I Am More Paranoid Than the Villain – Chapter 94

Threatening Cohabitation

Clearly, she cares a lot deep down.

Lin Shu was true to her word; in the afternoon, she handed over the usage rights for that design work to Shen Man.

Shen Man had someone print it out and said in a deep voice, “Give this letter of authorization to the head of the design department. Have her warn all of them.”

“Yes, President Shen.” Wen Lan nodded seriously and picked up the letter of authorization.

Looking at the elegant and free-spirited signature on it, she hesitated for a moment before asking, “President Shen, how much is the payment for Miss Lin’s authorization?”

Shen Man paused, then waved her hand. “Free.”

Two simple words, spoken with extreme reluctance.

Wen Lan was a bit surprised, but she was tactful enough not to ask more questions and left with the letter of authorization.

Shen Man let out a soft sigh and reached up to rub her brow.

She pushed the recent matter to the back of her mind and focused on handling her work.

At three o’clock in the afternoon, Tian Yi arrived at the company.

Shen Man reported on the company’s recent situation.

After the two finished talking.

Tian Yi looked at the bell on Shen Man’s neck and said with a smile, “President Shen, your necklace is quite special.”

Shen Man’s fine brows furrowed slightly.

She subconsciously raised a hand to cover her neck and said with a calm expression, “It’s just a little trinket, Chairman Tian¹ needn’t pay it any mind.”

Tian Yi understood her words and held back a laugh, not mentioning the matter of the Moments post.

He said with a serious expression, “I have a niece who just graduated from university and is looking for a job. I was thinking of having her follow you to learn.”

Shen Man lowered her gaze and politely declined, “Someone who gets in through connections will inevitably be gossiped about behind their back. It would be better to let your niece enter the company through an interview.”

Tian Yi shook his head with a smile, his face full of affection. “I watched that girl Meiying grow up. Although she’s been spoiled a bit by the elders in the family and is somewhat delicate, her heart isn’t bad. She graduated from a prestigious university and is a steady worker.”

Hearing this, Shen Man knew she shouldn’t refuse any further and nodded. “The secretaries by my side all have a one-month internship period. Given that she is still young, I can give her three months.”

“If she still can’t handle the job after three months, I hope Chairman Tian will reconsider a position that is more suitable for her.” She added emphasis to the last sentence.

“Good.” Tian Yi smiled happily, guaranteeing with pride, “Don’t you worry, Meiying won’t disappoint you.”

Shen Man smiled and nodded.

“This is her resume, you can take a good look.” As Tian Yi spoke, he took a resume out of his briefcase and placed it on the desk. “She’s been staying at my place during this time, so she can come to work anytime.”

Shen Man understood the meaning behind his words and said in a business-like manner, “Alright, I will have someone inform her of the specific start time.”

Tian Yi left, satisfied.

Shen Man quickly scanned the resume.

The girl’s name was Tian Meiying². She had a sweet appearance and had majored in design at university, winning quite a few honors during her time in school.

A girl with this major would be more suited to work in the design department.

The reason Tian Yi wanted to place her by her side was probably so she could learn management and enter the management level in the future.

Shen Man called Wen Lan in, handed her the resume, and said, “Call her tomorrow and have her come to work. From now on, she will be the secretarial assistant. You’ll be in charge of training her.”

Seeing the confusion on Wen Lan’s face, she added, “This girl is Chairman Tian’s niece.”

Wen Lan understood at once. She took the resume and said, “Understood, President Shen. I will train her diligently and get her familiar with the work as soon as possible.”

“Mm,” Shen Man responded distractedly.

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After finishing the day’s work, Shen Man sent Lin Shu a message. “Shushu, I’m off work. Are you done with your things?”

A long time passed with no reply.

Shen Man smiled faintly and drove home.

She made a simple dinner, and after eating, she picked up her phone.

Lin Shu still hadn’t replied.

But a new post had appeared on her Moments, showing off a lavish dinner.

Shen Man understood immediately. Lin Shu was airing her out³.

After thinking for a moment, she put down her phone, washed up, and sat on the edge of her bed to read.

In the quiet bedroom, a ringtone sounded.

The corners of Shen Man’s lips turned up. She slowly closed her book, answered the phone unhurriedly, and said with a smile, “Shushu, what’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” Lin Shu said haughtily, her pearly white teeth biting her lip tightly. “I was too busy today and didn’t see President Shen’s message. I’m truly sorry.”

The apology held not a shred of sincerity; instead, it sounded like a deliberate provocation.

Shen Man smiled slightly, as if she hadn’t caught the meaning in her words, and said in a placid tone, “Director Lin is a very busy person. I won’t disturb you then.”

“Rest early, Shushu.” After saying that, she hung up the phone.

Lin Shu stared at the screen that had gone dark, her cheeks puffed up in a huff.

She opened her photo album and stared at that ‘cute’ picture of Shen Man. She stuck out a finger and repeatedly poked Shen Man’s face, as if venting the anger in her heart.

She stopped only when her poking finger started to hurt.

Her eyes downcast, she suddenly felt that her earlier behavior had been very childish.

Lin Shu put her phone aside and sat on the bed in a daze.

After a long while, her eyes lit up, and she dialed Shen Man’s number with a triumphant look.

Shen Man had just fallen asleep when she was woken up by a phone call.

Seeing that it was a call from Lin Shu, she answered it and asked in a hoarse voice, “Shushu, what’s wrong?”

“President Shen, regarding our collaboration this time, I have a few opinions I’d like to discuss with you.” Lin Shu raised her eyebrows, her eyes full of the delight of a successful scheme.

“Let’s talk about it tomorrow,” Shen Man said softly.

“I’m afraid I won’t have time tomorrow,” Lin Shu said flatly, a threatening tone in her voice.

Hearing this, Shen Man sat up, her drowsy eyes returning to their usual calmness. “Director Lin, please speak.”

Lin Shu smiled with satisfaction and began to chat animatedly about the collaboration proposal.

She was full of energy, as if she wasn’t discussing a collaboration but simply chatting.

Shen Man listened quietly.

From time to time, she would respond or praise Lin Shu for her good points.

Seeing that it was past twelve o’clock, she wanted to remind her, but the words reached her lips and were swallowed back down.

“As for the specific details, I will come to your esteemed company tomorrow to discuss them with you in person, President Shen,” Lin Shu said, completely satisfied.

The frustrated anger from before had vanished like smoke and scattered like clouds⁴.

“Alright, Director Lin.” After Shen Man spoke, she let out a soft yawn.

Lin Shu heard it. Her expression froze for a second, but her lips soon curled up as she said coldly, “Then I won’t disturb President Shen’s rest.”

After she said this, she decisively hung up, just as Shen Man had hung up on her.

Shen Man paused for a moment, then gave a helpless smile.

She roughly understood that Lin Shu was retaliating for her ‘coldness’ just now.

She thought for a moment, then typed out a message. “Shushu, good night, see you tomorrow.”

Lin Shu had just closed her eyes when she heard the message notification.

She immediately picked up her phone. Seeing that line of text, the corners of her lips curled up slightly as she typed quickly.

Just as she was about to send it, she froze.

The smile on her lips vanished, and her fingertips pressed down hard on the delete key.

All the words she had typed disappeared, leaving a blank space, as if they had never been there.

Shen Man didn’t receive a reply and put down her phone to sleep.

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Staying up late last night left Shen Man with a bit of a sleep deficit.

After eating breakfast, she bought a cup of coffee to take to the company.

Just as she arrived at the president’s office, she saw a sweet-looking girl dressed head-to-toe in designer brands standing at the door, holding a bag of breakfast.

Shen Man recognized her as Tian Yi’s niece, Tian Meiying.

“President Shen, today is my first day of work. Please take good care of me in the future.” Tian Meiying said happily, her doll face⁵ appearing innocent and pure. “I bought this breakfast especially for you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Thank you, I’ve already eaten,” Shen Man said flatly. Her gaze fell on Wen Lan, her eyes turning serious. “Wen Lan, train the newcomer well. Tell her what she should and should not do.”

“Yes, President Shen.” A chill went through Wen Lan’s heart, and she responded in a solemn voice.

She didn’t offer any unnecessary explanations, knowing in her heart that Shen Man didn’t need any.

Shen Man entered her office.

Wen Lan led Tian Meiying away.

Having one more person in the office didn’t feel particularly different to Shen Man.

She wouldn’t give Tian Meiying special treatment just because of her status.

“President Shen, I’ve already familiarized her with the company environment. This afternoon, I’ll have her learn the company’s rules and regulations,” Wen Lan reported.

Shen Man nodded. “You are fully responsible for her matters; you are her superior. If you run into any difficulties, you can tell me, and I will report it to Chairman Tian.”

“Thank you, President Shen. I will definitely train her well.” Wen Lan was delighted, her words filled with gratitude.

Shen Man continued to handle the day’s work.

Seeing that it was five o’clock, she sent a message to Lin Shu. “Director Lin, are you still coming over today?”

“Still busy. Wait until I’m done,” Lin Shu replied, her words exuding coldness.

Shen Man smiled, put down her phone, and looked over the collaboration project materials.

A ringtone suddenly sounded.

Shen Man looked up; it was a call from Tian Yi.

She frowned and answered, “Tian-zong, what is it?”

“President Shen, it’s Meiying’s first day. That girl really admires you, but she’s also a bit shy around new people. I was hoping I could trouble you to drive her home, to help build a closer colleague relationship,” Tian Yi said with a laugh.

Seeing that Shen Man didn’t respond, he added, “Just this once, to stop her aunt from nagging in my ear all day.”

Shen Man was aware of Tian Yi’s family situation.

Tian Yi and his wife were green plums and bamboo horses⁶. The two had a very good relationship, having struggled together from the initial hardships to their current success, supporting each other and moistening each other with spit⁷ for so many years.

Tian Yi felt that he had made her suffer a lot when they were young and felt indebted to her, so he basically always gave in to her.

Mrs. Tian wasn’t the type to be unreasonable and throw tantrums; on the contrary, she was cheerful and generous, and was very warm and friendly even to an outsider like her.

The two once had a daughter who unfortunately died young, so they doted on their niece, Tian Meiying, as if she were their own daughter.

With things having been said to this extent, Shen Man naturally couldn’t refuse to give him face.

She relented, “Alright, I’ll agree to it this one time.”

“Thank you, thank you. This is too much trouble for you.” Tian Yi laughed happily.

Shen Man glanced at her phone; there was no message from Lin Shu.

She picked up her bag, walked out, and saw Tian Meiying standing outside the moment she opened the door.

“President Shen, I’m really troubling you.” Tian Meiying bowed slightly and politely, a brilliant smile on her face.

Shen Man gave a cool acknowledgment and walked forward with a blank expression.

Tian Meiying hurried to keep up.

Shen Man got into the car.

Tian Meiying stood by the front passenger seat. Just as she was about to pull the door handle, a cold voice came from inside the car.

“Sit in the back,” Shen Man said coldly, looking at the rearview mirror.

Tian Meiying felt wronged. With her head lowered, she got into the car and asked cautiously, “President Shen, do you hate me?”

“No,” Shen Man replied indifferently, then started the car.

Tian Meiying bit her lip, glancing at Shen Man from time to time, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Shen Man kept her eyes on the road ahead and paid her no mind.

The drive from the company to Tian Yi’s residence usually took about ten minutes.

Due to traffic on the road, the round trip took over half an hour.

Shen Man stopped the car and saw a brand-new luxury car not far away.

She recognized it as Lin Shu’s car, got out hurriedly, and walked quickly towards the company.

When she reached her office, Shen Man saw that Lin Shu was already sitting inside.

There was a cup of tea on the table, with no sign of it having been touched.

Wen Lan was standing to one side.

Seeing Shen Man, she opened her mouth, ready to explain.

According to company rules and etiquette, visiting guests should wait in the conference room, not sit in the president’s office.

Shen Man’s eyes showed she understood. She said calmly, “You can go out. I’ll call you if I need anything.”

“Understood, President Shen.” Wen Lan bowed, turned to leave, and gently closed the door behind her.

Shen Man walked over and sat down.

She picked up the tea on the table and took a small sip.

Lin Shu propped up Erlang’s leg⁸ and crossed her arms over her chest.

Staring at Shen Man, she curled her lip in disdain. “President Shen is quite busy. Having to squeeze out time to drive someone home while discussing a project.”

“It seems I’ve come at an inopportune time,” she said, her jaw clenched tightly.

Shen Man put down the teacup.

Looking at Lin Shu, she let out a laugh and said unhurriedly, “My sincere apologies. Something came up suddenly just now, making Director Lin wait for so long.”

Listening to this formulaic tone, Lin Shu’s teeth ground together, making a ‘dong dong’ sound.

She pressed her lips together, took a deep breath to suppress the anger in her heart, and said coldly, “It seems President Shen has no sincerity to talk today. I’ve been a bother.”

After saying this, she stood up.

Before she could move, her wrist was grasped by a slender finger.

Lin Shu turned her head, staring coldly at the person who was still seated. “President Shen, is there anything else?”

“Just now, I was acting on someone’s request that I couldn’t refuse.” Shen Man stood up and explained softly, offering a sincere apology. “Today was indeed my fault. I shouldn’t have left unexpectedly.”

Hearing this, Lin Shu gave a cold snort.

She shook off Shen Man’s hand and sat down again.

Shen Man immediately poured a cup of tea.

Placing it in front of Lin Shu, she said softly, “Director Lin, please have some tea.”

Lin Shu glanced at it haughtily, then picked up the cup and drank slowly.

Shen Man took out the project proposal and began to discuss the collaboration in earnest.

Lin Shu listened distractedly, repeatedly refuting Shen Man’s requests and viewpoints.

Points that had originally been settled now had problems again.

Shen Man stopped.

Her fingertips tapped lightly on the table as she asked softly, “I wonder how much intention Director Lin has to cooperate?”

Lin Shu sneered, her eyes icy. “President Shen drives people home right before a collaboration meeting. How much sincerity do you have?”

Hearing this, Shen Man knew that they wouldn’t be able to discuss the collaboration properly until this matter was cleared up.

After a moment of silence, she said, “That girl is Chairman Tian’s niece. Today was her first day at work. I was asked by Chairman Tian to take her home.”

“He asks you to drive her, so you drive her? When did a dignified president like you become a personal chauffeur?” Lin Shu’s eyes widened in a contemptuous taunt.

Shen Man stared at Lin Shu and slowly began to smile.

Lin Shu’s heart suddenly tightened. She frowned and snapped, “What are you smiling at?”

“Is Shushu angry because I drove that girl home?” Shen Man asked, her eyes brimming with a smile.

“What nonsense are you talking?” Lin Shu retorted loudly, standing up from the sofa. “I’m angry because you lack a cooperative spirit! What does it have to do with that girl?”

“Besides, who you drive home has what to do with me?” This sentence was spoken so quickly and urgently that she nearly bit her tongue.

After saying this, Lin Shu realized she had been overly agitated.

She smoothed out her skirt and elegantly sat down again.

“My apologies. Today’s unexpected event has caused trouble for Director Lin,” Shen Man apologized again, her voice sincere.

Lin Shu snorted and said coldly, “I hope President Shen won’t make this kind of mistake that shouldn’t be made again.”

Shen Man heard the warning in her words and nodded seriously.

The collaboration discussion continued.

Lin Shu was extremely picky about the important clauses, making harsh demands that exceeded the current capabilities of Shen Man’s company.

Shen Man frowned slightly, her expression serious.

The company had invested a great deal of effort and energy into this project; they had to secure it.

If it were the original partner, the deal might have already been successful.

But now, it was clear that Lin Shu wouldn’t let her close the deal so easily.

Whether it was out of a personal grudge or Lin Shu’s own requirements, all she could do was cooperate.

“I wonder what Director Lin thinks should be done?” Shen Man asked politely.

Lin Shu closed the proposal and leaned back comfortably.

She stared at Shen Man, the corners of her lips hooking up, her expression a half-smile.

Shen Man sat up straight, assuming a posture of washing her ears to listen respectfully⁹.

Lin Shu smiled and said slowly, “President Shen’s sincerity in this collaboration is difficult to trust. I’m afraid the next time I look for you, I might not even be able to find you.”

“What is Director Lin saying? This time was just an accident,” Shen Man immediately explained.

“What if there’s an accident next time, too?” Lin Shu raised an eyebrow, not believing the excuse.

Shen Man was suddenly at a loss for words.

Lin Shu sneered and said haughtily, “I live alone and happen to be short of someone who can do laundry and cook. If President Shen is willing to help me with this, maybe I’ll be in a good mood, and this collaboration will be settled.”

This was laying the threat out in the open.

Seeing Shen Man remain silent, Lin Shu added, “It’s fine if President Shen is unwilling. But I’m afraid the collaboration between your esteemed company and the Lin Group will have to end here.”

“If our Lin Group cancels the collaboration, I imagine others probably won’t work with you either.”

Shen Man heard the ruthlessness in her words. She couldn’t be sure if Lin Shu would actually do it.

In this industry, the Lin Group held absolute authority and could influence the overall trends and decisions of other companies.

Although her company was somewhat insignificant compared to the Lin Group, she wouldn’t be scared off by Lin Shu’s display of power.

Even if the Lin Group suppressed them, she had the ability to stand her ground here.

After thinking seriously for a long time, Shen Man looked up, her gaze burning as she looked at Lin Shu, and asked with a smile, “Was Director Lin satisfied with that meal last time?”

Lin Shu was taken aback, then she pursed her lips in disdain. “It was so-so.”

Shen Man chuckled. “My cooking skills aren’t very good. I can only hope Director Lin won’t mind.”

Lin Shu understood the meaning behind her words. Her heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her cold little face. “I don’t want someone who has to drive others home in the middle of cooking. From now on, you’ll live at my place.”

“It will be more convenient for business talks, too,” she added, then lowered her head to drink her tea.

“Then let’s wish us a happy collaboration.” Shen Man raised her cup, her face full of smiles.

Lin Shu clinked cups with a cold and proud expression, then drank the rest of the tea in one gulp.

Shen Man raised her wrist and glanced at the time.

She said with a smile, “It’s already dark. Would Director Lin like me to drive you home?”

“No need, I can drive myself.” Lin Shu refused coldly, stood up, and stared at Shen Man. “Get your things packed tonight. Tomorrow, make a good dinner, and don’t have any excuses.”

“Director Lin can rest assured.” Shen Man stood up and said with a smile, personally seeing Lin Shu out.

After escorting her to the underground garage and watching her leave, Shen Man returned to her office.

Wen Lan came in, glanced at the expression on Shen Man’s face, and asked, “President Shen, was the project settled?”

“Not yet,” Shen Man said, the corners of her lips hooking up slightly, clearly in a good mood.

Wen Lan was puzzled. She asked for instructions, “In the future, when Miss Lin comes, should I arrange for her to be in the conference room?”

“No need, just let her come to my office,” Shen Man said, her expression turning serious. “Next time Miss Lin comes, if I’m not here, you must notify me at the first opportunity.”

“President Shen, it was Miss Lin who told me not to call,” Wen Lan said with difficulty.

Seeing Shen Man frown, she quickly explained, “Miss Lin said that if anyone notified you, she would leave immediately.”

“Alright, I understand.” Shen Man’s brow smoothed out, no longer dwelling on the matter.

With Lin Shu’s personality, she would indeed say something like that.

She kept saying she didn’t care about her driving someone home, but when it came to business, every other sentence was about it.

Compared to the past when she would only make verbal threats and talk tough, the current Lin Shu had power in her hands, and her methods and style were much more forceful.

Three years had matured the proud and innocent young girl considerably; she even knew how to use benefits to threaten her now.

Shen Man’s lips curled into a light smile.

Deep down, she felt not a shred of annoyance or fear at being threatened; instead, she was full of interest in this game.

Estimating that enough time had passed, she picked up her phone and called Lin Shu. “Shushu, have you arrived?”

“Is something the matter?” Lin Shu asked back in a cold tone as she closed her car door.

Hearing the ‘thump’, Shen Man knew she had arrived and said with a smile, “Nothing now.”

The moment her voice fell, the call ended.

The smile on Shen Man’s face didn’t fade. She picked up her bag and left.

Back home, she began to pack her things.

There wasn’t much she needed to bring, so Shen Man finished packing quickly.

She took a photo and sent it to Lin Shu. “Director Lin, tomorrow is Saturday. I’ll come over first thing in the morning.”

Lin Shu read the message, opened the photo, and zoomed in to look at it for a while.

She typed a question, “You’re only bringing this little?”

“A few changes of clothes are enough. If I need anything else, I can just drive back to get it,” Shen Man replied.

Reading these words, Lin Shu felt a little uncomfortable.

It was as if this person didn’t genuinely want to live with her, just making a perfunctory gesture with a few clothes, completely lacking the sense of ceremony she had imagined.

“Suit yourself!” Lin Shu typed angrily and tossed her phone aside.

She scanned the room, her eyes cold. “I won’t let you live here forever. When I’m tired of playing, I’ll kick you out!”

After speaking, she took the bouquet of flowers she had bought on her way back out of the room, then gathered up the various small dolls displayed inside and put them in a storage cabinet.

After being busy for over an hour, Lin Shu had put away all the unnecessary things in the room.

The originally warm and stylish room instantly became much colder, so simple it was almost monotonous.

Lin Shu smiled with satisfaction, took a picture of the room, and sent it to Shen Man. “This is the place you’ll be living for the next little while.”

Shen Man looked at the simple furnishings in the picture and typed with a smile, “Thank you for Director Lin’s trouble… in tidying up.”

She remembered that when she went up there last time, there were clearly many more decorations and high-end items.

Now they were all gone. It seemed Lin Shu had no intention of letting her live comfortably.

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