When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 26

Jiang Congyue had effortlessly won over Li Yan with just a few words. Now, Li Yan gazed at her with wide, sparkling eyes, as if witnessing a divine being descend from the heavens.

But how did you manage to look exactly like Jiang Le? Li Yan asked, stroking Jiang Congyue’s arm and examining her from head to toe.

Jiang Congyue stroked her nonexistent beard meaningfully. Ah, that’s a long story, but I’ll keep it brief. One day, a Taoist Priest saw my innate spiritual affinity and carved a physical body for me from ten-thousand-year-old Heaven-Grade Profound Wood. He asked what appearance I wanted, and on a whim, I pulled out my phone to show him a photo. But he misunderstood and thought I wanted to look like Jiang Le, so here I am.

Li Yan, thoroughly bamboozled, was deeply impressed. She murmured, This Taoist Priest is like the Michelangelo of China!

Jiang Congyue nearly broke character, almost losing her air of profound, unfathomable divinity.

From then on, Jiang Congyue simply said whatever came to mind, and Li Yan believed every word, growing more and more enthralled with each tale.

Just as Jiang Congyue was about to reveal that the future world would be destroyed and desperately needed a savior to rise, Jiang Le emerged from the study with an indifferent expression.

Both women turned to look at her. Jiang Le glanced at Li Yan as if she were a fool, but addressed Jiang Congyue, You have the heart to deceive her too?

Jiang Congyue blinked innocently, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Her voice carried just the right amount of feigned innocence. But I’m telling the truth! Don’t you believe me, Yanyan?

Li Yan slammed her hands on the table and leaped to her feet, shielding Jiang Congyue like a mother hen protecting her chicks. Mm-hmm! Of course I believe Aunt Jiang! The future of the world depends on us to save it!

…… Jiang Le’s lips twitched. Heh, what an idiot.

She couldn’t fathom how someone over thirty could still harbor such childish delusions.

But then again, if this person was Li Yan, everything seemed to make perfect sense.

After listening to the story for so long, Li Yan’s drowsiness returned. She had rushed to finish the announcement without sleep and had come here to rest. Now that the initial excitement had worn off, her energy was nearly depleted.

I can’t take it anymore, I’m exhausted, she yawned, dragging her suitcase toward the first-floor guest room like a drifting soul.

Jiang Congyue gazed up at Jiang Le’s room, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Jiang Le glanced at her briefly before quickly averting her gaze and turning back to her study. The door closed with a sound as soft as a falling leaf.

Not long after, Jiang Le sat restlessly before her computer screen. Though she recognized every word, she couldn’t focus on a single sentence.

At that moment, the door behind her creaked open. Without turning around, she knew it was Jiang Congyue.

Suddenly, a warm hand gripped the back of her neck, kneading gently. Jiang Congyue’s soft voice whispered in her ear, Chairman Jiang must be so tired. Let me massage you.

Jiang Le’s thin lips pressed tighter. A subtle shiver ran through her neck at the touch, betraying its extreme sensitivity. Yet she forced herself to remain composed, offering only a faint hmm as she allowed the hands to continue their work.

Why did you suddenly interrupt my conversation with Yanyan earlier? Jiang Congyue’s hands moved with gentle precision, but her voice carried a hint of cunning, like a captivating fox spirit luring its prey deeper into its trap. Little Miss Jiang… were you jealous?

Jiang Le’s back stiffened momentarily, but she maintained a deliberately flat tone. Heh, no, nothing like that.

Jiang Congyue covered her mouth, feigning exaggerated surprise. Ah, so I was just being presumptuous. Well, then… She paused, her tone shifting to a playful, almost coquettish tone. Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?

Jiang Le’s fingers unconsciously traced the textured edge of her laptop, a subtle awkwardness creeping into her voice. With all this space, you can’t find a place to sleep?

Oh, but the sofa’s so uncomfortable, Jiang Congyue protested, gently nudging Jiang Le’s shoulder, her voice soft as cotton candy. I want someone to sleep with me.

Jiang Le looked up, her gaze sharp and mocking. Jiang Congyue, who was sleeping so soundly on the sofa just a few days ago? Was that me?

The atmosphere froze for a moment, tinged with a delicate awkwardness.

But Jiang Congyue quickly reverted to her cheerful demeanor, leaning in closer. That’s different! Besides, the weather forecast says there might be thunderstorms tonight. I… I’m scared.

I don’t remember ever being afraid of thunder, Jiang Le said coldly. What’s changed now?

Jiang Congyue hummed softly, her voice tinged with both grievance and an inexplicable melancholy. You wouldn’t understand. I developed this phobia during the years I lived longer than you. That’s why you don’t know.

Oh? Then tell me, what happened? Jiang Le finally tore her gaze away from the computer screen, fixing it intently on Jiang Congyue. Her eyes burned with curiosity, as if desperate to uncover the secret behind her fear of thunder.

But Jiang Congyue raised a finger to her lips. Shh… Heavenly secrets must not be revealed. I can’t tell you.

Something in that reply struck a nerve. Jiang Le shoved Jiang Congyue away, her face darkening. Hmph. Then I’ll just assume you’re lying. Go sleep alone if you’re so afraid of thunder.

Jiang Congyue widened her eyes, clutching her chest dramatically like Xishi, the legendary beauty. Ah, you wound me so! And all I wanted was what’s best for you.

Jiang Le, who had been about to end the conversation, abruptly stood up, her face so dark it seemed about to drip water. What’s best for me? she sneered. Yes, you were so good to me—the best person in the world! But you’re dead! You’re dead!

Jiang Congyue’s eyes darkened slightly. The massive storm she had long anticipated was finally about to break.

Jiang Le, who usually masked her emotions so well, now stood with bloodshot eyes and trembling with agitation. After a moment, she took a deep breath, struggling to regain her composure.

Watching Jiang Congyue, usually so articulate and persuasive, now lower her gaze and fall silent, Jiang Le felt as if an invisible hand had clenched her heart, squeezing so hard she could barely breathe. What was this between them?

Then why don’t you tell me more? Tell me why you appeared in this world, why you grow younger every day, why you died and came back to life, and where you’ve been these past few years?

Speak up! What’s wrong? You were so eloquent with Li Yan just now, but suddenly you’re mute with me? Jiang Le’s voice rose to a hysterical roar.

If you can’t tell me why you came back to life or what the future holds, then at least lie to me! Tell me something to comfort me! Her voice softened, tinged with a sob. You claim to have lived longer than me. Then guess what I want to hear!

The words struck Jiang Congyue like physical blows, each one searing with pain. She forced a strained smile, a pathetic attempt to hide her anguish.

She had always believed that love should preempt all harm. She had wanted to shower Jiang Le with the world’s finest things, shielding her from even the slightest injustice or suffering, ensuring her days were filled with joy.

Yet she had failed to bring Jiang Le home before the abuse began, failed to shower her with love, and instead caused her endless sorrow, even haunting her nights with the memory of her death.

Why? Jiang Congyue thought desperately. Why did you choose to die so resolutely before my eyes, when there were so many ways to deceive you, to coax you?

Watching the tears stream down Jiang Le’s face, Jiang Congyue felt each drop like a poisoned needle piercing her chest. The pain spread instantly through her limbs and bones, leaving no part of her untouched.

Jiang Le’s tears were a punishment more agonizing than any weapon.

I will love you unconditionally, Jiang Congyue said, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly, because we once loved each other deeply. But you look at me as if I were a strange stranger. Your heart… it’s so impossible to reach.

But when all your pain and joy come from me, it becomes impossible for anyone else to enter your heart. Under Jiang Le’s gaze, which seemed to want to devour her, Jiang Congyue slowly approached, her voice carrying a hint of obsessive certainty. If you were in my place, you would make the same choice. After all, we are fundamentally the same.

Beneath the intense love lay an overwhelming possessiveness. They were like each other’s incurable bad habits, each needing to brand the other deeply, carving their names onto the other’s soul to assert an unquestionable claim of ownership.

Just as Jiang Le’s anger threatened to overwhelm her, Jiang Congyue slipped away unnoticed.

Jiang Le closed her eyes, forcing down her rage and trying to regain composure. Why should I be the one screaming myself hoarse while she always maintains this detached, serene demeanor?

I should calmly observe her, ignoring her every move. Only then would it be fair.

She was almost convincing herself when something hot and soft was suddenly pressed into her hand. A hand then gripped hers tightly, the heat so intense she nearly recoiled.

Jiang Le’s eyes snapped open, the lingering haze and faint redness still visible in their depths.

Jiang Congyue’s gentle smile crashed into her vision like a stone thrown into a tranquil lake, sending a violent tremor through her heart. The defenses Jiang Le had just erected crumbled instantly.

Lele, you’re suffering too much, Jiang Congyue whispered against her ear, her voice as light as a sigh. So much that no amount of love can cover it. You just need someone to catch this pain. But no one else is you—they haven’t walked your path, they don’t understand. Only I can, only I.

I understand you, I cherish you, I love you…

Jiang Congyue murmured softly against her ear, yet her hands gripped Jiang Le’s tightly, their fingers intertwined as if trying to grind something from their palms into their very bones.

Pain.

Burning hot.

These two thoughts surged uncontrollably through Jiang Le’s mind.

Across from her, Jiang Congyue was no wooden figure either. The same searing sensation pierced her palm, yet she let out a low, eerie laugh unlike her usual demeanor. In the next moment, she pressed her lips against Jiang Le’s slightly cool ones.

Her voice carried a hint of seduction. I don’t want Lele to have to eat cold meals forever.

Jiang Le’s pupils, which had been faintly dilated, snapped into focus. She moved her hand, unable to break free from Jiang Congyue’s grip, but now she could clearly feel what was in her palm.

It was a ball of scalding hot rice.

The moment Jiang Le understood, both women’s eyes reddened, and they burst into laughter—a laughter filled with complex emotions resentment, relief, and the preciousness of something lost and found again.

Then, as if driven mad, they began to devour each other’s breath. Jiang Congyue skillfully hooked Jiang Le’s lips and tongue, attempting to gain the upper hand.

But Jiang Le refused to yield. She recklessly tangled with Jiang Congyue, launching a fierce, desperate assault, claiming territory with savage abandon.

Unwilling to let their lips bleed from the rough contact, Jiang Congyue gently gripped Jiang Le’s sensitive nape, coaxing her to soften. She soothed Jiang Le’s back, slowly guiding her to find pleasure in the moment.

Somehow, they moved from the study to the bedroom. Just as Jiang Congyue had predicted, torrential rain lashed against the windows, accompanied by thunderous claps and blinding flashes of lightning.

No matter how the storm raged outside, with pale flashes of lightning illuminating the room, only their entwined figures were visible, lost in tender intimacy.

Afterward, Jiang Le pressed her lips together, her back turned to Jiang Congyue, offering only a stiff, unyielding silhouette.

Jiang Congyue, who had intended to share a tender moment, couldn’t help but chuckle at Jiang Le’s puffed-up cheeks. She leaned in and whispered, Why are you angry? It’s normal to be clumsy the first time. It didn’t even hurt that much. Don’t be mad.

Jiang Le covered her face, inwardly berating herself for her past lack of diligence. Why couldn’t I have learned this properly before? Now I’m just making a fool of myself!

Hearing Jiang Congyue’s sweet-talking attempts to coax her, Jiang Le felt even more mortified. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and pretended to be asleep.

Jiang Congyue leaned closer, her amusement deepening as she watched Jiang Le’s slightly trembling eyelids.

With a wry smile, she lay back down and wrapped her arms around Jiang Le’s waist from behind, resting her chin gently in the crook of her shoulder.

The rain outside gradually subsided, its soft patter like a gentle lullaby. Amidst the rhythm of their breathing, the two women slowly drifted into sleep.

Jiang Congyue 37