When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 25

The major client Jiang Le was meeting today was none other than Lin Yueying, the eldest daughter of the Lin Family. After a round of golf, the two were now chatting casually in the lounge.

Chairman Jiang, you look radiant today. Did you have a romantic encounter last night? Lin Yueying teased with a smile.

Jiang Le leaned back on the sofa, her fingers drumming rhythmically on the armrest, her mind wandering. Yet her mouth responded automatically, Hmm.

Expecting no reply, Lin Yueying was about to get up for another round when the affirmative answer caught her off guard, eliciting both surprise and amusement. Heh, even a barren tree can blossom.

Snapping back to attention, Jiang Le calmly took a sip of water, her expression unwavering. What’s so strange about it? Shouldn’t someone my age be in a relationship?

Lin Yueying pursed her lips. I thought people like us would stay single for most of our lives, then suddenly pick someone we like and elope.

Jiang Le raised an eyebrow, set down her glass, and retorted, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but that’s just you. My partner loves me deeply.

You’ve only just started dating, and you’re already calling them your ‘partner’? Lin Yueying rolled her eyes with elegant disdain.

It’s not as sudden as it seems. We’ve known each other for a long time. I’m not someone who takes relationships lightly, Jiang Le said earnestly.

Then why didn’t they come with you today? This isn’t a formal occasion. It would have been more lively with more people around.

Jiang Le stroked her chin, a hint of reluctance on her face. Today… isn’t a good day.

Lin Yueying seemed to realize something and threw her hands up in mock surrender. I came to play ball, not to watch you two lovebirds!

Jiang Le nodded, though a flicker of regret crossed her face. Since we’re not discussing that, let’s talk about the Lin Family’s attitude toward you and Lin Zhen. As a business partner, I believe I have the right to know who will be my primary contact going forward.

Hmph, a younger brother who values romance over family business? What right does he have to compete with me? Lin Yueying crossed her legs and leaned back casually.

Jiang Le raised an eyebrow. Oh? I wouldn’t be so sure. He might prioritize love over business now, but who’s to say he won’t fight you for the family fortune someday?

Tch, Chairman Jiang enjoys soap operas too? Don’t worry, with me around, he won’t amount to anything. Lin Yueying waved dismissively, then suddenly sat up straight. Hey, why do you seem so hostile toward my brother? What’s the deal? Did he cross you somehow? If so, that’s just perfect.

Jiang Le rubbed her fingers together, her tone flat. Yes, we’ve had some disagreements.

How did he get on your bad side? Lin Yueying’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

Seeing Jiang Le remain silent, Lin Yueying revealed her younger brother’s embarrassing past A few years ago, he threw a fit, insisting on marrying a girl he brought back from abroad. When the old man refused, he went through the whole drama—crying,闹ing, and even threatening to hang himself! Can you believe it? Hahaha! Too bad I was overseas at the time and missed the show. I would have filmed it for posterity!

Jiang Le listened with amusement. And then? Why did he stop?

Lin Yueying straightened up, her enthusiasm bubbling over. She patted her chest and declared with perfect enunciation, I met that girl—a pitiful thing. How could the Lin Family force someone into such a situation? I secretly helped her escape.

When she disappeared, my idiot brother went mad for days. But look, he’s already found a new flame! This time, it seems like a willing partnership, so I’m staying out of it.

Jiang Le smiled knowingly, her mind as clear as a mirror. Lin Yueying’s strategy was shrewd first, she made Lin Zhen lose his composure in front of the old man, disrupting the Lin Family’s peace and eroding his support. Then, she portrayed him as a lovestruck fool, incapable of serious ambition.

But so what? If it meant she could continue working with Lin Yueying in the future, she welcomed it.

As Lin Yueying had predicted, their meeting was merely a formality. The collaboration had been practically finalized the moment they learned who their respective counterparts would be.

After the meeting, Jiang Le visited the Beishi Branch. Under the employees’ surprised gazes, she made a brief inspection, occasionally offering a few pointers before leaving with an indifferent and nonchalant expression.

What’s gotten into Chairman Jiang? Why the sudden inspection? someone murmured quietly.

The remark instantly ignited the employees’ gossip instincts. They huddled together, phones in hand, whispering and speculating.

I think there’s more to this than meets the eye…

How so? Spill the beans!

Chairman Jiang rarely shows his face. When he does…

Just tell us already! Stop being so cryptic!

The person took a deep breath and typed mysteriously  When he does, we need to frantically suck in the air! Soak up his financial luck! Absorb Chairman Jiang’s career momentum!

The company group chat exploded like a boiling pot, with a barrage of  Soak up his financial luck! Absorb Chairman Jiang’s career momentum!  flooding the screen.

It was understandable. Since Jiang Le took office, she had been undefeated at the negotiating table, leading the company to smooth and rapid growth. She had long become a legend in the eyes of many within the group, attracting a fervent following.

So, has anyone actually analyzed Chairman Jiang’s bizarre behavior today?!

I think Chairman Jiang was practically radiating pink bubbles today…

Of course, this peculiar analysis was immediately drowned out by a flood of 接接接 接接接, quickly disappearing without a trace.

When Jiang Le returned to the villa, the self-proclaimed golden canary was sprawled boredly asleep on the sofa. The TV was still playing footage from the company’s new product launch a few days prior, showing her standing on stage, clearly and logically demonstrating the product’s features.

Jiang Le paused to watch for a moment before turning off the TV. She patted Jiang Congyue’s shoulder and said flatly, Wake up.

Still half-asleep, Jiang Congyue reached out with a large hand, pulling Jiang Le closer. Her eyes remained closed as she said playfully, I’m Sleeping Beauty, you know. Only a true love’s kiss can awaken me.

She puckered her lips expectantly, waiting for the true love’s kiss to be bestowed.

Jiang Le’s brow twitched. She slapped Jiang Congyue’s cheek and snapped coldly, Love or no love, get up.

How can someone make such a heartless expression with that face?

Jiang Congyue opened her eyes with a smile, pressed down on Jiang Le’s neck, and leaned in for a loud, resounding kiss. Fine, she said, if the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain. I’ll just do it myself.

Caught off guard by another kiss, Jiang Le’s lips tightened into an even straighter line, her face a mix of disdain and annoyance.

Before Jiang Le could explode, Jiang Congyue kindly released her, springing up with a fish-like flip and stretching comfortably. Hmm, that was a good nap.

Jiang Le glanced at Jiang Congyue before striding past her into the study.

The days passed peacefully, but both women knew this was merely the calm before the storm.

On the tenth day of Jiang Congyue’s confinement in the villa, she was, as usual, tinkering in the kitchen while Jiang Le sat on the sofa, focused intently on her work.

The sudden ring of the doorbell froze both of them mid-motion.

But the bell’s single, symbolic ring was immediately followed by the door swinging open.

Li Yan burst in, travel-worn and dragging her suitcase. She was about to shout Surprise! joyfully, but the scene inside the room froze her in her tracks.

She rubbed her eyes vigorously, ripped off her mask and sunglasses, and stared wide-eyed at the two women, pointing at them and stammering, Y-you… you two… Am I still dreaming?

The poor superstar, who had been traveling for a full day and night, nearly fainted. The other two exchanged glances, clearly as surprised by Li Yan’s sudden appearance as she was by them.

Jiang Le slammed her laptop shut with a thud, pressed a hand to her forehead in frustration, and was about to stand up to explain when Jiang Congyue cut her off.

Oh, it’s the great Li Yan! What brings you here? Jiang Congyue removed her thick baking gloves, her smile unnervingly gentle.

This only intensified Li Yan’s horror. Her gaze darted between the two women as she mumbled, I went to Y City and ate some mushrooms, but I didn’t think they’d cause hallucinations this bizarre…

Is this episode about the real and fake Jiang Le?!

And when has Jiang Le ever smiled at her like that?! The person standing calmly on the sofa looks more like the real deal. Li Yan immediately rushed over, fearfully exclaiming to Jiang Le, We’re doomed, Jiang Le! This place is haunted!

Jiang Le looked puzzled. Why?

Didn’t you see the ghost behind you? It looks exactly like you! Li Yan’s voice instinctively rose before she deliberately lowered it.

A burst of laughter erupted from behind them. Li Yan, her bl00d running cold, clung to Jiang Le, letting out a piercing scream Ah!—

Jiang Congyue’s mischievous streak flared. She crept closer, tapped Li Yan’s shoulder, and whispered ominously, Li Yan Li Yan

Ah!!! Li Yan, completely panicked, clung to Jiang Le, her legs kicking wildly.

The innocent Jiang Le ended up being accidentally kicked several times. Gritting her teeth, she clamped a hand over Jiang Congyue’s mouth and forcefully shoved Li Yan away. Then, without a backward glance, she grabbed her laptop, turned, and hurried upstairs.

This left the terrified Li Yan and the amused Jiang Congyue alone in the room.

Li Yan, summoning her courage, glared at Jiang Congyue, who was pulling faces at her. From her movements, Li Yan sensed a familiar quality, her mind frantically searching for its source.

When Jiang Congyue ruffled her hair with a laugh, a flash of insight struck Li Yan. She pointed at Jiang Congyue, her words tumbling out in a rush, Y-you’re… Aunt Jiang?

How could that be? Li Yan bit her tongue. How could I even think such a thing?!

But what if? After all, who could say for sure whether something like reincarnation was possible?

But how could she look exactly like Jiang Le?

A jumble of chaotic thoughts flooded her mind, twisting into a tangled mess.

Jiang Congyue, unable to bear her distress, gently cupped Li Yan’s face. Hey, don’t overthink it. You were never the brightest bulb anyway—don’t fry your brain. It’s just me, Aunt Jiang, back from the dead. Perfectly normal, right?

Li Yan’s initial terror and confusion gradually morphed into shock and excitement. The dormant chuunibyou spirit within her surged to the surface, irrepressible. Ah! Really?! How did you do it? What’s it like to be dead? Do you know magic? Spells? Or…?

Li Yan, who had filmed over a dozen xianxia dramas, large and small, was remarkably receptive, grasping the situation with lightning speed.

Jiang Congyue stroked her chin, her eyes gleaming with amusement. After all these years, this child was still the easiest to fool.

Jiang Congyue 15