Chapter 5: That Autumn When I Was Eighteen (5)

Gu Yunchen paused for a moment, his voice softening as he continued, “I’m really worried about you too—”

Meng Yi’er could no longer hold back her tears. Burying her face in her knees, her body trembled slightly as tears streamed down uncontrollably. “Brother—”

On the other end of the line, Gu Yunchen heard her sobs and grew anxious, his tone gentle as he comforted her, “Xiao Yi, don’t be afraid. I’ll always be here with you—”

It was a long time before Meng Yi’er, exhausted from crying, finally calmed down. Gu Yunchen waited patiently on the phone, letting her vent until she was done.

She coughed lightly, clearing her throat. “Brother, I’m all right now. Don’t worry about me, and please don’t tell Uncle or Aunt, so they won’t be concerned. It must be late for you over there—get some rest.”

Hearing Gu Yunchen’s faint “Mm,” Meng Yi’er finally hung up.

—

America

Night had already fallen. Gu Yunchen still sat in his office. After ending the call with Meng Yi’er, his usually cold and resolute face revealed a trace of worry.

His brows were faintly furrowed. He stood, walking to the large floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the bustling city below—glittering lights and vibrant nightlife—momentarily lost in thought.

Recalling Meng Yi’er’s emotional breakdown on the phone, his heart remained unsettled. He didn’t know when it had started, but every slight change in her could so easily tug at his heartstrings, and this realization left him frustrated.

After a moment of contemplation, he returned to his desk. His slender fingers swiftly dialed a number. The phone rang once before being answered.

“Young Master, what are your orders?” a clear male voice responded.

Gu Yunchen’s tone was void of emotion. “Yuan Xiao, book me a flight to Haishi.”

“Would you like the flight for tomorrow morning, Young Master?”

“No, now—”

“Yes, Young Master—” Tang Yuan Xiao asked no further. His father was the Gu family’s butler, and he had grown up with Gu Yunchen, well aware of the latter’s reticent nature.

Gu Yunchen hung up and strode out of the company. The driver was already waiting downstairs.

—

When Meng Yi’er woke, it was already four in the afternoon. She rubbed her eyes, got out of bed, and gazed out the window.

The sky was overcast, casting a gloom over all of Haishi—much like her own mood.

She yawned, stretched, and slowly felt the aches in her body subside. The hotel where she was staying was the largest and tallest in Haishi; from the uppermost floors, one could overlook the entire city, and she was staying on the very top floor.

Meng Yi’er marveled at the changes Haishi had undergone over the past ten years.

Looking eastward, she could still see some old buildings in the distance. She remembered living there with her parents as a child.

A flood of blurry childhood memories surfaced. Her bright eyes lowered, and she sighed softly.

She quickly freshened up, changed into comfortable clothes, slung her backpack on, and headed out.

It was still early; she had nowhere in particular to go, so she wandered aimlessly, taking in the sights.

—

It was late autumn. The leaves were gradually turning yellow, and as the autumn wind blew, they fluttered to the ground, finally settling in the dust.

Meng Yi’er picked up a withered leaf from the ground, staring at it blankly. A sudden urge to cry overwhelmed her.

In this city, she had no family, no friends—only endless painful memories.

Yet this was where she was born. The happiest eight years of her life had been spent in this city. It had once given her hope to go on living, but now even that hope had been shattered.

Without realizing it, she found herself back in the place where she had lived as a child.

Ahead was the alley where she used to play with her friends. Every day after school, she would stand there obediently, waiting for her father to return from work.

Whenever her father came home, he would lift her high into the air and twirl her around twice. She would laugh endlessly, and his broad hand would hold her little one as they walked home together.

Her mother would gently take her hand as well, leading her to the end of the alley to buy groceries and her favorite snacks.

In her heart, her parents had loved her deeply—so why had things turned out this way?

Behind the alley, the old building where she once lived had been swallowed up by soaring skyscrapers. She could no longer find the home she once knew.

Tears streamed from her eyes, blurring her vision. Staring in the direction of her former home, she seemed to see her parents smiling as they walked toward her.

They called her name, “Xiao Yi—Xiao Yi—”