When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 13

In the swirling haze, the sharp, piercing scent of disinfectant invaded her nostrils before consciousness fully returned, its icy tang cutting through the lingering fog.

Immediately afterward, the person on the bed’s fingertips twitched, and a sharp, stabbing pain in the side of her head instantly banished the last vestiges of grogginess.

Jiang Le’s eyelids felt as heavy as lead, as if glued shut. With immense effort, she managed to pry them open just enough to glimpse a blurry, stark white ceiling.

A dull, throbbing ache radiated from her right wrist. When she tried to move her fingers, she immediately felt the cold touch of an IV line. Clear fluid dripped slowly, drop by drop, through the slender tube.

She strained to move her eyes, her gaze landing on the silent electrocardiogram monitor beside the bed. A steady green waveform rose and fell rhythmically on the screen, mirroring her shallow breathing.

As awareness flooded back, she realized she was in a hospital.

Her throat felt parched, as if it might crack. She opened her mouth, but only a weak, raspy sound escaped.

At that moment, a blurry, hoarse female voice came from beside her, thick with nasal congestion and barely concealed surprise You… you’re awake?

Jiang Le struggled to turn her head, her vision taking a long time to focus. When her eyes finally cleared, she saw Li Yan’s eyes, swollen like peaches, and tear tracks still wet on her face.

To be honest, it’s a little ugly, a little funny, Jiang Le thought weakly, suppressing a laugh out of pity.

The sky outside the window was a dull gray, making it impossible to tell if it was dawn or dusk. Only a few pale rays of light squeezed through the gaps in the curtains.

An irritating itch came from the injection site on the back of her hand. Jiang Le instinctively tried to raise her hand to scratch it, but Li Yan immediately pressed her hand down.

Don’t move! Li Yan’s voice was tight with lingering fear. The needle was just inserted. Don’t touch it!

The sharp command triggered a flood of memories the deafening cheers, the shooting star streaking across the night sky, Li Yan running toward Chen Ting’s retreating figure… and then, endless darkness.

Jiang Le’s pale lips trembled slightly, forming an extremely weak and apologetic smile. I’m sorry… I messed everything up…

Before Jiang Le could finish speaking, Li Yan’s tear-filled eyes overflowed, large drops rolling down her cheeks. She gripped Jiang Le’s uninjured hand tightly, her voice choked with sobs. Don’t talk nonsense! You… you’re the most important thing…

She couldn’t go on, shaking her head violently. If Jiang Congyue hadn’t sensed their danger on the mountain and arrived in time with her terrifying intuition and methods, the consequences… she couldn’t even bear to imagine them.

As the two spoke quietly, the hospital room door creaked open. Xiao Kexin and several other classmates filed in, each carrying fruit, flowers, or nutritional supplements.

Oh my! Our little darling is finally awake! Xiao Kexin dramatically clutched her chest, exhaling deeply, her face radiating undisguised relief.

How are you feeling?

You scared us to death!

Thank goodness you’re okay now… A chorus of concerned voices filled the small room.

Jiang Le forced a reassuring smile, her gaze sweeping across the group before settling on Li Yan. Her voice carried a barely perceptible hint of inquiry. She… didn’t come?

Li Yan blew her bright red nose with a tissue, her tear-blurred mind struggling to process who she referred to.

She’s coming! She’s coming! She said she had to get something very important and would be right back… Lele, you’ve been unconscious for almost a week! Aunt Jiang has been at your bedside every day, we were so scared… Li Yan stammered, her words tumbling over each other.

A… week? Jiang Le couldn’t manage much of a reaction, but her eyes were filled with profound confusion and disbelief. It was just heatstroke, wasn’t it? How could I have been unconscious for a week?

Yeah! the girl peeling an apple nearby chimed in, her voice tinged with concern and lingering fear. Why didn’t you tell us about the brain tumor? We could have prepared ourselves better. But thankfully, the surgery was a complete success. The doctors said it went perfectly smoothly.

Brain tumor? Surgery?

Jiang Le’s pupils constricted slightly. It’s cured? The insurmountable chasm from all those years ago… it’s been bridged so easily?

She instinctively gripped the pristine white bedsheet beneath her, her knuckles whitening with the force. Lowering her lashes, she whispered, her voice barely audible, Then… did it… cost a lot of money?

The image of Aunt’s guilty and helpless face flashed before Jiang Le’s eyes, her words still ringing in her ears Even selling your Longevity Lock wouldn’t cover a fraction of the cost.

What’s money compared to your life?! Li Yan squeezed Jiang Le’s hand, her voice rising in exasperation. Besides, what’s this little bit of money to your family? Boss Jiang didn’t even blink an eye!

An indescribable surge of warmth flooded Jiang Le’s eyes. She quickly turned her head away, her throat feeling like it was blocked with a waterlogged cotton ball, aching so badly she could barely breathe.

Alright, she just woke up and needs quiet rest, Chen Ting said calmly from her corner, her voice cool yet carrying an undeniable authority. She stepped forward and gently pulled Li Yan’s hand. Let’s go. Let her get some sleep.

Li Yan finally remembered the doctor’s repeated warnings and nodded hastily. Oh! Right, right! Jiang Le, we’re leaving now! Get some rest! Call me if you need anything! She squeezed Jiang Le’s hand again before being led away by Chen Ting and the others, glancing back repeatedly.

As the clamor receded like a receding tide, the hospital room fell into a deathly silence. Jiang Le stared blankly out the window at the gray, overcast sky, as if trying to pierce through it with her gaze.

Truly, her kindness is as heavy as a mountain.

Jiang Congyue had already shown her so much kindness. Now, calculating it all, Jiang Le realized she might never be able to repay it.

If only Jiang Congyue were truly her bl00d relative, she thought. Then I could accept everything without guilt, and our closeness would feel so much more natural.

Creak— The heavy iron door swung open again, emitting a soft, grating sound.

Jiang Le turned her head toward the sound. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

At the doorway stood Jiang Congyue, her figure radiating an unusual urgency. Her normally meticulous silver hair was slightly disheveled, her breathing a little unsteady, and a faint blush colored her cheeks, as if she had just rushed here in a hurry.

Jiang Le studied her face, wondering what could have made the ever-composed Jiang Congyue rush so urgently to retrieve it.

You’re awake, Jiang Congyue said with a smile as she approached.

Jiang Le nodded.

After a brief, silent exchange of glances, Jiang Congyue sat down beside the bed and carefully withdrew something wrapped in a red velvet pouch from her pocket.

She held the pouch reverently before Jiang Le, her eyes filled with gentle encouragement and anticipation. Here, take it out and see.

Having been awake for some time, Jiang Le had regained some strength. With trembling hands, she untied the red cloth pouch. Deep down, she already knew what was inside.

Perhaps due to her extreme weakness, or perhaps because her emotions were too turbulent, her hand suddenly went limp as she untied the knot. A heavy, golden object slipped from the pouch and plummeted straight toward her face.

Jiang Le instinctively closed her eyes, but the expected impact never came.

At the critical moment, a warm, steady hand caught the falling object.

Ding-a-ling— The crisp, melodious chime of a bell echoed through the silent hospital room.

Jiang Le’s eyes snapped open. The ingot-shaped Longevity Lock gleamed under the harsh fluorescent light, its front clearly engraved with eight ancient seal script characters Longevity and Prosperity, Good Fortune and Peace.

As the lock swayed and the bell tinkled, the bold, vigorous character 乐 Le on its back seared into her vision like a red-hot brand.

Instantly, a deafening roar overwhelmed her senses. A sharp, stinging pain surged from her nose to her eyes, blurring her vision. You…

To replace the one you lost, Jiang Congyue’s voice was as gentle as spring water as she gently placed the Longevity Lock into Jiang Le’s outstretched palm. Exactly the same.

Jiang Le took the Longevity Lock, its icy touch burning her palm like fire. She murmured, How do you know it’s exactly the same?

Jiang Congyue replied with unwavering certainty, It definitely is.

She’s just trying to comfort me again.

Jiang Le clutched the Longevity Lock tightly, unwilling to let Jiang Congyue see her tears. She covered her face with her hand, but her trembling voice betrayed her. How can I ever repay you?

Repay me? Don’t be silly, darling. Isn’t this what I should do? You’re my precious treasure. Jiang Congyue leaned in with a smile, pressing a tender kiss to Jiang Le’s forehead.

With her hand pulled away, Jiang Le’s vulnerability, shyness, and childlike grievance were laid bare before Jiang Congyue. Flustered and embarrassed, she slapped Jiang Congyue’s hand away like a hissing kitten.

Ouch! Jiang Congyue feigned pain, clutching her hand, but her smile couldn’t be hidden. You’re still so strong even when you’re sick?

Jiang Le turned her face away, yanked the blanket up with her un-needled hand, and pulled it tightly over her head, refusing to face that teasing smile any longer.

But Jiang Congyue wouldn’t let her have her way.

Oh no, don’t suffocate our precious darling! she called out loudly, tugging at the blanket with a playful laugh.

At her breaking point, Jiang Le flung back the covers, her face flushed crimson, even the tips of her ears tinged pink. She stammered in protest, D-don’t call me that!

Ignoring her would have been one thing, but acknowledging Jiang Congyue only emboldened her. The shameless woman leaned closer and whispered, Then what should I call you? People usually call children ‘darling’ or ‘sweetheart.’ Isn’t that what Li Yan’s mother calls him?

Jiang Le could only exhale deeply, her expression turning cold with resignation. Whatever.

Sensing she was pushing her luck, Jiang Congyue retreated gracefully. Lele, are you hungry? I asked Aunt He to make some light porridge and side dishes. They’ll be up soon.

The woman lying flat nodded listlessly.

Under Jiang Congyue, Li Yan, and the others’ meticulous care and loving nourishment, Jiang Le’s health recovered rapidly, and her weight visibly increased.

Finally, the day came to remove the thick bandages from her head. The doctor gently unwrapped the restraints, and Jiang Le instinctively reached up to touch the surgical site.

Her fingertips brushed against her scalp, and she felt a distinct indentation—a hole!

A wave of despair washed over her, her expression freezing as her eyes filled with the anguish of My perfect skull is gone!

This reaction didn’t escape the notice of several onlookers.

Pfft—hahahaha! Li Yan, who had been watching the whole time, was the first to crack, pounding the table as she burst into laughter.

Jiang Congyue couldn’t help but chuckle as well, quickly adding reassuringly, The surgery was necessary, and the surgeon was incredibly meticulous. Knowing you’re a student and your appearance matters, they only shaved a small area around the incision, not your whole head.

Jiang Congyue then patted her hair a few times. See? It’s easily covered.

For Jiang Le, who always took pride in her appearance, this was like a bolt from the blue. She sighed dramatically, her inner notebook already calculating how many different hats she’d need to buy to conceal this flaw.

This minor incident was soon swallowed by the relentless pressure of senior year. Though she had missed a few days of classes, for Jiang Le, a natural learning dynamo, it was merely a matter of burning a little more midnight oil.

She plunged headfirst into her studies, tackling mountains of books and oceans of practice problems with the fervor of a workaholic, as if determined to make up for every minute she had lost during her unconsciousness.

Oh my god, Jiang Le! Li Yan exclaimed dramatically, watching Jiang Le’s pen practically ignite the draft paper with its frantic scribbling. You’re already the top student in the grade! Do you really have to work this hard? Give us a break!

Jiang Le didn’t even look up, her pen continuing to fly across the paper. She simply raised a finger to her lips. Shh, you’re a guaranteed admission student. Shut up.

Li Yan scratched her head and chuckled awkwardly before leaning closer. Speaking of which, you had guaranteed admission too, right? Why didn’t you take it? It would have been so much easier.

The pen froze mid-stroke.

Jiang Le finally looked up, her expression calm and unwavering. She uttered four words Not prestigious enough.

Which would make bigger headlines and bring greater glory to the Jiang Family an ordinary guaranteed admission student or a dazzling national college entrance exam champion? The answer was obvious.

Over the years, she had won countless awards, but those were merely embellishments to future glory. Guaranteed admission lacked challenge the title of champion held far greater weight, serving as the most direct way to repay Jiang Congyue and prove her worth.

Li Yan didn’t have a vast inheritance waiting for her, so she didn’t quite grasp the significance of this. All she cared about was being able to leisurely touch Chen Ting and tease Jiang Le every day, which filled her heart with contentment.

Chen Ting is going abroad to study, Jiang Le said casually, closing her practice workbook.

Li Yan, who had been humming a tune while swaying her head, froze instantly. The smile on her face stiffened.

Ah? Oh, is that so? Her voice dropped, carrying a hint of barely perceptible disappointment.

Seeing her reaction, Jiang Le knew Chen Ting hadn’t told her yet. What are you planning to do? Long-distance relationships are tough, she stated bluntly.

Li Yan paused for a few seconds, then shook her head vigorously, as if trying to rally herself. She forced a slightly strained smile. Hey, it’s not a big deal! Air travel is so convenient now—video calls are practically like being face-to-face! It’s just the cost of a plane ticket. Can’t I afford that? She tried to sound nonchalant.

Jiang Le nodded, saying nothing more. She had always believed in knowing when to stop, and she never interfered in others’ romantic lives.

The tense days flew by amidst the scratching of pens and the rustling of turning pages. For high school seniors, the brief winter break was a precious window to catch their breath.

They didn’t have many relatives to visit. Jiang Congyue, worried that Jiang Le was studying too intensely and turning into a mere problem-solving machine, suggested that since everyone would be free during the Lunar New Year, they should reunite the six friends from their last camping trip for some relaxation, as a way to make up for the regrets of that time.

The night before their departure, Jiang Le was neatly folding clothes into her suitcase when her phone suddenly began vibrating wildly on the table, as if possessed.

She paused, picked up her phone, and unlocked it.

The six friends’ WeChat group had exploded with messages, scrolling by at breakneck speed.

Wen Lin Chen Ting ??? What’s going on? Explain yourself!

Xiao Kexin Chen Ting If there’s a misunderstanding, tell us! We’ll help you sort it out! Don’t bottle it up!

A barrage of anxious questions and frantic emojis followed.

Did they break up?

Jiang Le frowned, her fingers swiping rapidly up the screen, trying to find comments from the two involved parties. Instead, she saw only a chaotic stream of questions and concerns. Li Yan and Chen Ting had vanished, offering no response.

Lele, haven’t you finished packing yet? Jiang Congyue walked in, carrying a plate of sliced fruit. Seeing Jiang Le staring blankly at her phone, she asked with concern.

Jiang Le looked up, her face showing a rare hint of bewilderment and confusion, as if she had encountered an incomprehensible problem. She answered honestly, Chen Ting and Li Yan… they broke up.

Jiang Congyue sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead in resignation. Well, looks like we’ll have to cancel one of the tickets. Her tone was slightly teasing, an attempt to lighten the mood.

But Jiang Le was in no mood for jokes. She repeatedly opened Li Yan’s chat window, only to find it empty, with no new messages.

This was highly unusual. Given Li Yan’s personality, she would normally complain for hours even about a mosquito bite, let alone a breakup—a world-shattering event for her.

Her brow furrowed, Jiang Le hesitated no longer. She tapped Li Yan’s number and pressed the call button.

Jiang Congyue 22