You Must Marry Me! - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Her question made Yan Yiyun’s face flush even redder. She stammered for a long while but couldn’t get a word out. When she caught sight of Qi Zhen’s smiling face, she nearly threw her water cup at her—what kind of ridiculous question was that?!

“Why are you even asking that?!” Yan Yiyun snapped in embarrassment.

Qi Zhen smiled lightly and said, “Isn’t it perfectly normal to want to know what your lipstick tastes like?”

Yan Yiyun’s mind exploded—how was that normal?!

This wasn’t a hint anymore—it was a clear message!

What was she trying to do?!

Thinking of how Qi Zhen had pressed her lips directly on her lipstick mark when she drank from the cup, Yan Yiyun couldn’t help but imagine all sorts of things she really shouldn’t be imagining. The more she thought about it, the more flustered she became. She was convinced Qi Zhen wanted to kiss her.

How could she be so bold?

There were so many people around!

Unexpectedly, Qi Zhen added, “I want to buy one too. Why don’t you send me the link?”

She blinked innocently and asked, “Why is your face so red?”

Yan Yiyun couldn’t take it anymore. She suddenly stood up and stormed out the door.

Qi Zhen had expected a reaction but didn’t think it would be this dramatic. Seeing her run out, she quickly stood up and followed, calling out, “Softie!”

Yan Yiyun stopped in her tracks and snapped, “What?!”

The wind was strong outside, and the chill helped return some color to her face.

“Why are you running?” Qi Zhen asked, pretending not to know, as she reached out to smooth her hair.

Her fair fingers brushed past Yan Yiyun’s ear, and her face flushed red again.

Yan Yiyun stepped back to avoid her hand. If she kept fixing her hair like that, it would only get messier.

“N-Nothing.”

Yan Yiyun looked at the trees, the ground, the passing cars—anywhere but at her.

“We should go back.”

Qi Zhen wisely didn’t push it. She stood quietly beside her and waited for the driver to arrive. “Okay.”

When Yan Yiyun saw her stop moving, she felt a bit disappointed. She bumped Qi Zhen’s elbow and lifted her chin, saying in a commanding tone, “I’ll take you home later.”

“Alright, I’ll trouble you then.” Qi Zhen was cooperative—if she refused, Yan Yiyun would definitely throw a fit.

Yan Yiyun nodded and muttered, “It’s safer this way.”

The car soon pulled up in front of them. Qi Zhen got in first, and as Yan Yiyun climbed in, she somehow tripped and fell right onto the back seat.

Qi Zhen was startled and immediately reached out to steady her.

Settling into her arms, Yan Yiyun grabbed her hand with one of her own and patted her chest with the other. “There was a stone underfoot. Scared me to death.”

“Mhm,” Qi Zhen replied, moving her hand, but Yan Yiyun held on tightly. “You didn’t hurt yourself?”

“No.”

She said that, but she still wouldn’t let go of her hand.

Qi Zhen tried to pull away, but the more she moved, the tighter Yan Yiyun gripped her.

Forget it. Let her hold on.

Qi Zhen’s lips curved into a soft smile, feeling oddly happy.

After sending Qi Zhen home, Yan Yiyun finally returned to her place to shower and sleep.

She had been exhausted after a full day and should have fallen asleep instantly. But to her surprise, she couldn’t.

Yan Yiyun tossed and turned in bed, her mind filled with Qi Zhen’s smiling face and her lips. When she closed her eyes, she could vividly picture Qi Zhen’s slender fingers holding that glass, a cheap three-yuan cup suddenly elevated to something like an artwork.

Then her lips had touched the glass, leaving behind a beautiful lipstick print.

Yan Yiyun’s face burned. She kicked off her blanket and stuck a foot out, hoping to cool off, but the rest of the covers were still hot. She began sweating lightly from the heat.

She kept tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Eventually, she reached under her pillow and pulled out her phone. It was nearly 1 a.m.

Qi Zhen had sent her a “Good night” an hour ago. She stared at those words for a long time, imagining Qi Zhen smiling softly as she typed them out, and couldn’t help but smile herself. She even rolled around on her bed.

Yan Yiyun: …

Why did she just roll around?! Did she really do something that silly?!

She had always been calm and aloof. She never imagined she’d roll on her bed over a single WeChat message. She angrily punched her mattress, threw off her blanket, and headed downstairs to the kitchen for something sweet to calm her nerves.

A bowl of dessert to soothe her restless heart.

Auntie Li had made snow fungus and lotus seed soup today. It was great for clearing the mind and cooling internal heat. The snow fungus was soft and white, nestled among plump lotus seeds, and the clear, chilled soup was perfectly sweet.

Yan Yiyun ladled herself a bowl and had just taken a sip when she thought—this is so good. I should bring some for Qi Zhen tomorrow.

The moment that thought popped into her head, Yan Yiyun rolled her eyes at herself.

Weren’t you here to calm your restless heart? Why are you thinking of her again?!

Will this ever stop?

Desperate to think of anything but Qi Zhen, Yan Yiyun pulled out her phone and randomly opened a food documentary. She drank her soup while watching, finally regaining some inner peace.

By the time she finished the dessert, washed up, and got back in bed, it was past 2 a.m.

After all that effort—eating, washing dishes, cleaning up—she was finally tired. She soon drifted off to sleep.

It should have been a peaceful night’s rest, but to her surprise, Yan Yiyun had another dream.

This one was even more sensual and lingering than the last.

The air was filled with a sticky humidity—not from summer rain, but from the scorching sun. It felt like she could touch the heat with a single reach.

In the dream, she walked alone down a deserted street, her heart burning, her throat burning too.

Shops and convenience stores lined the street, but she didn’t go into any of them. She only wanted to reach the corner, where a figure in white stood—a tall, slender silhouette with a proud back like a pine tree.

The wind picked up, lifting the figure’s long hair. Yan Yiyun ran toward her, gripping her hand tightly without hesitation. That person turned around, wearing the gentle expression she missed so much.

Qi Zhen.

Yan Yiyun whispered her name in the dream, but she didn’t reply.

Qi Zhen didn’t speak—she just looked at her, her eyes like vast oceans, waiting for Yan Yiyun to dive in and drown willingly.

“Qi Zhen.” Yan Yiyun called her again.

She didn’t answer but gave her a charming smile.

That expression didn’t belong on Qi Zhen’s face. Her eyes were sultry, thick with summer heat, lips curled in a teasing smirk, as if inviting her to come closer. Her lipstick was a bold, classic red—and it looked stunning on her.

Yan Yiyun knew she was dreaming. She curled her fingers and clutched the sheets, but her dream-self grew bolder.

She pulled “Qi Zhen” into her arms, and surprisingly, the other woman leaned obediently into her, tilting her head back, her lips red and moist, cheeks flushed—fragile and beautiful.

Something felt off in Yan Yiyun’s heart, but she kissed her anyway—like she had been wanting to all day—to finally taste her lipstick.

Was it really as sweet as jelly?

She was bound for disappointment.

The kiss was flavorless, utterly bland. Not even a trace of softness. It left Yan Yiyun cold.

She stared at the beautiful woman—moments ago she had been so tempting, but now that Yan Yiyun realized she wasn’t really Qi Zhen, everything felt empty.

The desire she’d tried to soothe only grew worse, now tinged with frustration.

How could she kiss someone who wasn’t Qi Zhen?

Even in a dream—that was unacceptable!

Ashamed and overwhelmed by self-reproach, the sugary heat in the air vanished. The fiery sky faded, and the summer day disappeared.

Yan Yiyun opened her eyes in the darkness. Most of her blanket had been kicked off, leaving her chilled.

Sigh.

She let out a deep sigh. What is this even?

Why had she dreamed about Qi Zhen?

Was she really that desperate to kiss her?

Yan Yiyun felt mortified. If they were dating, this would all make sense—but they were still just friends. These thoughts felt like a violation of Qi Zhen.

She stared at the ceiling, thinking she was going to go insane if this continued.

Unrequited love is the cruelest torment.

Especially when the person you’re crushing on sees you often and treats you with a tenderness that’s different from how she treats everyone else.

How can she expect me not to overthink it?

Yan Yiyun yanked the blanket over her head. The heavier darkness made her feel a little safer.

But her breathing grew humid in the enclosed space, and it only felt hotter.

Yan Yiyun couldn’t take it anymore. She stuck her head out, trying to cool down, but it was useless. Her body still felt like it was on fire—sweaty, sticky, uncomfortably warm.

She checked her phone—it was almost 6 a.m.

She had dozed a little, but not well. The oppressive heat remained, as if she were drowning in humid air. Her body floated restlessly like it couldn’t find solid ground.

Yan Yiyun suddenly sat up and went to the bathroom to shower.

As she threw her clothes into the laundry basket, she paused, then quietly retrieved her undergarments and washed them by hand.

Cold water ran over her skin, and the heat slowly faded. Yan Yiyun let out a long breath, tied her damp hair into a ponytail, changed into workout clothes, and headed downstairs.

Auntie Li was already up, busy in the kitchen. Through the glass door, she saw the familiar figure, and came out with flour-covered hands, surprised: “Xiaoyun?”

Yan Yiyun changed her shoes at the door. “Mm.”

“What are you doing up so early?” Auntie Li asked, puzzled.

“I couldn’t sleep, so I got up. I’m going for a run.”

Before Auntie Li could stop her, she had already opened the door and walked out.

“Hey—hey—” Auntie Li called after her. “There’s a gym in the house! Why are you running outside?”

“It feels better outside.” Her voice was already faint.

Yan Yiyun walked briskly until her body adjusted, then started jogging on the neighborhood path.

The wind rushed past her ears. After a night of heat and turmoil, her mind finally cooled. The chaotic thoughts began to fade, and for a brief moment, she found peace.

This is insane.

After running a full lap, she slowed down and immediately started zoning out.

Her thoughts about Qi Zhen really weren’t pure.

She didn’t even dream of anything specific, so why that kind of reaction?

Yan Yiyun had taken s3x ed classes, but when things happened for real, she still couldn’t make sense of them.

She’d always assumed those dreams had to be detailed and explicit. She never imagined it could just be a feeling—and the body would still respond.

Frustrated and ashamed, she punished herself by running three more laps before going home.

By the time she got back, she looked like she’d just run a marathon—her face pale from exertion.

Auntie Li was shocked. “Xiaoyun, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Yan Yiyun zipped up her jacket. “It’s just a little cold outside.”

Seeing Auntie Li’s worried expression, she added, “Really, I’m fine. I’ll shower and come down to eat.”

Since she insisted, Auntie Li relented. “Alright, I made shrimp dumplings today.”

Yan Yiyun smiled and headed upstairs.

Auntie Li watched her go, more worried than before.

Usually, the moment she mentioned shrimp dumplings, Yan Yiyun would come running, clinging to her arm and acting spoiled. Today, not even a reaction. Something was definitely wrong.

After showering and changing, Yan Yiyun sat on the bed deep in thought.

There was no way she could skip work today.

Yesterday they held an internal promotion meeting. Today was the board meeting to discuss company affairs. Not only did she have to attend, her father would be there too.

Most importantly, her father would officially introduce her to the board, signaling her upcoming takeover.

She bit her lip. Since she had to go, she’d just have to avoid Qi Zhen.

Thankfully, they didn’t work in adjacent offices yet.

Still, she felt guilty.

They had just had dinner together last night. She’d even bought a place across from Qi Zhen’s. Now she was planning to avoid her—what would Qi Zhen think?

But she really couldn’t face her right now.

That dream had forced her to confront her feelings. She didn’t just want to hold Qi Zhen’s hand or hug her—she wanted something deeper, more intimate.

The yearning in that dream felt foreign and overwhelming—something she’d only read about in books or seen in movies. Now that it was her own experience, she didn’t know how to handle it.

And there was no way she could ask Yi Jingyu. This was way too embarrassing.

Lost in thought, Auntie Li called from downstairs, “Xiaoyun, breakfast’s ready!”

Yan Yiyun glanced at the time—it was getting late. She hurried downstairs, where her parents were already seated at the table.

Her father was in a rare suit, neatly dressed with an air of authority. He gave her a stern look.

She quickly sat down. The table was filled with her favorites: shrimp dumplings, custard buns, sticky rice, sweet rice wine egg soup, mini fried dough sticks.

She picked up a shrimp dumpling. “Auntie Li’s dumplings are the best.”

Seeing her in a good mood again, Auntie Li assumed she’d just been tired and didn’t press further.

She placed another dumpling in her bowl. “Eat more.”

Yan Yiyun nodded. Homemade dumplings really were better—thin-skinned, full of juicy shrimp, tender and flavorful.

She moved on to a custard bun—soft dough with sweet molten filling, a little too rich for her taste.

She didn’t usually enjoy things this sweet.

But then, she thought of Qi Zhen’s caramel pudding.

Just the right amount of sweetness.

Perfect for her taste.

Qi Zhen’s heart.

Qi Zhen’s gentleness.

Her heart suddenly sank.

She thought of the way Qi Zhen called her “Softie”—that tender gaze.

Qi Zhen had been so good to her.

She wavered on her decision to avoid her. Would Qi Zhen be sad if she avoided her?

She really did need time to process everything. She’d just realized her orientation, just confirmed her feelings for Qi Zhen. She wanted to hold hands, to kiss—but the dream had revealed desires she didn’t know how to handle.

It left her unsure of how to face Qi Zhen.

But she really didn’t want to hurt her.

Maybe she could ask Yu Xiaotao to invite Qi Zhen to lunch in the break room, and she could eat elsewhere?

That could work.

Feeling a little better, Yan Yiyun scooped up a bowl of sweet egg soup and happily drank it. She turned to her father. “Dad, let’s go.”

He checked his watch and looked at her. “Let’s go.”

On the way to the company, her father patiently reminded her of every board member’s role, so she wouldn’t slip up during the meeting.

In the end, he said, “Xiaoyun, the company is yours now.”

The resignation in his voice stung.

Yan Yiyun felt a wave of emotion and patted his back. “Don’t worry, Dad. From now on, just enjoy life.”

The board meeting started at 9 a.m.

She sat on the left. Her father presided at the head, his hair half-white but still imposing. With him there, even the most cunning members remained cautious.

Yan Yiyun listened quietly, memorizing each person’s traits.

Last time, they’d acted indifferent beneath a false harmony.

Clearly, she needed more polish.

After everyone spoke, eyes turned to her. Calmly, she stood and began her presentation.

She was composed and articulate—a true standout.

Halfway through her report, people began realizing how much responsibility she’d already assumed from her father. Unbeknownst to them, the power at Xingyun Entertainment had already shifted.

And her father’s pleased expression said it all—he was satisfied.

Those who had once ignored her proposals now sensed trouble.

Sure enough, she ended her report with a sharp twist—she used real data to show the cost of their inaction and presented a new quarterly plan.

This time, no one dared put their own interests above the company.

Her plan passed with majority approval and a few abstentions. She smiled gracefully, as if she hadn’t just pulled off a masterstroke.

After the meeting, everyone filed out. Only she and her father remained.

He thought for a moment, then simply patted her head and said, “You’re on the right track.”

She patted his shoulder gently. “Don’t worry.”

He left for home.

Later, the driver returned to deliver lunch.

Sitting in her office, in a great mood, she saw him coming from the elevator with her lunchbox and suddenly panicked.

She’d forgotten!

Lunch break was coming up. What now?

Should she see Qi Zhen or not?

She missed her terribly already—even after just a few hours. She hadn’t seen her all day, didn’t know what she was wearing, or what color lipstick she had on.

But she was also scared.

She knew her eyes would give everything away—Qi Zhen would know how she felt.

She had wanted Qi Zhen to realize it before. But now… now it was different.

Now her gaze was too heated.

Once her love for Qi Zhen turned real, she had no idea how to act. She didn’t even know how to be around her anymore.

She was scared.

Because the more she loved Qi Zhen, the more she cared about how Qi Zhen saw her.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Yu Xiaotao instinctively went to open it, but