Can We Get Married First?  70

Chapter 70

“So Tan Luo used information about Wei Zhuoning as bait to get you to meet her?” Chi Lin asked.

“That was her tactic. I was so focused on Zhuoning that I didn’t think much of it. Back then, she was just an online friend.”

Their first meeting was at a trendy cafe. Tan Luo had already ordered Lin Xiaozhi’s favorite waffles and hot chocolate.

“Are you cold? Have some hot chocolate to warm up.” Tan Luo had draped her coat over a chair, her white suit jacket sleeves rolled up, revealing elegant wrists adorned with a luxury bracelet.

Tan Luo’s first impression was impeccable: a thoughtful and sophisticated older sister. Lin Xiaozhi had almost worn the same bracelet, a birthday gift from her mother last month. Good thing I didn’t, she thought, that would have been awkward.

Throughout their meeting, Lin Xiaozhi listened intently as Tan Luo shared stories about Wei Zhuoning’s family, even showing her a childhood photo.

“So cute…” Lin Xiaozhi stared at the picture on Tan Luo’s phone.

Wei Zhuoning, around seven or eight years old, posed with her mother and other factory workers. She wore yellow overalls, her hair about the same length as now, a small beret perched on her head, her hands behind her back, her dark eyes bright, a small frown on her face, her “pretend fierceness” identical to her current expression.

It was a miniature Wei Zhuoning! A hundred times more delightful than the desserts before her!

Lin Xiaozhi’s heart fluttered, but she maintained her composure. “Can you send me this picture?”

“Of course,” Tan Luo smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Seeing how much you like it, maybe I can get you more next time we meet.”

Thus began their second, third… and subsequent meetings.

Tan Luo didn’t always have new photos, but she never disappointed Lin Xiaozhi, always having some anecdote about Wei Zhuoning, from childhood to present. A gifted storyteller, she could make even the most mundane details sound captivating.

Each story hit Lin Xiaozhi’s weak spot, making her crave more.

Feigning exasperation, Tan Luo would say, “I’d love to tell you more, but that’s all I know. I can’t just make things up, can I? Don’t worry, I’ll ask around for you.”

At the time, Tan Luo seemed like an angel, so considerate, that Lin Xiaozhi felt slightly guilty. “Is this too much trouble for you?”

“Not at all. Don’t be so formal.” Seeing Lin Xiaozhi’s silence, Tan Luo added, “I’ve never had many friends. I’m a bit… picky. Don’t laugh, but there aren’t many people I find interesting, whether classmates or relatives. I like people who are intelligent and good-looking. Is that too shallow? Well, I’m afraid I am. Honestly, not many people meet both criteria. Xiao Zhi, you’re different. You have so much more to offer. If you weren’t already interested in someone else, I would definitely pursue you.”

Lin Xiaozhi had heard countless compliments and confessions throughout her life. She was immune to flattery. Her heart remained firmly set on Wei Zhuoning.

Unaware of Tan Luo’s true nature, blinded by her sophisticated charm, Lin Xiaozhi simply found her words a bit… much. But who didn’t enjoy being praised by a beautiful person?

Looking back, Lin Xiaozhi felt foolish for never questioning the veracity of Tan Luo’s stories.

Chi Lin: “So everything about Zhuoning was just bait? All lies?”

Lin Xiaozhi: “Based on what I know now, at least eighty percent of it was fabricated.”

Chi Lin nodded slowly, looking at Lin Xiaozhi thoughtfully. So even the clever class president can be fooled.

Lin Xiaozhi knew what she was thinking. “I was only fourteen, almost fifteen, back then. Everyone makes mistakes. I’ve matured a lot since then, thanks to her.” Though she hated to admit it, Tan Luo had played a role in shaping her personality.

After a few meetings, besides expressing her admiration, Tan Luo started catering to Lin Xiaozhi’s interests, feigning surprise at their shared tastes and preferences. Their conversations, under Tan Luo’s skillful guidance, gradually shifted from Wei Zhuoning to other topics.

From a privileged background, with a highly educated mother and a successful entrepreneur father, Tan Luo’s future was paved with gold. She had no particular hobbies, her sole interest being romance, specifically pursuing girls.

Despite her “love-brain,” she was incredibly intelligent, effortlessly excelling in academics without much effort, which only fueled her arrogance.

At the time, Lin Xiaozhi hadn’t known about Tan Luo’s notorious reputation.

When Wei Zhuoning chose not to be in her group for a summer camp, Lin Xiaozhi was upset for a long time. Tan Luo comforted her late into the night, keeping her awake.

Even so, Lin Xiaozhi was grateful, seeing Tan Luo as a good friend willing to listen to her ramblings about her unrequited crush.

As middle school drew to a close, Lin Xiaozhi was unsure about which high school to choose. Wei Zhuoning wouldn’t be able to get into a top school, South Lake Third High was her limit. Lin Xiaozhi, on the other hand, could easily get into any top school. But she still had feelings for Wei Zhuoning, unwilling to give up just yet.

Tan Luo encouraged her, “I’m at South Lake Third High, too. I chose it because it’s less academically demanding. The students are a bit… well, but the teachers are good. If you come, we can still be together. We can talk about your little Zhuoning, and I can give you dating advice.”

So Lin Xiaozhi chose South Lake Third High.

Chi Lin: “So you being classmates with Zhuoning for six years wasn’t a coincidence. You planned it.”

“Exactly. There aren’t that many coincidences. Even us being in the same class, becoming deskmates, that was arranged by my dad.”

“But your feelings were always for Zhuoning, not Tan Luo?”

“Of course. I was only interested in Zhuoning. Tan Luo was never in the picture. But being in the same high school meant we saw each other more often. We were seen together a few times, which led to all the gossip on the school forums, saying she ‘turned me gay.’ Please, I was born this way. I didn’t need her help. I didn’t care about the rumors, but then that silly Zhuoning saw them… I never imagined she’d be interested in gossip.”

“She thought you and Tan Luo were together. Why didn’t you explain?”

Chi Lin answered her own question. “Because you were secretly digging into her family’s private matters, and you were afraid she’d be upset.”

“Regardless of your reasons, it was an invasion of privacy. And with her strong sense of self-respect, she would have been furious.”

“To protect your secret, you let the rumors spread for years, never denying them.”

“There’s no telling what Tan Luo might do. I was afraid she’d bother Zhuoning. I didn’t care about myself, but Zhuoning is different. She takes things very seriously.”

After a moment of silence, Chi Lin asked, “So how did you and Tan Luo fall out?”

“We didn’t ‘fall out.’ Her goal all along was to get me into bed.”

In high school, Lin Xiaozhi and Tan Luo became even closer, their physical contact increasing. Lin Xiaozhi grew wary, while Tan Luo continued to offer information about Wei Zhuoning in exchange for her attention.

By then, Lin Xiaozhi and Wei Zhuoning were deskmates, their relationship deepening. Lin Xiaozhi became increasingly skeptical of Tan Luo’s stories.

Tan Luo, still trying to seduce her, finally angered Lin Xiaozhi with a forceful kiss, leading to a confrontation.

Tan Luo threatened to tell Wei Zhuoning about Lin Xiaozhi’s years-long obsession and her snooping, framing it as a “good deed” before their breakup.

Lin Xiaozhi searched her house for a weapon, then decided her bare hands would suffice.

After breaking Tan Luo’s leg, putting her out of school for a month, they were even. No matter how much Tan Luo later insisted it was just a joke, Lin Xiaozhi refused to believe her.

The label “scumbag” was permanently attached to Tan Luo.

The school forums continued to buzz with gossip, but Lin Xiaozhi never addressed it. She had been the one to invade Wei Zhuoning’s privacy first, and falling for Tan Luo’s trap was a lesson learned.

From then on, she focused on winning Wei Zhuoning’s affection through her own efforts. Even if it took longer, she had all the patience in the world.

Now that her relationship with Wei Zhuoning was stable, seeing Tan Luo’s claws reaching for Chi Lin, Lin Xiaozhi couldn’t stand idly by.

“Aren’t you afraid Tan Luo will tell Zhuoning about your snooping, out of spite?” Chi Lin asked.

“I am,” Lin Xiaozhi admitted. “I used to think I was fearless, that nothing could affect me. But now, I don’t want to lose Zhuoning, I don’t want to distance myself from her again.”

“So…?”

“But I did those things. Even if it’s exposed, I have no right to complain. My impatience was my own fault. Zhuoning deserves to know the truth.” Lin Xiaozhi shoved her hands in her pockets and stretched her legs. “I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.”

“Xiao Zhi, thank you.”

“So, did Tan Luo take advantage of you or not?”

“No,” Chi Lin said. “I met her a few times, but she had her schemes, and I had my reasons.”

“Your reasons? What reasons?”

“I can’t tell you yet.”

Lin Xiaozhi: “…” Sometimes, she found Chi Lin incredibly intelligent, like her recent top score in English. Her learning ability was remarkable. Other times, she felt like Chi Lin’s head was filled with air. When will she stop talking like someone from an ancient drama?

“Fine, I’ve said my piece. I’m sure you have your own plan.” Lin Xiaozhi stood up to leave.

“Thank you,” Chi Lin said, picking up Tiger, who was sleeping soundly. She walked Lin Xiaozhi to the community entrance.

As Lin Xiaozhi waited for her ride, Chi Lin asked, “Does Tan Luo live at Coastal No. 1?”

Lin Xiaozhi thought for a moment. “I think so, yes.”

…

Tan Luo sat in her luxurious villa at Coastal No. 1, sipping coffee and watching a popular girl group’s dance practice video.

Her phone rang. It was Chi Lin.

Tan Luo’s spirits lifted. She hadn’t expected Chi Lin to contact her. After Chi Lin’s rejection and abrupt departure at the library, she’d assumed her plan had failed. Apparently, Xiao Chi Lin’s curiosity hadn’t been completely satisfied.

Tan Luo dressed carefully and went to the designated meeting place: a pedestrian overpass.

The evening wind was biting, cutting through even Tan Luo’s layers of clothing. Shivering, she walked against the wind and finally saw Chi Lin.

Unlike the bundled-up Tan Luo, Chi Lin wore only a thin jacket, her hair neatly tied back, standing tall and straight like a pine tree in the snow. The sight made Tan Luo’s heart flutter.

“A true beauty,” she thought, as she shivered her way towards Chi Lin. “Xiao Chi Lin, always so unique, even choosing such an unusual place for a date.”

Chi Lin turned, her expression colder than the wind. “Do you know why I asked you to meet me here?”

Tan Luo couldn’t deny her attraction to this side of Chi Lin, so cold, so alluring. Every time Chi Lin exuded this aloofness, Tan Luo wanted to see her beneath her, completely undone…

“Because you missed me.”

Chi Lin’s lips twitched in something resembling a smile. Looking at the traffic below, she said, “I checked. This overpass is usually deserted. The security cameras have been broken for a while, no one’s bothered to fix them. It’s the perfect place to kill someone and get away with it.”

Tan Luo’s expression faltered, then she laughed. “I never knew my Xiao Chi Lin had a sense of humor.”

“But you seem to know a lot of other things. Things you should know, and things you shouldn’t.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You have my phone, don’t you?”

“Your phone?” Tan Luo shrugged. “You didn’t give it to me.”

“Did you crack the password yourself, or did you get someone to do it for you? Did you see everything on it?”

“What are you talking about, I…”

As Tan Luo continued to deny it, a glint of metal flashed in Chi Lin’s sleeve.

“What’s that in your sleeve?” Tan Luo’s signature smile faltered, her voice tightening.

“Want to see?” Chi Lin turned to face her directly. “I can show you.”

“N-No, I don’t want to see.”

Ignoring her, Chi Lin stepped closer.

Sensing danger, Tan Luo turned to run, but Chi Lin swiftly tripped her, sending her sprawling. Before Tan Luo could react, Chi Lin pinned her down, her hands twisted behind her back, and began searching her pockets.

Tan Luo, her back aching, her arms screaming in pain, actually laughed. “Xiao Chi Lin, you’re even more impressive than I imagined. Keep touching me, don’t stop.”

Chi Lin: “…You don’t have the phone on you?”

Tan Luo continued to play dumb. “What phone? I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

A knife suddenly plunged into the ground beside her head, grazing her nose, drawing blood.

Tan Luo: “…” The warm blood trickling down her face was a stark reminder of reality, silencing her.

“Answer two questions. Did you find my phone? And where is it now?”

Chi Lin was no stranger to interrogation. Physical pain was nothing. She had far more unpleasant methods if needed. Of course, her techniques needed some adjustments for this era. With her knowledge of pressure points, she could inflict excruciating pain without causing lasting damage.

Tan Luo, however, didn’t give her a chance to demonstrate. Terrified by the knife, she confessed, “Spare me! I did find your phone, but I don’t have it with me… I’m not stupid, I wouldn’t carry it around for you to find.”

Chi Lin: “So it’s at Coastal No. 1.”

“You’re truly remarkable, you even know where I live. If you want your phone back, you’ll have to let me live.”

Chi Lin only wanted the phone’s location. If Tan Luo had it, then the poem, the knowledge of Dayuan, everything made sense. Tan Luo wasn’t Her Majesty, just an opportunist.

Sensing Chi Lin’s grip loosen, Tan Luo tried to get up, but Chi Lin pressed a few pressure points on her back, immobilizing her with a wave of pain.

Chi Lin stood up. Tan Luo, despite being unrestrained, couldn’t move.

“What did you do to me…” Tan Luo gasped, her lower body numb, her breathing restricted.

Chi Lin placed a black pill in Tan Luo’s mouth, tilting her chin up, forcing her to swallow.

“I just temporarily disabled a few of your pressure points. They’ll recover soon. But this pill… this is a special concoction I made just for you.” Chi Lin said, “It’s made from seven deadly poisons. It tastes sweet, but it’s highly toxic. It won’t kill you immediately, but the poison will spread through your body for thirty days. As long as you get the antidote from me every month, you’ll be fine. You’ll even live a long and healthy life.”

Chi Lin knew the rumors about her, the whispers that she might be a demon, not a fairy. She decided to use them to her advantage, controlling Tan Luo without resorting to murder.

As the numbness subsided, Tan Luo, regaining control of her lower body, leaned against the railing and retched, but the pill remained lodged in her stomach.

“I have a few more questions.” Chi Lin grabbed her wrist, pressing a vital point. “Why do you have that birthmark?”

“Birthmark?” Tan Luo looked genuinely confused. “You mean the one on my chest? It’s real, of course.”

Chi Lin narrowed her eyes. “Really?”

“How can a birthmark be fake? My life is in your hands, I wouldn’t dare to lie. I found your phone, cracked the password out of curiosity, and saw the information about Dayuan. I admit, I wanted to use it to get closer to you, but it didn’t work. It was just a failed attempt at a date, not worth killing me over… As for the birthmark, I’ve had it since I was little. If you don’t believe me, I can show you!”

Tan Luo started to unbutton her shirt, but Chi Lin stopped her.

There was no reason for Tan Luo to lie at this point. So Chi Lin had recorded her search for Her Majesty and information about Dayuan on her phone, but the details of the birthmark had remained in her mind, deemed unnecessary to record. Tan Luo probably didn’t know about it.

Perhaps the birthmark wasn’t proof of a past life connection after all.

Chi Lin removed the ropes. Tan Luo, finally free, touched her nose, her fingers coming away bloody. The knife had indeed cut her.

For Tan Luo, who relied on her beauty, a single pimple was a tragedy. This scar was a devastating blow.

“I never imagined you were so cruel…” Tan Luo glared at Chi Lin.

Chi Lin scoffed. “You’re one to talk. Don’t worry, as long as you keep your mouth shut about my affairs, you’ll get your antidote every month. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise what?”

Chi Lin’s face darkened. “The poison will fester, your body will rot for forty-nine days, then you’ll dissolve into a puddle of blood. A gruesome end.”

Tan Luo shivered, staring at her.

Just as Chi Lin thought she’d achieved her goal, Tan Luo’s fear morphed into something else, a look of… fascination. “I always thought you were a cold, untouchable beauty, someone I wanted to conquer and… defile. I never imagined you had such a dark side. I like it. Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word. The antidote doesn’t matter. What matters is that I get to see you every month. Xiao Chi Lin, my heroine, will you take me as your disciple?”

Chi Lin: “…” This era is full of surprises