Chapter 14: An Unexpected New Neighbor (2)

Back in her school days, whenever a boy tried to pursue her, Gu Yunchen would always find a way to make those boys back down, no matter what it took. Meng Yier had been kept in the dark about it all, until one day, a boy who had once chased after her with wild abandon came to her in tears, begging her not to let him be expelled from school. Only then did Meng Yier learn the truth—every boy who had pursued her had been silently suppressed by Gu Yunchen.

It was only then that Meng Yier suddenly understood why all those boys who had once been so enthusiastic and attentive toward her would eventually avoid her as if she were the plague. After learning the truth, Meng Yier had a big fight with Gu Yunchen, but he remained silent, coldly saying only, “You’re my little sister. You’re still young. I have to look out for you and set boundaries for you. Those boys are not worthy of you.”

After that argument, she didn’t speak to Gu Yunchen for a whole month. She felt his control over her was excessive, and what he’d done to those boys was going too far. Even her uncle and aunt, who treated her like their own daughter, had never interfered in her life like this.

Gu Yunchen didn’t come to apologize either. The two of them just remained in a stalemate, ignoring each other. A month later, Gu Yunchen suddenly fell ill. Usually strong and healthy, he suffered a high fever that wouldn’t break for three days, which made her uncle and aunt frantic with worry.

Seeing Gu Yunchen, feverish and muddled yet still thinking of her, Meng Yier finally couldn’t hold out any longer. She surrendered.

Now, at twenty-four years old, Meng Yier had never been in a relationship, all thanks to Gu Yunchen. Later, she came to terms with it. If he wanted to interfere, let him. She had never met a man who truly moved her anyway, and Gu Yunchen was only looking out for her, afraid she’d get hurt.

“Take care of yourself—” Gu Yunchen, silent for so long, suddenly spoke.

Meng Yier nodded obediently, murmuring her assent.

On the other end of the line, the call abruptly ended with a series of beeps.

Meng Yier let out a sigh of relief. She’d thought Gu Yunchen would get angry, but she’d managed to avoid disaster yet again.

She locked her phone and put it aside, then rushed downstairs to haul her suitcase up with some effort, muttering to herself, “It’s so heavy. Good thing I checked the rest of my luggage and only kept this one. Otherwise, it would have killed me.”

After taking out her pajamas and soaking in a hot bath, she lay comfortably in bed. Sleep soon overtook her.

—

Yan Yichen returned home and sprawled lazily on the sofa. He switched on his computer and connected it to the entrance security camera, enlarging the screen until he could see every movement at his door—including the apartment across the hall.

So, this little girl had actually moved in right across from him.

She always appeared in his life unexpectedly, only to vanish quietly again and again.

“Meng Yier, let’s see how you escape from my grasp this time.”

His deep, dark eyes fixed intently on the screen, a smile he could not suppress curling his lips.

Six years ago, Meng Yier had flashed through his life, just as she had sixteen years before.

Yan Yichen had searched for her like a madman, but she was nowhere to be found—she had vanished as if into thin air.

That night, six years ago, he had clearly told her his name. So why had she still run away? Had she not recognized him? Had she forgotten everything they’d experienced together in that abandoned old building all those years ago?

For six years, this question had haunted Yan Yichen. After searching fruitlessly for half a year, he wondered if she had simply left the country. Yet he couldn’t forget her. Clinging to a hope he couldn’t even justify to himself, he waited.

He loved music, and at first, he only wanted to quietly pursue his passion. Later, as he found some small success, all sorts of people came knocking at his door. He began to wonder if fame might offer a better chance of meeting her again.

He eventually overcame his family’s strenuous objections and made his debut. His career took off—within two short years, he became a rising star in the entertainment industry.

Four years ago, Yan Yichen bought this apartment and moved out to live on his own. In all that time, he had never seen anyone living in the apartment across the hall. He never expected that this girl would suddenly burst into his life again in such a way.

Thinking of this, Yan Yichen’s eyes narrowed slightly, his lips curling into a devilish grin. His whole expression brimmed with anticipation and delight.