When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 28

When Jiang Le woke up the next morning, she found Jiang Congyue and Li Yan sitting side-by-side on the living room sofa, sharing a box of strawberries. Their laughter and easy conversation made her unconsciously sigh in relief.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting a warm, intimate scene. Li Yan noticed her first, immediately flashing a radiant smile and patting the empty space beside her. Come join us! Aunt Jiang bought the sweetest strawberries today.

Jiang Congyue looked up, her eyes crinkling with a gentle smile. The familiar sight warmed Jiang Le’s heart, as if she had been transported back to those ordinary weekend mornings from ten years ago.

Li Yan glanced between the two, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She tilted her chin high and pointed a finger at each of them. Hmph! You two made up? Shouldn’t you celebrate?

Jiang Congyue stood up and playfully pinched Li Yan’s cheek, her gesture casual and affectionate. Alright, little mediator. I’ll take you out for a fancy dinner.

I want the most expensive one! Li Yan insisted, shaking her head stubbornly, her hair dancing in the sunlight.

Jiang Le gracefully pulled out her phone and tapped a few times. How about the revolving restaurant on the top floor of Cloud Peak Hotel? I’ve heard their French foie gras is exceptional. Her tone was casual, as if she were commenting on the weather, but the subtle sparkle in her eyes betrayed her good mood.

Li Yan’s eyes lit up, and she swayed coyly, feigning embarrassment. Oh my, I feel so awkward letting Chairman Jiang treat us. But since you’re so insistent…

Cut the act, Jiang Congyue said with a laugh, pressing down hard on Li Yan’s head. Your eyes are sparkling brighter than a lightbulb! Stop pretending!

The three of them burst into laughter, the long-missed warmth filling the air.

A few hours later, they were seated in the revolving restaurant on the top floor of the Cloudtop Hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a dazzling view of North City’s nightscape. Soft lighting bathed the interior, piano music flowed like water, and fresh white roses adorned each table.

This is way too extravagant! Li Yan whispered in awe, her eyes darting around to take in the exquisite crystal chandeliers and gilded decorations.

As the waiter poured champagne, Li Yan suddenly blinked. Since we’re already here… could we add a lobster?

Jiang Congyue raised her head, teasing, Oh, what’s this? Is Chen Ting starving you? Coming to us for a feast?

Ugh, don’t even mention her! It has nothing to do with Chen Ting—it’s my manager, Li Yan groaned, her face falling. She even checks my saliva to see if I’ve added sugar! What a miserable life I lead!

Jiang Le silently placed a piece of foie gras on Li Yan’s plate, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Poor Yan Yan, you’ve gotten so thin from hunger, Jiang Congyue said, cradling Li Yan’s head and stroking her hair with tender concern. You’ve really suffered, haven’t you?

Stop touching my hair! Li Yan protested, her eyes widening as if she had just realized Jiang Congyue’s trick. She frantically pulled out a mirror to fix her hair. My stylist spent hours perfecting this look!

Jiang Le watched their playful banter, a gentle smile softening her gaze. She beckoned a waiter and thoughtfully ordered three different lobster dishes for Li Yan.

Midway through the meal, Jiang Le felt a sudden wave of dizziness, likely from the champagne’s lingering effects. I’ll be right back, she said, setting down her glass and rising gracefully.

As she walked down the velvet-carpeted corridor, Jiang Le’s steps felt unsteady. She steadied herself against the wall, following the signs to the restroom.

Rounding a corner, a figure suddenly collided with her from the side. Caught off guard, Jiang Le felt a sharp pain in her shoulder, the jolt instantly clearing her head.

The person who bumped into her was a woman in a server’s uniform, but her expression was panicked. When the woman looked up and recognized Jiang Le’s face, she suddenly collapsed onto the floor, scrambling backward in terror.

No! Don’t come any closer… The woman trembled violently, her eyes wide with fear, as if she had seen something utterly terrifying.

Jiang Le frowned. Despite the sharp pain from the collision, her years of upbringing compelled her to politely extend a hand. Are you alright? Let me help you up.

Get away! Get away from me! Ah! The woman clutched her head and screamed hysterically, drawing the attention of the nearby restaurant manager.

Her patience exhausted, Jiang Le lowered her gaze coldly, refusing to give the woman another glance. She turned and walked away. She vaguely heard someone coming to take the woman away, but she paid little attention.

Jiang Le nodded faintly and continued toward the restroom. Yet she could feel the woman’s terrified gaze following her until the corner blocked her line of sight.

When Jiang Le returned to the table, she found another wine bottle empty. Li Yan and Jiang Congyue were clearly drunk, clinging to each other and weeping loudly.

Aunt Jiang, do you know how heartbroken Jiang Le and I were back then? Li Yan sobbed, her voice trembling. I missed you so, so, so much. I’m so glad you’re back, waaaah…

Yan Yan, I missed you both terribly too… Jiang Congyue’s voice was choked with emotion as she gently patted Li Yan’s back, her own eyes red-rimmed.

Jiang Le stood nearby, sighing helplessly. She decided not to interrupt their reunion for now, mainly because she feared they might get carried away and try to drag her into another Peach Garden Oath of Brotherhood.

Turning away, she walked to the railing of the observation deck and gazed down at North City’s dazzling nightscape. The cool night breeze brushed against her face, bringing a refreshing clarity. From this height, the glittering extravagance of the city’s entertainment district stretched out below, while in the distance, the warm glow of countless homes twinkled like stars. She had seen this view from similar vantage points before, but never had she felt such a profound sense of peace and tranquility.

Jiang Le closed her eyes, simply savoring the gentle caress of the wind against her cheeks. The only sounds were the wind’s soft whispers and the distant hum of the city.

Until a hand landed on her shoulder, shattering the moment’s serenity.

Jiang Le squinted through her hazy vision and recognized Lin Yueying. She quickly composed herself, a faint smile curving her lips. What a coincidence, Miss Lin.

Lin Yueying, a cigarette dangling from her lips, looked displeased. The real surprise is seeing Chairman Jiang here. What brings you to such a place today? Oh, right, let me guess—with your lover, perhaps?

She emphasized the word lover with deliberate sharpness, as if grinding her teeth.

Yes, Jiang Le replied. She knew Lin Yueying had likely discovered her manipulations in the real estate project and was now furious.

But what could she do? After all, the Jiang Corporation and the Lin Clan were not only partners but also fierce competitors in many sectors. In the business world, it was survival of the fittest—disrupting the other’s stability was the only way to secure greater profits for one’s own.

Still, Lin Yueying wouldn’t risk a public confrontation. Exhaling a smoke ring, she remarked casually, I never imagined the notoriously aloof Chairman Jiang would be so… sentimental.

Jiang Le disliked the insinuation. The smile vanished from her lips. What do you mean?

Lin Yueying glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and said casually, My brother’s new mistress seems to know Chairman Jiang. Even in her crazed state, she keeps calling your name. Lele, is that your nickname?

Mistress? Knows me? Jiang Le suddenly remembered the strange waitress from earlier. She searched her memory, but no familiar face matched the woman’s. She shook her head faintly. You’re mistaken. I don’t know her.

With that, Jiang Le turned and left, unwilling to prolong the conversation with Lin Yueying. Miss Lin remained standing there alone, puffing on her cigarette.

Back in the private room, Jiang Le found the other two had calmed down somewhat. Li Yan’s face was flushed as she hiccuped repeatedly, while Jiang Congyue wasn’t much better, propping her head up and giggling foolishly. Seeing Jiang Le return, Jiang Congyue reached out and hugged her, her voice filled with wounded tenderness. You’re finally back. I missed you so much…

Jiang Le froze at those words. She stared at Jiang Congyue, who was clinging to her, and realized this wasn’t the usual playful banter. This was genuine longing and hurt.

Jiang Le smiled bitterly as she cupped Jiang Congyue’s face, her thumb gently smoothing the furrowed brow caused by her drunkenness. In that moment, Jiang Le was once again reminded of the inherent imbalance in their relationship—Jiang Congyue knew everything about her, while she knew nothing of Jiang Congyue’s past.

Jiang Le pressed a soft kiss to Jiang Congyue’s forehead.

Love yourself.

Jiang Congyue, what about you?

In the places I can’t see, are you taking good care of yourself?

Li Yan crawled over and pressed her face close. Jiang Le, why are you only kissing Aunt Jiang? I want one too!

The tears that had been welling in Jiang Le’s eyes dissolved into laughter as she hastily pushed Li Yan’s insistent face away. No.

She pulled out her phone and called Chen Ting, asking her to come pick them up. She couldn’t possibly manage two drunks at once.

Of course, there was another unspoken reason Li Yan was intruding on their private moment.

As expected, Chen Ting arrived in a hurry within half an hour. She helped the limp Li Yan to her feet, showing little surprise at seeing the two identical faces. With a polite nod to Jiang Le, she led Li Yan away. Jiang Le appreciated her tact.

Now, only Jiang Le and Jiang Congyue remained. Jiang Le helped the tipsy Jiang Congyue to her feet, relieved that their drinking habits were similar—when drunk, they didn’t act wild but became somewhat dazed. At this moment, Jiang Congyue would probably do anything Jiang Le asked of her.

Back at Jiang Congyue’s apartment, Jiang Le gently laid her on the bed. Seeing the usually composed and collected Jiang Congyue now so docile and confused, Jiang Le couldn’t resist her playful impulse. She poked Jiang Congyue’s cheek and commanded, Raise your hands!

Jiang Congyue obediently raised her hands, holding them straight and still, without moving.

Jiang Le chuckled softly, finding Jiang Congyue utterly adorable in this state. She leaned down and kissed her.

But the moment their lips met, Jiang Congyue’s hand clamped down on Jiang Le’s head. Acting on instinct, Jiang Congyue used her tongue to pry open Jiang Le’s lips and teeth, boldly seizing control of Jiang Le’s territory.

Jiang Le, her waist aching from the teasing, tried to push Jiang Congyue back with her tongue, but Jiang Congyue succeeded in entangling them.

After a breathless kiss, Jiang Congyue opened her hazy eyes, her gaze brimming with spring-like tenderness. She smiled triumphantly, flipped over to pin Jiang Le beneath her, and resumed their passionate kiss.

Jiang Le’s mind reeled as Jiang Congyue’s sudden reversal of roles left her weak-kneed and breathless. She tried to push back with her tongue, but only found herself drawn deeper into the kiss. The intensity of their embrace left them both gasping for air.

In a brief moment between ragged breaths, Jiang Le managed to maintain a sliver of clarity. Do you even know who I am? she whispered.

Jiang Congyue froze, her hazy eyes focusing on Jiang Le’s face. She suddenly giggled, You’re Lele… my Lele… She leaned down again, her nose nuzzling Jiang Le’s neck, her warm breath sending shivers down her spine.

Jiang Le sighed inwardly. Not a single slip-up. I can’t get a word out of her.

Fine, enjoying this moment of pleasure isn’t a loss either.

Jiang Le stroked Jiang Congyue’s smooth lower back and chuckled softly.

Liar.