Chapter 7 Are they still going to get married?

Seeing that fountain pen, her heart sank quickly.

It looked like she wouldn’t be going back anytime soon.

Song Yiyi was a little irritated—she didn’t want to inherit someone else’s life, nor did she want to stay in this era where everything was scarce.

“Yiyi, Yiyi, are you up yet?” A knock came from the door, accompanied by that lazy, unserious tone—she didn’t need to guess who it was.

She lay back down and pulled the quilt over her head.

Cen Bowen refused to give up, calling from outside, “Yiyi, I brought you breakfast, just picked it up from the canteen—it’s still hot.”

Even though he knew she couldn’t see, Cen Bowen still gave the lunchbox a little wave.

He was far too high-profile—so early in the morning, people were walking through the courtyard, and everyone passing by greeted him.

“Morning, Deputy Company Commander Cen.”

“Morning.” Cen Bowen grinned lazily.

“Deputy Company Commander Cen, bringing food to your girlfriend? Such a good man!” teased an older auntie.

Cen Bowen showed no embarrassment, nodding. “That’s right, Auntie Wang. I’ve got the day off today, thought I’d take Yiyi out for a stroll.”

The old buildings weren’t soundproof, and even under the quilt, every word from Cen Bowen came through loud and clear to Song Yiyi.

She didn’t want to respond, but couldn’t fall back asleep either, and irritably rolled around under the covers.

Soon, another voice joined in.

“Bowen, are you waiting for Yiyi?”

At that, Song Yiyi’s radar went off instantly—she shot up from the bed.

The conversation continued.

“Mm, why are you here?” Cen Bowen’s tone suddenly lost its cheer, and even carried a trace of displeasure.

In three quick moves, Song Yiyi jumped off the bed and pulled back the curtain to peek outside.

Sure enough—it was Kang Ying again.

“I came to check on Yiyi, and… about yesterday, I wanted to apologize to her in person.”

Today Kang Ying was uncharacteristically reserved—no shoulder-grabbing or back-slapping when she saw Cen Bowen. Yesterday she’d been in long sleeves and trousers, but today she wore a floral dress with little leather shoes.

She lifted a hand to tuck stray hair behind her ear, her cheeks slightly flushed as she spoke softly, “I don’t want her to misunderstand you.”

From where Song Yiyi stood, she could clearly see the hint of red on Kang Ying’s lips—lipstick, most likely.

Cen Bowen was a little surprised. He studied her closely before smiling, “That’s better. From now on, since we see each other all the time, you and Yiyi should get along—after all, we’re all buddies.”

He reached out and patted Kang Ying’s shoulder. “Why are you dressed so fancy today—off to a blind date? Whose family this time? Want me to help you vet the guy?”

The smile on Kang Ying’s face faded slightly. She was about to explain when the door creaked open.

In a few quick steps, Song Yiyi came out, snatched the lunchbox from Cen Bowen’s hands, and said rapidly, “Bowen-ge, you’re here? Come on, have breakfast with me.”

She deliberately clung to Cen Bowen’s sleeve, her movements affectionate.

Cen Bowen was caught off guard by the sudden intimacy, his grin spreading wide. “Okay, okay.”

The two of them walked into the room as if no one else were there.

Inside, there was a square table. Song Yiyi pulled Cen Bowen into a seat.

“Yiyi, Bowen said you have a sweet tooth. I made these red bean buns myself—you should try one,” Kang Ying said, seating herself uninvited right next to Cen Bowen.

Without hesitation, Cen Bowen picked one up and placed it in front of Song Yiyi. “Yiyi, you have to try this. Yingzi’s red bean buns are the best.”

Song Yiyi didn’t even glance at it—she poured herself a cup of hot water instead.

Seeing this, Kang Ying rubbed her hands awkwardly and turned to Cen Bowen, her face full of embarrassment. “Yiyi, you still won’t forgive me? It’s all my fault for running my mouth. I’m just used to joking around with Bowen and the others—I forgot you’re a girl, not like them.”

As she spoke, her eyes turned red.

Song Yiyi took in the entire act. Inside, she felt a faint thrill—sure enough, this was the heroine of the book. When the tomboyish approach didn’t work, she could instantly switch to delicate and pitiful.

And, of course, Cen Bowen fell for it.

Rubbing his hands against his trousers, Cen Bowen still couldn’t help saying, “Yiyi, yesterday was just a misunderstanding. You see, Yingzi’s already apologized—can’t you let go of your grudge?”

“Okay.” Song Yiyi answered cheerfully.

All the persuasive words Cen Bowen had prepared instantly became useless.

Kang Ying, who had been ready to fan the flames so Yiyi would get angry and argue with Cen Bowen, was stunned. Yiyi gave in that easily?

Was she an idiot? Cen Bowen had just admitted she held a grudge against him—did she not understand plain speech?

Song Yiyi took the red bean bun he had placed in front of her and moved it to Kang Ying’s side, smiling sweetly. “Sister Kang, you have it. Let’s not bring up the past. When Bowen-ge and I have our wedding banquet, you can be our witness—how about that?”

The red bean bun had gone full circle, ending up back in front of Kang Ying.

She felt a bit uncomfortable about it, but then the word “wedding” hit her. Her face froze in disbelief, and she looked straight at Cen Bowen.

Song Yiyi went on, “Bowen-ge, what do you think of my arrangement?”

Cen Bowen thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head slightly. “Yiyi, a witness should be an elder—how about inviting my uncle instead? Yingzi wouldn’t be suitable.”

Song Yiyi beamed. “Sure, whatever you say.”

Cen Bowen basked in her obedience and urged warmly, “We can discuss these things later—eat first. You’re so thin…”

Kang Ying’s eyes went unfocused, a ringing filling her ears.

Marriage? They were still going to get married?!

Yesterday’s incident hadn’t driven even the slightest wedge between them?

Impossible.

Even if they did get married, in her previous life it hadn’t happened this soon. Why were things changing like this?

Her face grew darker and darker.

Song Yiyi had no intention of letting her off the hook. She waved a hand in front of Kang Ying’s face and asked softly, “Sister Kang, are you busy today?”

Kang Ying instinctively shook her head. “No.”

“Perfect,” Song Yiyi said with a smile. “Then come with Bowen-ge and me to the city. Bowen-ge said Auntie will be coming in a few days to discuss the marriage, and I want to buy a few nice outfits. You know men have no taste—come help me pick.”

Kang Ying’s expression soured even further.

Cen Bowen had already told his parents?

Could it be that after what happened yesterday, he was trying to prove his devotion to Song Yiyi by speeding things up?

The thought that their marriage was essentially her doing made Kang Ying feel suffocated—her hand under the table clenched so hard her nails dug into her palm.

It took her a long moment to regain her composure.

She looked at Cen Bowen’s handsome face and forced a smile. “Bowen, I have something I’d like to talk to you about in private. Could you step outside with me?”