“Um… are you hungry?”
“You didn’t eat?” Shen Xingbai replied with a sarcastic tone.
Ji Rou froze in embarrassment. She had forgotten again— the original owner looked down on him for being poor and never ate at home.
She forced an awkward smile. “Well… I’m not hungry.”
The moment she said it, her stomach growled loudly. Ji Rou wished she could sink into the ground. “Haha… actually, I am hungry.”
Shen Xingbai looked at her for a moment, then said simply, “Wait.”
Ji Rou blinked in confusion. Wait? Did he mean what she thought he meant?
Then she saw him tie on a bear-patterned apron and walk into the kitchen. Leaning against the doorway, Ji Rou watched in surprise. The once distant, aloof male lead suddenly seemed grounded—almost… domestic.
“You can cook?”
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it. What a stupid question! He lived alone—of course he could cook.
Shen Xingbai didn’t answer. Truthfully, even he wasn’t sure anymore. In his past life, during the later years, meals had been handled by housekeepers. Now…
He stared at the pot, slightly puzzled, though his hands moved with practiced ease.
After a while, several simple dishes were placed on the table.
Ji Rou didn’t act spoiled—she quietly set out the bowls and chopsticks, waiting for him to come out.
When Shen Xingbai finished and stepped out, he paused at the sight of her sitting there obediently.
How long had it been since he’d seen her like this? In his memories, she used to wait for him just like this, gentle and well-behaved. But ever since she entered university, she had completely changed.
A dark thought crept into his mind.
If she never went to school… if she stayed by his side… would she always remain like this?
His golden eyes darkened, like a wolf lurking in the night—cold, calculating, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Ji Rou suddenly felt a chill down her spine. She glanced around but saw nothing unusual, so she just gave him a slightly ingratiating smile.
“Shen Xingbai, I didn’t expect you to be such a good cook. Your future partner will be incredibly lucky.”
“Is that so?” he said, a faint smile on his lips. “If you think that, then are you happy right now?”
Ji Rou’s heart skipped a beat. She wanted to slap herself—why did she have such a loose tongue?
“Haha… being able to eat your cooking makes me very happy,” she said, trying to brush it off.
“Then do you still want to break up with me?”
Ji Rou thought to herself: Of course I do… but would you even let me?
She found it strange. Even after being reborn, he hadn’t taken revenge right away.
And he didn’t even like the original owner—so why wouldn’t he agree to break up?
Was it really because of the dean’s last wish? Was he truly determined to take care of her for life?
Ji Rou set down her chopsticks, her expression turning serious.
“Shen Xingbai, tell me honestly… do you actually like me?”
Shen Xingbai fell silent.
He had taken care of Ji Rou because of the dean’s request.
Love?
He didn’t believe he was capable of loving anyone. To him, it was only responsibility.
So he said nothing.
Seeing his cold expression, Ji Rou understood—he had never liked the original owner.
Then why not just break up?
He clearly disliked her, yet refused to let go. Was this some twisted form of revenge?
“You said you were hungry. Eat first—then go back to school,” he said, changing the subject.
“No. If you don’t like me, then why won’t you break up with me?” Ji Rou pressed on.
“Ji Rou, do you really want to break up with me?”
There was an unspoken threat in his voice, and Ji Rou instinctively shrank back. “Not… not exactly.”
Her voice was soft, but Shen Xingbai—enhanced after his rebirth—heard it clearly.
A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes. “Since you don’t want to break up, then eat properly. After that, go back to your school.”
“…Okay,” Ji Rou replied reluctantly.
She treated the food like it was Shen Xingbai himself—taking big bites and chewing hard, as if venting her frustration.
Watching her childish behavior, Shen Xingbai couldn’t help but smile slightly.
This side of Ji Rou… was unexpectedly cute.