After Marrying the Aloof Beauty, I Totally Fell for Her - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Are You Willing to Accept This?

What do you do when you go on a blind date and run into someone you’re afraid of? Asking online, it’s urgent.

Sitting stiffly in the soft chair of the private room, An Ning was experiencing for the first time what it truly meant to feel like she was “sitting on pins and needles.”

Should she explain? But what could she explain? She had come to meet her matched partner, after all.

Why was it Professor Mu? No matter how she thought about it, it just didn’t make sense. Was the matching system malfunctioning?

But why would Professor Mu be in the system in the first place? Doesn’t it require personal consent?

A whirlwind of questions flooded her mind, none of which she could answer. Every single one required the other person’s explanation—and in her guilty conscience, An Ning didn’t even dare to meet that person’s eyes.

She rarely felt this kind of guilt in her life. The last time must’ve been back in elementary school, when she accidentally broke her grandma’s favorite vase.

Oblivious as always, she stared down and began counting the patterns on the marble table. She didn’t even notice that her guilt and fear of Mu Yan felt out of place—because it was Mu Yan, and Mu Yan was clearly upset.

In contrast to her anxious, fidgety state, the woman across the table—though exuding a powerful, oppressive presence—still appeared composed. An Ning even caught a glimpse of her in the table’s glossy reflection: picking up a coffee cup for a sip. Her hand, even paler than the white porcelain cup, was perfectly proportioned—like a flawless work of art carved by a master sculptor.

Suddenly, An Ning thought of the utility knife stashed in her desk drawer, and her heart inexplicably clenched.

“I’m a student at Yun University’s Physical Education Department. I’m not currently looking for a partner, but I need the marriage-matching practical course credits. If you have similar needs, we can discuss it further.”

Before her thoughts could wander any further, Mu Yan had already taken out her phone and began reading aloud An Ning’s self-introduction.

Her voice wasn’t loud, and it was quite pleasant to the ear. But to An Ning, it only made her feel even more helpless and flustered.

Why did she always end up embarrassing herself in front of Professor Mu?

Having suffered her third public humiliation now, An Ning hung her head even lower.

“So impressive,” Mu Yan said coolly, “A Yun University student, trying to get married just for a few credits?”

She’s definitely angry.

An Ning’s ears burned, her eyes grew hot. She pressed her lips together. She didn’t even know why that one sentence from Mu Yan had pierced her so deeply. She hadn’t cried in a long time.

If she cried here, it’d be beyond embarrassing. She needed to apologize and leave.

Clutching the hem of her shirt, she forced herself to lift her head and meet those distant, indifferent eyes. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but it seemed like those aloof eyes trembled slightly when their gazes met.

Apologize properly. Look them in the eye, she told herself.

“I’m sorry, Professor Mu. I shouldn’t have taken the easy way out. I won’t do it again. I’m really sorry for troubling you.” She stood and bowed. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”

She finished her speech in one breath and turned to leave. It wasn’t the most polite way to exit, but she couldn’t care anymore. If Mu Yan said anything harsher, she really might break down right there—that would be her fourth humiliation.

“Sit down.”

Mu Yan’s calm voice came from behind. An Ning paused, hesitated, then finally sat back down, lowering her head again like a student waiting for a scolding.

Under the warm lighting, her soft, fluffy curls looked like they would feel lovely to the touch. She lowered her head. Even though she was tall, curled up like this in her seat, she looked completely well-behaved and harmless, not a trace of defiance in sight.

Mu Yan thought of the girl’s reddened eyes when they made eye contact earlier.

So soft, she thought. The softer she is, the more it highlights how unreasonable I am—like a lunatic.

She’s no longer yours.

Even if she marries some total stranger, it has nothing to do with you.

You chose this.

Let her go. How long do you plan to keep making a fool of yourself?

An Ning hadn’t heard anything more from Mu Yan for a long time. She couldn’t help but glance up, only to see Mu Yan holding her forehead, eyes tightly shut and expression filled with pain. Her hand clenched into a fist on the table, veins visible beneath the pale skin.

“Professor Mu!”

An Ning stood up in alarm and rushed to her side, reaching for her shoulder.

But before she could touch her, Mu Yan grabbed her hand.

That slim hand—easily two sizes smaller than hers—gripped her so tightly it actually hurt.

An Ning winced but didn’t struggle. Mu Yan had turned to look at her.

Those deep-set eyes had lost their focus. Her lips were pale and trembling, like she had just woken from a nightmare and was still in a daze.

Fear vanished. All An Ning felt now was panic—and a pang of heartache she didn’t even notice in herself.

She cupped Mu Yan’s face with her other hand. Compared to her own hands, the woman’s cheek was soft and cold—like snow at the end of winter, just starting to melt.

“Professor Mu! Professor Mu!” An Ning called out, her voice filled with alarm.

Whether it was the warmth of her palm or the urgency of her voice, Mu Yan’s blurry eyes slowly regained focus.

The fog lifted, and the girl’s face came into view—those light brown, deer-like eyes filled with concern.

Just like always..

Mu Yan pressed her lips together tightly. The face she dreamed about was right in front of her, but now that she was fully conscious, she couldn’t allow herself to get even a bit closer.

She pulled away from An Ning’s hand and released her grip, regaining her composure.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice once again distant and composed, as if that moment of vulnerability had never happened.

An Ning awkwardly withdrew her hand, still worried.

“Are you like this with everyone?”

“…Huh?” Mu Yan had spoken too softly. Even though they were sitting close and An Ning had good hearing, she didn’t catch it.

“Nothing,” Mu Yan said, frowning slightly with displeasure. “I said I’m fine.”

“Oh… that’s good.” An Ning let out a breath and sat back down.

Thank goodness. She didn’t know what had just happened to Mu Yan, but at least she wasn’t going to lecture her anymore, right?

Just as she was starting to feel relieved, there was a knock on the door behind her.

“Excuse me, your order is ready,” came the voice of a waiter from outside.

An Ning instinctively glanced at the coffee on Mu Yan’s table, then at Mu Yan, who had lowered her eyes.

Was… was this for her?

“Come in.”

Mu Yan didn’t look at her. She simply allowed the waiter in. Dressed in a neat uniform, the waiter quietly placed a drink in front of An Ning and left.

The cup was a white mug with a cute illustration of a sleeping puppy. The drink inside gave off a sweet milky aroma.

An Ning: “…”

This kind of café actually sells milk? And even serves it in such an adorable mug?

It was exactly her style. She was even tempted to ask the shop owner where they bought it.

She picked up the mug and admired it for a moment, growing increasingly fond of it—until she looked up and locked eyes with Mu Yan.

The soft, dim lighting cast shadows from Mu Yan’s long lashes, softening her sharp eyes.

There was a trace of gentleness in them.

An Ning’s hand trembled. She nearly spilled the drink.

“You’re not going to drink it?” Mu Yan asked calmly.

Why did it feel like she was… expecting her to?

“I’ll drink it—right now!”

An Ning hurried to take a sip.

Wait, this wasn’t milk?

Though it had the creamy texture and milky aroma of milk, there was also a tea fragrance and some other subtle flavors.

It was complex—but harmoniously so. Sweet, but not too sweet. Better than any drink she’d ever had.

She took another sip—and before she realized it, the mug was empty.

Embarrassed, she glanced at Mu Yan—only to find the woman propping her chin on her hand, watching her, with a faint smile on her lips.

When Mu Yan didn’t smile, her cold expression and naturally sharp eyes could come off as intimidating.

But when she smiled—just even a little—all that sharpness melted away, replaced by a captivating allure.

She should really smile more often.

An Ning stared blankly, that one thought echoing in her mind.

“Was it good?” Mu Yan finally asked, her soft lips curving slightly.

“Yes! It was really good!” An Ning quickly looked away, mentally scolding herself for being rude again.

“Then tell me more about your credits. Are they really that important? Important enough for you to… do this?” Mu Yan had withdrawn her smile, but her tone was gentler than before.

An Ning hadn’t expected her to ask again. She assumed someone like Mu Yan—a genius—would never bother with such “shortcut” methods, and wouldn’t care to understand.

Still, she didn’t hide anything. She explained seriously how her practical course conflicted with her training schedule. No exaggerations, no joking, and she ended with another solemn promise never to do something like this again.

“And how do you plan to solve your problem, then?”

An Ning was taken aback.

How else?

“I… I’ll try my best to balance both…” Her voice lacked confidence. If she could handle both, she wouldn’t have even considered Chen Ying’s suggestion. Who would want to fake a marriage for no reason?

Hearing her answer, Mu Yan lowered her gaze. After a moment of thought, she looked back up calmly.

“If it hadn’t been me today, but someone else with the same needs… would you have married her?”

“Probably… yes?” An Ning wasn’t sure why Mu Yan was asking, but she answered truthfully. That had been her intention in coming. She didn’t want Mu Yan to think she was being dishonest again.

Mu Yan had always known the girl never lied, but hearing her frank answer still stirred up a flood of jealousy she could hardly contain.

“What if I refuse to match with you?”

“Then the system will pair her with someone else. She’s looking voluntarily, after all. The world’s a big place—why should she hang herself on your crooked little tree?”

The echo of that past conversation churned in Mu Yan’s turbulent heart.

Logic told her she should just give An Ning some money to help her earn those credits and focus on her training.

That would be best—for An Ning.

But another voice—like the serpent who tempted Eve with the apple—slithered in her mind.

She’ll fall in love with someone else.

She’ll marry someone else.

She’s not yours anymore.

Are you really okay with that?

Are you?

Are you?!

The serpent hissed, forked tongue flickering near Mu Yan’s ear.

And her prey—still utterly clueless—sat across from her, unaware of the danger creeping near.

In a moment of dazed clarity, Mu Yan spoke:

“In that case… do you want to marry me?”

The snake bared its fangs. 

When An Ning pushed open the café door and stepped outside, her mind was still blank.

“My work hasn’t been going well lately. I just wanted to use a marriage certificate to get some peace and quiet.”

Honestly… that reason sounded even more absurd than hers.

As for why she agreed so mindlessly—

Maybe it was fear. Fear that saying no would upset Professor Mu and she’d get laughed at.

An Ning sighed lightly and looked down at the gift bag in her hand.

Still, this café was pretty considerate—serving milk tea and giving out cups?

After sending off the last customer, the café manager began tidying up while reflecting on today’s strange turn of events.

That morning, the café’s elusive owner had called, saying a friend would be coming for a date and to reserve a private room—no matter what the friend did, the staff was to cooperate fully.

That afternoon, the manager saw the friend—a strikingly beautiful woman, unforgettable at first sight. Though… she didn’t seem to like people very much.

The woman had borrowed the manager’s prep station to make milk tea. She wasn’t exactly skilled, but her hand control was shockingly precise. She didn’t even need a scale to portion ingredients accurately. If she ever became a barista, she could totally bluff her way through just with that talent.

She poured the drink into a teacup she’d brought and told the manager, “If I message you, serve this. If not, and the date drags on, just toss it.”

So she had different standards for her date depending on how things went?

Well, it wasn’t his place to pry into the affairs of the rich. But the manager had been quite fond of that cup and plucked up the courage to ask where she bought it.

“I painted it myself,” she replied.

The message eventually came, and the manager decided to deliver the drink personally. The girl seated across from her was young, pretty, and though quite tall, had a sweet, innocent vibe.

If you ignored the massive difference in their auras, they actually looked… kind of good together.

Finishing up, the manager heated himself a cup of milk, sipping and speculating.

Maybe that woman was trying to court the girl?

But who courts someone while looking like they’re collecting a debt?