She's a shrewd and sweet woman who transmigrated into a book.

Chapter 17 Does he really... not like her?

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; it wasn't something they could just divorce so easily.

Of course, Leng Yunting wouldn't say anything at this point, since the little woman was very vengeful and had a short temper, which was a relief.

"Be good, eat first."

Liu Jingyi struggled a few times symbolically, muttering, "I told you I'm not hungry..."

Her voice, however, was weak and lacked strength.

"Eat something even if you're not hungry. I made your favorite steamed fish."

Leng Yunting carried her towards 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?

She actually made it on purpose? This is what she likes, not what the original owner of this body liked.

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 the food was clean and tidy, just like him.

Liu Jingyi was placed in a chair, and Leng Yunting served her a bowl of rice.

Silence spread between the two, broken only by the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Liu Jingyi kept her head down, shoveling rice into her mouth, deliberately avoiding looking at him.

Leng Yunting knew the little woman was still angry, so he didn't say anything, but carefully picked out the fish bones and put the fish meat on her plate.

Someone was picking fish bones out of her, and 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 somewhat swollen eyelids and her downcast, stubborn profile.

The image of her crying last night overlapped with her subtly distant demeanor today. Although she seemed the same as usual, it inexplicably irritated him, mixed with a trace of inexplicable...heartache.
He was used to her enthusiasm, even her clingy flattery, so her sudden coldness left him feeling lost and uncomfortable, even more so than her argument the night before.

He put down his chopsticks and looked at her: "Are you still angry?"

Liu Jingyi raised her eyes and met his gaze.

His gaze was direct, carrying the frankness unique to soldiers and an undeniable strength. Her slight unease was laid bare by his bluntness.

"No." Liu Jingyi looked away, her voice dry. She didn't want to seem petty, but the grievance in her heart was really pressing down on her.

“Last night…” Leng Yunting carefully chose his words, his brows furrowing slightly, “I spoke too harshly. You shouldn’t have asked that, but I…” He paused, seemingly not very good at explaining, “Don’t cry so easily in the future.”

Leng Yunting originally intended to apologize to her properly, but for some reason, the words he said changed.

Liu Jingyi almost laughed out of anger.

Is this an apology?
Or is it a disguised accusation?
What does it mean to "not ask that question"?
What does it mean to "cry at the drop of a hat"?
So it's all her fault?
"Oh," she replied coldly, putting down her chopsticks. "I'm full." Then she got up.

But her wrist was gripped by a warm and strong hand.

Leng Yunting's strength wasn't great, because Liu Jingyi's skin was too delicate; even a little force would leave red marks. However, it carried a sense of restraint that made it impossible to break free.

Liu Jingyi was forced to stop what she was doing and turned around to glare at him.

"sit down."

Leng Yunting's voice was not loud, but it carried a commanding tone.

He looked at her puffed-up face, her beautiful eyes shining even brighter with anger, like two small flames burning.

For some reason, his irritation subsided somewhat, and he even found her current appearance more pleasing than her previous aloofness.

"Does your foot still hurt?" he suddenly asked, his gaze falling on her feet, which were clad in slippers. Liu Jingyi was taken aback, not realizing when her feet had started hurting.

Leng Yunting released her wrist, got up and walked to the door, picked up a brand new shoebox, opened it, and inside was a pair of shiny black leather shoes, the style of which was even more novel than the ones she had seen at the state-run department store today.

He held the shoes and knelt down on one knee in front of her.

"Try them on." He handed the shoes to her feet.

Liu Jingyi was completely stunned.

She looked at the pretty little leather shoes, then at Leng Yunting, who was squatting in front of her, looking up at her.

His tall frame was slightly lowered at this moment, his expression focused, with an almost clumsy attempt to please.

This man, who is cold and assertive on the outside, is now doing something for her that has a hint of "humility".

The ice wall in my heart cracked open with a "crack".

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 palms were broad and warm, with thin calluses, and had a rough yet authentic feel.

Liu Jingyi's body trembled, and she subconsciously tried to pull her foot back, but he held it firmly.

His movements were not very skillful, even a little awkward, but he took off her slippers with unusual seriousness, then picked up a small leather shoe and gently put it on her feet.

The shoes fit perfectly, the soft leather wrapping around the soles of the feet, comfortable and snug.

Leng Yunting helped her fasten the buttons, then held her ankle, slightly lifted her foot, and examined it carefully.

"It looks great." He looked up, a faint smile curving his lips, the coldness in his eyes seeming to melt away slightly with that smile. "It suits you very well."

Liu Jingyi's heart began to pound uncontrollably at his focused gaze and his simple "It looks great."

She looked at the man kneeling in front of her, at his unusually gentle demeanor, and at her own reflection in his eyes…

All the grievances, anger, and determination she had felt before, were shattered at this moment by his shoes and an awkward action.

It’s over.

Liu Jingyi thought in despair.

She seems... to be completely beyond saving.

I'm a modern person, after all. I've seen all kinds of men, including many contemporary idol stars. How can I be so infatuated?

Leng Yunting's expression shifted as he looked at Liu Jingyi, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

He suddenly realized that Liu Jingyi, no matter what she looked like, was still alluring.

She is just as alluring when she speaks, when she acts coquettishly, when she cries, or even when she is angry.

Leng Yunting felt that he was really trying to restrain himself, especially with Liu Jingyi now. If he didn't restrain himself a little, he felt that Liu Jingyi might not be able to get out of bed the next day.

Whether he liked her or not, Leng Yunting himself couldn't say for sure, but he knew that Liu Jingyi could only be his, and only his.

He couldn't bear to see Liu Jingyi cry in another man's arms.

He had previously thought he would never fall for Liu Jingyi.

Liu Jingyi is stupid, foolish, easily deceived, and also a very bad person.

But now Leng Yunting feels that Liu Jingyi has changed, she has become different.

Liu Jingyi became warm, shy, charming, and gentle, wanting to live a good life with him and stop going to see Meng Yunfan.

He was unsure... Did he really not like her?
(End of this chapter)