The Matchmaker Immortal Wants to Return to the Celestial Court - Chapter 13

Before descending the mountain from their night-viewing spot, Qian Hongxian asked Yun Jinyao why he had given such a training suggestion. Yun Jinyao casually replied that it was based on his experience learning archery and his past retreat on the mountain, where he meditated for seven days with relatives and elders.

“Just from learning archery and meditating for seven days, you came to this conclusion?” Qian Hongxian was dumbfounded.

“Looks like I have more talent than you for becoming an immortal,” Yun Jinyao said with a faint smile.

The next morning, Qian Hongxian returned to the restaurant early, sincerely apologizing to Chen Shaoxuan and Lisa for skipping work.

“Good to hear you’re alright. We were worried about you all day,” Chen Shaoxuan said. “Yao-ge’s face was so stern yesterday that we were on edge the entire day.”

Lisa, on the other hand, pulled Qian Hongxian upstairs for a private chat. She persistently pressed for details, forcing Qian Hongxian to vaguely recount the events, just as she had with Huang Shuzhen.

After hearing the story, Lisa broke into a delighted grin.

“I told you, you’re Yao-ge’s type! He’s definitely going to fall for you,” Lisa giggled mischievously.

“No way! He won’t like me, and he can’t like me,” Qian Hongxian clenched her fists. “He has to marry another woman, only then can I complete my mission.”

“You don’t realize, don’t you? Ever since you arrived, I haven’t smelled his cologne even once. Also, he never used to come to the restaurant every day. Most of the time, it was just me and Chen Shaoxuan handling things. But now? I bet if he goes a day without seeing you, both his heart and his… other parts get itchy.”

Qian Hongxian grabbed Lisa’s cheeks and pinched them hard, making Lisa yelp in protest.

“If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll go downstairs and get some kitchen cleaner to brush your teeth.”

She watched Lisa rubbing her cheeks and curiously asked, “But the restaurant is clearly understaffed with just you and Shaoxuan. Why wouldn’t he come in? And he doesn’t seem to want to hire anyone either.”

“If it was just the two of us, the restaurant would close early,” Lisa explained. “When Yao-ge is here, we actually have to work longer hours. Later, he told me it’s not that he doesn’t want to hire more people, it’s just that this town is too rural. There aren’t many young people around, and restaurant work is tough, so it’s hard to find staff.”

Qian Hongxian nodded, then asked, “Lisa, do you know when Jinyao’s brother is coming back to Taiwan?”

“Yi-ge? I haven’t heard anything. Why do you ask?” Lisa looked curious.

“It’s nothing. Jinyao just asked me to help his brother with something. But no matter how much I asked last night, he refused to tell me when his brother is coming back. Can you help me find out?”

“Sure! I’ll message Yi-ge on Line right now,” Lisa said, immediately pulling out her phone.

“You’re the best! Thank you so much!” Qian Hongxian beamed.

Halfway through scrolling her phone, Lisa suddenly smirked at Qian Hongxian.

“What now?” Qian Hongxian asked warily.

“You called him Jinyao just now.”

“So what? I call Shaoxuan by his name too,” Qian Hongxian turned her face away and hopped off the barstool. “Anyway, please help me ask. I need to go downstairs and help Shaoxuan.”

She and Yun Jinyao had kissed, gone on a date, and somehow broken through that invisible barrier between them. Though the way they grew closer wasn’t exactly what she had expected.

Not only did Qian Hongxian become closer to Yun Jinyao, but Huang Shuzhen did as well.

At noon, Yun Jinyao actually brought Huang Shuzhen to the restaurant and personally cooked several signature dishes for her to try. Chen Shaoxuan and Lisa assisted him while Qian Hongxian accompanied her mother.

One by one, Lisa and Chen Shaoxuan brought out the dishes, while Qian Hongxian set the table. Then, the five of them sat down to eat together.

“Oh!” Huang Shuzhen exclaimed in surprise after taking a bite. “This Braised Bamboo Shoots in Fat Broth is delicious: so light yet flavorful, soft, and melts in your mouth.”

Sitting beside her mother, Qian Hongxian also ate enthusiastically. She had tasted Yun Jinyao’s cooking before, but today, the flavors were especially fresh and delicate. As she focused on her food, she suddenly noticed Yun Jinyao watching her intently.

He smiled slightly at her before shifting his gaze to Huang Shuzhen and politely explaining, “A few days ago, the secretary of our community development association called. They’re hosting a birthday celebration next weekend for a centenarian and asked me to provide the food. I was worried that overly strong flavors wouldn’t be good for the elderly, so I invited Auntie here to help me assess the dishes.”

“This flavor works,” Huang Shuzhen nodded approvingly, then asked with admiration, “You help out with elderly services too?”

“There are many elderly people in town who need volunteers, and lending a hand is no trouble at all,” Yun Jinyao replied with just the right amount of humility, making it seem as if he was naturally kind-hearted. Huang Shuzhen appeared convinced by his sincerity.

Qian Hongxian, however, was unconvinced. She knew he was a genuine pervert.

“Wait… does the secretary have Jinyao’s number?” she whispered to Lisa beside her. “I thought he never gives his number out so easily.”

“Yao-ge often volunteers to help the elderly in town, so he gave his number to the secretary,” Lisa whispered back.

So… Yun Jinyao really did have a kind heart after all.

“So, Yao-ge, does that mean we’ll have to help out at the birthday celebration too?” Chen Shaoxuan asked.

“Yes, birthday parties always have a large turnout. There might even be reporters covering the centenarian, so we’ll need plenty of volunteers. The restaurant will be closed for two days next weekend.”

After lunch, Yun Jinyao took Huang Shuzhen for a stroll around town, leaving the other three to manage the restaurant. It was the first time Qian Hongxian had ever experienced a business day without Yun Jinyao in the shop, and it felt a bit strange to her.

Once the restaurant closed for the day, Qian Hongxian gave Lisa a ride back home on her scooter. She was getting more and more accustomed to riding on mountain roads.

After parting ways with Lisa on the second floor, Qian Hongxian stole a glance at Yun Jinyao’s room before heading upstairs. It was quiet inside, he still hadn’t returned.

While she was changing, Lisa barged into her room uninvited, ignoring Qian Hongxian’s protests. She sat on the bed, grabbed a stuffed bunny, and hugged it tightly.

“Geez, you and your cousin are just alike…” Qian Hongxian grumbled while adjusting her clothes. The memory of that thrilling night a few days ago flashed through her mind, making her blush.

“Hmm? What about Yao-ge?” Lisa’s eyes lit up as she leaned forward expectantly, eager to hear a story.

Realizing she had let something slip, Qian Hongxian quickly changed the subject. “You came here for something, didn’t you?”

“Yi-ge will be back in Taiwan in two days,” Lisa said. “I already told him to stop by Hsinchu first when he arrives, so you’ll be able to see him soon.”

Overjoyed, Qian Hongxian completely forgot her annoyance at Lisa’s intrusion and threw herself onto Lisa, hugging both her and the bunny.

“Xiao Liqing, thank you so much!”

“What exactly did Yao-ge ask you to help Yi-ge with?” Lisa asked after escaping Qian Hongxian’s grip.

Qian Hongxian explained the situation, and Lisa’s expression shifted between shock and amusement.

“Finding Yi-ge a match? I think Yao-ge is just messing with you. Yi-ge is super stubborn, he still hasn’t gotten over that girl named Fang-something. There’s no way he’d date anyone else. Shaoxuan and I even took him to a temple to pray for love, but it didn’t work.” Lisa waved her hand dismissively.

“This isn’t my fault! When you took him to the temple, my spiritual powers weren’t there, so I couldn’t help you!” Qian Hongxian raised her voice in frustration, leaving Lisa looking puzzled. “Don’t worry. As long as Yi-ge has a red string of fate on his wrist, I can make sure he gets married!”

For the next two days, Yun Jinyao never once mentioned his brother’s return to Qian Hongxian. He quietly drove to Taoyuan Airport to pick him up and snuck him upstairs while Qian Hongxian was busy in the kitchen.

It wasn’t until Chen Shaoxuan barged in, shouting, “Yi-ge is back!” that she even realized.

She rushed to the restroom to freshen up and apply a bit of makeup before heading upstairs.

A man with shoulder-length hair and a trimmed beard sat in the seat where Qian Hongxian had first sat when she arrived. He had to be Yun Jinyao’s older brother, Yun Jinyi. Meanwhile, Yun Jinyao was busy at the bar making coffee. When he saw her at the door, he flashed her a mischievous smile.

Qian Hongxian shot him a glare before walking up to Yun Jinyi.

“You must be Miss Qian Hongxian, the matchmaker?” He greeted her with an elegant smile and stood up, extending a hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Yun Jinyi.”

Qian Hongxian quickly shook his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Yun.”

Gesturing for her to sit, Yun Jinyi took his seat as well.

At the same time, Yun Jinyao brought over two drinks, an espresso for Yun Jinyi and a caramel macchiato for Qian Hongxian. Her eyes lit up when she saw her drink.

After serving them, Yun Jinyao tidied up the bar a little and then left them alone to talk.

“Mm, Jinyao’s skills are as good as ever,” Yun Jinyi remarked after taking a sip. “I once traveled to Italy and had an espresso there that was unforgettable. Ever since, I could never go back to anything else. My brother is the only one in Taiwan who has managed to replicate that exact flavor.”

Qian Hongxian took a sip as well, savoring the taste. “I understand how you feel. I’ve tried countless hazelnut lattes elsewhere, but only Jinyao’s has the perfect balance of sweetness and coffee.”

Yun Jinyi studied her for a moment, then smiled even more deeply.

“Jinyao told me you run a matchmaking agency? I looked you up online, you’re quite popular.”

“Oh, the internet exaggerates. I’m just doing my job,” Qian Hongxian replied modestly.

Yun Jinyi lowered his gaze to his coffee cup and gently swirled it.

“I doubt anyone else has ever experienced a breakup as ridiculous as mine,” he said with a wry smile before looking back up at her. “The woman I loved married a man from the Song Dynasty.”

Qian Hongxian blinked, keeping a polite but puzzled expression.

“Sorry, I don’t quite understand. Who did she marry?”

“A man from the Song Dynasty,” Yun Jinyi repeated with a smile. “Ancient China’s Song Dynasty. Her husband traveled through time from the Song Dynasty to the present, swept her off her feet, and took her back to live in the past. After they left, I never saw her again.”

Qian Hongxian instinctively glanced at Yun Jinyi’s drink, confirming that it was coffee and not alcohol.

This woman must have gone to great lengths to reject him! Qian Hongxian had thought her own excuse, claiming she had a short lifespan, was absurd, but this woman had outdone her. Though, in her case, her short lifespan was actually true

.

“Mr. Yun, don’t be sad. Even if you can’t see her, she’s happy now, isn’t that something to be glad about?” she said gently.

“She moved to the Song Dynasty!” Yun Jinyi emphasized again, as if she wasn’t grasping the gravity of it. “Mu Yun was a rising star photographer, constantly booked with work. But she abandoned all of that to live in an ancient time with barely any modern conveniences. Where in the Song Dynasty could she possibly find a stage to shine?”

“Uh, Mr. Yun?” Qian Hongxian hesitated before cutting in. “I think the girl you loved just made up that story to make you give up on her. If time travel really existed, the Jade Emperor wouldn’t allow it. The gods in charge of time would face severe punishment.”

Yun Jinyi chuckled.

“Miss Qian, you’re adorable. No wonder Jinyao always smiles when he talks about you.” He let out a sigh before taking another sip of his espresso.

“I’d love to believe Mu Yun was lying to me, but I’ve searched everywhere for any trace of her, and there’s nothing. Ah, I’ve been rambling. What I really wanted to say is, I’m still struggling to move on from that breakup, so I doubt I could date anyone else.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Yun.” Qian Hongxian’s gaze dropped to his wrist, and she gave him a sweet smile. “The red thread of fate on your wrist is already tied to a beautiful woman.”