The Matchmaker Immortal Wants to Return to the Celestial Court - Chapter 19

The birthday celebration for the town’s centenarian was held in an old, traditional house with a rich historical ambiance. This location was not only one of the town’s tourist attractions but also served as a venue for various events. The house was built with red bricks, and the ceiling was adorned with Hakka floral fabric. It had a spacious interior and a kitchen, making it convenient for Qian Hongxian and her team to work.

That day, a large crowd gathered. Almost all the elderly in town seemed to have come to the event. Local representatives, the mayor, and journalists were also present, making Qian Hongxian feel amazed at the grandeur of the occasion. These politicians all seemed to know Yun Jinyao, and the moment he appeared, they immediately surrounded him. To escape, Yun Jinyao quickly pulled Chen Shaoxuan over, introducing him as the future restaurant owner, successfully diverting their attention away from himself.

Qian Hongxian wore a mask, styled her hair in a Korean-style bun, and donned an apron made from Hakka floral fabric, making her blend seamlessly into the town’s atmosphere. Local aunties called her over to help, and she could be seen diligently running around, carrying freshly steamed Hakka rice cakes and assisting the elderly with seating.

The Mountain River and Green Fields team’s food station was left under Lisa’s sole supervision, responsible for serving the guests. Fortunately, under Yun Jinyao’s planning, everything had been prepared in advance. The menu for the day included stir-fried vegetables, longevity noodles, salted chicken, and their signature dish—braised pork with preserved mustard greens.

As Qian Hongxian struggled to carry the last basket of red rice cakes, Yun Jinyao unexpectedly appeared behind her, effortlessly taking the heavy iron steamer from her hands.

She turned around and, upon seeing his handsome face, was momentarily dazed.

“Chen Shaoxuan is looking for you. Just walk down the entrance slope, and you’ll see him.”

“Huh? Oh… okay.”

Yun Jinyao smiled slightly and gently patted her head. “The slope is a bit steep, be careful.”

With that, he carried the steamer away.

Qian Hongxian covered her face with both hands, trying to calm her racing heart, unaware that she was beaming with happiness.

Following Yun Jinyao’s directions, she walked down the accessible ramp and spotted Chen Shaoxuan talking to a woman at the entrance.

The woman appeared to be around Chen Shaoxuan’s age, with fair skin, stylish attire, and long, wavy hair. She was undeniably beautiful. It was surely the girl who Chen Shaoxuan had feelings for.

With such striking looks, no wonder Chen Shaoxuan was so captivated, Qian Hongxian thought.

At that moment, the woman’s gaze shifted past Chen Shaoxuan’s shoulder and met Qian Hongxian’s eyes. Qian Hongxian was taken aback and instinctively stopped in her tracks.

Had she seen this woman somewhere before?

Chen Shaoxuan turned around and warmly greeted Qian Hongxian. “Hongxian, let me introduce you. This is Yu Xiuyan.”

Yu Xiuyan stepped forward. To Qian Hongxian, she was exceptionally tall, almost 170 cm by estimate. She nodded in greeting.

“Hello.”

Hearing her voice, Qian Hongxian blinked in surprise and asked again, “Sorry, I didn’t catch that. What’s your name?”

Yu Xiuyan smiled, pulled a business card from her bag, and handed it to her. “Yu Xiuyan. I’m a perfumer, and this is my studio’s card.”

“‘Yu’…” Qian Hongxian murmured as she studied the card, then shifted her gaze to Yu Xiuyan’s wrist.

The red thread on Yu Xiuyan’s wrist wasn’t connected to Chen Shaoxuan—it extended all the way into the old house above.

Her heartbeat quickened, and her right hand, holding the business card, trembled slightly.

“Xiuyan, you arrived just in time! The performance is about to start. It’s a local troupe from our town. Let’s go!” Chen Shaoxuan enthusiastically invited her, while discreetly signaling to Qian Hongxian not to forget about the matchmaking.

Feeling uneasy, Qian Hongxian followed them up the steep slope. When she reached the top, she saw Yun Jinyao conversing with an elderly woman.

A red thread had suddenly appeared on Yun Jinyao’s once-bare wrist, and its end was connected to Yu Xiuyan.

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Siming had once gifted Qian Hongxian a special red ribbon. If a mortal was fortunate enough to have the Moon Matchmaker tie their red thread with this ribbon, they were destined for a loving and happy marriage. Now, Yu Xiuyan and Yun Jinyao were bound by that very ribbon.

Hiding in the restroom, Qian Hongxian pondered deeply. She had no memory of using Siming’s ribbon to tie a match for someone named Yu Xiuyan when she was still working at the Moon Matchmaker’s pavilion. Yu Xiuyan was younger than her, so perhaps after Qian Hongxian’s reincarnation, the matchmaking was done by the temporary substitute, the Seven Stars Goddess?

But if the Seven Stars Goddess had tied the thread, why couldn’t she remember when Qian Hongxian briefly returned to Heaven? And why had she been unable to see Yun Jinyao’s red thread before, yet now it was suddenly visible?

Despite all the unanswered questions, one fact remained—Yun Jinyao’s destined soulmate had appeared.

A sour feeling welled up in Qian Hongxian’s chest. She shook her head, trying to brush off the disappointment, and muttered to herself, “I need to find a way back to the Celestial Court and ask the Seven Stars Goddess directly!”

Just as she stepped out of the restroom stall, Yu Xiuyan walked in.

“So you were here, jie? Everyone was looking for you,” Yu Xiuyan said in a gentle voice.

“Oh, my bad. I took too long in there.” Qian Hongxian chuckled awkwardly, trying to leave, but Yu Xiuyan stopped her.

“I heard that you can predict people’s love fates?”

Qian Hongxian halted, turning to see Yu Xiuyan stepping closer, carrying a captivating, sweet fragrance.

“I also heard that you’re the top matchmaker at a marriage agency. Could you calculate my love fate and find me a partner? You can set the price however you like.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t say things like that so casually! If I were a scammer and charged you a million dollars, would you just hand it over?”

Yu Xiuyan smirked. “A million? Sure, I can get you that in three days—in cash.”

What kind of background does this woman have?

“If a million isn’t enough, I can offer you ten million,” Yu Xiuyan continued, reaching into her bag to take out her phone, seemingly about to call the bank. Alarmed, Qian Hongxian quickly pressed down her hand.

“I was just joking! I’ll contact my company first, and we’ll draft a contract. By the way, may I ask? What’s your relationship with Shaoxuan?”

“Chen Shaoxuan?” Yu Xiuyan raised an eyebrow, a fleeting look of disdain flashing in her eyes before she quickly resumed her usual friendly expression. “We’re just ordinary friends. It’s settled then. I’ll be counting on you!” With that, she stepped into a restroom stall.

Qian Hongxian felt conflicted and could only force a polite but awkward smile.

The celebration continued, and Qian Hongxian helped Lisa serve food. Meanwhile, Chen Shaoxuan eagerly chatted with Yu Xiuyan. Qian Hongxian noticed Yu Xiuyan frequently stealing glances at Yun Jinyao, who was assisting the elderly in checking their blood pressure.

“Where did Chen Shaoxuan find such a manipulative woman?” Lisa whispered to Qian Hongxian. “Look at her nose, it’s obviously fake. And that chest? Definitely implants. Which plastic surgeon did such a bad job?”

“Don’t say that. She might become your family one day,” Qian Hongxian said, feeling disheartened.

“Family?” Lisa scoffed. “I’ll go knock some sense into Shaoxuan. I don’t trust that woman one bit.”

Qian Hongxian sighed. While she disliked Yu Xiuyan as well, as long as she completed her matchmaking task, she could return to Heaven. Her personal feelings didn’t matter.

Which god had arranged for a woman like this to be Yun Jinyao’s match?

After finishing the cleanup, the five of them walked down the accessible ramp together. Yun Jinyao took the initiative to walk beside Qian Hongxian, while Chen Shaoxuan and Yu Xiuyan were engaged in conversation, and Lisa followed at the back alone.

Qian Hongxian kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, refusing to speak with Yun Jinyao. Unaware of her mood, he leaned in and said softly, “You’ve worked hard all day. What do you want to eat tonight? I’ll take you to the city for dinner.”

“Just the two of us?”

“Who else?” Yun Jinyao raised an eyebrow.

Qian Hongxian’s anger instantly dissipated, and she was just about to nod when Yu Xiuyan spoke up from behind, “Let’s all go out for dinner together tonight!”

Qian Hongxian turned her head and noticed Yu Xiuyan giving her a triumphant look.

“I’ve never been to Hsinchu City! Jinyao, you’re a restaurant owner and a local. I’m sure you know all the hidden gem restaurants.”

“That’s a great idea! We have the night off, so let’s go to Hsinchu City!” Chen Shaoxuan agreed enthusiastically.

“Yao-ge is busy. You two go by yourselves.” Lisa spoke coldly from behind.

“Oh? That’s a shame.” Yu Xiuyan glanced regretfully at Yun Jinyao, then turned to Qian Hongxian. “But if it’s just me and Shaoxuan, it’d be a bit lonely. Why don’t you and Liqing come along too?”

“Sorry, I’m busy. Also, call me Lisa. Only my family can use my real name.”

“Yun Liqing, don’t be so rude,” Yun Jinyao warned.

“Wow, since when did you start caring about manners, Yao-ge?” Lisa put her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

Yu Xiuyan smiled slightly and stepped forward, hooking her arm around Lisa’s, speaking sweetly, “Liqing is such a lovely name; it’d be a shame not to use it. Come on, join us! I really want to have dinner with you too.”

As Lisa tried to break free from Yu Xiuyan’s grip, Qian Hongxian suddenly felt exhausted—she just wanted some peace and quiet.

“Jinyao, you should go with Xiuyan. I have plans tonight.”

“Huh?” Yun Jinyao frowned at her.

Yu Xiuyan immediately moved closer to him, using the same sweet tone. “Come on, Jinyao. If I don’t get to try the places on your list tonight, I’ll be so disappointed.”

Yun Jinyao looked at Yu Xiuyan without replying.

Seeing the red thread tying their wrists together, Qian Hongxian’s expression darkened. She could tell Yun Jinyao was being influenced by that thread—allowing himself to go along with Yu Xiuyan’s suggestion.

“Lisa, can you give me a ride home?”

“Call me Liqing.”

With a firm tone, Yun Liqing responded to Qian Hongxian, then walked past Chen Shaoxuan and Yu Xiuyan to stand beside her.