Saving the Pitiful Villain (GL) - Chapter 6

“Auntie Jiang, why are you being so good to me?”

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

Jiang Shangxue was momentarily stunned. Her gaze swept over Yun Wu’s tightly clenched fist, through the gaps of which she could see the orange candies she had given her earlier.

After a moment of thought, Jiang Shangxue suddenly understood. The limited description in the book painted Yun Wu’s life as utterly miserable.

Since childhood, Yun Wu not only lacked friends and a trustworthy family but also had to face countless malicious rejections, verbal abuse, and discrimination alone.

Her situation worsened after Yun Yuandao brought her back to the Yun family.

No one here loved her; no one liked her.

Her own actions might be the only kindness Yun Wu had ever felt. The softest part of Jiang Shangxue’s heart felt poked, and it was a bit sore.

She said, “I’m getting on in years, and I’ve always wanted a daughter as sensible and well-behaved as you. I liked you the moment I saw you. I hope you don’t find Auntie too presumptuous.”

In reality, Jiang Shangxue was not old at all. In the book and in real life, she was twenty-nine, and her well-maintained face was smooth and delicate, without any fine lines. If not for the indescribable air of maturity she carried, people would believe her to be in her early twenties.

Looking closely, Jiang Shangxue’s words were full of holes.

When Yun Wu looked up at Jiang Shangxue, the lights outside the car window happened to stream in, casting a faint golden halo around her head.

Even with only a blurry outline, one could tell that Jiang Shangxue’s posture was very elegant. Her calm yet gentle tone sounded like the absolute truth.

The absolute truth.

Ha, who would believe that?

Yun Wu silently turned her head away, leaning close to the car door, and muttered, “Thank you, Auntie Jiang.”

Her words were pitifully few.

Remembering the book’s description of Yun Wu as self-conscious and self-isolating during her school years, Jiang Shangxue proactively started a different topic.

Jiang Shangxue: “What grade are you in?”

Yun Wu: “Twelfth grade (Gao San).”

Jiang Shangxue: “Do you go back to the North Peak district every day after school?”

Yun Wu: “Once or twice a week.”

Jiang Shangxue: “Then where do you stay the rest of the time?”

Yun Wu did not answer, even after a long wait.

Jiang Shangxue looked away, gazing out the window, her mind wandering.

The bus ride from Jiayuan in North Peak District to East Villa High School took three hours, meaning if Yun Wu went back, she would have to leave as early as three or four in the morning and not get home until eight or nine at night.

But if Yun Wu wasn’t going back to Jiayuan, where else could she be staying?

The annual boarding fee at East Villa High School was eighty thousand, which Yun Wu couldn’t afford.

She couldn’t possibly be sleeping on the streets, could she?

Jiang Shangxue thought, What kind of real-life tragic heroine is this? She brought it up, feigning a casual tone.

“The college entrance exam is in just over three months. You need a good living environment to perform well. The apartment complexes near East Villa High School are all quite nice.”

In the previous life, Yun Wu did poorly on the exam. The reason was briefly skimmed over in the book, which said that after Yun Wu transferred to East Villa High School, her grades plummeted, failing even to pass the required score for third-tier universities. In the end, under the male lead’s arrangement, she went to a private aristocratic university.

It was from that point on that Yun Wu willingly allowed herself to be manipulated by the male lead, Zhao Changming.

If she wanted to change Yun Wu’s fate, the college entrance exam was a very important opportunity.

The car slowly entered the parking garage, and the light inside the car dimly brightened.

In the confined space with just the two of them, Yun Wu was very quiet, a shallow blush visible on her pale face.

Jiang Shangxue turned her head to look at her and continued, “The college entrance exam is very important. Three months is enough time to change many things.”

Her words seemed pointed, but Yun Wu didn’t understand what Jiang Shangxue was trying to say.

The two walked into the elevator, one after the other, and didn’t exchange another word.

Ding. The elevator slowly opened.

Huakang was the most famous private hospital in A-City. The overall layout of the hospital was very comfortable, with a warm atmosphere permeating every corner, from the bright, comforting colors and the flowering trees in the corners to the sofas and iron beds lining the hallways.

There weren’t many people in the hospital at this hour.

Jiang Shangxue walked to the front desk and took out her membership card to book the examinations.

The small nurse on duty at the front desk slightly widened her eyes when she saw the information pop up on the screen. She hadn’t been working at the hospital for long and had never met Jiang Shangxue before.

So, she is the Chairman’s wife of the Yun Group, Jiang Shangxue.

A true socialite.

So beautiful.

Yun Wu quietly followed behind Jiang Shangxue. Although she was wearing an unremarkable school uniform, her striking looks and presence were certainly eye-catching. However, the girl seemed somewhat timid. The nurse at the front desk looked once and then averted her gaze.

The mature and gentle rich older sister is much more alluring.

Once the front desk finished recording the information, Jiang Shangxue handed the slip to Yun Wu. “Go ahead.”

Yun Wu looked down. The paper was densely listed with various procedures—almost every possible examination had been arranged.

In the bright light, Yun Wu gripped the appointment slip hesitantly. “Auntie Jiang, there’s no need for so many tests. I just got hit a few times accidentally.”

The girl had several two-finger-wide bruises on her shoulder and neck. Jiang Shangxue frowned, her tone carrying a hint of sternness. She reached out and brushed Yun Wu’s long hair behind her ear.

“Be obedient. These checks won’t take much time.”

Yun Wu’s neck tickled, and her eyes fluttered. Miraculously, she didn’t flinch away.

A beautiful, soft hand reached out in front of her. The fingers were slender and white as jade, with a faint pinkish hue at the tips. Even in her previous life, moving through high society, she had never seen hands this beautiful.

They looked like a work of art, a perfect fusion of light and shadow.

A nurse walked over, signaling Yun Wu to follow her.

Since there were few people and Jiang Shangxue’s card was a senior membership card, all procedures were done immediately. They just had to wait for Yun Wu to complete them one by one.

Yun Wu gave Jiang Shangxue a deep look and followed the nurse.

Jiang Shangxue, meanwhile, sat down on a sofa in the lobby and took out her phone to send messages.

【Jiang Shangxue: Uncle Li, could you please find a few pots of orchids and place them in the East Villa apartment?】

【Jiang Shangxue: Get the expensive ones.】

【Uncle Li: Yes, Madam.】

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

The old Jiang Shangxue only ever bought clothes and bags, all sorts of exaggerated luxury goods. She knew nothing about plants or flowers.

Why had her behavior changed so completely now?

Jiang Shangxue clicked the back button and then went into her contacts, finding a person named Meng Meng.

Meng Meng was five feet tall and exceptionally efficient at her work; she was Jiang Shangxue’s private assistant.

However, Jiang Shangxue only visited the Yun Group a few times a year, so the two had only met a handful of times.

【Jiang Shangxue: Meng Meng, please help me find some review materials for students in the final push for the college entrance exam (Gao San). Also, find a few reliable tutors who can provide one-on-one at-home instruction.】

Meng Meng, sitting in her office, glanced at her phone and instantly leaped up, quickly replying:

【Meng Meng: Yes, CEO.】

A colleague beside her saw Meng Meng’s extreme reaction and joked, “Meng Meng, why so excited? Did CEO Jiang contact you?”

There was no one in the office who didn’t envy Meng Meng. She was incredibly free all day. CEO Jiang contacted her only a few times a year, her salary was high, and she could also learn high-level management experience from CEO Qi.

Although CEO Jiang’s reputation wasn’t the best, they all wanted to work under her.

Meng Meng offered an enigmatic smile. “Guess,” she said, and immediately began contacting tutors.

Meng Meng was very fast. Before Yun Wu had even finished her examinations, the review and tutoring materials were already sent to Jiang Shangxue’s phone.

【Meng Meng: CEO, the review materials are: Tianli 38 Sets, Wang Houxiong, Five Years of Gaokao, Three Years of Practice, Gaokao Past Papers, 100 Days Sprint. The tutors for all subjects have also been contacted. We are just waiting for you to confirm the tutoring location and time.】

【Jiang Shangxue: Okay, thank you.】

【Meng Meng: I look forward to you needing me next time. Bowing emoji.】

Meng Meng’s tone was incredibly humble. She always felt like the company was paying her to do nothing.

Jiang Shangxue was amused by the puppy emoji she sent and curved her lips into a smile.

When Yun Wu came out, she saw Jiang Shangxue smiling gently at her phone screen. The warm light flowed across the side of her face. Her lips were thin, her nose straight, and her eyelashes were dense. She looked both gentle and noble.

She was completely different from the woman in the previous life who wore heavy makeup and only shrieked hysterically, calling her an idiot.

Especially her conduct. Although she appeared soft and warm on the surface, she was firm and unyielding beneath, not backing down an inch.

Was this the butterfly effect caused by her rebirth?

The moment the thought surfaced, Yun Wu immediately dismissed it.

Why am I so pathetic? Haven’t the lessons from the last life been enough?

How dare I still hope for something.

People like me don’t deserve it.

Yun Wu lowered her gaze, staring at her palm, perfectly still.

Jiang Shangxue noticed Yun Wu standing there in her periphery, put down her phone, and walked toward her.

“I’ll take you home.”

“No need, thank you.”

The girl kept her head down, a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, and didn’t look at Jiang Shangxue once.

Jiang Shangxue keenly sensed that Yun Wu’s mood seemed off.

The nurse brought over the external medication. “Miss Jiang, this is the medicine for external injuries. The instructions for use and dosage are written inside. The full check-up report will be available tomorrow.”

Jiang Shangxue took the medicine, nodded in thanks, and then handed the medicine to Yun Wu.

“There are no buses at this hour. This place is far from both Jiayuan and East Villa High School. I’m taking you back.”

Logical and insistent.

Yun Wu frowned, her expression showing a hint of annoyance. She suddenly didn’t want to continue playing along with Jiang Shangxue.

After a struggle, reason slightly prevailed.

Yun Wu quietly hummed in agreement.

A warm light gathered in Jiang Shangxue’s eyes. She knew it—the current Yun Wu was actually a very good child.

She was intelligent, sensible, resilient, hardworking, and fundamentally kind.

With proper guidance, she would shine brightly in the future.

It was only because she hadn’t been loved for too long that she had developed such a dull and cold personality.

This time, Jiang Shangxue deliberately slowed her pace, walking side by side with Yun Wu.

There was no air conditioning in the parking garage, and the dryness of midsummer rushed at them. They maintained a distance of half an arm’s length between them, not too far, not too close. The faint scent of perfume lingered in the air.

It was the exact same smell she had noticed at the Magpie Bridge bar that night.

Yun Wu felt a bit uncomfortable. Her face was cold, yet she couldn’t just walk away regardless of the situation.

Author’s Note:

Jiang Shangxue: Listen to your mother~