When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 32

Time, like all things, must come to an end.

This time, Jiang Congyue’s departure was not sudden, but rather like the slow, inevitable withering of an autumn leaf.

She began to sleep more often, frequently drifting off against Jiang Le’s shoulder in the warm afternoon sunlight, her breathing soft and her face serene.

Jiang Le would remain perfectly still, letting Jiang Congyue lean against her, her gaze greedily tracing the contours of her sleeping face. Even though she had long prepared herself for this moment, a silent fear still tugged at the taut strings of her heart.

It’s still too short…

Jiang Congyue’s nose bled again, for the countless time. Jiang Le, her hands trembling almost imperceptibly, stubbornly and carefully wiped away the bl00d, trying to stop the flow.

She wanted to call their private doctor, but Jiang Congyue grasped her busy hand. It’s no use, Lele. The time is near.

Jiang Le immediately interrupted, pulling her into a tight embrace as if trying to meld her into her very bones, to resist the irresistible tide.

Jiang Congyue smiled indulgently as Jiang Le fussed over her, her eyes brimming with tenderness and longing. She reached up to brush aside a strand of Jiang Le’s hair, then suddenly froze. How old are you? How do you have so many gray hairs? she asked, her voice catching, tears welling in her eyes.

The price of her happiness had been Jiang Le’s endless torment, the girl’s anxious grip tightening on her hand.

It turned out that this second chance hadn’t saved Jiang Le, but herself. By prolonging the pain, she had bought herself years of self-deceptive sweetness.

Jiang Congyue smiled bitterly. Regret began to gnaw at her. Was this truly right? Was it fair?

When Jiang Le realized she’d been discovered, her fingers curled slightly. She subtly tried to pull her hand away, but Jiang Congyue swiftly blocked her.

Don’t pluck them! Don’t pluck them! Hey, doesn’t everyone say plucking one gray hair brings ten more? Jiang Congyue cupped Jiang Le’s face, grinning.

Jiang Le smiled back. You’re right. I won’t pluck them. They’re actually quite fashionable, like highlights.

It turned out that teasing words meant to please a lover could slip out so effortlessly.

The remark genuinely amused Jiang Congyue, who ruffled Jiang Le’s hair. You’ve been working too hard lately. Don’t push yourself so hard. You still have me, you know?

Alright, alright, Jiang Le murmured weakly, leaning against her shoulder. Then I’ll leave it to you, President Jiang.

They remained quiet, inhaling each other’s familiar, intertwined scents.

Time flowed slowly and steadily.

Gradually, Jiang Congyue’s energy began to wane. Her once-clear, spring-like eyes would sometimes cloud over, taking longer to focus.

But on her good days, she would squat in the garden, tending to the flowers and plants, basking in the comforting warmth of the autumn sun.

Jiang Le entrusted all her responsibilities to Lin Yuan, staying by Jiang Congyue’s side every moment. Her entire being was focused on this fading light before her, wondering when she had become so young again.

Countless times, Jiang Le would wake in the night, just to confirm that the shallow breaths of the person beside her still lingered.

As winter approached, Jiang Congyue rarely left her bed. She had grown terribly thin, wrapped snugly in a soft wool blanket adorned with a large floral print, making Jiang Le look like a delicate butterfly perched upon it.

That day, Jiang Le hurried back from outside, brushing the dust off her hands. It looks like it’s going to pour soon. I brought all your favorite flowers inside.

Jiang Congyue didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she stared out the window at the terrifyingly gloomy weather for a long moment before turning back with a faint smile. Oh, Lele, you’re so wonderful. Thank you.

The contrast between her slightly pale, youthful face and her old-fashioned words was almost comical.

But Jiang Le showed no awkwardness. After washing her hands, she sat on the bed and took Jiang Congyue’s slightly cold hand. It’s getting colder lately. Put your hand back under the covers.

Jiang Congyue stubbornly held onto her hand, refusing to let go. She opened her mouth to speak, but tears suddenly streamed down her face without warning.

Struggling through her sobs, she managed to say, Lele…

Jiang Le clenched her other hand so tightly that her nails seemed to dig into her palm, yet her face remained fixed in its usual obedient smile. I’m here. What do you want?

I… I’m so useless… Jiang Congyue seemed to be enduring immense pain, forcing each word out through clenched teeth.

Jiang Le lifted her hand and pressed it against her cheek, soothingly stroking it as she smiled. Don’t talk like that. You’re the strongest person I know. No one is stronger than you.

I spent… hngh… Jiang Congyue choked, unable to speak, tears streaming down her face.

Don’t say it… don’t say it… Jiang Le could no longer maintain her composure. Her smile froze, and her eyes gradually reddened.

An overwhelming dread descended, suffocating Jiang Le. She growled hoarsely, Don’t… don’t say any more. Please…

Jiang Congyue shook her head, her pale face flushed with pain. Ten years… every time… I spent ten years, Lele… Please don’t blame me… okay? I was too selfish. I wanted you to keep going… to never regret it…

She still couldn’t end it, couldn’t let go of her regrets.

Next time… it’s your turn. You have to… come find me sooner. Jiang Congyue’s hand suddenly gripped Jiang Le’s with astonishing force, her eyes locked on Jiang Le’s, filled with an overwhelming, almost frantic devotion and a desperate plea.

Okay…

Hearing this promise, Jiang Congyue let out a relieved chuckle. She raised her hand to stroke Jiang Le’s hair, whispering softly, Call my name one last time… as a final farewell.

Jiang Le gritted her teeth, shaking her head violently to suppress a scream. The pain was unbearable, forcing a muffled groan from her lips.

But Jiang Congyue’s gentle gaze, fixed on her face, compelled Jiang Le to involuntarily whisper, Jiang Congyue…

The moment those three words escaped her lips, Jiang Congyue’s smile widened. Her hand suddenly went limp, falling softly to her side. Her tender eyes slowly closed, the last flicker of light fading like a candle extinguished by the wind, leaving them utterly dark.

At that precise moment, the terrifyingly gloomy sky outside the window erupted with a deafening roar—

BOOM—

Thunder cracked, as if tearing a rift across the heavens. A blinding flash of lightning ripped through the dark clouds, illuminating every detail of the room, including Jiang Congyuan’s peaceful yet lifeless face.

Immediately afterward, a torrential downpour crashed down with overwhelming force, its dense raindrops hammering frantically against the glass windows, creating a deafening cacophony—a violent symphony of countless wails and sobs.

Jiang Le stood frozen, paralyzed.

It was as if all sound in the world had vanished, yet the deafening thunder and rain were amplified infinitely, assaulting her eardrums with unrestrained fury.

Then, without warning, an icy electronic notification pierced Jiang Le’s ears.

Ding-dong—

Congratulations, Player Unknown has obtained the hidden ending achievement Six Hundred and Fifty Times, A Name Unspeakable.

Warning! Warning! The System has encountered an unidentifiable error…

Six hundred and fifty times…

A name unspeakable.

Each word struck Jiang Le’s heart like a heavy hammer. She jerked her head up, her unfocused gaze struggling to sharpen as she frantically scanned the empty room.

The person who had been right beside her had vanished. Jiang Le’s heart pounded wildly. Gone… gone…

Her trembling hands frantically flipped through the blanket.

Was it all an illusion? Had that person never returned? The resurrection, the same soul—were they all figments of her madness?

Jiang Le searched with bloodshot eyes until her hand brushed against warm, soft skin. Her entire being trembled.

With trembling, fearful yet hopeful hands, she slowly lifted the blanket. Curled up peacefully beneath it lay an impossibly tiny infant, sucking contentedly on its fingers.

This is…

Jiang Le’s pupils constricted. She reached out and clutched the sleeping child tightly, tears falling heavily onto the back of her hand.

But then, she realized this baby…

Wasn’t breathing.

Jiang Le numbly moved the child aside and reached out to check again and again. It was true—there was no breath.

Hello, Player…

Before the System in her mind could finish speaking, Jiang Le’s eyes turned bloodshot. Her voice remained calm but stubborn as she demanded, How do I bring her back to life?

Hello, Player. This character is a romanceable target in the game. Her vitality will be restored upon restarting the mission storyline.

How do I restart?

The character’s respawn point is the orphanage.

Jiang Le drew her arms closer, her gaze falling to the child in her arms. The orphanage… Should she send her there?

No…

Is there another way?

In this world, any event related to a romanceable target can only be recreated with infinite approximation. If significant changes occur, the original outcome cannot be replicated.

Cannot be replicated.

That’s right. If she had a choice, she would never have allowed herself to suffer in such a remote place.

Jiang Le took a deep breath. She had to secure something better for the child, building upon the existing foundation. What does ‘six hundred and fifty times’ mean?

That’s the number of times this character’s name appears in the original work. If the count reaches zero, an immediate restart will be triggered.

Jiang Le’s heart skipped a beat. She finally understood the origin of her own name. Lowering her head, she gently pressed her forehead against the child’s.

Warning! Warning! Player’s remaining time has exceeded the limit. You will be forcibly disconnected…

Beep—Beep—Beep—

Unknown command—

A series of jarring sounds exploded in Jiang Le’s ears, causing her to wince. It took a long time for the noise to gradually stabilize.

Unknown player’s life force has been depleted. Would you like to exchange completed System Missions for Reverse Lifespan?

Jiang Le scoffed softly. This System voice was clearly different from the earlier, dimwitted AI—it sounded like a real person. What happens if I refuse?

Immediate erasure.

Jiang Le narrowed her eyes slightly. What kind of missions?

Recreate the character’s original storyline.

The original storyline… was that her former life?

How long will each exchange last?

Completing one cycle grants 10 years of Reverse Lifespan.

Ten years… Reverse Lifespan… Jiang Le’s heart clenched. So that’s why. How do I complete the missions?

The System will detach the player’s soul and transport it to the mission world.

What happens to my body here? Jiang Le pressed.

The System will automatically maintain the player’s body. Time flows differently in the mission world compared to this one. However, the player’s body will still age. Therefore, the faster the player completes the missions, the sooner they can return to this world and claim their Reverse Lifespan.

Jiang Le nodded slightly. That’s reasonable enough, she thought. She looked up and said, I just completed a hidden quest. According to game logic, I should receive a reward, right?

There was a moment of silence on the other end. Yes.

A holographic screen appeared before Jiang Le, displaying a row of reward options. She scrolled past various beauty boosts, luck bonuses, and wealth multipliers until her gaze landed on the unique Mind Reading ability.

A relieved smile spread across her face as she clicked on it without hesitation. Just as the system prepared to apply the ability to her, she stopped it. I want to apply it to her.

The system paused again. The system is currently unable to…

Then I’m quitting. It’s just death anyway. I don’t care, Jiang Le said, tugging at the corner of her mouth in a nonchalant smile.

I will report this to the Main System and arrange it for her. Is there anything else you wish to ask?

Having secured this assurance, Jiang Le ignored the system and turned to reach for the bedside table, retrieving the slightly faded pouch.

After taking out the contents, she chuckled softly as she rubbed them between her fingers. She gently tapped the delicate nose of the child in her arms. No wonder you said it would definitely be the same. You weren’t just trying to comfort me.

Jiang Le tucked the longevity lock into the swaddling clothes and kissed the child’s cheek tenderly, her eyes brimming with tears as she smiled. Only six hundred and fifty uses? That’s not enough. You’ll have to wait patiently for me.

From now on, you can call me Jiang Le.

Urged relentlessly by the System, Jiang Le could only watch helplessly as the swaddled child vanished before her eyes, her heart twisting with pain.

I’ll be back soon, very soon, she vowed silently.

Using the few days of life she had left, she entrusted the bulk of her assets to Lin Yuan for management.

President Jiang, what’s this? Lin Yuan asked, puzzled, staring at the thick stack of documents on the desk.

Use it all for charity, Jiang Le said softly. Establish a foundation. All profits under my name should be specifically donated to orphanages.

Living expenses, education, medical care… don’t skimp on anything.

Lin Yuan looked at her in shock. But Chairman Jiang, the investment versus the return…

I don’t need any return, Jiang Le interrupted, her eyes filled with a tender, almost obsessive determination. I just want them all to grow up safe and well.

For her, Jiang Le could learn to be a great philanthropist. After all, there was someone who always wanted to pull her back onto the right path, wasn’t there?

After taking Lin Yuan away, Jiang Le leaned back slightly, staring blankly at the scenery outside the window.

Ready. Initiating player transfer to mission world…

Jiang Le felt something within her about to burst forth. With a jolt, she found herself detached from her body, her soul floating in mid-air like a wisp of smoke.

She closed her eyes wearily, her consciousness gradually fading. She seemed to see herself again, years ago—weak and silent.

Countdown 3… 2…

Suddenly, a snowflake drifted through her soul and landed. Though she shouldn’t have felt the cold, it felt as if it had truly landed in her palm.

Jiang Le, it’s snowing.

1…

The cycle begins anew, and all things are renewed.

The story restarts.

The End.