my skull. Master Chi, is this brain training or some kind of dark magic?”
“It’s training your focus,” Chi Lin lied smoothly. “If you can’t see the white light, you might not have the necessary spiritual aptitude. Let’s try a different method.”
Lou Mi opened her eyes, confused. “You need spiritual aptitude for brain training? Do I need to open my meridians first?”
Chi Lin: “No need for that. Roll up your sleeve and show me your arm.”
Lou Mi complied.
Chi Lin had read online that every soul encounters Meng Po, the goddess of forgetfulness, and drinks her soup, erasing all memories of their past life. Some, unwilling to forget, refuse the soup. Unable to force them, Meng Po uses a spell to seal their memories. The spell manifests as a mole on the inner arm in their next life. Removing the mole unlocks their past life memories.
Chi Lin suspected that, given Her Majesty’s temperament, she definitely wouldn’t have drunk the soup.
Lou Mi presented her bare arm. Chi Lin examined it carefully. There were no moles on either arm.
Chi Lin: “…”
Lou Mi: “What are you looking for?”
“Your spiritual root.”
“On my arm?”
“What you see is superficial. I see deeper things.”
“And what did you see?”
“Nothing.”
“???”
“You seem to lack a spiritual root.”
Lou Mi: “…Would hitting you be considered domestic violence?”
Only one option remained: hypnosis.
Chi Lin found a retractable measuring tape, pulled out a section, and dangled it in the air, the classic hypnosis prop.
Lou Mi: “If I’m not mistaken, are you trying to hypnotize me?”
Chi Lin: “It’s called hypnotherapy.”
“Therapy? For what?”
“For your lack of spiritual root.”
“…You’re messing with me.”
“Jiejie, focus on me, look at the measuring tape…”
Lou Mi watched.
“Relax, let all your muscles relax. Don’t think about anything.”
“Woof.”
“…Don’t talk either. Now, slowly close your eyes.”
“…”
Following the instructions on her phone, Chi Lin continued, “Now, there’s a door before you. Walk towards it and open it.”
“…”
“Inside the door, there’s a white light. You’re bathed in this white light. Now, what do you see?”
Hypnosis was supposedly capable of unlocking deep-seated memories, even those related to past lives.
Chi Lin waited anxiously for Lou Mi to speak.
Lou Mi frowned slightly. “What do I see? I see a white light.”
Chi Lin: “…” The measuring tape slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor.
Lou Mi opened her eyes. “Didn’t you say there’s a white light inside the door? Isn’t that what I’m supposed to imagine?”
“I don’t want you to imagine it.”
“Then what?”
“I want you to actually see it.”
“My eyes are closed, Master.”
“Forget it…” Chi Lin’s mind was now a blank. “That’s enough training for today. Are you thirsty? I’ll get you a drink.”
“I feel like you’re disappointed in me.”
Chi Lin wasn’t disappointed, just realizing that online information, while seemingly abundant, was mostly unreliable.
“Everyone is different, so cultivation methods vary. Finding the right one is key.”
Recently, in her search for past life information, Chi Lin had exhausted the library archives and turned to the internet, her speech now peppered with cultivation jargon.
She went to the kitchen and chose two juices. While waiting, she casually checked the Class 6 WeChat group and noticed a new friend request.
Tan Luo?
Chi Lin wasn’t inclined to accept, but two sentences in Tan Luo’s request message stopped her cold.
Chi Lin read them again, making sure she hadn’t misread.
Why… would Tan Luo send her these words?
Seeing Chi Lin hadn’t returned, Lou Mi called out to her, but got no response. She went to the kitchen.
“Chi Lin?”
The soft call made Chi Lin tremble. When she turned around, her face was so pale that Lou Mi was startled.
“What’s wrong?”
Chi Lin: “…I… need to go out.”
Lou Mi: “Oh? So suddenly? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Avoiding Lou Mi’s gaze, Chi Lin rushed back to her room, quickly changed, and left.
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