Rebirth at the Start: This Fate is Too Explosive!

Chapter 40: Exposing Each Other's Secrets

Ye Fan looked at the table full of delicious food, bright in color and rich in aroma. It was definitely Fujian cuisine, and the smell made his mouth water.

These delicious dishes, with their perfect color, aroma, and taste, instantly awakened Ye Fan's taste buds.

He was indeed starving, and being a free spirit, he didn't bother with formalities and started eating heartily with his chopsticks.

Jian Jingli sat opposite her, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling: "How's the taste? Does it suit your palate?"

As they spoke, they placed another piece of the fattest duck leg meat into his bowl.

"It's so delicious..." Ye Fan's mouth was stuffed full, and his words were muffled.

"I didn't expect Sister Jing to be such a good cook!" He ate his rice without slowing down at all, finishing two bowls of rice in the blink of an eye, and then drank two bowls of delicious dendrobium soup, making a satisfied "glug" sound.

They don't care about their image at all.

He was a free spirit to begin with, and having been reborn, there was nothing for him to be pretentious about.

If it were anyone else eating like that, Jian Jingli would definitely find it rude and impolite.

But seeing Ye Fan eating so intently and with such relish, she felt a surge of indescribable satisfaction and comfort.

His unpretentious manner made her feel as if she were back in her most relaxed home, and this natural sense of closeness warmed her heart.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you." Jian Jingli said this, but kept adding food to his plate.

Watching him devour his food like a whirlwind, she was already planning what new dish to make next.

A little while later.

Ye Fan leaned back lazily in his chair, like a satisfied cat. Jian Jingli couldn't help but chuckle at his appearance—at least he was much better than those college students who would fall asleep right after eating.

"Xiao Fan, tell your sister about your story," Jian Jingli said, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

She started counting on her slender fingers, "Besides your address, I know absolutely nothing about you. Where do you go to school? How old are you? What's your phone number? A QQ number or a private QQ number is fine..."

Ye Fan rubbed his temples, feeling both amused and exasperated by the way this interrogation was being conducted.

If you keep asking, they might even find out your "birth date and time".

"Jing-jie, are you trying to set me up with someone?" Ye Fan joked, but then honestly explained.

When she heard that he was only a senior in high school and had just turned 18, Jian Jingli's eyes widened in surprise—he was two years younger than she had guessed.

But the boy in front of me showed no trace of immaturity in his speech and mannerisms. His calmness and composure in times of crisis, as well as his speech and behavior, all revealed a maturity beyond his years.

If it weren't for that youthful face, she would have thought he was a worldly-wise person of the same age, or even a few years older than herself.

Jian Jingli suddenly remembered something, glanced at the date on her phone, and exclaimed, "Oh no! Today is already the 31st! The exam is in a few days!"

She slapped her forehead in frustration. "I really hope this doesn't affect your performance today, or I'll be in big trouble."

Then she suddenly realized it was already the 31st: "Oh dear! You have exams in a few days, I can't let this affect you, or I'll be in big trouble!"

Ye Fan quickly said, "Sister Jing, don't panic, we're almost certain to succeed, don't worry!"

Seeing that Ye Fan spoke so casually and didn't take it seriously at all.

She felt a little relieved, knowing that he hadn't been affected by what happened today.

So he teased, "You're just joking with your sister! Saying it's a sure thing? Who would dare say that?"

"It's not particularly secure, just enough to get into Tsinghua or Peking University easily," Ye Fan said lazily, leaning back in his chair.

"Pfft—" Jian Jingli couldn't help but burst out laughing, quickly covering her red lips with her slender fingers, tears welling up in her eyes. Sunlight streamed through the French windows, illuminating her trembling shoulders and giving her a soft golden glow.

Ye Fan shrugged helplessly: "These days, nobody believes you when you tell the truth." He sighed sadly, but a sly glint was in his eyes.

Jian Jingli finally stopped laughing and reached out to ruffle his hair: "Okay, okay, I believe you. When our Xiao Fan gets into Tsinghua or Peking University, I'll give you a big red envelope!" She said this, but in her heart she took it as a joke from a young boy.

Ye Fan changed the subject, asking, "Sister Jing, where's my brother-in-law?"

Jian Jingli's smile froze for a second, but quickly returned to normal.

She glared at Ye Fan reproachfully: "What, isn't it enough that your older sister dotes on you?" Her tone was light, but it carried a clear hint of avoidance.

Seeing that she was unwilling to speak, he simply smiled meaningfully. Sunlight streamed through the French windows, casting dappled shadows on his face and making his smile appear exceptionally radiant.

When Jian Jingli saw his expression, she immediately laughed.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you."

"That's fair!" Ye Fan winked mischievously. "I've told you everything, but Sister Jing is still hiding things."

He had noticed it from the moment he entered—the shoe cabinet was filled with women's shoes, the bathroom had only a solitary pink toothbrush, and there wasn't a trace of male habitation in the entire house. These details, like scattered puzzle pieces, slowly took shape in his mind. He hadn't felt comfortable asking about it before, but now it felt natural to bring it up as a joke.

Jian Jingli gently stirred the floral tea in her cup, the rising steam blurring her expression. She spoke slowly, her voice soft, as if she were telling someone else's story.

"Originally... we were a very happy couple." Her fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of the glass, "until I was more than four months pregnant..."

Ye Fan sat quietly, even his breathing became soft.

The sunlight, softened by the sheer curtains, fell softly on Jian Jingli's slightly trembling eyelashes.

"I discovered he was cheating on me when my morning sickness was at its worst." Jian Jingli suddenly smiled, a smile that made Ye Fan's heart tighten. "Later I found out that there was more than one... there was a minor internet celebrity, a flight attendant, and even an intern at his company."

The petals in the teacup swirled, just like her ethereal tone of voice.

Ye Fan noticed a faint ring mark on her left ring finger, which was faintly visible in the sunlight.

"The divorce proceedings were quick; he didn't even get to see the child." Jian Jingli looked up, her gaze falling on the sleeping baby in the crib not far away. "From prenatal checkups to delivery, from nighttime feedings to vaccinations, it was all done by me alone..."

Her voice gradually lowered, but her back remained ramrod straight.

The afternoon sun gilded her profile with a golden edge, melting away the unspoken hardships in its warm glow.

........

The two chatted and drank tea together.

Time flies, and it's already three o'clock in the afternoon.

"Ring ring—" Jian Jingli's phone suddenly rang.

She answered the phone, her brows furrowing slightly involuntarily: "Okay, I understand, I'll be right there."

After hanging up the phone, she looked at Ye Fan apologetically: "Something urgent came up at the company. Why don't you stay here, and I'll go take care of it and come back later?"

"It's alright! You should go about your business. I'm going home anyway." Ye Fan stood up naturally.

Jian Jingli strode into the bedroom and changed into a sharp business suit.

When she reappeared in the living room, her previous domestic gentleness had faded, replaced by the capable and efficient demeanor unique to working women.

"Let's go, I'll give you a ride." She picked up the car keys, her movements swift and decisive.

The setting sun cast its warm orange glow on the Mercedes-Benz. The car's navigation system displayed two destinations: first, take Ye Fan home, then to the company.

Jian Jingli gripped the steering wheel intently, her profile appearing exceptionally gentle in the twilight.

"Good luck on the college entrance exam." She rolled down her car window at the entrance of Xin Nanfeng and suddenly said, "After the exam, I'll take you out for a big meal."

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