The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 32

After hanging up, Shen Zui handed the phone back to Shen Nian.

Having listened to the entire exchange, Shen Nian looked at her pensively. “Grandmother doesn’t seem very happy.”

“Mm,” Shen Zui replied flatly. “She doesn’t like being defied.”

“Then you…” Shen Nian studied her expression. “Are you sure you want to upset her over moving out?”

“Niannian.” At this, Shen Zui turned to face her. A faint smile played at the corners of her mouth, but her tone remained firm. “Your Auntie has long been an adult. I know exactly what I am doing.”

Shen Nian offered a soft smile in return. She nodded and didn’t push the subject further, pivoting instead. “Speaking of which, you haven’t had dinner yet, have you?”

“No.”

“What would you like to eat?” Shen Nian asked.

“There’s food in the kitchen,” Shen Zui said, pointing toward the dining area.

Shen Nian walked over and found the usual nutritional meals prepared by the medical team. They looked—and likely tasted—excessively “healthy.”

She turned back. “You’re just going to eat this?”

“Hmm?” Shen Zui followed her. “Do you have another idea?”

“It’s our first day moving in,” Shen Nian said. “We should have something special to celebrate.”

Shen Zui’s lips curved into a doting smile as she hummed in agreement. She brushed a stray hair away from Shen Nian’s cheek. “Will you arrange it, then?”

Shen Nian nodded. She put the two pre-made dinners into the fridge and took out her phone to order takeout. While searching for local food, she discovered a high-end supermarket within the complex and had a sudden whim to go down and browse.

Shen Zui wasn’t keen on wearing the restrictive mask again, and Shen Nian didn’t want her to suffer through another outing anyway. After coaxing the older woman into the bathroom to wash up, Shen Nian headed out alone.

The supermarket was massive. In a good mood, Shen Nian hummed a little tune as she tossed snacks and drinks into her cart. She was currently debating between two flavors of potato chips when the phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated.

After her recent experiences, her body had developed a slight case of PTSD regarding unannounced phone calls. Taking a deep breath, she pulled out the device.

Fortunately, the caller this time wasn’t from the Shen residence. She stared at the name “Xi You” on the screen for a few seconds before deciding to answer.

“Shen Nian!” Xi You’s urgent voice came through. “You didn’t come home?”

“Mm,” Shen Nian acknowledged. “Is something wrong?”

“It’s Saturday. Why aren’t you back?” Xi You bit her lip. “I need to talk to you.”

“Just say it.” Shen Nian had already made up her mind; she leaned over to put the bag of green wasabi chips back on the shelf and pushed her cart forward.

Xi You took a deep breath. After a moment of hesitation, she said slowly, “…You haven’t given me my allowance this month.”

Shen Nian froze. She quickly recalled that in her past life, such a thing really did happen.

Shen Bi had deeply loved her late wife, Xi Wu, but in reality, the relationship between the Shen and Xi families was quite poor. As the eldest daughter, Xi Wu had been frail since childhood and largely ignored by her parents, who lavished all their affection on her younger brother, Xi Weinan. After falling in love and marrying Shen Bi, Xi Wu had practically severed ties with her family.

The Xi family eventually realized Shen Bi was a rising star and shamelessly tried to reconnect, but they could never win back Xi Wu’s cold heart. After Xi Wu passed away, Shen Bi was even less inclined to deal with them.

The Xi family’s finances had originally been decent, but Xi Weinan was incompetent, and the family business declined steadily under his hand. To maintain a forced connection with the Shens, he had shamelessly dumped his daughter, Xi You, at the Shen residence.

Likely seeing that Xi You and Xi Wu were both fragile Omegas, Shen Bi had felt a rare spark of pity and cleared out a room for the girl to stay in. Like Shen Nian, Xi You was treated as a poor relative “sponging off the family” and was looked down upon by the rest of the Shens. Finding themselves in the same predicament, the two had huddled together for warmth and became close.

While at the Shen residence, Xi You didn’t have to worry about food or clothing, but because she wasn’t a Shen, she didn’t receive the monthly allowance that Shen Zhuan and Shen Nian did. In her past life, Shen Nian’s lonely world had only one person she could trust and rely on; she used her own money to buy Xi You gifts and even made regular transfers to cover her expenses.

“Is it an emergency?” Shen Nian asked. “How much do you need?”

Xi You huffed coldly. “Why are you asking so many questions? Just… do the same as before. Transfer fifty thousand to me.”

Shen Nian was looking at a bar of high-quality chocolate, priced by the gram. Any bag was nearly four figures. She placed the chocolate into her cart and said to Xi You, “I don’t have it.”

“…” Xi You was so shocked she was speechless for two seconds. “What did you say?”

“I don’t have the money,” Shen Nian repeated.

“Shen Nian!” Xi You’s anger flared. “Are you joking? How could you possibly have no money?” She paused, gritting her teeth. “Did you give it to someone else? Are you—are you sucking up to that Xu Lele?!”

Shen Nian didn’t know why she suddenly brought up Xu Lele, but she explained patiently, “No.”

Xi You clearly didn’t believe her; her heavy breathing was audible over the phone.

“I’ve already given you a lot of money,” Shen Nian said, choosing her words carefully. “Is it all gone?”

Xi You pouted. “How could that small amount be enough?”

“Did your father take it all again?” Shen Nian asked.

Shen Nian sometimes hated her own soft heart. Even now, knowing that Xi You was inextricably linked to her death in her previous life, she couldn’t bring herself to completely loathe her. Ultimately, Xi You and she shared too many similarities—both had spent their lives being strangled by the coarse rope of the Shen family.

As the female lead, Xi You was actually more pitiable than her, as she also had to carry the burden of her toxic biological family.

While Shen Nian was lost in thought, Xi You gave a contemptuous laugh. “If you don’t want to give me money, just say so. Why all the chatter?” She sniffed. “Shen Nian, you’ve changed. I’m so disappointed in you…”

Xi You’s voice began to crack. “Do you remember what you used to tell me? You promised you’d always be good to me. But look at you now! You’ve fallen for someone else and you’re getting colder toward me every day!”

Shen Nian tried to speak: “Actually, you—”

“Don’t say anything!” Xi You suddenly shouted. She sobbed her accusation: “You’re just like the others. You’ve joined the ranks of people bullying me!”

Shen Nian rubbed the bridge of her nose. She waited with her dwindling patience for the girl to calm down before speaking. “If your father is threatening you, you can tell me. I’ll find a way to help you.” She sighed. “You can’t let him bleed you dry forever.”

Xi You asked blankly, “Help me? How can you help me?” She wiped away a tear. “If you really want to help, stop asking questions and just send the money.”

“I’m sorry, I won’t be giving you money anymore.” Shen Nian reached the checkout and began placing items on the counter. “Alternatively, you can tell me what the money is for. If it’s truly an emergency, I might consider lending it to you.”

“Shen Nian…” Xi You murmured her name. “I… I…”

She struggled to form a coherent sentence, but just then, Shen Zui—who had finished her shower and realized Shen Nian wasn’t home yet—called her. Seeing the new incoming call, Shen Nian told Xi You to “wait a moment” and put her on hold to answer Shen Zui.

“Little Aunt? Yes, I’m at the supermarket. I’m coming back right now.”

While they talked, Xi You stared at her unresponsive phone screen with red eyes, her gaze completely vacant.

“Xi You?” A cold, elderly voice called out to her. She looked up with a start.

Meeting Shen Bi’s gaze, Xi You shuddered. She wiped the remaining tears from her face and straightened her back, greeting her respectfully. “Good… good evening, Auntie Shen.”

Shen Bi, who had been taking a somber walk, glanced at her. “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing.” Xi You lowered her head, clumsily trying to hide her expression. “Auntie Shen, I still have homework to do. I’ll… I’ll go back to my room now.”

Shen Bi frowned slightly. Standing in the shadows, her expression was unreadable to Xi You. She spoke in a haunting tone: “You and Shen Nian… you’re at the same school, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Xi You replied honestly. “We’re in the same class.”

Shen Bi looked thoughtful. “Over the years, you two have been inseparable…”

Xi You twitched her lips. Seeing her silent confirmation, Shen Bi narrowed her eyes. “What major are you in again? And Shen Nian… how has she been at school lately?”

It was only then that Xi You sensed something was wrong. The fact that Shen Bi was asking these questions proved she had never cared about them before. The strange thing was: why ask tonight?

Xi You hesitated before answering, “We’re in the Acting Department. Last year, when we were filling out our applications, Shen Nian didn’t know what she wanted to study, so she applied for the same major as me.”

“Oh, I see.” Shen Bi looked at her and suddenly smiled. “Shen Nian really values you.”

Xi You gripped her arm, unsure of how to respond.

“It’s the middle of the night. Why are you out here crying?” Shen Bi stepped out of the shadows and came to her side. She seemed to only just notice Xi You’s distress and gently took her wrist. “If you have any difficulties, you can always tell your Auntie.”

Xi You’s body gave a violent shiver as she stared at the smile on the woman’s face—a smile so unfamiliar it made her blood run cold.

“Xi You?” Shen Nian called her name after finishing her talk with Shen Zui. Her voice sounded slightly unreal through the line, as distant as unreachable starlight. “Are you still there?”

Xi You snapped back to reality, fumbling with her phone. “It’s… it’s nothing.” Under Shen Bi’s gaze, she couldn’t even speak properly. Biting her lip to maintain her composure, she hurriedly left a final “Talk later” and pressed the end call button.

“…” At the checkout, Shen Nian frowned as the connection was severed. However, she couldn’t spare too much energy for Xi You. Without thinking much of it, she pocketed her phone and headed back to her new home with two large bags of groceries.

At the Shen Residence

“Auntie Shen.” Xi You looked into the eyes of the deep-seated head of the Shen family.

She knew in her heart she was no match for this woman, but compared to Shen Nian—whose situation was barely better than her own—Xi You knew exactly who had the real power to help her.

Shen Bi showed her kindness at just the right moment. She pulled Xi You’s hand affectionately. “We haven’t had a good talk in a long time, have we?” She smiled, her face wrinkling into a myriad of fine lines. “Come, let’s go inside and talk.”

At the New Apartment

When Shen Nian returned home, she saw Shen Zui leaning on the sofa, her hair still half-damp. The woman had an ethereal grace, and she radiated the faint fragrance of someone who had just bathed. “What took you so long?”

Shen Nian smiled. “Did you get anxious waiting?” She lifted the bags to show her. “I’ll plate this and it’ll be ready in a moment.”

She turned and went into the kitchen. Just as she took out the plates, she heard the sound of Shen Zui entering behind her. Her attention was on the food, so she didn’t turn around. “Just wait in the living room—”

Shen Zui reached around from behind and wrapped her arms around the girl. Her soft, fragrant body pressed against Shen Nian’s back, her breathing rhythmic and heavy.

Shen Nian looked down and saw an unopened bottle of red wine in the older woman’s hand.

“Here.” Shen Zui gave it a little shake. “Let this breathe.”

“…” Shen Nian took it and set it aside with a soft “Mm.” She tilted her head and waited several seconds, but Shen Zui showed no sign of letting go.

“I just got back from outside…” Shen Nian said slowly, her hand gripping the woman’s forearm. She had intended to pull Shen Zui’s hands away, but once she touched her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Her thumb lingered, tracing the warm, delicate skin.

“Hmm?” Shen Zui’s chin rested on the girl’s back. “And?”

“And…”

Shen Nian turned around. She picked Shen Zui up in one motion and, amidst a joyful gasp, sat her down on the clean kitchen counter.

Shen Zui’s eyes were full of clear, shimmering light. She wrapped her arms around Shen Nian’s neck and called her name affectionately.

“Niannian?”

Shen Nian looked up into her eyes. She stroked Shen Zui’s cheek. “And… if you don’t leave, you’re going to get dirty.”