You Must Marry Me! - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Yan Yiyun’s final syllables lifted slightly, soft and sweet in a way that couldn’t quite be described. Her gaze felt like it carried tiny hooks, making it impossible for Qi Zhen to tear her eyes away from her face.

The lighting was a warm yellow, casting Yan Yiyun’s features in a peach-blossom glow. Qi Zhen stared at her for so long she started to feel a little self-conscious.

She lowered her head and said softly, “How could I be?”

Yan Yiyun picked up a small appetizer—a crisp pastry tart filled with tuna mousse. The flaky outer shell gave way to a soft, delicate filling. Its overall flavor was mild, yet carried a subtle sweetness. The burst of umami from the fish roe, paired with the sweet white wine, made for a surprisingly pleasant combination.

As she glanced at Qi Zhen, she noticed the woman’s lowered head and the slight flush on her ears.

Suddenly, she had an odd realization—it didn’t feel like she was having dinner with a normal friend. It felt like she was sharing a meal with someone special. She had no idea what might happen between them.

Once the flush on her ears faded, Qi Zhen raised her glass and gently clinked it against Yan Yiyun’s.

Yan Yiyun took a sip, the sweet flavor blooming on her tongue and curling her lips into a smile. Qi Zhen watched her for a long moment before averting her gaze.

…Her eyes really are too bright.

Qi Zhen thought that Yan Yiyun’s eyes were both clear and innocent, carrying a kind of pure kindness untouched by the world—so much so that she couldn’t help but want to protect her.

She didn’t know why she felt this way. Back then, when she had stood in front of Yan Yiyun, she had thought: “I want to protect her.” And now, though Yan Yiyun wasn’t doing anything at all, she still felt the same way. Maybe… maybe it wasn’t because Yan Yiyun had been a crybaby. Maybe it was simply because it was her.

While Qi Zhen was lost in thought, Yan Yiyun was genuinely here to eat.

She grabbed a piece of bread, dipped it into the clear tomato veal broth, and bit in. The crust was crunchy, while the interior had soaked up the broth and turned soft and flavorful. The sweet and tangy broth made every bite satisfying.

She had only eaten half the bread before she turned to Qi Zhen and asked, “Aren’t you eating?”

Qi Zhen really didn’t eat much. She had only sampled a small appetizer and was slowly sipping her wine. Occasionally, she glanced out the window, but most of the time, her gaze stayed fixed on Yan Yiyun—making the latter feel a bit shy.

Qi Zhen said, “I don’t eat much. I’m fine taking it slow.”

Yan Yiyun started feeling a little embarrassed. Even though they were eating together, she probably shouldn’t be telling others how to eat. What if Qi Zhen was the type who only ate the main course?

Yan Yiyun said, “Okay, I didn’t mean to rush you.”

“It’s fine,” Qi Zhen replied with a small laugh, teasing her, “I’m already full.”

Yan Yiyun’s face instantly turned red—not from shyness, but from embarrassment.

She was being too nosy!

Qi Zhen slowly drank her soup, occasionally tasting her appetizer: Parmesan-baked sausage with a Benedict egg. She had already cut into the egg, and the golden yolk spilled over the sausage. The rich smell of cheese mingled with the flavors—it was exactly her type of dish.

Her stomach wasn’t in great shape lately, and with the wine tonight, she knew she couldn’t eat too much. She would probably only be able to taste a bit of each course.

She felt a little disappointed. It was her first time returning to this restaurant in two years, and now her health was keeping her from enjoying it. It was frustrating.

Back when she used to come here often, she thought it was nothing special. But now that she couldn’t afford it anymore, she had started to miss it. People were funny like that.

Yan Yiyun, a full-on carnivore, really liked the appetizer. After finishing her own sausage, she exclaimed, “I love cheese so much.”

Qi Zhen noticed her enthusiasm and quietly pushed her own plate forward. “If you don’t mind, you can have mine too—this side hasn’t been touched.”

She pointed gently to the right side of the plate, where the sausages were completely untouched. They had shared meals a few times already, so Yan Yiyun probably wouldn’t mind.

Sure enough, Yan Yiyun didn’t. She eagerly pulled the plate over, grinning. “Then I’ll eat it!”

She started with the sausages on the right and was even preparing to eat the ones on the left. She realized that even though she had a bit of a cleanliness obsession, she didn’t mind sharing a plate with Qi Zhen. After all, Qi Zhen had used utensils, and there wasn’t any direct contact.

Qi Zhen smiled as she watched her eat. “Don’t eat too much, or you won’t have room for the next course.”

Yan Yiyun had eaten every last bite of the appetizers. If it had been Qi Zhen, she’d be full by now. But Yan Yiyun shook her head confidently. “I won’t.”

She took another sip of wine. It tasted especially sweet tonight—something she really liked. She made a mental note to buy a few bottles to keep at home.

The next course arrived: wagyu beef with foie gras, served with port wine sauce and beef consommé. Qi Zhen’s eyes lit up when she saw it—this was her favorite dish.

Though not technically the main course, it was one of the restaurant’s signature items. The wagyu and foie gras were paired into a perfect little circle: half rich and creamy, half savory and meaty. The wine sauce added just the right finishing touch. Qi Zhen couldn’t get enough of it.

Tonight’s main course was roast lamb chops with garlic eggplant puree. Qi Zhen wasn’t especially interested in it, so she decided to focus on enjoying the wagyu and foie gras instead.

Yan Yiyun noticed that Qi Zhen only ever tasted a few bites of each dish, but she finished this one completely. Her eyes sparkled. “Zhenzhen, do you really like that?”

Having just finished her favorite dish, Qi Zhen was basking in happiness and didn’t even notice the new nickname. She nodded, her voice soft and sweet:
“I do. I love foie gras, and I love wagyu even more—put them together and of course I love it. And they did such a good job with this dish. The sauce really ties everything together—not greasy at all, just rich and savory. And then a sip of the soup warms up the whole stomach.”

Qi Zhen had always been a woman of few words. This was the most she’d ever said in one go, even if it was just about a dish. But it was enough to make Yan Yiyun delighted.

She thought about how Qi Zhen had pushed over her appetizer just because she noticed she liked it. It made her heart feel warm and sweet. Wanting to return the gesture, she pushed her own plate of wagyu and foie gras toward Qi Zhen. “Want a little more?”

Qi Zhen hesitated. She looked at the plate in front of her, tempted to eat more, but worried that she wouldn’t have room for the main dish or dessert if she did.

Seeing her struggle, Yan Yiyun wondered:

Does she not want to eat something I’ve touched?

But we’ve eaten together so many times… I’ve even used my own spoon to stir her rice before and she never minded.

Thinking of that time she stirred spicy beef and rice for her, Yan Yiyun suddenly backed off. She was afraid Qi Zhen would force herself to eat just to be polite, and then end up in the hospital again.

She made a mental note: Qi Zhen’s health isn’t great. I’ll ask Auntie Li to make more gentle soups and porridge next week to bring her.

After a moment, Qi Zhen carefully scooped a small bite of foie gras and closed her eyes to savor it. Then she pushed the plate back with resolve. “Nope, I really can’t. If I eat more, I won’t be able to eat anything else—not even dessert.”

Yan Yiyun’s eyes widened. She had thought Qi Zhen was just being polite—but she really couldn’t eat more.

Instantly, her mood lifted, and her smile grew brighter.

Yan Yiyun said, “Just one more bite?”

Qi Zhen shook her head firmly. “Nope. You’d better eat it quick, or I’ll be tempted again.”

Yan Yiyun pulled the plate back with a grin and munched happily. “You really eat so little.”

Qi Zhen had just finished her second glass of wine. She wanted a third, but worried it would make her uncomfortable, so she opted for hot soup instead.

“It’s nothing,” she said with a smile. “I didn’t eat well for a while, so now my stomach’s pretty weak.”

Back then, she’d get up early to bring meals to the hospital for her dad, take care of him until her mom arrived, then rush to work. At night, she’d do freelance design while keeping watch in the hospital. She often missed meals, only remembering to eat when the pain in her stomach reminded her—and by then, it was already too late. A quick rice ball from the convenience store had to suffice.

Over time, her stomach had become more and more sensitive.

Of course, she wasn’t about to tell Yan Yiyun any of this. And Yan Yiyun didn’t suspect anything deeper—she simply thought it was like many of her college friends: bad eating habits led to digestive issues. Qi Zhen’s might just be a bit more serious.

Yan Yiyun nodded understandingly. “Got it. Then you have to take better care of yourself, okay?”

“I know,” Qi Zhen replied with a cooperative smile, looking extra well-behaved.

She wasn’t the type to talk about these things—especially not with Yan Yiyun.

Qi Zhen wanted to remain, in Yan Yiyun’s eyes, forever like that bright afternoon sun—the little girl who once stood protectively in front of her.

Satisfied with her answer, Yan Yiyun added, “Then next week I’ll ask Auntie Li to make you some porridge.”

Qi Zhen said, “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

Good porridge might be simple, but making it well wasn’t easy. Auntie Li was clearly a skilled chef who probably cared about every dish she made. Qi Zhen didn’t want to trouble her.

Yan Yiyun shook her head. “Not at all. Porridge is easy—she won’t mind.”

She picked up a piece of lamb chop and smiled contentedly. “The lamb’s actually pretty good too.”

Qi Zhen immediately understood the hint. Once Yan Yiyun finished her portion, she asked, “Want a little more?”

Yan Yiyun’s eyes lit up. “I do!”

Qi Zhen felt the urge to ruffle her hair again. She didn’t know why, but something about Yan Yiyun’s innocent delight was just too adorable.

She pushed the plate of lamb chops over and said with a smile, “All yours.”