After Marrying the Cold Omega in Secret - Chapter 17

After confirming that Chi Ye had woken up, Chu Jin quickly went downstairs. She still had unfinished work in the kitchen, and it was almost noon. Lunch had to be prepared soon, and completing the program’s task was the top priority.

As Chu Jin reached the bottom of the stairs, Yan Sisi, still wearing her apron and holding a spatula, walked up to her.

“Is Chi Ye alright?” she asked.

“She just woke up,” Chu Jin replied. After a short pause, she added, “If you’re worried, you can go check on her.”

Chu Jin had read that fainting from the sight of blood could feel like a near-death experience. After going through something like that, Chi Ye would probably want to see someone she loved.

“As long as she’s awake, that’s good,” Yan Sisi responded. She didn’t seem very concerned. With a calm expression, she turned and walked back toward the kitchen. “I’ll go help Xuqing.”

For some reason, a complicated feeling stirred in Chu Jin’s heart.

She felt a little sorry for Chi Ye. After putting so much effort and investment into this variety show, Chi Ye and Yan Sisi were still constantly testing each other. Even after fainting, Chi Ye had not received a single word of comfort.

Chi Ye was once Yan Sisi’s beloved. Now that the person she used to care so much about had returned, why was she treating her with such indifference?

Even though Chi Ye had signed a contract with her, if Yan Sisi would just soften her attitude and speak gently to her, the two of them might be able to make peace. There was no need to keep hurting each other like this.

Still, Chu Jin could not deny that she felt a sense of relief.

This situation was the only reason she could continue to earn her money without interference.

As a working professional, her job was not to question the boss’s choices. Her responsibility was simply to do what she was told.

Overthinking was pointless. Chu Jin walked into the kitchen and joined Yan Sisi and Bai Xuqing to finish preparing the remaining dishes.

The last dish was candied sweet potatoes. Yan Sisi was in charge of boiling the syrup, but she overcooked it and turned it into a dark, bitter mixture. It was almost inedible. Still, since it was already close to twelve thirty, they had no choice but to bring it to the table.

Bai Xuqing looked visibly embarrassed.

Yan Sisi, on the other hand, was in a surprisingly good mood. She looked at the failed dish with pride.

“It may not look good, but I bet it tastes great,” she said confidently.

Wen Zhixue’s smile froze for a second, but she still did her best to be supportive.

“Yes, definitely. I’ll give it a good try later.”

Despite rushing, it was already twelve forty by the time everyone sat down for lunch.

Chi Ye came downstairs just as they were about to eat.

Everyone stood up to greet her with concern.

“How are you feeling? Any better?” Wen Zhixue frowned and looked at her with worried eyes. “You still look a little pale.”

“Do you want to get checked at the hospital just to be safe?” Zhou Meng asked.

“I’m fine,” Chi Ye said calmly. “Much better now.”

Xin Ning was carrying a dish past them and offered a suggestion.

“Have lunch first, then rest some more afterward.”

Chu Jin did not join the others. Instead, she stayed in the kitchen, focused on serving the rice and staying out of the spotlight.

Bai Xuqing called everyone to sit down. As Chu Jin scooped rice into bowls, she glanced casually toward the dining table.

Everyone had already taken their seats except for Chi Ye.

Once Bai Xuqing and Yan Sisi sat together, only two seats remained open at the far end of the table. They were placed right next to each other.

Chu Jin let out a small sigh. It seemed there was no escaping the fact that she would be sitting beside Chi Ye.

She picked up the last bowl of rice and walked over. She and Chi Ye sat down one after the other.

As soon as they were seated, Bai Xuqing looked over and spoke to Chu Jin.

“Chi Ye is still recovering, and since you’re sitting close, could you help take care of her during the meal?”

Chi Ye had injured her left hand. It did not affect her ability to eat.

Chu Jin wanted to complain, but instead, she smiled politely and said, “Of course.”

With the cameras not focused on them at the moment, Chu Jin turned her head slightly and looked at Chi Ye. Her voice was soft and low, with a teasing warmth.

“President Chi, is there anything you need me to help with?”

Chi Ye paused for a second, her right hand holding the chopsticks. She picked up a slice of potato and placed it into her bowl.

“Not at the moment.”

After chewing for a few seconds, she added in a calm voice,

“But tonight, yes.”

Chu Jin froze.

She looked at Chi Ye in disbelief. Worried that their conversation might have been captured on camera, she looked up quickly. Thankfully, the camera was still focused on Wen Zhixue, who was pretending to enjoy the bitter sweet potatoes.

Poor Wen Zhixue had to force a smile while eating something clearly unpleasant.

Chi Ye noticed Chu Jin’s anxious glance. She looked at her and said casually,

“What’s wrong? Did you forget the terms of the contract?”

Chu Jin let out a quiet sigh. It was true. Even if Chi Ye were not injured, she still had to follow her instructions. If Chi Ye asked her to jump into fire tonight, she would have to do it without hesitation.

She forced a smile, clenched her teeth, and said two words.

“Yes, President Chi.”

At that moment, the camera turned in their direction. Chu Jin immediately sat up straight, pulling her body away from Chi Ye. She began eating quietly.

When she lifted her eyes, she met Bai Xuqing’s gaze.

Bai Xuqing was smiling. Her eyes were gentle, and her expression carried a soft kindness, like an affectionate aunt watching a pair of young lovers.

Chu Jin felt confused by the look.

But just as their eyes met, Bai Xuqing quickly turned her head away. Although Chu Jin found it a little strange, she did not think too much about it. Instead, her mind went back to Chi Ye’s words from earlier.

Tonight? What did she mean by that?

What would Chi Ye make her do tonight?

Could it be helping her take a bath?

Her hand was injured, and she could not touch water, so that was a very likely request.

Besides, it was clearly written in the contract.

Thinking of this, Chu Jin suddenly lost her appetite. The food in her mouth no longer tasted good, and she could not help but feel anxious about what the evening would bring.

After lunch, Chen Mo and Xin Ning volunteered to do the dishes.

Chu Jin helped collect the tableware, then casually took some fruit out of the fridge. She washed two apples, cut them into small pieces, arranged them neatly on a plate, and also washed some grapes.

Everyone was still sitting in the living room.

Wen Zhixue had somehow produced a bottle of ointment. She said it was for preventing scars and could be applied once the wound healed. It would help the skin recover completely without leaving any marks.

Usually, Chi Ye did not pay her much attention. But this time, Wen Zhixue was being sincere, and with the cameras filming, Chi Ye accepted the ointment politely.

“Thank you.”

“No need to be polite!” Wen Zhixue smiled and sat beside her. “Such beautiful fingers. It would be a shame if a scar was left.”

Chi Ye nodded slightly and gave a quiet response.

“Mhm.”

Although Chu Jin was in the kitchen washing fruit, she kept an eye on everyone’s movements, especially Chi Ye. She took in the entire interaction between Chi Ye and Wen Zhixue.

Just as Wen Zhixue was about to continue talking, Chu Jin walked out holding two plates of fruit.

“Here, everyone have some fruit.”

Before Wen Zhixue could say anything else, her words were cut off.

“Wow, thank you!” Zhou Meng clapped lightly and looked grateful. Seeing the apple slices, she praised with a smile, “You really put effort into this. Even cut them into perfect little pieces.”

“They’re not cut that neatly. Just make do.”

Chu Jin smiled as she looked around the room. After a moment of hesitation, she chose to sit beside Chi Ye.

Seeing this, Wen Zhixue reacted as if she had been caught off guard. She quickly tried to get Chi Ye’s attention again. She pointed at the fruit on the table and asked with concern, “Would you like some apple? I can get it for you.”

This time, Chi Ye did not respond to her. Instead, she picked up a piece with a toothpick. At first, it seemed like she was going to eat it, but then she turned her hand and held it out in front of Chu Jin.

There was the faintest smile at the corner of Chi Ye’s lips as she looked at Chu Jin for a moment before speaking slowly.

“The one who prepared the fruit should eat first.”

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