You Must Marry Me! - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Yan Yiyun was happily munching on the shrimp, her heart full of joy.

She had never eaten shrimp this delicious before! The texture—firm and sweet! The flavor—perfectly seasoned! It was simply amazing!

She stared eagerly at Qi Zhen, hoping she’d peel another shrimp for her.

Only the shrimp peeled by Qi Zhen tasted this good.

Unfortunately, Qi Zhen didn’t pick up on her hint. She peeled one for herself instead, slowly savoring it, planning to give Yan Yiyun the next one.

Yan Yiyun’s gaze followed her movements. Seeing how much she was enjoying the food, she thought for a moment, then decided to take matters into her own hands. She grabbed a shrimp and began peeling it skillfully, removing the head, stripping off the shell, and scooping out the meat to eat with her rice.

So she could peel shrimp?

Then had she just been imagining things earlier? Thinking that Yan Yiyun had called her over just to peel shrimp for her—it felt a bit awkward now.

Qi Zhen’s half-extended chopsticks quietly changed course, picking up a piece of grouper instead. She chuckled awkwardly. “This fish is really good too.”

“Mhm,” Yan Yiyun said, chewing on shrimp and speaking a bit unclearly. “Grouper is the most tender, and it doesn’t have bones. Auntie Li makes it best—just a simple steam and it’s delicious.”

She was right. The fish was tender to the point of melting in the mouth, slipping past the teeth before the tongue could even fully taste the sauce, leaving a lingering delicious aftertaste.

After finishing the shrimp, Yan Yiyun reached over with a spoon and served a generous helping of grouper onto Qi Zhen’s rice. The sauce had a golden-red sheen, and the fish lay enticingly atop the white rice.

“Auntie Li already picked out the bones—this is pure fish meat, perfect for mixing with rice,” Yan Yiyun said expectantly. “Try it.”

Unable to refuse her kindness, Qi Zhen mixed the fish into her rice. The richly fragrant sauce soaked into the grains, giving them a golden sheen, while the tender fish added a unique texture.

It was really delicious.

Her own mother could cook, but never with this kind of finesse.

Qi Zhen’s family used to be well-off. Her mom had been a pampered daughter who never did a day’s housework. After marrying her dad right out of college, she never even held a job. She only learned to cook in recent years.

Qi Zhen couldn’t even remember the last time she had food this delicately prepared.

“It’s really good,” she said as she ate, the soft blend of fish and rice making her heart soften too. “Auntie Li is amazing. Please thank her for me.”

Yan Yiyun beamed. “Mm-hmm, I definitely will.”

While Qi Zhen was eating the fish and rice, Yan Yiyun focused on the spicy stir-fried pork. The bold, spicy flavor made her reach for more, unable to stop.

After the meal, Yan Yiyun hugged her soup bowl and winked at Qi Zhen. “If you’re free next time, how about coming to my place for dinner? Auntie Li would be so happy.”

Qi Zhen was slightly taken aback.

Their relationship wasn’t nearly at the level where she should be visiting Yan Yiyun’s house.

But the look in Yan Yiyun’s eyes—that expectant gaze—was one Qi Zhen had become familiar with.

It was the same look she gave in the break room when inviting her for coffee. The same look she had while sharing oden. That wide-eyed, innocent look Qi Zhen found impossible to refuse.

Qi Zhen swallowed, lowering her gaze. “Sure, if I have time.”

She didn’t know what kind of magic Yan Yiyun had, but she just couldn’t say no to her.

It felt like her mind was split in two: one side rational, warning her that Yan Yiyun was not only a stranger but also the company’s big boss—getting too close was risky. But the other side, the emotional part, kept recalling the gleam in Yan Yiyun’s phoenix eyes, their brightness mesmerizing her.

Seeing her agree, Yan Yiyun cheered with a “Yay!” gesture and changed the topic. As lunch break ended, she added, “Come eat again tomorrow, okay?”

Qi Zhen nodded. “I’ll definitely come.”

She left Yan Yiyun’s office with her lunch bag and went to the break room to pour herself some coffee.

Most coworkers had already returned, but unlike usual, the office wasn’t buzzing with chatter. Instead, everyone was glued to their screens, faces showing suppressed excitement masked as calm.

Qi Zhen didn’t think much of it. She sat at her desk and checked her email. The internal promotion application form had been sent out. She downloaded it, filled it in, and sent it to HR.

This promotion wasn’t exactly a secret anymore.

Qi Zhen slowly exhaled. Though it was called an “internal competition,” very few people actually received the application form. And with the boss favoring her, her chances of a promotion were high.

She definitely wanted the promotion. It meant a raise, and a raise meant better living conditions.

At Xingyun Entertainment, her basic salary was just a small part of her income. The majority came from project bonuses. In her three years at the company, her rank hadn’t risen much yet, so her base salary only just covered her family’s living expenses. Her father’s ongoing medical bills and past debts were still being paid off through those bonuses. That’s why she was the hardest-working project lead in the design department.

Others like Hou Yunlan often complained about her hogging all the projects, but if people had the choice, who wouldn’t want a comfortable life?

Qi Zhen worked hard—but she never did overtime. Overtime pay didn’t match what she could earn freelancing, so she made sure to go home on time to eat and work on side gigs.

At 6 o’clock, she packed up. As she stood up, sure enough, she heard a quiet snort nearby.

Passing by Hou Yunlan’s desk, she faintly heard her muttering, “Never stays late, not sure what ‘working hard’ even means.”

Qi Zhen frowned but didn’t bother to argue. She walked straight out of the office.

These people always contradicted themselves—complaining that she worked too hard and stole bonuses, then turning around to say she was lazy for leaving on time.

When Qi Zhen stepped into the elevator, she happened to run into Yan Yiyun.

Everyone in the elevator instantly perked up. After all, they’d just heard today’s gossip—now they were seeing the lead character in person!

They all worked in the same company, so why had Qi Zhen already had lunch with the heiress in her office while the rest could only awkwardly greet her in the elevator?

Everyone kept sneaking glances—at Qi Zhen, at Yan Yiyun—until the silent elevator started to feel like a pressure cooker of gossip and tension.

Had Qi Zhen really caught the heiress’s eye? Or was this just a coincidence?

Yan Yiyun noticed Qi Zhen the moment she stepped in—and noticed her fingers slightly curled at her side, like she was nervous.

A hint of doubt crossed Yan Yiyun’s mind. What was going on?

Qi Zhen’s thoughts were simple—she didn’t want her coworkers knowing how close she was to Yan Yiyun. At the very least, in the company, they were closer than anyone else.

If people saw them together, it would be headline-worthy gossip. Qi Zhen didn’t want to become entertainment.

Under everyone’s stares, Yan Yiyun fixed her gaze on Qi Zhen, watching her closely.

Qi Zhen’s whole body tensed. She had a sinking feeling that Yan Yiyun hadn’t picked up on her subtle signal.

Sure enough, as the elevator dinged, Yan Yiyun spoke.

“Qi Zhen, want to go home together?”

Holy crap! The surrounding employees gasped in unison. What is going on?!

The heiress actually invited Qi Zhen to go home with her?!

Could it be that they’d completely misunderstood? The heiress wasn’t trying to win people over or gathering feedback—she was just plain smitten with Qi Zhen?

How could this be fair?! Everyone in the office had tried to cozy up to the heiress—hovering near her office, sucking up, hoping for just a glance or a chance.

Qi Zhen, who barely spoke, had actually won her favor?

Everyone stared at Qi Zhen—and the more they stared, the more defeated they felt.

Even dressed modestly, Qi Zhen couldn’t hide her beauty.

Her delicate features and fair skin made her seem like she was glowing even in the elevator. She wore no makeup, her face fresh, lips a natural pink, eyes wide and luminous.

Her beige trench coat outlined her elegant frame, the long, graceful neck making her look refined and poised.

Not to mention her work record—top tier. She was often praised in meetings and had represented the company in award competitions. The company’s trophy display still showcased many of her wins.

Compared to her, no one else stood a chance. No wonder the heiress was drawn to her.

The shock slowly faded. Now, everyone was waiting with bated breath for her response.

Qi Zhen, feeling their gazes, had a knot forming in her stomach. A dull pain crept up, making her face go pale.

She forced a calm smile. “Okay.”

Her calm attitude reassured the others. Maybe they were just going to discuss work?

Qi Zhen never competed for anything—how could she have just stepped over the old-timers and won the heiress’s favor?

Someone standing near the elevator buttons spoke up, hoping to strike up a conversation. “President Yan, what floor are you going to? I can press the button for you.”

Yan Yiyun glanced at him coolly, voice frosty: “No need. I can press it myself.”

She pressed a button, her eyes sweeping over the sycophants with faint disdain.

Then, holding the door open, she said icily, “This is your floor. You can leave now.”

Everyone flinched. Even those headed to the parking level quietly exited. One of them turned back for a look.

And froze.

Just seconds ago, Yan Yiyun had been stone-faced with them. Now, facing Qi Zhen, she was speaking softly, gently.

Same black hair and red lips—but none of the earlier aloofness.

Only tenderness.