Chapter 42: Rainy Night (1)

Meng Yier, sulking, refused to look at him any longer. Her gaze wandered restlessly, and all she wished for was for the music to end as soon as possible. Yan Yichen, seeing her attitude and recalling the tender look she had given to Kersen earlier, felt his anger surge even higher.

When the music finally ended, Meng Yier breathed a sigh of relief. She pulled her hand free from his grip and hurriedly escaped the banquet hall.

Behind her, enthusiastic applause and faint murmurs started up once more. Meng Yier didn’t need to listen to know exactly how those people would speculate about her.

Yan Yichen watched her slender figure trembling ever so slightly. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he swallowed the words.

She suddenly felt overwhelmed with irritation. Her mood had hit rock bottom, and she rushed out of the banquet hall in a single breath. Yet those unpleasant whispers seemed to follow her like a shadow, refusing to leave her in peace.

Once she had calmed down a little, Meng Yier took out her phone and dialed Yu Mingxin’s number, but no one answered despite several attempts. She remembered that when she left, Yu Mingxin was happily dancing with Hua Zhaoxiang. The hall was lively and noisy, so it was only natural that she hadn’t heard her phone ring. Meng Yier gave up on calling again.

By the time Meng Yier left the Lingyun Grand Hotel, it was already close to eleven. The once-bustling street had quieted down considerably. The city seemed to have just endured a heavy rain; the air was cool, the ground damp, and the fresh scent of wet earth swept away the stifling atmosphere of the banquet hall.

She took a deep breath, feeling much lighter. A few taxis were parked near the hotel entrance, and the drivers, seeing her emerge, eagerly called out to invite her into their cars. Meng Yier politely declined. On a sudden whim, she decided to walk, breathing in the clean air and soaking in the nighttime splendor of the city.

She wandered aimlessly through the streets and alleys, the cool wind brushing her face in a way that was strangely comforting. She relished this fleeting moment of ease.

Passing by a cinema, she saw a pair of sisters laughing and chatting as they walked by. This made Meng Yier suddenly think of Yu Mingxin. She had meant to let her know she was leaving, but couldn’t get through on the phone. If Mingxin couldn’t find her, she would surely be worried.

Meng Yier took out her phone to try calling again, only to realize at some point her phone had run out of battery and shut off. Panic flickered in her heart. Looking up, she spotted a clock above a convenience store across the street—it was already midnight.

She hadn’t realized how quickly time had passed as she walked, stopping here and there since leaving the hotel. It was already twelve.

Oh no!

The banquet was over. Mingxin wouldn’t be able to find her or reach her by phone; she would be frantic with worry.

Meng Yier didn’t hesitate a moment longer. She decided to retrace her steps to the Lingyun Grand Hotel. She had only walked a few minutes when it began to rain again. At first it was just a light drizzle, but soon it grew heavier, soaking her dress through. The wet fabric clung to her, and she shivered with cold.

A chilly wind swept by, making her tremble even more. It was late, and with the rain pouring down, there wasn’t a single taxi on the road. She had no choice but to hold her bag over her head and hurry back toward the hotel.

By the time she arrived, the banquet had already ended. Only a few hotel staff remained, busy cleaning up the hall.

She asked the staff about the guests, and learned that everyone had already left. Wanting to borrow a phone to call Yu Mingxin, she realized she couldn’t remember the number.

Anxious, Meng Yier stepped out of the banquet hall and into the hotel lobby, when a pleasant voice called out to her, “Miss Meng?”

She turned and saw Kersen standing by the reception desk with another man, both looking at her in surprise. “Mr. Kersen, hello—”

The man beside Kersen leaned in and whispered something to him. Kersen nodded, and the man, giving her a gentle smile, turned and walked away.