I'm a Villain! Why Are You Trying to Date Me? - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: The Cunning Young Girl, Lin Tian in Trouble!

Lin Tian had no idea that Zhao Mengmeng had overheard his thoughts…

He was still trying to figure out why she was asking about Jiang Yifeng.

“By the way… why are you asking about Jiang Yifeng? Did the family head send you to ask me?”

Zhao Mengmeng, with her little fang grinding, pondered for a while about how to respond.

After a moment, she gave a gentle smile and said,

“No, it’s not that. I just think that person is too bad. He’s trying to seize control of the Zhao family and harm my sister, so I just wanted to ask.”

Zhao Mengmeng had already figured out from Lin Tian’s inner thoughts that he likely saw her as a little girl.

Since that was the case, Zhao Mengmeng didn’t mind playing the role of a naïve young girl and digging for more useful information from Lin Tian.

Lin Tian, understanding her concern, nodded.

In the original story, it was mentioned that Zhao Mengmeng and her sister, Shang Chan, had a close relationship. It wasn’t surprising that she was worried about her sister.

“Alright, I really don’t know him, I only found out about this person today.”

Lin Tian flashed a standard smile.

Meanwhile, Zhao Mengmeng heard Lin Tian’s inner thoughts.

[Zhao Mengmeng is so busy worrying about Shang Chan that she doesn’t realize she’s also a target for Jiang Yifeng, does she? Tsk, although Shang Chan is an experienced businesswoman and won’t be so naive, Zhao Mengmeng might not be the same… Maybe Jiang Yifeng will find an opening through her? I should remind Shang Chan from the side some other time…]

Zhao Mengmeng froze for a moment upon hearing this, and her little tiger tooth started to grind even faster.

In this guy’s mind, I’m just a naïve, gullible girl who doesn’t think much and can easily be tricked by Jiang Yifeng?!

How ridiculous!

But, what he said—that I’m also Jiang Yifeng’s target—is that true?

And why does he know so much? Who exactly is he?

Since the afternoon when she first met Lin Tian, the young girl had already developed some curiosity about him.

Hearing Lin Tian’s inner thoughts now, Zhao Mengmeng’s curiosity had completely exploded…

Looking at Lin Tian’s slightly aloof expression, the young girl suddenly had a realization.

Perhaps, her sister could also hear Lin Tian’s inner thoughts?

Otherwise, how did she manage to uncover Bai Bing’er’s intricate schemes? How did she discover Zhao Dongshan and Zhao Dongshui’s betrayal?

Of course, Zhao Mengmeng wasn’t sure—this was just a guess.

After thinking it over, Zhao Mengmeng revealed an innocent and pure smile, and then asked in a clear, crisp voice, “Lin Tian, what do you think I’m like?”

“Hmm?”

Lin Tian froze for a moment, not understanding why Zhao Mengmeng had suddenly asked such a question.

In fact, Zhao Mengmeng was a sharp and clever girl. She knew that since she could hear Lin Tian’s inner thoughts, and he seemed to know so much about things, perhaps there was something about her involved in those thoughts too.

But how should she guide him to speak it out?

Zhao Mengmeng’s choice was simple: to ask directly.

She thought that as long as she asked this question, regardless of what Lin Tian said outwardly, his mind would likely give away something subconsciously, right?

Lin Tian pondered for a moment, then gave a slight smile and replied, “Sorry, I haven’t really been here, so I’m not familiar with you… We only met this afternoon, didn’t we?”

Though Lin Tian’s original self had been a servant of the Zhao family, he had already moved to Xinghai, so this statement wasn’t entirely wrong.

However, Zhao Mengmeng heard more than just this reply. She also heard Lin Tian’s inner thoughts.

[What kind of person are you? Don’t you know best yourself? But, according to the description in the original text, Zhao Mengmeng should be a gentle, quiet, and empathetic kind-hearted girl… Tsk, such a girl actually ended up in Jiang Yifeng’s harem, what a shame.]

Zhao Mengmeng blinked.

What do you mean by ‘the description in the original text’?

She thought for a while, but couldn’t figure it out. However, being able to hear someone’s inner thoughts was already quite miraculous, so she didn’t dwell too much on it.

In his mind, I’m a gentle, quiet, and kind-hearted girl? That’s quite a high evaluation!

Zhao Mengmeng’s lips curved into a sweet smile, a subtle, youthful expression. She didn’t know why, but after hearing Lin Tian’s inner thoughts about her, she felt unexpectedly happy.

However, the next thought that followed made her fall silent again.

[But this young girl is younger than Jiang Yifeng’s other concubines, such as Shang Chan and Bai Bing’er. In the end, she became a key figure stabilizing Jiang Yifeng’s harem. One can imagine that her abilities and methods wouldn’t be lacking. These qualities aren’t something one is born with, I really wonder what she has gone through.]

[Shang Chan experienced countless business wars, developing a decisive personality. What about Zhao Mengmeng? Perhaps, growing up in a deep family with its intricacies, she has been surrounded by secret schemes and power struggles… It’s a bit cruel for a young girl to experience all that…]

Lin Tian’s thoughts were merely a subconscious musing. Since he had truly crossed over into this world, it was only natural for him to analyze the personalities and experiences of those around him. After all, real life isn’t like the simple plot of a novel, and a person’s character isn’t something that can be summarized in just a few sentences. Those few words might be the result of years of effort.

…….

Upon hearing Lin Tian’s thoughts, Zhao Mengmeng fell silent.

Just as Lin Tian had thought, she was born into a wealthy family and grew up in a household filled with complex power struggles and schemes.

Unlike Shang Chan, who, after revealing her business acumen, was immediately allowed to go out and prove herself, Zhao Mengmeng had never truly stepped beyond the boundaries of the Zhao family. In a way, since she matured, she had always been surrounded by the intricacies of her family’s affairs.

From a young age, Zhao Mengmeng was already mature beyond her years, her little heart filled with doubts about the world. Slowly, she began to think and conceal her true thoughts and nature, hiding them from others.

Perhaps, growing up in a family like the Zhao family, every child had to go through such a process.

In the end, Zhao Mengmeng became the obedient child in the eyes of outsiders, the sensible girl in her parents’ eyes. Perhaps, in a few more years, the family would create a clear path for her, much like they did for Shang Chan. She wouldn’t face much hardship or setbacks, but in the end, she wouldn’t be free either.

Even Zhao Dongshan’s wife and Zhao Dongshui’s wife, those older women, quite liked Zhao Mengmeng. They thought she lacked the ambition of Shang Chan and that she would eventually marry off, posing no threat to anyone.

It was easy to imagine how much complicated and messy affairs Zhao Mengmeng had been exposed to, shaping the personality that everyone else found so likable.

This was also the main reason why she would later become a key figure in stabilizing Jiang Yifeng’s harem.

As Zhao Mengmeng sat in silence, she suddenly remembered something her aunt had said to her.

Mengmeng is just naturally sensible; she’s such a good child.

Naturally? Who is born understanding everything?

Looking at Lin Tian’s obviously distant expression, Zhao Mengmeng couldn’t help but feel a sense of envy for her older sister.

However, Lin Tian’s thoughts had inadvertently caused her to relax her usual pretenses.

A thought suddenly surged in the young girl’s mind. She wanted this extraordinary man—who could be heard by her and seemed to know so much—to spend more time with her.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Zhao Mengmeng was completely startled by herself!

Even though Shang Chan denied it, how could Zhao Mengmeng not see the dependency her sister had on Lin Tian? She had always been great at reading people!

In a way, Zhao Mengmeng’s thoughts at that moment were no different from trying to compete with her own sister for a man…

However, didn’t he just say that he isn’t my sister’s boyfriend?

A mischievous glint flickered in the young girl’s eyes as she slightly curved her lips into a smile.

What Zhao Mengmeng didn’t realize was that, if she had stayed true to her previous, serene personality, she wouldn’t have even considered asking an unfamiliar man to spend time with her. Even in conversations with people she knew, she would simply remain quietly in the background, observing.

But now, after hearing Lin Tian’s thoughts, she seemed to be unleashing a more genuine side of herself—one hidden beneath her usual facade.

If her personality had to be summarized in a few words, it used to be cautious, humble, and cautious in every way, avoiding conflict.

However, now, after hearing Lin Tian’s thoughts, she was starting to give herself excuses to pursue what she wanted—to fight for the people or things she desired.

This change was so subtle that even Zhao Mengmeng didn’t realize it, and Lin Tian naturally couldn’t perceive it either.

Seeing Zhao Mengmeng fall into silence, Lin Tian stood up and said with a smile, “Well, I’ll go rest then. You should get some rest too.”

There weren’t many entertainment options in the mountains. Lin Tian had already spent enough time thinking about the things that needed his attention, so it was time for him to sleep. Who knew what chaotic events would await him tomorrow…

At the very least, he would still have to meet Zhao Dongyun!

However, just as Lin Tian turned to leave, a pitiful voice suddenly came from behind him.

“Lin Tian, how can you leave me here all alone, like this innocent, cute, kind-hearted, and pure beautiful girl?”

Lin Tian twitched the corner of his mouth.

Seriously? Is she really saying this to praise herself?

Also, that pitiful tone doesn’t exactly match your character, does it?