[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son":3,"chapter-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-172":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1365922,1806,"Chapter 172  [Brightest Star] [2]","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-172",172,"\u003Cp>A dull light illuminated the old house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls were cracked in different places, water seeping in through those cracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sunlight passed through the holes in the ceiling, landing on a little girl no older than four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hands stopped washing the dishes as she looked up, her golden eyes squinting subconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tucked her messy brown hair back with her tiny hands before returning to washing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm late,\" she whispered, dipping her hands back into the scalding rinse water. \"I have to finish the dishes on time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tiny hands moved faster, a slight expectant expression on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An expectation of receiving her mother's care and love today without any problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued washing the dishes, ignoring the bruises that covered her hands and the pain they caused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing the dishes, she picked up a ragged cloth and a bucket of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tiny body moved around the two-room house, sweeping the floor and clearing the dirty spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did her best not to leave any spot unclean, even though it tired her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gasped, looking around the place she had cleaned, nodding her head in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body ached in pain, her stomach grumbling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dragged her body to the single bed in the house for some rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waa waa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could do so, a child's cry echoed in the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she was tired, she moved her body toward the cradle in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you crying, Tiffy?\" she whispered softly, looking inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze landed on the small girl with black hair, crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shhh, why is my sister crying?\" she coaxed, her childlike voice sweet as she carefully picked the baby up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gently holding her, she rubbed her back while roaming around the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her mother not home most of the time, she was the one who had to take care of the infant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being a child herself, she made a lot of mistakes but eventually learned how to calm her down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop crying,\" she whispered in her ear. \"Mommy will be home soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if understanding her words, the baby calmed down, her crying dying out slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, Tiffany's gentle breaths tickled her neck, and she moved back to the cradle, placing the sleeping baby inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door clicked open, and a tired voice of a woman filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ashlyn smiled and ran toward the door with her tiny legs, exclaiming, \"Mother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her back ached slightly as she looked up at her mother, but she forcefully ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How was your day, Ashlyn?\" The young woman, a mature version of her daughter, smiled as she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was in her early twenties but already had wrinkles on her face from overwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was great,\" Ashlyn replied, smiling back. \"I did everything you asked for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good girl,\" she replied, patting her head before entering the house. \"I'll make something to eat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Mother,\" Ashlyn replied, nodding her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Ashlyn, her mother was like a tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tree providing shelter, home, and protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tree she could climb on and eat from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tree that seemed big when she was many times smaller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tree that was her tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Living without a father, she only had her mother to rely on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only one supporting the family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ashlyn's tiny legs trailed behind her mother as she walked into the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want to say something?\" her mother asked, glancing back at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those men arrived today as well,\" Ashlyn replied meekly, her gaze lowering. \"They were asking about the debt again, cursing Father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mother halted before whispering, \"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It used to hurt her when her husband left them alone, but now... it didn't bother her as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you sulking?\" she asked, smiling at Ashlyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ashlyn shook her head slightly, her gaze still lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be upset about it,\" her mother whispered softly. \"Smile like you always do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Ashlyn replied weakly, nodding her head and forcing a weak smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any relationship as complex as that between a mother and child is always going to include both love and hate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most young children feel moments of hatred when their needs or wishes are unfulfilled, and most whine when they don't get what they want.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ashlyn never did that; her bond with her mother was too fragile for her to demand anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She always protected the image of her mother inside, denying anything that might unsettle it, and by doing so, she protected herself from disappointment, anger, and pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ashlyn,\" her mother called, making her look up at her. \"Did you do the dishes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Mother,\" Ashlyn replied softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mother smiled softly, looking at her. \"You didn't do them properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did, Mother,\" Ashlyn replied meekly, looking down at her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ashlyn.\" Still smiling, her mother whispered, walking closer to her. \"Don't be down, smile like you always do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ashlyn hesitantly nodded, smiling back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good girl.\" Her mother nodded, patting her head but instead of savoring the feeling, Ashlyn forcefully closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"—lyn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle voice echoed in my ears, an urge to wake up filled my mind, but I didn't want to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being asleep was better than the harsh reality I was in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ashlyn!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flinched, my body jerking back, nearly falling down, but a hand on my back stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get down.\" I looked forward at Az, glancing back at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry,\" I whispered weakly, getting down from the bike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did I fall asleep while riding?' I wondered, looking at him jerking his hand to alleviate the numbness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tearing my gaze away from him, I looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stood in front of a large gate, and even though it was night, the place was filled with bright lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different small shops were set up on opposite sides, with one way in between.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Where are we?\" I asked, noticing the variety of products for sale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Market,\" he replied, parking the bike before walking inside. \"At the end of every year, the largest festival is held here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quietly followed behind him, trailing his steps like a duckling following its mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't have a choice; the place was filled with people, hardly any room to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a long stride before grabbing the hem of his shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced back at me, and in fear that he might ask me to remove my hand, I hastily asked, \"Do you know where Tiffany is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....I was trying my best not to think about her because whenever I think something good will happen, it doesn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if I thought about saving her, I know something bad will happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, even though I tried, I couldn't help but worry about her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know,\" he replied softly, walking again, \"but she'll be fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope,\" I whispered, nodding my head, smiling weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared back at me for a while before coldly whispering, \"Stop fucking smiling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My smile vanished as I quietly looked down, still grabbing his hem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...I want to hate him.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach flipped upside down as I remembered what I saw in the orphanage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because I wanted someone to blame for what happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was it because he was the first person I thought of when I was in distress?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, I want to hate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's the only way I can stop myself from going further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...From opening up to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I learned a long time ago that I shouldn't reveal myself to the people around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...If I do, they always leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Noah did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Az will do the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should start ignoring him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But it's hard not to notice his presence when he's always around me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought, staring at his back as he made way for me through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A startled voice escaped my lips as a child deliberately collided with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to look back at him, but something stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piece of paper in my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\" Az asked, turning around, looking confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This.\" I showed him the piece of paper while unfolding it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked closer, looking at it. A few dots were drawn in different places; other than that, it was empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A map,\" Az whispered, taking the paper from my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? How?\" I asked, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was this a map? All it had were dots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Bradyn,\" Az whispered, crumpling the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to stop him from destroying the paper, but the anger blazing in his eyes made me hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go.\" He grabbed my hand, dragging me away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved like he knew the place, making his way through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are we, Az?\" I asked, concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this place...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Feels familiar somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There was a kindergarten here,\" he replied, taking me to a secluded alleyway. \"I used to study here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, Az?\" A sense of uneasiness crawled over my skin as I heard him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had heard of this place before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ashlyn.\" He whispered, abruptly stopping in the alleyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-yeah,\" I whispered, feeling apprehensive about the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get ready,\" he whispered, taking out a katana from his bracelet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For wha—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My words abruptly halted as a silvery hue lashed toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>",1542,"2026-06-05T21:29:08.031Z",1,"novelbin.me","d0fc002e7a1b394b15c609d11ccb48804e7b5e1deb9a3a497936c4a9240181fe","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-173","reincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-chapter-357",556,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-the-villainess-s-son-cover.jpg"]