When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 4

Hello? Hello?

Who was it this time?

Lele frowned, her delicate brows furrowing in annoyance at the voice disturbing her rest. She raised a hand to wave away the irritating sound.

Hiss— The movement tugged at the wound on her back, the sharp pain instantly shattering her drowsy stupor. Her eyes snapped open.

Pitch-blackness surrounded her. She’d almost forgotten she was still locked in the small, dark room.

She slowly propped herself up, her gaze instinctively drifting to the narrow slit beneath the door. It was the food delivery slot and the only source of light in this prison.

Thump, thump… More muffled knocks echoed through the room.

Lele glanced listlessly toward the door, her annoyance coiling around her like a vine.

Is anyone there? A child’s timid voice called out from the slit.

A mischievous thought suddenly sparked in Lele’s mind. She silently slid off the bed, tiptoed across the icy floor, and crept toward the door.

Just as the hesitant voice was about to call out again…

AH! Lele burst into a sudden, ear-splitting scream through the slit.

WAAAAAHHHH!! Panic erupted outside the door, followed by the heavy thud of something falling to the ground.

Which son of a b1tch is wailing like that in the middle of the night?! the Skinny Woman’s sharp, venomous curses followed immediately.

Then came the sound of panicked footsteps outside the door, followed by the woman’s limping pursuit.

Lele grinned, a silent, mocking smirk that looked especially cold in the darkness.

You little brat runs fast! Just wait till I catch you! The woman, furious and defeated, stormed back, pressing her face close to the door crack. Her murky eyes peered maliciously inside, resentment practically oozing from them.

Lele knew that if the woman had the key, she wouldn’t escape a brutal beating tonight. She met the woman’s gaze unflinchingly, her own eyes as still and deep as an ancient well.

You little beast dares to glare at me? Just you wait! The woman’s voice rose even higher, its shrillness tinged with the fury of wounded pride.

Lele stood her ground, watching the woman stomp away, muttering curses. Only then did she turn and shuffle back to her bed in small steps.

Fortunately, the bed was a simple military cot, not too high. Otherwise, climbing onto it would have been a struggle.

For the next few days, no one bothered her. The bruises on her back looked less menacing, at least no longer making her vision black out with pain every time she moved.

On the day of her release, Auntie secretly slipped her a biscuit, which Lele deftly hid in her backpack, a skill honed through years of practice.

Back in the dormitory, a strange little girl lay on the bed to her left, where the chubby girl used to sleep. Lele paid her no mind. Children at the Welfare Home were like flowing water—adopted, died of illness, brought in, sent away—too many to keep track of.

Ah! You’re out! The stranger’s eyes lit up as if she’d discovered buried treasure. Abandoning her conversation with a friend, she excitedly scampered over.

She reached out to take Lele’s hand, but Lele instinctively recoiled. The girl laughed awkwardly and introduced herself with unwarranted familiarity Hi Lele, I’m Li Xin, the new girl.

Hearing the inappropriate cheerfulness in her voice, Lele lowered her lashes, zipped up her backpack, and thought coldly, Another naive newcomer. What’s there to be happy about here?

I was the one who called you that night! I wanted to bring you food, but… Li Xin continued, explaining herself unprompted.

So it was this idiot, Lele thought. Too lazy to listen to her rambling, she walked straight to her bed, flopped face-down, and erected a wall of silence to shut out the world.

Li Xin continued to buzz in Lele’s ear, oblivious to her annoyance.

Thankfully, the other children soon pulled Li Xin aside, their hushed voices drifting over like mosquito drones Xin Xin, why are you talking to her? She’s…

Yeah, she’s really weird…

The murmurs faded into the distance. Weakened by hunger and cold in the dark room, her injuries still healing, Lele felt exhaustion wash over her like a tide, and she quickly drifted back into unconsciousness.

Ever since Li Xin arrived, Lele had been plagued by a persistent tail she couldn’t shake off. Every day, it was Lele, Lele this and Lele, Lele that, endlessly irritating.

Stop following me! Lele shoved her away with a forceful push.

Ah! Li Xin hadn’t expected the push. Losing her balance, she tumbled down the stairs.

Lele descended with a stiff expression, grabbed Li Xin’s arm, and hauled her up. How’s that? I told you to stop following me. You brought this on yourself, she said, her lips pressed into a thin line and her tone harsh.

Hehe, I’m fine! Li Xin grinned through gritted teeth, sucking in a sharp breath. Fortunately, the steps weren’t high only her ankle was swollen. Yet her face still wore its usual carefree smile.

Lele turned away awkwardly and helped Li Xin find Auntie.

Why are you always following me around? Lele asked, her voice muffled.

Li Xin hopped and skipped, her movements comically exaggerated. At first, I saw you getting locked in the dark room all the time and felt so sorry for you, she said cheerfully. I wanted to sneak you some food. But the first time I secretly watched you…

She paused, her smile widening. I realized you’re so special—really, really cool! I like people like you, and I want to be your friend!

The barrage of special made Lele’s head spin. Special? There were plenty of kids like her at the Welfare Home. What made her special?

She pressed her lips together tightly, managing only a curt Oh through her nose.

Li Xin, however, took this as a momentous sign. Thrilled, she leaned forward eagerly. Did you agree? Did you really agree? Her body lurched forward, losing balance.

Lele, unaccustomed to such close proximity, instinctively stepped back. Without her support, Li Xin nearly tumbled forward.

Lele quickly caught her, but Li Xin immediately wrapped her arms around her, her voice rising with excitement. Then we’re best friends now!

Lele remained noncommittal, her expression unchanged, but she proactively helped Li Xin regain her balance.

Let me tell you…

All the way, Li Xin chattered incessantly about a jumble of things what her parents were like, how she ended up at the Welfare Home, what she wanted to do after arriving…

She talked about everything under the sun, never stopping, until Lele felt like sewing her mouth shut.

Lele, you’re so cool, Li Xin pouted, annoyed by her lack of response.

Mm, Lele murmured, her voice barely audible. About her parents, her mind was a blank slate, leaving her adrift. As for the future? She had no time to think that far ahead. Just surviving and enduring fewer beatings and scoldings was all that mattered.

Having become friends, and with Li Xin’s sprained ankle, the task of getting meals fell to Lele.

With a cold expression, she handed the two bowls to the Skinny Woman, bracing herself for the usual taunts. But after a moment, the woman glanced at Li Xin and said nothing, merely rolling her eyes as she ladled out the food.

Lele turned to look at Li Xin, who was sitting quietly at their table, and found the situation odd.

What are you still hanging around for? Other people need to eat too, the Skinny Woman snapped, banging her ladle against the pot impatiently.

Lele carried the two bowls of bland food back to Li Xin and sat down, her scrutinizing gaze lingering on Li Xin’s unusually pale face.

Hehe, what are you doing? Come sit down and eat, Li Xin said, gesturing for her to sit.

Lele slowly sat down, looking thoughtful.

Feeling her scalp tingle under Lele’s intense gaze, Li Xin finally relented with a nervous laugh. Alright, alright! I surrender! Your stare is terrifying! Actually… I wasn’t being entirely truthful. The Director is my cousin. Everything I said before… I made it all up. My parents are too busy to take care of me, so they dumped me here.

Lele remained silent, her eyes still fixed on Li Xin’s unnaturally pale skin.

Li Xin nearly threw her hands up in surrender. She was certain no one could hide anything from Lele’s piercing gaze.

And… I’m sick. The doctors say there’s no cure, Li Xin said casually, though her brow furrowed imperceptibly. I’ve been stuck in hospitals since I was little. I absolutely hate them, so I came here instead!

After a few seconds of silence, Lele lowered her head and began shoveling rice into her mouth.

Don’t you have anything to say? Li Xin exclaimed, pointing at her in disbelief.

What should I say? Lele asked, looking up at her with genuine confusion.

Like… telling me ‘it’ll get better’! Or giving me a hug? Li Xin spread her arms wide, trying to mimic a warm, comforting scene.

Lele’s lips twitched, her tone as indifferent as if she were commenting on the weather. Everyone dies eventually. There’s nothing to be comforted about.

Wow! Li Xin’s eyes lit up even brighter, as if she’d discovered a new continent. Lele, you’re so cool! You’re nothing like anyone else! I love that about you!

She tried to lean closer again, but Lele firmly blocked her with her arm. Get lost.

If she’s not going to live much longer, why bother being friends? Her death would be the end for her, but I’d just be wasting my time being sad and heartbroken. That’s not fair.

My own time is precious too.

Cutting her losses early was Lele’s first self-taught principle. She stopped paying attention to the short-lived girl.

But Li Xin was like an unkillable cockroach, trying every trick to reconcile. She secretly slipped Lele her saved candies, clumsily folded paper cranes, and loudly shared funny stories whenever Lele passed by…

Yet each time, she was met with Lele’s icy expression and unwavering turn of her back.

After months of this tug-of-war, the shadow behind Lele finally vanished completely. Life returned to its starting point alone, enduring the Skinny Woman’s endless abuse and always receiving less food than the others.

Nothing’s changed, she told herself.

A few days later, the Director summoned her to his office.

This was her first time in the Director’s office. Contrary to her expectations of a room filled with cash and treasures, it contained only haphazardly stacked files and books.

Li Xin called for you, the Director said, pinching the bridge of his nose as he handed her the phone.

Lele refused to take it. She didn’t want to hear.

The Director slammed his fist on the desk, rose angrily, and pointed a finger at her nose, shouting, Ungrateful! Heartless! You’re a white-eyed wolf!

Later, she learned it was Li Xin’s final phone call, made on her deathbed. Li Xin had begged her well-off parents to adopt Lele or at least leave her some money.

But Li Xin’s parents, exhausted by grief, had no energy to care for Lele, who remained in the Welfare Home, enduring continued mistreatment.

After completing her assigned chores at the Welfare Home, Lele often sat alone on the cold steps outside the dormitory, staring blankly at the gray, overcast sky.

She had also been diagnosed with a serious illness that supposedly required a fortune to treat. Would she end up like Li Xin, dying before their next meeting?

She didn’t know if, on the day Li Xin left, she had hoped for her to recover and return, or for her to vanish from her life forever.

Now that Li Xin was dead, she did feel some sadness, though not much.

Her initial decision had been absolutely correct.

Therefore, she would never try to make friends again. It would be too unfair to others.

Hello? A timid voice, laced with forced familiarity, suddenly sounded behind her.

Someone tapped her shoulder, interrupting her tangled thoughts.

Lele was puzzled. How could anyone willingly tap her shoulder? Not everyone was the Director’s niece.

I’m new here…

Before she could turn around and see who it was, a deafening roar erupted in her ears. Her head felt like it was being torn in two. Clutching her head, she tried to open her eyes.

But all she saw was a blinding white, crisscrossed by a dense network of lines.

System, do you really think this will work?

Just follow my lead! This is her white moonlight—it’s guaranteed to work!

Alright, alright, let’s hope this works on the first try! Project Villain Redemption, charge!

As this bizarre conversation drilled into her eardrums, the buzzing vanished abruptly, like a receding tide. The splitting headache also vanished instantly, leaving behind an eerie clarity.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw a little girl across from her, dressed in a brand-new but cheap-looking white dress.

The girl was forcing a smile so bright it looked stiff, her eyes filled with cautious eagerness to please and a barely perceptible, predatory scrutiny.

Is she trying to imitate Li Xin?

Project Villain Redemption?

What’s a villain?

Is it her?

Disgusting.