CHAPTER 17

In the slightly dim environment inside the car, Li Jia met Ye Chengxing's gaze.

Her gaze was calm and determined, instantly calming her restless heart.

In those moments, she seemed to catch a faint scent of Oolong tea from Alpha, but beneath the pheromones, there was something else, and it took Li Jia two seconds to realize that it was the fragrance of Ye Chengxing's hair and skin, not the scent of perfume. It was a unique and light blend of shampoo and shower gel.

—In this enclosed environment, it became particularly noticeable.

In fact, after those words were spoken, Li Jia had expected to see anger or a cold tone that would drive her away, but she never expected to receive a response that was almost completely opposite, almost subversive.

She was stunned for two seconds. Was she really seen that way by Ye Chengxing?

Not as a canary, nor as a plaything.

She said she cared, and she said she was a butterfly undergoing metamorphosis.

Though it was just a few brief words, but in this moment, they seemed to transform into drop after drop of water, falling onto her long-dry heart like a spring rain.

Li Jia suddenly felt a twinge of guilt and panic for her thoughtless words just now: "I'm sorry...sister."

Just like a hedgehog that had put on a tough facade not long ago, wanting to raise its prickles to protect itself, but if someone sincerely treated her even a little bit well, she would quickly retract her quills, fearing that she might hurt the person she shouldn't hurt.

As Omega's voice fell, Ye Chengxing suddenly opened the car door and got out.

Witnessing this scene, Li Jia involuntarily tightened her grip on her fingertips.

Had Ye Chengxing finally been driven away by her ever-changing attitude?

If that were the case, it would be just as she had initially expected, but now that it had truly happened, why did she not feel the slightest sense of relief in her heart?

Amidst these tangled thoughts, Li Jia felt her car door being opened.

Ye Chengxing hadn't left, she had just gotten out of the car and walked to Li Jia's side.

"You haven't had dinner yet, we can't just keep sitting in the car." She reached out her hand to Li Jia.

Looking at the still somewhat dazed Li Jia, Ye Chengxing seemed to sense her thoughts and explained with a smile in her tone, as if everything was normal.

Xiaobai had sensed their return early on, and the villa was already lit up. Li Jia sat in the car, looking at Ye Chengxing in front of her. From this perspective, the strands of Alpha's hair seemed to be touched by a faint golden glow from the distant lights.

After Ye Chengxing spoke, even though Li Jia didn't respond or make a move, she still didn't retract her outstretched hand.

Li Jia could feel Ye Chengxing's gaze fixed on her.

How strange it was that just being stared at like this made her eyes feel slightly sour.

It felt as if she had crossed a long century, yet as if suddenly transitioning from winter to spring, the Omega finally placed her hand in Ye Chengxing's palm.

Her body temperature was always slightly cool throughout the year, especially her hands, which could be described as icy. Now, as soon as her hand touched Ye Chengxing's warm palm, it felt as if they were being scalded and she wanted to retract it.

But Ye Chengxing didn't let her pull back, she held onto her tightly.

However, she still cared about the injury on Li Jia's palm, so she just lightly intertwined their fingers, but even so, it was enough to make Li Jia's eyelashes tremble.

Although there was gauze between their palms, she still felt as if she was touching Ye Chengxing's skin, making her keenly aware of the hand that was holding hers, so gentle, warm, and delicate.

Ye Chengxing led Li Jia out of the car.

"Li Jia, you never have to apologize to me," she held her hand and spoke slowly, "Why apologize? What did you do wrong? You've never done anything wrong."

She seemed to be talking about today's incident, but also more than just that incident alone.

Li Jia remained silent as Ye Chengxing held her hand.

That feeling of slightly sour eyes returned.

She blinked her eyes forcefully.

As they spoke, they arrived at the door, and Xiaobai happily opened it to welcome the two owners home.

Ye Chengxing turned to look at Li Jia, her voice slightly lower, "Moreover...if we really talk about it, I should be the one thanking you. Li Jia, thank you for placing your hand in my palm, thank you for giving me a rare bit of trust."

She fixed her gaze, emphasizing each word more and more.

Li Jia listened to Ye Chengxing's words and from this angle, she could see the small reflection of herself in the depths of the other's eyes, mixed with the night and the lights, dazzling enough to encompass an entire world.

Li Jia felt as if the downpour in her heart suddenly intensified, flowing through her limbs and bones, and connecting back, turning into an uncontrollable heartbeat.

Thus, the hedgehog that had initially raised its prickles not only completely retracted them, but also became even softer, as if afraid that the person touching her would feel hurt.

Ye Chengxing noticed this change and couldn't help but gently lower her eyes.

She had previously felt that Li Jia seemed too calm after coming out from there, too adapted to her presence, but being too calm sometimes didn't necessarily mean that everything was fine. Now that emotions were being released, things should improve.

"I'll make some light dishes for dinner. Do you have any preferences?" Ye Chengxing looked at Li Jia.

Her eyes still held a smile, and when Li Jia met her gaze, she inexplicably felt her heartbeat become a bit erratic, involuntarily looking away slightly. 

"...Anything is fine." she said.

"Okay." Ye Chengxing let go of her hand.

Xiaobai, on the side, took their coats and also took away the books and test papers Li Jia had bought, preparing to organize them later.

Ye Chengxing walked towards the kitchen, raising her hand to tie up her loose long hair. But when she lifted her hand, she realized she didn't have the small hair tie.

She was about to bend down to pick it up when Li Jia walked up beside her.

"Sister, why don't you use mine first?" Omega held a small hair tie in her hand, meeting her gaze.

Hearing Li Jia's words, Ye Chengxing thought for a moment and felt it didn't make much of a difference. But before she could say a word of thanks, Li Jia had already reached out and held her hair.

Seeing that Li Jia wanted to help her tie her hair, Ye Chengxing's raised hand paused in the air for two seconds before coming down.

Li Jia's movements were gentle, and Ye Chengxing didn't feel a single strand of hair being pulled.

After her hair was tied up, Ye Chengxing touched it and felt a sweet satisfaction in her heart.

Does this mean that Li Jia and I have become closer?

She couldn't help but smile at Li Jia and said, "Thank you, Li Jia."

With her hair tied up, Ye Chengxing then entered the kitchen.

However, Li Jia didn't follow right away.

She stood still for a moment, lowering her head and smelling her palm as if guided by some unknown force.

Whether it was because they had held hands before or because she had just tied Ye Chengxing's hair, Li Jia always felt as if her fingertips had somehow been imbued with a fragrance from Ye Chengxing.

But...

Li Jia curled her fingertips slightly.

It seemed that she didn't dislike this feeling.

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