Leng Yunting felt that the little woman in his arms truly never took his words to heart.
His and her status as husband and wife, acknowledged by the organization, was not something that could be easily dissolved.
Of course, Leng Yunting wouldn't say anything at this moment, as the little woman held grudges easily and had a big temper, and things had only just started to improve slightly.
"Be good, eat first."
Liu Jingyi struggled symbolically a few times, mumbling, "I already said I'm not hungry..."
But her voice was soft and weak, lacking strength.
"Even if you're not hungry, eat a little. I made steamed fish, which you like."
Leng Yunting carried her toward the dining room, his steps steady.
Liu Jingyi's heart stirred slightly.
He actually remembered that she had only mentioned liking steamed fish once when she first transmigrated?
He even specifically made it? This was what *she* liked, not what the Original Body liked.
This man... truly...
The dining table was set with two simple dishes and one soup: a plate of steamed fish, a plate of green vegetables, and a bowl of seaweed soup with egg flowers floating in it.
The dishes were simple, but everything was neat and tidy, just like him.
Liu Jingyi was seated, and Leng Yunting served her a bowl of rice.
Silence spread between the two, broken only by the faint clinking of bowls and chopsticks.
Liu Jingyi kept her head down, nibbling small mouthfuls of rice, deliberately avoiding looking at him.
Leng Yunting knew the little woman was still angry, so he didn't speak either, just carefully picked the bones out of the fish and placed the meat for her.
With someone picking out fish bones for her, Liu Jingyi wasn't foolish; she ate with complete peace of mind, after all, he was the one who provoked her first.
Leng Yunting looked at her eyelids, which were still slightly swollen, and her lowered profile, which held a stubbornness.
Her crying appearance from last night overlapped with her slightly distant demeanor today. Although it felt the same as usual, it inexplicably made him feel restless, mixed with a trace of indescribable... heartache?
He was Accustomed to her enthusiasm, even her somewhat clingy attempts to please. This sudden coldness left him at a loss, feeling even more uncomfortable than her defiance last night.
He put down his chopsticks and looked at her, "Are you still angry?"
Liu Jingyi raised her eyes and met his gaze.
His look was direct, carrying the frankness unique to a Soldier and an undeniable assertiveness. Her small grievances vanished under his straightforward approach.
"No." Liu Jingyi averted her gaze, her voice dry. She didn't want to seem petty, but the sense of grievance was genuinely blocking her throat.
"Last night..." Leng Yunting carefully chose his words, frowning slightly, "I spoke too harshly. You shouldn't have asked that, but I..." He paused, seemingly unpracticed at explaining, "Don't cry at every little thing in the future."
Leng Yunting had intended to apologize properly to her, but the words that came out changed somehow.
Liu Jingyi almost laughed in anger.
Was this an apology?
Or a veiled accusation?
What did he mean by "shouldn't have asked that"?
What did he mean by "crying at every little thing"?
So it was all her fault?
"Oh." She responded coldly, putting down her bowl and chopsticks. "I've eaten well." With that, she started to get up.
However, her wrist was grasped by a warm, strong hand.
Leng Yunting's grip wasn't hard, because Liu Jingyi's skin was too delicate, and even a little force would leave a red mark, but it carried an inescapable sense of restraint.
Liu Jingyi was forced to stop and turned back to glare at him.
"Sit down."
Leng Yunting's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a tone of command.
He looked at her puffed-out cheeks, her Beautiful Eyes shining even brighter because of her anger, like two small flames burning.
For some reason, his restlessness subsided a bit, and he even found this look of hers more pleasing than her previous distant manner.
"Does your foot still hurt?" he suddenly asked, his gaze falling on her feet clad in slippers.
Liu Jingyi was stunned, not understanding. When did her foot start hurting?
Leng Yunting released her wrist, walked to the door, picked up a brand-new shoebox, and opened it. Inside was a pair of shiny black small leather shoes, the style even newer than what she had seen at the State-run Department Store today.
He held the shoes and knelt on one knee before her.
"Try them on." He placed the shoes near her feet.
Liu Jingyi was completely stunned.
She looked at the Beautiful pair of small leather shoes, then at Leng Yunting, who was kneeling before her, looking up at her.
His tall Body was slightly bowed now, his expression focused, carrying an almost clumsy attempt to please.
This man, usually cold, stern, and powerful in public, was now performing an action toward her that carried a hint of "humility."
The ice wall in her heart cracked with a "kacha" sound, opening a fissure.
She didn't move.
Leng Yunting waited a few seconds. Seeing she didn't react, he directly reached out and carefully took hold of her slender ankle.
His palm was broad, warm, and carried light calluses, the touch rough yet real.
Liu Jingyi's Body trembled, and she instinctively wanted to pull her foot back, but he held it steady.
His movements were not practiced, even a bit awkward, yet he was exceptionally serious as he slipped off her slipper, then picked up one small leather shoe and gently slipped it onto her foot.
The shoe size was perfect; the soft leather enveloped her foot, comfortable and snug.
Leng Yunting tied the buckle for her, then held her ankle, slightly lifting her foot to examine it closely.
"They look very nice." He looked up, the corner of his mouth curving into a very slight smile, the sternness in his Eyes seeming to melt slightly with that smile, "They suit you very well."
Liu Jingyi's heart began to beat wildly and uncontrollably at his focused gaze and that simple "they look very nice."
She looked at the man kneeling before her, at his rare gentle posture, and at her own reflection mirrored in his Eyes...
All the previous grievances, anger, and determination to ignore him were shattered into pieces by a pair of shoes and a clumsy gesture from him at this moment.
It's over.
Liu Jingyi thought desperately.
She seemed... truly beyond saving.
She was a modern person, after all; she had seen all kinds of men, even contemporary idol stars, so why was she being such a lovesick fool!
Leng Yunting watched Liu Jingyi's expression change, his Adam's Apple bobbed slightly.
He suddenly realized that the changed Liu Jingyi was captivating in every state.
When speaking, when acting spoiled, when crying, even when angry, she was equally captivating.
Leng Yunting felt he was truly restraining himself seriously, especially with Liu Jingyi like this now; if he didn't hold back, he felt Liu Jingyi might not even be able to get out of bed the next day.
Whether he liked her or not, Leng Yunting couldn't say for sure, but he knew that Liu Jingyi could only belong to him, and only him.
He could not tolerate Liu Jingyi crying in another man's arms.
He previously thought he would never fall for Liu Jingyi.
Liu Jingyi was foolish, stupid, easily fooled, and also quite wicked.
But now Leng Yunting felt that Liu Jingyi had changed, had become different.
Liu Jingyi had become enthusiastic, shy, charming, delicate, wanting to Live life properly with him, and no longer seeking out Meng Yunfan.
He wasn't sure... did he really not like her?