Can We Get Married First?  7

Chapter 7

Lou Mi played games throughout the drive, ignoring Chi Lin. The speed was considerable, and Chi Lin busied herself finding handholds in the car.

Having experienced the highway earlier, and with the speed slightly lower this time, she felt confident enough to observe the scenery after fastening her seatbelt.

The cars here moved without horses or human effort. She didn’t understand the principle, but they seemed to avoid colliding even at high speeds.

The buildings grew taller and denser, their glass facades reflecting the sunlight, creating a dazzling display.

As they ascended an overpass, Chi Lin pressed against the window, looking down. The intersecting roads below were suspended above the sea, a daring feat of engineering.

What kind of craftsmen could build such a city?

This design maximized space, accommodating countless vehicles without congestion.

Since entering the overwater highway, Chi Lin’s heart hadn’t stopped racing.

It was her first time viewing the sea from this perspective. She was used to standing on the shore, watching the waves crash against the beach, the horizon blurring the line between sea and sky.

The sea was even more vast and beautiful than she had imagined. The setting sun painted the surface with a golden glow, captivating her.

The speed limit on the overwater highway was high. They exited within five minutes, feeling as though they had traveled between cities in the blink of an eye.

After another ten minutes, they arrived in a quieter area, a town filled with trees and wide, smooth roads. The houses, though shorter than the skyscrapers, were more intricate, each standing alone.

They shared a similar style, yet their gates and yards displayed individual character.

A voice spoke inside the car: “Welcome home, Lou Mi. Garage 1, Garage 2, and Garage 3 are available. Please select a garage.”

Who was speaking to Lou Mi? Chi Lin wondered. It sounded like a steward.

In her mind, she translated the message: The steward is asking Lou Mi which stable to put the horses in.

This method of interpretation helped her process the unfamiliar elements.

Lou Mi selected “Garage 1.” A large white door opened, revealing a circular marking on the ground. The car slowly entered, positioning itself between two grooves.

A blue light circled the marking clockwise, and the car began to descend.

The car was taking an elevator!

Chi Lin maintained a calm facade, while internally marveling at this wonder.

The car descended into Garage 1. Once settled, the interior lights dimmed. Lou Mi got out, and Chi Lin followed.

She had already surmised that the Lou family was wealthy. In any era, owning a luxurious house with a steward implied wealth and status.

And a private elevator!

It was smaller than the school elevator, accommodating about four or five people.

Lou Mi stood in the center of the elevator, facing away from Chi Lin. Chi Lin stood in the corner, feeling like an awkward guest.

The elevator doors opened. Chi Lin followed Lou Mi, expecting a long corridor and a meticulously landscaped garden before reaching the main hall. But the elevator opened directly into a spacious living area.

Lou Mi entered a room, retrieved something, bypassed Chi Lin, and pressed the elevator button again, seemingly about to leave.

“Do you have other matters to attend to, Sister?” Chi Lin asked.

Lou Mi, still irritated by the earlier address, replied, “Can you not bother me? I have a ton of things to do at the club. If my dad wasn’t hounding me, I wouldn’t be wasting my time on you.”

Chi Lin remained unfazed. “Please attend to your important matters, Sister. I can manage on my own.”

Lou Mi left. Chi Lin explored the living area, which was comparable in size to the hall in her former general’s residence. Of course, it couldn’t compare to the Imperial Palace, though she hadn’t even spent a night there before being exiled.

The living area boasted the largest glass screen she had ever seen, covering almost an entire wall.

Alone in the house, she could indulge her curiosity. She traced the edges of the screen, searching for a power button.

Finding none, she gave up and explored further.

This era seemed to favor glass. Even the tables were made of it.

The chairs were incredibly large and soft. Chi Lin resisted the urge to sink into one, mindful of her guest status. She pressed her hand against the cushion, imagining the sensation of sitting on it, likely melting into its softness.

The people of this time lived luxuriously.

After wandering around, admiring the decor, Chi Lin felt hungry.

Where was the kitchen? She wanted to see how kitchens had evolved and, more importantly, eat.

She opened every door, finding no stove, only a room resembling a kitchen, with a large refrigerator stocked with food.

But where was the stovetop? How did one start a fire? Where was the firewood?

“How do I get something to eat?” she muttered to herself.

As she spoke, the wall to her left shimmered, and the kitchen lights turned on, startling her.

“Good evening, Chi Lin. What would you like for dinner?”

Ripples of light pulsed on the wall, accompanying the voice, which sounded similar to the steward in Lou Mi’s car. Was the steward calling her?

This phone didn’t require her to press a button to answer. Even more convenient.

Chi Lin approached the wall. “What are the dinner options?”

Images of various dishes appeared on the wall, categorized as appetizers, soups, main courses, sides, and desserts.

There were fifteen appetizers alone, many with unfamiliar names.

Fortunately, there was a “Set Menu” option.

The set menus were pre-designed. It was 7:35 pm, so the default was dinner, with options for “Low-Calorie Dinner,” “Chinese Dinner,” “Western Dinner,” “Japanese Dinner,” and “Thai Dinner.”

Too many unfamiliar choices…

“Anything is fine,” Chi Lin said. “As long as it’s filling.”

She was interacting with “X-H,” a smart home system developed by N-T, a leading AI company. It handled various household tasks, saving time and effort.

Cooking was one of its main features.

After registering the voice prints of family members, X-H could receive instructions and prepare meals based on recipes and available ingredients.

Similar kitchen assistants existed before X-H, but their culinary skills were limited. They lacked finesse and variety.

X-H had quickly dominated the smart home market.

Chi Lin, a visitor from the past, was now face-to-face with cutting-edge technology centuries ahead of her time.

Upon receiving her instruction, X-H generated a menu.

“Based on your usual dinner preferences, I’ve prepared a pork burger and iced cola. Your meal will be ready in 30 seconds. Have a pleasant evening.”

Pork burger and iced cola? Chi Lin waited with anticipation.

A countdown appeared on the wall. Chi Lin recognized the numerals from the math exam and from her encounters with foreign merchants in the West Market, though she wasn’t familiar with them.

As the timer reached zero, a small square compartment next to the refrigerator opened, revealing a white plate illuminated by an orange glow.

On the plate sat a round bread roll, sliced in half and filled with meat and vegetables, and a glass of icy, bubbling dark liquid.

Chi Lin eyed the dark liquid with suspicion.

This is a pork burger and cola? But… where were the chopsticks? How was she supposed to eat this?

She peered into the compartment, assuming it was connected to the kitchen.

“Excuse me,” she said, “where are the chopsticks?”

No response.

Chi Lin: “…”

Perhaps my voice wasn’t loud enough?

She took a deep breath and called out, “Could the chef please make an appearance?”

The kitchen remained silent.

Chi Lin was perplexed. Did the chef and steward avoid contact with the master of the house? How did they communicate?

She looked back at her dinner.

Was she supposed to eat this pork burger with her hands? That seemed improper.

But she was alone, and her curiosity outweighed her reservations.

She carried her dinner to the living room and sat on the sofa, carefully lifting the top bun of the burger.

The bun was incredibly soft and fragrant.

After examining the burger’s construction, she decided it shouldn’t be eaten separately. The two halves should be combined, enclosing the meat and vegetables.

That’s why there were no chopsticks. They would be impractical.

Of course, she thought, congratulating herself. I’m so clever.

Holding the burger firmly, she took a large bite. The juicy pork, crisp vegetables, and fragrant bun combined in a burst of flavor. Delicious!

She devoured the entire burger and turned to the glass of dark liquid.

It was still bubbling, the glass coated with condensation. It looked very cold.

What would it taste like?

She sniffed it cautiously. There was no discernible scent. A bubble popped on her nose, tickling her.

She hesitated, then took a sip.

It was sweet and fizzy, unlike anything she had ever tasted.

She finished the drink in one gulp, the carbonation rising, stinging her nose and making her eyes water.

“Ah—” she gasped.

Uncomfortable… yet strangely satisfying.

She hiccuped for a long time afterward, her nose tingling.

Sated, she sank into the sofa, pondering a question: Why did people in this era enjoy self-inflicted pain?

And why was she starting to enjoy it too?