When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 15

Back home, Jiang Le took a cold shower, trying to suppress the heat in her body and the frustration in her heart. As she emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying her wet hair, she saw Jiang Congyue standing thoughtfully in front of her closet.

What’s wrong? Jiang Le asked, puzzled.

Jiang Congyue sighed wistfully, a hint of childlike regret in her voice. Ah, if only I’d known… I should have worn you down with persistent nagging when you were little, forcing you to wear those fluffy animal pajamas.

As she spoke, she seemed to imagine the scene, chuckling to herself.

Jiang Le’s face flushed crimson. Jiang Congyue had put considerable effort into this pajama project, resorting to alternative tactics when persuasion failed, including secretly hiding Jiang Le’s old pajamas.

During that time, Jiang Le had to nervously double-check her pajamas were still there before every trip to the bathroom.

Suppressing the urge to hurl the towel at someone, Jiang Le held her breath and grabbed the hairdryer, determined to fend for herself.

Come here, darling, sit down, Jiang Congyue said swiftly, snatching the hairdryer. I’ll dry your hair for you.

Jiang Le sighed in resignation and sat on the carpet, letting Jiang Congyue fuss over her. It was strange, really. Jiang Le, who usually recoiled from physical contact, harbored a secret fondness for having her hair touched.

As Jiang Congyue’s warm fingers threaded through her hair, gently massaging her scalp, a subtle current surged down Jiang Le’s spine, almost making her tremble with pleasure.

As if sensing her reaction, Jiang Congyue deliberately teased her by lightly scratching behind her ear and at the nape of her neck, both highly sensitive spots.

Ah… Jiang Le flinched, grabbing Jiang Congyue’s mischievous hand. She tilted her head back, her voice tinged with annoyance. Can you just dry my hair properly?!

Well, aren’t you feisty? Complaining even when I’m drying your hair? Jiang Congyue grinned, casually pressing down on Jiang Le’s head. Look down!

Jiang Le’s hair was always shoulder-length, a habit from her orphanage days when practicality reigned. As soon as it grew past her shoulders, she’d impulsively cut it. Too long felt unmanageable, too short couldn’t be tied up—the shoulder-length was just right.

So Jiang Congyue didn’t need long to dry it the dampness vanished quickly.

What are you wearing tonight? Jiang Congyue set down the hairdryer, her gaze sweeping across the closet.

For a simple dinner, Jiang Le casually chose a black-and-white dress with a minimalist design. Though Jiang Congyue had never explicitly mentioned the value of these clothes, Jiang Le could tell from the fine fabric and exquisite tailoring that they were far from ordinary.

By the time the two were ready and came downstairs, Li Yan was already pacing impatiently in the living room, her mouth stuffed with fruit Aunt He had offered. You two took forever! she mumbled through a mouthful of fruit.

Jiang Congyue smiled and tapped Li Yan’s forehead. Yes, if we dawdle any longer, this little glutton might devour the entire fruit platter.

Li Yan patted her stomach with a grin, her face beaming with pride. Nope, nope! Saving room for the feast!

Watching this natural, affectionate interaction, Jiang Le felt that strange sensation resurface. Jiang Congyue always seemed to be one step ahead, saying exactly what she was thinking.

The summer evening sky was ablaze with a magnificent sunset, painting the horizon in vibrant shades of crimson and violet.

Li Yan was immediately captivated by the sight as she stepped out of the car, eagerly pulling out her phone to capture the moment. After snapping several photos, she paused to admire her work, clicking her tongue in self-congratulatory approval of her photography skills.

Yet, in a fleeting moment unnoticed by the others, her gaze froze on the photo on her screen, a flicker of barely perceptible bewilderment crossing her face.

Yanyan! What are you daydreaming about? Mother Li called out.

Li Yan snapped back to attention, responded with a quick Coming! and hurried over, tucking her phone away.

Jiang Le had caught that momentary lapse in Li Yan’s focus. Her gaze drifted casually toward a distant corner, her brow lifting slightly in thoughtful contemplation before she subtly shifted her attention elsewhere.

The group bustled into their reserved private room. Dining with two newly liberated teenagers meant abandoning any pretense of refinement they ordered hearty dishes that catered to their age group.

Despite Li Yan being even more boisterous than Jiang Le, she was actually a few months older.

Barely a few bites into the meal, Li Yan couldn’t contain her excitement. She threw her arm around Jiang Le’s shoulder and shouted at Jiang Congyue, Aunt Jiang! The college entrance exams are over! Can we have some wine to celebrate?

Jiang Le froze, trying to wriggle free from Li Yan’s octopus-like grip.

Jiang Congyue laughed heartily and waved for a waiter. Sure! You’re all adults now! Your mom has to drive, so I’ll join you! She added enthusiastically, Just bring a few bottles of low-alcohol fruit wine!

The two women immediately agreed, eager to raise their glasses. Jiang Le, remembering Jiang Congyue’s health concerns, was about to voice her reservations when the pair pulled her to her feet, sandwiching her between them.

The trio stood shoulder-to-shoulder, striking a pose reminiscent of the Three Heroes’ sworn brotherhood in the Peach Garden.

Come on, Lele! Yanyan! Jiang Congyue raised her glass, her voice unusually bold. To your names on the golden list and futures as bright as brocade!

Li Yan immediately channeled her inner drama queen, feigning tearful gratitude. Thank you so much, Aunt Jiang, for your kind words! I wish you blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains!

Cheers!

Cheers!

Mother Li clapped her hands, smiling warmly as the atmosphere grew lively and harmonious.

Jiang Le closed her eyes in exasperation. She knew that spending too much time with Li Yan would inevitably corrupt Jiang Congyue’s rare moments of seriousness.

But outnumbered and outmatched, Jiang Le couldn’t resist the newly sworn sisters. The poor girl, who had never touched alcohol before, was forced to down several glasses of fruit wine.

She tried to protest, but Li Yan waved her off with a slurred, Come on! You’re practically an adult already! Don’t be such a stickler!

Jiang Le’s alcohol tolerance was pitifully low. After just a few glasses, the world began to spin. She sat dazed, her cheeks burning, her unfocused gaze drifting aimlessly.

Hehe, look at Lele! Li Yan pointed at Jiang Le’s flushed face, mocking her mercilessly.

Before the words had even left her mouth, she collapsed face-first onto the table with a thud, unconscious.

Jiang Congyue and Mother Li exchanged a helpless smile and shook their heads. Each supported one of the swaying, drunken women and stuffed them into the car.

Hey, look who’s over there! Jiang Congyue suddenly pointed to a figure standing in the distance, feigning surprise.

Mother Li, having just settled the limp Jiang Le into the car, glanced up. Her expression immediately darkened, and without a word, she moved to shove Li Yan in as well.

Auntie! The figure rushed over, his voice urgent.

Mother Li frowned, her tone icy. How did you find us here? Didn’t I tell you to stop bothering Yanyan? Can’t you understand plain English?

Chen Ting desperately grabbed Li Yan’s dangling wrist. Auntie, please, just let me say a few words to her. Just a few…

Mother Li was about to retort when Jiang Congyue interrupted with a gentle smile. Everything deserves a proper ending. Let her speak. You take Lele home to rest first. I’ll keep an eye on things here. Nothing will happen.

Mother Li hesitated, then sighed as she watched the unconscious Li Yan unconsciously lean closer to Chen Ting. Thank you for your trouble, Boss Jiang. I’ll drop Lele off and be right back.

Inside the car, Jiang Le felt as if her head were filled with lead, her ears ringing with a faint, arguing buzz that made her cover them in irritation.

Tired… just want to sleep.

But the cramped car offered no comfortable position, no matter how she tried to curl up.

Half-dreaming, she felt herself being helped upstairs, enveloped in a familiar scent as her body sank into something soft—her own bed.

Her weary, aching limbs finally stretched out, and she hummed contentedly before drifting into complete darkness.

She didn’t know how long she slept, but a melodious, winding melody suddenly invaded her dream. Jiang Le found herself in a brilliantly lit ballroom, surrounded by elegantly dressed couples waltzing in pairs.

Suddenly, a warm hand firmly grasped hers. Her hand was gently lifted, and through the cool, exquisite mask on the other person’s face, she felt a soft, burning kiss land on her skin.

May I have the honor of dancing with you, fair lady? a clear, melodious voice asked.

Jiang Le’s groggy mind struggled to process the words, but the voice carried an uncanny sense of familiarity.

She stood frozen, offering no response. The person opposite her seemed unhurried, patiently holding her hand as if simply being there in silence was enough.

…Okay, Jiang Le heard her own dry, hoarse voice squeeze out the word.

Having received permission, the other person let out a soft chuckle. To Jiang Le’s dazed ears, however, the sound twisted into mockery.

Irritated, she abruptly tried to pull her hand away. The other person refused to let go, quickly catching up and apologizing in a low, humble tone.

Adhering to the principle that a word spoken cannot be retracted, Jiang Le stiffly allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor.

But having never learned ballroom dancing, her limbs moved as clumsily as if they had been recently attached. Her stiff, awkward steps and stumbles made her resemble a landlubber floundering in shallow water.

After countless missteps, the other person sighed in resignation. Suddenly, they tightened their arm around her waist, lifting her slightly, then gestured for her to remove her shoes and step directly onto their insteps.

Come, follow my lead, the other person said, their voice carrying a reassuring guidance.

Forced to lean against her partner, Jiang Le moved in sync with their steps.

The overly intimate posture made her belatedly blush, while she was also astonished to realize that the other person’s build seemed nearly identical to her own. How could they possess such strength to support her?

Before she could fully process this, the scene abruptly shifted. She was lying back on the soft bed, but now felt a heavy, oppressive weight on her body.

She struggled to open her eyes and see clearly, but her heavy eyelids drooped shut again.

So tired… just wanted to sleep.

But just then, rustling sounds began to emanate from the kitchen.

The person seemed to be preparing Dongpo pork. They first poured a layer of hot oil over the meat, the oil sliding down like a sinuous snake with astonishing clarity, slowly cascading from the top of the meat, winding its way down to the firm muscle beneath.

So annoying! Why is someone constantly cooking in my head?

Ugh… A strange heat and irritation surged through Jiang Le in her dream. She fiercely grabbed the offending hand, her drowsy mind only wanting to bite down hard in retaliation. Who told you to prepare food so loudly, disturbing my sleep?!

She pouted, poised to bite, when she heard a low, soft chuckle from the person above her.

The laughter jolted her awake. With a surge of effort, she forced open her heavy eyelids and, acting on instinct, yanked off the mask obscuring the other person’s face.

Not hungry! Stop cooking! It’s too noisy!

But when she finally saw the face beneath the mask, Jiang Le’s heart seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand, skipping a beat.

Beneath the mask was a face identical to her own!

The figure gazed at Jiang Le’s stunned expression, a knowing smile curving her lips. Far from stopping, the hand she had grabbed provocatively reached for the wok handle, clanging and banging as it began to flip the wok with practiced flair, tossing the ingredients into the air and catching them with effortless skill.

Jiang Le’s mind reeled. She tried to stop her, but it was too late. The hand, carrying a spark capable of igniting a wildfire, effortlessly lit the wok she had never used before…

The clanging of the wok and utensils crashed around her ears like thunder and lightning!

Ah!

Jiang Le jolted awake from a suffocating dream, a tidal wave of terror mixed with the intoxicating aroma of sizzling dishes and the thrill of extreme heat.

Her back was drenched in cold sweat, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Gasping for breath, she raised a trembling hand to pat her cheeks, which felt flushed and burning from the wok’s heat.

Her throat burned like fire from the hangover as she struggled to sit up, stumbling toward the water glass on the table.

After gulping down half a glass of cold water, the burning sensation eased slightly, but the absurdly vivid images from her dream flooded back into her mind.

She bit her lower lip, hesitantly raising her hand.

Had she really become this narcissistic?

Dreaming about herself cooking in her sleep?!

She covered her face, then abruptly yanked her hand away.

At least it was just herself in the dream.

A wave of relief washed over Jiang Le, as if she had narrowly escaped disaster.

If it had been someone else in that dream, the mere thought would have made her stomach churn so violently she’d vomit for miles!

Jiang Congyue 21