CHAPTER 12

Upon hearing Li Jia's words, Ye Chengxing breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well then," she smiled, "as long as it's not bad."

Li Jia lowered her gaze at her words, her eyes filled with a strange expression.

Bad? How could it be bad?

The level of this cuisine was simply capable of surpassing the most famous cooks by miles. Just these dishes on the table alone could be sold at a sky-high price.

Yet, Ye Chengxing's expression just now seemed genuinely concerned that Li Jia might not find it tasty.

She was already certain that the Ye Chengxing in front of her was definitely not the same as the one from her previous life.

If it were the Ye Chengxing from her previous life, she would never act like this.

As her doubts grew, Li Jia picked up her chopsticks again. She would seek answers to these questions on her own. She couldn't be sure about the situation with this "Ye Chengxing" in front of her, and showing any thoughts rashly might startle the snake. She needed to verify things slowly.

There were also those "familiar faces" from her previous life. When she had the time, she would go and see them again. She needed to confirm whether everyone had changed or if it was just Ye Chengxing alone who had undergone this transformation.

Watching Li Jia resume eating, Ye Chengxing couldn't help but hear the voice of Omega echoing in her mind, saying, "It's so delicious."

So... Li Jia's momentary pause wasn't because it was bad, but because she was astonished by her culinary skills?

As soon as this thought popped into Ye Chengxing's mind, she quickly dismissed it.

Ahem, don't get too conceited, Ye Chengxing.

It was just a meal, and it was impossible for Li Jia's opinion of her to change instantly after finishing this one meal, right?

However, seeing Li Jia clearly enjoying the food, Ye Chengxing felt quite happy.

She truly regarded Li Jia as her own younger sister now. Seeing that she had almost finished eating, Ye Chengxing smiled and said, "Would you like some more? There's plenty left."

The dining table was positioned next to the French windows, but it wasn't exposed to direct sunlight, and the lighting was still good.

The young and beautiful Alpha sat across from her, supporting her chin with one hand, looking at her with a smile. Her long wavy hair cascaded behind her, as if the sunlight had coated it with a warm, melting glow. There was concern in her words and actions.

This feeling... felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Or rather, it shouldn't be described as "somewhat," but rather extremely unfamiliar.

Li Jia felt a slight tingling in her heart.

After discovering that the Ye Chengxing in front of her was not the same as the one from her previous life, she had a moment of panic.

Those who had grievances with her can be set aside for now. If the Ye Chengxing in front of her is not the same as the one from her previous life, then she shouldn't think about retaliating against her. The other party knows nothing and has no reason to bear her retaliation.

Moreover, from the current situation, this Ye Chengxing hasn't done anything harmful to her. On the contrary, everything has been beneficial to her.

"No need, I'm already full." Li Jia replied to Ye Chengxing's words.

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "For this meal today and for all the help you've given me, I will definitely repay you in the future." Regardless of what the Ye Chengxing in front of her was planning or what her motives were, if she sensed it, Li Jia wouldn't hesitate. If there were no ulterior motives and she genuinely wanted to be kind to her...

Li Jia paused for a second when she thought of this assumption before continuing with her speculation.

If she genuinely wanted to be kind to her without any hidden agenda, Li Jia would also repay her and never owe her anything.

But it was just wishful thinking. No one would genuinely and wholeheartedly be kind to her.

Li Jia self-mockingly curved her lips downward.

One moment, Ye Chengxing was still smiling, waiting for Li Jia's response, but the next moment, upon hearing Li Jia's answer, her eyes widened slightly.

Why did Li Jia become distant after finishing a meal? Weren't people supposed to feel more familiar and friendly after eating together? How come she not only didn't become friendlier, but also seemed more distant? She didn't even address her as "sister" anymore.

Ye Chengxing didn't know that Li Jia's previous actions were a test to make her reveal her true intentions. Now that she realized this Ye Chengxing was not the same as the one from her past life, she naturally stopped those intentional attempts to get closer.

But precisely because Ye Chengxing didn't know, she felt perplexed and puzzled.

She furrowed her brows slightly and pondered for a few seconds.

Could it be that Li Jia felt overwhelmed by these actions?

Well, from Li Jia's perspective, her actions indeed came across as sudden.

Ye Chengxing racked her brain, trying to figure out how to make Li Jia feel less pressured, and began to speak in a serious and nonsensical manner: "No need to repay me... um, I have a lot of money with nowhere to spend it, and I enjoy supporting others. The happier the supported person becomes, the happier I am. If you want to repay me, just study hard and get into a good university."

"If you excel in your studies, I will still cover your tuition and living expenses. Don't feel embarrassed or pressured. If you do well, I'll be happy too. These are things you deserve."

After Ye Chengxing finished her serious and nonsensical speech, she reflected on it for a moment and felt that the logic was quite reasonable.

With this approach, Li Jia wouldn't be the only one benefiting from her kindness. If it wasn't a one-sided act of kindness, the pressure should be alleviated, right?

Li Jia looked at Ye Chengxing and felt that this Ye Chengxing was indeed different from those people.

How could there be such a person?

Clearly, she could have stood at the moral high ground, claiming the position of a benefactor, but instead, she awkwardly came up with reasons to put both parties on an equal footing, just to alleviate her psychological pressure.

She looked at Ye Chengxing, and gradually, this scene seemed to overlap with a certain image deep in her memories.

In the faded and yellowed memories, the recently separated Omega girl looked at her agent with gratitude, expressing her desire to repay him. However, the agent gently touched her hair and said, "If you want to repay me, just take care of your own body."

"If you want to repay me, just take care of your own body."

"If you want to repay me..."

Clearly just a memory, but it felt as if it was surrounding her from all directions in reality.

Stop, don't think about it anymore.

Please, stop.

Li Jia closed her eyes, trying to drive away these images, but these memories kept replaying over and over again, unavoidable.

Her fingertips involuntarily pressed hard into her palm, causing a sensation close to self-inflicted pain.

She paused for too long, and Ye Chengxing didn't hear Li Jia's response before looking up at her.

With just one glance, she couldn't help but stand up. Following her gaze, she saw Omega tightly gripping her palm, as if she had fallen into some unpleasant memory. Her face turned somewhat pale, and blood was dripping through her fingers, but she seemed unfazed.

Li Jia faintly heard Ye Chengxing's voice.

The Alpha seemed to have sensed something, but unlike those people in her previous life, she didn't show any signs of wanting to retreat or disgust. Instead, she approached with concern.

The sudden turn of events, completely opposite to all the memories, pulled her out of her thoughts, and the pain in her palm also spread belatedly.

Li Jia looked at Ye Chengxing, who was approaching her, and suddenly had the thought of hiding her hands behind her back. But before she could do so, her wrist was already held by someone.

A warm touch transmitted from her wrist, causing Li Jia's eyelashes to flutter, and she clenched her hand even tighter.

Ye Chengxing looked at Li Jia's still unopened hand and the few drops of blood that had already fallen to the floor. Her previous vague guesses were completely confirmed. She comforted her in a gentle and soothing tone, like a spring breeze, "Li Jia, can you hear me? We have already come out. This is our home, and those people will never come again. So now, please open your hand and let your sister take a look, okay?"

She patiently coaxed her without any sign of annoyance.

Li Jia sat in the chair, watching Ye Chengxing crouching in front of her. Ye Chengxing held her hand, and there was visible tension and worry in her eyes.

Memories and reality intertwined, overlapping and rapidly separating.

Suddenly, Li Jia opened her tightly clenched hand.

Because in that moment, Li Jia suddenly realized, whether Ye Chengxing was genuinely good to her or pretending to be good to her, what difference did it make?

She had long... lost the ability to trust someone.

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