The fingers brushing past her lips were warm, and the amber candy gradually melting between her lips and teeth was sweet.
She and she were so close, with nothing in her gaze but her.
In those brief few seconds, Li Jia heard her own heartbeat with perfect clarity.
One beat after another.
Thump, thump, thump. Her heart was racing so fast.
The words “our Xiao Li” that Ye Chengxing had spoken still echoed in her ears. She hadn’t called her by name directly but had used this incredibly intimate endearment instead.
Li Jia silently repeated those four words to herself in her heart, and her pulse quickened even more.
It felt like… no one had ever called her that way before.
People had mocked her, called out to her with sickening sneers and laughter, and later cried her name in terror, screaming in horror.
When she thought about it like that, only Ye Chengxing had ever been this affectionate with her.
She remembered seeing others who were close—family, lovers, friends, people who truly mattered—and how they always used tender nicknames for one another.
So… did that mean they mattered to each other too? Or maybe not quite that important yet, but still very close?
Even though she had just relieved her urges upstairs, a single glance and a few words from the alpha had stirred desire in her again. Li Jia held the candy in her mouth and couldn’t resist giving Ye Chengxing’s fingertip a gentle lick.
Perhaps because those fingers had just held the candy, her fingertip seemed to carry its sweetness.
That trace of sweetness spread straight to Li Jia’s heart, leaving her dizzy all over.
What a joyful sensation. Her heart felt ready to burst right out of her chest.
Li Jia met Ye Chengxing’s gaze. She parted her lips just a little, curving her eyes into crescents. It wasn’t clear if she meant the amber candy or something more: “So sweet.”
Ye Chengxing had just fed her the candy and hadn’t pulled her hand back yet when she felt her fingertip enveloped by the omega’s soft, moist lips.
She looked down at Li Jia.
Li Jia had opened her mouth just a fraction, letting Ye Chengxing see clearly how she was sucking on her finger.
Her tongue was warmer and wetter than her lips, an entirely different sensation. Delicate tingles raced along her finger like electric currents, shooting straight up her spine.
The feeling left Ye Chengxing’s emotions in strange turmoil. She yanked her hand free, a faint blush blooming across her face. Even her words stumbled from the shock of Li Jia’s action: “Wh-what are you…”
Sucking on her finger like that—it was just too strange.
But what came after was too embarrassing to voice aloud, so she trailed off halfway.
Even so, Li Jia seemed to grasp the unspoken words.
Ye Chengxing had tugged a bit too hard. The omega lightly touched her own lips and smiled with innocent purity: “Didn’t sister tell me to suck it properly?”
She looked utterly clueless, as if she had simply done exactly what Ye Chengxing asked, obedient beyond belief.
After that action, Ye Chengxing could hardly face the word “suck” anymore. Even it seemed oddly suggestive now.
“Then don’t suck it like that…” Ye Chengxing murmured. Realizing what she meant, she flushed hotter and added, “I meant the candy. Not my finger.”
No sooner had she said it than embarrassment threatened to make her vanish into thin air.
She could kick herself. If she’d known this misunderstanding would happen, she would have been much clearer.
It was all her fault for not explaining properly. Li Jia had just taken her words the wrong way.
Li Jia blinked in flustered confusion at her words: “Sorry, sister. I got the wrong idea… Please don’t hate me.”
Seeing that expression, Ye Chengxing rubbed her fingertip, shoving aside those lingering odd tingles.
It had been strange, yes, but Li Jia hadn’t meant any harm. If anything, it was mostly her own fault for not being explicit enough. Li Jia bore no blame.
With that in mind, Ye Chengxing hurried to reassure her: “It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize. I should have been clearer.”
As she spoke, she reflected on her own reaction. It had been a bit much—too sudden, her composure slipping.
Worried Li Jia might think she was disgusted, Ye Chengxing added quickly: “Really, it’s nothing. Between us? Just a mix-up and a lick on the finger—how could I possibly hate you for that? That would be the real misunderstanding.”
Li Jia let out a breath of relief, her eyes shining softly as she looked at her: “That’s good. As long as sister doesn’t hate me.”
With those words, she pulled Ye Chengxing into an intimate embrace, nuzzling her face into her shoulder: “I’m so glad you don’t hate me.”
The delight in her voice rang utterly genuine.
Ye Chengxing felt embarrassed all over again.
The early-stage villain was so pure, so adorably innocent. She had to protect Li Jia properly—no more letting those villains bully her.
Her determination solidified.
Truth be told, moments ago, Ye Chengxing had wondered if they were getting too close. In this world, even if they only saw each other as sisters, one was an alpha and one an omega. It might not be wise to get overly intimate.
But gazing at Li Jia’s trusting expression now, she couldn’t bring herself to voice those serious reservations.
A hug was just a hug, after all.
Probably nothing more.
Li Jia was simply starting to let her guard down, to trust her—not out of any other motive. Sisters could hug without issue.
With that thought, Ye Chengxing indulged her, letting Li Jia rub against her. Lines like “Sister, you’re so wonderful,” “I’m so happy. Having a sister who treats me this well makes me blessed,” and “Sister’s the best person I’ve ever met. I’ll be so good to you from now on, the best I can be” left her increasingly flustered.
Ah… words like these were too much to handle.
“I’m not that great,” Ye Chengxing corrected her, cheeks burning.
But before she could finish, Li Jia cut in confidently: “But to me, sister is the number one best sister in the world.”
She delivered the line so earnestly, so boldly, without a second thought. Her expression left no doubt that the omega meant every word.
In her eyes, Ye Chengxing was the world’s best sister.
Ye Chengxing coughed softly and gently pried the omega off her. Any more of this praise, and she’d combust on the spot: “Alright, I need to keep cooking. These next ones are for selling, but the amber candies are just for you. Eat them however you like.”
Pausing as something occurred to her, she tacked on: “But don’t overdo it. Too much sugar isn’t good. Moderation, okay?”
She realized the contradiction right away—telling her to eat however she liked, then warning against excess—but schooled her expression: “I’ll keep an eye on you.”
Far from upset, Li Jia’s smile brightened: “I know. Sister’s just looking out for me.”
Hearing that, Ye Chengxing sighed inwardly once more. The early-stage villain was so sensible it hurt to witness; her pity deepened.
After a brief pause, Li Jia glanced at Ye Chengxing, then at the tools and ingredients. Tentatively, she asked: “Oh, sister—can I help? I really want to. I’m not great at it, but I can at least lend a hand.”
Ye Chengxing’s heart warmed even more at the offer.
She could manage alone just fine, but if Li Jia wanted to pitch in, she could give her simple tasks. It would help her feel more involved and make things easier between them going forward.
…
Some things could be done solo, but an extra pair of hands made a world of difference. Today’s cooking efficiency soared far beyond the norm.
Once everything was ready, Ye Chengxing snapped photos and videos of the dishes, organized them, and uploaded to Star Net as a preview for that evening’s sales.
She had only meant for Li Jia to help a little at first, but the girl picked it up astonishingly fast. After watching for a short while, she was handling tasks on her own.
A strange sense of pride sprouted in Ye Chengxing’s chest.
Not bad at all. Her Xiao Li was incredible.
With all the food for sale finished, Ye Chengxing stowed some away in the kitchen’s Smart Storage Compartment. Seeing Li Jia still eager to help, she tried nudging her toward rest: “Your school entrance exam is coming up soon. You’ve helped plenty today—go relax.”
Li Jia looked reluctant to leave.
Cooking together meant more casual touches, nothing awkward about it. If she could, she’d happily linger in the kitchen with Ye Chengxing far longer.
Noticing her hesitation, Ye Chengxing chuckled: “It’s fine. If you enjoy cooking that much, I’ll teach you properly another day.”
Li Jia latched onto those words—”another day,” “teach her”—and her reluctance melted into a beaming smile: “It’s a deal then. We’ll cook together next time. Pinky swear.”
Ye Chengxing gazed at the outstretched pinky finger, finding it impossibly cute. Smiling, she hooked her own finger around the omega’s: “Of course. I keep my promises. I won’t trick you.”
Li Jia hooked fingers with her, eyes sparkling like stars.
In a soft voice, she echoed Ye Chengxing’s words: “Yes, sister won’t trick me.”
She repeated them silently to herself several more times. Emotions surged, tinting the omega’s eye corners red—a sickly flush that her feigned innocence made look like simple bashfulness: “I believe sister.”
