To Get Married - Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Lu Yudong had never imagined that one day her roommates would corner her and force her to confess to Manzhu.

In truth, she wanted to tell Manzhu about her long-hidden feelings more than anyone. But no matter how much she tested the waters, and no matter how much she told herself that Manzhu treated her differently, she still felt zero confidence. None at all.

Sometimes she even felt like she was the old Zhang Ziyun—longing for someone who was incredibly good to her, so good that it created a constant illusion, but who ultimately would not accept her.

She was terrified that Manzhu’s feelings for her were just like the feelings she once had for the friend who left: deep affection and care, but not enough to sustain a romantic relationship. She feared it was all her own delusion—that in her most desperate and helpless moment, she had mistaken Manzhu, who gave her a new life, for her entire world, and was unilaterally assuming she held an equally important position in Manzhu’s heart.

If that were the case, the moment she spoke her truth, she might lose Manzhu.

No, not “lose” her. They were destined to be inseparable in this life. What she would face instead was an unavoidable, eternal awkwardness. Two people living out forever with a permanent rift in their hearts.

Because the price was too high, she was always worried. She felt that without 100% certainty, she shouldn’t try—even a 0.1% chance of that outcome was a risk she didn’t dare take.

However, at this moment, Chen Yang and Tang Qian were clearly invested. Back when they were pushing Ye Liujing to talk to “Little Mystery,” they weren’t nearly this enthusiastic.

Chen Yang pulled out her phone, lowered her head with a serious and solemn expression, and began messaging someone. Yudong got nervous immediately, lunging from the head of the bed to the foot to crane her neck at Chen Yang’s screen. “Yangyang, who are you talking to?! If you dare sell me out to Manzhu, we are not friends anymore!”

“Yudong, don’t panic! Am I that kind of person?” Chen Yang shoved the screen in front of Yudong’s face. “I’m not messaging Manzhu. A confession has to be said by you personally. How could I say it for you?”

Yudong stared at the chat box, and the heart that had leaped into her throat finally settled.

It’s Yangyang: Boss Mu, I heard you’re Sister Manzhu’s best friend.

It’s Yangyang: Is it convenient to tell me what Sister Manzhu likes most?

It’s Yangyang: I really like Sister Manzhu, and I don’t know how to win her favor.

“It’s Uncle…” Yudong breathed a sigh of relief.

“Exactly!” Chen Yang said. “Look, is there anything wrong with my phrasing? Are you moved by my fearless spirit of self-sacrifice?”

“I… I’m a little nervous,” Yudong said. Chen Yang took back the phone, screenshotted the log, and dropped it into the 415 dorm group chat.

Tang Qian glanced at the messages and gave a thumbs-up, calling her a pro. Ye Liujing said weakly, “Is this really okay?”

“Little Leaf, it’s fine if you’re a coward, but don’t drag Yudong down with you,” Tang Qian said. “Yudong’s situation isn’t like yours. Yours is an unknown; Yudong and Sister Manzhu are just missing that final push!”

“Did Uncle reply?” Yudong stared expectantly at Chen Yang.

Chen Yang shook her head. Tang Qian couldn’t take it anymore and climbed from her own bed onto Chen Yang’s. Seeing this, Ye Liujing hesitated for a second before scrambling onto Yudong’s bed.

The four roommates crowded together, anxiously awaiting Mu Chenshan’s response. A few minutes later, Chen Yang suddenly screamed, “He replied! He replied!”

Three small heads immediately crowded around.

Mu Chenshan: What do you mean?

Chen Yang’s brain stalled. She looked up for help. “How do I reply to this?”

“Literally!” Tang Qian said.

Chen Yang nodded and typed: I mean I want to pursue Sister Manzhu.

After a short wait, a reply came.

Mu Chenshan: Girl, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Take my advice and give up early.

Chen Yang looked up again. “Now what?”

Tang Qian grabbed the phone directly.

It’s Yangyang: Why?

Mu Chenshan: The age gap is too big. It’s not a good fit.

It’s Yangyang: I don’t think so! I don’t care!

Mu Chenshan: Your family will care.

It’s Yangyang: I’m not afraid! I’ve thought it through. if Sister Manzhu is willing, I’ll face any storm for her!

Mu Chenshan: You don’t have a chance. Manzhu already has someone she likes.

“Did you see that?! Did you see that!” Tang Qian nudged Yudong excitedly with her elbow.

Yudong’s eyes lit up. “Who is it?” Could it really be me?

It’s Yangyang: Who is it!

Mu Chenshan: What does it matter? It’s someone you can’t compete with anyway.

It’s Yangyang: It’s you!

Mu Chenshan: How could it be me?

It’s Yangyang: You’re being defensive. It’s definitely you!

Mu Chenshan: When was I being defensive?

Mu Chenshan: You can eat whatever you want, but you can’t say whatever you want!

“You’re being so dramatic!” Ye Liujing couldn’t help but complain.

“Don’t talk, let me cook,” Tang Qian said.

“You’re ‘cooking’ with my account,” Chen Yang laughed helplessly.

It’s Yangyang: Then who is it!

Mu Chenshan: Does it matter who it is? Either way, it’s someone you can’t win against.

It’s Yangyang: It’s Xiao-Yan-ge!

Mu Chenshan: …

It’s Yangyang: I guessed right?

Mu Chenshan: [Face of Despair]

It’s Yangyang: I really guessed right QAQ

Mu Chenshan: …

Mu Chenshan: Wrong. It’s Lu Yudong.

At that moment, Tang Qian threw the phone into Yudong’s lap. Yudong caught it instantly, her eyes filled with shock and wild joy.

Mu Chenshan was still typing. He said Manzhu had liked Lu Yudong for a long time, that Manzhu used to get upset when Yudong was close to a certain classmate, and that Manzhu used to be as sour as a “lemon spirit” every day, dragging him and Yan Zhaomu along to vent her grievances.

Finally, he earnestly tried to persuade “Chen Yang” to give up and not hate Lu Yudong for it.

The rest of the words didn’t matter. Yudong hugged Chen Yang’s phone and grinned like an idiot for a long time. Finally, she replied: Thank you, Uncle! I understand!

Mu Chenshan: You’re welcome.

Two seconds later, he spammed a string of question marks.

Mu Chenshan: Lu Yudong! You were baiting me?!

Yudong quickly handed the phone back to Chen Yang, turned, and scrambled back to her own bed. She hugged the white dog plushie by her pillow and began rolling and twisting around on the bed, giggling.

That day, Chen Yang and Tang Qian were in high spirits. Successfully playing matchmaker gave them a huge sense of accomplishment.

Ye Liujing started to say something several times but stopped. After stifling her feelings in bed for a while, she finally sent Yudong a private message.

Little Leaf: Yudong, humans and demons shouldn’t be together.

Lu Yudong: [Surprised emoji]

Little Leaf: Demons have toxins in their bodies. If they can’t control it, it will kill you.

Little Leaf: Even if Sister Manzhu is powerful and can control it, you can’t be together forever!

Little Leaf: Our human lives are too short. If you get entangled with a demon, someone will get hurt!

Lu Yudong: [Surprised emoji]

Little Leaf: What’s with that face!

Lu Yudong: Little Leaf, I know what I’m doing.

Little Leaf: How could you possibly know!

Lu Yudong: I know exactly what I want. I like Manzhu. I’ve liked her since the first time I saw her. I won’t like anyone else but her.

Lu Yudong: Today I finally know how she feels, and I’m so happy! She kept it from me because she was afraid I wouldn’t accept it, just like I was afraid she wouldn’t accept me. We both misunderstood each other!

Lu Yudong: Now, I want to tell her I like her.

Lu Yudong: No matter what happens in the future, I won’t be afraid.

Lu Yudong: Will you bless us?

After a moment of silence, Ye Liujing bit her lip. She didn’t reply. She put down her phone and turned toward the wall, falling into a long, deep silence.

Yudong knew Ye Liujing was worried about her, but she didn’t want to tell anyone the biggest secret between her and Manzhu. At least, not yet.

She lay in bed contemplating for a long time. Eventually, she apologized to Mu Chenshan and begged him not to tell Manzhu about today. Mu Chenshan said he didn’t want to meddle in their business anyway; he just wanted to know what she planned to do now.

Yudong thought for a bit and replied: “I don’t want to keep those words hidden in my heart anymore.”

Today was December 27th. The day after tomorrow was her birthday. She wanted a birthday gift from Manzhu. It wasn’t just a gift; it was a wish.

Or perhaps, the greediest request she had ever made of Manzhu since she was a child.