You Must Marry Me! - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Yan Yiyun noticed that the look in Qi Zhen’s eyes had become much softer. If before, when Qi Zhen looked at her, she felt like she was standing in the chilly winds of late autumn—not quite winter, but still cold—now, when Qi Zhen looked at her, it felt like spring had arrived all around, vibrant and full of life.

What’s going on? Yan Yiyun was puzzled. Could it be because she treated Qi Zhen to yellow croaker noodles?

She glanced subtly at Qi Zhen’s bowl. Qi Zhen, who usually didn’t eat much, had almost finished the entire bowl—proof that she genuinely enjoyed the flavor.

Yan Yiyun felt a surge of joy and mentally noted down a piece of useful information: Qi Zhen likes yellow croaker noodles.

They had originally planned to go for afternoon tea later, but seeing that it was still early and they had just eaten, Yan Yiyun suggested, “Why don’t we take a walk to digest a bit?”

Qi Zhen nodded. She was indeed feeling a little full. The noodles had suited her taste, and Auntie Li’s cooking was delicious—one of the rare meals she’d truly enjoyed in recent years.

While they were eating, Yan Yiyun had already made plans. There was a newly opened shopping mall nearby, with a good variety of brands, few people, and—most importantly—a ton of dessert shops. It was the perfect place for two people to wander around together.

After Qi Zhen finished the last piece of yellow croaker, Yan Yiyun stood up and paid the bill. They didn’t take a car and instead strolled slowly to the mall.

Once inside, they began browsing aimlessly. They had walked through half of the first floor and hadn’t stepped into a single store. Only then did Qi Zhen start to feel something was off.

Girls shopping usually go from one store to the next—wasn’t that normal? Yan Yiyun always wore the latest designer outfits, so it couldn’t be that she didn’t like shopping.

Could it be that Yan Yiyun wanted to try on clothes but was afraid she wouldn’t be interested, so she didn’t go in?

With that thought, Qi Zhen casually pointed at a store that looked like Yan Yiyun’s style and said, “Want to take a look inside?”

Yan Yiyun’s eyes lit up. Back in school, she wore uniforms, and after graduating, all her clothes were sent to her by designers. She had never learned how to shop or mix and match herself. So after entering the mall, she had been completely lost. Now that Qi Zhen seemed interested in a store, of course she was happy to join her.

She linked her arm with Qi Zhen’s and walked into the store. Her eyes swept over the racks of new-season clothes—yes, all her preferred styles.

Yan Yiyun walked a lap around the display racks and was quite satisfied with the store’s aesthetic.

She turned to the shop assistant and said, “Take down this whole row for me.”

Qi Zhen was stunned to hear a line that only appeared in idol dramas. She silently sighed—The world of the rich is truly unimaginable.

Her family used to have some money, but even then, they’d never buy out an entire row of clothes.

And this was a flagship-brand store on the mall’s first floor. Nothing here was remotely cheap.

The shop assistant promptly took the clothes down and hung them on a portable rack, then handed the first item to Yan Yiyun to try on.

Qi Zhen was about to sit on the couch and enjoy watching Yan Yiyun do a real-life version of Dress-Up Time, when she heard Yan Yiyun tell the shop assistant, pointing at her, “She’ll try it on.”

The assistant, well-trained, quickly rolled the whole rack over to Qi Zhen and handed her a dress.

Qi Zhen was caught off guard, took the dress, and entered the fitting room. Only when she was inside did she realize—wait a second—something wasn’t right.

Wasn’t she supposed to be the one sitting outside, watching Yan Yiyun try on clothes?

How had it become her trying on clothes while Yan Yiyun waited outside?

When she shopped with others in the past, she was usually the one waiting. Qi Zhen had a sharp eye for clothes—she could tell what would look good even before trying them on—so she always shopped quickly and decisively.

But now, she hesitated. A lot of these were things she couldn’t afford.

Take this dress, for example.

It was a simple, elegant piece with a beautifully tailored waist. Qi Zhen liked it a lot—especially in her current favorite shade of deep blue. It looked refined and professional, perfect for daily wear or the office.

But she’d glanced at the price tag—it was way beyond what she could afford.

Knowing she couldn’t buy it, she immediately lost interest. Now she was just trying it on for courtesy’s sake.

After all, Yan Yiyun was waiting outside. If she didn’t even try it on and just said she didn’t like it, that would be rude.

Qi Zhen walked out of the fitting room. Yan Yiyun, who had been playing on her phone, immediately looked up.

And then—she forgot to breathe.

Qi Zhen looked stunning in that dress.

She was dressed differently from her usual work attire today—her hair had been styled, with soft curls at the ends that gave her a mature charm. Her makeup was more refined too. Her long, curled lashes and slightly drooping eyes made her look like an innocent little deer.

The dress, perfectly cut, outlined her tall, graceful figure. Her sharp shoulder line was mesmerizing, and around her delicate collarbone hung a silver necklace with a slender crescent moon charm.

She really suits necklaces like that, Yan Yiyun thought. Maybe I could get her one for her birthday…

Qi Zhen had no intention of buying the dress. She stood in front of Yan Yiyun like a lifeless mannequin, doing two slow twirls just so Yan Yiyun could take a good look.

Yan Yiyun gasped, delighted. “Wow! So pretty! You look amazing!”

She was about to ask Qi Zhen to try on more outfits, but Qi Zhen didn’t take the next one from the assistant. Smiling, she said, “I’m a little tired. I’ll change back.”

Of course, Yan Yiyun agreed. This mall had so many stores—she didn’t want Qi Zhen getting bored in the first one and losing interest in the rest.

While Qi Zhen was changing, Yan Yiyun told the shop assistant, “That dress—please bring me a new one and wrap it up.”

She texted the driver, asking him to come pick up the bag and leave it in the car so they wouldn’t have to carry it while they walked around.

Qi Zhen soon came out and returned the dress to the assistant with a polite, “Thank you.”

Yan Yiyun linked arms with her and smiled. “Come on, I want some frozen yogurt.”

So this is what shopping happiness feels like!

In the past, shopping with classmates had been pure torture for Yan Yiyun. She didn’t care for designer clothes or bags. She either wore school uniforms or business suits, and later had a personal stylist who sent her seasonally coordinated outfits so she wouldn’t ruin the family brand with bad fashion choices.

To her, shopping was physically exhausting and mentally taxing. She never understood why people enjoyed it so much.

Now she finally got it. People are different!

Watching Qi Zhen try on clothes was so much fun. If Qi Zhen was willing, she could watch her all afternoon!

“Frozen yogurt is cold,” Yan Yiyun said hesitantly at the counter. “Is that okay for your stomach? Should I get you a warm milk instead?”

“I don’t want that,” Qi Zhen replied instantly. Who drinks milk in a dessert shop?

Yan Yiyun looked torn. “Then what should we do?”

“I’ll just eat yours,” Qi Zhen said.

Yan Yiyun’s eyes lit up again.

Of course! They could share! That way, Qi Zhen could still enjoy the taste without upsetting her stomach.

Why didn’t I think of that earlier?

Yan Yiyun happily ordered one frozen yogurt with her favorite toppings—raisins and watermelon—and turned to Qi Zhen. “Do you want to add anything?”

Qi Zhen hesitated. “Red beans.”

Watermelon and red beans? Wouldn’t that be too sweet?

Yan Yiyun didn’t mind at all. She told the shop assistant and found a seat, happily swinging her legs as she waited.

Qi Zhen had been about to ask if they were still going for afternoon tea after this, but remembering Yan Yiyun’s usual appetite, she swallowed the question.

Ten minutes later, the pager buzzed. Yan Yiyun rushed over to pick up the frozen yogurt.

It was piled high like a little snow mountain, topped with watermelon, red beans, raisins, and nuts, giving it a rich texture and an inviting chill.

The mall was a bit warm, and this was the perfect refreshment.

She took a big bite—and it tasted just as she’d imagined.

Cold and creamy, softer than ice cream, the tartness of the yogurt completely mellowed out by the freezing, leaving behind a wave of sweetness, enhanced by the beans and watermelon—pure bliss.

“This is so good,” Yan Yiyun sighed happily. “Exactly the flavor I wanted.”

Frozen yogurt needed a special machine to make. Even skillful Auntie Li couldn’t recreate this taste at home.

If she could, Yan Yiyun would throw in every topping imaginable!

Qi Zhen watched her eat and felt a strange sense of happiness.

Yan Yiyun looked so pure when she ate, completely immersed in the food, her mind focused solely on savoring the flavor. That kind of wholehearted enjoyment was incredibly endearing.

Watching her, Qi Zhen suddenly wanted to try a bite herself.

She got up from her seat and headed to the counter. “I’m going to get a spoon.”

“Okay!” Yan Yiyun replied cheerfully.

She took another spoonful of frozen yogurt—then paused.

Wait a second. A spoon?

Didn’t Qi Zhen already have one?

She doesn’t want to share a spoon with me? But she used one yesterday…

Yan Yiyun suddenly felt aggrieved, but before she could dwell on it, Qi Zhen had already returned with a new spoon.

She took a bite—and instantly agreed with Yan Yiyun. The taste was amazing.

She used to love these unhealthy little snacks, but ever since her stomach got sensitive, she hadn’t touched them. Today, one bite brought a rush of joy she hadn’t felt in ages.

Yan Yiyun watched her with anticipation. “Is it good?”

Qi Zhen nodded. “Really good.”

She scooped up another big spoonful. The soft frozen yogurt, combined with the sweet, glutinous red beans, melted in her mouth without the need to chew, filling her senses with warm, milky sweetness. It was both nostalgic and delightful.

Yan Yiyun watched as Qi Zhen took bite after bite, eyes widening.

Qi Zhen… was eating quite a lot today.

She’d just had yellow croaker noodles, and now this—wasn’t mixing hot and cold food bad for the stomach?

Quickly, Yan Yiyun used her spoon to block Qi Zhen’s next bite. “Stop, stop! This is cold!”

Qi Zhen had already scooped up a spoonful, but Yan Yiyun’s reminder made her hesitate. Yeah… maybe I really shouldn’t have more.

She reluctantly looked at the spoon, then brought it toward Yan Yiyun and said softly, “Ah~”