Chapter 8: An Unexpected Encounter at the Airport (1)

Six years later—

Meng Yi’er wore a pair of black sunglasses, a white off-shoulder top, an army green pencil skirt, and high-heeled sandals. She pulled a large suitcase behind her, moving deftly through the crowds at the airport.

After six years, she was back in Hai City, the place that had once given her hope, only to ruthlessly snatch it away. Her feelings were complicated; she wasn’t sure why she had returned, even at the cost of defying her uncle and aunt, and Gu Yuchen, who had always indulged her every whim. Perhaps she simply wanted to give herself an answer.

Six years! Her father had passed away six years ago! Her mother had never resurfaced—whether alive or dead, that uncertainty still weighed on her heart.

Meng Yi’er strode through the airport with a vibrant energy, drawing many admiring glances. Six years had stripped away the innocence of youth; she now possessed an alluring charm, her figure more sensuous and graceful than before.

Though she disliked the attention, Meng Yi’er was long accustomed to it. She smiled faintly, musing to herself,

Ah… This world truly judges by appearances.

As she walked on, a sudden rush of people barreled into her from behind. She stumbled, nearly falling in her high heels. At that moment, she regretted her impulsive choice to wear them today. She never liked high heels—her height was average, just about one meter sixty-five, and every time she wore them she walked carefully, afraid of embarrassing herself with a fall.

“What’s going on with these people?” she wondered aloud, pushed to the side by the crowd. She glanced in the direction they were running.

She saw a tall man in the distance, only his back visible. He wore a hat and a khaki trench coat, sprinting ahead, with the crowd chasing after him, shouting excitedly, “Yan Yichen, Yan Yichen—”

“Yan Yichen, I love you—”

Yan Yichen. The name sounded vaguely familiar. Meng Yi’er frowned, trying to recall where she’d heard it.

She’d never been good with names. Back in school, she couldn’t remember her classmates’ names even after a year together. Gu Yuchen always teased her, saying she had a goldfish’s memory—no more than three seconds.

She tried to argue, but was always proven wrong.

It wasn’t that Meng Yi’er was forgetful or dull; she simply didn’t bother remembering people or things unrelated or unimportant to her.

Lazy by nature, she could effortlessly excel at things she cared about. But if she disliked or had no interest in something, she couldn’t do it well, no matter how simple.

She pondered for ten seconds, failed to recall where she’d heard the name, and gave up. She smiled wryly, amused by her unreliable memory.

Looking up, she spotted the restroom sign and quickly headed in that direction.

Inside the restroom, she stood before the mirror, tidying the hair that had become messy from sleeping on the plane. Satisfied, she smiled at her reflection and turned to enter the stalls.

Suddenly, a force collided with her, pushing her into an open stall. Before she could react, a man pressed her against the wall, and with a click, locked the door behind them.

Meng Yi’er stared wide-eyed at the man, utterly bewildered.

What was happening? What on earth was going on? She had only come here to use the restroom.

Ridiculously handsome!

Though she couldn’t see his entire face, Meng Yi’er was sure he was an extraordinary specimen of a man.

He had slightly long, chestnut hair, softly curled, wore a fisherman’s hat and a mask, revealing only a pair of large, deep eyes that were as cold and mysterious as a winter lake.

Yes, this getup was definitely for a robbery.

Robbery? Was it for money, or something else? Had it become fashionable to rob people in restrooms?

Meng Yi’er’s sunglasses hid the confusion in her eyes from the man.

He squinted, his deep gaze sweeping over her, then warily watched the door.

Meng Yi’er waited a few seconds for an explanation, but none came. Her pretty face darkened. “Ah… Help, somebody—!”