Chapter 62

Li Jia’s injuries healed quickly. In just a few days, she had fully recovered. But after those two incidents, Ye Chengxing personally drove her to and from everywhere, always keeping a close eye on her to prevent any more accidents.

In truth, ever since Lin Xuan and his group had all been thrown in prison, life had grown increasingly peaceful.

Ye Chengxing had uploaded her compiled recipes to Star Net for public access. Whenever she had time, she would go live to cook some dishes or bake desserts.

The Gourmet Street shop had finished renovations and opened for business.

No one in the area had ever seen a setup like this before. It was packed from the very first day. To avoid overcrowding leading to a stampede, they eventually switched to an appointment-only system, letting in batches of customers based on reservation numbers for specific time slots.

Ye Chengxing remembered that Li Jia’s film crew would wrap up in about two weeks. She reserved two spots for that time, planning to invite Li Jia along.

While her hand was still injured, Li Jia had been quite clingy with her. But once she recovered, she became extremely busy, as if a mountain of backlog had piled up from those few days of rest.

On top of that, there was one thing Ye Chengxing was still adjusting to.

Ever since Li Jia got busy, Ye Chengxing found herself running into the original book’s female protagonist far more often.

Wen Qingxi loved coming to her Gourmet Store, but due to her status, she always arrived with a large entourage. Every visit drew stares from passersby, and she would stay right up until closing time.

After so many visits, when it was time to close up that day, Ye Chengxing let Xi Yue and the others head out first and called out to Wen Qingxi.

She looked at Wen Qingxi and broached the subject tactfully. “Or if you really want to come, you could make a reservation…”

The main issue was that Ye Chengxing often felt like Wen Qingxi wasn’t there just for the food. It seemed more like an excuse for something else.

“Miss Ye, were you wanting to talk to me about this?” No matter how many times they met, Wen Qingxi always appeared frail. This time was no different. Her tone carried a hint of apology, and she looked genuinely remorseful. “I’ve been in poor health since childhood, and with so many people watching me, I have to bring a crowd. I truly love the atmosphere in your shop, Miss Ye. I didn’t realize it was causing you such trouble. I’ll be more mindful from now on.”

Her words left Ye Chengxing feeling a bit guilty, especially as Wen Qingxi paused now and then to cough delicately.

“Forget it. It’s really not a big deal.”

Ye Chengxing sighed, about to say something else, when the shop door suddenly creaked open.

“Welcome, but we’re already closed for the—” Ye Chengxing turned, and her words trailed off as she recognized the newcomer.

A delighted smile curved her eyes. “Xiao Li, what brings you here?”

Li Jia walked over to them at her words. Though her expression was smiling, her tone was oddly mocking, laced with an indescribable strangeness. “What’s this? She can come, but I can’t?

“Or… did I interrupt something?” she added.

Before Ye Chengxing could process Li Jia’s words, Wen Qingxi spoke up. Her Beta voice remained polite, but it carried a faint undercurrent of something else. “Miss Ye just pulled me aside to discuss something specifically.”

“Is that so?” Li Jia turned to her, still smiling brightly. “From where I’m standing, it looks like you two were done talking, and you’re the one lingering.”

Ye Chengxing glanced between them, wanting to speak but finding no opening.

Li Jia caught Ye Chengxing’s gaze and seemed to realize something. She walked over to Wen Qingxi’s side, met Ye Chengxing’s eyes, and her tone returned to its usual lightness. “Sister, let me step outside and have a private word with her.”

Wen Qingxi’s entourage moved as if to follow, but she stopped them with a raised hand. Her voice was gentle yet firm. “This is private business between Li Jia and me. You all stay here.”

Ye Chengxing watched the two of them leave together.

…They knew each other?

They seemed pretty close, from the looks of it.

She thought back and realized Li Jia’s expression had been off. Wen Qingxi had even addressed her by name directly.

Ye Chengxing hesitated for a couple of seconds, not entirely at ease, and decided to follow them out.

She pushed open the shop door. But at the corner, her steps halted.

They were a bit too far to hear clearly, but she could see the two standing close—Omega and Beta exchanging whispers meant only for each other’s ears.

Ye Chengxing noticed Li Jia reach out and remove the ring Wen Qingxi always wore on her thumb. She recalled how, just days ago, someone in Wen Qingxi’s group had accidentally brushed that ring, and Wen Qingxi’s face had turned icy on the spot.

But now, Wen Qingxi showed no real reaction. Her lips even curved slightly upward as Li Jia slipped the ring off.

The distance between them drew even closer.

…

A faint crack echoed from the ring as Li Jia shattered the jamming device inside, her eyes turning cold.

“No need to glare at me like that,” Wen Qingxi said, covering her mouth to cough twice, her voice light. “To be honest, Miss Ye still doesn’t know the necklace you gave her has a listening function, does she? What you’re doing is a bit inappropriate, don’t you think? She’s not your lover, after all. You shouldn’t meddle too much in who she spends time with. Just like if she wanted to stay with me, that wouldn’t be for you to control, would it?”

She met Li Jia’s gaze. Her throat was suddenly pressed by the ring as the Omega stepped forward aggressively. Yet Wen Qingxi’s smile only deepened. “If she ever found out you were listening in, do you think she’d be repulsed?

“Li Jia, do you even know what love is?”

…

By the time Ye Chengxing snapped out of it, she realized she had somehow wandered back inside the shop.

Thinking about it now, she really should have sensed something earlier…

Li Jia had always been averse to Alphas and had rejection reactions to most pheromones. Wen Qingxi, being a Beta, fit perfectly. Her frequent visits to the Gourmet Store were probably in hopes of running into Li Jia.

Ye Chengxing pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a wry chuckle at her own shifting emotions.

Li Jia had always seen her as a sister to rely on. It was Ye Chengxing who had developed feelings for her. She couldn’t interfere just because of that.

Besides, this was the outcome she’d always hoped for. If Li Jia found someone she truly liked—and that person turned out to be as decent as Wen Qingxi—then as her “sister,” Ye Chengxing should bless them.

She glanced at Wen Qingxi’s entourage, still waiting in the shop.

…They were probably still out there together.

If it was mutual affection, a blessing was in order. But it still hurt.

Ye Chengxing walked into the kitchen and opened the Smart Storage Compartment. She pulled out a bottle of wine and poured herself a glass.

She’d never thought much of alcohol before, but right now, even a little numbness would do to dull her thoughts.

She needed to get over this ache quickly. If she accidentally let her feelings slip, things would spiral out of control—become downright ugly, even.

As she pondered, she finished the glass and absentmindedly poured another.

She rarely drank, and her tolerance wasn’t great.

By the time she realized she’d overdone it, the buzz was already hitting hard.

Seeing that Li Jia and the others still hadn’t returned, Ye Chengxing decided to step out for some fresh air. Maybe it would sober her up.

She felt like she was walking on clouds, light and unsteady, but her jumbled thoughts hadn’t quieted at all.

Was this what being drunk felt like?

Or was she not quite there yet?

Ye Chengxing looked up at the sky. The two moons tonight were perfectly round, she thought.

As she gazed at them, she heard someone calling her name.

She turned at the sound. Before she could make out who it was, she swayed, unsteady on her feet.

Li Jia instinctively reached out, but Ye Chengxing spotted the hand. She wobbled but steadied herself, ending up facing away from Li Jia.

“Xiao Li, were you calling me?” Drunk, her gaze was hazy as she looked over.

Because of her turn, Wen Qingxi now stood before her. The Beta chuckled softly, tapping her cane lightly on the ground. “Miss Ye, are you drunk? It’s Wen Qingxi. Give me your hand—I’ll see you home.”

Ye Chengxing frowned, her mind clearing just enough to recognize the face. She was about to refuse when strong arms pulled her into an embrace from behind.

She caught the faint scent of white peach in her breath, and her half-opened mouth closed again.

“No need to trouble yourself. Sister’s got me—she doesn’t need your help.” Li Jia draped Ye Chengxing’s arm over her shoulder, then called out Wen Qingxi’s entourage, locked up the Gourmet Store, and made sure everything was secure.

Li Jia helped Ye Chengxing into the car and buckled her seatbelt. As she pulled back, their eyes met.

Frankly, this was the first time Li Jia had seen Ye Chengxing like this.

She had never shown any vulnerability in front of her before.

Li Jia’s gaze darkened slightly.

How had things changed in the short time she’d been gone? Had Ye Chengxing really poured one out to Wen Qingxi?

Li Jia circled to the driver’s seat. Mindful of Ye Chengxing in the passenger side, she drove extra slowly.

By the time they got home, night had deepened even further.

Viewed like this, Ye Chengxing didn’t seem drunk at all. Silent, she looked perfectly fine.

But the moment she spoke, her words came out slurred and halting.

Li Jia parked the car. Ye Chengxing looked at her and suddenly said, “Actually, I’m pretty happy today.”

Drunk people often spoke without knowing what they were saying, but Li Jia still humored her. “Happy how?”

Ye Chengxing either hadn’t heard or was just talking to herself from the start.

“…But this is good too. As long as you’re doing well. Once the mission’s done, I can finally head home without worries…”

It was rare to see this side of Ye Chengxing.

A smile touched Li Jia’s eyes. She leaned in. “Sister, we’re home.”

Ye Chengxing processed her words after a delay, then curved her lips in what seemed like a smile. Her tone held a nostalgic fondness.

“My home isn’t in this world…”