I Am More Paranoid Than the Villain – Chapter 135

Anxious Heart

Baby is Angry

The food hadn’t arrived yet, but Lin Shu had. She appeared in the hallway, and Shen Man immediately shot to her feet, a light smile on her face as she waved.

The tight expression on Lin Shu’s face softened into a faint smile. She walked over quickly and sat down beside Shen Man.

Her eyes swept over Ni Shuang and Wen Lan before she raised an eyebrow. “What’s the special occasion? I didn’t think you had time to ask me out to dinner.”

“Well, if it isn’t because my baby¹ here insisted on meeting a certain someone. I was so worried there’d be trouble that I had to call you for backup.” Ni Shuang shot her a flirtatious look, deliberately emphasizing her last words with a tone of mock grievance. “Lately, all she thinks about is that ex-President Shen. She’s more devoted to her than she is to me.”

“I was just concerned about Miss Shen, that’s all. It’s not like you said,” Wen Lan explained hurriedly, looking at Shen Man with a serious expression. “Miss Shen, please don’t mind her.”

“Of course she doesn’t mind. I’m the one who minds,” Ni Shuang huffed petulantly, jealousy written all over her face.

She tightened her grip on Wen Lan’s arm. “Lin Shu, you should keep your person in check, too. Don’t let her go around attracting bees and provoking butterflies.²”

At those words, a chill went down Lin Shu’s spine.

She turned her head, her eyes locking on Shen Man with a clear warning. “I heard from Gao Rou that it only took you one day to get the entire department to eat out of your hand.”

“Besides her skill, I’m sure her beauty had something to do with it,” Ni Shuang added, fanning the wind and lighting the fire.³ “Who wouldn’t be dazed by a face like that?”

“Is that true?” Lin Shu’s expression turned icy. A surge of anger rose in her heart, threatening to erupt at any moment.

Shen Man couldn’t help but laugh.

She reached out and gently pinched Lin Shu’s pale, delicate cheek, leaning in to whisper, “You’d really believe the nonsense coming from a vinegar jar⁴ like her?”

“If Wen Lan weren’t here, she’d probably spin a whole epic tragedy about us, a love so profound it would startle heaven and earth and move ghosts and gods.⁵”

“Lin-xiaojie, Shuangshuang is just joking. Please don’t take her seriously,” Wen Lan added, then turned to Ni Shuang with a stern look. “Shuangshuang, don’t say things like that anymore.”

“Look at you two, singing the same tune. You don’t care about my feelings at all,” Ni Shuang sighed, putting on a wounded expression.

Lin Shu could tell she was acting, but the words still stung. Shen Man had always been charismatic, easily swaying both men and women. Just one look at that devastatingly beautiful face was enough to make anyone waver.

She let out a cold huff and placed her handbag on the seat between them, creating a small distance from Shen Man.

Seeing this, Shen Man shot Ni Shuang a glare.

Ni Shuang looked completely unfazed. She stuck out her tongue and hugged Wen Lan even more intimately. Wen Lan looked a little helpless and gave Shen Man an apologetic glance in return.

Shen Man suppressed her annoyance and turned her attention back to Lin Shu.

Lin Shu ignored her completely, turning her head to stare at a decorative piece on the wall.

Shen Man frowned, thinking for a moment before her expression softened into one of resignation.

Just then, the waiter began serving their dishes.

“Miss Shen, Lin-xiaojie, please enjoy,” Wen Lan said with a polite smile.

Lin Shu picked up her chopsticks with a cool indifference, listlessly picking at a random dish. She clearly had no appetite.

Shen Man watched her for a moment before placing some food in Lin Shu’s bowl. “Shushu,” she said, her voice soft and smiling, “this restaurant has great reviews. You should eat more.”

“Don’t bother, I can get it myself,” Lin Shu said coldly, glaring at her. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. “Your department is mostly women. Don’t create a bad impression at the company.”

“Shushu, I’ve only known them for a day,” Shen Man explained patiently.

“So does that mean it’s a possibility once more time passes?” Lin Shu retorted, her anger flaring. She slammed her chopsticks down on the table.

The sharp sound startled Wen Lan and Ni Shuang.

They both froze, silently turning to look at Lin Shu.

Shen Man’s expression didn’t change. She simply said in a gentle voice, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go quit tomorrow.”

When Lin Shu didn’t respond, Shen Man moved the handbag from between them, setting it behind her. She reached out, pulling Lin Shu into her arms. “My heart has only ever belonged to my Shushu,” she murmured with a light laugh. “I’ve never been tempted by anyone else.”

Lin Shu snapped back to her senses, suddenly remembering they weren’t alone. Her face flushed red, and she lowered her head slightly. “Let go of me first,” she whispered.

“Nope. Otherwise, someone might start talking nonsense⁶ again,” Shen Man said with a smile, her fingers sliding down to wrap around that slender waist.

“I wasn’t talking nonsense,” Ni Shuang quickly defended herself, then let out a heavy sigh as she looked at Lin Shu.

“What’s with that expression?” Lin Shu frowned, her voice sharp.

“To think the esteemed chairman of the Lin Corporation, a woman with money, looks, and talent, could be so completely tamed by a simple pretty face,” Ni Shuang said, drawing out her words with a look of profound pity.

“And you’re any different?” Lin Shu shot back without hesitation. “Aren’t you the one who’s practically moved into someone else’s house and refuses to leave? I thought your motto was ‘life is short, so seek pleasure in time.’”⁷

“Stop, stop! Don’t say another word. I surrender, okay?” Ni Shuang interrupted, holding up her hands in defeat.

“If you have other choices, I will respect them,” Wen Lan said, her expression unusually serious.

“Baby, I was just kidding! I love you the most, don’t be mad, okay?” Ni Shuang’s demeanor instantly softened as she coaxed Wen Lan, her charming eyes filled with a watery tenderness.

Lin Shu watched them and laughed without mercy. “And here you are, a pampered heiress who’s seen it all. How did you fall for someone so completely?”

“Lin Shu, don’t pour oil on the fire,”⁸ Ni Shuang pouted, her voice turning whiny. “My baby is already angry.”

“I’m not angry,” Wen Lan replied calmly.

“Since you’re not angry, you can’t bring this up ever again,” Ni Shuang said, her mood instantly brightening. She leaned over and gave Wen Lan a quick kiss.

Wen Lan nodded and placed a piece of food on Ni Shuang’s plate.

Shen Man saw this and turned her head to look at Lin Shu.

Lin Shu’s face was still faintly red. “I never told you to quit,” she mumbled.

“I know. I’ll go to work tomorrow as usual,” Shen Man chuckled, her voice incredibly gentle.

Lin Shu pouted her red lips, but a proud little smile touched their corners.

After dinner, the four of them said their goodbyes.

Shen Man and Lin Shu left first, while Ni Shuang pulled Wen Lan along to a nearby shopping mall.

“You can stop worrying about your President Shen now. Her heart belongs only to Lin Shu,” Ni Shuang said with a charming smile.

When Wen Lan started to explain, Ni Shuang cut her off. “You’re not colleagues anymore. Her girlfriend is the chairman of the Lin Corporation. She doesn’t need anyone else’s misplaced concern.”

Wen Lan fell silent, the words dying on her lips. A small smile touched her face, a look of relief in her eyes. “When Miss Shen suddenly resigned, I was worried she’d been pushed out. Seeing that she’s doing so well now, I feel much better.”

“Shen Man is no simple woman. She would never let herself be mistreated,” Ni Shuang said with a pout, a hint of indignation in her voice.

A moment later, her expression shifted to one of gloating.⁹ “But for such a smart and proud woman, she’s as obedient as a little white rabbit¹⁰ in front of Lin Shu.”

“When Lin Shu threw her chopsticks, I really thought someone with Shen Man’s personality would get angry. But she wasn’t bothered at all. She truly spoils Lin Shu.”

Wen Lan nodded softly.

She had also thought Shen Man would get angry, but the outcome had been completely unexpected. At work, Shen Man was a different person—stern, serious, and not one for idle talk or smiles. Always as cold as ice and frost, she intimidated everyone around her. Her standards for employees were incredibly high, and people were terrified of her both in and out of the office. Just mentioning her name was enough to make the atmosphere turn grim.

To see her being so incredibly gentle with someone was a rare sight indeed. And it was obvious that Shen Man truly loved Lin Shu, willing to patiently coax the precious young lady.

“You did what you came to do today. You can consider leaving that company now, right?” Ni Shuang asked, her voice wheedling.

Wen Lan’s brow furrowed slightly. “I should at least finish out the year,” she said softly. “And save up a little more money.”

“Alright, then. After this year is over, you’ll move in with me,” Ni Shuang said happily, her eyes shining brightly. “Last time your little sister came over to play, she said before she left that she wished she could live there forever.”

“She’s just a kid, she doesn’t know what she’s saying,” Wen Lan explained quickly. “She was just talking.”

“I already promised her,” Ni Shuang said, stopping in her tracks. Her expression turned serious. She stared into Wen Lan’s eyes, her usually flirtatious face now showing an uncharacteristic gravity. “I never thought about living with anyone.”

“But if it’s you and Xiao Meng, I would be more than happy.”

Wen Lan lowered her gaze, not daring to meet those brilliant eyes. She turned her head, looking at the flashing neon lights on the street, and remained silent for a long time. “If Xiao Meng agrees,” she finally said, “then I’m okay with it.”

Hearing this, Ni Shuang broke into an ecstatic smile and spun Wen Lan around in a hug. “It’s a deal, then! No backing out!”

“Mm,” Wen Lan nodded. The sound was soft, but firm.

Her entire life, she had always followed the rules. Whether in her studies or her work, she was diligent and proper, never once stepping out of line. She didn’t know if this was the right choice, but seeing how happy Ni Shuang was, she knew that, at least in this moment, she had no regrets.

---

Shen Man and Lin Shu returned home.

After they both showered, they lay down in bed together. Shen Man had just closed her eyes when she felt a warm breath beside her. Suddenly, a wetness on her earlobe sent a jolt of electricity through her.

She let out a soft laugh and pulled the other woman into her arms.

Tonight, Lin Shu was exceptionally bold and passionate, her inky black eyes blazing with a beautiful, dazzling light. But hidden within them was a trace of subtle, cautious anxiety.

In the darkness, this anxiety grew, seeping into every cell of her body. The hotter their bodies became, the more keenly she could feel it, a painful tugging at her heart.

Shen Man held the delicate, pale body in her arms tightly, feeling their hearts pound against each other. The peng peng¹¹ of their heartbeats intertwined, making it impossible to tell whose was whose.

“Shushu, goodnight,” Shen Man whispered.

In response, the woman in her arms bit down gently on her shoulder, leaving a faint indentation. It didn’t hurt, but it itched.

“Behave at work tomorrow. You’re not allowed to exchange flirtatious glances¹² with the women at the office. If I find out…” Lin Shu warned, her small face set in a cold expression, but her words were cut off by a hand covering her lips.

“There is no ‘if’,” Shen Man said seriously.

Lin Shu let out a proud huff and closed her eyes, content.

Shen Man stared into the darkness, her gaze lost in thought.

---

---