When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 2

Lele… Lele…

The voice sounded muffled, as if submerged underwater, thick with a suffocating viscosity.

Who was calling her?

Lele, Lele, Lele… The urgent repetitions echoed like the whispers of death from hell.

Lele frowned, feeling as if a mountain of stone were pressing down on her, nearly crushing the air from her lungs.

Ah! Just as she was about to suffocate, she jolted upright, gasping for breath.

Her eyes focused. It was the chubby girl from the next bed, sprawled across her in her sleep. Lele kicked her off without a word or change in expression.

The chubby girl rolled back to her own bed with a thump.

Annoying, a clear, slightly hoarse voice rasped from Lele’s throat.

She froze, as if scalded by her own voice, and instinctively covered her mouth. In the darkness, her eyes widened in shock.

An…noying… Annoying… she repeated cautiously, each word distinct despite the soft tone. The sound, like air hissing from a worn-out bellows, reverberated unmistakably in her ears. It was her own voice.

She could speak now?

Lele slapped her cheeks with her small hands. Pain. It was real.

Her vision was poor at night. After dressing in the donated, unfashionable clothes, she groped her way off the bed.

She stood by the bed for a long time, frozen. The Welfare Home was deathly silent, but Lele’s heart pounded like a stone dropped into boiling water, thumping violently. A thought that had lingered in her mind for countless days and nights suddenly surged to the surface.

She had to run!

Jiang Le meticulously prepared for her escape. She hung her water bottle around her neck, anticipating her need for hydration, then slung her worn-out backpack over her shoulder—not one provided by the Welfare Home, but a donation from the previous year. Finally, she stuffed the backpack with a jumble of her own toys, accumulated over the years.

She left everything else provided by the Welfare Home untouched.

With her preparations complete, she initiated her escape plan.

She eased open the rusty iron gate with extreme caution, but the long-neglected hinges still creaked loudly, Squeak… squeak…

Her hair stood on end. She scanned her surroundings warily, confirming no one had noticed, then tiptoed toward the stairs.

Auntie had deliberately placed her in the innermost room on the third floor to minimize disturbances. This meant she had to exert considerable effort to reach the stairwell.

The journey was fraught with peril, but thankfully, none of the other children were night owls like her.

By sheer luck, she made it downstairs without incident. Reaching the main entrance, she realized she didn’t have a key to open the door. But she didn’t need the main entrance anyway.

Lele squatted down, her body jingling softly. She reached out a small hand and gently stroked Xiao Huang’s warm ear. The dog let out a contented groan in its sleep.

Xiao Huang was her favorite thing about the Welfare Home, but she couldn’t take him with her. He would only suffer alongside her.

Goodbye, Xiao Huang, Lele whispered, her voice tinged with regret, though her face remained expressionless.

First, she shoved her backpack through the dog hole. Then, she wriggled onto her stomach, twisting her hips and grunting with effort as she squeezed herself through the narrow opening.

Phew—

The dirt-streaked child leaned against the wall, finally catching her breath after a long, arduous struggle.

Half her plan had succeeded. She couldn’t rest any longer the others would wake up soon.

Lele took a deep breath, puffed out her cheeks, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and began to run for her life.

Lele had been frail and sickly since childhood, with poor stamina. After running only a few steps, she would be panting like a bull, gasping for breath.

The Welfare Home was located in a remote suburb, surrounded by desolate wilderness and shrouded in darkness. But Lele was used to it and wasn’t particularly afraid.

Thanks to the child’s boundless energy, Lele managed to sprint a considerable distance despite her frail condition.

When she couldn’t run any further, she would squat in a corner to rest, pulling out a small packet of cookies from her backpack—secretly slipped to her by Auntie.

Auntie’s hands and feet had grown increasingly clumsy, prompting the Director to consider replacing her. The Skinny Woman’s constant instigation only fueled the Director’s dissatisfaction.

Left with no choice, Auntie had to tread carefully, always watching the Skinny Woman’s mood and avoiding any offense. This meant secretly slipping Lele a cookie or two when the woman denied her meals.

Lele was deeply grateful to Auntie. Although she had sold Lele’s Longevity Lock, it was to pay for her medical treatment. Auntie was truly a good person.

As for how Lele found out about this, that’s a long story.

In short, one time when Lele fell ill again, Auntie’s own son was also sick, leaving her unable to care for Lele. Yet the Director insisted she stay and look after Lele anyway.

Enraged, Auntie pointed at Lele and began to shout, After all I did to save your worthless life in the dead of winter! If I hadn’t pitied you, I would have sold that broken gold lock of yours long ago and enjoyed the money myself. Instead, I wasted it on your medical bills—money that should have gone to a dead man’s coffin!

Lele blinked, taking small bites of her biscuit. She couldn’t eat too quickly otherwise, she’d have nothing left for later.

Reluctantly, she tucked the biscuit back into her backpack and continued walking toward town.

Why had she come up with this escape plan?

A volunteer sister who often visited the Welfare Home would talk about her police officer father, her eyes shining like stars. Lele, police officers are the most amazing people in the world! They catch bad guys and protect good people. If you ever need help, go to the police! They’ll definitely help you, just like my dad!

Lele nodded, half understanding, and muttered to herself as she walked, I’ll go to the police. They’ll help Lele find Mommy and Daddy. Then Lele… will have a home.

She would become the happiest child in the world, just like that volunteer sister.

Clutching the straps of her backpack, Lele felt her determination grow with each step, her pace quickening as she hurried toward town.

As dawn broke, Lele finally reached the edge of town, where a row of small stalls had already been set up along the roadside.

The noisy hawking pierced her ears. Normally, her sensitive hearing would have made her irritable, but right now, she was too preoccupied to notice the din.

Whose child is that?

Oh, I don’t know. Why’s she got a little schoolbag so early? Going to school?

If only my kids were this responsible.

Lele, her stomach growling with hunger, wandered aimlessly through the town, her backpack heavy on her shoulders. To her, the town felt vast and overwhelming.

Exhausted, she squatted outside a small supermarket, swallowing hard as she gazed at the fragrant grilled sausages displayed outside the store.

Grumble—

Lele pressed a hand against her nearly concave stomach, lowering her eyes. It’s okay, she thought. Once I find Mom and Dad, I can eat as much as I want.

Ah! A sudden cry of surprise and a child’s wail erupted nearby.

What’s wrong with you? Can’t even hold onto something properly! Did you hurt yourself?

Lele looked up to see a woman scolding a young boy while brushing dust off his knees.

The boy froze for a moment, then bent down to pick up the sausage. The woman gasped and slapped his hand away. Ew, what are you doing? It’s dirty now that it’s fallen on the ground! You can’t eat it anymore, you can’t eat it anymore!

But the boy stubbornly insisted on picking it up, bursting into tears when she refused. Mommy…

Fine, fine, I give up! I’ll buy you another one, okay? The woman pouted and grabbed another sausage for him. Hold it properly this time! Here, let me blow on it—it’s hot.

Satisfied, the boy grinned, clutching the sausage. He opened his arms and said, Mommy, hug me.

The woman reluctantly picked him up and carried him away.

Lele didn’t watch them go. Her eyes, like those of a hungry wolf, remained fixed on the sausage that had rolled onto the ground.

Mimicking the woman’s earlier actions, she clapped her hands until they turned red, then told herself, Mommy says things that fall on the ground are dirty and can’t be eaten. I need to listen to Mommy.

Lele was a good girl. She wouldn’t throw a tantrum like that other child. She was very obedient.

After a long moment, she closed her eyes to avoid looking at the sausage, abruptly stood up, and prepared to continue searching for the police.

Suddenly, her vision went black. She reached out to grab something for support but found nothing, collapsing straight to the ground.

Hey, hey, this child… The small shop owner, who had been watching her for some time, rushed out in alarm when she saw Lele collapse at the entrance.

Lele opened her eyes to see the woman’s anxious face across from her. She stretched out her arms and pouted, Mommy, hold me…

The shop owner, who had a young daughter of her own, couldn’t bear to see the child’s pitiful state. She picked Lele up and patted her back. Whose little darling are you? Why are you out on the street alone so early? Are you hungry?

Lele nestled against the boss’s shoulder, savoring the warmth of the embrace. She clenched her fists, silent.

Hmm? Why aren’t you talking? The boss pushed open the shop door and carried her inside, plucking a lollipop from the counter by the entrance. Here, have a candy.

Lele’s eyes lit up at the sight of the lollipop. She immediately wrapped her arms tightly around the boss’s neck and exclaimed joyfully, Mommy, Mommy! You’re my mommy!

When Auntie secretly gave her cookies, she always acted furtive, terrified of being caught by the Director. But this mommy was giving her candy openly!

Only a real mommy would be this kind to her. Even Auntie wasn’t this good.

The boss melted at the child’s soft, endearing voice. She chuckled and shook her hands playfully. Honestly, what child could be this adorable?

Just as she was about to tease the little girl, a sudden wail interrupted her.

Waaah…

She quickly set Lele down and rushed to the back room, scooping up her crying daughter. Oh… oh… don’t cry, don’t cry, baby… Mommy’s here… She rocked the baby gently while pulling up a chair for Lele, who had followed her in.

Lele obediently took off her backpack and hugged it to her chest. She climbed onto the chair, her thin legs dangling in the air, and tilted her head to watch the woman soothe the crying infant.

The woman cradled her daughter in one arm while struggling to prepare formula with the other.

Mommy, let me help you, Lele said, jumping down from her chair. She steadied the bottle while the woman scooped in the formula.

The woman smiled gently and patted Lele’s head. What a good girl.

After preparing the formula, the woman sat down to feed her baby.

Lele squatted beside her, alternating between watching the baby drink and observing the woman’s careful feeding. Curious, she asked, Where’s Daddy? Why are you alone?

The woman paused mid-feed, forcing an unnatural smile. Uh, Daddy’s at work.

Lele nodded. Just as she noticed the woman looked tired and offered to help, a clear, desperate voice suddenly pierced her mind

That man didn’t come home all night! Where’s he gambling again? Gambling, gambling, gambling! Neglecting the child, losing all the money… How are we supposed to live like this?!

Startled by the resentful voice, Lele fell to the floor. Mommy, what did you say?

The woman snapped out of her daze, frowning slightly. Little girl, I’m not your mommy. Your parents must be worried sick about you running off alone. Why don’t you call them to come pick you up?

Call… to pick me up… The color drained completely from Lele’s face. Pick her up? Pick her up to where?

Like a startled rabbit, she sprang to her feet, not even bothering to retrieve the lollipop she’d dropped. Grabbing her backpack, she bolted out of the convenience store without looking back.

Hey! Why are you running? the woman called out, scrambling to her feet.

Lele didn’t want this Mommy anymore.

She darted through the streets in a panic, terrified that if she slowed down for even a moment, she’d be caught and sent back to the Welfare Home. Her vision blurred with tears, making it hard to see where she was going. She swiped roughly at her eyes.

As she wiped her tears, she crashed into a solid, tall wall and landed hard on her bottom, stars exploding in her vision.

Well, well, what little firecracker do we have here? A voice above her sounded both surprised and amused.

Dazed, Lele looked up, her vision further blurred by tears. She saw a figure in a dark blue uniform and a peaked cap crouching down beside her.

The man lifted her up with one hand. Hearing her stomach rumble, he chuckled and said to the baozi shop owner, Boss, two more meat buns and a cup of soy milk, please.

Coming right up!

Little one, why are you running around the streets alone? It’s dangerous. How about Uncle takes you home? It was quite a sight to see the burly police officer softening his voice to coax the child.

A few tears clung to Lele’s eyelashes as she mumbled, I don’t want to go home. I want to find the police. I want to find the police…

The officer froze, then chuckled. It was the first time he’d ever heard a child insist on finding the police without crying. I am the police.

But when he took a closer look at the child’s dusty, disheveled appearance, he grew wary. Had she encountered human traffickers? Grabbing the breakfast, he hurried Lele back to the police station.

Lele rested her head on his shoulder, dazed.

She had found the police.