Chapter 18 – Neighboring Big Sister (Part 8)

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Watching Wen Ye eat was a fascinating experience.

He seemed to follow some formulaic routine—stuffing the food into his mouth, chewing a set number of times, then swallowing.

As if the delicious dishes he had just made were no different from plain, bland food once they reached his own mouth.

“You don’t think your cooking is delicious?”

Jiang Jiang rested her chin on her hand after finishing her meal, asking curiously.

Wen Ye swallowed the bite in his mouth and said, “It should be.”
After all, the proportions were carefully measured just like in the cooking videos—it couldn’t really taste bad.

“Should be?” What kind of answer was that?

Jiang Jiang insisted, “It should be especially delicious!”

Wen Ye estimated that he was about 70–80% full and set down his chopsticks, eyes soft with a smile.
“As long as you like it, jiejie.”

As for his own opinion—
it didn’t matter.

That’s what he thought in his heart, but on the surface, he deliberately put on a slightly aggrieved expression. His voice was even more pitiful than that orange tabby cat from earlier in the day:
“…I don’t really know if I’m allowed to like it. I used to cook at that house too, but our tastes were different. If I didn’t cook what they liked, I’d be…”

He pressed his lips together.

Turning his head slightly, the reddened corners of his eyes were perfectly visible.

“Mm… so as long as jiejie thinks it’s good, that’s enough for me.”

Jiang Jiang: “……”

Jiang Jiang: “……….”
Okay, yes, she felt bad for him—but why did his actions always feel a little… strange?

…Probably just her imagination.

“They were really too much.”

They had practically exploited him to death.

And didn’t even pay him.
Even sweatshops had better conditions.

Jiang Jiang reached out her hand. After being rejected twice on the first day they met, she figured this male lead probably didn’t like physical contact.

So now, every time she reached out, she’d carefully watch his expression.

But this time, before she could even make contact—

A cool touch beat her to it.

Wen Ye took her hand first. Their skin barely touched at the fingertips, yet both of them froze.

“Was that too forward of me?” Wen Ye bit his lip and looked up, eyes tinged with hope.
“But… I’m feeling a little down. Can jiejie hug me?”

“Just once.”

Jiang Jiang suddenly realized—maybe her assumptions about him had been wrong from the beginning.

…He didn’t actually mind being touched?

The favored one always acts without fear.

A mischievous idea sparked in her heart.

She pretended to hesitate. “But you’re sitting down. How am I supposed to hug you like this?”

Wen Ye started to sit up, but she stopped him.

Jiang Jiang smiled sweetly. “No need. I just thought of another way.”

Wen Ye noticed that she suddenly gave off a more assertive energy, no longer like the hesitant girl who used to be unsure about even holding hands.
It made him want to laugh a little—she looked so innocent, like she didn’t understand anything.

Besides, he didn’t think he’d be lucky enough for her to actually fall for him.

There was a smile in his eyes—he was curious to see what she was going to do.

Just as that thought passed—
Jiang Jiang suddenly straddled his lap.

The warmth of her body transferred through the fabric, and his entire body stiffened.

“……”

Wen Ye’s Adam’s apple bobbed quickly. For once, he was completely flustered.

From Jiang Jiang’s perspective, she could even see his ears turning bright red.

His helpless look delighted her. She gently lifted his hands and placed them on her waist, then wrapped her arms around his neck, grinning mischievously:
“See? This way, we can hug.”

She leaned close to his ear and whispered,
“Don’t drop me, okay?”

She suddenly…

His thoughts were interrupted by the unexpected embrace.

As the girl’s soft body leaned into him, Wen Ye’s whole body went rigid.

This position made him acutely aware of her weight, her warmth, and even… her racing heartbeat.

“Jiejie…” His voice was hoarse, fingers trembling in the air, as if unsure whether he should touch her.
“Do you know what you’re doing?”

This was a scene even his dreams didn’t dare conjure—so sacred it felt like blasphemy.

In his dreams, the most daring thing he imagined was forcing her to hold him.

Because someone like him—so low and filthy—didn’t deserve love freely given.

But now…

Wen Ye shut his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, they shimmered faintly with unshed tears.
“Is jiejie teasing me?”

Huh?

Now it was Jiang Jiang’s turn to panic. She could tell the emotion on his face wasn’t fake.

“I know what I’m doing.” Jiang Jiang moved even closer.
He didn’t resist, so she went further.

“I’m hugging you. I’m not teasing you.”

Only then did Wen Ye finally wrap his arms around her waist.

Despite his lean frame, his arms were strong. He held her tightly, not letting her move even an inch.

“…Is it the kind of meaning I think it is?” he asked, voice trembling.

His actions were bold, yet his expression looked as if she were the one taking advantage of him.

Jiang Jiang’s face twisted into something between amusement and helplessness.

He looked incredibly innocent—but his physical reaction was anything but.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking,” she said, shifting a bit before continuing,
“But I think… I like you.”

He slowly lifted his head. His red eyes were filled with disbelief.

Then, suddenly, he pulled her tightly into his chest, arms so strong they nearly squeezed the breath out of her.

His face was buried deep in the crook of her neck, and she could feel the hot dampness soaking through her shirt.

“Don’t lie to me…” he murmured, voice muffled and fragile like never before.
“If this is a dream, don’t let me wake up.”

He was someone who had nothing.
And once he finally received something he never thought he’d have—he’d never let it go.

Jiang Jiang gently caressed the back of his head, feeling the frantic beat of his heart.

This stray cat, always on guard from the moment they met, finally let down its walls—timidly rolling over to show its belly.

—Well, figuratively.

Though she was in his arms, it felt like she was the one cradling him.

She was holding his vulnerability and sensitivity—letting this stray cat who had never known warmth nestle safely against her.

“This isn’t a dream,” Jiang Jiang said softly. “And I’m not lying. I want to be with you, A-Ye.”

There was silence for a few seconds.

Jiang Jiang let out a soft “Hmm?” in confusion.

“Do you not want to?”

Then came the flustered reply from the boy:
“No! I want to! I really, really want to. I like jiejie too.”

It was just… he wanted it so badly that he was too overwhelmed to speak.

Girlfriend.

She was his girlfriend now.

For the first time, Wen Ye realized—maybe he actually held a place in her heart.

He couldn’t help but reach out to test the waters.

“Then… can I kiss jiejie?”

He asked tentatively, but his eyes had already darkened.

Of course, Jiang Jiang didn’t refuse. She welcomed his kiss—clumsy, uncertain.
As their lips met, and he tasted her soft laughter—

Wen Ye, flustered and embarrassed, nipped her lip with his sharp little canine tooth in retaliation.