Saving the Pitiful Villain (GL) - Chapter 12

Because the situation had been explained beforehand, Dr. Rong brought all the necessary instruments and medicine with him.

Jiang Shangxue stood by, assisting in an orderly manner.

Her demeanor was composed, and her actions were meticulous.

Dr. Rong had initially been quite nervous. He was the Jiang family’s private physician. In the past, Miss Jiang had a terrible temper and would frequently shout and make a fuss, but the Jiang family was generous, and the compensation he received was among the best in the industry, so he quietly endured it.

But this time… it was truly strange.

However, without time to dwell, Dr. Rong quickly adjusted his state and concentrated on Yun Wu’s hand.

“The weather has been muggy these past two days. Since this was not properly taken care of, there are signs of festering. I will first remove the necrotic tissue, then pull out the remaining nail fragment. I’ve prepared anesthetic, but it will still hurt once the anesthetic wears off.”

Yun Wu’s gaze swept over the sharp surgical knife. She replied calmly, “I know. Thank you, Doctor.”

Her reaction was unusually composed. Dr. Rong glanced at Yun Wu several times in surprise.

The young girl looked young, but her hands were very rough, not like someone raised in a wealthy family. Yet, her calm presence was hard to ignore.

However, these were the private matters of the household, not for him to worry about.

After the initial cleaning, he prepared to administer the anesthetic.

Without waiting for the doctor to speak, Jiang Shangxue proactively sat down next to Yun Wu and reached out to hold down her arm. Her cuff slid down, revealing a stretch of slender, fair wrist.

Wind blew in through the gap in the balcony’s glass door. Yun Wu once again caught the familiar faint fragrance.

She couldn’t help but turn her head, noticing that Jiang Shangxue’s expression was still set and cold.

It was distant and reserved, as if her anger was hard to dispel.

Yun Wu’s lips were tightly pursed. She couldn’t articulate the feeling in her heart. Her lips moved, but she ultimately turned her head away in silence, quietly watching as Dr. Rong injected the liquid from the syringe into her fingertip.

It felt astringent and swollen, followed by a numb, stiff coldness.

Dr. Rong used the scalpel to carefully remove the pus and necrotic tissue covering the wound, bit by bit.

Jiang Shangxue instinctively lowered her gaze to look at Yun Wu. The girl’s hair was fine and soft, gently fluttering.

She had noticed Yun Wu’s subtle movements earlier, and Jiang Shangxue was indeed a little angry.

Huakang had sent Yun Wu’s medical report yesterday. Long-term malnutrition and several indicators that failed to reach normal levels—none were immediately fatal problems, but continuing like this would definitely shorten her lifespan.

Yun Wu’s situation, which others might see as an incredibly sensible and easy-to-manage child who grew up safely in a terrible environment and maintained good grades in school, was seen differently by Jiang Shangxue.

In Jiang Shangxue’s view, Yun Wu simply couldn’t take care of herself, or rather, didn’t have the capacity to take care of herself.

Everything was just a forced compromise.

Considering this perspective, Jiang Shangxue finally resolved to keep Yun Wu under her watchful eye.

Jiang Shangxue had always believed that a child being overly precocious and sensible was never something to praise or show off. It reflected the parents’ incompetence.

Secretly sighing in her heart, Jiang Shangxue’s expression softened slightly. It wasn’t Yun Wu’s fault after all.

The girl’s clear, black-and-white eyes were fixed on Dr. Rong’s movements. Her gaze was slightly vacant, showing no trace of fear.

Jiang Shangxue thought, At her age, she must be terrified.

After a moment of thought, Jiang Shangxue extended her other hand to cover Yun Wu’s eyes, offering soft comfort.

“Don’t look, and don’t be afraid.”

Jiang Shangxue’s clean, gentle breath fell on Yun Wu’s earlobe, carrying a pleasant, subtle coolness of summer—unbelievably tender.

Yun Wu’s fingers, hanging on the opposite side, unconsciously curled up. She mumbled an assent. “Mhm.”

The sound was barely audible.

The touch on her eyes and brow was soft and light. Through the gaps between the fingers, Yun Wu saw Jiang Shangxue intently watching the wound treatment, a look of concern resting in the corner of her eye.

Light filtered through her long hair, cut into a chaotic array of bright and dim shadows.

It was a gentle presence that perfectly matched her current demeanor.

It was absurd.

Yet, it was genuinely happening right before her eyes.

Only when Dr. Rong had completely bandaged the finger did Jiang Shangxue take her hand away.

Her vision suddenly brightened, causing Yun Wu to squint. Her eyes were physiologically covered with a watery moistness.

Dr. Rong prepared the medicine while giving instructions. Jiang Shangxue listened attentively, momentarily unaware of Yun Wu’s complex gaze aimed at her.

“It will take about two months for the nail to grow back. Before the wound heals, you must be careful not to get it wet, change the dressing and bandage regularly, and absolutely avoid infection.”

After seeing Dr. Rong off, Jiang Shangxue turned back to look at Yun Wu.

When her eyes met the moisture in Yun Wu’s eyes, Jiang Shangxue was visibly stunned.

She walked to the coffee table and divided the medication into two portions, for internal and external use, pushing the internal medication toward Yun Wu.

“The instructions and dosage are written on the package. Remember to take it yourself. As for changing the dressing, it will be inconvenient for you to do it.”

Jiang Shangxue’s action clearly conveyed her intention.

She would be the one to change Yun Wu’s dressing afterward.

Yun Wu initially watched her in silence, and the uncontrollable restlessness in her heart began to surface again. However, she controlled her facial expression well, perfectly displaying an appropriate level of reserved awkwardness and helplessness.

The girl’s faint voice rang out. “Auntie Jiang, you are my landlady.”

The implication was, You are only my landlady. Why are you managing so much?

Jiang Shangxue understood. She smiled indifferently.

“The fact that you rented my apartment means we have a connection. Just consider that I want to form this good connection, or you can think of me as kind-hearted and overly eager to meddle.”

Jiang Shangxue spoke gently, appearing natural and sincere.

Yun Wu blinked. She seemed a little shy under Jiang Shangxue’s gaze. She lowered her head and murmured, “Thank you. I will pay you back the doctor’s fees later.”

Jiang Shangxue chuckled, not refusing. Through her observations, she had realized that Yun Wu had very strong self-esteem.

Yet, a child with such strong self-esteem was constantly forced to expose her pain to others and rely on charity and pity to survive.

Accepting her money would lessen the psychological burden on the child.

Jiang Shangxue calculated in her mind that she would simply have Uncle Li send more living expenses next month.

Lost in thought, Jiang Shangxue didn’t notice the abnormality that briefly gathered and quickly dissipated in Yun Wu’s eyes.

For a moment, the two were silent.

Catching sight of the suit jacket on the sofa, Yun Wu spoke first.

“I’m sorry, Auntie Jiang. I shouldn’t have lost my temper with you just now.”

Her docile, self-reproachful look made it easy for others to soften their hearts.

Jiang Shangxue paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She rubbed Yun Wu’s soft hair on the top of her head. “It’s a good thing to admit your mistakes and correct them. You’re still a good, sensible child. Regardless of anything, you shouldn’t neglect your body.”

Finally, Jiang Shangxue didn’t forget to add, “Auntie is not angry anymore.”

Yun Wu stayed silent, lowering her head further, still seeming awkward.

Jiang Shangxue knew she was being difficult, so she shifted her gaze and asked, “When will you move the rest of your luggage?”

Yun Wu was stunned at first, and then her cheeks slowly flushed red.

“Auntie Jiang, I don’t have any other luggage.”

Even though Jiang Shangxue knew Yun Wu was struggling, she hadn’t expected all her belongings to fit into just one backpack.

It was summer now. If it were winter, it was hard to imagine how she had survived.

Jiang Shangxue felt a pang of anger. Yun Yuandao was truly heartless, bringing the girl back only to completely ignore her.

She quickly reminded herself to consider the girl’s self-esteem. Jiang Shangxue picked up the tea on the table and took a sip, promptly collecting her emotions. She looked at Yun Wu and said as if nothing was amiss, “If you’re missing anything in the room, let me know, and I’ll get it ready.”

Jiang Shangxue stood facing the light. Yun Wu looked up at her.

Her makeup was minimal, her eyes were long and slender, and paired with the light-colored long dress, her entire being seemed to be softly blended in a gentle light and shadow, like the lilies-of-the-valley on the balcony.

Yun Wu pressed her lips together, feeling momentarily dazed, the knuckles of her fingers hidden in her sleeves turning white.

Was Jiang Shangxue truly experiencing a surge of maternal affection for her? Yun Wu didn’t believe it, dared not believe it.

A hidden malice surged and boiled in her heart. With a desire to probe, Yun Wu spoke.

“My father is dead, and my stepmother ignores me.”

Jiang Shangxue’s body paused for a moment. She quietly looked into Yun Wu’s eyes. She hadn’t expected Yun Wu to confess her family situation so easily.

The girl’s eyes were dark. She seemed to be gathering all her courage to meet her gaze.

Jiang Shangxue saw that Yun Wu’s lips were trembling slightly when she mentioned her stepmother, as if she was trying desperately to maintain composure.

Feeling both helpless and pained, and unable to offer an explanation, Jiang Shangxue pondered for a long time. She replied with a half-joking, half-testing tone.

“Do you remember I said I really wanted a sensible daughter like you? If you don’t mind, why don’t you acknowledge me as your Godmother?”

Author’s Note:

Jiang Shangxue: Stepmother to Godmother, seems acceptable?

Yun Wu: Shocked! Scared!