Chapter 2Grandma's Soup for the Villain's Soul

In the original world, the villain Caleb remembered the female lead Elena for half a lifetime because of a bowl of rice.

After becoming the third-place scholar, Caleb rose step by step to become the Prime Minister, holding immense power.

Elena was the white moonlight he loved but couldn't have.

Caleb persecuted loyal officials and drove the Grand Tutor to death.

Just to get rid of the Crown Prince and snatch the female lead from him.

So I opened an eatery, offering food and drink.

I counted the days in the shop. It had been two days since I last saw Caleb.

I deliberately opened the shop near his home to monitor him.

But I hadn't even seen Caleb's shadow.

Thinking of Caleb's gray face, bony body, and scarred skin.

I couldn't help but pace back and forth.

He wouldn't really be dead, right?

Bang—

The door was violently crashed open.

Caleb stumbled in.

He was hurt even worse this time, blood on his nose and mouth.

"Granny," he murmured.

"Does the offer for soup still count?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he fell heavily and fainted.

"What a sin." I sighed softly.

Caleb's tragic youth was now vividly displayed before my eyes.

I suddenly understood his obsession with Elena's bowl of rice.

That wasn't just a bowl of rice; it was the only light and redemption in the boy's darkness.

I tore open his inner clothes to check.

New wounds layered over old ones, not a single patch of good skin.

I patiently applied medicine for him and poured soup into his mouth.

Caleb choked and coughed with his eyes closed.

He seemed to be dreaming. After a moment, he cried out, "Mom."

I watched him quietly, suddenly feeling a bit sour.

Even if he would hold monstrous power in the future, unspeakably noble.

Right now, he was just a pitiful little cub.

When Caleb woke up and met my gaze, he instantly avoided it like a frightened animal.

Feeling the warm bedding and touching the ointment on his collarbone.

The whole person was very uneasy.

He lowered his head, even stuttering a bit: "Th... thank you, Granny."

Then he immediately promised: "I will definitely pay you back for the medicine and soup."

I couldn't help but want to laugh, asking him back: "Am I a bank to you?"

Caleb's face turned scarlet instantly.

"Sorry, but I really don't have money."

He was very ashamed.

"I'll go to the docks to carry cargo right now and earn money to pay you back."

Saying this, he actually propped himself up, wanting to get out of bed.

I pushed him back down: "Forget it. With your body, you'll die before you earn any money. Who will I ask for the debt then?"

Caleb had no choice, looking at me with red eyes filled with tears.

What a pity-inducing beauty.

I didn't expect the big villain to have such a delicate side when he was young.

I hooked my lips: "My shop is short of a helper. You stay and work to pay off the debt."

Light suddenly ignited in his eyes.