When the Villain Falls Madly in Love with Me - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Going to School

“Here, you don’t need to write your name on anything to prove it’s yours.” Jiang Congyue crouched down, meeting Jiang Le’s gaze. Those eyes, which bore a subtle resemblance to hers, were filled with conviction and a comforting promise. “Jiang Le, you are no longer in the orphanage. You are home. Everything here belongs to you; you don’t need to mark it anymore.”

Jiang Le tried to spot any lies in the eyes so subtly similar to her own, but through them, she only saw unreserved sincerity.

“Jiang Congyue,” Jiang Le’s stubborn little face tilted up slightly, “If I really am your illegitimate daughter or granddaughter, just tell me directly. There’s no need for all this pretending!”

Jiang Congyue was clearly stunned for a moment, and then she burst into loud laughter, tears welling up at the corners of her eyes, making it hard for her to breathe.

“So disrespectful. I am not your illegitimate anything. I brought you home simply because of fate. I like the look of you, it’s that simple.”

Jiang Congyue looked at Jiang Le’s small face, which was full of seriousness and a hint of shame from being laughed at, her tone unusually relaxed and sincere.

Jiang Le was half-convinced. Would anyone really be this kind to a stranger for no reason?

“Alright, we’ve talked enough. Can you take your treasures out of your little schoolbag and put them on the table now?” Jiang Congyue held onto the edge of the table, slowly standing up. Getting older, her legs and feet were indeed a little numb from crouching for too long; she subtly moved them around.

Jiang Le’s fingers unconsciously rubbed the seam of her trousers. Every time she had been adopted before, she was prepared to be sent back at any moment.

Her belongings were always stuffed into that small schoolbag, like a snail shell she could pick up and leave with anytime. She dared not easily unpack them for others to see. Her possessions were pitifully few and obvious, but precisely because of this, each one carried her complete sense of security, too precious to lose.

“The strap on your schoolbag is about to break. I bought you a new one. Carry that one to school tomorrow.” Jiang Congyue leaned against the table, resting, watching Jiang Le slowly take things out.

“Mhm…” Jiang Le gently squeezed the strap and slowly nodded. The only thing left in the bag was the bank card. She hesitated whether to take it out.

Although Jiang Congyue probably wouldn’t care about her bank card, if asked about the source of the money, she couldn’t explain it to her.

Just as she was stuck in a dilemma, Jiang Congyue seemed to perceive her struggle, suddenly yawned lightly, and said with a hint of tiredness: “Ah, I’m a bit tired. You take your time organizing. I’ll go upstairs to rest for a bit.”

Watching the figure disappear behind the door, Jiang Le’s tense shoulders suddenly relaxed. She let out a long, silent exhale. However, before the breath was fully released, a strong sense of shame rushed over her again.

She rubbed her old schoolbag fiercely in frustration. She definitely figured it out!

How does she know everything? This person is practically the worm in my stomach!

Finally, she pulled out the bank card and cautiously put it in a drawer. Done with this, she threw herself onto the excessively soft large bed, tossing and turning in annoyance.

While roughing up the pillow, she wondered, is there really such a thing as telepathy in this world?

For the rest of the afternoon, Jiang Congyue was busy with work upstairs. But miraculously, both lunch and dinner featured dishes that perfectly suited Jiang Le’s taste.

Because she had the dreaded “six AM wake-up call” awaiting her the next day, Jiang Le washed up early and burrowed herself into the soft quilt, attempting to force herself to sleep.

Unfortunately, after a long time, the sleepless Jiang Le sat up and thumped the bed.

“Ugh…” She grabbed her hair in frustration. Having no other choice, she remembered the common remedy used at the orphanage. She hardened her heart, raised her hand, and slapped her forehead—not too hard, not too lightly!

Slap!

A slight dizziness swept over her.

The effect was excellent.

She shook her head and fell back onto the pillow. This time, her heavy eyelids slowly closed, and her consciousness sank into sweet dreams.

–

Early morning, the sky was faintly lit, peaceful and beautiful.

“Bang, bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang!!!”

Jiang Le jolted upright, looking around blankly, then touching the back of her head. An earthquake?

As if she heard the movement inside, Lin Qingyu still wore a gentle, proper smile, as if the maniac who had just been trying to dismantle the door wasn’t her.

“Miss Jiang, you’re awake,” she raised her wrist and glanced at her watch. “It is now 6:05 AM. You have 30 minutes to wash up and eat breakfast. Your school uniform has been ironed and placed on your desk. Please hurry.”

Jiang Le looked over. The black and white school uniform was stacked on the desk with an obsessive-compulsive neatness, sharp edges everywhere.

“Got it.” Jiang Le rubbed her eyes, then casually tied her hair into a ponytail and got out of bed.

After washing her face, she expressionlessly looked around.

Perfect.

Jiang Le was surprised to see Jiang Congyue already sitting at the table, wearing glasses and looking at her phone screen. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, and the eyes behind the lenses curved into a smile, radiating the warmth of the morning sun.

“Lele, come quickly and eat breakfast.” Jiang Congyue waved her over.

Jiang Le had assumed she wouldn’t be there. Her crazy behavior yesterday made the encounter awkward now. She walked over with stiff, uncoordinated steps and sat down. When her gaze fell on the dining table, she couldn’t help but be surprised.

On the table were steaming white porridge, a few plates of refreshing pickles, and a basket of small steamed buns emitting an enticing meaty aroma.

Jiang Congyue took a sip of coffee and smiled: “Oh, I heard yesterday that you don’t like those things. A forced melon isn’t sweet, so let’s switch to something you like.” Her tone carried a hint of teasing and a lot of indulgence.

“Thank you…” Jiang Le picked up a bun and stuffed it into her mouth. The meat fragrance instantly burst out. The meat was a perfect mix of lean and fat, and the taste was exactly to her liking.

Seeing her eat three buns in a row, Jiang Congyue worried she would choke and handed her a cup of warm milk. “Drink this, and then the driver will take you to school.”

Jiang Le finished it in one gulp, took the new schoolbag from Jiang Congyue, and put it on. She softly said to her, “I’m going to school, Boss Jiang…”

Because she mumbled the last part, Jiang Congyue didn’t hear the title and happily waved, watching her get into the car.

Sitting in the comfortable car, Jiang Le felt as if the seat cushion was prickly. She restlessly pulled the zipper of her schoolbag. Few of the students in the special school were as physically sound as her; most had some kind of deformity. Even her previous deskmate was born blind in one eye.

She hadn’t interacted much with “normal” people and felt a bit nervous.

“Miss Jiang, relax,” the driver, Master Li, saw Jiang Le’s tense little face through the rearview mirror and said gently, “My daughter, Li Yan, is also at this school, in the same grade as you. Boss Jiang specifically called the school and arranged for you to be in her class so she can look out for you.”

Jiang Le didn’t relax because of this, but when she reached the school gate, she took a deep breath. Well, I’m here now.

After getting out of the car, the driver waved toward the school entrance. A middle-aged man holding the hand of a girl with pigtails quickly walked over. The girl, wearing the same school uniform, looked full of life.

“Mom!” The girl happily rushed over and hugged the driver.

The driver gently pinched her face and negotiated with her: “Yanyan, this is Jiang Le, a new student who transferred to your class today. Mom has to rush to work. Can you show Jiang Le around the school first and then take her to Teacher Liu’s office? Please!”

Li Yan’s big eyes immediately turned to Jiang Le, who was standing behind her mother. Jiang Le’s expressionless, even cool, little face instantly caught her attention.

“New classmate!” She cheered, completely ignoring her mother’s instructions about taking care of her, and went straight around her mother, familiarly grabbing Jiang Le’s hand.

“Hi! My name is Li Yan! What’s your name?” Her voice was clear and loud, like a lark in the morning.

Her hand was suddenly grabbed. Jiang Le instinctively frowned, but the warmth and unreserved enthusiasm from the other’s palm forced her to suppress the urge to pull her hand away. She only replied stiffly: “…Jiang Le.”

“Hello, hello! I’m the class monitor of our class. I’ll look out for you from now on!” She lifted her chin high, with a bit of a tough-guy attitude.

Then, this “gang leader” was subjected to a suppression from the “Supreme Overlord.”

“What nonsense are you talking about!” The driver gave her a rap on the head, making Li Yan see stars.

Watching the mother and daughter’s public display of affection and Li Yan’s funny and lively demeanor, Jiang Le’s tense lips finally couldn’t help but let out a short, quiet laugh.

“Alright, alright, stop fooling around!” Li’s mother handed them both their schoolbags. “Hurry up and go in, don’t be late! Yanyan, take good care of the new classmate!”

“Yes, General! Mission accomplished!” Li Yan immediately stood straight and saluted properly.

Then, she pulled the still slightly bewildered Jiang Le and rushed into the school gate with enthusiasm, “Go, go, go, Jiang Le! I’ll take you on a tour of our school! It’s super big and fun!”

Pulled along by Li Yan, this endless little sun, weaving through the unfamiliar campus, listening to her chattering about the playground, the flower garden, the teaching building, the tuck shop…

Jiang Le felt the layer of thin ice covering her gradually melting away under this unreserved warmth.

Jiang Le had never encountered such an energetic child.

Finally, just before the class bell rang, Li Yan breathlessly led Jiang Le to the door of the homeroom teacher, Teacher Liu’s, office.

Teacher Liu was a middle-aged woman in her forties, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a stern expression. Seeing Jiang Le and Li Yan enter, she instructed Li Yan to help her move some books.

“Jiang Le,” Teacher Liu glanced at her, then at Jiang Le’s previous report card in her hand. “Hmm, your grades have always been good, but our pace here is faster than your previous school. If you fall behind, you can come to me during the break.”

Jiang Le met her gaze and nodded calmly, replying with only one word: “Mhm.” Her attitude was cold and distant.

“Hehe, Teacher Liu, the books are all moved!” Li Yan, hugging two stacks of new textbooks, smiled and approached. She naturally possessed the ability to find joy even in a solemn setting.

Teacher Liu happened to respond well to this. Although she still didn’t smile, her tone visibly softened. “You always complain that your deskmate disturbs you in class. Perfect, let Jiang Le sit next to you.”

“Wow! Really? Teacher Liu, you’re the best!” Li Yan immediately beamed, hugging the books and cozying up to Teacher Liu, showering her with flattery.

With Li Yan chattering beside her, Jiang Le’s discomfort with the new environment faded considerably. She sat down at her new desk and opened the brand-new textbook. A long-lost sense of calm filled her heart.

However, this calm lasted for less than five minutes.

“Why did you suddenly transfer here?” Li Yan held up a book to block her face, quietly leaning in and asking curiously.

Jiang Le glanced at the teacher right in front of them, pursed her lips, and kicked Li Yan’s foot, trying to warn her.

“Ow, why did you kick me? Tell me quickly!” Li Yan hissed, still refusing to give up and leaning in closer.

She didn’t notice that the sound of reading around them had weakened. She was completely engrossed in figuring out why this new classmate had transferred.

“Li… Yan.” Teacher Liu’s exasperated voice came from behind the textbook, her gaze like daggers shooting at the restless little head behind the book.

Li Yan immediately flinched, like a cat whose tail was stepped on. She instantly straightened up, frantically flattened the book, and started reading with a booming voice like reciting revolutionary poetry: “A! B! C! D!…”

“…” Jiang Le looked at the Chinese textbook in her hands and fell into contemplation.

“Hey, hey, hey, Teacher Liu,” Li Yan tilted her head and covered her ears, “A thousand wrongs and ten thousand faults are all mine! It has nothing to do with Jiang Le! I was the one who insisted on talking to her! If you must punish, punish me!”

Jiang Le didn’t know what TV show Li Yan watched last night. She was now performing a tearful, expressive drama at the front, as if putting on a moving act of self-sacrifice to save others.

Jiang Le watched Li Yan’s overly dramatic performance and couldn’t help but let out a short burst of laughter, a “Pftt.”

This light laugh was exceptionally clear in the silent classroom.

Teacher Liu, who was only planning to single out Li Yan as an example, instantly focused her sharp gaze on the utterly innocent Jiang Le.

And so.

On a beautiful morning, with a gentle breeze and the rising sun.

However, less beautifully, at the classroom door, standing stiffly like two newly appointed door guardians, were two figures.

One was the crestfallen Li Yan, whose eyes were still darting around, and the other was the expressionless Jiang Le, whose eyes were vacant, as if she had already achieved enlightenment.

“…” Jiang Le looked at the end of the corridor, speechless, feeling like life was full of meaningless absurdity. How did I end up standing here?

Li Yan scratched her head with a forced smile, “Hehe, well… a standing alone is not as good as standing together! Look at this beautiful scene, the sun is just right, the breeze is gentle, what a waste to enjoy it alone! Right, right?”

“Watch less mindless TV,” Jiang Le glanced at her coolly, then retracted her pitying gaze.

Li Yan flailed her arms and legs, exclaiming, “What do you mean, what do you mean? This is art! Art, don’t you get it? That monologue of self-sacrifice just now, how moving, how powerful! I think I could totally be nominated for an Oscar Best Actor! My dream is to be a great actor!”

“Hehe,” Jiang Le sneered, “See that stagnant pond?”

Li Yan followed her pointing finger, leaned over the railing to look down, and blinked: “I see it. Hey, there are even fish! What about it?”

The small pond had been neglected, the water was murky, and only a few half-dead small fish were struggling.

“Mhm,” Jiang Le nodded, her tone flat, “Those fish are finished.”

Li Yan paused, her big eyes full of confusion. She looked at the pond, then at Jiang Le’s enigmatic face, frowning in deep thought.

Jiang Le had finished reciting a whole passage before Li Yan suddenly slapped the railing, realizing the truth, and turned around excitedly, her eyes shining astonishingly: “I get it! I’ve figured it out! Jiang Le! Are you the legendary recluse master? You were enlightened me, weren’t you?!”

“You are telling me!” Li Yan gestured wildly, “To become a great actor, one must undergo unimaginable trials! One must forge a will of steel! Just like… just like making that stagnant water come alive! Making that murky water clear! Making those dying fish thrive again! Right?! This is my ‘Fish Leaping Over the Dragon Gate’! Right?!” She was excited, as if she had comprehended a divine secret.

“…” Jiang Le took a deep breath. “Hehe, if you understood, that’s good.”

She closed her eyes in resignation. When she opened them again, her gaze held only the peace of having seen through the earthly world and the relief of giving up the struggle.

Forget it, forget it. The things Li Yan learns are truly not ordinary. In terms of thought process, I can’t beat her.

…

Jiang Congyue: 17