I Woke Up And Found Myself Married - Chapter 12

Yuwei’s breath drew closer and closer, the gentle scent of mint spreading in the air—it smelled slightly sweet.

Ji Fuyi calmly lifted her head, her lips brushing lightly past Yuwei’s ear, sliding along her cheek to the corner of her mouth before she took a step back, watching Yuwei leisurely.

“Shall we go?” Ji Fuyi smiled.

Yuwei: “!!!”

Her face was burning. Ji Fuyi always had a sweet scent, and now, the soft touch of her lips brushing her skin was simply unbearable.

Ji Fuyi had already walked out the door, and Yuwei, after touching her nose, quickly followed.

Looking down, Yuwei saw Ji Fuyi’s delicate ankles. A black silk bow rested against her porcelain skin, and her long, straight legs instantly caught Yuwei’s gaze.

Ji Fuyi stopped in front of the elevator. Yuwei, not paying attention, walked straight into her.

Ji Fuyi reached out, steadying Yuwei and gave her head a gentle pat.

“Not watching where you’re walking,” Ji Fuyi tilted her chin. “Hm?”

Yuwei: “…”

What was she supposed to say? That she got distracted looking at her legs?

Yuwei didn’t say a word, only lowered her head even more.

Ji Fuyi found it amusing—just a moment ago, she was all energetic like a little poplar tree, and now she looked all droopy.

Yuwei stiffened her neck and said, “You look too pretty. I got distracted.”

“Hm?”

Ji Fuyi had never met someone this straightforward before, leaving her momentarily speechless.

“What?” Yuwei copied her posture, lifting her chin. “I’m not allowed to look?”

Ji Fuyi smiled slightly and tilted her head elegantly, extending a hand to her:

“You can look—but movie tickets are thirty-five each.”

Yuwei: “…”

She forgot—Ji Fuyi was a celebrity. Of course she’d charge for being looked at!!!

As soon as the elevator arrived, Yuwei turned decisively and strode into it with determination, leaving Ji Fuyi with her back.

Ji Fuyi laughed freely and followed behind, asking, “What, not looking anymore?”

“Nope,” Yuwei shoved her hands in her pockets and closed her eyes, looking utterly determined not to take advantage of her, “Debts that aren’t paid get you blocked. I’m scared.”

“Oh?”

The elevator dinged and stopped at the parking garage. Ji Fuyi looked over and saw Yuwei still had her eyes shut. She teased, “How are you going to walk with your eyes closed?”

Yuwei reached out her hand confidently, “You’ll lead me, of course.”

Ji Fuyi: “?”

Why did it feel like Yuwei was getting bolder?

Yuwei held out her hand like she really wouldn’t open her eyes, leaving Ji Fuyi a little helpless. She hooked her pinky around Yuwei’s and led her toward the car.

As soon as they got in, Yuwei pulled a pack of Yakult from the mini-fridge and stuffed it into Ji Fuyi’s hands, saying with utmost seriousness:

“I’m paying my debt with this! Now I can look again!”

Ji Fuyi: “…”

She held the Yakult, both amused and exasperated.

“You’re really…”

Ji Fuyi sighed:

“So dumb.”

Yuwei was driving and almost slammed the brakes when she heard Ji Fuyi call her dumb. She wanted to argue right there and then, but instead she repeated in her mind: Unsafe driving brings tears to your loved ones, barely suppressing the urge to pull over and confront her.

Her legendary flirting skills that had worked across the country seemed utterly useless on Ji Fuyi!

The car sped down the empty road. Yuwei gripped the wheel, feeling very down.

But she was hopeless—Ji Fuyi’s aloofness only made her want to flirt more, to see what was under that cool and composed shell.

Maybe… a gentle big sister?

While daydreaming and listening to music, Yuwei stole glances at Ji Fuyi at stoplights, and her mood slowly lifted.

Once she peeled off that cold exterior, Ji Fuyi would definitely be a soft, sweet older sister! Then she’d do this and that to her…

“What are you thinking about?”

Ji Fuyi’s voice startled Yuwei.

“I was just thinking about what to eat at the hotpot place!”

Yuwei quickly did a perfect drift into a parking space and winked at Ji Fuyi, flashing a cute grin and pearly teeth.

Ji Fuyi didn’t believe her one bit. That look on Yuwei’s face earlier—she was definitely thinking something not related to food. But looking at her smiling face, she shrugged and didn’t press.

Yuwei parked in the lot of a large mall, but instead of heading into the mall, she led Ji Fuyi into a narrow alley nearby where neon signs flashed all around, dazzling the eyes.

“What is this place?” Ji Fuyi looked around curiously. “Looks fun. How’d you find it?”

Yuwei led her down a path where green grass sprouted from the cracks. Some broken flower pots overflowed with soil, but the pothos growing from them looked vibrant.

“Found it by accident,” Yuwei flicked her ponytail. “Like it?”

Ji Fuyi gave a small nod. “I do.”

The hotpot restaurant was hidden inside the alley, marked only by a small sign. But once the curtain was lifted, it revealed a bustling interior.

The main dining area was clean and spacious, packed with people. Steam billowed around them, and the room buzzed with cheerful voices.

Yuwei took her into a private room. From the second-floor window, they could see the musical fountain in the nearby plaza, lit with vibrant colors. Water shot up into the air, dancing before falling back down.

Yuwei slid the menu over to Ji Fuyi. Ji Fuyi scanned it from top to bottom—she recognized the characters, but somehow, as menu items, they didn’t make much sense.

She didn’t want to admit she couldn’t understand the menu, so she casually marked a few dishes and passed it back. “You order.”

Yuwei took the menu, picked out her favorites, then gave it to the server. Smiling, she asked, “Couldn’t read it, huh?”

Ji Fuyi: “…”

She figured it out? Unbelievable.

Ji Fuyi cleared her throat. “Of course I could.”

Yuwei nodded, “Then you did.”

Ji Fuyi: “…”

She raised her brow. “Brought a lot of people here before who couldn’t read it either?”

Yuwei: “???”

What kind of trap was this?

She’d just wanted to tease Ji Fuyi a little to make up for getting played earlier. Why did this feel like she’d stepped into something deeper?

Yuwei quickly waved her hands, “No no no! Just brought a few close friends here. The menu has some rare dishes—it’s normal not to recognize everything…”

In her fluster, she rambled. Ji Fuyi found it amusing and decided to tease her more.

Smiling slyly, she asked, “What kind of ‘close friends’?”

The moment she said it, both of them froze.

That crossed a line.

Ji Fuyi turned to look out the window, pretending she hadn’t said anything.

Yuwei sighed and softly replied, “Just regular friends.”

Ji Fuyi rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the fountain outside, feeling a bit unsettled.

Why had she asked that? There were so many ways to tease Yuwei, and yet she’d chosen something suggestive… Maybe, in that moment, she really had wanted to know…

Yuwei added, “Not like you.”

She said it lightly, her tone unchanged, but the words made Ji Fuyi’s heart tremble.

Why did she explain? Did she even need to?

Hearing that explanation brought Ji Fuyi both a flicker of joy and a wave of worry. A hint of fear followed, her mood shifting into turmoil from just a single sentence.

The hotpot arrived, full of glistening beef and lamb slices, fresh green vegetables, and mushroom platters beautifully arranged on wooden trays, waiting for them to enjoy.

Ji Fuyi picked up a plate of meat, dropped it into the pot, and said, “Looks tasty. Let’s try it.”

Everyone knew she was changing the subject. It was such a clumsy move, Yuwei couldn’t possibly miss it. But she just smiled, even showing a bit of indulgence.

Maybe Ji Fuyi had just said it without much thought, and it was her reaction that had made it awkward.

“Mm, the meat here is fresh—it’s what they’re known for,” Yuwei carefully spread the meat in the pot and added mushrooms. “Try it.”

Neither of them touched that invisible line again. They switched to lighter topics, with Ji Fuyi chatting endlessly about her kitten, and Yuwei chiming in with stories of other cats. It felt oddly entertaining.

This was Yuwei’s favorite hotpot place—but tonight, it tasted oddly bland.

After the meal, Yuwei drove Ji Fuyi home.

As the car pulled into her neighborhood, Yuwei hesitated. She remembered the way Ji Fuyi had looked at the fountain earlier and fought back the urge to park in the underground garage. Instead, she stopped in front of Ji Fuyi’s building.

Yuwei turned on the cabin light and handed her the Yakult through the window, smiling: “Be safe going up.”

Ji Fuyi paused in surprise. Yuwei wasn’t coming up with her? That was unlike her usual behavior.

“What about you?”

“I’ll head home in a bit.”

Hearing the question made Yuwei’s heart flutter with quiet joy. She waved.

“See you next time.”

Ji Fuyi had a sudden urge to call her back—but reason won out. She nodded and replied, “See you next time.”

Yuwei didn’t roll up the window. She looked at Ji Fuyi under the light—her lips were red, like sweet cherries.

She gave her another wave, then drove off.

Ji Fuyi stood there, watching her disappear, and felt a faint sense of disappointment.

She didn’t know why—but part of her wished Yuwei would turn back.

Standing in front of her building, the light stretched her shadow long and thin. She looked lonely. Very lonely.

She thought—Yuwei probably hadn’t gone far. A part of her wanted to call her back…