I Am More Paranoid Than the Villain – Chapter 131

Cater to One’s Preferences

She’s Just a Brain-Dead Fan¹

After saying this, Lin Shu lowered her head to sip her congee, her expression showing she had no intention of speaking again.

Seeing this, Yin Ruxu tactfully ended the topic.

Shen Man continued to chat with Xia Ke about investments.

The two of them couldn’t stop talking, their conversation eventually shifting to company operations.

Lin Shu sipped her congee, occasionally adding a word or two.

Yin Ruxu didn’t understand these things, so she could only listen quietly.

Watching Xia Ke’s expression as she talked, her spirit and color flying high², Yin Ruxu’s heart filled with jealousy and a sharp bitterness.

To avoid being ridiculed again, she suppressed all her emotions and put on her most well-behaved appearance.

“Xiao Ke, it’s almost eleven o’clock. I’ve got to start making lunch,” Shen Man said, glancing at her watch as she stood.

“Manman, let me help you,” Xia Ke said with a smile, her eyes full of an eagerness to try³.

“Okay.” Shen Man smiled, not refusing, and turned toward the kitchen.

Xia Ke followed behind her cheerfully.

When they got to the kitchen, Xia Ke saw the vegetables and meat that had already been prepared. “Manman, what kind of meat is all this?” she asked curiously.

“Chicken breast and beef, good for people on a diet,” Shen Man replied, looking at Xia Ke with a smile in her eyes. “You can’t even tell the difference between meats, so what made you think of helping?”

“You can teach me, can’t you?” Xia Ke said, blinking with a mischievous look.

She picked up a piece of chicken breast and looked at it. “This is perfect for Ah Xu. How do you cook it?”

“Just boil it. I also bought some salad to mix with it for her,” Shen Man said, picking up the vegetables on the counter and beginning to wash them.

Xia Ke watched her skillful movements, leaning in with wide eyes. “Is cooking a lot of trouble?”

“If there’s something you want to eat, just have your family’s Housekeeper Auntie make it. You don’t need to do it yourself.” Shen Man smiled, her words hinting at something more. “If you’re thinking of cooking for a certain someone, I’d suggest you forget it. Don’t put yourself through that.”

Realizing her thoughts had been seen through, a blush flashed across Xia Ke’s face. She scratched her cheek and said, “I heard people say that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Lin Shu can’t live without you; she must have been won over by your cooking skills.”

At the mention of Lin Shu, the smile in Shen Man’s eyes softened.

She thought for a moment before saying softly, “Shushu grew up in a wealthy family and never lacked for brand names. What she wants is the simplest care and tenderness.”

“But Yin Ruxu is different. If you want to cater to her preferences, you first need to understand her family and her past.”

Hearing this, Xia Ke’s expression froze.

“You don’t really know her, do you?” Shen Man asked, a look of complete understanding in her eyes.

Xia Ke nodded, a little discouraged.

“I can tell you’re sincere about Yin Ruxu. Even if all of us outsiders⁴ think she isn’t worth it, you still insist it has to be her, even using your own company to pave the way for her.” Shen Man shook her head slightly, her words tinged with a sigh of disapproval.

“Of all the people you dated abroad, was there not a single one who could compare to Yin Ruxu?”

“In your heart, is there anyone who can compare to Lin Shu?” Xia Ke retorted.

“Of course not,” Shen Man answered firmly.

“Then why are you even asking me?” Xia Ke sighed and pulled over a chair to sit.

She propped her head in her hands and gazed out the window for a long time before speaking. “Manman, the first person I saw when I came back to the country was you. If you were the one I’d fallen for back then, I’d probably be very happy right now, just like Lin Shu.”

Hearing this, Shen Man couldn’t help but laugh.

She skillfully chopped the vegetables and teased, “It’s not too late to fall for me now.”

Xia Ke tried to imagine the scene and was so startled she broke out in chicken skin bumps⁵.

She shuddered and, unable to hold back a laugh⁶, said, “I like Manman too, but not that kind of like.”

Shen Man understood what she meant.

She placed the prepared chicken breast into the water and began to explain the cooking method in detail as Xia Ke listened attentively.

“Even if you teach her, she won’t learn.” Lin Shu’s voice, full of arrogance, suddenly came from the doorway.

Xia Ke heard this but didn’t get angry. She just smiled and said, “Cooking a meal yourself once in a while is a nice experience, too.”

Lin Shu pursed her lips, offering a noncommittal expression⁷.

She walked into the kitchen, sat, and started fiddling with the leftover vegetable leaves.

Seeing her bored expression, Shen Man asked with a smile, “Shushu, why aren’t you in the living room watching some TV?”

“It’s because you were talking nonsense,” Lin Shu said, her eyes wide with annoyance.

Shen Man chuckled lightly. “Shushu, you’re the host. You can’t just leave a guest out there all alone.”

“Since you’re both interested in film and television dramas, you can chat more.”

“I don’t want to talk to her,” Lin Shu muttered, reluctance written all over her face.

She then looked at Xia Ke. “You brought her here, so you’re responsible for her.”

Xia Ke immediately got up and walked out of the kitchen.

Seeing Yin Ruxu’s lonely figure, a pang of heartache surfaced in her.

She walked over and said in a low voice, “You don’t need to be nervous here at Manman’s. None of us are outsiders.”

“Maybe I’m the only outsider,” Yin Ruxu said softly, her head lowered.

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a lonely, sorrowful feeling, as if she’d been abandoned.

Xia Ke’s eyes narrowed, and her fingers clenched into a fist.

She stood in silence, not saying a word.

“I remember back in college, whenever Lin Shu would tell me off, you’d always stick up for me.” Yin Ruxu looked up, her delicate eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Now…” she trailed off, pressing her lips together with a hurt expression.

Xia Ke was moved.

She knew there was an element of acting in it, but she couldn’t ignore the truth in what Yin Ruxu said.

She walked over, crouched down, and softened her voice. “Lin Shu is just spoiled, she doesn’t have a bad heart. Don’t take it personally.”

“I know,” Yin Ruxu said in a low voice.

She put away her aggrieved expression and gave Xia Ke a forced smile.

Xia Ke nodded and sat down to the side.

Seeing a magazine under the coffee table, she casually picked it up and began flipping through the pages.

Yin Ruxu kept her company in silence.

Shen Man finished cooking and called out to the living room, “Xiao Ke, you two go wash your hands. It’s time to eat.”

“Okay.” Xia Ke put down the magazine and gave Yin Ruxu a look.

Yin Ruxu nodded obediently and followed her to the bathroom to wash her hands.

Shen Man brought the dishes to the table and set out four sets of bowls and chopsticks.

Xia Ke sat down with Yin Ruxu and looked at the lavish spread. “It smells amazing,” she said happily. “Just looking at it gives me an appetite.”

Shen Man smiled and served a bowl of rice for Lin Shu.

She then looked at Yin Ruxu, her voice cool. “Xia Ke said you need to watch what you eat, so I won’t serve you rice. If you want some, you can get it yourself.”

“Okay, thank you for the trouble.” Yin Ruxu quickly sat up straight and gave a polite little bow.

“This isn’t a stage. Who are you putting on this polite act for?” Lin Shu said.

Though she controlled her tone and volume, her words still came out with an unconscious, piercing edge.

A faint blush immediately appeared on Yin Ruxu’s face. Her fingers twisted together helplessly as she habitually prepared to bow again.

She had just lowered her head when she realized it was inappropriate. She quickly looked up and said apologetically, “Sorry for causing you all trouble.”

Lin Shu pursed her lips and didn’t answer.

Shen Man gave a light laugh and said comfortingly, “You don’t have to be so formal. We were all classmates. Even if our lives are different now, we still have that classmate bond⁸.”

“Thank you.” Yin Ruxu revealed a standard smile and responded with a polite nod.

She lowered her eyelashes slightly, avoiding Shen Man’s all-seeing gaze.

Shen Man served another bowl of rice and placed it in front of Xia Ke.

“Xiao Ke, eat up,” she said with a smile.

“I wouldn’t dare fight with Lin Shu for food,” Xia Ke said jokingly, winking at Lin Shu.

Lin Shu unapologetically shot her an eye dagger⁹ and said coldly, “Just eat your food and stop talking so much.”

“Manman’s the one who cooked it, and she hasn’t said a thing,” Xia Ke retorted without a trace of fear, secretly sticking out her tongue.

Lin Shu saw the gesture and huffed.

She turned her head away, ignoring Xia Ke completely.

Shen Man watched the two bicker with a light laugh, periodically placing more food into Lin Shu’s bowl.

“Can’t you say something to her?” Lin Shu pouted, glaring at Shen Man with her soft, rosy lips pushed out.

“Xiao Ke is a guest. How could I scold her?” Shen Man replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Xia Ke grew even more smug.

Just as she was about to tease Lin Shu again, a piece of meat suddenly appeared in her bowl.

“President Xia, please enjoy your meal,” Yin Ruxu said softly, every word laced with caution.

After speaking, she lowered her eyes, not daring to meet anyone’s gaze.

Shen Man saw this deliberate act and frowned slightly, but she didn’t point it out.

Lin Shu, however, let out an unapologetic scoff.

“Ah Xu, I told you yesterday not to call me President Xia here at Manman’s,” Xia Ke said, her voice steady.

Yin Ruxu looked startled, biting her lip before correcting herself. “Xiao Ke.”

“Mm.” Xia Ke smiled, satisfied.

The tension in Shen Man’s brow relaxed, and a meaningful smile touched her lips.

Yin Ruxu looked up and inadvertently met her gaze, feeling a momentary flash of panic.

After lunch, it was nearly twelve-thirty.

Xia Ke stayed for a little while before leaving with Yin Ruxu.

Shen Man saw them to the elevator.

She smiled and waved. “Xiao Ke, come visit again when you have time.”

“Okay! Now that I’ve tasted Manman’s cooking, I’ll come over to rub a meal¹⁰ whenever I’m free,” Xia Ke said with a happy laugh.

Yin Ruxu gave a polite nod. “Thank you for your hospitality. Please forgive me if I’ve been any trouble.”

Shen Man just smiled in response.

Watching the elevator doors close, she turned and went back inside.

Lin Shu was sitting on the sofa, holding the remote.

She casually switched to a channel that happened to be showing a drama¹¹ starring Yin Ruxu—and a climactic scene, at that.

Lin Shu puffed up her cheeks, conflicted for a moment, but didn’t change the channel.

Hearing footsteps from the entryway¹², she turned her head and asked, “Are they gone?”

“Mhm, Yin Ruxu has an important event to attend this afternoon,” Shen Man said.

She walked into the living room, glanced at the TV, and couldn’t help but smile. “Shushu, you like watching her act so much, so how come you don’t seem like a fan at all?”

“I’m a drama fan¹³, not her fan,” Lin Shu argued haughtily. After a moment’s thought, she added, “Xia Ke is her brain-dead fan.”

Hearing this description, Shen Man’s expression showed her agreement. She sat down and said, “Yin Ruxu is a deep one. Xia Ke already fell for her tricks once, and this time will probably be no exception.”

“Between those two, one is willing to hit, and one is willing to endure¹⁴. Why are you, an outsider, worrying about it?” Lin Shu said.

“That’s true,” Shen Man said with a relieved laugh. She reached out, twirling a strand of Lin Shu’s hair around her finger, and asked softly, “We still have one more day off tomorrow. What are your plans?”

“We’re going somewhere nice tomorrow.” Lin Shu’s lips curved into a mysterious smile.

“Okay,” Shen Man agreed with an affectionate smile.

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