When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 30

After Jiang Congyue completely succumbed to darkness, Jiang Le sat beside her, gazing at her gradually sleeping face. Her fingertip gently brushed across the slight furrow between Jiang Congyue’s brows.

The drug’s effects began to take hold, and Jiang Congyue’s breathing became steady and deep. Those eyes, which always concealed countless secrets, were now peacefully closed.

Jiang Le softly kissed Jiang Congyue’s forehead, then rose to retrieve the spare phone she had prepared for her. As expected, the device contained nothing.

How could someone as meticulous as her leave any trace for me to find?

She sighed, tossed the phone aside, and took one last look at Jiang Congyue on the bed before silently leaving.

Driving to a secluded residential complex, she parked effortlessly beneath a familiar building.

After a moment’s hesitation, she abandoned Jiang Congyue’s old advice—always bring a gift when visiting someone’s home. After all, she was already inside the complex, far from any shops.

Empty-handed, she ascended the stairs and rang the doorbell.

It took a while for someone to answer.

Jiang Le smiled. Long time no see, Butler Lin.

Lin Qingyu stared at Jiang Le through the doorway, momentarily taken aback. But she quickly recovered, a faint smile spreading across her face. She wouldn’t smile like that. You’re being too unnatural.

Ah, Jiang Le’s forced smile faded, replaced by genuine amusement at her own awkwardness. I’m trying my best.

Now you look more like her, Lin Qingyu said, turning to invite Jiang Le inside.

Jiang Le stepped into the room. Though not large, the space was arranged with extraordinary warmth, instantly evoking a sense of home. A row of potted flowers swayed gently on the balcony, basking in the sunlight and swaying in the breeze, their vibrant colors adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

A steaming cup of floral tea was placed before Jiang Le. Lin Qingyu sat down opposite her, sipping casually.

Jiang Le wasted no time on pleasantries. Tell me how Jiang Congyue and Su Wen communicated.

Lin Qingyu raised an eyebrow. One’s right beside you, and the other’s locked up. What need do you have for their contact information?

Jiang Le pressed a hand to her forehead, realizing the ambiguity in her words. Lin Qingyu was deliberately teasing her. How did they communicate?

You’ve already seen it, Lin Qingyu said casually, blowing on her scalding tea.

What do you mean?

Seen it? Jiang Le was utterly confused.

The letter delivered to the company reception desk was from Su Wen.

Jiang Le’s hand froze around her cup. The long-forgotten letter she had carelessly tossed aside, Jiang Congyue’s sudden request for her to buy groceries that day, and her own decision to go downstairs despite it all…

She had suspected Jiang Congyue might be using Lin Qingyu as a contact, but she never imagined she had unknowingly played such a significant role.

Jiang Le laughed bitterly. Those poor legs of hers must have been exhausted.

Where’s the letter? Jiang Congyue is cautious. She wouldn’t destroy it or carry it on her person. If I had to guess, she’s using you as a relay point.

Lin Qingyu didn’t deny it, smoothing a strand of white hair at her temple. But she warned me that if I gave you the letter, she’d end the game early.

Jiang Le’s heart clenched. Start early? No, it’s already begun.

She slammed her hand on the table, her eyes bloodshot, and roared at Lin Qingyu, her composure shattered, Give me the letter!

Jiang Le practically raced back to the villa, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest. She stormed into Jiang Congyue’s locked room, only to find the bed empty. All that remained were cold iron chains and a faint, lingering trace of Jiang Congyue’s perfume—a crisp, icy fragrance.

She had been outmaneuvered. Jiang Congyue had planned this day meticulously, calculating the timing perfectly, knowing Jiang Le would seek out Lin Qingyu.

Her phone vibrated with a brief message. The attached image showed a hastily scribbled note

East City, Old Harbor District, Abandoned Warehouse #1. Lele, please come quickly. — Su Wen

Jiang Le’s eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, she grabbed her car keys and bolted out the door again. As she drove, she tried calling Jiang Congyue’s phone, but it was switched off. Forcing herself to stay calm, she analyzed the situation.

East of the city, in the old port district.

Jiang Congyue kicked at the sharp gravel under her feet, watching the familiar scenery gradually unfold before her. For a moment, she felt a tremor of fear, but she quickly regained her composure.

She continued walking toward the abandoned Warehouse No. 1.

Lin Zhen is such a useless fool, she thought to herself. Even when given a chance, he couldn’t handle it. Leaving behind this death trap.

She sighed, gazing at the rolling waves in the distance and the darkening sky.

Whistling softly, she slowly pushed open the dilapidated iron gate and stepped inside. As expected, the moment she entered, a damp, putrid stench washed over her.

In the dimly lit, silent warehouse, only the dripping of water could be heard.

In the center of the room, a figure sat on a tattered chair, head bowed, feet tapping nervously back and forth. The hem of her white dress swayed with the movement, revealing the person’s anxiety even from behind.

Jiang Congyue shuffled closer.

Hearing the sound, the figure jerked her head up, her eyes bloodshot, face pale, yet her gaze burned with an unnerving intensity.

Su Wen’s expression twisted between fear and elation at seeing Jiang Congyue. The conflicting emotions contorted her features into a grotesque mask. She no longer knew what expression to wear when facing her.

Where is it? Jiang Congyue’s voice was calm, even carrying a hint of the cold detachment Jiang Le usually displayed.

That’s right, that’s it, exactly like this… Su Wen stared at her with feverish intensity, clutching a silver-white USB drive so tightly it seemed she wanted to embed it into her palm. Here, Lele. I knew you’d come to see me. You still care about me, don’t you? After all, we’re such good friends, right? Right? Tell me I’m right…

Her eyes widened with excitement as she took a step forward, pressing the USB drive into Jiang Congyue’s hand. Lin Yueying tried to bribe me again, but I won’t fall for it a second time! I’m giving it to you, Lele. You have to help me. You’re the only one who can. You want money, don’t you? With this, you can bring down the Lin Clan and have more money than you could ever spend in a lifetime!

Lele, Su Wen panicked when Jiang Congyue showed no reaction. She forced a smile. Lele, do you remember when we were at the orphanage? I was the only one who was kind to you. We were good friends, weren’t we? Do you remember?

Jiang Congyue silently endured Su Wen’s frantic grip on her hand. When Su Wen finally stopped, Jiang Congyue calmly withdrew her hand, saying, I’m sorry, we’re not that close.

Ah! Su Wen let out a piercing scream. No, that’s impossible! I’m the only one whose favorability rating reached 10%! I must be the most special!

Clutching her head in agony, Su Wen knelt down, grasping Jiang Congyue’s hand, tears streaming down her face. Lele, are you mad at me? I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but I genuinely wanted to be good to you. Before I left, I even asked my parents to take you out of the orphanage, you know that, right? I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you, my name is…

Jiang Congyue watched Su Wen babble incoherently, but stopped her just as she was about to reveal her real name. She smiled faintly. Shh, an unimportant name. I don’t want to hear it.

Please, I’m begging you. No one will remember my name. Please, just remember my name, okay? I can’t leave now. I’ll be trapped here, Su Wen pleaded, clutching at Jiang Congyue’s sleeve.

When you manipulate people’s hearts, why don’t you ever consider whether the NPCs you ‘conquer’ might become trapped? Lin Zhen—didn’t he truly love you? Why, after gaining his 100% sincerity, did you so carelessly abandon him?

Hearing Lin Zhen’s name, Su Wen strangely calmed down, though her tears flowed even more fiercely. But he’s just a paper cutout, just an NPC. I can’t…

You’re being stubborn, Jiang Congyue said, her voice weary.

Just then, the screech of brakes echoed outside the warehouse.

Lin Yueying stepped out of the car, removed her sunglasses, and smirked at Lin Zhen, who stood across from her, his expression dark. Hey, little bro! I told you, your little lovey-dovey game with your ‘honey’ shouldn’t involve others. Look at President Jiang—you’ve made such a mess of things!

Lin Zhen ignored his gloating sister, snorted coldly, and strode into the warehouse. Su Wen! Listen to me! Give me the USB drive!

The sudden shout startled Su Wen, who had finally calmed down. She snapped out of her daze and saw the Lin siblings, her mind reeling with panic.

Su Wen whipped her head toward Jiang Congyue, her eyes bloodshot and crazed. She lunged at her, screaming, You lied to me! You’re one of them! You tricked me—you’re not Lele!

Suddenly, she pulled a folding knife from her pocket and lunged at Jiang Congyue.

Su Wen!

Jiang Congyue!

The cries of alarm overlapped.

In a split-second, Jiang Congyue instinctively dodged, grabbing Su Wen’s wrist as she saw Jiang Le charging in from the doorway.

Distracted for a moment, Jiang Congyue gave Su Wen an opening. Su Wen seized the opportunity, slamming her elbow into Jiang Congyue’s abdomen. Jiang Congyue gasped in pain, stars flashing before her eyes, and instinctively curled into herself.

Su Wen then grabbed Jiang Congyue by the throat, dragging her stumbling toward the warehouse’s crumbling wall.

Beyond the wall lay the churning sea.

Cough… cough… Struck by the madwoman’s brutal punch and dragged by the neck, Jiang Congyue gasped for air, her vision blurring.

Lele, let’s die together! Su Wen cackled maniacally.

Lin Zhen reached out, pleading, Su Wen, calm down! Come back! Please…

Jiang Congyue! Jiang Le roared, her eyes bloodshot as she lunged forward with every ounce of strength.

Su Wen, shoved backward, fell toward the edge. But before she plummeted, a flash of pure hatred ignited in her eyes. With her last surge of strength, she viciously stabbed backward with the knife in her hand.

Jiang Le’s entire focus was on pulling Jiang Congyue back, leaving her no time to react.

Thunk— The dull, sickening sound of the blade slicing through flesh echoed in the warehouse.

Lele!

A searing pain exploded in Jiang Le’s lower back, radiating through her entire body. She gasped, her face draining of color. Her grip on Jiang Congyue’s hand loosened momentarily, then tightened again with desperate force.

Using her last shred of strength, Jiang Le dragged Jiang Congyue completely into her arms. Together, they crashed heavily onto the concrete floor at the edge of the warehouse.

Su Wen! No! Lin Zhen shouted in horror, lunging forward to try and grab her.

As Su Wen fell, she let out a desperate scream that quickly dissolved into a chilling calm. She closed her eyes and plunged into the dark, icy sea below, swallowed by the waves in an instant.

Jiang Le… Jiang Congyue’s voice trembled uncontrollably as she frantically cradled the injured woman. Her hands immediately came into contact with something warm and sticky.

Crimson bl00d was seeping from Jiang Le’s lower back, staining her hands and the floor crimson.

Jiang Le curled up in agony, large beads of cold sweat beading on her forehead. Yet her hand remained tightly clenched around Jiang Congyue’s sleeve, her gaze struggling to focus on her face. Only after confirming Jiang Congyue was unharmed did she manage a weak smile. This time… would you say… you miscalculated?

Jiang Congyue’s tears burst forth like a dam breaking. She pressed desperately against Jiang Le’s bleeding wound, her voice cracking as she screamed at the stunned Lin Yueying, Call an ambulance! Hurry, call an ambulance!

The sky darkened ominously, and the sea wind raged, billowing into their sleeves and carrying the acrid, metallic scent of bl00d.

Such a fierce wind, yet it couldn’t penetrate the space between the two lovers locked in a tight embrace.

Jiang Congyue choked out, her voice trembling against Jiang Le’s ear, No, no… It was all fate. I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I couldn’t change it… I couldn’t change it. Her tears fell freely onto Jiang Le’s face, as if they cost nothing. I don’t have some all-seeing power. I didn’t know any more than you did. You weren’t the only one guessing—I was guessing too. I’m sorry… I still failed.

Jiang Le listened to her fragmented apologies, too weak to offer any comfort. Then, slowly, she lost consciousness.

The wail of sirens grew louder, approaching from the distance. In the chaos, no one noticed the USB drive they had fought over rolling across the ground, stained with dust and bl00d.

The farce ended abruptly as a police officer stepped over the silver-gray USB drive, bringing the curtain down on the scene.

Jiang Congyue 35