Saving the Pitiful Villain (GL) - Chapter 6

“Aunt Jiang, why are you so kind to me?”

Yun Wu’s voice was soft, earnest, and docile.

Jiang Shangxue paused, her gaze falling on Yun Wu’s clenched fist, the orange candies visible through her fingers.

After a moment’s thought, she understood. The book’s sparse lines painted Yun Wu’s life as utterly tragic.

From childhood, Yun Wu had no friends, no family to rely on, and faced relentless exclusion, insults, and discrimination alone.

After being brought back to the Yun family by Yun Yuandao, her situation only worsened.

No one here loved her. No one liked her.

Jiang Shangxue’s actions might be the only kindness she’d ever felt. A pang of tenderness stirred in Jiang Shangxue’s heart, bittersweet and aching.

She said, “I’m getting older and always wanted a daughter as well-behaved and sensible as you. I liked you the moment I saw you. I hope you don’t find Aunt Jiang too forward.”

In truth, Jiang Shangxue wasn’t old at all. In and out of the book, she was twenty-nine, her well-maintained face smooth and flawless. If not for the subtle air of maturity she carried, one might believe she was in her early twenties.

Her words, upon scrutiny, were full of holes.

When Yun Wu looked up, the streetlights outside the car window spilled in, casting a faint golden halo over Jiang Shangxue’s head.

Even in that hazy outline, her posture was elegant, her calm yet gentle tone sounding like heartfelt sincerity.

Sincere words.

Hah, who’d believe that?

Yun Wu turned away silently, pressing against the car door, head lowered. “Thank you, Aunt Jiang,” she said softly.

Her words were sparse.

Recalling the book’s depiction of Yun Wu’s insecure and withdrawn student years, Jiang Shangxue shifted to lighter topics.

“What grade are you in?”

“Senior year.”

“Do you go back to your home in Beifeng District after school every day?”

“A couple of times a week.”

“Where do you stay the rest of the time?”

Yun Wu didn’t answer, even after a long pause.

Jiang Shangxue looked out the window, her thoughts drifting.

Beifeng District’s Jiayuan was a three-hour bus ride from Dongshu High School. If Yun Wu went back, she’d need to leave at three or four in the morning and wouldn’t get home until eight or nine at night.

But if she didn’t return to Jiayuan, where could she stay?

The dorm fees at Dongshu High were 80,000 yuan a year—impossible for Yun Wu.

Surely she wasn’t homeless?

Jiang Shangxue’s heart sank. What a real-life tragedy. She casually mentioned, “The college entrance exam is just over three months away. A good living environment is key to performing well. The neighborhoods around Dongshu High are quite nice.”

In her past life, Yun Wu had performed poorly on the exam. The book briefly noted that after transferring to Dongshu High, her grades plummeted, failing to reach even the third-tier university cutoff. Eventually, through the male lead Zhao Changming’s arrangements, she attended a private elite university.

That’s when Yun Wu willingly fell under his manipulation.

The college entrance exam was a critical turning point to change her fate.

The car pulled into the parking lot, the dim interior lighting up faintly.

In the quiet space with just the two of them, Yun Wu sat silently, a faint flush on her pale face.

Jiang Shangxue glanced at her and continued, “The exam is important. Three months can change a lot.”

Her words seemed to carry deeper meaning, but Yun Wu didn’t grasp what she was getting at.

They walked to the elevator in silence, one behind the other.

With a ding, the elevator opened.

Huakang, A City’s top private hospital, was comfortably designed. Warm, bright colors, potted flowers, and cozy sofas and wrought-iron beds in the corridors created an inviting atmosphere.

At this hour, the hospital was nearly empty.

Jiang Shangxue approached the front desk, presenting her membership card to book appointments.

The young nurse on duty widened her eyes slightly upon seeing the screen’s information. New to the hospital, she hadn’t met Jiang Shangxue before.

So this was Jiang Shangxue, the chairman’s wife of the Yun Group.

True elite.

Truly beautiful.

Yun Wu followed quietly, her plain school uniform doing little to hide her striking looks and unique aura. Still, her timid demeanor made the nurse glance at her only briefly before looking away.

The mature, gentle rich lady was far more captivating.

After the nurse processed the booking, Jiang Shangxue handed the form to Yun Wu. “Go on.”

Yun Wu looked down at the densely packed list of tests—nearly every possible check-up.

Under the bright lights, she clutched the form hesitantly. “Aunt Jiang, I don’t need all this. It’s just a few bruises.”

Several two-finger-wide welts marked her shoulders and neck. Jiang Shangxue frowned, her tone carrying a hint of sternness as she brushed Yun Wu’s hair behind her head.

“Be good. These tests won’t take long.”

Her neck tickled, and Yun Wu’s eyes trembled. Miraculously, she didn’t pull away.

Before her was a beautiful, soft hand—long, pale fingers with faintly pink tips. Even in her past life among high society, Yun Wu had never seen such a perfect hand.

It was like a flawless blend of light and shadow.

A nurse approached, guiding Yun Wu to follow.

With no crowd and Jiang Shangxue’s premium membership, there was no wait. Yun Wu went through the tests one by one.

She gave Jiang Shangxue a deep look before following the nurse.

Jiang Shangxue settled onto a lobby sofa, pulling out her phone to send messages.

[Jiang Shangxue: Uncle Li, please add a few pots of orchids to the Dongshu Community apartment.]

[Jiang Shangxue: Make them high-end.]

[Uncle Li: Yes, Madam.]

Uncle Li stood in the garden, staring at his phone, baffled.

The old Jiang Shangxue only bought clothes, bags, and flashy luxury goods, clueless about plants.

Why was she acting like a different person now?

Jiang Shangxue hit the back button and messaged someone named Meng Meng.

Meng Meng, barely five feet tall but incredibly efficient, was Jiang Shangxue’s personal assistant.

They’d only met a few times, as Jiang Shangxue visited the Yun Group fewer times than one could count on a hand.

[Jiang Shangxue: Meng Meng, find some final-stage review materials for senior high school students and reliable tutors for one-on-one home sessions.]

Meng Meng, sitting in her office, glanced at her phone and leapt up, replying instantly.

[Meng Meng: Yes, CEO!]

A colleague, seeing her reaction, teased, “Meng Meng, so excited—did CEO Jiang message you?”

Everyone in the office envied Meng Meng’s cushy job. CEO Jiang rarely contacted her, her salary was high, and she could learn high-level management from CEO Qi.

Though Jiang Shangxue’s reputation wasn’t great, they’d all jump at the chance to work under her.

Meng Meng gave a cryptic smile. “Guess.” Then she began contacting tutors.

She was quick. Before Yun Wu finished her tests, Meng Meng sent the materials.

[Meng Meng: CEO, the review materials include: Tianli 38 Sets, Wang Houxiong, Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulations, Real Exam Papers, and 100 Days Sprint. Tutors for all subjects are lined up, awaiting your confirmation on location and schedule.]

[Jiang Shangxue: Great, thank you.]

[Meng Meng: Looking forward to your next message! Bow.jpg]

Meng Meng’s tone was almost groveling. She often felt like a freeloader at the company.

Jiang Shangxue chuckled at the puppy emoji, her lips curving.

Yun Wu emerged to see Jiang Shangxue smiling softly at her phone, warm light tracing her face—thin lips, sharp nose, thick lashes, gentle yet refined.

So different from the garish, hysterical woman of her past life who’d called her an idiot.

Especially her demeanor—seemingly soft but unyielding, never giving an inch.

Was this a butterfly effect from her rebirth?

The thought was quickly dismissed.

How pathetic to hope again after last life’s lessons.

Wasn’t she unworthy?

Yun Wu lowered her gaze, staring at her palm, motionless.

Catching her stillness in her peripheral vision, Jiang Shangxue put down her phone and approached.

“I’ll take you home.”

“No, thank you.”

Yun Wu kept her head down, sweat on her brow, avoiding Jiang Shangxue’s gaze.

Sensing her low mood, Jiang Shangxue took the medicine from the nurse. “Miss Jiang, this is for external injuries. Instructions are inside. Full test results will be ready tomorrow.”

Jiang Shangxue thanked her, handing the medicine to Yun Wu. “There are no buses at this hour. It’s far from both Jiayuan and Dongshu High. I’ll drive you.”

Her reasoning was firm, unrelenting.

Yun Wu frowned, a hint of irritation in her eyes. She suddenly didn’t want to play along with Jiang Shangxue’s act.

After some internal struggle, reason won out.

She gave a barely audible “mm.”

Warmth flickered in Jiang Shangxue’s eyes. She knew Yun Wu was, at heart, a good kid.

Smart, sensible, resilient, hardworking, and kind.

With proper guidance, she’d shine brightly.

She’d just gone too long without love, growing into this reserved, cold demeanor.

This time, Jiang Shangxue slowed her pace to walk side by side with Yun Wu.

The parking lot had no air conditioning, the summer heat oppressive. They kept half an arm’s length apart—not too close, not too far. A faint fragrance drifted in the breeze.

The same scent from Magpie Bridge.

Yun Wu felt uneasy, her face cold, yet she couldn’t just walk away.