The Matchmaker Immortal Wants to Return to the Celestial Court - Chapter 8

The weather gradually became hotter after the beginning of summer in May. Yun Jinyao, who was born in winter, truly disliked this season—he much preferred spending cold nights in the warmth of a woman’s embrace.

Yun Jinyao quietly got out of bed, careful not to wake the long-haired beauty sleeping next to him. He walked into the bathroom and washed away the stickiness from his body. After showering, he dried his hair as he stepped out, only to find his bedmate already awake. She covered her naked body with the quilt and shot him a flirtatious look.

“How about one more round?”

They had already gone at it three times last night. The fact that she was still up for more showed just how energetic she was, Yun Jinyao thought to himself.

“I have things to do today. I need to go,” he said, dressing as he spoke. He grabbed his bag on the hotel room’s armchair and moved to leave.

“Wait!” the woman called out. “Can’t you at least give me your Line or phone number? I don’t even know your name! Every time, I have to wait for you to come to the shop before I can see you. It makes me sad. I miss you.”

Yun Jinyao never turned back. He simply said, “Sorry, I won’t be seeing you again. Please forget me.”

He walked out of the hotel room, ignoring the woman’s continued calls behind him.

Whenever someone wanted more from him, it signaled the end.

He had never truly cared for any woman in his life. Other than satisfying his physical needs or if the woman came onto him first, he only maintained short-term connections. Outside of family and work-related interactions, he was used to being alone.

When it came to fulfilling one’s physical desires, Yun Jinyao actually felt a deep-rooted disgust. He found the entanglement of bodies unclean, yet he couldn’t help but be drawn into it.

Yun Jinyao often felt out of place in this world. He felt like an alien struggling to adapt to Earth’s air and gravity.

He drove back to Guanxi. As the evening business hours were approaching, the restaurant was likely already preparing to open.

He parked his car next to a utility pole in front of “Mountain Stream and Green Fields”, locked it, pressed the automatic door button, and walked inside.

As soon as he entered, he saw a petite figure at the far end of the room. With deep red hair tied into a ponytail and wearing the restaurant’s apron, she was wiping down tables with her back facing him. He froze on the spot.

Why was she here again?

“Hey, Yao-ge, you’re back?” His cousin walked down from the second floor, waving at him energetically as soon as she saw him.

Qian Hongxian heard Yun Liqing’s words and immediately turned around. Yun Jinyao watched with amusement as she hastily stood up straight and greeted him nervously.

“Miss Qian, what are you doing here?”

Qian Hongxian opened her mouth to answer, but Yun Liqing beat her to it.

“Yao-ge, Hongxian-jie is going to help out at our restaurant starting today!” His cousin spoke with an annoyingly innocent tone, gesturing at Qian Hongxian, who gave a nervous smile.

Yun Jinyao’s elegant eyebrows shot up. “What’s going on? You’d better explain yourself.”

“Oh, come on, Yao-ge, don’t be so stingy. We really need more staff. Hongxian-jie said she’s willing to help without any pay!” Yun Liqing said, her face beaming. Beside her, Qian Hongxian nodded eagerly.

Yun Jinyao had to summon all his self-control to resist the urge to curse.

“Come with me,” he said firmly, grabbing Yun Liqing’s hand and pulling her straight up the stairs to the second floor.

“Hey, Yao-ge! Why are you pulling me around? Can’t you just talk in front of Hongxian-jie…?”

Yun Liqing grumbled from behind as Yun Jinyao shut the glass door of the second floor.

“‘Hongxian-jie’?” He turned to glare at his cousin. “You’re really calling her that very affectionately.”

“Should I call her Second Sister-in-Law instead?” Yun Liqing feigned innocence.

“What?” Yun Jinyao’s voice rose involuntarily.

“I saw everything,” Yun Liqing giggled. “You were so considerate that day, carefully covering her with a coat, afraid to wake her up. And after that, you sat patiently beside her, waiting for her to wake up. In all my years, I’ve never seen you be so thoughtful to any girl.”

Yun Jinyao had to remind himself repeatedly that hitting his cousin was a crime.

He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.

“Who is the owner of this restaurant?”

“Chen Shaoxuan,” Yun Liqing shrugged.

“…And who pays Chen Shaoxuan’s salary?”

“Uh, that would be you, Yao-ge.” Yun Liqing bent slightly and gestured toward him.

“So, before bringing someone into the restaurant, shouldn’t you have asked me first?”

“Oh, come on, Yao-ge! Hongxian-jie is really great! Don’t let her petite frame fool you—she works super efficiently. And since she doesn’t even want a salary and volunteered to help, it’s a win-win for us!” Yun Liqing playfully slapped his arm. “Just give her a chance! If you really don’t like it, I’ll take her away, okay?”

Yun Jinyao rubbed his temples.

“She lives in Taipei. Are you seriously making her commute here every day?”

“No need to worry about that, Yao-ge. Isn’t the suite upstairs just waiting to be rented out?”

“So, you rented it to her?” Yun Jinyao’s voice shot up again.

“That’s right!” Yun Liqing replied cheerfully and with conviction.

Yun Jinyao felt as if he’s on the verge of a stroke. He couldn’t find any words to respond.

“Alright then, that’s settled. My parents agreed, too. Sister Hongxian is moving in tonight! Anyway, I gotta get back to the kitchen, or Chen Shaoxuan will scold me. I mean, what can I do? He’s the one who handles my paycheck!” Yun Liqing spread her hands playfully, turned, and slipped through the glass door, leaving Yun Jinyao standing there, dumbfounded.

He had never felt anything for a woman before, but Qian Hongxian’s appearance had shattered that image.

That day, when he saw her sleeping with half her face buried in her arms on the table, he hadn’t even seen her face clearly—whether she was beautiful or not was still a mystery. Yet an indescribable feeling surged in his heart. If he had to put it into words, it was a mix of excitement and a fluttering sensation.

Found her! His inner voice told him.

The temperature was cooler in the mountains at night. He had instinctively taken off his jacket and draped it over her. Then he made himself a cup of coffee and sat across from her, quietly waiting for her to wake up.

Yun Jinyao didn’t understand his own behavior. Normally, if it were any other woman, he would have simply turned and left.

While he was lost in thought, Qian Hongxian pushed open the glass door and walked in. She wore an apologetic expression as she approached him.

“Sorry, Mr. Yun. I took the liberty of asking Lisa to arrange this job for me.”

“So, may I know the reason why Miss Qian decided to do this?” Yun Jinyao asked calmly, having regained his composure.

Qian Hongxian fidgeted with the apron on her body. “I’ll tell you the truth. I know this might sound absurd, but it’s all true…”

After listening to her explanation, Yun Jinyao’s first reaction was to stifle a laugh.

If Yun Liqing saw this, she would undoubtedly tease him, probably saying something like, “First time in your life a girl made you genuinely laugh!”

“So, you’re the reincarnation of the Moon Matchmaker, here to make up for your past mistakes? And if I don’t get married, you won’t be able to return to the Celestial Court?”

Qian Hongxian nodded vigorously, looking quite pleased.

“Mr. Yun, you catch on quickly! I explained this to Lin Weiting for ages, and he still doesn’t believe me.”

Yun Jinyao had been listening with his arms crossed, leaning against the bar. Now, he straightened up and uncrossed his arms.

“Miss Qian, I think you should leave. Don’t waste your time on me. I’ve said it before—I’m not interested in marriage.”

He expected Qian Hongxian to start begging him or to look completely lost and unsure of what to do. Instead, she gave him a confident smile, as if she was certain of her victory.

Yun Jinyao felt his heartbeat skip.

“The game isn’t over until the final moment,” she said, brimming with determination. “I still have time to get to know you. Please look forward to it, Mr. Yun. I promise I’ll help you find the perfect match.”