When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Herself - Chapter 7

The police arrived swiftly, their sirens slicing through the chaotic scene. The truck driver was dragged from his vehicle, his face as pale as paper.

The driver was drunk! Are there any injuries? a police officer hurried over to assess the situation.

Lele snapped out of her daze, like a startled animal, twisting free from the old man’s warm embrace. Despite being pressed so close, she hadn’t heard a single thought from him.

This was too strange, too suspicious!

You brat! Trying to get yourself killed! You’re such a handful! The Director finally squeezed through the crowd, panting heavily and cursing viciously. Enraged, he raised his rough hand to slap Lele across the face.

Lele instinctively closed her eyes and raised her arm to block the blow. But the expected pain never came.

She opened her eyes to see the old man’s withered yet surprisingly strong hand clamped firmly around the Director’s wrist.

The driver is at fault, not the child! What kind of justice is this? The old man’s brow furrowed as he rebuked the Director, his voice sharp with anger. With a sudden surge of strength, he shoved the Director backward.

Caught off guard, the Director stumbled several steps back. He opened his mouth to retaliate, but his gaze swept over the old man’s impeccably tailored clothes, the expensive fabric unmistakable. He swallowed the curses that had risen to his lips, muttering resentfully under his breath instead.

No one was hit! Officers, just deal with the driver. We have urgent business! The Director grabbed Lele’s arm and dragged her into the group like a piece of luggage.

The wealthy donors who had contributed to the Welfare Home were waiting at the amusement park for a group photo. She couldn’t afford to be late!

Hey! You… The police officer stared in disbelief, but decided it was better to avoid trouble.

Lele’s arm ached from the rough tug, but she only frowned slightly, not uttering a word. She couldn’t resist glancing back, her curiosity drawn to the elderly man still standing in place.

He had no thoughts.

Over the years, Lele had learned a consistent pattern no matter who it was, their minds were always churning with thoughts, even in silence.

Right now, for example, the Director was inwardly cursing Lele, the old man, and the truck driver’s ancestors for eighteen generations.

Why didn’t he have any?

As Lele turned back, she wondered If she couldn’t hear this old man’s thoughts, did that make her special?

With a hint of hesitation, she glanced back again, but the white-haired figure had already vanished into the crowd.

An inexplicable sense of loss, as light as a feather, brushed against her heart. Special… but what good did it do?

Probably just another player.

The group finally arrived at the legendary amusement park. A crowd of well-dressed, smiling people stood at the entrance, flanked by reporters carrying cameras.

Boss Chen! We can’t thank you enough! the Director exclaimed to the cameras, dramatically wiping away nonexistent tears. Without you, the children from the Welfare Home would never have had the chance to visit such a place!

Boss Chen beamed even more warmly, radiating an almost saintly aura. It’s my pleasure! The children from the Welfare Home deserve a happy childhood too!

The two staged a heartwarming charity show for the cameras. Once they had enough footage, Boss Chen humbly took the children to ride a few symbolic attractions.

Lele was utterly fascinated by the rides. Her favorite was the roller coaster the rapid descent from high altitudes gave her a fleeting sense of liberation, as if her soul were momentarily detached from her body.

She didn’t care how much Boss Chen secretly loathed this charade, or how fake he truly was. At least for this one day, she was happy.

As they left, many children gathered around Boss Chen, tearfully expressing their gratitude and reluctant to part.

Lele didn’t join the crowd. She stood quietly at the edge, gazing once more at this vibrant, bustling dreamscape, desperately trying to etch this fleeting joy into the deepest recesses of her memory.

By the time they returned to the Welfare Home, it was already dark. Lele clutched her old washbasin, waiting for her turn to bathe.

Originally, everyone had followed the unspoken rule of taking turns according to the order of their basins. But after someone caused a commotion by cutting in line, Lele had no choice but to guard the bathroom door vigilantly, waiting anxiously for her turn.

Lele! Come here!

Hearing the call, Lele turned to see the Director. Glancing at the line, she realized her turn was almost up and reluctantly shuffled over. What do you want?

You dare dawdle when I call you? You’re getting too big for your britches! The Director’s face flushed crimson as he reached out to pinch her ear.

Try it, a commanding voice suddenly rang out.

The Director’s hand froze mid-air. His anger remained etched on his face, but he forced a sheepish smile and awkwardly lowered his hand.

Lele followed the voice and saw her again—that extraordinary person.

What was she doing here?

Lele lowered her head, unconsciously picking at the rough edges of her worn basin. Her heart inexplicably began to race.

Child, the old woman said, approaching Lele and crouching down to meet her gaze, her voice as gentle as melting first snow. I want to take you home. Would you come with me?

Lele looked at the woman’s slender, age-worn hands—the very hands that had pulled her back, giving her a second chance at life.

She glanced down at her own hands, and her pupils suddenly contracted. Beneath the old woman’s right thumb, she noticed a mole remarkably similar in size and location to her own.

Could it be… a coincidence?

Lele jerked her head up, her small, calloused hand reaching out without hesitation to firmly grasp the warm, broad hand.

I will, she said, her voice soft yet remarkably clear.

The adoption procedures were straightforward for the old woman, completed before nightfall. Now, she was simply here to take Lele home.

As Lele settled into the unfamiliar, elegant car, clutching her worn-out backpack with its frayed edges and exposed cheap foam, she felt like she had fallen into an unreal dream.

For the first time, she wasn’t being taken home while listening to the whispers between her adoptive parents and the System.

Lele cautiously glanced at the elderly woman beside her out of the corner of her eye.

Jiang Congyue sat with her eyes gently closed, her elbow resting on the car window frame, fingertips pressed lightly against her temple as she dozed. The shifting light from outside danced across her silver-white hair and the graceful curve of her profile.

Lele unconsciously tightened her grip on her backpack strap, fidgeting nervously. This woman was more beautiful than any other elderly person she had ever seen. Time seemed to have spared her face were it not for her snow-white hair, it would be impossible to guess her true age.

There was a quiet strength about her that made Lele feel both unfamiliar and strangely comforted. Gradually, Lele’s tense nerves began to relax, and she grew drowsy. Before long, she had drifted into a deep sleep.

Boss Jiang, we’ve arrived, the driver said softly from the front.

Both women woke up simultaneously. Having lost her usual tool for gauging situations—the ability to hear others’ thoughts—Lele instantly tensed up again, her gaze darting to the window.

She froze in utter astonishment.

What stood before her wasn’t just a house it resembled a magnificent castle straight out of a fairy tale. Towering walls, an imposing gate, and a courtyard within that shimmered like a starry river with countless lights.

Lele squeezed the bank card hidden in her backpack’s inner pocket.

Could my money even buy a single brick of this place? The naive thought popped into her head unbidden.

Lele, we’re home, Jiang Congyue said, already stepping out of the car. She walked around to Lele’s side, personally opened the door with a gracious gesture, and extended her hand.

In a daze, almost sleepwalking, Lele let that warm hand guide her into the dreamlike mansion.

The moment she stepped into the soaring foyer, a warm golden light cascaded from the elaborate crystal chandelier overhead, illuminating the mirror-smooth marble floor, the plush, exquisite carpets, and the priceless paintings hanging on the walls—works she couldn’t understand but instinctively knew were worth a fortune.

Everything was so exquisitely luxurious, far beyond her wildest imagination, making her feel like a little gray mouse that had accidentally wandered into a palace.

Lele tried hard not to look around, knowing it would be impolite. She wanted to observe this extraordinary person more closely, so she couldn’t risk making her unhappy.

She kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, following the elderly woman’s lead, when she heard a soft chuckle beside her.

Lele looked up and met Jiang Congyue’s teasing gaze, as if she had already seen through her forced composure.

Her face flushed crimson, even the tips of her small ears turning pink. She quickly lowered her head again.

The elderly woman scooped Lele into her arms and began climbing the stairs, gently explaining, The first floor is where the aunties rest. The second floor, she said, carrying Lele through an elegant arched doorway, will all be yours from now on.

When the door swung open, Lele’s eyes were immediately drawn to the enormous bed in the center of the room. A bed so vast she could roll five times without falling off.

At the Welfare Home, a small room housed a dozen children, so each bed was extremely narrow. Sometimes Lele would fall off just by turning over in her sleep.

Seeing such a large bed, she immediately felt an overwhelming urge to leap onto it and roll around a few times.

The old woman chuckled as she gently placed Le on the bed, her expressive eyes gazing at her. Her voice was as soft as a feather brushing against Le’s heart My name is Jiang Congyue. From today onward, you’ll be called Jiang Le.

Jiang Le.

She jerked her head up, her heart suddenly pounding wildly in her chest, its frantic rhythm echoing in her ears. A strange ache rose in her nose, a complex mix of belonging, confusion, and disbelief flooding her senses.

Afterward, Jiang Congyue showed her how to use the facilities in the room. If you have any questions, just come find me.

Still reeling from the shock, Jiang Le nodded numbly.

Jiang Congyue smiled, tucking a stray strand of silver hair behind her ear. She crouched down again, meeting Le’s gaze at eye level, her voice earnest. Jiang Le, remember this from now on, this is your home. The women working downstairs are responsible for helping you. If you refuse their help, it will make them feel like they’ve failed at their jobs, causing them distress and unease. Do you understand?

Why did you adopt me? Jiang Le blurted out, her voice carrying a coldness she hadn’t even realized was there.

Only after asking did she realize how blunt and potentially rude her question might be, and how it could put Jiang Congyue in an awkward position. But she desperately needed an answer—one that differed from the calculated responses of the other players, who all seemed to have ulterior motives.

Jiang Congyue didn’t seem offended. Instead, she reached out, her warm palm gently resting on Jiang Le’s head as she ruffled her soft, short hair. She smiled warmly. Fate. I felt an instant connection with you.

Fate. Jiang Le froze. She had imagined countless reasons pity, sympathy, a fleeting whim, even some kind of mission like the other players…

But she had never considered—fate.

The word was simple, ethereal, yet carried a strange, undeniable power.

Alright, Jiang Congyue said, standing up, her tone lightening. It’s getting late. Go wash up and get some sleep. Little ones who stay up too late won’t grow tall! She gestured toward the bathroom with a smile.

Only after Jiang Congyue closed the door and left did Jiang Le snap out of her daze. She mechanically opened the closet, revealing a variety of clothes, and then silently closed the door.

Why are there so many animal-themed clothes in the closet? Are they even pretty?

Probably not.

She pulled out her worn-out, faded, and frayed pajamas from her battered little backpack. The fabric, softened by countless washes, clung to her body like a second skin, offering unparalleled comfort.

This is the best outfit in the world!

In the spacious bathroom, large enough to roll around in, Jiang Le spent ages studying the gleaming knobs and faucets before finally figuring out how to adjust the hot and cold water. She stumbled through the most high-tech hot bath of her life.

Why make something as simple as adjusting the water temperature so complicated? Jiang Le muttered, gathering her dirty clothes into a bundle.

After searching high and low, Jiang Le’s world finally crumbled there was no washboard! Nor her familiar cracked plastic basin! How was she supposed to wash her clothes?

She paced the room several times, even rummaging through every corner of the bathroom, confirming that none of her usual traditional equipment was present. Do rich people not wash their clothes by hand?

After much hesitation, she closed her eyes and stuffed the clothes into her backpack.

Finally, it was all over. Jiang Le could finally lie down on the luxurious bed she had been dreaming of. She leaped three feet into the air and crashed onto the mattress, which sprang back with remarkable elasticity, bouncing her up slightly.

She rolled around gleefully, humming contentedly.

After a day of unrestrained fun, her eyelids began to droop as soon as she settled into bed. She soon drifted into a deep slumber.

In her dream, she felt a few raindrops falling on her face. Half-asleep, she wondered if even such a lavish house could leak, but she was too tired to think further and sank back into deep sleep.

The next morning, she was awakened by the rustling sounds of someone searching through the room. Jiang Le rubbed her eyes, gazing sleepily at the ceiling for a long moment before remembering where she was.

Following the noise, she saw a woman in a neat apron moving quietly around the room, as if looking for something.

Slightly disoriented, Jiang Le asked, Excuse me, what are you looking for?

Her sudden voice startled the woman, who turned with an apologetic smile. Oh, Miss, did I wake you?

Jiang Le waved her hands hastily. No, no, I was already awake.

Oh, that’s good, the auntie said, sighing in relief and smiling warmly. Miss, where are the clothes you took off last night? I’ll take them to be washed.

Jiang Le’s eyes widened. Remembering Jiang Congyue’s words from the previous night, she swallowed the refusal that was about to escape her lips. Do even clothes need to be washed by someone else?

Is this what life is like for the wealthy?

Later, she secretly followed the auntie to peek and discovered she was simply tossing the clothes into the washing machine.

Jiang Le had imagined rich people used gold washboards, but it turned out they used washing machines just like everyone else.