You Must Marry Me! - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Yan Yiyun’s face flushed upon hearing Qi Zhen’s words.

She fidgeted with her tie awkwardly, opened the office door, stepped aside to make room, and deliberately avoided looking at Qi Zhen as she said, “Let’s go.”

Qi Zhen let out a low chuckle and followed her into the private elevator.

Uncle Li was already waiting in the car. When he saw Yan Yiyun coming down with Qi Zhen, he finally relaxed.

Ever since the young lady had returned to the country, the person she was closest to was this little girl. If it really had been a fight, like he had worried, she’d probably be upset for days.

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

Uncle Li recognized the place—it was a property Yan Yiyun had visited last week. Familiar with the route, he drove them there directly.

The two sat in the backseat. Unlike her usual chatty self who always pulled Qi Zhen into conversation, Yan Yiyun just stared out the window in a daze, unusually quiet.

Qi Zhen found it odd. What’s with her?

Something was definitely off about Yan Yiyun today.

She wanted to ask but refrained because Uncle Li was driving.

Maybe Yan Yiyun didn’t want him to know.

Wangyue Lake was about thirty minutes from Xingyue Entertainment. After a few songs played, Uncle Li pulled into the underground parking of the Wangyue Lake apartment complex.

Yan Yiyun and Qi Zhen got out of the car and walked about five minutes from the parking lot to the lobby.

Qi Zhen took the opportunity and softly called out, “Ruanruan.”

That nickname was the one Yan Yiyun couldn’t stand hearing from her, especially not today when Qi Zhen was dressed so gently. Honestly, it should be Qi Zhen who’s soft and cuddly today.

She grumbled in a low voice, “What?!”

Qi Zhen’s voice had a hint of grievance, making it sound even softer and sweeter.

“Nothing really.”

Though she hadn’t said much, Yan Yiyun still felt like she was being accused—Why are you being so fierce with me?

Yan Yiyun panicked a little. She turned to look at Qi Zhen, but Qi Zhen wasn’t looking at her, just pursing her lips silently.

Yan Yiyun reached out to grab her hand—it was ice cold. Her heart sank with regret. Why had she spoken to Qi Zhen like that? Had she scared her?

Yan Yiyun held her hand and gave it a little shake. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

She caught the barely visible curl at the corner of Qi Zhen’s lips and heard the smile in her voice. “When did I ever say you snapped at me?”

Yan Yiyun: “…”

She fell into Qi Zhen’s trap again.

Yan Yiyun let go of her hand and pouted. “You’re so annoying!”

Her voice rose at the end, sounding less angry and more like she was acting spoiled.

Qi Zhen calmly took her hand again, wrapping it in her own and squeezing gently, her tone firm and steady: “How am I annoying?”

The moment Qi Zhen held her hand, all the restless fluttering in Yan Yiyun’s heart settled down. She instantly became as obedient as a golden retriever and muttered under her breath, “No… how could I possibly be annoyed with you.”

Qi Zhen’s smile deepened.

She was nearly certain now—Yan Yiyun’s feelings toward her had changed.

That line, how could I possibly be annoyed with you, was filled with playful affection and sweetness—it made her heart ache in the best way.

She really wanted to confess to Yan Yiyun right now, to tell her how she felt and see how she’d react.

Would she get shy? Probably blush, right?

Qi Zhen allowed herself to indulge in the thought for once. The smile on her lips lingered, and as Yan Yiyun watched her, she felt a bit disappointed that she was just smiling silently without saying anything.

Not one to hide her emotions, Yan Yiyun held it in for a few steps before finally asking, “Zhenzhen, what are you smiling at?”

Qi Zhen quickly wiped the smile from her face and replied, “Just happy I’ll be living alone soon.”

She did want to confess, but not now.

What did she have right now? Nothing.

Qi Zhen didn’t want to act on impulse and just throw her feelings at Yan Yiyun.

Even if Yan Yiyun might have feelings for her now, Qi Zhen had no stability, a broken family, and was only beginning to get her life on track. She didn’t think she had the right to ask someone like Yan Yiyun to be her girlfriend.

It wasn’t self-doubt—it was just not the right time.

Qi Zhen bit her lip instinctively. She had to move faster.

She wanted to live on her own, film some projects, reconnect with her old studio, make some short films, submit them to festivals, and once she won something, she’d finally have the confidence to ask Yan Yiyun to be hers.

As she thought about all that, a small smile crept back onto her face. These goals weren’t that difficult for her.

She just hoped Yan Yiyun would like her a little more—and for a little longer.

Noticing her smile deepen, Yan Yiyun asked curiously, “You’re really that happy about moving out?”

She couldn’t quite understand. When she lived alone abroad, it felt like she was just barely getting by. Everything else could be outsourced, but meals? Where could she find someone who cooked better than Auntie Li?

Plus, living abroad, she missed her parents terribly and had to video call them every day. She was a total homebody.

Seeing Qi Zhen this excited to move, she really couldn’t relate.

Qi Zhen replied, dodging the real answer, “Didn’t you buy the place across from mine?”

As soon as Yan Yiyun heard that, her heart started thumping wildly.

Wh-what did she mean by that?!

Was Qi Zhen excited to move because she bought the place across the hall?!

Did she really want to be neighbors that badly?!

Since last night, her heart had been restless with anticipation. Every beat felt like a sweet torment. She wanted to see Qi Zhen, talk to her, be closer to her.

Whenever her mind drifted from work, it landed on these thoughts.

Was this what liking someone felt like?

Everything else faded in importance. Only the person in her heart became her entire world.

Yan Yiyun had never felt this way before. She found it both thrilling and terrifying.

Wouldn’t that mean that if she couldn’t see Qi Zhen, she’d be miserable?

What about weekends? What about nights?

Then it hit her—whenever Qi Zhen moves in, I have to move in too!

Didn’t Qi Zhen just say it?

She bought the place across from hers!

If that’s not a hint, what is?

That thought made Yan Yiyun beam from ear to ear. She couldn’t hide her joy at all.

With excitement, she held Qi Zhen’s hand tightly as they walked into the sales office lobby.

A staff member greeted them with a smile. “Are you two here for…?”

Qi Zhen answered crisply, “I bought a place earlier—came to pick up the keys.”

The staff led them to a reception lounge, served tea and snacks, and then went off to fetch the keys.

As they walked away, they glanced back at the two holding hands and thought, Are they really just friends?

Holding hands while picking up keys… the relationship seemed way too close. They looked more like one of those young couples buying a place together—except they were both women and didn’t even make eye contact when talking. Hard to figure out.

Salespeople at property offices were usually sharp. They’d seen all kinds of clients.

Still, when he picked up the keys, he was stunned for a moment.

He held two sets of keys in his hands and recalled the gossip he’d just heard: One of the women had come to view and buy the apartment. The other showed up to grab dinner with her—and bought the unit across the hall without even looking.

Went out for dinner, and came back with a property. What kind of rich people life is this?

The staff member was green with envy. Rich people’s joy was truly beyond imagination.

When he returned to the reception lounge, Qi Zhen and Yan Yiyun were peeling oranges, clearly a little hungry since they hadn’t eaten dinner.

While peeling, Qi Zhen asked, “What do you want to eat tonight?”

“Hmm…” Yan Yiyun thought seriously. She’d been eating at home lately. Her whole family liked spicy food, and Auntie Li was always experimenting with chili dishes. Honestly, she was a little tired of it.

After a moment, she said, “Didn’t you mention clear broth hotpot before? Let’s have that.”

Qi Zhen nodded with a smile, pulled out her phone, and sent a WeChat message to reserve a spot at the restaurant.

The staff stood aside and waited until they finished talking before stepping forward with a big smile. “Congratulations to both of you! Here are the keys to your new homes. Would you like me to show you the place?”

Qi Zhen and Yan Yiyun accepted the keys and exchanged a look. They both saw the reluctance in each other’s eyes.

Qi Zhen had already seen the place thoroughly last time—checked every layout, floor, and unit before finalizing the contract. There was no need to go see it again.

As for Yan Yiyun, her reason was even simpler. She only bought the place to be near Qi Zhen. She didn’t care about the interior at all.

Qi Zhen asked softly, “Want to take a look?”

Yan Yiyun replied, “I’m hungry.”

After confirming she truly didn’t want to go, Qi Zhen turned to the staff and waved it off. “No need. Thanks for your help today.”

The staff was dumbfounded. It was the first time he’d seen new homeowners not even bother to look at the property. That’s next-level nonchalance.

Qi Zhen had only bought the place as a temporary landing spot—there was no emotional attachment to the idea of “home.” And it wasn’t even her first property. A few years ago, she owned so many homes and commercial units she couldn’t even count them. The novelty had long worn off.

Feeling relaxed, she told the staff, “Oh, one more thing—could you have property management send me a moving company’s number? I’m moving in on Saturday.”

The staff hastily agreed, still a bit stunned by how smoothly and quickly she handled everything.

With everything arranged, Qi Zhen’s hunger caught up with her.

She looped her arm through Yan Yiyun’s and said with a bright smile, “Let’s go get dinner.”

When had Qi Zhen ever been this forward? Yan Yiyun nearly floated away, grinning brighter than the sun.

She let Qi Zhen link arms with her and even worried it might not be comfortable enough. She asked, “Are you cold? Want to put your hand in my pocket?”

The sky had already turned dark. Qi Zhen’s outfit didn’t look particularly warm.

It was fine indoors, but outside, even a breeze could cause a chill.

Qi Zhen went along with it and slipped her hand into her pocket. “I’m cold—warm me up, will you?”

Her hand, soft and delicate, curled obediently into Yan Yiyun’s palm. Her fingertips were cool to the touch, her skin as smooth as fine mutton-fat jade. Yan Yiyun felt a tingle on her scalp—she could barely speak.

She stammered, “Then I’ll hold your hand… and you won’t be cold anymore.”