Chapter 68: Resorting to Violence Yet Again

Meng Yier struggled out of his embrace, her starry eyes flashing with anger as she glared at Yan Yichen’s half-smiling face. She whispered, “What nonsense are you spouting? Who’s a couple with you?”

“I didn’t say anything wrong—it was the nurse who said so…” Yan Yichen wore an expression of utter innocence, which only fueled Meng Yier’s irritation. Gritting her teeth, she retorted, “Is that so?”

Seizing the moment, she quietly lifted her right foot and stomped hard on Yan Yichen’s left foot.

“Ow—!” The sudden pain made Yan Yichen cry out, and he finally released his tight hold on her shoulder.

“You…” This girl had resorted to violence again!

His dark, calm eyes flickered briefly with a thin veil of anger, but it vanished in an instant as he gazed at her stubborn little face.

The nurse set down her tools, casting the two of them a glance and mistaking their bickering for playful banter. Her smile was laced with hidden meaning.

“Miss Meng, your Furball is all better now…”

“Thank you.” Meng Yier walked over and carefully picked up Furball, gently stroking its head. Her starry eyes softened with a gentle light.

“Furball, you’re all better now. It doesn’t hurt anymore. Let’s go home, sweetheart…”

She had only taken a few steps when a woman came toward her, leading a Samoyed. As they were about to pass each other, the Samoyed suddenly began barking furiously at Meng Yier. Furball gave two startled meows, and the Samoyed lunged.

“Meow—!” Furball shrieked, wriggling free of Meng Yier’s arms and bolting away.

“Ah—!” Meng Yier’s face drained of color in fright. She screamed and instinctively stepped back—only to find nothing but empty air behind her. She lost her balance and toppled backward.

At that moment, Meng Yier was filled only with terror and helplessness.

Was she really going to embarrass herself again?

Behind her, Yan Yichen gasped sharply, his expression shifting instantly as he lunged forward and caught her just as she was about to fall.

The embarrassing tumble she had imagined never came to pass!

Their gazes met—her eyes locking with the fathomless darkness of his.

She glimpsed a flash of white hurtling toward her, and the next instant, a strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her against a firm, muscular chest.

The world spun. Though she did end up on the ground, the pain she expected never came. One of his hands gripped her waist, the other protected her head, shielding her from harm.

His tall figure pressed protectively over her.

In the commotion, Yan Yichen’s mask slipped off, revealing the face that could turn the world upside down. His deep, dark eyes were tangled with hers, stripped of their usual cold indifference—now brimming with fright and worry, on the verge of overflowing.

Meng Yier felt as if her face were aflame, her heart pounding frantically as though it would leap from her chest.

She clung tightly to his shirt, flustered and at a loss.

Yan Yichen glanced down at the woman beneath him, his gaze growing even deeper.

“Are you all right?” His usually cool voice quivered slightly.

“I’m… fine,” Meng Yier replied softly, forcing a reassuring smile.

He was silent for several seconds, his eyes lingering on her rare look of embarrassment and panic, and the corners of his lips curved in the faintest trace of a smile.

“As long as you’re all right…”

Yan Yichen let out a long sigh, his lips tugging into a gentle smile. Carefully withdrawing his hand from beneath her, he braced himself against the floor, rolled to his feet without putting any extra weight on Meng Yier, then bent down and extended his hand to help her up.

Meanwhile, the Samoyed’s owner had handed the dog to the nurse and hurried over to assist Meng Yier, her face full of apology.

“I’m so sorry, so very sorry! Are you hurt?”