Selena's concerns

Selena called her aunt and confirmed that the man in front of her was indeed her aunt's tenant and her co-tenant. Upon learning this, Selena naturally resisted vehemently. She wasn't comfortable living with a strange man.

However, Selena's aunt reassured her over the phone, emphasizing Jake's character and the added safety of having a man nearby. Her aunt also reminded Selena that if she didn't stay here, her parents would not agree to let her study so far away, and she would have to return to the capital city, living under her parents' watchful eyes again. Selena hesitated and compromised. She had worked hard to leave her parents' side and didn't want to go back.

"Come in then," Jake reached out to take Selena's luggage.

"What are you doing?" Selena was startled by Jake's action and instinctively took two steps back, looking at him warily, afraid that he would do something to take advantage of her.

"I just wanted to help you carry your luggage," Jake shrugged, somewhat puzzled by Selena's exaggerated reaction. He understood that they were not familiar with each other, and being of the opposite sex, Selena's cautious behavior was a form of self-protection.

"If you don't want me to, you can carry it yourself." Jake stepped back a few steps, making space for Selena to enter.

After some hesitation, Selena walked in with her luggage. Since her aunt had repeatedly assured her, she could temporarily trust him. However, Selena didn't completely let her guard down. If she noticed any suspicious behavior from Jake, she would inform her aunt, providing her with a reason to move out.

Once Selena was inside, Jake closed the door. In that instant, Selena's heart skipped a beat. Although she had planned things out, she was still a girl. If Jake were to make any untoward advances, she wouldn't be able to resist. Even if she exposed his true intentions, it would be too late.

Selena regretted entering. She looked at Jake with a slight unease. Jake seemed oblivious to Selena's unease and said, "Please have a seat. I have two more dishes to prepare, and we'll be ready to eat soon."

Selena was surprised as she watched Jake return to the kitchen. She hadn't noticed it before due to her nervousness, but now she realized there was a faint aroma of food in the house.

"He can cook? Maybe he's not a bad person?" Selena sat there, lost in her thoughts, until Jake brought all the dishes to the table, which snapped her back to reality.

"Lisa asked me to take good care of you. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I prepared these dishes. I hope they suit your taste," Jake said as he sat down.

"I'm not hungry." Selena didn't want to share an apartment with Jake, nor did she want to establish any kind of relationship with him. However, as soon as she finished speaking, her stomach let out a faint growl. Although the sound was soft, there were only the two of them at the table, so both of them could clearly hear it.

Selena's face turned red instantly. She had come a long way from the capital city, and she was indeed a bit hungry and tired. Jake chuckled inwardly, but didn't show it on his face. He said, "Just eat whatever you like. There's so much food, I can't finish it all by myself. Consider it helping me out, and let's not waste it."

Selena hesitated for a moment. She was indeed hungry, and the food smelled good. In the end, she said, "Well, okay, but you're treating me to this meal."

"Yes, that's right. I'm treating you to help me out," Jake said. "This girl cares about her face."

With Jake's response, Selena started eating. Surprisingly, the food tasted good. Seeing Selena picking up her chopsticks, Jake also began eating and said, "There are two empty rooms here. Choose one later, and then tidy up a bit. In the afternoon, I'll accompany you to buy daily necessities."

"No need, I can go by myself. I don't need you to accompany me," Selena quickly said. She didn't have the habit of going shopping with the opposite sex, especially with someone she had just met less than a day ago.

"This is the task given by Lisa," Jake said. "Besides, with so many things, can you carry them all by yourself?"

"Don't worry about my aunt's side. I won't say anything. Besides, I don't like having someone with me while shopping," Selena knew that her aunt had asked this tenant to take care of her in her absence. Seeing Selena's insistence, Jake didn't push it further. If he forced her, she might misunderstand his intentions.

"Okay then. If you need any help, you can find me," Jake said.

Selena remained silent, but in her mind, she knew she would never ask him for help. She didn't want to live with a stranger of the opposite sex. She needed to quickly find a reason to report Jake's behavior to her aunt, making her aware that it was unsafe for her to live with him. Only then would her aunt not let her stay with him.

Jake would never have thought that the girl who had just eaten his food and said she wouldn't report him was already plotting how to tarnish his image. If Jake knew, he would surely take away her plate and utensils. Beautiful women couldn't be trusted, indeed.

After the meal, Jake tidied up the table, and Selena chose a room and locked the door from the inside, seemingly afraid that Jake might intrude. Jake saw this but just smiled, not taking it to heart.

In the afternoon, Selena went out alone, and as expected, she didn't let Jake follow her. Jake felt relieved. It's not that he didn't want to help, but the other party was unwilling. Jake stayed at home, allowing him to organize the ingredients needed for the stall in the evening.

It wasn't until dusk that Selena returned, carrying numerous bags in her hands. She looked exhausted, panting heavily. Jake hurried forward to offer help, but Selena directly refused, saying, "No need, I can manage on my own." With that, she struggled to bring her belongings to her room.

As expected, Jake heard the sound of the door being locked again. He shrugged and returned to his spot to continue his work.

Inside her room, Selena tossed her belongings aside and collapsed onto the bed, breathing heavily. The afternoon shopping had tired her out. But even so, she didn't want Jake's help.