Chapter 76: He Doesn't Mind

Meng Yier pondered for a moment longer before saying,
“Then I’ll trouble you to make the trip, Mo Bei.”
Though she disliked being alone with Yan Yichen, she was even less willing to encounter another troublesome situation like earlier. She weighed her options carefully, and the choice was clear.
“All right.”
Mo Bei and Yan Yichen exchanged a discreet glance, and then Mo Bei left.
Yan Yichen remained where he was, watching her slender, stubborn, and indifferent figure recede into the distance. A faint light flickered in his deep eyes, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly as he let out a quiet chuckle and followed after her.

—

As soon as they entered the house, Yan Yichen took two bottles of water from the refrigerator, handing one to Meng Yier and opening the other for himself.
“Thank you—”
Meng Yier accepted it without hesitation; the drink was a godsend after all the trouble she’d been through. She was exhausted and parched.
Yan Yichen took several deep gulps, his gaze settling on her still-damp clothing and disheveled hair. He spoke lightly,
“It’ll take some time for Mo Bei to return with the keys. If you’re uncomfortable, you can shower here first—I don’t mind…”
“Cough… cough.”
Meng Yier, caught off guard by his words, choked on her water and coughed violently, her cheeks flushing.
He didn’t mind?
She certainly did!
Meng Yier rolled her eyes, clearing her throat, which was irritated from the water, and replied with unmistakable resistance.

“I mind.”
“It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re comfortable—”
Yan Yichen’s lips curled faintly, his voice calm and cool, as though he had expected her refusal.
This girl, she always assumed the worst of him.
In truth, he was simply worried she might catch a cold.
He cared for her.
“In any case, suit yourself. I’ll go upstairs and wash this… scent off.”
With that, Yan Yichen turned to head upstairs.
Meng Yier looked down at her own bedraggled state, hesitated, then spoke softly,
“Um…”
“Hm?” Yan Yichen stopped, turning back, his dark eyes calmly regarding Meng Yier, who looked as though she wanted to say something but hesitated.
“Where can I shower?”
On a day as hot as this, after hours of exertion, sweat and water, the discomfort was unbearable—she desperately needed a proper shower. Though she was reluctant to do so here, her whole body was sticky and wet; she couldn’t stand it another minute.
“Miss Meng, didn’t you say you minded showering here just now?”
So meticulous!
Petty man.
Meng Yier silently scoffed, forcing a smile and contradicting herself,

“I didn’t want to before because I wasn’t feeling uncomfortable. But after your reminder, I really do feel awful now, so I’d like…”
Yan Yichen paused, a barely perceptible curve tugging at his thin lips.
“Upstairs—”
“Upstairs?”
Meng Yier raised her voice; she remembered he’d said he was going upstairs to shower as well.
This annoying man, could he be thinking…
“Don’t overthink it…”
Yan Yichen’s lips quirked, a hint of teasing in his tone.
Meng Yier lowered her head in embarrassment, her cheeks gradually reddening, then smiled and said,
“Yan Yichen, you’re the one who shouldn’t overthink.”
Yan Yichen smiled, then led her to the innermost bedroom on the left side of the second floor, closing the door gently behind him as he left.
Meng Yier’s clear gaze swept the unfamiliar room.
What met her eyes was a sea of white, occasionally accented with touches of black.
In the center stood a large double bed, its linens a cold, elegant mix of irregular grey and white blocks.