The Scumbag’s Redemption: Kept by Her (GL) - Chapter 9

Shen Yuwei didn’t respond.

Ling Jiao stared at the transfer notification on her phone while slurping down noodles.

The original version of her never got a kind look from Shen Yuwei. Now that Shen Yuwei had taken the initiative to call her, Ling Jiao pretended not to hear, covering her ears as if to say she was ignoring it.

This had to mean her favorability had gone up.

The revolution had made a big step forward.

Ling Jiao felt her mood lift. “Are you hungry?”

Earlier today, when they parted ways, she forgot to invite Shen Yuwei to a meal. Feeling a little guilty, she made sure to ask now.

The sound of her eating noodles was loud and clear, full of enthusiasm, and made her meal seem even more delicious.

Shen Yuwei, who hadn’t eaten much all day, rubbed her stomach and replied with some stubbornness, “I’m not hungry.”

After the incident in the living room, she had been so angry it felt like the anger alone had filled her up. Then she came to this unfamiliar room, napped a little, and was startled awake by Guan Qing’s sudden visit. Any sleepiness or appetite had been chased away.

Still, hearing Ling Jiao happily slurping noodles did make her feel a bit hungry.

Guan Qing always ate quietly, never making a sound. Ling Jiao was completely the opposite. Shen Yuwei rubbed her stomach and wondered how someone could make so much noise eating.

The sound was starting to hurt her ears.

“Can you not be so noisy when you eat?”

Ling Jiao picked up some noodles with her chopsticks and smiled. “Guess where I am right now?”

“I found this little hidden restaurant. You should at least give me a reaction. Are you jealous that I’m still out enjoying food while you’re stuck at home?”

Jealous? Not even close.

Shen Yuwei took a deep breath. “If you’re eating, then I won’t bother you anymore.”

Ling Jiao chuckled. “Want to come out? My treat.”

Shen Yuwei didn’t know how to respond. She had noticed that Ling Jiao often used words and expressions that weren’t common in their usual upper-class circles, like “little joint” or “hole-in-the-wall place.”

People of their status usually went to luxury hotels, rotating restaurants, or dined on things like caviar and rare delicacies. Very few would lower themselves to enjoy this kind of down-to-earth food, and even if they did, they would dress it up to look high-end.

Of course, someone like Shen Yuwei no longer counted as part of that class.

She shook her head. “No, thanks.”

Since her second gender had differentiated into Omega, her physical condition was no longer what it used to be. Guan Qing could still climb walls and jump rooftops. Shen Yuwei used to be able to do even better, but now, she couldn’t keep up.

Ling Jiao sounded a little disappointed. “Alright, I’ll treat you next time when we get the chance.”

Before hanging up, she reminded Shen Yuwei, “Don’t forget to add me on WeChat.”

Shen Yuwei didn’t say a word in response.

Ling Jiao stretched and stood up to pay the bill. She hadn’t expected the shop owner to panic and wave his hands quickly. “No, no, it’s on the house. You don’t need to pay.”

His fear said everything.

It showed just how terrible the original version of her must have been.

So bad, it left a lasting reputation.

Ling Jiao didn’t believe in eating for free, so she insisted on paying. “If you don’t take the money, that means you don’t respect me.”

Her expression turned cold, her eyes sharp. She looked fierce enough to scare anyone.

Only then did the shop owner reluctantly accept the money. Ling Jiao added, “I’ll have Wan Qing come by later to pay off the money she owed you from before.”

The noodles really were delicious. If she had to describe them, they were similar to Chongqing-style noodles from her original world, with peas, spicy red oil, and some leafy greens. The taste was excellent. No wonder the original version of her used to visit often, even if she never paid.

And this was someone who was supposed to be a spoiled rich kid.

Ling Jiao didn’t feel like she was insulting herself. She stared at the boiling pot behind the counter and thought to herself that noodles this good shouldn’t be enjoyed alone. She waved her hand and asked the owner to prepare another portion, had it packed up, and headed straight for the Shen residence.

She arrived openly and confidently.

Once inside, under the light of the entrance hall, she saw Shen Zhiwen’s biological daughter, Shen Xiaoxiao, for the first time.

She did resemble Shen Zhiwen, especially the eyes. Both had single eyelids and gave off an impression of fragile beauty mixed with quiet strength. Her face was shaped like an almond, her chin slightly pointed, and her skin looked a little undernourished. Overall, she was good-looking. If Ling Jiao had seen her first, she might have even complimented her as a true beauty.

But the first one she had seen was Shen Yuwei.

Once you’ve seen the most stunning gem, nothing else compares.

She had already been amazed once. Everything else seemed dull by comparison.

Ling Jiao glanced at Shen Xiaoxiao, then quickly looked away. Her tone was direct and a bit arrogant.

“I’m here to see Shen Yuwei.”

Shen Xiaoxiao was speechless.

It was late at night. Ling Jiao had shown up without an invitation and was even holding food that smelled incredible. Shen Zhiwen felt a headache coming on.

The child from the Ling family was spoiled beyond belief. She did whatever she wanted. She once argued with elders from her own family and developed a reputation for being rude and uncontrollable.

Shen Zhiwen sighed and told someone to call Shen Yuwei downstairs.

When Shen Yuwei heard that Ling Jiao was here, she thought her ears were playing tricks on her.

Wasn’t she just at a little restaurant eating noodles? Why had she suddenly come here? With so many questions running through her mind, she followed the maid downstairs. As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, she smelled a mouthwatering aroma and instinctively looked toward Ling Jiao’s hands.

When Ling Jiao saw her, she smiled without thinking. “Look what I brought you. Come on, let’s go to your room.”

She followed Shen Yuwei upstairs.

Back in the living room, Shen Xiaoxiao mumbled under her breath, “Dad, she’s so rude.”

She hadn’t even greeted Shen Zhiwen just now.

Shen Zhiwen spoke gently. “She’s a spoiled child with no discipline. Xiaoxiao, don’t learn from her.”

Shen Xiaoxiao nodded sweetly. “Okay, Dad.”

Upstairs, Shen Yuwei led Ling Jiao into her room and couldn’t help but scold her.

“Why did you come here in the middle of the night?”

Ling Jiao lifted the food in her hands and looked completely innocent.

“I thought it was really good, so I brought you some.”

Shen Yuwei felt she and Ling Jiao were not close enough for something as personal as bringing each other food. She turned her face away and said coldly, “I’m not eating. You can eat it yourself.”

Ling Jiao smiled. “No, you have to eat.”

She made the decision on her own, sat down, and opened the container. The smell of the noodles quickly spread through the room, rich and comforting.

“When I picked up your call just now, I heard your stomach growling,” she said. “You still insisted you weren’t hungry.”

Ling Jiao unwrapped the disposable chopsticks slowly and said calmly, “You are soft everywhere except your mouth.”

“You,” Shen Yuwei snapped. Her face flushed red as she glared at Ling Jiao. Her eyelashes trembled and the blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, making her look both angry and beautiful.

“Stop saying such nonsense.”

Ling Jiao looked up and raised her eyebrows. “Are you going to eat or not?”

“It really is good.”

“If you hesitate any longer, the noodles will get soggy and lose their flavor. If they do, I will have no choice but to throw them away.”

She spoke with gentle persuasion, as if coaxing someone into giving in.

Shen Yuwei tried to reject her again, but her stomach gave another loud growl, completely ruining her attempt at pride.

Ling Jiao chuckled. “Go on, eat it. I brought it all the way here just so you wouldn’t miss out.”

Shen Yuwei muttered with frustration, “Let them get soggy then.”

As if it was no big deal.

But even as she said it, she sat down reluctantly, picked up the chopsticks, and started eating. She grumbled as she picked at the noodles, trying to be critical. “It looks average. You talk about it like it came from a five-star chef.”

Ling Jiao smiled, stood up, and walked over to the window.

When she got there, she noticed a few fresh and shallow footprints near the sill. She glanced at them without saying much, then commented casually, “This room feels cold and unfamiliar. Looks like it was just reassigned to you.”

Shen Yuwei stayed quiet and continued eating. Her silence seemed to confirm what Ling Jiao said.

As soon as the noodles entered her mouth, all her complaints vanished. The taste was rich, the broth was just right, and her aching, hungry stomach finally felt some relief.

The warmth from the food spread through her.

Steam from the noodles floated up and gently blurred her delicate features. Her lashes lowered as she quietly focused on eating. Suddenly, an odd thought flashed through her mind.

She was not close to Ling Jiao, yet Ling Jiao had noticed she was hungry and brought her food.

Earlier that night, Guan Qing had climbed over the garden wall to see her. Her hands had been completely empty.