Saving the Pitiful Villain (GL) - Chapter 5

By morning, Ye Mei had filed the report, and by afternoon, the procuratorate responded.

Zhao Rongrong was furiously scolded over the phone by her father, Zhao Ji, leaving her deeply frustrated.

Zhao Ji was livid. A 60-million-yuan deal for a plot worth 1.2 billion in the new development zone had fallen through. Not only did they gain nothing, but they’d also stirred up trouble.

Knowing the ironclad evidence was a recording, Zhao Rongrong, aware of her fault, stayed silent like a cowering quail.

After hanging up, she downed two bottles of liquor. Seeing her mood, a lackey suggested, “How about some fun to cheer you up? The club’s got your type.”

“No fun in that—just tacky, boring girls,” Zhao Rongrong snapped, her irritation needing an outlet. For some reason, the image of the young server from Magpie Bridge popped into her mind.

Youthful and alluring.

She licked her lips and asked, “Did you find out about that girl I told you to check on?”

“Got it. An orphan raised by a crazy old man in Beifeng District. Somehow climbed her way into Dongshu High School.”

Zhao Rongrong’s eyes darkened. “Got her address?”

“Yup.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

With a whistle, a rowdy group poured out, their flashy SB-model convertibles roaring through the streets.

The old district’s alleys were dark and narrow, cluttered with debris—perfect for ambushes.

As Yun Wu entered the alley, the sky was already dark, faint starlight casting long shadows behind her.

A third of the way in, she stopped and called out, “Who’s there?”

Zhao Rongrong’s smug voice answered, “Well, well, little sister. Sharp senses.”

Yun Wu turned to see Zhao Rongrong and a dozen menacing thugs with sticks approaching.

After a moment’s thought, she bolted.

But the exit was blocked by another group. Zhao Rongrong sneered, closing in. “I told you, little sister, you got away last time, but you won’t fly out of this one.”

Yun Wu lowered her head, looking frail and alone amidst the crowd.

Under their gazes, she clutched her clothes, her voice trembling with suppressed sobs. “What do you want? I was just working a part-time job.”

Zhao Rongrong scoffed.

“Part-time job? Only an idiot would believe that. The woman who took you last night’s already had her way with you, right?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll make you look real pretty on camera—crying, begging me, all crystal clear.”

Yun Wu bit her lip, her eyes, hidden by her bangs, burning with fury.

Why was she always the one bullied?

Did being weak mean she deserved to be humiliated and trampled?

“You’re breaking the law,” she said, her trembling voice sounding small and fragile in the night breeze.

Zhao Rongrong’s grin grew wilder. “Be smart, and I’ll go easier on you.”

She stepped forward, her hand reaching for Yun Wu’s collar.

At that moment, Yun Wu swiftly snatched a steel rod from a nearby thug and swung it at Zhao Rongrong’s head.

A dull thud echoed.

The sudden move froze the group for a second, and Yun Wu took the chance to run in her planned direction.

The crowd erupted. Zhao Rongrong howled in pain, her furious voice ringing out, “Grab her! I’ll make her pay today!”

They swarmed after her, but Yun Wu used the alley’s clutter and targeted low blows to gain some distance.

Still, the numbers were overwhelming, and her stamina was no match for the men.

Desperate, she fought fiercely, but as a stick was wrested from her and a hand swung toward her face, a sharp voice cut through the chaos.

“What are you doing?”

It was Jiang Shangxue again.

Her expression was cold, flanked by two bodyguards. The group, caught off guard, let her walk straight to Yun Wu.

Zhao Rongrong snapped impatiently, “You again? Stay out of this, or I’ll take you down too!”

Her vulgar words were unbearable.

Jiang Shangxue instantly understood the situation. She’d come to inspect a new Yun Group project in Beifeng District and arrange for professional care for the old man at a nursing home. She hadn’t expected to stumble upon Yun Wu being attacked.

Seeing the aggressive mob and the lone Yun Wu, Jiang Shangxue felt a pang of unease.

Was this the fate of a villain? To be humiliated in countless ways until they snapped?

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed Yun Wu’s hand, pulling her behind her, and said coldly, “I’ve called the police.”

At the mention of police, Zhao Rongrong’s anger flared. “You think I’m scared of two bitches?”

“Grab them, quick!”

Emboldened by their numbers, she was fearless.

Jiang Shangxue’s lips tightened, her brows furrowed as she backed Yun Wu against a wall.

Her bodyguards, battle-hardened mercenaries, were only two but more than capable of handling these showy thugs.

Yun Wu stared unblinkingly at Jiang Shangxue from behind. In her warm-colored coat, she seemed to glow softly in the dark alley.

Her hand, gripping Yun Wu’s, was soft and warm.

Yun Wu’s fingers trembled, her eyes lowering to hide a surge of complex emotions.

The mercenaries made quick work of the thirty-odd thugs, leaving them groaning on the ground.

Zhao Rongrong, still defiant, tried to flee but was caught by a bodyguard. After threats and spitting, she was forced to her knees before Jiang Shangxue and Yun Wu with a swift kick to her legs and her arms pinned back.

The situation flipped dramatically.

Zhao Rongrong screeched, “Do you know who I am? You’ll regret this!”

Once the situation was secure, Jiang Shangxue turned to examine Yun Wu closely.

Her hair, wet with sweat, stuck messily to her face like spilled ink, making the swollen marks on her pale skin starkly visible.

Jiang Shangxue reached out, but Yun Wu dodged. She paused, withdrew her hand, and said nothing.

Zhao Rongrong kept cursing, each word fouler than the last.

Looking from the alley to the quiet street beyond, Jiang Shangxue turned back to Zhao Rongrong, suddenly smiling with a gentle air.

Thinking she was intimidated, Zhao Rongrong gloated, “Scared? Let me go now!”

“Scared? Of course I’m scared.”

Jiang Shangxue rubbed her wrist, stepped forward, and, to everyone’s shock, slapped Zhao Rongrong hard.

The crack was sharp and forceful.

So forceful that Jiang Shangxue nearly lost her balance.

Zhao Rongrong’s face whipped to the side, a handprint swelling visibly.

“You crazy woman! Are you insane?” she screamed, blood in her mouth.

Crack!

Another slap.

Crack, crack, crack!

Each curse earned another slap until Zhao Rongrong shut up, too scared to speak.

Throughout, Jiang Shangxue’s smile remained eerily gentle, chilling the onlookers. The thugs played dead, too terrified to move.

Mommy, this woman’s terrifying.

Her hand swollen and numb, Jiang Shangxue paused, grabbing Zhao Rongrong’s chin. “I’m disciplining an unruly daughter for Zhao Ji. If he’s unhappy, tell him to visit me at No. 8 Bomao Road for tea.”

Bomao Road, near Province A’s top 5A scenic area and Nanzhou University, was home to the ultra-wealthy and untouchable.

Only then did Zhao Rongrong feel fear. Tears and snot streamed down her face. Despite Jiang Shangxue’s smile, her eyes held no warmth, only a cold warning.

Yun Wu was stunned.

Was Jiang Shangxue standing up for her?

Was she too deep in her act?

As Jiang Shangxue turned, the cool moonlight traced her brow and eyes, pure and earnest.

Yun Wu felt lost.

If this was an act, Jiang Shangxue’s performance was flawless—enough to fool even her.

While Yun Wu was dazed, Jiang Shangxue gently patted her head, pulling out a few orange candies and pressing them into her hand.

“Don’t be afraid. Aunt Jiang’s here. Have some candy.”

In her Dongshu High uniform, Yun Wu’s thin frame looked even frailer, her eyes devoid of youthful vigor.

Like a seed fallen into a swamp, even if it sprouted, it was doomed to rot.

Jiang Shangxue’s heart ached. “When the police arrive, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

The fancy soft wrapping of the candies dug into Yun Wu’s palm.

She clutched them tightly, saying nothing.

Lowering her head, she noticed Jiang Shangxue’s trembling hand—the one she’d used to slap Zhao Rongrong.

Yun Wu pressed her lips together, staying silent.

The police sirens finally arrived. Jiang Shangxue signaled the bodyguards to release Zhao Rongrong and walked to the alley’s entrance with poise under Yun Wu’s gaze.

Snippets of conversation drifted in.

“Hello, officer. I called the police.”

“Yes, my surname is Jiang.”

“…”

As the police questioned Jiang Shangxue and shone a spotlight into the alley, they were stunned by the scene.

Cautiously, an officer confirmed, “Miss Jiang, you said in the call you were being attacked by about thirty gang members.”

Jiang Shangxue smiled. “Yes, fighting crime is a people’s war. We’re obligated to support the government’s work.”

The officers: ??? Is this how you “support” it?

Noticing the bodyguards’ intimidating presence, Jiang Shangxue explained, “My hired security.”

The officers’ expressions shifted subtly.

No wonder. The thugs had picked the wrong fight.

They’d wondered why a multimillion-yuan Kenbach was parked in this rundown area.

A luxury car and personal bodyguards.

Tch.

With consensus reached, things moved smoothly. Jiang Shangxue and Yun Wu went to give statements, while Zhao Rongrong and her crew were detained.

Next came injury assessments and hiring a lawyer. Jiang Shangxue planned to teach the reckless Zhao Rongrong a harsh lesson.

After the statements, Jiang Shangxue insisted on taking Yun Wu to the hospital.

Yun Wu refused, but Jiang Shangxue was firm.

Half-reluctantly, Yun Wu got in the car.

The scenery sped by outside. Jiang Shangxue, sitting beside her, spoke softly, reassuring her not to fear evil, to seek help, and not to just endure.

To believe the world was good.

In the dim light, Yun Wu couldn’t see Jiang Shangxue’s expression. The words sounded absurd coming from her—someone no different from Zhao Rongrong.

Yet this life’s Jiang Shangxue seemed different from the last.

After a long pause, Yun Wu asked softly, “Aunt Jiang, why are you so kind to me?”