I Am More Paranoid Than the Villain – Chapter 27

Frightened

Shen Man is my person

Lin Shu returned to her room and angrily threw her bag onto the bed.

She went to the bathroom to remove her makeup and take a shower, taking a good half hour to come out.

She leaned comfortably on the bed, a mask on her face, and picked up her phone to send Tan Kai a message, “Do you have Qiu Bing’s contact information.”

“I don’t have it,” Tan Kai replied. “Wait for me a few minutes, I’ll find someone to ask.”

“Mhm,” Lin Shu put down her phone, extended her fingers, and pressed the mask.

In less than five minutes, Tan Kai sent Qiu Bing’s phone number over.

Lin Shu took a tissue to wipe her fingers, and was preparing to call, when a call from Tan Kai came in.

“Lin Shu, why are you looking for Qiu Bing? Don’t tell me Shen Man really provoked her?” Tan Kai asked, his brow furrowing towards the end of his words.

“Mhm,” Lin Shu ‘mhm’-ed with a cold tone.

Thinking of Shen Man threatening her, a wave of anger rose in her heart. Afraid the mask would fall off, she endured and did not act out.

“This woman is quite difficult to deal with, do you want my help?” Tan Kai asked with concern.

“No need, I can handle it,” Lin Shu replied confidently.

After speaking, she made a ‘tsk’ sound, her face showing a look of disgust.

Tan Kai heard it and immediately started laughing, “Lin Shu, you still hate her so much.”

After laughing twice, he said again, “I didn’t expect you would actually be willing to help Shen Man. It seems the relationship between you two is quite good.”

Lin Shu snorted, not wanting to explain the reason why.

After hanging up the phone, she lay for a while, then got up to wash her face.

Just as Lin Shu finished and came out, there was a knock on her room door.

She opened the door, looked at the person outside, her face unfriendly, “What do you want from me?”

“Shushu, how do you plan to handle this matter?” Shen Man asked with a smile.

“What’s it to you?” Lin Shu glared, replying irritably.

She had just finished her skincare routine. Her face was fair and tender, as if water could be pinched out of it. Her delicate, soft red lips had a crystalline luster, opening and closing to reveal pearly white teeth.

Shen Man’s heart felt a little itchy; she wanted to reach out and pinch that arrogant face.

She smiled, propped her palm on the doorframe, her fingers tapping lightly, and said seriously, “This girl is a bit crazy.”

“How did you provoke her?” Lin Shu retorted.

“I didn’t provoke her, she’s the one looking for trouble with me,” Shen Man replied.

Lin Shu frowned, her expression full of impatience, “Alright, I know.”

After speaking, she closed the room door.

Shen Man stood outside the door, a trace of helplessness in her eyes.

She never would have thought that one day, she would have to ask a little girl for help.

This, more or less, still made her feel a bit ashamed.

Lin Shu lay on the bed, looking at that string of numbers, and disdainfully rolled her eyes.

If it weren’t for this matter with Shen Man, she would never want to speak to this disgusting lunatic in her life.

Lin Shu dialed the number, pressed speakerphone, and threw the phone to the side.

From the other side came a fierce-toned voice, “Who are you?”

“Lin Shu,” Lin Shu looked at the ceiling, replying with a face full of disdain.

Qiu Bing gave a cold laugh, “How rare. How does the great Miss Lin have time to call me.”

Lin Shu couldn’t be bothered with these sarcastic and strange words and said directly, “This matter with Shen Man, for my sake, let it end here.”

“Heh,” Qiu Bing sneered angrily, her face becoming savage. “She dared to injure me, how can this matter just be forgotten like this?”

“What do you want?” Lin Shu’s small face turned cold. She sat up straight and picked up the phone.

“What do I want? Naturally, I want this little bitch to pay the price!” Qiu Bing said viciously.

Hearing the words ‘little bitch’, Lin Shu’s delicate brows furrowed, and she coldly retorted, “Who is more of a bitch than you?”

“You!” Qiu Bing was choked up and angrily hung up the phone.

Lin Shu curled her lip in disdain, threw the phone to the side, got out of bed, and went out wearing slippers.

Shen Man was in the living room watching TV.

Lin Shu walked over, stood there looking down from a superior position, her small face cold, “Give me the remote.”

Shen Man obediently handed over the remote and moved to the side.

Lin Shu sat in Shen Man’s spot, her body relaxed against the sofa, flipping through channels, and said faintly, “I want to eat fruit.”

Shen Man immediately got up and went to the fridge to get fruit.

“Arrange it on a plate, cut it into heart shapes,” Lin Shu ordered without raising her head.

Shen Man came out carrying a plate of fruit, placed it gently on the coffee table, and said with a smile, “Shushu, the heart-shaped fruit you wanted.”

Lin Shu glanced at it, showing a somewhat satisfied expression, and said, “Apple.”

Shen Man immediately speared a piece of apple with a toothpick and brought it to Lin Shu’s mouth.

Lin Shu chewed slowly, and after finishing, said again, “Fragrant pear.”

Shen Man hurriedly served her the fragrant pear.

Lin Shu slowly finished the plate of fruit.

Shen Man tactfully handed over two tissues, leaned closer, lowered her voice, and asked with a smile, “Shushu, do you want me to help you wipe your mouth?”

The suddenly close warm breath scalded Lin Shu, making her shrink back.

She hurriedly took the tissues and said loudly and quickly, “No need, you go wash the plate.”

“Okay,” Shen Man’s eyes curved, and she obediently picked up the plate and went to the kitchen.

Lin Shu touched her wildly beating heart.

She quietly breathed a sigh of relief and continued watching TV.

The phone in the room rang.

Lin Shu glanced disdainfully and said loudly, “Shen Man, bring me my phone.”

“Okay,” Shen Man immediately came out of the kitchen and trotted over to get the phone.

Shen Man held the phone, glanced at it, and immediately knew it was Qiu Bing’s number.

She lightly curled her lip and handed the phone to Lin Shu.

Lin Shu pressed speakerphone, casually placed it to the side, and spoke impolitely, “What is it?”

“You want to reconcile? Tomorrow afternoon after class, you bring her and come here,” Qiu Bing said with a cold laugh.

Lin Shu noted down the address and hung up the phone.

She raised her eyes, looked at Shen Man, her small face filled with unstoppable pride, “Alright, she agreed.”

Shen Man smiled lightly and praised, “Shushu is still the most capable.”

“Of course,” Lin Shu raised her eyebrows proudly and continued watching TV.

Shen Man stood to the side, thought for a moment, and said, “Shushu, this Qiu Bing person is very crazy, we need to be a little careful.”

“What’s there to be afraid of? She wouldn’t dare do anything to me,” Lin Shu snorted haughtily, her eyes full of confidence.

Shen Man sat down, leaned against the sofa armrest, thought for a moment, and revealed a relaxed smile.

Lin Shu glanced over and asked, puzzled, “What are you smiling about?”

“If Shushu isn’t afraid, then I don’t need to worry unnecessarily¹,” Shen Man replied with a smile.

Lin Shu adjusted her posture, propped her cheek with her hand, and gave a mocking laugh, “If you’re scared, you don’t have to go.”

“With Shushu accompanying me, of course I’m not afraid,” Shen Man chuckled lightly, her beautiful eyes and brows full of gentleness.

Lin Shu’s heart tightened. She threw down the remote, stood up, and said, “I’m going back to my room to sleep. Keep the TV volume down, don’t disturb me. Otherwise, you’ll go alone tomorrow.”

“As you command, my great Miss,” Shen Man placed a hand on her chest and made a bowing gesture.

Lin Shu snorted haughtily, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve up.

---

Monday had many classes.

After a day of classes, Shen Man organized her books.

Lin Shu said to Tan Kai, “Later, drop us off at this bar.”

When Tan Kai heard the bar’s name, his brows furrowed, “This bar is very chaotic, what are you two girls going there for?”

“Isn’t it because Shen Man offended someone,” Lin Shu replied.

Tan Kai quickly understood and persuaded, “Her choosing this place means she has no good intentions. I’ll go with you.”

Lin Shu was about to refuse, but Shen Man said, “We’ll have to trouble you.”

“Your business is…” Tan Kai smiled embarrassedly, his gaze meeting Shen Man’s. He paused and then said, “Lin Shu’s business is also my business.”

“What does her business have to do with me?” Lin Shu retorted unhappily.

Tan Kai gave a “hehe” laugh and said nothing.

The three of them arrived at the appointed place.

The bar was chaotic. The women inside mostly wore seductive and exaggerated makeup and revealing clothes.

Everywhere was the sound of clinking wine bottles and cheerful chatter.

The three of them, with their simple attire, were out of place here.

As soon as they entered the door, they attracted the gazes of many people.

Tan Kai walked in front, with Lin Shu and Shen Man following behind.

A woman came over swaying her hips, holding a glass of wine, and stood flirtatiously in front of Tan Kai, “Little handsome guy, want to have a drink?”

“I’m here to find someone,” Tan Kai turned his head and refused.

The woman didn’t give up and boldly pressed herself against Tan Kai.

Tan Kai hurriedly dodged to the side.

Seeing this, Lin Shu stepped forward, glared at the woman, and shouted loudly, “Go away, don’t block our way.”

“Where did this little sister come from? You look so pure and lovely, I didn’t expect your temper to be so spicy,” the woman smiled ambiguously and reached out to lift Lin Shu’s chin.

Her hand reached mid-air and was grabbed by the wrist by another hand.

“Ah, it hurts…” The woman’s face instantly scrunched up in pain.

“Beauty, we have business. You should go find someone else to drink with,” Shen Man said with a light laugh, her light makeup showing a gentle expression.

The woman felt her wrist hurt even more, fear showing in her eyes, and she hurriedly nodded.

Shen Man released her hand, her smile relaxed.

Lin Shu frowned and asked in a low voice, “You seem very familiar with this kind of place?”

“This is my first time here,” Shen Man tilted her head, her face full of innocence.

Lin Shu was a bit disbelieving, a suspicious look in her eyes.

“We’re here,” Tan Kai said.

Lin Shu’s attention was immediately pulled away.

Tan Kai opened the room door.

Inside sat three girls and three boys, with several cases of beer on the table.

A girl sat intimately in a boy’s lap, the two of them kissing in front of everyone.

Tan Kai immediately turned his head away.

The three of them entered the room.

Shen Man scanned the room.

She had seen all three girls before. One of the boys was He Tao; the other two she didn’t know.

“We’re here. Speak, what do you want?” Lin Shu asked loudly, her expression arrogant.

Hearing the voice, He Tao looked over, his gaze meeting Shen Man’s, wanting to stop.

Qiu Bing sensed his intention, kissed him more fiercely, and even placed his hand on her own chest.

Lin Shu looked at the scene before her, a look of disgust on her small face, and said coldly, “I didn’t come here to watch you be in heat.”

Shen Man looked over, a bit surprised.

She didn’t expect that the haughty and simple young miss would also say such words that didn’t fit her status.

Only then did Qiu Bing stop, twisting her waist with a satisfied look. She shot a provocative glance at Shen Man and said deliberately, “Do you guys think I’m prettier, or is she prettier?”

“Of course Bing-jie is the most beautiful. How can that kind of countrified person compare with Bing-jie,” the people around praised flatteringly.

He Tao didn’t speak.

Shen Man sneered, watching the performance before her with an indifferent face.

Lin Shu glared at her, lowered her voice, her face both ashamed and angry, “What are you looking at? What’s there to look at?”

“There really isn’t much to look at,” Shen Man replied with a smile, critiquing with a straight face, “Thick waist, short legs, skin isn’t fair, and she’s even wearing black stockings. At a glance, she’s no different from a dark and swarthy snake demon.”

“You!” Qiu Bing was enraged and stood up, her face full of anger.

A boy next to her immediately stood up for her, “Little bitch, you offended Bing-jie yesterday, and now you still dare to be so arrogant. Believe it or not, us brothers will teach you how to behave²?”

“Who are you calling a little bitch?” Lin Shu’s delicate brows knitted together as she glared at the boy who spoke.

The boy knew her identity and didn’t dare to talk back.

Qiu Bing gave a cold laugh, sat down, and leaned against the sofa.

Of the girls sitting next to her, one handed her a cigarette, and one helped her light it.

Qiu Bing took a drag of the cigarette, blew out a thick white cloud of smoke, her face fierce, “If you want me to forgive her, that’s fine. Make her drink all this alcohol on the table.”

“How is that possible!” Tan Kai immediately retorted.

Qiu Bing sneered, her face smug, “Otherwise, it’s off the table.”

Lin Shu frowned in disgust.

She turned her head and glared at Shen Man, “I’ve been standing for so long, and you don’t even know to bring me a stool.”

Shen Man smiled.

In the gazes of the crowd, she naturally brought over a chair and placed it behind Lin Shu.

Lin Shu sat down, leaned back comfortably, and shrugged her shoulders.

Shen Man immediately started massaging her shoulders.

“Shen Man is my person. Even when hitting a dog, you have to look at the owner³. Me coming here today is already giving you a lot of face, don’t be ungrateful⁴,” Lin Shu said haughtily.

Shen Man’s heart tightened, followed by, “……”

Her shoulder-massaging motion paused.

Lin Shu turned back, dissatisfied, and glared.

Shen Man continued.

Tan Kai watched from the side.

He felt the two girls were like big bosses negotiating in a TV drama.

The two were at a stalemate, neither willing to yield.

Tan Kai stepped forward and said, “You keep saying Shen Man offended you. I want to know, how did she offend you?”

“Stealing my man, doesn’t that count?” Qiu Bing said angrily.

“Shen Man wouldn’t do such a thing,” Tan Kai said affirmatively, his gaze falling on He Tao. “You should ask your boyfriend more, instead of biting people randomly like a lunatic.”

“Who are you calling a lunatic?” Qiu Bing shot up with a ‘whoosh’, as if her sore spot had been stepped on, her face extremely unsightly. She forcefully threw the cigarette in her hand and said loudly, “Lin Shu, this has nothing to do with you. The one I’m going to deal with today is this bitch named Shen Man.”

“If you insist on getting involved, don’t blame me for not being polite to you.”

“Who do you want to be not polite to?” Tan Kai’s handsome face darkened, and he stood in front of Lin Shu. “If you want a fight, I’ll accompany you.”

The atmosphere in the private room instantly became one of drawn swords and bent bows⁵.

He Tao carefully looked from side to side and said in a low voice, “Baby, let it go. There’s really nothing between me and Shen Man.”

“Just because you say there’s nothing, there’s nothing?” The anger on Qiu Bing’s face was even greater; she was almost losing her mind. She stared at Lin Shu, “I’ll say it one last time, either make her drink all this alcohol, or make her kneel down and kowtow to me to admit her mistake.”

Before Lin Shu could speak, Tan Kai replied coldly, “Don’t even think about it!”

Qiu Bing snorted, her eyes fierce.

She waved her hand, and two boys holding beer bottles walked over with ferocious expressions⁶.

“I’ll handle it here, you guys go out first,” Tan Kai said, blocking the front.

Lin Shu was stunned for a moment, then glared at Qiu Bing, “You dare to lay a hand on me?”

“Who told you to get in my way!” Qiu Bing smiled smugly, a crazed look on her face.

Shen Man immediately grabbed Lin Shu’s hand and said in a low, serious voice, “She’s already crazy now, there’s no reasoning with her. Let’s go out first.”

Only then did Lin Shu realize the seriousness of the situation.

She had always been very confident that Qiu Bing wouldn’t dare do anything to her. Only now did she understand that when this woman went crazy, she didn’t care about anything.

Lin Shu felt even more disgusted and gripped Shen Man’s hand tightly.

The two of them walked outside.

Two girls blocked the doorway.

One of them held an iron rod.

Qiu Bing’s voice came from behind, venomous and savage, “Break her legs!”

Lin Shu was scared and subconsciously hid behind Shen Man, her small face tense, “What do we do now?”

“You call the police, I’ll deal with them,” Shen Man said calmly.

Lin Shu nodded hurriedly, looking for a safe place to make a call amidst the chaos.

Shen Man had no weapon in her hands. Facing the two girls’ fierce attacks, she dodged while looking for a chance to counterattack.

She dodged for a while, found an opportunity, kicked one of the girls’ arms, and seized the iron rod.

With a shoo sound, someone attacked from behind.

Shen Man blocked with the rod in a backhand motion.

A beer bottle exploded, and beer fragments fell all over the floor.

Foamy beer flowed down the rod, soaking Shen Man’s sleeves, chest, and hem, and some splattered foam landed on Shen Man’s face.

Shen Man’s eyes turned cold, and she kicked the other girl’s calf.

Both girls were knocked to the ground by her.

With a ‘peng’ sound, another beer bottle shattered against the wall.

“Ah…” Lin Shu screamed in fear, subconsciously hugging her head and ducking.

Hearing the sound, Shen Man’s heart tightened, and she quickly looked towards Lin Shu.

Beer bottles continuously shattered near Lin Shu.

“What are you waiting for, come over and smash them to death with beer!” Qiu Bing said viciously, laughing crazily, and picked up another beer bottle to throw in Lin Shu’s direction.

The two girls immediately ran over and also picked up beer bottles.

Shen Man understood in her heart that stopping these three girls now was the best solution.

But hearing Lin Shu’s frightened voice, she ran to Lin Shu’s side almost without thinking.

“Shushu, don’t be afraid,” Shen Man held the young woman in her arms and comforted her softly.

Lin Shu looked up, her pair of almond eyes holding crystalline teardrops.

She forcefully clutched Shen Man’s clothes, sniffled, and retorted in a small voice, “I’m not scared at all!”

Shen Man looked at the young woman’s stubborn yet frightened appearance and couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.

She pulled Lin Shu and walked towards the door.

There wasn’t much cover in the room, and the three girls were continuously approaching with beer bottles.

Tan Kai was tied up with two boys over there.

Their best option now was to get out quickly. If they were surrounded, it would be too late to get out.

Shen Man walked on the outside, holding a tray to block.

Lin Shu leaned on the inside, protected by her body.

Beer bottles continuously smashed beside the two of them. Shen Man’s clothes were already soaked with beer, emitting a strong smell of it.

Suddenly, a ‘peng’ sound came from the wall next to Lin Shu as a beer bottle exploded.

Shen Man reacted quickly, protecting Lin Shu in her embrace and shielding Lin Shu’s face with her arm.

Beer fragments scattered around the two of them.

Shen Man’s arm was cut.

She let out a muffled sound, her brows tightly furrowed.

Fresh blood mixed with beer soaked through her clothes and flowed down her arm.

Lin Shu seemed to smell the scent of fresh blood. She looked up, panic appearing in her eyes, “Shen Man, are you injured?”

“I’m fine,” Shen Man chuckled lightly, replying calmly.

Tan Kai finally dealt with the two boys.

He flipped and jumped in front of Qiu Bing, snatched the beer from her hand, and kicked her to the ground.

The other two girls frantically threw beer bottles at Tan Kai. Tan Kai didn’t dodge or evade, but met them head-on, quickly kicking the two girls down.

The room instantly became quiet, with only the pained cries of a few people remaining.

Shen Man gripped the doorknob and opened the door.

The fresh air in the hallway rushed into their nostrils, carrying the smell of blood.

Lin Shu turned her head.

She instantly saw the large patch of blood on Shen Man’s arm; the pure white jacket was dyed red.

Shocking to the eye⁷.

Lin Shu’s heart thumped violently, and she was stunned for a few seconds.

Shen Man smiled gently, took the opportunity to reach out and pinch Lin Shu’s soft, bouncy cheek, and said, “I’m fine, let’s leave quickly.”

Lin Shu nodded blankly.

Tan Kai ran out, also with quite a few injuries on his body, and said quickly, “While they haven’t gotten up yet, we need to leave quickly.”

After he spoke, he saw the wound on Shen Man’s arm and was both shocked and angry, “This bunch of bastards, I’m going back to teach them a lesson!”

“Don’t bother with them,” Shen Man stopped him sternly.

Lin Shu couldn’t help but tremble. Her eyes blinked, and the teardrops in them seemed about to fall.

Shen Man sensed her fear, pursed her lips, and softened her voice to persuade, “They have strength in numbers⁸, and they fight like their lives depend on it. If we keep fighting, we’ll be the ones at a disadvantage. Leaving first is the best option.”

“Okay,” Tan Kai was intimidated by her presence and nodded meekly.

---

The three of them left the bar and got in the car.

Tan Kai drove, the cold wind from outside blowing on him, and gradually became clear-headed and calm.

Lin Shu seemed to have not yet recovered from the shock, leaning tightly in Shen Man’s embrace.

Shen Man had an indifferent expression, her face calm, as if the wound on her arm didn’t exist.

Tan Kai was a bit surprised, and also a bit admiring. He said, “Shen Man, you look so gentle and weak, I didn’t expect you to be so capable. Are you okay? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“It’s a small matter,” Shen Man said faintly, reaching out to stroke Lin Shu’s hair comfortingly.

Tan Kai saw this in the rearview mirror and felt a trace of strangeness in his heart.

He frowned in confusion, but quickly pushed this doubt to the back of his mind and said in a deep voice, “Lin Shu must have been scared today. You should comfort her well.”

“Mhm,” Shen Man nodded.

The car drove to a famous nearby hospital.

Lin Shu seemed to wake from a dream. She blinked her eyes, glanced at Shen Man, and quickly sat up straight, pulling some distance between them.

Shen Man smiled, her expression relaxed, “Shushu, how are you?”

“I’m fine,” Lin Shu replied with her small face puffed up. She bit her lip, her expression turning angry, “That lunatic! To dare to treat me like that, I will absolutely not let her go!”

After a pause, she looked at Shen Man, hesitated for a moment, and said awkwardly, “Thank you for saving me.”

“Shushu, no need to be polite. This was my trouble to begin with. I’m truly sorry for getting you involved,” Shen Man said.

Hearing this, Lin Shu’s confidence instantly returned. She wanted to scold Shen Man a bit, but when she glanced at the wound on Shen Man’s arm, she forced herself to swallow the words on the tip of her tongue.

Shen Man’s wound was a bit serious and required stitches.

Lin Shu asked nervously, “Doctor, will it leave a scar?”

Shen Man hadn’t thought of this, but when asked, she started to feel a little nervous.

“Don’t worry, there won’t be a scar,” the doctor said reassuringly.

Lin Shu was relieved.

Shen Man also breathed a sigh of relief.

The doctor stitched up Shen Man’s wound and put her on an IV drip. By the time it was all done, it was already eleven o’clock.

Lin Shu was tired and sleepy. She fought off her drowsiness, looked at Shen Man, and said, “I’ll pay for all the medical expenses, then I won’t owe you anything.”

Shen Man smiled and said softly, “Protecting Shushu is what I should do.”

Lin Shu’s face turned slightly red, a wave of heat spreading across her back. She turned her head and looked elsewhere.

Tan Kai walked over, his own injuries simply bandaged, and said, “Is everything done? I’ll take you back.”

Lin Shu nodded.

Shen Man looked at the injuries on Tan Kai’s body and said apologetically, “Sorry, my business got you all involved and even got you hurt.”

“It’s not your fault. Anyone who gets targeted by that lunatic would lose a layer of skin⁹,” Tan Kai said with a smile, looking unconcerned. “These injuries of mine are nothing. The doctor said my body is sturdy, I’ll be fine in a couple of days. But you girls, so delicate, you have to be careful not to let the wound scar.”

“Thank you,” Shen Man smiled slightly, thanking him sincerely.

Tan Kai’s face immediately turned red.

Lin Shu glanced at the two of them, raised her volume, and said loudly, “I’m so sleepy, I want to go back quickly.”

“Okay,” Tan Kai responded with a smile.

After dropping the two of them off downstairs, Tan Kai said with concern, “Do you two want to take a day off tomorrow to rest?”

Hearing this, Lin Shu looked at Shen Man.

Shen Man shook her head and chuckled lightly, “The doctor said I just need to be a little careful, no need to be overly cautious.”

“Alright then, I’ll still come pick you up tomorrow,” Tan Kai said.

Shen Man nodded.

The two of them walked towards the building entrance.

Shen Man looked at Lin Shu, her expression a bit pitiful, and said in a small voice, “Shushu, can you support me?”

“Didn’t you just say you were fine?” Lin Shu pouted and retorted.

Shen Man hissed, furrowed her brows, a trace of pain on her face.

Lin Shu frowned, hesitated for a moment, walked over, supported Shen Man, and said haughtily, “For the sake of you saving me, I’ll help you a bit.”

Shen Man’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. She placed a hand on Lin Shu’s shoulder, leaned closer, and exhaled, “Shushu is so nice.”

Lin Shu was scalded, her face turning red. She shrank her neck to dodge, lowered her head, and looked at the road ahead.

Shen Man looked at that crimson-stained cheek, and an impulse to kiss it welled up in her heart.

She coughed lightly and moved her gaze elsewhere.

Back in the house.

Auntie He looked at the two with a nervous face, “Manman, what happened to you two? Are you injured?”

“We’re fine,” Shen Man comforted with a light laugh, saying, “We just bumped into something accidentally.”

“Is it serious?” Auntie He asked worriedly.

Shen Man shook her head, “It’s already very late, you should go rest.”

Auntie He showed no intention of leaving.

Lin Shu said with a cold face, “Our business, don’t ask too much, go rest quickly.”

Auntie He nodded hurriedly and returned to her room.

Lin Shu helped Shen Man sit down, her eyes flickered, and she asked in a small voice, “Does your wound still hurt?”

Shen Man immediately knitted her brows, covering the bandaged area with her hand, “A little.”

As she spoke, she leaned on Lin Shu’s shoulder.

Lin Shu’s body stiffened, wanting to dodge the warm breath falling on her neck.

“Shushu, leaning on you like this, it seems to not hurt anymore,” Shen Man’s voice deepened, one hand wrapping around Lin Shu.

Lin Shu pursed her lips, her body tense, and didn’t move.

Only her hands were tightly gripping the sofa beneath her, as if she were helpless and uneasy.

Shen Man lightly curled her lips. She closed her eyes, enjoying the tranquility of the night.

After a moment, she asked, “Shushu, how do you plan to handle this matter?”

“Of course she has to get out of this school. Best if she never appears in front of me again,” Lin Shu said, her angry little face carrying a fierce look.

Shen Man felt the veins on the spot she was leaning against throbbing fiercely.

She looked up, leaned carefully against the sofa, and asked, “Her family and the school have a close relationship, can you get her expelled?”

“Why not?” Lin Shu retorted haughtily, her eyes filled with disdain. “Even if I don’t settle the score with her, the Tan family won’t let her go.”

Shen Man’s eyes narrowed slightly as she nodded in agreement.

This time, Qiu Bing’s reckless madness had offended both the Lin and Tan families. She was probably really going to be expelled from school.

“I’m going to sleep. If you need anything, find Auntie He,” Lin Shu stood up and walked towards her room after speaking.

Shen Man saw the young woman’s intention to avoid her, smiled, and did not stop her.

After sitting on the sofa for a while, Shen Man glanced at the wound on her arm.

This time, if it weren’t for Lin Shu and Tan Kai’s help, she would have had to expend a great deal of effort to solve the trouble that was Qiu Bing.

More seriously, she might have had to pay with her life.

Now, she owed Lin Shu and Tan Kai each a favor.

Shen Man got up and slowly returned to her room.

The moment she opened the door, the sound of another door opening came from behind her.

Shen Man turned back.

Her gaze met Lin Shu’s.

Lin Shu pursed her lips, her face slightly red, and spoke haughtily, “Today’s matter, thank you, for protecting me…”

The last three words were almost inaudible.

After she spoke, she quickly closed the door.

Shen Man was stunned for a moment, then let out a light laugh.

Thinking of Lin Shu’s haughty appearance just now, a strange feeling arose in her heart.

Lin Shu had always been arrogant and unreasonable, even a little irrational.

But today’s Lin Shu was not as hateful as she was written in the book.

Clearly so scared her body was trembling, yet she was still stubborn and refused to cry.

She was frightened because she was implicated by her, yet she kept thanking her.

Such an arrogant and awkward young miss, is really…

…cute.

Shen Man let out a light breath, driving the chaotic thoughts from her mind.

---

Early in the morning, Lin Shu rushed to the principal’s office.

She told the principal everything that had happened yesterday, loudly and angrily.

After the principal finished listening, an incredulous expression appeared on his face. He comforted, “Lin Shu, I think this must be a misunderstanding. I’ll have her apologize to you, and you two can shake hands and make peace, okay?”

“Misunderstanding?” Lin Shu’s eyes widened, even more furious, “She almost killed me, and you say it’s a misunderstanding?”

The principal gave an embarrassed laugh.

“She also injured Tan Kai,” Lin Shu said again.

As soon as her voice fell, the principal’s phone rang.

It was Tan Kai’s mother calling.

The principal walked to the side to answer the phone, constantly offering placating smiles and apologies.

After the call ended, the principal looked at Lin Shu, “This matter, we will handle it seriously and will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation.”

Lin Shu snorted and strode away.

The principal’s face immediately darkened.

If it were only Lin Shu complaining, he would have a way to deal with it.

But Tan Kai’s mother calling made it not so easy for him to fool around.

The Tan family only had one precious son, Tan Kai. If he didn’t handle it well and the Tan family caused a scene, it would have a great impact on the school.

Lin Shu returned to the classroom, walked up to Shen Man, raised a delicate eyebrow, and said full of confidence, “There will be a result soon.”

“Shushu is so capable,” Shen Man praised with a smile, lowering her head to suppress the doubt in her eyes.

No matter how capable Lin Shu was, she was still just a little girl. The principal’s side wouldn’t take it particularly seriously.

Shen Man thought for a moment and said in a low voice, “Shushu, should you tell your dad about this and have him handle it? Only then will the school really take it seriously.”

“Why call him?” Lin Shu curled her lip in displeasure, sat down, threw her school bag, her face nonchalant, “He wouldn’t care about me anyway.”

Shen Man heard the hidden sadness and grief in her words.

Thinking of Lin Shu’s rebellious attitude every time her father was mentioned, she tactfully did not bring it up again.

Tan Kai walked over, sat in front of the two, glanced at Lin Shu, and asked with a smile, “Why are you unhappy?”

“None of your business!” Lin Shu snorted angrily, lay down on the desk, not wanting to talk to anyone.

Tan Kai was long used to her baseless anger, just treating it as a girl throwing a little tantrum, and didn’t take it to heart.

He said to Shen Man, “My parents know about this. My mom said she wants to get justice for me.”

Hearing this, Shen Man was relieved.

This matter was very serious; it was best to have adults handle it.

At noon, the director of the disciplinary office personally came over and asked the three of them to go to the principal’s office.

Shen Man instantly thought it was about yesterday’s matter.

The three of them arrived at the principal’s office.

Entering the door, the first thing they saw were three girls and one boy standing with their heads down, facing the door.

“Sorry, please forgive me!” the four of them apologized in unison, their heads bowed even lower.

The uniform action didn’t show any sincerity, but was instead a bit comical.

Shen Man didn’t speak.

In this situation, given her status, her words carried no weight.

Lin Shu sneered, walked over, and glared at the girl in the middle, “Weren’t you quite strong when you were throwing beer bottles at me yesterday? How come you’re speaking now without any sound?”

Qiu Bing was annoyed and looked up, wanting to retort, but clenched her fists to control her emotions.

The principal immediately said, “Yesterday they were dizzy with anger. I have already educated them. They know they were wrong, so just forgive them this one time, okay?”

“I will not forgive them!” Lin Shu said with anger, her expression disdainful. She retorted, “If I let her go this time, what if she goes crazy on me again? What do I do then?”

“Principal, this matter must be handled seriously. The fact that we didn’t call the police is already out of consideration for the school’s reputation,” Tan Kai said seriously.

A difficult expression immediately appeared on the principal’s face. He looked at the few of them and said, “Why aren’t you kneeling down to admit your mistake yet?”

The two girls and He Tao immediately knelt down, crying and begging for mercy.

Qiu Bing remained standing, paused for a moment, and under the pressure of the principal’s gaze, also knelt down. She gritted her teeth and said unwillingly, “I know I was wrong. I won’t cause trouble for you again in the future. Please give me a chance, okay?”

“No!” Lin Shu refused decisively.

No matter how pitiful these people acted, she couldn’t forget the ‘peng’, ‘peng’ sound of exploding beer bottles next to her ear yesterday.

Moreover, she didn’t believe that a lunatic like Qiu Bing would truly know she was wrong.

Qiu Bing immediately looked at Tan Kai, crying pitifully, “I’m sorry, I really know I was wrong. Yesterday I was dizzy with anger, that’s why I lost control…”

Tan Kai couldn’t stand seeing girls cry and looked hesitantly at Lin Shu and Shen Man.

Shen Man frowned, her fingers touching her own wound.

“Anyway, I will not forgive her,” Lin Shu said affirmatively.

Hearing this, Tan Kai firmed up his thoughts, “Everything depends on what Lin Shu wants. If Lin Shu says no forgiveness, then no forgiveness.”

The principal immediately understood that to resolve this matter, he had to persuade Lin Shu.

A kind smile appeared on his face as he persuaded earnestly, “They are all still just students, young and ignorant. Under impulse, it’s inevitable that they can’t control their emotions and do some things they themselves didn’t anticipate.”

Shen Man listened and sneered in her heart.

This sentence was like ‘she’s still just a child’, disgusting.

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow in disdain, unmoved.

The principal continued, “They already know they were wrong. You are all kind and good children, so just forgive them this one time. You are all classmates. If you continue like this, you will ruin their entire lives.”

“They brought ruin upon themselves by their own actions. What does it have to do with us?” Lin Shu retorted loudly, her expression impatient.

The corner of Shen Man’s mouth curved into a very small arc as she applauded for Lin Shu in her heart.

“To err is human; who can be without fault?¹⁰ If they can change, we should give them a chance,” the principal persuaded.

Lin Shu gave a cold laugh, “Fine, I can give them a chance.”

The principal was delighted.

Lin Shu’s tone deepened, her expression firm, “But I will absolutely not give Qiu Bing a chance!”

“You!” Qiu Bing stood up angrily, her face twisted as she cursed, “You bitch with no one to raise you…”

“What did you say?” Lin Shu interrupted angrily.

The principal hurriedly mediated, shouting at Qiu Bing, “What nonsense are you talking? Hurry up and apologize to Lin Shu.”

“I don’t need her apology!” Lin Shu’s eyes turned fierce, filled with deep anger. “If she is not expelled, then don’t even think about getting our Lin family’s investment in the future.”

“And our Tan family,” Tan Kai immediately chimed in.

Lin Shu glared fiercely at Qiu Bing, turned around angrily, and strode away.

Shen Man noticed that those almond eyes, which were always full of spirit, were holding back tears.

She gave a slight bow to the principal and turned to chase after Lin Shu.

At the top of the stairs, Shen Man caught up with Lin Shu.

Lin Shu had a cold face, pouting, and went down the stairs without a sound.

Shen Man followed behind.

After leaving the office building, Lin Shu turned and glared at Shen Man, “Why are you following me?”

“I’m going back to the classroom,” Shen Man replied with a natural smile.

Lin Shu’s eyes were slightly red. She turned her head and walked in another direction.

Shen Man continued to follow, keeping a distance that was neither far nor near.

The young woman’s back looked stubborn and desolate, as if she had hidden all her pain in her heart, waiting for a place with no one around to let her broken side show.

Lin Shu’s emotional shift was because of Qiu Bing’s curse, ‘bitch with no one to raise you’.

This seemed to be Lin Shu’s soft spot.

Or rather, a wound deep inside that could not be touched.

“Stop following me!” Lin Shu shouted, her eyes bloodshot, and she ran away with her school bag.

Shen Man stopped, stood in place for a while, and walked back.

She happened to run into Tan Kai.

“The principal has already decided to expel Qiu Bing,” Tan Kai said happily.

Shen Man nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said, “You and Shushu have known each other since you were little, you should know a lot about her.”

Tan Kai nodded.

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