When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Me - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: The Boss is Crooked, So are the Subordinates

After having that dream, Jiang Le was distracted and uneasy for several days.

It wasn’t until Jiang Congyue came to ask her about her summer plans that she managed to steady herself.

“Now you can finally relax completely,” Jiang Congyue leaned against the doorframe, shaking her phone. “Don’t just mope around at home. Do you want me to book you a flight to go out and play with your friends? An island? Or Europe?”

Jiang Le shook her head, stopping her: “No need. I have other arrangements.”

“Such as?” Jiang Congyue crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

“I want to learn horse riding and golf,” Jiang Le replied. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to try other things, but time was limited, and others could wait.

Jiang Congyue smiled knowingly. “A girl with a plan. Alright, I’ll book teachers for you tomorrow. But I suggest you stagger the lessons. I don’t want to exhaust my precious.”

As she spoke, she habitually reached out, intending to pat Jiang Le’s shoulder as encouragement, as she usually did.

Ordinarily, Jiang Le was already desensitized to this level of physical contact. However, at this moment, the sensation from the dream instantly revived!

Jiang Le’s body trembled violently, like a startled rabbit, reflexively taking a large step back.

Her pupils slightly constricted, and her breathing became erratic. After realizing her reaction, Jiang Le almost wanted to bite her tongue off in annoyance. This reaction was too much like trying to cover up a mistake!

Seeing her extreme reaction, the interest in Jiang Congyue’s eyes grew stronger. She slowly withdrew her hand suspended in mid-air, a playful smile playing on her lips: “Oh, what’s wrong? Your wings are grown now, and you won’t even let me touch you?”

Jiang Le felt a pang of guilt under her gaze, her fingers unconsciously twisting the seam of her trousers, her voice slightly strained: “N-nothing. I was… just distracted.”

The explanation made her look even more suspicious than silence. Jiang Congyue whistled a cheerful tune, pressing closer: “You can be distracted while we’re talking? What is your little brain pondering so intensely?”

The barrage of questions overwhelmed Jiang Le. She gave up trying to salvage the situation, hardened her expression, and flatly dropped a sentence: “I’m tired. I’m going to sleep!” After saying that, she turned and rushed upstairs.

Jiang Congyue glanced at the bright sun outside the window, then at the figure that had practically fled, shrugging indifferently. Well, who says you can’t sleep in the middle of the day?

Jiang Le rushed back to her room and buried herself in the soft bedding, kicking her legs twice in embarrassment and indignation, messing up the innocent quilt. What she had just said was incredibly stupid! What did she mean by ‘distracted’? It sounded as suspicious as it could be!

Given Jiang Congyue’s shrewdness, she must have seen through her guilt instantly.

She tossed and turned on the bed like a pancake for a long time. Only after finally suppressing that heat did Jiang Le slowly crawl out of bed. She had to; it was mealtime.

As soon as she went downstairs, she saw a familiar figure standing in the front hall—Lin Qingyu.

The butler, Lin, clearly saw her, too, offering a professional, perfectly measured smile.

“Butler Lin, I haven’t seen you for a few days,” Jiang Le walked over, trying to make her tone sound natural.

Lin Qingyu, who was casually adjusting the angle of a dining plate, nodded slightly: “Yes, Miss Jiang. Recently, I’ve had some matters at the company that required my personal attention.” Her tone was calm, without much emotion.

Jiang Le knew for a long time that this Butler Lin was also a crucial figure in the company. His presence here was more like a vacation—watering flowers to cultivate sentiment, for example, or figuring her out to relax.

Truly, the boss is crooked, so are the subordinates. What kind of boss you have, that kind of subordinate you get.

“…What kind of matter requires Butler Lin’s personal involvement?” Jiang Le suppressed the urge to complain and asked casually.

Lin Qingyu put down the dining plate, looked up at her, and a faint arc curved on her lips: “Want to know?” She deliberately paused before slowly uttering the second half of the sentence: “I won’t tell you.”

“…” Jiang Le gasped, choked by the reply. She felt the frustration she had just suppressed surge up again. She picked up the slightly cool food on the table, deciding not to humiliate herself further.

She didn’t engage, but Lin Qingyu insisted on provoking her: “Miss Jiang, please don’t blame me. Chairman Jiang specifically instructed me not to tell you.”

It’s related to Jiang Congyue, after all! Otherwise, Lin Qingyu wouldn’t bring up company matters for no reason just to pique her curiosity.

“Achoo…” Just then, Jiang Congyue sauntered downstairs, rubbing her nose with a lazy smile, “Oh, who’s talking about me?”

Jiang Le looked over at the sound. When she turned her head back, where was Lin Qingyu? Gone faster than a rabbit.

Lin Qingyu was clearly trying to force her to ask Jiang Congyue directly. Jiang Le refused to fall for that!

She lowered her head and shoveled a large mouthful of rice, as if she had a vendetta against the rice in the bowl.

Everyone had secrets, but Jiang Congyue’s were just exceptionally numerous. She should have gotten used to it by now.

–

The next day, Jiang Le packed her things and prepared to head to the riding club.

As she reached the garage, she saw the familiar car already parked there. The rear window was rolled down, revealing Jiang Congyue’s smiling face, waving at her.

“Why are you in the car?” Jiang Le opened the car door and got in, slightly surprised.

Jiang Congyue put down the tablet in her hand, her smile deepening: “Coincidentally, I have a meeting scheduled with someone over there today. It’s on the way; let’s go together.”

Jiang Le got into the car, her internal alarm bells ringing, but she tried to maintain her composure. She fastened her seatbelt, looking straight ahead, trying her best to ignore the scrutinizing and playful gaze from beside her.

The car was filled with Jiang Congyue’s familiar, subtle sandalwood fragrance, which involuntarily reminded her of the stronger scent in the dream. She quickly cut off the thought.

“Nervous?” Jiang Congyue’s voice sounded with a smile.

“No,” Jiang Le immediately denied, her voice a little dry. “Just… thinking about the posture essentials.”

“Oh?” Jiang Congyue drew out the sound, turning to look at her tensed profile. “It’s easy to be nervous the first time you ride a horse, but you learn everything quickly. Relax. Horses are sensitive; the more nervous you are, the more they can feel it.” The words sounded like comfort, but Jiang Le always felt they carried a hidden meaning.

Upon arriving at the riding club, Jiang Le got out of the car almost impatiently. The fresh scent of grass and a faint horse smell greeted her.

Chen, the experienced coach, was already waiting there. After helping her change into her gear, he picked a gentle, introductory chestnut mare for her.

When she actually sat on the saddle, feeling the power and rhythm of the warm flesh and blood beneath her, the distractions in Jiang Le’s heart were finally replaced by novelty and the excitement of control.

She followed the instructions, relaxed her body, guided the horse to slowly pace within the enclosure, and gradually found her rhythm.

However, this focus did not last long.

While practicing turning at a slow pace, Jiang Le’s gaze subconsciously swept toward the viewing deck of the resting area.

She saw Jiang Congyue elegantly leaning on a rattan chair. Opposite her sat a middle-aged man with a steady demeanor and a look of worry between his brows, who seemed somewhat familiar.

The man was slightly leaning forward, his tone respectful and urgent: “Chairman Jiang, regarding the Nanshan Yihe Convalescence Home project, we have optimized all barrier-free designs, introduced advanced systems, and planned the cultural, entertainment, and rehabilitation areas, adhering to the core principles of ‘aging-friendly’ and ‘humanistic care’ that you emphasized. Whether it’s…” He pushed a document toward Jiang Congyue.

Jiang Congyue did not immediately look at the document. Her gaze went over Mr. Chen’s shoulder, precisely landing on Jiang Le, who was cautiously turning on the riding arena.

Seeing Jiang Le’s shoulders tense due to a subtle mistake, a very faint smile curved on her lips.

“Hmm, Mr. Chen, a lot of effort has been put into the hardware,” Jiang Congyue responded lightly, taking a sip of tea, her gaze unwavering.

Mr. Chen continued to introduce the cooperation intentions for medical services.

“Mr. Chen,” Jiang Congyue suddenly spoke, her voice not loud but calm and powerful. Mr. Chen immediately fell silent. Jiang Congyue’s gaze finally retracted, landing on his face, her eyes clear and profound: “Technology, equipment, and spatial design are the framework. But in your proposal, I see ‘giving’ but not enough ‘understanding.'”

Her gaze shifted back to the riding arena. Jiang Le seemed even more nervous under her scrutiny, and the horse’s pace faltered. “…Just like caring for a sensitive horse, or a lonely elderly person. Having the best stables and feed is not enough. You must understand what subtle reactions represent—is it fear, discomfort, or does it just need patient guidance? The core of a convalescence home is people—souls that need to be seen, understood, and respected. Otherwise, no matter how advanced it is, it’s just a cold ‘factory,’ not a ‘home.'”

Mr. Chen’s heart jolted, and his face showed shame: “Chairman Jiang hit the nail on the head… We overlooked the most fundamental aspect…”

“No rush,” Jiang Congyue waved her hand, leaning back against the chair, her gaze drifting back to the riding arena.

At this time, Jiang Le was trying to adjust her breathing under the coach’s prompt. Her tense shoulders slowly relaxed, and the horse’s pace became stable and smooth again. She even attempted a slightly faster gait.

Jiang Congyue watched the figure that was gradually getting better, the sharpness in her eyes fading, replaced by a satisfied and encouraging smile: “The direction is right. The details can be refined. Like guiding a child or accompanying an elderly person, patience and understanding are the most important. Only when they feel safe and respected will they open their hearts.” Her words were gentle, sounding like she was talking about the project, or Jiang Le, and also expounding on the philosophy of care.

Mr. Chen sincerely guaranteed he would deeply reflect. He shifted his body, but impatience gradually grew in his heart.

Jiang Congyue saw that Jiang Le seemed to be even more cautious and focused in her movements due to the expectation of “understanding” and “patience,” and the smile in her eyes deepened with approval.

She put down her teacup: “Very good. Have Lin Qingyu follow up on the specific proposal next week. Remember, Yihe must become a haven. I want to see warmth and reverence for life.” Mr. Chen solemnly bid farewell.

After he left, Jiang Congyue rested her hand under her chin, her gaze focused and gentle, admiring the tenacious figure on the riding arena.

She only looked up when Jiang Le finished her lesson, took off her helmet, revealing flushed cheeks and bright eyes, and walked over. A gentle smile played on her lips: “How was it? Was it fun?” as if she had been completely absorbed in watching her all along.

Jiang Le took the water and drank a gulp, suppressing her irritation: “Mm, very interesting. Coach Chen teaches very well.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Congyue walked closer, her gaze sweeping over her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. Her teasing smile was evident: “I see you’re learning quickly. Except, you seemed a little distracted later on?” The final syllable was drawn out.

Jiang Le squeezed the water bottle, her earlobes burning. She stubbornly denied: “I wasn’t distracted. It was the horse… it became a little disobedient later.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Jiang Congyue raised an eyebrow, the mockery almost overflowing: “I thought it was because of me. After all, me, this old lady, sitting here, I’m quite noticeable, aren’t I?”

Jiang Le: “…” Very angry, but doesn’t know why she’s angry!

Looking at Jiang Le, who was both indignant and trying hard to act composed, Jiang Congyue chuckled softly. She reached out. This time, she didn’t touch her shoulder, but very naturally, with a hint of indulgence, gently pinched the tip of Jiang Le’s upturned nose with her fingertips.

“Such a thin skin, aren’t you?” Jiang Congyue’s voice was lazy after the laugh and carried a hint of tenderness. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. I have things to do, so I’m leaving now. You continue studying hard. The driver will pick you up later.” After saying that, she turned and left efficiently.

Jiang Le covered the tip of her nose where a slight cool sensation lingered.

She stood still, watching the car drive away, her heart filled with mixed emotions: embarrassment, stifled anger, the helplessness of being seen through… and that deliberately ignored throb, which seemed to be quietly surging again.

How could I have such a thought?

It’s getting a little strange…

She took a deep breath, suppressing the tumultuous emotions, and turned her gaze toward the riding arena.

However, when Coach Chen asked if she wanted to continue practicing, Jiang Le instinctively glanced again at the empty viewing deck.

A corner of her heart seemed to be empty, too.

…

Jiang Congyue: 33