"Meng Yan!" Huo Jiayuan exclaimed expectantly, her eyes glued to her phone screen. "Where are you? Can I come pick you up?"

"No need," Meng Yan forced a smile. "It's already late, it's not safe for you to be out like this, you should..."

"Safe, absolutely safe!"

Huo Jiayuan had changed her clothes in the short time it took to speak, and came out of the dressing room, looking at him with a smile as she picked up her phone.

“Meng Yan, I…”

"Yuan Yuan," he interrupted her softly, "you really don't need to come pick me up, I have a place to stay."

"But you're not familiar with Southeast Asia!"

"It's alright." He forced a smile. "Be good, go to sleep, and we'll meet tomorrow."

"But……"

Huo Jiayuan was not happy.

She wants to see him right now, immediately.

Isn't that what he thinks?

Which couple, after being separated for so long, can actually resist meeting each other even though they've already moved to each other's cities?

“Okay.” She knew his temperament; once he made up his mind, no one could change it. “Then it’s a deal, you must come to see me tomorrow.”

"I promise."

Meng Yan smiled gently and hung up the phone.

He was also feeling bad.

However, the physical symptoms are becoming increasingly obvious.

He took a deep breath; the air of Southeast Asia carried the unique sultry and humid smell of this land. He arrived at the hotel he had booked in advance, located in the suburbs, far from the Grand Palace.

Only by getting as far away as possible could he calm down.

That night, he was plagued by nightmares again, his father's face reappearing on that blood-soaked battlefield. This time, his father didn't sneer at him, didn't mock him, and didn't even say a word to him.

His father simply looked at him quietly, the darkness and indifference in his eyes seeming to tell him that they had long since become people from two different worlds.

"So I can be with her now, right?"

Meng Yan murmured.

His father glanced at him and gave him a cryptic smile.

"You'll always owe me, Meng Yan. You killed me!"

"No……"

"You killed your father and made so many people die with me; their spirits will not let you go!"

Meng Yan suddenly opened her eyes, her back covered in cold sweat.

...

The next day, Huo Jiayuan arrived at the place they had agreed upon.

It was a charming café with a courtyard full of vibrant flowers and excellent privacy. Meng Yan had given the owner a fee in advance, ensuring that no one else would disturb them that day.

Upon seeing Meng Yan from afar, Huo Jiayuan was stunned for a few seconds.

Then, like a happy little bird, she opened her arms and flew into his embrace.

Meng Yan hugged her tightly, greedily inhaling her sweet fragrance.

"Why did you only come now!" Huo Jiayuan punched him lightly. "You never video chatted with me before, and you only called me every week like it was a routine... You're so annoying!"

"Here I am."

"Too late!"

Huo Jiayuan pretended to be angry and turned away, ignoring him.

"Okay, it's my fault." Meng Yan chuckled. "How do you want me to apologize?"

"Look at your conscience!"

"oh……"

The man moved in front of her and began to unbutton his shirt, one button at a time.

Huo Jiayuan was startled.

What are you doing?

"Didn't you want to see my conscience?" The man grinned wickedly, his well-defined pectoral muscles already faintly visible.

"you……"

"You can't see it now, but do you want to touch it?"

Huo Jiayuan's face flushed instantly, but she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

She tried to push him away, but he pulled her into his arms.

This seemingly calm and composed man actually has this side to him...

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore." He whispered in her ear, "This restaurant has some pretty good specialty dishes. Let's grab something to eat first, and then for the rest of the afternoon, wherever you want to go, I'll go with you, okay?"

Huo Jiayuan nodded, sat down, and looked around. She found the place to be truly beautiful. Although the shop was small, it was anything but cramped; it exuded an unusual air of luxury.

She seemed to have seen something similar to the crystal glass bottle on the cabinet in the Grand Palace…

"Meng Yan, where is this place?" she asked him curiously. "How come I've never seen this place before?"

Meng Yan chuckled. She hadn't spent much time in Southeast Asia, so of course she didn't know.

Moreover, this shop is not open to the public; those who come here are people he knows.

However, since he left Southeast Asia, no one has come to this shop anymore.

"Where did you find this?" Huo Jiayuan scrolled through her phone. "It's not on many websites, and this store doesn't even seem to have a name... Look, I've located it here, and it's not showing up on any website!"

"How do you like it?"

"I love it!" she laughed. "I'd like to bring my friends too!"

"Oh..." he said, feigning seriousness, "A man?"

Huo Jiayuan made a gesture as if he was going to hit him.

Meng Yan smiled and gently took her hand. "I found this on some small websites... If you want to bring friends next time, just tell me and I'll treat you."

"How can that be? To be honest, I'm a quarter of a Southeast Asian, so I should be the one showing hospitality here! I should be the one treating you!"

"fool."

There was an indescribable complexity in Meng Yan's eyes and brows.

She said she was one-quarter Southeast Asian.

He smiled. She probably didn't know that he was a native of Southeast Asia.

The dishes were served quickly, each one delicate and small, with a unique flavor. Huo Jiayuan was quite puzzled; these things tasted very good, but…

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