Chapter 53: Stray Cat (3)

“But I can take allergy medicine.”

Meng Yier's fingertips trembled violently as she stared in astonishment at Yan Yichen’s calm and indifferent face.

For the sake of caring for a poor stray cat.

He said he could take allergy medicine!

Such resolve—he definitely deserves praise.

Meng Yier reassessed the man before her. Every time she’d seen him in the past, he was arrogant, conceited, rude, keeping everyone at a distance—a face that begged to be punched.

Yet now, all that arrogance and conceit had faded. His cold eyes had softened, a smile played at the corner of his lips, and as he gazed at the kitten, it seemed as though stars sparkled in his eyes. He looked every bit the gentle, harmless young man bathed in sunlight.

She couldn’t help but stare, dazed—she had never seen this side of him, this kind and tender side.

Secretly, Meng Yier thought to herself,

He’s actually quite compassionate!

Perhaps he wasn’t so unbearable after all!

At moments like this, Meng Yier was willing to wholeheartedly admit one fact: he truly was incredibly handsome.

“Are you not leaving?” His pleasant voice broke her reverie before she could fall further under his spell.

She composed herself and saw that Yan Yichen had already filled the food box with cat food and placed it into the cat's nest. He stroked the kitten twice more, then turned to leave. He had only taken a few steps when he noticed she hadn’t followed him, so he turned back to call her.

Yan Yichen was tall to begin with, and under the glow of the streetlights, his slender figure cast an elongated shadow that stretched all the way to Meng Yier’s feet.

“Wait—”

“What is it?” Yan Yichen asked, puzzled.

“What about its wounds? They could get infected.” Meng Yier looked at the kitten with concern.

This girl—still so kind-hearted!

Yan Yichen was momentarily absent-minded. He paused before saying, “The pet hospital is closed at this hour. I’ve checked—the injuries aren’t serious. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have someone take it to get its wounds cleaned.”

Meng Yier murmured an “oh,” glanced at the kitten, then walked over to catch up with him. The two ascended the stairs side by side.

At the doorway, Yan Yichen stared at Meng Yier, showing no intention of leaving.

After a moment, Meng Yier felt uneasy under his gaze and managed an awkward smile. “Well, good night—”

Yan Yichen nodded, his expression unreadable. Meng Yier took out her keys and opened the door, smiling and nodding at him before turning to enter.

Just as she was about to close the door, it was held open by a force. Meng Yier looked up, meeting Yan Yichen’s deep, enigmatic eyes. “You…”

“You don’t need to come over these next few days. I’m leaving on a business trip tomorrow. I won’t be back until the afternoon at the earliest, the day after tomorrow…”

Yan Yichen gazed deeply into her eyes, his cool voice both alluring and magnetic.

Reluctance—an overwhelming reluctance!

The thought of leaving on a business trip, and not seeing this enchanting face for two days, irritated him to no end.

At this moment, he wished he could take her with him.

Meng Yier, caught off guard by his intense and focused gaze, felt her heart skip a beat. Her rhythm was thrown into chaos, and her heart thumped wildly. Flustered, she stammered, “I understand—”

She sensed something odd about tonight’s atmosphere.

As if something wasn’t quite right.

Yan Yichen fixed his gaze on her and continued, “Tomorrow, I’ll have someone take Fluffy to the pet hospital for bandaging. While I’m away, could you please feed him when you have time?”

“Fluffy?” Meng Yier asked, puzzled.

“You named the kitten Fluffy?”

Yan Yichen nodded. “Doesn’t it sound good?”

“Fluffy? That name is so overused!” Meng Yier burst into laughter, almost doubling over, but stopped abruptly when she met Yan Yichen’s smoldering glare.

Is it really that bad?

She actually dared to mock his choice of name!

Seeing Yan Yichen’s face growing colder, Meng Yier offered an awkward smile and quickly added, “But as long as you like it—”

After thinking for a moment, she patted her chest and declared, “Mr. Yan, since you’ll be away and I don’t have much to do, just leave Fluffy to me. I’ll take him to the hospital tomorrow. As long as I have a meal, your Fluffy will never go hungry.”

Yan Yichen gazed at her adorable demeanor, his eyes darkening, a slight smile unconsciously curling his seductive lips.