Chapter 107: Events from Six Years Ago

Suddenly, in his mind, he recalled that adorable little girl in the red dress. Even sixteen years later, he still clearly remembered her round, fair face and those big, dark eyes full of innocence.

At that time, she looked at him in terror, her tender voice whispering softly, sentence by sentence, echoing in his ears.

“Brother, are you here to take me to find Mom and Dad?”
“Why haven’t they come to pick me up yet?”
“Have they forgotten about little Yi?”

Indeed, that night, she was waiting for her parents.

Who was the man that came to pick her up the next morning?
Was he her father?
Why did they heartlessly leave her, only eight years old, alone in that abandoned building?

For years, these questions haunted him.

“Why did you go to America with your uncle and aunt? Where is your family?”

Meng Yi’er frowned, a heavy sorrow flashing across her bright eyes. The atmosphere grew tense. After a moment’s hesitation, she said,
“They... couldn’t take care of me due to some reasons.”

Yan Yichen was somewhat stunned. He pressed his lips together, gazing at her eyes with deep sympathy.

Could it be that she had been separated from her parents ever since?

---

Over the years, she must have endured much suffering.

Yan Yichen paused, then spoke softly, “Who raised you?”

Meng Yi’er looked up, her clear starry eyes brightening considerably, and even her previously strained voice relaxed a bit.

“My uncle and aunt. They took me to America and... raised me.”

As for why she had to go to America, she didn’t know. Being so young at the time, she had no say in the matter.

Yan Yichen carefully asked, “Did they treat you well?”

“Very well,” she replied. “They loved me like their own daughter.”

Mentioning her uncle and aunt, Yan Yichen noticed her expression lightened further. Seeing that her life skills were not very advanced, and that her attire and mannerisms resembled those of a young lady from an affluent family, it seemed they had indeed taken good care of her. Only then did Yan Yichen slightly ease his worries.

He nodded thoughtfully, then, unable to suppress his curiosity, finally asked,
“Have you ever returned to Haishi City?”

His dark eyes held a subtle, barely perceptible hope.

He dared not ask outright, terrified that the precious memories he had treasured for years, and the longing he had harbored from afar, would shatter by her answer. Yet he longed to know the truth, clinging to a glimmer of hope that she still remembered the beautiful moments they had shared.

Meng Yi’er pondered for a moment, her clear gaze gradually darkening. “I came back once...”

---

She still remembered?

Yan Yichen’s heart pounded like a drum. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his deep black gaze fixed intently on her face, unwilling to miss even the slightest expression.

Meng Yi’er furrowed her brows, gradually sinking into thought.

The reason she returned to Haishi City six years ago was due to her father’s sudden passing.

It was also in this city, six years ago, that she was violated by a stranger.

These unbearable memories surged back, overwhelming her heart. The suffocating pain made her body tremble slightly, palms covered in cold sweat.

Yan Yichen noticed her distress. His dark eyes filled with concern as he softly asked,
“Are you alright?”

“Hm?”

Meng Yi’er snapped back to reality, forcing a faint smile as she said,
“I’m fine, but... that was six years ago. It’s better not to talk about it.”

The man was momentarily stunned but concealed a trace of disappointment deep within. He gently responded,
“Yes, that’s true.”