Leng Yunting felt that the little woman in his arms had never taken his words to heart.
He and she were a couple recognized by the organization; how could they be divorced so easily?
Of course, Leng Yunting wouldn't say anything at this moment, after all, the little woman was very vengeful and had a bad temper, which was why things had calmed down a bit.
"Be good, eat first."
Liu Jingyi struggled symbolically a few times, muttering, "I told you I'm not hungry..."
but her voice was soft and weak.
"Eat something even if you're not hungry. I made your favorite steamed fish."
Leng Yunting carried her to 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 made it specially? This was her favorite, not the original owner's.
This man... really...
On the table were two simple dishes and a soup: a plate of steamed fish, a plate of green vegetables, and a bowl of seaweed soup with egg drop soup.
The dishes were simple, but they were clean and tidy, just like him.
Liu Jingyi was settled in a chair, and Leng Yunting served her a bowl of rice.
Silence spread between them, broken only by the soft clinking of chopsticks.
Liu Jingyi kept her head down, picking at her rice with small bites, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
Leng Yunting knew the little woman was still angry, so he didn't speak, but carefully removed the fish bones from her plate and placed the fish meat on her plate.
With someone picking fish bones for her, Liu Jingyi wasn't stupid; she ate with a clear conscience, after all, he was the one who provoked her first.
Leng Yunting looked at her still slightly swollen eyelids and her downcast, stubborn profile.
The image of her crying last night overlapped with her subtly distant demeanor today. Although it seemed the same as usual, it inexplicably irritated him, mixed with a hint of…heartache?
He was used to her enthusiasm, even her somewhat clingy flattery; this sudden coldness left him bewildered, even more uncomfortable than her defiance last night.
He put down his chopsticks and looked at her: "Still angry?"
Liu Jingyi looked up, meeting his gaze.
His gaze was direct, carrying the frankness unique to soldiers and an undeniable strength. Her little bit of awkwardness was laid bare by his bluntness.
"No," Liu Jingyi said, averting her gaze, her voice dry. She didn't want to seem petty, but the grievance in her heart was undeniably pressing.
"Last night..." Leng Yunting carefully chose his words, his brow furrowing slightly, "I spoke too harshly. You shouldn't have asked that, but I..." He paused, seemingly unsure how to explain, "...don't cry so easily in the future."
Leng Yunting had intended to apologize properly, but for some reason, the words that came out were different.
Liu Jingyi almost laughed out of anger.
Was this an apology?
Or a veiled accusation?
What did he mean by "shouldn't have asked that"?
What did he mean by "cry so easily"?
Was it all her fault?
"Oh," she replied coldly, putting down her chopsticks, "I'm full." She was about to get up when
a warm, strong hand grasped her wrist.
Leng Yunting's grip wasn't strong, because Liu Jingyi's skin was too delicate; even a little pressure would leave red marks. However, it carried a sense of unyielding restraint.
Liu Jingyi was forced to stop, turning back to glare at him.
"Sit down,"
Leng Yunting's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a commanding tone.
He looked at her puffed-up face, her beautiful eyes even brighter with anger, like two small flames burning.
For some reason, his irritation dissipated somewhat, and he even found her appearance more pleasing than her previous aloofness.
"Does your foot still hurt?" he suddenly asked, his gaze falling on her slipper-clad feet.
Liu Jingyi was stunned, not realizing what was happening. When had her feet started hurting?
Leng Yunting released her wrist, stood up, walked to the door, picked up a brand-new shoebox, opened it, and inside was a pair of shiny black leather shoes, even more stylish than the ones she'd seen at the state-run department store earlier that day.
He held the shoes, half-kneeling in front of her.
"Try them on," he said, handing the shoes to her feet.
Liu Jingyi was completely dumbfounded.
She looked at the pretty little leather shoes, then at Leng Yunting, who was kneeling in front of her, looking up at her.
His tall frame was now slightly lowered, his expression focused, with an almost clumsy attempt to please her.
This cold and assertive man was now making such a seemingly "humble" gesture for her.
The icy wall in her heart cracked open.
She didn't move.
Leng Yunting waited a few seconds, and seeing that she didn't react, he reached out and carefully grasped her slender ankle.
His palm was broad and warm, calloused, rough and real to the touch.
Liu Jingyi trembled, instinctively trying to pull her foot back, but he held it firmly.
His movements weren't skillful, even a little clumsy, but he meticulously removed her slippers, then picked up a small leather shoe and gently slipped it onto her foot.
The shoe fit perfectly, the soft leather enveloping her sole comfortably.
Leng Yunting helped her button it, then held her ankle, slightly lifting her foot to examine it carefully.
"Very beautiful." He looked up, a faint smile curving his lips, the coldness in his eyes seemingly melting slightly with that smile. "It suits you very well."
Liu Jingyi's heart pounded uncontrollably at his focused gaze and those simple words, "Very beautiful."
She looked at the man kneeling before her, at his rare gentleness, at her reflection in his eyes…
all the grievances, anger, and determination she had felt before, were shattered in this moment by a pair of shoes and a clumsy gesture.
It's over.
Liu Jingyi thought in despair.
She seems... utterly hopeless.
He's a modern man, after all; he's seen all kinds of men, even contemporary idols, so how could he be so infatuated!
Leng Yunting's expression shifted as he looked at Liu Jingyi, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.
He suddenly realized that the changed Liu Jingyi was alluring no matter what she was like.
Whether she was talking, acting coquettishly, crying, or even angry, she was captivating.
Leng Yunting felt he was genuinely trying to control himself, especially with Liu Jingyi now. If he didn't restrain himself, he felt Liu Jingyi might not 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 be his, and only his.
He couldn't allow Liu Jingyi to cry in another man's arms.
He had previously thought he would never fall for Liu Jingyi.
Liu Jingyi was foolish, stupid, easily deceived, and also quite wicked.
But now Leng Yunting felt that Liu Jingyi had changed, become different.
Liu Jingyi became warm, shy, charming, and delicate, wanting to live a good life with him and stop going to see Meng Yunfan.
He was unsure... Did he really not like her?