Li Jia couldn’t quite put her finger on the complex emotions that stirred within her upon hearing Ye Chengxing’s words. She only knew that once Ye Chengxing finished speaking, the faint, almost imperceptible trace of Alpha pheromones in the air suddenly became far more noticeable.
Or perhaps it wasn’t that the pheromones from the Alpha had intensified. Rather, she found herself unconsciously seeking out that oolong tea scent.
Li Jia lowered her eyelashes slightly, wondering if her old affliction was acting up again. Why else would her heart suddenly start racing like this? It had to be anxiety, a tightness in her chest.
She recalled what Ye Chengxing had just said.
By adding the letter A, her name would appear at the very top?
It was just a note in her contacts, yet the way this person said it carried a special weight unlike anything ordinary. In a fleeting moment, it even made Li Jia feel as though she were truly being cherished and valued by someone.
She realized that this Ye Chengxing was genuinely different from the one in her previous life. At the very least, she had never felt such a tangle of unfamiliar, intricate emotions from that other Ye Chengxing.
For the Ye Chengxing of her past life, all she had felt deep down was disgust and revulsion.
Li Jia curled her fingertips, brushing them lightly against the bandage wrapped around her palm.
Her heart continued to pound wildly, out of control. This time, the affliction felt subtly different from before. Unable to help herself, she lifted her hand and pressed it against her chest.
What Ye Chengxing had said carried no particular implication; she had simply answered Li Jia’s question by voicing her honest thought.
Adding an A to put Li Jia at the top spot—how convenient. Opening the contacts page, the first name one would see would be Li Jia’s.
Ye Chengxing looked at the newly saved contact, dialed it once, then hung up. She held up her phone with a playful smile and turned to Li Jia. “I just called your phone. Don’t forget to save my number too.”
Li Jia gazed into Ye Chengxing’s curved eyes and felt that peculiar sensation intensify.
The Omega pressed her hand harder against her chest.
Ye Chengxing keenly noticed this and slipped her phone back into her pocket. “Is your body still not feeling well? Let me help you upstairs to rest. Lying down in bed for a bit might make you feel better.”
Li Jia parted her lips, about to say “No need to help me,” but when her eyes met Ye Chengxing’s gaze—filled with concern and tension—the words on the tip of her tongue twisted into something else.
“I do feel a bit unwell…” She paused, then tentatively added, “And my hand hurts too.”
Sometimes, when pain had been endured alone for too long, it stopped being mentioned altogether. After all, no one cared, so there was no point.
Hearing this, Ye Chengxing felt a pang of guilt and heartache. “Then let’s head upstairs right away.”
Li Jia sensed the emotions beneath her words, just as she had hoped.
In the past, her heart had been filled with violence and bloodlust. Only in such states could she find fleeting pleasure, briefly escaping the nightmares and forgetting her pain.
But now, it seemed she had discovered something—or someone—that could bring her even greater joy.
True to her word, Ye Chengxing helped Li Jia upstairs without any impropriety, her movements careful and gentle.
As they climbed, Li Jia lifted her gaze slightly to study Ye Chengxing’s profile.
She thought that if this Ye Chengxing could stay like this forever, it wouldn’t matter if she eventually uncovered some ulterior motive. Li Jia could offer something in exchange for this sense of being treasured and cared for.
Even if it was all fake, it wouldn’t matter.
…
After helping Li Jia upstairs, Ye Chengxing poured her a glass of warm water.
“I’m heading out for a bit soon. Why don’t you skip class this afternoon and rest instead?” She set the glass on the nightstand beside Li Jia’s bed and suggested gently.
At these words, Li Jia looked up at Ye Chengxing. A fragile curve tugged at her lips, and paired with the bandage on her palm, it made her look utterly pitiable. “Sister, I’m fine. Writing might be a little difficult, but I can still listen to the lectures.”
The Omega’s long lashes drooped halfway, casting shadows on her cheeks.
“It’s okay—rest when you’re not feeling well. You can study just as well once you’re better.” Ye Chengxing paused, then added, “I’ll send you the contact for the tutor. If you really want to keep up with classes, reach out to her. But please don’t push yourself if you’re unwell.”
“Okay.” Li Jia agreed obediently.
Ye Chengxing thought the Villain was far too endearing, a complete little pitiful thing.
That only made her despise those scumbags even more.
She glanced at the time and realized it was about that hour. She hadn’t come back early for lunch anyway. After a few more words of advice for Li Jia, she hurried out.
Li Jia watched the Alpha’s departing figure thoughtfully. She recalled that Ye Chengxing had already gone out once today. She had seemed busy all day, her brows furrowed with worry, as if handling something crucially important.
Once she noticed her thoughts drifting toward “What is Ye Chengxing up to?”, Li Jia reined in her expression.
Whatever. What did it matter to her what Ye Chengxing was doing?
The downpour from earlier had come and gone swiftly.
In its wake, the sky was a brilliant blue, and the air felt fresh and humid.
The assistant had proven remarkably efficient.
Time waited for no one. With the lawyers already scheduled, Ye Chengxing figured they might as well discuss and prepare as soon as possible.
From the moment her earlier attempts to investigate Lin Que’s misdeeds had hit a dead end, she had sensed that the lawsuit would be an uphill battle.
But no matter how difficult, she had to try.
Li Jia’s life should never have turned out like this.
She didn’t know why, out of everyone, the System had chosen her. But perhaps some things were fated. Since she was here, she would do everything in her power to let the sunlight break through and dispel the darkness.
