Chapter 86 p1
“How much did you hear?”
“From beginning to end.”
“How did you know we were here?”
“The smart home system sent a notification. I don’t know why, I had locked her access permissions, but they were enabled again. It’s a good thing, though, because it notified me when she entered the house, so I knew you were here. Auntie Peng also rushed home after seeing the notification, right?”
“Then when she came in earlier to plant the black box, she must have already enabled the access permissions. Didn’t you notice?”
“Yes, I should have noticed, but at that time, I didn’t expect her to come back, so I didn’t pay attention to the notification.”
Chi Lin was puzzled: “Too careless, that’s not like you.”
“It’s not like me, indeed. After all, I had already suspected your identity, and my mind was completely occupied with you, I didn’t have the capacity to check my phone. Speaking of which, I need to talk to property management about how she managed to get back in. Now, ask any other questions you have quickly, you won’t have much free time later.”
Lou Mi and Chi Lin were sitting face to face on the sofa in Chi Lin’s bedroom. Lou Mi was drying Chi Lin’s hair with a towel.
Chi Lin had been keeping her head down, and her hair was already dry, but Lou Mi couldn’t bring herself to let go.
Chi Lin indulged her, letting Lou Mi fuss over her hair, completely docile, soft, and fragrant.
After everything Lou Mi had been through these past few days, Chi Lin couldn’t bear to do anything against her wishes.
But hearing Lou Mi’s last comment, she felt the little head in her hands stiffen.
Lou Mi saw through her and continued to gently massage her scalp:
“You’re so good at tricking others, why are you acting like a fool with me? Don’t worry, I’m just teasing you… Ow, that hurts.”
Lou Mi’s smile was too wide, pulling at the cut on her lip, causing a sharp pain.
The pain seemed to awaken all her other injuries, each one vying for attention. Lou Mi’s vision darkened.
“Don’t move, lie down.” Chi Lin carefully helped her lie down. “Auntie Peng said you didn’t rest at the hospital and snuck out while the doctors and your family weren’t looking? How could you be so reckless? Your body isn’t made of iron, what if you have lasting complications?”
Lou Mi loved seeing Chi Lin worry about her, the more worried she was, the more smug Lou Mi felt.
“I really have to praise myself. This wasn’t reckless, it was decisive. Otherwise, when would I have learned the truth? That we were already married in a past life. How could you keep it from me for so long?”
“I had to. If I had just told you that I’m from another time, looking for my wife, no one would believe me. I learned a lot about this era from Mr. System. You have many scientists who are obsessed with the unknown. If they knew about my existence, I wouldn’t have a moment’s peace.”
Lou Mi nodded: “That’s true. Even if you didn’t tell me directly, you were subtly guiding me, right? I remember everything now. That ‘finding enlightenment’ game you had me play, you were trying to trigger my past life memories, weren’t you? You were always searching for clues on me. You even suspected Tan Luo was your Empress for a while and went out with her a few times, right? Well, too bad, the destined one is the destined one, no NPC can replace her.”
Chi Lin, seeing Lou Mi’s confident demeanor, didn’t have the heart to correct her.
Actually, they were still missing a piece of evidence to confirm their connection to their past lives.
But clearly, Lou Mi, having learned all the secrets, had skipped the evidence part and already crowned herself Empress.
Chi Lin wiped a bead of sweat from her brow.
She had originally planned to use the original Chi Lin’s return as a catalyst to trigger Lou Mi’s memories, to guide her into realizing who Chi Lin was, and who she herself was.
She had even used Her Majesty’s personal name, risking great disrespect, just to awaken Lou Mi’s memories.
Recovered memories would be irrefutable proof.
The atmosphere between them in Return to Jianghu had been perfect, just one step away from the goal!
But the original Chi Lin’s return had messed everything up.
Yes, they scored, but they also tore the net.
Now, Lou Mi hadn’t remembered anything on her own, yet she readily accepted the events of their past lives and their unproven identities.
It was completely backwards, but Chi Lin couldn’t bear to explain, after all, Lou Mi was incredibly close to being Her Majesty.
It was like solving a math problem without showing the steps and just copying the answer; you wouldn’t get any points…
Chi Lin wondered if she would have another opportunity to delve into Lou Mi’s memories.
“What are you thinking about?” Lou Mi, lying comfortably in bed, saw Chi Lin lost in thought and gently nudged her chin.
Chi Lin’s mind raced: “I’m thinking about your injuries, and how you’ll play in tomorrow’s match.”
Holographic esports relied on somatic chips, requiring not only a sharp mind but also a healthy body. That’s why Lou Mi exercised regularly.
But now, she was covered in injuries. Forget about playing a match, even walking a few steps could be a challenge.
If she connected to the somatic chip now, HighTowerMiyuki would have to play lying down.
Tomorrow’s match was definitely going to be tough.
“You’re worried about that?” Lou Mi said. “Even without me, Buyu and Fu Tu can handle it. When I’m around, those two slack off, always hiding behind me. Now they finally have a chance to step up and take the game seriously, it’s a good thing. Sister Lan is probably celebrating right now. Don’t worry.”
Chi Lin nodded dubiously, looking at a nasty bruise on the back of Lou Mi’s hand that wasn’t bandaged. She gently touched it with her fingertip:
“Does it hurt?”
Lou Mi instinctively wanted to say she was fine, that she was tough.
But she stopped herself.
What if Chi Lin actually believed her? Would she stop doting on her, stop comforting her, stop letting her be pampered?
Lou Mi was glad she was quick-witted and immediately discarded her years of ingrained independence. She forced out a few tears and looked at Chi Lin pitifully:
“It hurts a lot.”
Chi Lin completely believed her, not even noticing the deliberate act.
Having practiced martial arts since childhood, Chi Lin was no stranger to bumps and bruises. She knew how much pain an injury like this would cause.
Even she, accustomed to constant physical strain, found this injury alarming. Lou Mi, a modern person, when had she ever suffered such hardship?
Chi Lin’s heart ached for Lou Mi’s injuries, and she also remembered the tears Lou Mi shed at Tan Luo’s doorstep.
That heartbroken expression had almost shattered Chi Lin’s heart.
She didn’t dare to touch Lou Mi’s injured hand, not even daring to sit on the bed, afraid of accidentally touching a painful spot.
“I want kisses, hugs, and to be lifted up high.” Lou Mi seized the opportunity to act spoiled.
Chi Lin looked troubled: “Kisses are fine… but hugs might not be good for your injuries. And lifting you up is definitely not an option, it might tear your wounds.”
Lou Mi: “?”
She hadn’t expected such a humorous response to the standard phrases of the “Acting Cute Association” from an ancient person.
Come to think of it, Lou Mi had always found Chi Lin’s archaic speech patterns strange. Now it all made sense; she really was from ancient times.
Lou Mi couldn’t help but laugh.
Chi Lin, who was trying to have a serious conversation, was taken aback.
After laughing, Lou Mi winced in pain. This time, it wasn’t an act; tears welled up in her eyes.
Chi Lin sighed, unsure what to do with her.
“So your name is also Chi Lin, what a coincidence.” Lou Mi was very interested in her past life. “What was my name?”
Chi Lin was about to answer when Lou Mi realized: “Jin Yi, was that my name?”
Chi Lin nodded: “Yes.”
“No wonder.” Lou Mi said, as if it had been obvious all along. “No wonder I felt so drawn to that name the first time I saw it. It was my own. It’s beautiful, so elegant and grand, like an emperor’s name. How did we meet and get married? Jun Jun said you were not only the Empress, but also a general and a scholar? Really?”
(*The author sometimes uses the general term ‘Emperor'(皇帝), the title, and sometimes specifically uses the term ‘Empress'(女
“It’s true.”
“Incredible, absolutely incredible! Such a talented and accomplished person! And she was mine.” Lou Mi continued to praise Chi Lin tirelessly.
She was her wife, after all, no amount of praise was too much.
“So, when did you realize I was the person you were looking for?”
After Chi Lin asked, it was Lou Mi’s turn to bombard her with questions, and she soon landed on a critical one.
Chi Lin, still lacking concrete proof, was momentarily speechless.
Fortunately, Lou Mi was clever and answered her own question:
“I understand now.”
“What do you understand?”
Lou Mi’s eyebrow arched slightly: “It was when I got really jealous, of course.”
Seeing Chi Lin’s slightly confused expression, she elaborated:
“When I pinned you against the wall and kissed you.”
Chi Lin knew which incident she was referring to, but Lou Mi’s bluntness was almost too much to bear.
Seeing her silence, Lou Mi became even more explicit:
“Was it because the kiss felt so right, so perfect, that you realized my kissing skills were exceptional both in this life and the past life, and that confirmed it for you?”
“Stop.” Chi Lin quickly covered her forehead, stopping her.
If she didn’t, she didn’t know how far Lou Mi would go.
She still lacked concrete proof, but Lou Mi, like Her Majesty, loved to take advantage of her whenever she had the chance, whether with words or actions. This was definitely the same behavior.
Lou Mi, enjoying Chi Lin’s flustered expression, moved closer and patted the space beside her:
“Come here? Cuddle with me for a bit.”
“But your injuries…”
“It’s fine, just be good and don’t move too much.”
Chi Lin couldn’t refuse and sat on the bed.
As she was about to lie down, she noticed that Lou Mi had already extended her arm, ready to catch her.
As soon as she lay down, she would be in Lou Mi’s arms.
Lou Mi blinked at her innocently, as if the outstretched arm was acting on its own.
Chi Lin, seeing her cunning yet adorable expression, couldn’t help but smile. She couldn’t argue with her and lay down.
As soon as she did, Lou Mi wrapped her arm around her, pulling them close.
Held in Lou Mi’s embrace, Chi Lin clearly heard her suppressing a small groan of pain.
“Are you hurting?” Chi Lin asked worriedly, looking up.
Lou Mi looked at Chi Lin, now in her arms, and it felt surreal.
“Let me look at you, I haven’t seen you in so long…”
Lou Mi’s fingertips were slightly cold. She touched Chi Lin’s face for a moment, making sure she wouldn’t be cold, then gently caressed her cheek.
She traced her jawline, her nose, and touched the now-reddened moles under her eyes.
Seeing Lou Mi’s unwavering gaze, Chi Lin’s heart ached again.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced a smile.
Chi Lin always kept her emotions in check, and since Lou Mi was happy, she wanted to share that happiness. After much deliberation, she chose a lighthearted comment:
“It hasn’t been that long. You see this face every day.”
“That’s different.” Lou Mi mimicked Chi Lin’s usual serious expression, furrowing her brow slightly and shaking her head. “The soul inside is different, the feeling this face gives is completely different. You’re unlike anyone else…”
Lou Mi placed her right hand under Chi Lin’s neck, her arm supporting Chi Lin’s back, while her other hand held Chi Lin’s hand, drawing her closer.
This way, she definitely wouldn’t be able to escape when they kissed.
Their lips met, then intertwined in a passionate kiss. Lou Mi noticed that Chi Lin seemed inexperienced in such matters, almost innocent, but she responded to Lou Mi’s gentle guidance.
Lou Mi patiently warmed her up, leading her step by step, and Chi Lin’s responses became more and more fervent.
Lou Mi nibbled on her ear. Chi Lin endured it, head down, her hand gripping Lou Mi’s shirt trembling…
“Little Lin? Mi Mi? Are you alright?”
Peng Ziyuan knocked softly on the door.
Chi Lin bolted upright from Lou Mi’s embrace, almost throwing her against the wall.
Chi Lin hurriedly helped her up: “Sorry, are you alright…”
Lou Mi’s eyes were unfocused: “I’m still alive…”
Peng Ziyuan, hearing the commotion inside, realized she had interrupted something and was about to leave:
“Then, you two talk, I’ll come back later!”
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