The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 21

“Is that so?” Shen Nian’s lips curled into a faint smile.

She flipped the script in Shen Zui’s hand forward a page and pointed to the lines of a supporting character. “Don’t you think I’m more like this unambitious rich second-generation heir?”

Shen Zui shook her head.

Shen Nian watched her quietly.

“Why would you evaluate yourself that way?” Shen Zui sighed softly, stroking Shen Nian’s cheek. “Our Niannian is not someone without ambition.”

Shen Nian raised an eyebrow. “…Then do I resemble Lu Jue, the liar, more?”

Mushroom Jungle was a script where every character was a villain; the protagonist, Lu Jue, was by no means a hero. He had boarded the ship for a priceless piece of jewelry, using masterful deception to play everyone for fools, only to reap the bitter seeds he sowed—dying just one step away from his escape.

Shen Zui’s lips curved into a shallow smile. Instead of answering, she asked, “Has Niannian ever lied to anyone?”

“…” Shen Nian lowered her head to avoid her gaze. After a moment of silence, she spoke. “No one is honest forever, right?”

“Mhm,” Shen Zui hummed in response. She set the script aside and cupped Shen Nian’s face with both hands.

Unsure of her intent, Shen Nian met her eyes with a look of confusion.

“But Niannian’s eyes are very beautiful,” Shen Zui remarked. “When you look at someone, you seem sincere and passionate.”

“…” Realizing the implication, Shen Nian gave a self-mocking laugh.

She asked, “So someone like me finds it easier to deceive people, right?”

“Wrong.” Shen Zui leaned in closer.

As the distance between them closed, Shen Nian could feel the warmth radiating from her. Their breaths mingled, brushing softly against her lips.

Shen Zui continued, “It is that even if someone knows you are lying, they are willing to cast everything aside to believe you.”

“Huh?” Shen Nian’s eyes widened.

Finally unable to endure the tension, she leaned back to escape Shen Zui’s hold. Only once she was at a distance did she see the brilliant, playful smile on Shen Zui’s lips.

“Auntie!” Shen Nian’s face flushed. She called out in embarrassment, “You’re teasing me?!”

“Am I?” Shen Zui remained elegantly leaned against the headboard, her expression lazy yet noble. Only her beautiful eyes crinkled slightly, betraying her pleasant mood.

She placed her hand over the back of Shen Nian’s hand, her fingertips scratching Shen Nian’s palm like a fisherman teasing a line.

“Your aunt dotes on you; why would I tease you?”

Shen Nian bit her lower lip, but she couldn’t stop the blush from spreading to the tips of her ears. Feeling a bit stubborn, she said intentionally, “It’s not like I have to play Lu Jue.”

Shen Zui picked up the script again. “But the other protagonist is an Omega. That’s even less suitable for Niannian.”

Understanding the subtext, Shen Nian grew quiet for a moment. “Do I have to play the lead?”

“Don’t ask such a funny question.” Shen Zui tapped her on the forehead.

She began to browse the script carefully, looking only at the parts involving Lu Jue. Her expression was firm; she clearly believed there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

“Niannian must be the protagonist.”

Watching her serious expression, Shen Nian couldn’t help but let the corners of her mouth turn up.

“Have you memorized the lines?” Shen Zui asked after a while.

Shen Nian smiled, feigning ignorance. “Whose lines?”

Shen Zui raised an eyebrow.

“Fine,” Shen Nian admitted defeat, nodding with a grin. “I’ve memorized them. I’ve got all of Lu Jue’s key scenes down.”

Shen Zui nodded with satisfaction. She adjusted her posture, her interest undiminished. “Shall Auntie help you run your lines?”

“Okay,” Shen Nian replied.

Shen Zui flipped to the second page of the script.

This scene took place when Lu Jue first boarded the cruise ship. In a ballroom filled with aristocrats, he desperately needed expensive accessories to maintain his facade. At that moment, an innocent young socialite entered his sights—the golden brooch on her dress became his target.

Lu Jue was experienced with such marks. He feigned a look of anxiety and approached her to ask for directions, only for her to remind him that the place he mentioned was only open during the day. This naturally opened the door for conversation.

“I must say, you have a truly unique aura.” Shen Nian leaned in close, tilting her head to show her best angle and exerting her full charm. “Just now, I was dizzy with worry, yet I spotted you instantly in the crowd.”

“Like a sacred white orchid.”

“How could a beautiful lady like you be left all alone in a place like this?”

Shen Zui’s gaze landed on her face. She didn’t consciously try to act like the supporting female character in the play, yet she delivered the lines fluently.

“It’s a long story… You are also alone, are you not?”

“I originally thought this was just my own carelessness,” Shen Nian continued, “but meeting you, I think I understand the true meaning of coming out tonight.”

Shen Nian politely and naturally took her hand. According to the script, Lu Jue was supposed to gallantly kiss the ring on her hand. However, the Shen Zui sitting on the bed had slender, bare fingers without any jewelry.

Shen Nian hesitated for two seconds before lowering her head, letting her lips brush against the back of Shen Zui’s hand.

“Beautiful lady, may I invite you for a dance?”

Shen Zui enjoyed her attentiveness, even knowing it was all an act. She asked, “Are you this passionate with everyone?”

Shen Nian paused. She remembered clearly that the line in the script was: “You truly are a passionate gentleman.”

But since the script had been tossed aside, she figured Shen Zui might have misremembered. She didn’t overthink it and continued the performance.

“My heart only beats for a beauty such as yourself.”

Shen Zui moved to get off the bed. In the process, her calf brushed against Shen Nian’s arm which was braced against the bedframe. Shen Nian watched blankly as Shen Zui’s bare, rosy toes stepped onto the dark floor, making them look even more delicate.

Without music or the grand ballroom setting of the script, the two embraced and danced in the open space of the room.

Shen Nian held Shen Zui, her steps slow and light. The faint scent of plum blossoms from Shen Zui enveloped her. She leaned down, greedily inhaling the scent at the nape of her neck, almost forgetting that she was currently playing a cold-hearted liar.

“There must be many people who came here for you,” Shen Zui said suddenly, pulling Shen Nian back to reality.

In the script, this dance sequence only involved suggestive eye contact, no dialogue. Lu Jue was supposed to stealthily steal the brooch during the dance and vanish into the crowd as the music ended.

Before Shen Nian could react, Shen Zui added, “So many people are looking at you, Miss Lu.”

“…” Shen Nian weighed the meaning of her words.

She reached up, her fingertip grazing Shen Zui’s ear. Before pulling away, she deliberately and ambiguously rubbed the soft, elastic earlobe.

Shen Zui’s body trembled slightly in her arms.

Shen Nian chuckled, leaning close to her ear. “How do you know they aren’t looking at you, beautiful lady?”

She turned her head and licked Shen Zui’s cheek. “Compared to you, I am like a common fern by the roadside, not even worthy of standing in the same place as you.”

Shen Zui tapped her over her heart. “I am no submissive potted plant. I have always been the one to choose who is worthy of me.”

Hearing this, Shen Nian couldn’t help but swallow. She looked down, seeing only the top of Shen Zui’s head.

“So, do I have the honor of being one of them?”

Perhaps sensing her gaze, Shen Zui looked up to meet her eyes. Her clear gaze was full of gentle laughter, her face stunning even without makeup.

“What do you think?”

Shen Nian felt a surge of frustration. She didn’t like playing these mind games. Seeing the smile on Shen Zui’s lips deepen, Shen Nian couldn’t take it anymore. She leaned down and bit her lips resentfully.

The kiss was hurried and more forceful than usual. Shen Nian pressed Shen Zui firmly against her, their bodies curving together without a single gap between them.

The more they kissed, the drier her mouth became. She could only fill the inexplicable void by drinking in the moisture from Shen Zui’s mouth. Shen Zui tried to struggle, but she was held so tightly there was no room to escape. She could only tilt her head back and part her lips, allowing Shen Nian to take whatever she wanted.

Soon, Shen Zui’s body went limp, and she had to cling tightly to Shen Nian just to maintain her balance.

When Shen Nian finally came to her senses, she realized that her companion’s lips were red and swollen from her rough treatment. She ended the absurd dance, swept Shen Zui up in her arms, and carried her back to the bed.

“Ha… ha…” Shen Zui’s eyes were misty, and she panted for breath with her mouth open.

As Shen Nian set her down, she gave her shoulder a sharp punch. However, she was so drained from the kiss that the blow was soft and lacked any real force.

Shen Nian stroked her cheek, asking dryly, “…Do you want some water?”

Shen Zui glared at her.

“…” Shen Nian withdrew her hand.

The burst of courage from moments ago had vanished. She sat on the edge of the bed honestly, looking as awkward as a child who had made a mistake.

“That’s it?” Shen Zui finally caught her breath. “You need more practice.”

“Huh?” Shen Nian didn’t follow.

Shen Zui smirked triumphantly and raised her hand. When Shen Nian saw what she was holding, she froze and immediately clutched her collar.

The light green silk scarf she had been wearing loosely around her neck was now entwined around Shen Zui’s slender fingers.

“When did you…”

The question escaped her instinctively, but her voice grew weaker as she spoke. The curve of Shen Zui’s smile grew more arrogant. She lowered her head, wrapped the silk scarf around her own neck, and tied a beautiful knot at her chest.

The scarf was thin, and against her skin, it made her appear even more ethereal and fair.

Shen Nian was entranced. She reached out to touch it, only realizing her mistake when she felt the smooth skin. She withdrew her hand, face flushing red. Her peripheral vision caught the script, and she quickly grabbed it, holding it up to hide her embarrassment.

“Haha, Niannian.”

Shen Zui’s ethereal laughter pierced through the script into her ears, making Shen Nian’s body feel tingly and soft.

After staying at home for two days, Shen Nian said goodbye to Shen Zui on Sunday afternoon to rush back to school for the club casting.

“If there’s good news, I’ll tell you immediately.”

Shen Zui tilted her head, revealing a perfect jawline. “Then I must prepare a congratulatory gift for Niannian in advance.”

Shen Nian paused while putting on her shoes. She turned back to meet those bright eyes and nodded. “Okay.”

She took a taxi back to school. When she arrived at the venue, Yang Min and Xu Lele were already waiting for her at the entrance.

“How are you just getting here now?” Yang Min waved at her from a distance. “Hurry, hurry!”

Shen Nian ran over. “Am I late?”

“You’re not late, but you need to prepare for casting in advance.” Yang Min sized her up and suddenly sighed. “It’s over. You really didn’t do anything for your look.”

“Hmm?” Shen Nian didn’t quite understand. It was just a screen test; as long as she brought the character to life, why did her styling matter?

Yang Min didn’t waste time explaining and pulled her inside. Once in the hall, Shen Nian quickly understood why.

Below the stage, Yan Yi, dressed in a sharp formal suit, was surrounded by a crowd. His hair was perfectly styled, and his smile radiated confidence. He looked almost exactly like the Lu Jue described in the script—meticulously dressed to sneak into a high-society party.

Perhaps due to a clash of temperaments, Yan Yi sensed her gaze immediately. The next moment, through the crowd, Yan Yi looked over and gave Shen Nian a smirk full of provocation.