When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 27

The next morning, Jiang Le was awakened by an unpleasant alarm. She groggily opened her eyes and sat up, only to find the other side of the bed empty.

Her heart skipped a beat as she stared blankly at the empty space beside her.

A moment later, Jiang Congyue poked her head out of the bathroom, brushing her teeth, and mumbled, What are you staring at? Still half-asleep?

Jiang Le glanced at her face, and the memories of the previous day flooded back. She abruptly turned her back, furiously bunching up the blanket in her hands.

After mentally steeling herself for what felt like an eternity, she finally threw back the covers, stormed out of bed, and glared at Jiang Congyue as she continued her morning routine.

Oh, someone’s in a mood? Jiang Congyue teased, wiping her face and playfully poking Jiang Le’s cheek with a raised eyebrow.

Jiang Le refused to acknowledge her, burying her head and avoiding eye contact.

Jiang Congyue chuckled twice before whistling her way downstairs.

Downstairs, Li Yan was already awake, engrossed in a game on her tablet while muttering under her breath.

Leaning closer, Jiang Congyue heard Li Yan yelling angrily, Seriously, Chen Ting, can you even play this game?! If you can’t, get out of the way and let me take over!

After a moment of silence from the other end, the sound of jingling gold coins erupted from Li Yan’s phone. She immediately snatched it up to check.

Li Yan’s eyes lit up, and her voice softened instantly. Wow, baby, I just realized how much I love you. This game is definitely challenging, but take your time. No rush.

Jiang Congyue stared at her, speechless at the sudden shift in demeanor.

Sighing, she plopped down beside Li Yan and asked, Yanyan?

Li Yan’s fingers flew across the keyboard, but she glanced up briefly without taking her eyes off the screen. What’s up?

Can I ask you something? Jiang Congyue leaned closer.

Jiang Le came downstairs to find the two women huddled together, whispering. Jiang Congyue was frowning silently, while Li Yan gesticulated wildly, her face animated and lively.

Since Jiang Le had been trying to avoid Jiang Congyue anyway, she seized the opportunity to slip out while they were engrossed in their conversation.

As soon as she entered the company, the receptionist stopped her. Chairman Jiang, a letter arrived for you just now.

Jiang Le frowned as she took the envelope. Who even writes letters these days? How odd. She didn’t bother opening it immediately, though, because an uninvited guest was waiting for her in the lobby.

Second Young Master Lin, what brings you here so early in the morning? Jiang Le asked, her expression weary, clearly not eager to see him.

It was strange. Someone she rarely saw had been appearing before her more frequently lately, and she couldn’t explain why she instinctively disliked him.

You’re just going to make me talk here? Lin Zhen raised an eyebrow.

The lobby was crowded and full of prying eyes, hardly a suitable place for a private conversation. Jiang Le folded the letter and turned slightly, saying coolly, Then please, come with me.

Lin Zhen swaggered after Jiang Le to her office, casually crossing his legs on the sofa as if he owned the place. I’m here for one thing.

Hmm, Jiang Le nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

Give me the West City land project.

His arrogant demeanor and entitled tone nearly made Jiang Le laugh in exasperation. She leaned back in her chair. That project was assigned to your sister a few days ago. You’re a bit late to the party, aren’t you?

Lin Zhen’s eyes widened, and he slammed his hand on the desk, leaning forward. What?! You gave it to her? No, what right did you have? I’ve known you longer than she has! I still have shares in Zhuoran! You—you!

Jiang Le rested her head in her hand, as if deep in thought. After a long pause, she finally spoke. You’re right, sentimentally speaking, you have a point. But I’m afraid I can’t give it to you. For the sake of integrity in business, I can’t let personal feelings influence my decisions.

Across from her, Lin Zhen clenched his fists, his face flushed crimson as he struggled to contain his frustration. Finally, he clasped his hands together and lunged forward, pleading, Please, you’re my real sister, aren’t you? I’m begging you, just give me this project. If it succeeds, I’ll invest another ten million in Zhuoran.

If Dad hadn’t insisted this project was crucial for my future inheritance, would I even be groveling like this?

Jiang Le, who had once held a higher opinion of him, listened with amusement to his inner monologue. Within moments, he had cursed and complained over a hundred times, proving he was still as foolish as ever.

I wonder who possessed the Lin Zhen who used to discuss poetry collections with me back then.

Growing tired of his whining, she waved her hand dismissively. The decision to give the project to your sister was based on a comprehensive evaluation. Her team is more experienced, and their proposal is more thorough. She paused, noticing Lin Zhen’s resentful glare, and added, However…

Lin Zhen immediately perked up, his ears pricked.

There’s an urban redevelopment project in the eastern district that’s seeking partners. It’s smaller than the West City project, but the profit margins are decent. Jiang Le set down her coffee cup. If you’re interested, I can let you try it.

Lin Zhen eyed her suspiciously, clearly having learned from past mistakes. You’re being this generous?

Jiang Le smiled. Of course, there are conditions. First, you’ll be solely responsible for the project, but I need to approve the key team members. Second… She looked directly at Lin Zhen. Transfer your hidden shares in Zhuoran to me at their original price.

Lin Zhen’s pupils dilated. How does she know about my shares held under someone else’s name?!

He stared at Jiang Le for a long moment, then gritted his teeth. …I need to think about it.

Suit yourself. Jiang Le glanced at her watch. But I’d prefer an answer before the end of the workday. After all, you’re not the only one interested.

Lin Zhen stormed out, muttering curses, and the office finally fell silent.

Years ago, she and her group had put considerable effort into wooing this wealthy second-generation heir. Now that she and Gu Li no longer needed his money, it was time to kick out anyone who stood in their way. After all, she hated being threatened with leverage.

As for the Lin Clan’s succession…

She was happy to stir up a little chaos.

A phone call came through. Jiang Le answered with a sigh. Hello? What is it?

Lele, remember to buy some groceries when you come home tonight. We’re out of everything, Jiang Congyue said, her voice accompanied by the rustling sounds of her rummaging through cabinets.

That evening, Jiang Lexin, her heart brimming with joy, personally visited the exclusive supermarket in the villa district, leisurely selecting ingredients.

Perhaps out of boredom, Jiang Congyue had recently become obsessed with cooking, and now the refrigerator was completely empty of anything for her to experiment with. Having dismissed the household staff, she had no choice but to handle the grocery shopping herself, a task she actually found quite enjoyable.

Returning home with two heavy bags of groceries, Jiang Lexin’s first sight wasn’t Jiang Congyue lounging on the sofa watching TV, but utter darkness.

Her heart clenched, and the bags slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor. She shouldn’t have let her guard down just because Li Yan was here.

The boundless darkness silently engulfed her. She dug her nails into her palms, a whirlwind of anger and sorrow churning in her chest, leaving only a bitter sense of grievance.

But before despair could fully take hold, the lights suddenly blazed on. Jiang Congyue nudged her with an elbow. Hey, you little brat! Why didn’t you turn on the lights when you came in? What are you blocking the doorway for?

Jiang Lexin whirled around, nearly colliding with Jiang Congyue, and wordlessly wrapped her arms around her, holding her tight in silent embrace.

Jiang Congyue struggled to set down the groceries beside her, then hugged back the slightly insecure woman, both amused and exasperated. Let me see… are you about to cry? There, there, I just went downstairs to buy some food because you hadn’t come home yet and we were completely out of groceries. I was worried you’d be hungry when you got back.

Carrying the groceries, she led the clingy, silent woman into the living room, chuckling. Oh, don’t cry! It breaks my heart. It’s all my fault for not telling you beforehand, baby. I deserve a scolding.

Jiang Le watched as Jiang Congyue playfully raised her own hand as if to scold herself, then quickly withdrew her hand and turned to sit on the sofa.

Ah, I had prepared so many things, but they won’t be needed today, Jiang Congyue sighed, tidying up the dining table. Still, this can still be used.

Jiang Le looked up, her gaze drifting past Jiang Congyue’s shoulder to the candles and flowers arranged on the table. When her eyes returned, they fixed on the thick stack of red paper Jiang Congyue was smilingly handing her, seemingly pressed together using some clever technique.

As Jiang Congyue reached out to take it, the red paper instantly sprang open, scattering crimson rose petals across the floor. The paper stretched from Jiang Congyue’s hand all the way to Jiang Le’s feet, forming a long, continuous scroll.

Her gaze drifted across the lines of bold, golden characters on the red paper. The strokes stretched gracefully, each character balanced and elegant, delicate yet powerful, as if Jiang Congyue herself had transformed into these words, floating before her eyes.

When she calmed her mind and focused on the phrases, she looked up in astonishment, meeting those eternally gentle, watery eyes.

These were beautiful words, yet they felt like they shouldn’t belong to her.

Originally, Li Yan said we should stack some bills behind each one, but we’re on a tight budget, so I had to cut corners. But aren’t the roses at the end romantic? Ah, if I could have presented this during a candlelit dinner, it would have been even more…

Jiang Congyue’s rambling explanations abruptly ceased, replaced by soft, sweet kisses. Jiang Lexin lowered her head, gently supporting the arms wrapped around her neck.

Jiang Lexin felt suffocated, unable to breathe. She didn’t know how to cope, how to save herself, clinging to this moment like a drowning person desperately clutching the only piece of driftwood nearby, both in agony and in relief.

Why is it that when love touches us, the first thing we feel is pain?

In truth, Jiang Le simply didn’t understand that what she was feeling should have been called感动—感动. But the tears of感动 and the tears of pain both stung the same way, causing her to mistake one for the other.

Jiang Congyue, Jiang Le called out, her eyes red-rimmed, pronouncing each syllable with deliberate emphasis.

Hmm, Jiang Congyue responded softly, gently kissing away the tears on her cheek.

I really hate you… Jiang Le whispered, as if her bones had been drained from her body, leaning against Jiang Congyue and murmuring into her ear, I love you.

A single tear escaped Jiang Congyue’s eye. She chuckled softly, her voice tinged with mock resentment. I love you too. It was so hard to get you to say that…

She couldn’t tell Jiang Le about the tortuous, painful path she had walked to hear those words, about the bitterness and humiliation she had endured.

But with those words—I love you—everything had been worth it.

Jiang Congyue 24