When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 22

Toward the end of their first semester of senior year, Jiang Le successfully secured investment from Lin Zhen, and their game gradually began to take shape. During their downtime, the group would gather to discuss their future plans.

Gu Li, who had a family business to inherit, couldn’t stay with them indefinitely. She laughed, Hey, as long as Zhuoran exists, I’ll never give up! Money? Sis has plenty!

Hearing her bold declaration, Mi Lin felt reassured. Unlike the other three, his family wasn’t well-off, so he had to hold his ground. Moreover, he believed he had poured the most effort into the project and wanted their game to reach a wider audience.

Jiang Le and Wen Qiqi both planned to pursue graduate studies, but Jiang Le had decided to study abroad.

While college friendships might fade, their bond was forged through shared interests and sweat. They raised their glasses in a toast, symbolizing their enduring camaraderie.

Jiang Le usually drank heavily during business gatherings, always keeping hangover remedies on hand. But tonight, she was drinking purely out of emotion.

Supported by others, Jiang Le was escorted back to the apartment Jiang Congyue had bought for her. She collapsed onto the bed, already half-asleep, but her mild obsessive-compulsive disorder forced her to drag herself to the bathroom.

The cool water helped clear some of the alcohol from her system.

Still groggy, she gave herself a perfunctory wash, then flopped back onto the bed. Her eyelids felt glued shut, refusing to open.

Ding-a-ling!

The sharp, piercing ring jolted Jiang Le awake. Fearing it might be work-related, she forced her eyes open and answered immediately.

But it was Lin Qingyu’s voice that greeted her.

The fog in Jiang Le’s mind instantly cleared. She swallowed hard and blurted out, What did you say? Say it again. I… I didn’t hear you clearly. Say it again!

Lin Qingyu calmly repeated, Miss Jiang, please return immediately. Chairman Jiang is dying.

Jiang Le felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her vision went black, and she collapsed weakly onto the bed, her hands so numb she nearly dropped the phone. Okay…

How could this happen so suddenly?

Jiang Le scrambled out of bed, so panicked she put her shoes on backward. Her trembling hands checked the nearest flight, but her vision blurred as she pressed hard against her tear-filled eyes.

Staring at her disheveled reflection in the mirror, Jiang Le stumbled back in terror, a sharp ache in her chest leaving her utterly helpless.

She dropped heavily to her knees, clawing at her hands as she forced herself to calm down.

I can’t panic. I can’t panic.

Jiang Le bit down hard on her tongue, forced herself to her feet, quickly gathered her things, and rushed to the airport.

She clasped her hands together, anxiously checking the flight information again and again, only to learn of a delay.

Jiang Le’s world crumbled around her. She wanted to beg the universe to hurry, to come quickly—someone was waiting for her…

After an hour’s delay, she finally boarded the plane.

The tears she had desperately held back burst forth the moment she saw Jiang Congyue lying frail in her hospital bed. Jiang Le collapsed onto her mother’s gaunt frame, sobbing with the raw, helpless grief of a child.

Jiang Congyue’s trembling hand reached out to stroke her hair. Her voice, as thin as a thread, drifted weakly, Lele…

I’m here, I’m here… Jiang Le gripped her mother’s hand, choking on her words.

Jiang Congyue smiled faintly. I’ve always been someone who loved beauty…

You’re so beautiful now, so beautiful… Jiang Le’s lips trembled violently as she forced a smile that was uglier than tears.

Jiang Congyue wanted to laugh, but she was too weak. She continued, So, I was wondering… could you dress me in a beautiful dress? These burial clothes are so ugly, I really don’t like them.

Jiang Le collapsed onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Okay…

And finally, could you show me… Jiang Le’s most beautiful smile? Jiang Congyue teased, her tone tinged with a hint of demanding playfulness.

Jiang Le, who had been burying her face in her hands, slowly lifted her head and forced a smile. Her eyes were swollen red from crying, and her face was twisted with grief. No matter how hard she tried, the smile remained ugly.

Jiang Congyue reached out and wiped away her tears, forcing herself to say, It’s beautiful…

Her hand fell heavily onto the pristine white bedsheet. Jiang Le, feeling the lingering warmth on her cheek, suddenly stopped crying.

A truth she couldn’t bear to face seared itself into her mind like a branding iron

Jiang Congyue was dead.

Jiang Le stared blankly into the distance, lost in shock.

In that moment, the color drained completely from Jiang Le’s world.

The antiseptic smell in the hospital room mingled with the fragrance of magnolia blossoms drifting in from outside, creating an eerie atmosphere.

The monitor emitted a monotonous, sustained tone, like a dull knife repeatedly slicing through her nerves. Jiang Le stared blankly at those eyes that would never open again—eyes that had always held a smile, eyes that could see through all her carefully concealed thoughts.

Time seemed to freeze.

It wasn’t until a nurse quietly entered and cautiously asked if she needed help preparing the body that Jiang Le snapped back to reality.

Please wait, her voice rasped, barely recognizable as her own. I need… to change her clothes.

Lin Qingyu promptly handed her an elegant paper bag containing Jiang Congyue’s favorite lake-blue silk dress—a birthday gift Jiang Le had bought with her first project bonus. Jiang Congyue had once smiled and said she would save it for a special occasion.

Preparing the body proved excruciatingly difficult.

Jiang Le’s fingers trembled so violently she could barely fasten the back buttons. Lin Qingyu silently stepped forward to help.

When Jiang Le saw Jiang Congyue lying peacefully in that lake-blue dress, a sharp pain suddenly pierced her chest.

She gripped Jiang Congyue’s hand numbly and sat alone for a long time…

Jiang Le handled all the funeral arrangements with a cold, unwavering composure.

She greeted mourners from all walks of life with a blank expression, returning their condolences in a monotone voice. When reviewing the will with the lawyer, her logic was sharp and her organization meticulous.

From selecting the burial site to finalizing the ceremony and arranging the memorial banquet, every detail was executed flawlessly under her command. Her dry eyes showed no trace of the recent trauma, as if she were merely managing a critical project that allowed no room for error.

Gu Li, Mi Lin, and Wen Qiqi had rushed over to be with her. Seeing their friends’ concerned gazes, Jiang Le could only manage a strained smile, unable to utter a single word.

It wasn’t until everyone had left, leaving only her and Aunt He, who had been quietly helping all day, that the facade began to crack.

Aunt He approached with a small bowl and gently placed it before her, her voice soft with suppressed concern Lele, you haven’t eaten much all day. Please have something to drink.

Jiang Le mechanically lowered her head to look at the bowl.

In the clear broth, neatly peeled water chestnut slices lay at the bottom, dotted with a few goji berries, emitting a familiar, delicate sweetness.

This was the scent that had once permeated the kitchen, filling countless winter afternoons. Jiang Congyue would watch with a smile as she drained the bowl in one gulp, then reach out to wipe away every trace of sugar from the corners of her mouth.

The taut string that had held her together for three days snapped abruptly before this bowl of iced sugar cane water, carrying all the warmth and sweetness of the past.

She lunged forward, gripping the warm porcelain bowl so tightly that her knuckles turned pale.

In the next instant, her carefully maintained composure crumbled completely.

As if all her strength had been drained away, she could no longer hold herself up. She slumped forward, her forehead nearly hitting the cold tabletop, and let out the first sob—a wrenching sound torn from the depths of her being, a wail suppressed to its breaking point.

Then came an uncontrollable torrent of grief.

Her cries were filled with overwhelming confusion and helplessness, the despair of never seeing that person again, the terror of never hearing that voice call her Lele again, and the agony of all the suppressed sorrow finally finding a release.

Scalding tears fell in heavy drops into the bowl of iced sugar cane water, rippling outward in bitter circles.

Aunt He didn’t try to comfort her. Instead, with tears welling in her eyes, she stepped forward and gently drew Jiang Le’s trembling shoulders into her arms, silently patting her back, just as she had done countless times before.

Here, in front of this bowl of sweet soup she knew so well, Jiang Le could finally shed the persona of the composed, self-possessed heir and simply be Lele, the girl who had forever lost Jiang Congyue.

If she could, she would gladly split the Longevity Lock in half again, giving half to Jiang Congyue.

The next morning, Jiang Le appeared at the group’s headquarters. She wore a perfectly tailored black suit, her long hair neatly pulled back into a bun. Though her eyes were still slightly swollen, her gaze had transformed.

The board members cast her various glances—some concerned, some skeptical, and others openly contemptuous. A senior director immediately challenged her Miss Jiang, we understand you’ve just lost a loved one, but please allow me to speak for the group. The group cannot be led by an inexperienced college student.

Behind Jiang Le, Lin Qingyu let out a soft chuckle and waved her hand dismissively.

According to Chairman Jiang’s will, Miss Jiang inherits 75% of his shares and primary assets, the lawyer calmly announced, reading from the document. Furthermore, she will assume the position of Chairman of the Board.

Lin Qingyu said calmly, These terms were all negotiated with Chairman Jiang before his death, weren’t they? Just because Miss Jiang is young and seems easy to manipulate, you think you can go back on your word? I’m not dead yet, am I?

Jiang Le calmly surveyed the room and spoke slowly, I know some of you doubt my capabilities. But I’m not here to seek your approval.

Her voice was clear and resolute. I’m here to announce that, effective immediately, I will formally assume the position of Chairman. Furthermore, I’ve decided to suspend my overseas study plans and dedicate myself entirely to the group’s operations.

The attendees realized this young heiress was no pushover. Seeing no further advantage to be gained, they wasted no more time.

After the meeting adjourned, Jiang Le stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of Jiang Congyue’s former office, gazing down at the bustling cityscape.

To Lele

I’ve noticed that people often write something before they die, leaving behind a memento for their loved ones.

If everyone else has something like that, my precious Lele deserves one too, so I’m writing this for you.

You used to ask me if everyone dies, and I always answered calmly and truthfully yes, everyone dies.

But now that the day has come, I’m terrified.

What am I afraid of? I’m afraid of dying ugly, of dying in pain, of Lele being heartbroken, of Lele not eating properly when hungry, of Lele not dressing warmly when it’s cold, of Lele not taking good care of herself. Most of all, I’m terrified that Lele won’t love herself enough.

Isn’t that terrifying? I wish I could stay with you forever and watch you grow up.

Ah, I’m so tired. I can barely write anymore.

Lele, remember this fear and sorrow are temporary. You are much stronger than you think. Believe in yourself!

I look forward to seeing you again.

Jiang Congyue 17