I Am More Paranoid Than the Villain – Chapter 80

Unwilling to Show Weakness

Holding her hand, it was as if she were no longer alone.

The two of them sat and waited for half an hour.

The sound of high heels on the floor came from outside, a loud click-clack that seemed deliberately ostentatious.

Lin Shu heard the sound and let out a contemptuous snort.

She crossed her arms and leaned back comfortably in her chair, showing no intention of getting up.

Shen Man turned her head and glanced at Lin Shu.

After a moment’s pause, she stood up, walked out the door, and upon seeing Feng Na, smiled politely and said, “Auntie Feng, so it’s your birthday today. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.” Feng Na’s voice was pinched, her meticulously made-up face wreathed in smiles.

She was over forty, but her style of dress still skewed girlish.

Seeing Lin Shu sitting there as if nothing was wrong, her expression darkened, and she scolded her disapprovingly. “Shushu, why are you so impolite? Even Shen Man knows to come out and greet her elders, yet you just sit there. Has no one taught you basic manners?”

A surge of anger flared up in Lin Shu’s heart at her words.

She shot to her feet, ready to fire back.

Before she could speak, Shen Man cut in. “Auntie Feng, Shushu isn’t feeling well today. You’re the birthday girl; I’m sure you wouldn’t hold such a small thing against a junior, would you?”

Feng Na was momentarily choked up. She frowned, her sharp gaze fixed on Shen Man as if sizing her up.

Shen Man smiled faintly, a picture of pure innocence.

The two faced off for a few seconds.

Feng Na broke eye contact, twisted her waist haughtily, and sat down in the host’s seat.

Shen Man stood to the side and asked, puzzled, “Auntie Feng, why isn’t Uncle Lin here yet?”

“Xiao Jun took a liking to a toy. I told him not to bother buying it, so we wouldn’t keep people waiting,” Feng Na said, unable to hide the smugness in her smile. She glanced at Lin Shu and continued, “But your Uncle Lin insisted on buying it. He said it’s rare for Xiao Jun to like something, and as his father, he naturally had to satisfy him.”

She deliberately emphasized the word “father.”

Hearing this, Lin Shu angrily kicked away the chair next to her.

She walked to a corner, picked up the red wine on the table, poured herself a glass, and began to gulp it down.

She drank quickly, her eyes filled with an unventable hatred.

Seeing this, Shen Man bent over and set the chair upright.

The smile on Feng Na’s face grew even more triumphant. Fiddling with the jade bracelet on her wrist, she said showily, “Man-man, do you think this jade bracelet looks good on me?”

Without waiting for Shen Man to reply, she continued on her own, “Xiao Jun’s father went to great expense to buy this bracelet for me from a collector. The man didn’t want to sell it at first, but he finally relented because of how sincere Xiao Jun’s father was. This is the only one in the entire world.”

“Auntie Feng, you’re so fortunate,” Shen Man praised with a calm smile.

“Fortunate? More like she’s gotten addicted to being a little three and thrown all shame away.” Lin Shu’s mocking voice drifted over from the corner.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Feng Na’s face.

She quickly recovered her smile and lectured in the tone of an elder, “Shushu, I know you’ve always been jealous of how well your dad treats me.”

“If you could just be a little more sensible and obedient, and not make your dad angry, I’m sure—”

“Since when was it your place to meddle in the Lin family’s affairs?” Lin Shu turned her head, staring at Feng Na with disgust, and smashed the glass in her hand.

Bang! The sound was exceptionally loud in the spacious and quiet private room.

Shen Man looked over at the sound.

Seeing the undisguised hatred in the young woman’s eyes, she wanted to say a few words to calm her down.

Just as she was about to speak, a middle-aged man’s voice came from outside the door. “Lin Shu, what kind of tantrum are you throwing? Today is your Auntie Feng’s birthday. You’d better behave yourself.”

Hearing this, Feng Na immediately stood up. Her arrogant expression became gentle and warm as she said softly, “Darling, don’t be angry. Shushu is just a child; it’s normal for her to have a bit of a temper.”

“Don’t you spoil her,” Lin Huai said, his face cold.

Behind him was a tall young man who bore some resemblance to Feng Na.

Not to be outdone, Lin Shu shot back, “Feng Na, stop your hypocritical act. I don’t need your phony kindness.”

At her words, Feng Na put on an aggrieved expression, grabbed Lin Huai’s arm with both hands, and said softly, “Darling, for my birthday’s sake, please don’t scold Shushu today.”

“I hope we can all eat together in harmony.” As she spoke, she looked at Lin Jun. “Xiao Jun, let me introduce you. This is Shushu. Go on, call her Jiejie.”

“Jiejie.” Lin Jun smiled obediently, a trace of shyness on his handsome, boyish face.

Lin Shu snorted contemptuously, grabbed her bag, and strode toward the door.

When her eyes met Lin Huai’s, she sneered coldly, “I have no desire to eat with a shameless woman. Only you could do something so disgusting.”

The words had barely left her mouth when Lin Jun blocked her way and said earnestly, “Jiejie, my mom isn’t what you think she is. All these years, she’s been giving her all in silence. I hope you can understand and not look at her with such prejudice.”

“Shut up! Don’t call me Jiejie, you’re not worthy!” Lin Shu’s eyes widened as she stared at Lin Jun with resentment. “The son of a little three is just as shameless.”

“You…” Lin Jun was furious. He turned to Lin Huai and said, aggrieved, “Dad, tell Jiejie that my mom is the kindest woman in the world.”

“Lin Shu, why are you being so unreasonable!” Lin Huai shouted.

Lin Shu stood frozen, her head bowed.

Her slender fingers gripped the strap of her bag so tightly that her finely manicured nails nearly dug into her flesh.

She gave a cold laugh and strode toward the door.

“You stop right there!” Lin Huai roared.

Lin Shu stopped, her small face cold and her gaze fixed stubbornly ahead.

Feng Na quickly grabbed Lin Huai, reasoning with him softly, “Why are you yelling at a child? You should talk things out properly.”

“How can I talk properly when she’s like this?” Lin Huai said angrily.

“Have you forgotten? We have something important to announce to the children today. Why are you so focused on being angry?” Feng Na chided him coquettishly, her face full of tenderness.

“She really made me lose my head.” Lin Huai’s stern expression softened, and a hint of a smile appeared.

Lin Shu watched the two of them, looking for all the world like a family, as if she were the one who was superfluous.

Her round eyes couldn’t help but turn red with hatred.

Just as she was about to speak, she felt a warm presence beside her.

A pair of slender hands wrapped around her shoulders, the warmth from their fingertips enveloping her.

Lin Shu turned her head.

She saw a gentle, beautiful, smiling face, her own reflection clearly mirrored in those cool, clear eyes.

It seemed someone cared about her after all, that she didn’t have to fight this battle alone against these three.

“Shushu, let’s sit down and have a nice meal,” Shen Man said softly, her fingertips pressing meaningfully on the young woman’s shoulder.

Lin Shu instantly calmed down.

She paused for a moment, suppressed the anger and resentment in her heart, and sat down, her head held high with pride.

Shen Man sat down beside her.

She chuckled softly and said, “Uncle Lin, what was the important thing you wanted to announce?”

Hearing this, Feng Na lowered her head in shy tenderness.

She poured a glass of wine, placed it in front of Lin Huai, and said softly, “You tell them.”

Lin Huai glanced at Lin Shu and said seriously, “Shushu, I’ve decided. I’m going to marry your Auntie Feng.”

He hadn’t even finished speaking when Lin Shu slammed her wine glass on the table with a loud thump.

Feng Na flinched in fear, leaning weakly against Lin Huai.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Lin Huai shouted, looking at Lin Shu with displeasure. “Watch your behavior in front of your elders. Don’t act like someone with no upbringing.”

“I have no upbringing?” The corners of Lin Shu’s reddened eyes tilted up as she stared hatefully at Lin Huai. “Have you ever tried to give me one?”

“I hired the best tutors for you and let you live the life of a pampered young lady from a wealthy family¹. What more are you dissatisfied with?” Lin Huai said loudly, not a trace of guilt in his eyes.

The hatred and anger in Lin Shu’s heart rushed to her head.

She found it laughable. The corners of her lips twitched into a smile, but the expression on her face looked as if she were about to cry.

Shen Man quickly grabbed Lin Shu’s hand.

An undeniable strength flowed from Shen Man’s palm into hers.

She pressed her lips together, lowered her head, and forced her tears back.

Seizing the opportunity, Feng Na added, “Darling, speak nicely. Don’t frighten the child.”

Lin Huai took a deep breath and said forcefully, “My mind is made up. Whether you agree or not, it’s a done deal. Don’t make trouble.”

Lin Shu didn’t say a word.

She just let out a contemptuous snort from her throat, turned her head away, and refused to look at the people sitting across from her.

“Alright, let’s have the cake,” Lin Huai said, turning his gaze to Lin Jun. “Help your mom light the candles.”

“Okay, Dad,” Lin Jun replied obediently and stood up.

He pushed the cake over and inserted the candles.

“Thank you all for celebrating my birthday with me this year. I’m very happy.” Feng Na’s gaze swept around the room before landing on Lin Huai, her eyes softening. “I hope everyone I care about can be healthy and safe.”

“It’s your birthday; you should make a wish for yourself,” Lin Huai said with a smile, all the sternness he’d shown Lin Shu gone.

Feng Na shook her head gently. “As long as you are all well, that is my greatest happiness.”

Lin Huai was deeply moved.

Lin Shu let out a “Tsk,” and clapped her hands forcefully. “What a great performance. No wonder you managed to fool the man surnamed Lin until he was dizzy and disoriented, willing to be with a little three like you even if people are laughing at him behind his back.”

“Lin Shu!” Lin Huai roared. “Apologize to your Auntie Feng!”

Lin Shu scoffed dismissively.

Clutching Shen Man’s hand tightly, she said proudly, “A little three will always be a little three. No matter how hard you try to legitimize her, you can’t change the fact that she was one.”

With that, she stood up, grabbed the glass of red wine in front of her, and forcefully threw it at Feng Na.

“Ah…” Feng Na screamed.

Lin Shu smiled triumphantly. “You all enjoy yourselves. I won’t be joining you.”

As she spoke, she slung her bag over her shoulder and strode away, her delicate features brazen and unrestrained.

Lin Huai’s face was ashen with rage.

Shen Man stood up as well and said to Lin Huai, “Uncle Lin, please excuse me.”

Feng Na quickly tried to smooth things over. “Xiao Jun, you stay here with your dad. I’ll go find your jiejie.”

“Okay, Mom,” Lin Jun said obediently.

Shen Man went out the door.

Catching up to Lin Shu, she asked with concern, “Shushu, are you okay?”

“What could be wrong with me?” Lin Shu raised an eyebrow, a gleeful smile on her small face. “Didn’t you see that woman Feng Na looking like a chicken that has fallen into soup²? It was hilarious.”

Shen Man didn’t find it funny at all.

She looked at Lin Shu with worry in her eyes and said softly, “Shushu, if you’re hurting inside, just cry. Don’t force yourself to hold it in.”

The smile on Lin Shu’s face froze.

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