You Must Marry Me! - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

After sending the message, Yan Yiyun’s heart was suspended mid-air, like a pool of water trembling restlessly inside her. She couldn’t sit still at all—opening the car window one moment, then grabbing a bottle of Coke from the mini fridge and taking a few sips before putting it back. She even shifted from the left seat to the right, staring absentmindedly at the trees outside.

The driver noticed her fidgeting constantly in the backseat and couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Yan, are you feeling unwell?”

“Huh?”

Yan Yiyun was startled. For a moment, she didn’t even process what the driver was saying. Her mind was completely occupied with thoughts of Qi Zhen—where she was, what she was doing, and when she would reply.

Through the rearview mirror, she caught the driver, Uncle Li, casting her a concerned look. She realized he must’ve thought she was sick. If she didn’t answer, he might just turn the car around and take her to the hospital.

“I’m fine. Not unwell at all.”

If she said she was fine, then she was fine.

Uncle Li naturally didn’t question further.

Worried about making Uncle Li more concerned, she sat obediently in the backseat, watching the trees flash past the window.

She pressed her lips together and occasionally glanced down at her phone—still no reply.

They soon arrived at the Japanese restaurant. It was one of the largest all-you-can-eat spots in the new district.

Today, around thirty staff members from Xingyun Entertainment were working overtime, so they’d booked half the restaurant, cordoning off an area with folding screens to create a semi-private space—completely packed.

As soon as Yan Yiyun showed up, the already lively room got even louder.

“President Yan is here! Which table are you sitting at?”

“Sit with us, we ordered a lot of food!”

“Of course she’s sitting with us! Didn’t you see Xiao Tao is here too?”

Yan Yiyun smiled faintly. There was an empty seat next to Yu Xiaotao, clearly reserved for her.

She sat down, exchanged a few polite greetings, and urged everyone to continue eating. Seeing this, the people at the nearby tables began to tease:

“President Yan, that’s not fair—you didn’t even come greet us!”

The atmosphere at the table was relaxed. They’d ordered a couple of bottles of sake. Combined with Yan Yiyun’s earlier friendly display in the elevator, her smiling demeanor today made her seem quite approachable.

Yu Xiaotao glanced at her nervously, worried that the young lady might suddenly get upset.

Unexpectedly, Yan Yiyun just smiled good-naturedly, picked up a cup, filled it with sake, stood up, and walked from table to table, saying:

“Thank you all for your hard work. Let’s enjoy this meal. I’ll be relying on all of you even more in the future. This drink is on me.”

No one dared let the boss toast them, so they all stood up and drank together.

Only then did Yan Yiyun sit back down and start eating some side dishes slowly. She didn’t have much of an appetite. These cold dishes—hadn’t she had enough of them abroad? She still preferred Aunt Li’s home-cooked meals.

Her smile remained unchanged. Even Yu Xiaotao, who was usually good at reading her moods, relaxed and went off to joke around with a few assistants.

After eating a bit of fried tofu, her stomach no longer felt so empty. Only then did she slowly open her phone, as if the slower she moved, the less eager she seemed to see Qi Zhen’s reply.

A red dot appeared next to Qi Zhen’s chat.

!!!

Yan Yiyun almost jumped out of her chair.

She barely restrained herself, calmly pulled out a napkin to wipe her mouth, then used a cool towel to clean her hands before opening the message from Qi Zhen.

To everyone else at the table, this just made her seem especially elegant—playing with her phone while eating, yet still going through all those steps.

Yan Yiyun had no idea what others thought. Her heart thudded wildly as she opened WeChat.

Qi Zhen had replied:
“I’m out handling something. I’ll just grab a bite later.”

The phrase “just grab a bite” made the area around Yan Yiyun’s temples throb. She knew what “grabbing a bite” meant when Qi Zhen said it.

It probably meant solving dinner with something from a convenience store!

After all her efforts to take care of Qi Zhen’s stomach, this was what she got? Just grabbing something casually whenever she was busy?

What could possibly be that important?!

She typed out a whole message in one go, almost hitting send—then stopped herself.

She held her breath and deleted the message word by word.

The tone was too harsh. She was afraid Qi Zhen would get upset.

Besides, did she even have the right to talk to her like that?

Why? Just because she brought her lunch every day?

Next to her, Yu Xiaotao suddenly felt the temperature drop by three degrees. She turned to check on Yan Yiyun and was surprised to see her suddenly stand up and walk out with her phone.

She hesitated for a moment but didn’t follow.

Yan Yiyun had said earlier she was only stopping by briefly, so maybe she had something to do and was getting ready to leave.

In the main hall, Yan Yiyun found a place to sit and sent Qi Zhen a voice message.

She deliberately softened her voice and asked:

“Where are you?”

Qi Zhen’s status showed “typing,” but no message came through.

Yan Yiyun frowned. The “typing” indicator kept appearing and disappearing—Qi Zhen was clearly typing something, then deleting it, and starting over.

Where was she?

Why did she need to choose her words so carefully?

After a moment, Qi Zhen finally sent a location pin. It was a new development in the northern part of the city—not far from Yan Yiyun’s home—a newly opened upscale apartment complex.

Qi Zhen said:
“I’m viewing an apartment. If you’re interested, come over.”

Come over?

Then of course she had to be interested!

Delighted, Yan Yiyun went back inside, grabbed her bag and coat, and told Yu Xiaotao, “I’m heading out. Message me once everyone finishes eating.”

Yu Xiaotao nodded, replying, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure everyone gets home safe.”

Yan Yiyun happily got in the car and gave Uncle Li the address.

Uncle Li glanced at her in surprise but didn’t say anything.

Yan Yiyun had no plans to buy a new place. She was perfectly happy living at home—a three-story villa with a swimming pool, gym, home theater, chauffeur, and Aunt Li’s cooking. Way better than staring blankly at a kitchen abroad with Yi Jingyu.

But that didn’t stop her from pretending to be interested in buying—just to go see Qi Zhen!

She opened her browser and looked up info about the apartment complex, just in case she showed up completely clueless and gave herself away.

This complex was high-end, built in the northern luxury zone right next to their Moonlight Lake villa area—close enough to borrow some lake view ambiance.

The more she read, the more excited she got. If Qi Zhen bought a place here, wouldn’t that mean they’d be practically neighbors?

They might even go to work together!

Qi Zhen currently lived in an upscale complex in B City’s old town, mostly inhabited by long-time wealthy families. Moonlight Lake was more of a new-money area, where you could run into celebrities on the street.

After reading about the location, Yan Yiyun checked more details.

The apartment was far from the company—farther than Qi Zhen’s current home. Qi Zhen didn’t have a car, and this area wasn’t great for public transport or taxis. Why would she want to move here?

The Moonlight Lake district, filled with villas, was quite secluded. It had no investment value, and it was completely opposite from Qi Zhen’s family home—south vs. north. Driving here would take time.

The units weren’t restricted for purchase, mostly small apartments from 36 to 90 square meters. Fully furnished, elevator-equipped, move-in ready.

Small unit?

Yan Yiyun blinked. Was Qi Zhen planning to live alone?

Didn’t she have a great relationship with her family? Her mom used to cook breakfast for her every day.

Wait—that hadn’t happened for a while. Qi Zhen had been eating her own cooking for several days now.

Had she fought with her family…?

A flicker of concern passed through Yan Yiyun’s heart. For someone as gentle as Qi Zhen to want to move out—what kind of fight must that have been?

If it were just renting, maybe there’d still be room for reconciliation. But once you buy an apartment, you’re not going back.

Yan Yiyun, full of worry, jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped and quickly walked into the sales office.

She was dressed in a seasonal Chanel suit today—elegant and poised, her every move graceful.

The staff immediately greeted her, offered tea, and asked in a low voice, “What type of unit are you interested in seeing today?”

“I’m here to meet someone,” Yan Yiyun replied lightly, scanning the room for Qi Zhen.

“Please wait a moment,” the staff said smoothly, guiding her toward the meeting room. “I’ll take you to the lounge.”

Anyone not touring a unit was brought to the lounge.

As soon as Yan Yiyun stepped inside, she spotted Qi Zhen.

She was seated at the far end, holding a stack of documents, listening attentively to the agent, occasionally asking questions. Calm and composed—like the surface of a serene lake.

Yan Yiyun slowed her steps, quietly approached, and took a seat without disturbing her.

It was Qi Zhen who noticed her first.

“You’re here,” Qi Zhen said lightly, more relaxed than ever. “Wait a bit. I just need to sign some paperwork.”

Something felt off in Yan Yiyun’s chest. Why did she look so happy?

Wasn’t she buying this place because she’d fought with her family?

Her mind buzzed with questions, but she simply nodded and sat down quietly.

The staff brought over oranges and snacks. She peeled her fifth orange, bored, listening to Qi Zhen chat with the agent. Finally, unable to take it anymore, she asked for a brochure too.

She flipped through it idly. The layouts were decent, and the interiors were nice—Qi Zhen had good taste.

Then her eyes lit up with mischief. She tugged the nearby staff and whispered, “Which one did she buy?”

The staff pointed to a layout and said, “Miss Qi bought this one.”

“And which building is it in?” Yan Yiyun asked.

The agent immediately grew cautious. “I’m sorry, but we can’t disclose specific customer information.”

Yan Yiyun just smiled faintly and said, “That’s fine. Once she finishes signing, I want the unit directly across from hers. Just hold it for me.”

The agent: “……”

He’d never seen anything like this—someone buying a place without even touring a unit.

Maybe this was what being rich was like.

Once Qi Zhen finished signing and a huge weight lifted off her chest, she finally felt a bit hungry.

She turned around and saw Yan Yiyun sitting at the table behind her, boredly peeling her fifth orange.

“Stop eating,” Qi Zhen walked over and took the orange from her hand, popping it into her mouth. It was quite sweet.

“Too much will give you a sore throat.”

Yan Yiyun blinked and asked, “You’re done?”

Qi Zhen nodded, a smile spreading across her face—it radiated from her eyes and lit up her whole face, making Yan Yiyun freeze.

Qi Zhen noticed her dazed expression and waved a hand in front of her. “Snap out of it. I’m starving. What are we eating?”

“Oh, oh,” Yan Yiyun quickly snapped out of it, but didn’t answer. Instead, she waved over a staff member and said, “You’ll have to wait for me a bit—I’m almost done here.”

Qi Zhen saw the staff handing over a pile of documents and forms and asked, “What’s going on?”

This process felt… familiar.

Pen in hand, Yan Yiyun said briskly, “Hang on, I’m buying the apartment across from yours.”

Qi Zhen: “?”