Chapter 89: Don’t Be So Childish

"Did he ask you out?"

His voice was as cool and faint as ever.

"Yes."

Meng Yier nodded and turned back to the dining table, gathering up the leftovers. She had no idea that the black eyes behind her were about to erupt with fire. Busy with her hands, she said, "You’ve been through enough today, Yan Yichen. Rest well tonight and be careful not to get your hand wet. I’ll leave in a bit..."

Leave?

To go on a date with Ke Sen?

"You're not allowed to leave."

Startled by the anger in his command, Meng Yier froze mid-motion and looked back at him, surprise flickering in her eyes.

Yan Yichen’s dark gaze deepened, carrying a danger that could not be escaped. He walked toward her at an unhurried pace.

Though only a few steps remained between them, Meng Yier already felt an unseen pressure bearing down on her. She instinctively retreated, only to have the small of her back strike the edge of the table without warning. Pain shot through her at once.

"Ah..."

She frowned and cried out softly.

Yan Yichen hurried forward and reached for her waist, but he was still a step too late.

"Are you all right?"

He let her go, then placed a large hand against the small of her back and gently rubbed it, his eyes full of concern.

Feeling the warmth of his palm moving soothingly over her lower back, Meng Yier’s body stiffened at once. A blush rushed up her face, and she almost reflexively reached out to push his hand away.

"I'm fine."

Yan Yichen caught her restless little hand with his other hand, his dark eyes filled with tenderness as he looked at her.

His hand never stopped, the pressure just right, and a wave of warmth seemed to spread from his palm through her entire body.

"Really fine?" Yan Yichen asked again, still uneasy, though his hand kept moving.

"Mm."

Meng Yier lowered her eyes and nodded lightly, afraid he would notice how wildly her heart was beating.

At last Yan Yichen’s brow eased, and he rubbed her a little longer.

Soon, Meng Yier felt the pain ease considerably.

"I'm better now. You don't need to rub anymore."

Silently, Yan Yichen withdrew his hand. Looking at Meng Yier, who stood with her head bowed in helpless embarrassment, he smiled softly.

"Are you always this careless?"

His pleasing voice carried a hint of teasing.

"I’ve never been like this before."

Eager to explain, Meng Yier then saw the man’s handsome face deepen into a smile, and her embarrassment only grew.

"Only like this in front of me?"

The implication was not subtle in the least. Meng Yier turned her head away and said nothing.

Yan Yichen gave a low laugh. "That’s good."

Her face turned even redder.

Then Yan Yichen suddenly leaned forward slightly, planting both hands on the edge of the table and trapping her between himself and it.

Meng Yier leaned back a little and looked up at him in puzzlement, meeting those deep eyes.

He stared at her without blinking for a long moment, then tugged at his lips and let his cool voice fall by her ear.

"Meng Yier, do you really think I’d let you go see another man?"

Meng Yier froze. Looking at the man so close she could almost touch him, she let out a soft sigh.

"Yan Yichen, don't be so childish."

"Childish?"

Yan Yichen arched a brow.

Childish?

His thin lips hardened faintly, cold and still.

That was a rather novel accusation.

Still, he had long since grown used to her pinning all sorts of strange descriptions on him.

Meng Yier rolled her eyes and said helplessly, "You even interfere when I go out with friends. If that’s not childish, what is it?"

His dark eyes slowly took on an unreadable light.

"No matter what you say, I’m not letting you leave tonight. Give up on that idea."