I Am More Paranoid Than the Villain – Chapter 62

A Gift for Her

I believe Shushu can definitely do it.

Feeling the person in her arms quiet down, Shen Man’s mood instantly improved.

Her pinky finger hooked a strand of jet-black hair, slowly twirling it around her fingertip.

The young woman’s fresh fragrance lingered at the tip of her nose, rushing straight to the bottom of her heart. Her delicate and soft body was so lovely one couldn’t bear to part with it.

Shen Man let out a light laugh and asked dotingly, “Shushu, are you feeling better?”

Lin Shu’s long eyelashes trembled, and a soft sound escaped from her nose.

“Tell me the specific situation,” Shen Man said in a calm tone, reluctantly letting go of the strand of hair.

Lin Shu swallowed, her small nose sniffling unconsciously.

Shen Man glanced to the side and picked up a bottle of water.

She twisted open the cap and handed it over. “Have a drink of water first.”

Lin Shu took the water, sipping it in small mouthfuls, letting out a sob every now and then.

Her reddened eyes seemed to carry a sense of grievance, evoking pity.

Shen Man watched her quietly, a trace of softness rising in her heart.

If it were anyone else who, after she had pointed things out three times and twice¹, still made a mistake they shouldn’t have, she would have certainly reprimanded them with cold words.

How could she be like this with Lin Shu, her heart softened by just two drops of tears.

Not only could she not speak harshly, but she also had to comfort her with warm words and soft speech².

“She called me and said there was a small problem with the project, telling me not to be angry.” Lin Shu bit her lip, her voice still hoarse. As she spoke, her little face became indignant, and she squeezed the water bottle tightly. “The project was soaked in water, it’s completely ruined. She said her cat did it by accident.”

“I don’t believe that excuse for a second. She must have done it on purpose.”

“Whether it was intentional or not is no longer important.” Shen Man analyzed calmly. “For her to give you the project in front of so many people today was to use those who don’t know the truth to gain sympathy.”

“They have no idea how much effort I put into this project. What right do they have to criticize me with such a high-and-mighty attitude?” Lin Shu roared in anger, the heart that had just calmed down now in turmoil again.

All her grievances erupted at this moment, tears falling silently. “I hate them…”

“Don’t pay attention to what they say. They’re just jealous.” A pang of pain pricked Shen Man’s heart. She gently pulled the young woman into her embrace, her fingers lightly patting her back.

Even though she wasn’t there, she could imagine the scene of those people attacking Lin Shu without distinguishing black from white³.

“I won’t let her get away with this…” Lin Shu bit her teeth, her eyes filled with resentment.

“I will help you get justice,” Shen Man comforted, wiping away the warm tears with her finger. “Class is about to start, let’s go back to the classroom first.”

Lin Shu hummed twice through her nose, her emotions stabilized, and she said in an Aojiao manner with reddened eyes, “I need to touch up my makeup. I refuse to let those people see me looking pathetic.”

Shen Man couldn’t help but laugh. She sat to the side, waiting quietly.

After Lin Shu finished her makeup, she pursed her lips at the mirror, revealing a brilliant smile.

Turning her head, she looked at Shen Man. “Okay, let’s go.”

Her voice was a little hoarse, but her delicate brows exuded an air of pride, looking as haughty as usual.

Shen Man nodded.

Opening the car door, she got out and saw Xia Ke standing not far away. She smiled and said, “Xia Ke, thank you. Shushu is fine now, we’re going to class.”

“That’s good.” Xia Ke smiled in relief. Looking at Lin Shu, she praised, “Lin Shu, you’re amazing, adjusting your mood so quickly.”

“If I had encountered something like this, I’d probably be upset all day.”

“I’m not that fragile.” Lin Shu puffed out her cheeks haughtily and strode forward.

Xia Ke and Shen Man exchanged a glance and followed behind.

Shen Man lowered her voice and said, “Can you find out when Teacher Flins is leaving? I have a feeling he might be going soon.”

“I heard it’s tomorrow afternoon,” Xia Ke said. Meeting Shen Man’s questioning gaze, she explained, “My dad is good friends with Teacher Flins’s assistant. He’s the one who told me and asked me to go see him off at the airport tomorrow.”

“Good, there’s still enough time.” Shen Man smiled with satisfaction, a hint of coldness appearing on her cool and gentle face.

Xia Ke couldn’t understand.

She tactfully refrained from asking more questions.

The three of them returned to the classroom.

The classroom was as lively as usual; the little episode at noon had no effect.

Shen Man stood up, put down her schoolbag, and her gaze fell on Wan Qing.

Wan Qing turned her head and gave a faint smile, looking pure and harmless.

Shen Man returned a standard smile.

She was not Lin Shu; she wouldn’t be so easily provoked by this little girl.

Wan Qing was taken aback.

She turned her head away, avoiding her gaze, and started chatting with the girl next to her.

Shen Man sat down and took out her textbook in a slow and orderly manner.

Lin Shu shot her a glare and asked with dissatisfaction, “Why are you smiling at her?”

“Right now, she has the advantage in public opinion. If we make things difficult for her at this time, it will only make people sympathize with her more,” Shen Man explained in a low voice.

Lin Shu understood the logic but couldn’t swallow her anger. She said resentfully, “I’m not going to give her a pleasant look.”

“Alright, don’t be angry. Let’s focus on class,” Shen Man soothed gently.

Lin Shu huffed and opened her textbook.

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There were only two classes in the afternoon.

As soon as the bell rang, students began to leave one after another.

Lin Shu packed her things slowly.

Shen Man sat beside her, waiting.

She turned her head to look in Wan Qing’s direction and saw that Wan Qing was still seated, saying goodbye to other girls.

Shen Man sneered inwardly, having already guessed Wan Qing’s next move.

She turned back to look at Lin Shu and said seriously, “Shushu, no matter what happens next, don’t say a word.”

Lin Shu looked puzzled.

Seeing the composed smile in Shen Man’s eyes, she pouted and nodded reluctantly.

The sound of footsteps came from behind.

Without turning around, Shen Man knew it was Wan Qing.

Wan Qing walked up to their desks, biting her lip with an innocent expression.

She said in a weak tone, “Lin Shu, I still have to say I’m sorry. It’s all my fault for ruining our project. But don’t worry, I’ll definitely work hard to make a new one for you.”

“You can scold me or hit me, as long as it makes you feel better, I’m willing…” As she spoke, she was on the verge of tears.

Hearing these words, the small flame in Lin Shu’s heart flared up and burned throughout her body with a whoosh.

Her eyes widened, and she angrily tried to stand up.

A slender finger reached out from the side and held her hand.

“Shushu.” Shen Man chuckled, her fingers stroking the back of Lin Shu’s hand soothingly.

Lin Shu’s rage was stuck in her throat. Biting her teeth, she angrily continued to pack her things.

She slammed her books with a thump, thump, the sound attracting the attention of many people.

Shen Man was a little helpless, letting her vent her pent-up frustration.

Looking at Wan Qing, she said gently, “We’re all classmates. Although Lin Shu is the great young miss of the Lin family and has been raised in comfort and lives a pampered life⁴ since she was young, she wouldn’t go so far as to bully a classmate with her status.”

“Don’t you agree?” Her tone sank.

Wan Qing’s heart skipped a beat, and her face turned pale.

The lines that were originally hers had all been spoken by Shen Man, and were now being used to threaten her instead.

Wan Qing lowered her head, her thoughts racing. She looked up, revealing a pitiful expression. “I’m really sorry, I didn’t know things would turn out this way. I just wanted to complete the project…” Her voice grew more aggrieved towards the end.

Listening to this, Lin Shu was so angry she was biting and grinding her teeth⁵, nearly tearing the book in her hands.

Shen Man held her hand reassuringly, tapping it lightly with her fingertips.

Seeing that Lin Shu had controlled her temper, she smiled gently. “This matter is in the past, no need to bring it up again. Lin Shu will complete a project on her own, and you should remember to complete your assignment as well.”

“Okay, thank you, Class Monitor.” Wan Qing said, starting to sob. She bowed to Lin Shu. “I’m sorry, and thank you for forgiving me.”

Lin Shu angrily turned her head away, her fingertips digging hard into the back of Shen Man’s hand.

Shen Man’s mouth twitched in pain.

She quickly reversed her grip and held Lin Shu’s hand tightly to keep it from moving.

Wan Qing walked out of the classroom cheerfully.

Lin Shu could no longer control her inner fury and threw the book in her hand forward with all her might.

It hit the door and fell to the ground with a thud.

Shen Man stood up.

She walked over, picked up the book, placed it gently on Lin Shu’s desk, and said with a smile, “Alright, let’s go back. We still have a day to get the project done.”

“I know.” Lin Shu pouted, stuffing the book into her schoolbag.

Shen Man looked at Xia Ke. “We’ll have to trouble you to do our assignment by yourself.”

“As long as you’re not afraid I’ll do a bad job,” Xia Ke said with a shrug.

Shen Man shook her head and chuckled. “With your abilities, I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

“Alright, leave it to me. You can focus on helping Lin Shu.” Xia Ke smiled happily, winking with a proud look. “I still have Ah Xu to help me.”

“Thank you,” Shen Man said, then left with Lin Shu.

Lin Shu got into the car, pulling the seatbelt with a click-clack sound.

She buckled it forcefully and said, puffing her cheeks, “I’m going to make the project even more perfect and defeat her!”

“I believe Shushu can do it,” Shen Man said with an encouraging smile as she started the car.

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The two returned to the house and began preparing for the new project.

With the experience from the first time, Lin Shu quickly listed all the necessary materials.

Shen Man was in charge of preparing the materials, while Lin Shu was responsible for the design.

Using their spare time over one day, they successfully completed the project.

Lin Shu finished the final details and smiled with satisfaction.

After looking at it for a moment, she frowned again. “It’s really no fun doing a design twice, and it’s obviously not as good as the first time.”

“You made both projects. In the end, the winner will still be you,” Shen Man said with a smile, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

Lin Shu glanced at her with a suspicious look. “Just what are you planning?”

“You’ll find out tomorrow,” Shen Man said with full confidence, reminding Lin Shu, “Take good care of this project. I’ll take you to see Teacher Flins tomorrow.”

“But, don’t we have to hand the project in to the teacher?” Lin Shu asked, confused.

“It’s okay to hand it in a little later,” Shen Man said, her expression turning serious. “If we don’t seize the opportunity tomorrow, Teacher Flins might not get to see your work at all.”

Lin Shu’s heart tightened, and she nodded obediently.

She bit her lip, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and said in a low voice, “If you hadn’t helped, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

Shen Man was slightly taken aback.

A smile appeared in her eyes. Looking at the young woman’s reddening cheeks, she teased, “Is Shushu thanking me?”

“You…” Lin Shu’s face flushed red. Not daring to look Shen Man in the eye, she turned her head away and said, both embarrassed and annoyed, “Don’t get cocky. I was just saying.”

With that, she quickly ran back to her room.

Shen Man couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

She sat on the sofa, searching online for works and stories related to Flins Borg.

After spending a good half hour, Shen Man basically had a plan.

She dialed the number of their subject teacher.

“Shen Man, what is it?” the teacher asked.

“Teacher, I really admire Teacher Flins and would like to meet him. I was wondering if that would be possible?” Shen Man asked in a pleading tone, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

“Teacher Flins has heard of your name and specifically said he wanted to meet you before he leaves,” the teacher said with a smile. “As it happens, Wan Qing is meeting with Teacher Flins tomorrow. You can come along together.”

“Okay, thank you, Teacher,” Shen Man said obediently.

Her suspicions were confirmed at that moment.

Flins Borg already had a candidate for an apprentice.

Even if they submitted their projects tomorrow, they wouldn’t be seen by Flins Borg himself.

Shen Man understood that she was able to get the opportunity to meet Flins Borg so easily probably due to her own halo effect.

At this moment, she was rather grateful for this halo.

Besides, with Lin Shu’s impulsive and proud nature, she had to go with her.

Shen Man sighed softly.

She knew very well that she shouldn’t be overly concerned with Lin Shu’s affairs, but her actions were beyond her control.

However, seeing Lin Shu’s rare expression of gratitude seemed to make it all worth it.

Shen Man leaned against the sofa and let out a soft breath.

The corner of her eye caught a shadow.

Lin Shu was standing not far away.

She was holding a doll as tall as a person, which made her figure seem even more petite.

Shen Man recognized it as the doll from Lin Shu’s bed.

Although it was old and worn, covered in stitched-up marks, Lin Shu cherished it.

Lin Shu bit her lip, fidgeting shyly for a moment, before saying in a small voice, “This is for you, as a gift for helping me today.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her face turned bright red.

She held out her hand, a small object resting in her delicate palm.

Shen Man didn’t quite hear her.

She just watched those delicate, soft red lips part slightly, then quickly close again, her white shell teeth⁶ biting into the flesh of her lip, carrying a strange hint of sexiness.

She coughed twice, moving her gaze from her lips to Lin Shu’s hand.

It was a small bell from the cloth doll.

It was pure gold, and with a gentle shake, it would make a crisp sound.

One could say this bell was the most valuable thing on the doll.

Shen Man stared intently, not moving.

A trace of flustered anger immediately appeared in Lin Shu’s round eyes, and she asked loudly, “Are you going to take it or not?”

Shen Man still didn’t speak, her eyes calm.

“I’m putting it here. You better keep it safe.” Lin Shu’s cheeks were red as she placed the bell on the coffee table and threatened fiercely, “If you dare to lose it, I will never forgive you.”

With that, she ran back to her room again.

Shen Man sat where she was, staring fixedly at the bell.

She understood the meaning of this thank-you gift.

This gift represented Lin Shu’s trust and reliance on her, and it also represented that her position in Lin Shu’s heart was becoming more and more important.

Shen Man’s lips curled into a smile.

After a moment’s hesitation, she gripped the bell tightly.

She took out her phone, her slender fingers holding the bell, its golden luster bright and beautiful.

Shen Man took a picture and sent it to Lin Shu. “Thank you, Shushu. I like it very much.”

“I know.” Lin Shu looked at the message, unable to stop the corners of her lips from turning up.

After rolling around on her bed, her gaze fell on the new project, and a proud and confident smile appeared on her face.

She would not let Wan Qing have her way!

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