I May Be Dumb, But Not an Idiot
Chapter 25: stop hating me (finally)
Zian Hausi woke up with a plan.
A very simple plan.
A very peaceful plan.
Today, nothing will happen.
She opened one eye.
No kidnappers.
No shadows.
No unnecessary people.
Pause.
Low expectations increase happiness.
She sat up slowly, her face calm, her mind already active.
Yesterday: parents supported me.
Pause.
Still suspicious.
She walked out of her room—
And immediately—
"THE CAT IS BACK."
Zian stopped.
Peace lasted three seconds.
She turned slowly.
Sterling stood in the hallway, pointing at the same innocent cat like it had personally offended his ancestors.
"…It lives here now," Zian said.
Sterling gasped.
"…YOU ACCEPTED IT?!"
Zian walked past him.
I refuse to start my day like this.
She entered the dining area.
Huo Lou was already there.
Calm.
Normal.
Peaceful.
Good.
"…Morning," Huo Lou said.
"…Morning," Zian replied.
Tea appeared in front of her.
Perfect.
She picked it up.
Life is manageable again.
Then—
The door opened.
Zian didn't even look.
Problem detected.
"…Zian," a soft voice said.
Zian froze internally.
Of course.
She slowly looked up.
Jiang Nanshu stood there.
Smiling.
Fake.
Annoying.
Early problem.
Sterling whispered,
"…Why is she here."
Zian replied calmly,
"…To create problems."
Jiang Nanshu smiled.
"…I came to talk."
Zian nodded.
That's worse.
"…Talk," Zian said.
Jiang Nanshu stepped forward.
"…Something went missing," she said.
Zian blinked.
Here we go again.
"…And?" Zian asked.
Jiang Nanshu looked at her.
"…You were the last one near it."
Silence.
Sterling muttered,
"…She really has no new ideas."
Zian leaned back slightly.
Recycling old tricks.
"…What is missing," Zian asked.
"…A jade pendant," Jiang Nanshu said.
Zian blinked again.
I don't even like jade.
"…And you think I took it," Zian said.
Jiang Nanshu smiled slightly.
"…I didn't say that."
Pause.
You implied it.
"…Then don't say it," Zian replied.
Huo Lou watched quietly.
Footsteps.
Shengling and Fiang Huo entered.
Zian noticed instantly.
Backup has arrived.
Jiang Nanshu continued,
"…It would be good to check."
Zian blinked.
Check what.
"…Check where," she asked.
"…Your room," Jiang Nanshu said.
Silence.
Sterling whispered loudly,
"…That's bold."
Zian looked at Jiang Nanshu.
Very bold.
Very stupid.
Before Zian could respond—
Shengling spoke.
"…No."
The room froze.
Zian blinked.
…Oh?
Fiang Huo stepped forward.
"…We trust her," he said.
Zian stared at them.
Again with this.
Jiang Nanshu's smile tightened.
"…It's just a precaution," she said.
Shengling shook her head.
"…Not necessary."
Zian leaned back.
They are protecting me.
Pause.
Unexpected.
Jiang Nanshu tried again.
"…If she has nothing to hide—"
Zian interrupted.
"…I do have things to hide."
Everyone looked at her.
Sterling leaned forward immediately.
"…WHAT things?"
Zian looked at him calmly.
Pause.
"…My undergarments," she said.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Sterling froze.
Huo Lou choked.
Fiang Huo coughed and turned away.
Shengling blinked.
Jiang Nanshu—
Stopped functioning.
Zian took a sip of her tea.
Silence achieved.
Sterling slowly sat down.
"…I regret asking."
Zian nodded.
"…You should."
Huo Lou burst out laughing.
Shengling tried not to smile.
Even Fiang Huo looked slightly amused.
Jiang Nanshu's face stiffened.
Zian continued calmly.
"…Would you like to check," she added.
Pause.
"…Or is that unnecessary."
Sterling dropped his head on the table.
"…I'm leaving this planet."
Jiang Nanshu's expression cracked completely now.
"…That's not what I meant," she said quickly.
Zian tilted her head.
"…Then say what you mean."
Silence.
Jiang Nanshu had no answer.
As expected.
Zian stood up slowly.
End this.
She stepped closer.
Jiang Nanshu instinctively stepped back.
Zian looked directly at her.
"…Try something new next time," she said.
Pause.
"…This is boring."
Huo Lou turned away laughing again.
Sterling whispered,
"…She destroyed her."
Jiang Nanshu turned and left quickly.
Door closed.
Silence.
Then—
Sterling stood up.
"…THAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE."
Zian sat down again.
It was efficient.
Shengling looked at her.
"…You handled that well."
Zian blinked.
Handled?
"…She was predictable," Zian said.
Fiang Huo nodded.
Then—
Fiang Sheng spoke.
"…You didn't panic."
Zian looked at him.
"…There was nothing to panic about."
He studied her.
Longer this time.
Then—
"…You're not what I thought," he said.
Zian blinked.
Obviously.
"…Correct," she replied.
Sterling whispered loudly,
"…HE STOPPED HATING YOU."
Zian thought for a second.
Yes.
Pause.
People are confusing.
She leaned back.
Conclusion:
Enemy failed.
Parents supported.
Sterling traumatized.
She took a sip of tea.
Successful day.
Outside—
The shadow moved again.
Watching.
Waiting.
And this time—
It stayed longer. 😈🔥