Chapter 129: This Feeling Is Longing

It was past seven when the filming concluded. Meng Yi'er returned to the lounge and took out her phone, only to discover over a dozen missed calls from Yan Yichen.

Had something happened?

Meng Yi'er furrowed her brows and dialed him back.

The phone rang only once before Yan Yichen’s cold, clear voice cut through, laced with a hint of anxious interrogation: "Meng Yi'er, where are you? Why didn't you answer your phone?"

Hearing the anxiety and concern in his tone, Meng Yi'er felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry... Yichen, I was busy with work and couldn't keep my phone on me, so I didn't see that you had called so many times."

Yan Yichen let out a sigh of relief and continued, "Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."

"There's no need. The company is very close to home; I’ll be back soon."

"Tell me where you are. Stand there and don't move. Wait for me."

His voice on the other end was deep and cold, carrying an unmistakable, commanding tone, yet it held a rare trace of tenderness.

Meng Yi'er felt a warmth spread through her heart. She instinctively looked out the window; the sky had already darkened, and she figured it would be safe enough. Comforting herself with this thought, she nodded involuntarily. In truth, she had to admit that she was longing to see Yan Yichen immediately.

"Okay."

After sending her location to Yan Yichen, Meng Yi'er went downstairs and stood by the roadside to wait.

The night air was cool, and as a breeze swept by, Meng Yi'er shivered. Summers in Haishi were actually quite hot, but being coastal, the evening sea breeze brought a refreshing chill that she had loved since childhood.

A dozen minutes later, a car pulled up to the curb and honked. Meng Yi'er glanced over as the window rolled down. A man wearing a casual jacket and a baseball cap leaned out. Upon seeing Meng Yi'er in the night, a smile spread across his handsome, refined face.

A bright, radiant smile broke out on Meng Yi'er’s pretty face as she recognized him.

Just as the man prepared to step out of the car, Meng Yi'er scanned her surroundings and hurried toward the passenger door. "Don't get out, I'll get in myself..."

She didn't want him to be spotted by anyone else. It was best to minimize his public exposure.

As soon as Meng Yi'er settled into the passenger seat, the man leaned over. Startled, Meng Yi'er quickly braced her hands against his shoulders to stop him from coming closer.

The man looked up, his eyes as dark as the night sky, shimmering with emotion. His pleasant voice slowly filled the cramped space of the car: "Your seatbelt."

Only then did Meng Yi'er realize her mistake. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she lowered her head to fasten the belt.

Yan Yichen did not move back. He leaned toward her, staring intently at her flushed face, his lips curling into a faint, lingering smile as he watched her in silence.

Feeling his burning gaze, Meng Yi'er kept her head down, not daring to meet his eyes. After a long moment, she said softly, "Yichen... thank you for coming to get me."

Hearing her gentle voice call his name so intimately, Yan Yichen felt a surge of emotion, a tingling sensation washing over his entire body. He had imagined her saying his name like this countless times, and now, it had finally come true.

The car interior was small, and with them in such close proximity, the sweet, fresh fragrance of her skin wafted over, forcing its way into his nostrils and lungs. It was a scent that captivated him—a fragrance he had been obsessed with for six full years.

It belonged only to her; it was one of a kind.

And it was intoxicating.