I'm a Villain! Why Are You Trying to Date Me? - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Indirect Kiss? Shang Chan’s Heart Is in Chaos!

“Uh… come in first, I’ll go put on some clothes!”

Lin Tian blurted out before bolting back to his room.

At the door, Shang Chan pressed her lips together, feeling her heart race uncontrollably.

From childhood to now, not only had she never seen a man’s body, but she had never even been alone with one.

The usually decisive, sharp-minded CEO found herself, for once, hesitating.

After a long moment, she steadied herself and stepped inside Lin Tian’s home.

Her sharp eyes scanned the place—

The furniture was decent, reflecting his high salary as Xinghai Group’s Investment Manager. A few million a year meant he could afford a good place.

Everything was neat and well-organized, except for a few shopping bags on the table that seemed hastily placed.

Didn’t expect Lin Tian, living alone, to keep his place this clean.

Shang Chan thought for a moment, then took off her high heels, changed into a pair of new slippers, and stepped into the apartment.

As soon as she entered, a rich aroma wafted toward her.

“Gurgle—”

Her stomach rumbled again.

Looks like I might be able to get a free meal?

Without even realizing it, ever since she gained the ability to hear Lin Tian’s inner thoughts, her attitude toward him had become distinctly different from how she treated others.

On a normal day, even if she had no choice but to visit someone’s home, the thought of staying for a meal would never even cross her mind—let alone casually changing into house slippers as if she belonged there.

Before long, Lin Tian walked out of the bedroom, now dressed in a casual shirt and lounge pants.

The shirt was slightly snug, accentuating his well-built figure.

Shang Chan only glanced at him briefly, yet in her mind, the image of Lin Tian’s bare upper body from earlier suddenly resurfaced…

Her face grew slightly warm. She cleared her throat and said in her usual cool tone, “Well, since work is done for the day and I had nothing else to do, I remembered that you were resigning, so I thought I’d stop by to check in… I hope my unannounced visit didn’t bother you, Manager Lin?”

Lin Tian chuckled, shook his head, and said, “How could I refuse? It’s an honor to have the president herself visit—I should be welcoming you with open arms!”

【Why did this woman actually come to my house?! Damn it, I really can’t escape now, can I? No way, I’m heading back to my hometown tomorrow—this place is way too dangerous!】

Upon hearing Lin Tian’s inner thoughts, the corner of Shang Chan’s mouth twitched slightly.

Did he really see her as some kind of plague or wild beast—something to avoid at all costs?

Was she, Shang Chan, really that terrible?

Instinctively, she glanced down at her outfit but didn’t notice anything amiss.

“Since I’m so welcome, then how about letting me stay for a meal? I just caught the delicious aroma of your cooking, and I haven’t eaten yet,” Shang Chan said with a playful smile.

Hearing Lin Tian’s thoughts about avoiding her only stirred a rebellious instinct within her.

You don’t want me to get close?

Then I’ll do just the opposite!

I’d like to see just what other secrets you’re hiding, Lin Tian.

Hearing Shang Chan’s words, Lin Tian was momentarily stunned.

In the novel, Shang Chan was portrayed as the ultimate ice queen—cold, decisive, and completely indifferent to men.

Forget about dining at someone’s house—she had never even accepted invitations from wealthy heirs to the finest restaurants.

Was she running a fever today?

“Ahem… If the president graces my humble home with her presence, how could I refuse?”

Lin Tian cleared his throat and could only agree.

“Please, have a seat. The food will be ready soon.”

With that, he politely excused himself and dashed straight into the kitchen. The prawns weren’t even done simmering—how could he have time to entertain her?

Oil-braised prawns, Lin Tian’s signature braised pork ribs, pan-fried dumplings, his special cold appetizer, and a classic tomato and egg soup.

A well-balanced meal: three dishes, one soup, and a staple.

This was Lin Tian’s well-earned reward for the day.

After some time, the rich aroma of the food wafted out of the kitchen, drifting right to Shang Chan.

She hadn’t eaten lunch, and now, lured by the mouthwatering scent, how could she possibly resist?

Before she even realized it, she had already stood up and walked to the kitchen door.

Inside, Lin Tian was fully focused on plating the prawns with practiced precision.

After arranging them neatly, he carefully prepared his special dipping sauce, then turned his attention to the braised pork ribs, making sure each piece was plated just right.

Watching him work with such dedication, his features not traditionally handsome but strikingly defined in profile, Shang Chan failed to notice the subtle smile creeping onto her lips.

“How much longer?”

Her voice, completely devoid of its usual coldness, carried an unexpected softness—almost… playful.

The moment she heard herself, even she was startled!

But at that moment, Lin Tian’s full attention was on the pork ribs. He only glanced back at Shang Chan before grinning.

“What’s wrong? Is the boss hungry? Almost done!”

“Mm!”

Shang Chan suddenly felt her face heat up. She quickly retreated from the kitchen doorway and sat properly at the dining table, trying to compose herself.

For the first time in a long while, her usually calm and unshaken heart seemed to ripple slightly.

Not long after, all the dishes were ready. Lin Tian carried them out one by one, carefully placing them on the table. As a final touch, he grabbed a chilled can of beer from the fridge.

“Alright, all set!”

Rubbing his hands together excitedly, Lin Tian’s face lit up with satisfaction.

There was a unique joy in working hard to prepare a delicious meal and finally sitting down to enjoy it—something not everyone could truly appreciate.

He grabbed two pairs of chopsticks, handing one to Shang Chan with a reassuring smile.

“Boss, these chopsticks are brand new, so don’t worry about using them… Now, let’s eat!”

With that, he cracked open the ice-cold beer and took a long, refreshing gulp!

Shang Chan paused slightly as she took the chopsticks from him, then picked up a piece of pork rib and put it in her mouth.

“Mmm… hot!”

With a startled cry, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Then, to Lin Tian’s utter shock, she snatched the beer right out of his hand and took two big gulps!

“B-Boss, I already drank from that!”

Lin Tian stared at her, wide-eyed.

Across from him, Shang Chan’s lips were flushed red from the heat, a few stray strands of hair sticking to the corner of her mouth. She gently brushed them aside, a faint blush spreading down her fair neck.

“Sorry… it was too hot just now.”

She lowered her head slightly, her expression somewhat flustered.

This was the first time Shang Chan had ever experienced something like this. Normally, forget about sharing a drink with someone—she had never even dined this closely with another person!

Lin Tian found the whole scene rather surreal.

The usually cold and aloof CEO was now sitting in his home, eating his food, and even drinking from the same beer as him?

What the hell? Does this count as… an indirect kiss?

At the thought, Lin Tian quickly shook his head.

[Calm down, calm down! Beautiful women are trouble! Shang Chan is way out of my league. She’s Jiang Yifeng’s target, and even if I stay far away, I could still get caught in the crossfire. Let alone going back to my old ways of wishful thinking!]

As a self-aware villain, Lin Tian knew better than to get involved. A female lead like Shang Chan attracted way too much trouble—one careless move, and his life could be in danger.

He wasn’t some Child of Destiny—he had no protagonist halo to protect him.

Meanwhile, across from him, Shang Chan, who could hear Lin Tian’s inner thoughts, suddenly felt a wave of shame and frustration surge in her heart.

“Lin Tian, what do you take me for?”

She looked at him, her voice carrying a trace of grievance—even she hadn’t realized it herself.

Why does Lin Tian just assume I’m part of Jiang Yifeng’s harem?
Why is he so determined to avoid me?
Why does he have to stay far away?
Did I do something wrong?

Hearing Shang Chan’s words, Lin Tian thought she was questioning his identity.

He knew he couldn’t hide the fact that he was a “plant” secretly placed by her father.

Since the topic had already come up, he decided to just go along with it, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

“President Shang, I’m sorry. This was arranged by the boss. I never intended to hide it from you.”

Shang Chan froze.

“Boss? My father? What does Jiang Yifeng have to do with my dad?”

She fell silent, focusing on her meal.

That bottle of beer? She never gave it back to Lin Tian. Instead, she continued drinking from it as if it were hers.

Lin Tian had no choice but to open another bottle for himself.

But just after taking two sips…

Shang Chan snatched that one too.