The Matchmaker Immortal Wants to Return to the Celestial Court - Chapter 16

There’s still an empty room on the third floor, originally meant for Yun Jinyi to stay in while he was in Guanxi. However, after Liao Yunqi arrived, Yun Jinyi gave up the room for her and moved downstairs to share a room with his younger brother.

Yun Jinyi was very helpful in finding suitable locations for the wedding photoshoot. He suggested capturing a “Guanxi Eight Views” series to incorporate local characteristics. The “Guanxi Eight Views” originated from the poetry society “Guanxi Tao Society,” founded in 1964, which wrote poems about these eight scenic spots. Some locations had changed over the years, but the ones still preserved included the famous Dong’an Ancient Bridge, Mawudu Discovery Forest, Shiniushan, Bat Cave, Chaoyin Zen Temple, Wenchang Shrine, and Wuzui Mountain.

“I only brought three wedding dresses; there’s no need to shoot at so many locations.”

The day after the barbecue, while Yun Jiunyao took Qian Hongxian and Huang Shuzhen back to Taipei, Liao Yunqi and Yun Jinyi met at the second-floor café of Mountain Stream and Green Fields to discuss the wedding photoshoot. Both had brought their laptops to research ideas.

Yun Jinyi stared at his screen in thought for a moment. “Only three wedding dresses won’t be enough to spark something between those two. How about I borrow a few more sets so they can take more pictures together?”

“I’m worried that’s too much trouble for you. Besides, they almost ended up in bed together before. And didn’t you see Yun Jiunyao kiss Hongxian during the barbecue last night?”

Yun Jinyi smiled. “Jiunyao has already fallen for her, but Hongxian still needs a little push. More photos won’t hurt. Plus, borrowing extra wedding dresses isn’t a hassle; I’ll just need you to come along to help carry them to the car.”

With that settled, they decided to start shooting at the familiar Dong’an Ancient Bridge.

The following day, Qian Hongxian changed into a mermaid-style wedding dress designed by Liao Yunqi in her room. Feeling a little shy, she stepped out and went to the third-floor common area to find Liao Yunqi and Lisa.

“Hongxian-jie, you look absolutely stunning!” Lisa couldn’t help but exclaim.

Just then, Yun Jiunyao and Yun Jinyi arrived on the third floor. Lisa immediately pulled Yun Jiunyao over to Qian Hongxian and chirped, “Isn’t Hongxian-jie gorgeous?”

“There’s a saying: ‘a Buddha needs gold, and a person needs clothes.’ That fits you perfectly right now,” Yun Jiunyao teased with a grin.

“There’s also a saying: ‘a dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory.’ That suits you, doesn’t it?” Qian Hongxian retorted.

Liao Yunqi stood with her arms crossed, quietly watching their playful banter. It was obvious that Qian Hongxian had feelings for Yun Jiunyao, her expectant expression when waiting for his compliment said it all. Why was she holding back?

Lost in thought, Liao Yunqi was startled when Yun Jinyi suddenly whispered beside her, “Hongxian really does look beautiful.”

“No way, Hongxian belongs to Yun Jiunyao,” Liao Yunqi playfully patted Yun Jinyi’s shoulder.

“Sorry, I wasn’t clear. I meant you made her beautiful. Designing that dress must have taken a lot of effort.”

Liao Yunqi smiled. “I pulled several all-nighters for it! Once inspiration hits, nothing can stop me.”

She turned to see Yun Jinyi gazing intently at Qian Hongxian’s dress, repeatedly praising its beauty. Suddenly, she found herself feeling a growing sense of admiration for him.

“Jinyi, has the makeup artist arrived?” Qian Hongxian called over to them.

Yun Jinyi took out his phone.

“They should be here soon; I’ll check. Jiunyao, you should go change, too. The makeup artist needs to do your makeup later.” With that, he and Yun Jiunyao headed downstairs.

“Wait, Yao-ge! Pick the gray suit, not the all-black one. Every time you wear all black, you look like you’re going to a funeral…” Lisa shouted as she ran after them, disappearing down the stairs.

“Hey, Yunqi.” Qian Hongxian lifted her skirt slightly and walked over. “I need you to find a way to help Jinyi move on from his past heartbreak.”

“Huh? Why is that my responsibility?”

Ignoring Liao Yunqi’s question, Qian Hongxian continued, “Jinyi had a crush on his junior from grad school. Both of them were talented photographers, and she was elegant, composed, and totally his type. But she never agreed to date him. The more she rejected him, the harder he tried to win her over. In the end, she married someone else and disappeared without a trace. No one knows where she went.”

As she spoke, Qian Hongxian suddenly glanced at the stairs, as if checking for eavesdroppers. Then she leaned in close and lowered her voice.

“I heard that Jinyi’s junior’s husband is super weird. He always wore ancient Chinese robes and claimed to be from the Song Dynasty. Apparently, she married him and traveled back in time to live in the Song Dynasty that’s why no one can find her. Isn’t that story insane?”

Liao Yunqi blinked her long lashes. “Not really.”

“Wait, you don’t think that’s strange?” Qian Hongxian frowned.

“You’re one to talk, Miss ‘I’m a fairy who descended to Earth.’”

Qian Hongxian rolled her eyes. “Anyway, Jinyi still can’t get over her. Not even Jiunyao, who never meddles in anything, can stand watching him like this. I don’t know Jinyi that well, but you interact with him more often. Can you try convincing him to move on?”

Liao Yunqi narrowed her eyes at Qian Hongxian.

“You’re just trying to set me up with Yun Jinyi, aren’t you? Not happening.”

Qian Hongxian put on a dramatically innocent expression.

“Of course not! But don’t forget, you are a matchmaker. You have quotas to meet, don’t you? I did some research, and the internet says the best way to get over heartbreak is to start dating someone new. So hurry up and introduce some good matches for Jinyi!”

Liao Yunqi sighed in exasperation. This woman was getting more and more slick with her words.

“Well, thanks so much for looking out for me, Manager Qian.”

Yun Jinyi’s female makeup artist friend finally arrived, and Qian Hongxian returned to her room to have her makeup done. Once everything was ready, Lisa drove them both to Dong’an Ancient Bridge.

Dong’an Ancient Bridge was not far from the Yun family residence, about a five-minute drive. After parking, Liao Yunqi and Lisa helped the bride-to-be out of the car. The entrance stairs to the ancient bridge were right next to the parking lot. Along the way, every passerby who walked past them turned their heads to look.

“Oh no, everyone is looking at me. I feel so shy,” Qian Hongxian said, lowering her head with a bashful expression.

“You’re overthinking it. They’re looking at your wedding dress.”

“Yi-ge and Yao-ge are already here,” Lisa called out, pointing ahead. Yun Jinyao, Yun Jinyi, and the makeup artist were standing at the entrance steps leading to Niulan River.

Dressed in a suit and all groomed up, Yun Jinyao looked several hundred times more handsome than usual. Liao Yunqi noticed that not only were young female tourists staring at him, but even older women were pointing and whispering about him. Yun Jinyao gazed at Qian Hongxian with deep eyes and a faint smile on his lips.

When Liao Yunqi turned back to look at Qian Hongxian, she was genuinely shy now, her cheeks redder than her blush.

Satisfied with the outcome, Liao Yunqi instinctively glanced at Yun Jinyi, who was carrying his photography equipment. Their eyes met, and he nodded at her with a knowing smile, as if he understood exactly what she was thinking.

Lisa pulled Qian Hongxian to stand next to Yun Jinyao, then took a step back to admire the scene, clapping her hands excitedly.

“Yao-ge, Hongxian-jie, you two look amazing together! Just get married right here, okay?”

“Liqing has a good suggestion. We already have so many witnesses here,” Yun Jinyi agreed with a nod.

“Yeah, once we’re done with the shoot, let’s head straight to the household registration office,” Liao Yunqi added.

Yun Jinyao didn’t respond, which, to Liao Yunqi, seemed like silent consent. Qian Hongxian, on the other hand, was so flustered that she didn’t know what to do and kept urging them to start the shoot quickly.

“There are still stairs to go down,” Yun Jinyi pointed behind the pseudo-newlyweds. “Jinyao, make sure to hold the bride properly as you go down.

“

“No need, Yunqi and Lisa can help me—”

Before Qian Hongxian could finish speaking, Yun Jinyao took her hand without a word and turned around. Lisa followed closely behind, recording the scene on her phone.

The makeup artist greeted Yun Jinyi before heading down with her tools, leaving only Liao Yunqi and Yun Jinyi behind.

“I’ll help you carry some stuff,” Liao Yunqi said, eyeing the large bags he was carrying.

“No need. A man shouldn’t have a woman carry his things,” Yun Jinyi replied.

“There’s no rule that says a woman can’t help a man carry something,” Liao Yunqi said, reaching out her hand.

Yun Jinyi chuckled and took the camera bag off his right shoulder, handing it to her. 

“Thanks.”

As Liao Yunqi took it, she was about to sling it over her shoulder when she noticed a luggage tag attached to the strap. She lifted it to take a look, and it read: “Fang Muyun.”

She silently let go of the tag and didn’t look at it again.

Yun Jinyi used the ancient bridge as a backdrop for the shoot. Yun Jinyao and Qian Hongxian truly looked like a match made in heaven. No matter what poses Yun Jinyi asked them to do, the atmosphere felt just right, as if they were a real couple about to get married.

At first, Qian Hongxian was stiff and awkward, especially with the growing number of onlookers. But with Yun Jinyi’s guidance and encouragement, she gradually relaxed, and the way she looked at Yun Jinyao became softer.

Compared to Qian Hongxian, Liao Yunqi believed that Yun Jinyi was the real reincarnation of the god of matchmaking.

Lisa was assigned to be the photography assistant. She seemed quite experienced, as if she had worked under Yun Jinyi many times before. She busily adjusted the lighting, fixed the wedding dress, and even managed to chat with Qian Hongxian about which wedding banquet restaurants in Guanxi had the best food.

Liao Yunqi found her gaze drifting toward Yun Jinyi, watching him work with full concentration.

It was clear that Yun Jinyi had a deep passion for photography, just like how she felt about designing wedding dresses. Every step he took was meticulous and precise. His focused expression and thoughtful demeanor made him look a thousand times more attractive than his younger brother. 

Just like her, he was someone who could completely immerse himself in his field of expertise.

After a while, Yun Jinyi called for a break before they moved on to the next location. Lisa and the makeup artist stepped forward to help adjust the wedding dress, while Liao Yunqi volunteered to help Yun Jinyi pack up his equipment.

As the group walked along the Niulan River, Liao Yunqi and Yun Jinyi trailed behind, carrying the gear. Yun Jinyi kept glancing at his camera screen, reviewing the shots.

“Yunqi,” he called her name for the first time, sending a small thrill through her heart. Still looking at his camera, he said, “You’re really talented at designing wedding dresses. Have you considered quitting your matchmaking agency job to focus on this full-time?”

That sweet feeling vanished instantly, replaced by a wave of melancholy. She had thought about quitting the matchmaking agency countless times to pursue her passion for designing wedding dresses.

“I don’t have enough funds. Just opening a physical studio was already a huge stretch,” Liao Yunqi said with a bitter smile.

Yun Jinyi stopped walking, and she paused as well.

He looked at her, about to say something, when Lisa suddenly came running back toward them, shouting, “Yunqi! Yunqi! Something’s wrong, come quick! Hongxian-jie isn’t feeling well!”