Chapter 64: Don't Move Yet

Yan Yichen’s body suddenly stiffened, his outstretched hand frozen in mid-air.

He lifted his head, those dark, shadowy eyes gazing intently at her, as a gentle warmth spread softly through his heart.

Was she… worried about him?

He stayed silent for several seconds, watching her focus on Fluffy with a gentle glow on her face, her smile bright and radiant. The corners of Yan Yichen’s lips curled into a faint, graceful arc.

“Are you worried about me?”

The clear, bright voice startled Meng Yier. She looked up, and her eyes met his deep, pitch-black gaze.

Confusion and surprise were written plainly in her delicate eyes.

His slightly smiling gaze lingered softly on her face…

Meng Yier’s heart trembled. She hurriedly looked away, a hint of panic threading through her clear, melodious voice.

“I… I’m worried about Fluffy.”

“Worried about Fluffy?”

“If you get sick from an allergy, who’s going to take care of Fluffy? You don’t expect me to look after him for you all the time, do you?”

She spoke casually, her eyes darting evasively, never daring to meet his dark, fathomless gaze, instead always fixed on the gentle, lazy cat.

Her flustered expression did not escape Yan Yichen’s notice, and a faint, amused smile tugged at his lips.

“How did you end up bringing Fluffy home?”

“He’s injured. I couldn’t bear to leave him downstairs.”

“Mm.”

Yan Yichen nodded in acknowledgment.

Meng Yier stood, still cradling Fluffy, and gently set him down on his cushion. She then crouched to pour out some cat food.

“Come on, Fluffy, eat up…”

Yan Yichen sat quietly on the sofa, watching Meng Yier’s serene profile. A gentle light flickered in his dark eyes, and an inexplicable ripple stirred in his heart.

After a long moment, he rose gracefully, strolling over to her. He bent down, leaning closer, and said in a low voice, “Do you like cats very much?”

Sensing his nearness and the sudden, cool clarity of his voice—his breath barely brushing the nape of her neck—Meng Yier’s body stiffened, her mind thrown into disarray.

She tried to stand up abruptly, wanting to put some space between them.

But her legs, numb from crouching too long, betrayed her. As she forced herself up, a wave of dizziness hit. The tingling numbness shot through her legs, and in the next instant, her knees gave way and she toppled backward.

“Careful.”

Her clear, delicate face was wide-eyed with alarm, but just then, a deep, cool voice sounded above her.

A strong arm swept swiftly around her waist, pulling her back firmly.

She tumbled straight into Yan Yichen’s embrace.

A fresh, clean scent enveloped her, and Yan Yichen felt his heart skip a beat.

“My legs are numb…”

Mortified, Meng Yier reacted quickly, reaching out to push him away. But the tingling weakness in her legs made her stumble again, and she slid right out of his arms.

Instinctively, she reached out, grabbing hold of his strong arm for support.

At the same time, his hands, which had circled her waist, tightened, lifting her up and holding her securely.

Meng Yier bit her lip hard, feeling utterly embarrassed by falling into Yan Yichen’s arms not once, but twice.

“Don’t move.”

His deep, commanding tone instantly quashed her urge to break free. The heat of his palm burned through the thin fabric at her waist, holding her in place.

Her body was pressed tightly against his. Her cheek rested against his chest, and she could hear clearly his powerful heartbeat, thundering like a drum.

Her own heart raced, and for a moment, a faint blush crept over her pale cheeks.

She was not used to such intimacy, especially not with Yan Yichen. For reasons she couldn’t explain, every time he drew near, her composure unraveled and she was at a loss to hide it.

This feeling unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

Yan Yichen felt the slender body, which he could nearly encircle with one arm, nestled in his embrace. His refined brows drew together ever so slightly.

Soft and warm—just as he remembered.

That same familiar feeling.

Unconsciously, he lowered his head, wanting to look at the woman who had held him captivated for six years, but his chin came to rest on the crown of her head.