Chapter 10: You're Overstepping

By the time Jiang Li got home, the takeaway clay pot congee had gone cold. While it heated in the microwave, she opened WeChat Moments.

She saw that Wen Qingye had posted five minutes ago: "If I hadn't run into that orange cat, today would've been a 100/100!" Attached was a photo of the cat and a selfie side by side, eyes sparkling with laughter.

Jiang Li commented on her Moments for the first time: "Remember—next time, avoid confrontation and walk away from trouble."

Wen Qingye replied quickly: "Got it. Get some rest. Goodnight."

Jiang Li couldn't help the corners of her mouth twitching upward. She locked the screen and focused on eating.

Come to think of it, when they'd first known each other, they hadn't chatted very often. Jiang Li's knowledge of Wen Qingye was limited to the fact that she was a student at Shannan University. She didn't even know Wen Qingye was a sophomore, didn't even know what she was majoring in.

And Wen Qingye's knowledge of Jiang Li was equally limited—she only knew Jiang Li was a tactical operative at the Security Center. Nothing else.

Back then, neither of them could have imagined that they'd become like two intertwined vines, dependent on and influencing each other. People called it fate. Or destiny.

[End of Flashback]

It was over half an hour later when Wen Qingye woke up in the car. Jiang Li's suit jacket was still draped over her, and Jiang Li sat in the driver's seat, quietly waiting for her to wake.

Catching Wen Qingye's eyes opening in the rearview mirror, Jiang Li smiled. "Awake? Shall we head home?"

Home? The word made Wen Qingye's mind blur for a moment—as if it were her and Jiang Li's home.

Wen Qingye closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself to chase away those strange thoughts. She handed the jacket back to Jiang Li and murmured a flat thanks.

She got out of the car on her own. Jiang Li quickly followed.

Having just slept, the grogginess had mostly cleared. Inside the apartment, Wen Qingye rubbed the back of her neck and massaged her aching calves.

Jiang Li, as usual, was behind her neatly arranging her shoes. She looked up and caught Wen Qingye frowning.

Thinking about how she'd only had one proper meal today—just some fruit that Yu Xing had bought before the livestream—Jiang Li asked: "Is your stomach bothering you from hunger? Want me to make you something?"

"No need," Wen Qingye refused flatly. "I don't eat at night."

Jiang Li still couldn't hold back: "Eating like this is hard on your stomach. You'll ruin your health."

"Jiang Li." Wen Qingye looked at her, expression cold. "You're overstepping."

"…" Jiang Li fell silent.

Wen Qingye said nothing more. She went to her bedroom and closed the door, gently widening the distance between them.

Jiang Li knew Wen Qingye cared about her body more than anyone, even if outsiders would call it meddling. She turned and headed for the fridge.

The ingredients in Wen Qingye's fridge were refreshed every two days—fairly fresh, though not a huge stash. Jiang Li boiled some eggs and beef, tossed in cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and snow peas, drizzled on a ring of vinaigrette. A low-fat, low-carb, filling yet refreshing light meal—done.

Jiang Li carried the tray and knocked on Wen Qingye's door. Wen Qingye opened it, her gaze landing on the plate. Her expression stilled, but she didn't speak.

She'd assumed Jiang Li would back off after a couple of attempts at persuasion. She hadn't expected her to actually make food—and light food at that.

Jiang Li held out the tray. "Made this for you. Eat at least a little."

Wen Qingye tried to stay firm. "I said I don't—"

Jiang Li pressed the tray into her hands without giving her a choice, her tone laced with humor: "We're the only two living in this apartment. If something happens to you, I'm suspect number one."

"…"

"Just leave the bowl when you're done. I'll wash it." With that, Jiang Li turned and left the bedroom.

Wen Qingye stared at the meal in her hands. She was actually quite hungry—and since Jiang Li had already made it, she couldn't waste food, could she? Wen Qingye reasoned.

An hour later, Jiang Li came out to find the bowl clean and exhaled in relief. Good—she'd eaten it.

She pressed her ear against Wen Qingye's bedroom door. No sound. Probably already asleep. Jiang Li went to bed with peace of mind.

The next day Wen Qingye had no work, but she needed to prepare for her audition. Unable to sleep, she got up early. By the time Jiang Li rose, Wen Qingye was already in the living room, running lines.

Hearing movement, Wen Qingye looked over. Their eyes met. Jiang Li greeted her: "Morning."

Wen Qingye withdrew her gaze without a word. Jiang Li wasn't bothered. She asked: "What do you want for breakfast?"

This time Wen Qingye didn't refuse outright, though her tone remained cold. "One egg and a black coffee. Thanks."

"Okay."

Jiang Li's appetite was hearty that morning. While boiling Wen Qingye's egg, she ordered a Chinese breakfast for herself.

Shortly after Wen Qingye finished her breakfast, Jiang Li's delivery arrived. The aroma of an egg-filled flatbread wafted through the air, and Wen Qingye couldn't resist stealing a glance.

Jiang Li caught her looking. "Want a bite?"

"No." Wen Qingye turned away.

After breakfast, Jiang Li cleared the table. Wen Qingye spoke up: "I have two packages that arrived."

"Okay, I'll get them." Jiang Li nodded.

When Jiang Li returned with the packages, she was about to hand them to Wen Qingye when something occurred to her. She pulled them back. "Want me to open them for you?"

Wen Qingye hadn't ordered anything embarrassing, so she let Jiang Li proceed.

One package was cosmetics from the brand. After inspection, it was clean and handed over to Wen Qingye.

The moment Jiang Li opened the second package, what she saw inside made her breath catch. She took one look and immediately shut the box.

Wen Qingye noticed her reaction and laughed self-deprecatingly. "What is it this time? A funeral portrait or a severed hand?"

Wen Qingye said it lightly, but Jiang Li couldn't stay calm. How many times had Wen Qingye received packages like this to be so composed?

"Let me see." Wen Qingye reached out.

Jiang Li clutched the box tightly, pulling back. "Don't look."

"Give it to me." Wen Qingye's voice dropped several degrees.

Jiang Li didn't want Wen Qingye to suffer. "Let me handle this."

"Jiang Li." Wen Qingye maintained her outstretched hand. "Give it to me."

Seeing her insistence, Jiang Li exhaled and loosened her grip.

Wen Qingye snatched the box and dumped its contents out. It wasn't what she'd expected.

Not a severed hand. Not a dead rat. It was a collection of photoshopped nude images of herself—dozens of them, crudely doctored, the editing 痕迹 obvious. Even knowing they were fake, Wen Qingye still felt like she couldn't breathe.

Wen Qingye leaned against the edge of the table, gripping it for support. An invisible hand seemed to clamp around her throat—a suffocating sensation. Her heart felt like it was about to punch through her chest.

Jiang Li reacted fast, scrambling to pick up the photos from the floor. The disbelief and pain written across Wen Qingye's face made Jiang Li's heart ache—yet she didn't know how to comfort her.

Just then, the doorbell rang abruptly. Jiang Li was still gathering photos from the floor. Wen Qingye was jolted back to reality, composed herself slightly, and went to open the door.

The door swung open—and Wen Qingye froze when she saw the woman standing outside.

"Sis… Sister…?"