When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 6

The days Lele spent being fostered by the woman were among the few times she had ever felt truly at ease.

Unfortunately, this fragile peace was always fleeting.

There’s 300,000 yuan on this card. The PIN is six ones. The woman slid a thin bank card across the table, her voice carrying a hint of relief, as if she were about to be freed from a burden.

Lele nodded expressionlessly and carefully tucked the card into the innermost zippered pocket of her backpack.

I’m leaving now. Will you… have to go back to the Welfare Home? The woman’s rare moment of genuine reluctance showed in her eyes. I could give you more money and find someone to care for you until you’re grown. You wouldn’t have to suffer there.

No need, Lele replied crisply, her answer concise and unwavering.

She was certain that if this were a game, the Welfare Home would be a quest trigger point. There must be other opportunities there she couldn’t afford to miss by leaving rashly.

But being abandoned again meant her treatment at the Welfare Home would undoubtedly worsen.

As expected.

Well, well, who’s back? It’s the little missy herself! The skinny woman leaned against the doorframe, her lips twisted into a sneer. Her harsh voice scraped across Lele’s eardrums like a rusty saw.

Now that Lele was older and could speak, the woman couldn’t be as openly cruel as before. But she still found ways to sabotage Lele behind her back.

Lele had long lost count of the stones, insects, and unidentifiable objects she’d found in her meals. She had mastered the art of scooping them out without a flicker of emotion, discarding them, and continuing to swallow her food. It was as if she were consuming fuel to survive, not nourishment.

Before long, Auntie was dismissed by the Director due to her failing mobility. On her last day, Auntie hugged Lele and wept bitterly, her rough hands stroking Lele’s hair repeatedly as muddy tears dripped onto her shoulder.

You were just a tiny thing when I found you, Auntie sobbed, her voice thick with emotion. Poor child… I can’t bear to leave you, I can’t bear to leave you.

Lele felt a dull ache in her heart, but mostly resignation. She was already developing a sense of vanity, and the Welfare Home’s uniform short haircut was difficult enough to manage. Now, Auntie’s rough handling had left it in disarray. Silently, with a touch of stubbornness, she pressed the stray strands back into place.

Upon her return, Lele was old enough to attend school. The Welfare Home sent them to a government-funded institution specifically for children like them—mostly orphans or those with special needs.

The school operated under strict boarding conditions. The children stayed there five days a week, with all meals, clothing, and accommodation provided.

Lele’s strikingly beautiful face made her the center of attention in any environment.

Lele, let’s do laundry together later! a little girl asked with a cheerful grin.

No way! Lele’s going jump roping with me later!

The argument escalated instantly. Pushing and shoving ensued, toothbrushes and washbasins clattered, and the dormitory erupted into chaos.

Lele, utterly annoyed, couldn’t help but find her popularity a real nuisance.

Seizing the opportunity amidst the commotion, she slipped out and leaned against the corridor wall, lost in thought.

A girl approached carrying a full basin of water. Lele shifted to the side, but the girl still bumped into her. The basin crashed heavily to the floor with a splatter, drenching the girl completely.

Are you okay? Lele helped her up, wondering how she could have been hit when she was standing so close to the wall.

As she pondered this, she overheard the girl’s conversation with her System

Will this make her notice me?

Of course! That’s how it always works in novels.

Makes sense.

I-I’m so sorry, classmate! I didn’t mean to! I’m really sorry! The girl looked up, her wet face instantly flushed red, her lips trembling as if she were about to cry, radiating a pitiful, vulnerable aura.

Before Lele had even heard the term green tea, she experienced its full force firsthand, almost laughing in exasperation.

The residents of the neighboring dorms peeked out to observe them, glancing at Lele before excitedly retreating back inside.

It’s nothing, Lele said, her lips twitching. Go take a shower and change quickly.

She must remember me now.

Absolutely! The way she looked at me just now—she definitely remembers me vividly.

…… Lele did indeed remember vividly. Few people could render her speechless so many times in just a few minutes.

Leaning her head on her hand, she glared malevolently at the girl’s retreating figure. Perhaps they were right—she was just born bad. For a fleeting moment, she genuinely wanted to crack open that skull and see what kind of sludge, besides the System, was sloshing around inside.

The girl walking ahead suddenly shivered.  System, why do I feel a chill down my back…?

Watching Lele’s Darkening Value spike sharply on the surveillance panel before gradually receding, the System silently wiped away its cold sweat, forcing itself to remain calm.  …Just your imagination. The water’s probably too cold.

The girl glanced up at the scorching sun overhead.  …Fine.

Lele sank into thought. When they appeared out of thin air, no one questioned their presence, and when they left, no one challenged their departure. So what identities were they using?

The last person had been willing to spend ten thousand Points to escape her grasp, proving they couldn’t afford to die here. But what would happen if they did? Would their souls be scattered, like in those dramas?

No one could fathom the innocent yet astonishingly audacious thoughts lurking beneath Lele’s beautiful, harmless face.

Three years had passed in a blur. Lele had lost count of how many people had tried to make an impression on her, only to vanish in disappointment.

She would agree to be adopted, enjoy a period of comfort, then repeat the cycle, using her Affection Value to swindle money into her bank account.

Eventually, her Affection Value became worthless, and she could no longer deceive anyone. Reluctantly, she abandoned the scheme.

During this time, she also attempted to coerce or trick them into surrendering their Systems, but every attempt failed. After repeated setbacks, she finally gave up on the idea.

Hey, Lele! Did you hear? A big boss donated a ton of money to us recently! She even said she’s taking us to the city for a whole day this Saturday!

On Friday, just before school let out, Lele’s deskmate excitedly slapped her desk. Lele shot her a sharp glare, and the deskmate could only pout, grab a tissue, and carefully wipe down Lele’s desk.

Forget it, forget it. What’s a little germophobia when you have the class genius copying your homework and covering for you every day?

Lele glanced sideways at her desk partner, then at herself, her mind racing. They were both wearing the same light blue school uniform, yet somehow her classmate managed to look completely different.

What was that difference? It was the same feeling she got when secretly looking at the heroines on novel covers—just two words beautiful.

Lele watched as her desk partner suddenly became violent with her movements. Perplexed, she tapped the desk with her pen, signaling her to be gentler. Then, she tucked back her constantly slipping short hair and bent her head to continue working on her homework.

Was this uniform haircut meant to be convenient or just to annoy me? Lele grumbled inwardly. It was always slipping out of place and too short to tie up.

She pondered thoughtfully Should I go to the city on Saturday? Will I meet new players there?

Ding—

The dismissal bell rang like a floodgate bursting, instantly shattering the classroom’s quiet. Whistles, scraping chairs, and the thud of books created a cacophony.

Lele listlessly packed her things.

Lele, hurry up! We’ll miss the bus! Her deskmate, seeing her slow movements, nearly snatched the items to pack for her, but fearing Lele’s anger, she could only urge her on.

Fortunately, Lele always managed to catch the bus back to the Welfare Home thanks to her deskmate’s prodding. Otherwise, she’d have to stay at school for two more days.

Though they weren’t from the same Welfare Home, they shared the same bus. The driver waited for no one after the scheduled departure time, he assumed anyone left behind would stay at school.

It wasn’t that they particularly enjoyed returning to the Welfare Home, but their meal cards were loaded with a fixed weekly allowance. Staying at school over the weekend meant paying for meals, which was a poor use of their limited funds.

For these children, careful budgeting was essential. They could eat their fill, but a decent meal was a luxury they couldn’t afford.

This time was different. They were scheduled to gather at the Welfare Home on Saturday to go into the city. Missing this trip meant who knew when the next opportunity would arise?

Back at the Welfare Home, an unusual excitement filled the air.

The children gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing what nice clothes to wear and what treasured snacks to bring for the trip.

Among the faces, most of which bore physical disabilities or intellectual impairments, Lele—healthy, beautiful, and academically outstanding—remained an incongruous outsider.

Most people, regardless of age, seemed particularly sensitive to academic achievement, viewing it with a mixture of reverence and resentment.

In the past, they would have tripped her without hesitation. But since starting school, Lele had gradually distinguished herself among the students and earned the favor of her teachers, causing them to restrain their actions.

The bullying shifted from physical aggression to verbal mockery. They would glance at her, whisper to each other, and then turn away to snicker, aiming to prick Lele’s heart.

Lele frowned, unable to understand why a trip to the city would bring such joy. We’re already at the Welfare Home—can’t they focus on studying properly?

With her impaired hearing and vision, Lele could only perceive the physical malice. The subtle whispers and mocking expressions were merely distorted, blurred background noise in her hazy sensory world.

She simply felt she couldn’t bear to share space with these fools, lest she be assimilated by their stupidity. That was unacceptable.

After enduring a night in the same room with these fools, they were awakened early the next morning by the Director.

Some children, too excited to sleep, sprang up at the sound of the loudspeaker, quickly dressing in the clothes they had laid out under their pillows the night before—their few presentable outfits.

Lele, kept awake all night by their restless thoughts, rose with dark circles under her eyes. She threw on a white jacket over a slightly too-small pair of jeans.

After smoothing her hair and checking her reflection in the mirror, she nodded in satisfaction.

But her brow furrowed again. She had been growing so fast lately that many of her clothes no longer fit. She sighed regretfully.

Following the Director onto the bus, Lele took the front seat. Noticing the stained seat, she placed a plastic bag underneath her before leaning against the window, clutching her backpack and trying to catch up on sleep.

Clang, clang…

… It must be because I’ve never ridden a bus before.

Silently withdrawing her numb head from the rattling window, she reluctantly settled back against the slightly moldy seat.

After a long and bumpy ride, Lele, who had repeatedly suppressed the urge to vomit, finally arrived at their destination.

Wow! This is a real city! It’s so different from our town! So beautiful! A chorus of cheers erupted from behind her.

Lele opened her eyes wearily and was genuinely stunned by the sight before her. Towering skyscrapers lined the streets, their facades adorned with massive, vibrant billboards that dazzled the eye. The pedestrians were dressed in styles far more fashionable and colorful than anything she had ever seen in her small town.

The group of sheltered country bumpkins, both excited and awkward, piled out of the bus, their eyes darting around with a mixture of curiosity and self-consciousness.

A little girl holding her mother’s hand walked past, clutching a giant, rainbow-colored ice cream cone. She glanced at them curiously.

The children from the Welfare Home instinctively lowered their heads, tugging at the shabby hems of their clothes.

Lele frowned slightly. The sheer number of people and the cacophony of their inner voices buzzed in her ears like a swarm of flies. Fortunately, her naturally insensitive hearing prevented her from being driven mad by the mental noise.

Alright! Line up! Hold hands in pairs! Stay close to me! No wandering off! Do you hear me?! The Director waved a small red flag and shouted at the top of his lungs.

Yes, sir! the children replied in unison, their voices trembling with excitement.

The small group quickly formed two lines. As expected, Lele was left standing alone. The Director, confident in her, gestured for her to follow at the very end of the line.

The street had little traffic. When the red light changed, the Director raised his flag and led the children across.

Passersby turned to watch, some taking photos of the adorable scene with their phones. Drivers behind the crosswalk smiled as they waited for the group to pass.

Ah! A sudden scream shattered the heartwarming moment.

A runaway heavy truck, like a rampaging steel beast, roared toward the end of the line, toward Lele, with screeching tires and a deafening horn.

Lele turned her head slowly. In that instant, an invisible giant hand clenched her heart. Her bl00d seemed to freeze in reverse flow, her limbs stiff and icy, as if nailed to the spot.

The surrounding sights and sounds faded into a muted stillness, as if she had entered an endless century.

The pedestrians’ gasps, the piercing horn, the Director’s terrified glance back—all were muted, distorted into a blurry backdrop. Time stretched infinitely, slowing to an unbearable crawl.

Was she going to die?

The thought brought with it a strange mix of weariness and relief. Too tired to struggle, Lele closed her eyes, surrendering to the inevitable.

But the anticipated agony and darkness never came.

Instead, a powerful force yanked her away from the danger. She fell into an embrace—a bony, uncomfortable embrace, yet one that radiated astonishing warmth.

That warmth surged through her like a torrent, instantly thawing her frozen limbs and melting the icy shell around her heart.

Her heart, belatedly and frantically, began to beat again.

Thump-thump—thump-thump—

As if trying to shatter her ribs.

She opened her eyes, still shaken.

Her gaze collided with a pair of eyes.

Those eyes overflowed with a tenderness she had never witnessed before, a tenderness so profound it threatened to drown her. Beneath that tenderness lay an unfathomable, unyielding sorrow.

Thump, thump, thump—

The deafening rhythm of her heartbeat overwhelmed her senses. She couldn’t tell if the frantic drumming came from her own heart, about to burst from her chest, or from the depths of the gaunt figure holding her tight.

Their heartbeats clashed, rising and falling in turn, yet equally intense.