The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 34

“Xi You?” It took Shen Nian two full seconds to process the name. She shook her head and laughed, denying it outright. “Impossible.”

She had the memories of her past life; Xi You had absolutely no connection to the film Warm Light.

“The rumor isn’t coming out of nowhere,” Xu Hong said, pulling at the corner of her sleeve. “When I went to the film crew to submit some documents, I accidentally saw Xi You and Director Zhou in a room together, talking very closely.”

Shen Nian froze.

Another roommate leaned in. “Aren’t you and Xi You close? We were hoping to get some ‘inside info’ from you, but you actually don’t know anything.”

Shen Nian was honest. “We haven’t been in touch for a long time.”

The roommate wanted to say more, but Xu Hong silenced her with a sharp look. Soon, the conversation shifted to nostalgia about their dorm life, and the farewell dinner finally ended smoothly.

The three roommates shared a cab back to campus. Seeing that the distance wasn’t far, Shen Nian decided to walk back to the apartment complex alone. She had drunk a bit of alcohol and was feeling slightly tipsy; as the evening breeze hit her, the conversation from the dinner table flashed back into her mind.

Empowered by the alcohol, Shen Nian dialed Xi You’s number directly.

The phone rang for a long time, nearly timing out before the person on the other end picked up. Xi You remained silent, but Shen Nian could hear soothing piano music and the murmur of a crowd. She guessed the girl was at a high-end cocktail party.

“Xi You,” Shen Nian initiated, cutting straight to the chase. “You’re playing the lead in Warm Light.”

Xi You’s breath hitched. After a moment, she let out an “Mm.” She added, “You’re quite well-informed.”

Shen Nian: “…”

In her past life, until she framed Shen Nian, Xi You had always been a mediocre third-tier actress. Forget a lead role in a Zhou Muqiu film—she wouldn’t even qualify for the lead in a mid-budget TV drama. But now…

Because of a guilty conscience, Xi You grew defensive before Shen Nian could even say another word. “…You think I don’t deserve it?!”

Shen Nian snapped back to reality and couldn’t help but laugh. The cold night wind hit her face, clearing the alcoholic fog from her mind. She brushed the stray hairs back from her forehead, revealing eyes that were now clear and restrained.

“Whether you deserve it or not—isn’t that something you should measure for yourself?”

Xi You’s breathing became heavy. She grit her teeth. “Is this why you called me today? Just to say this?”

Shen Nian looked ahead at the pitch-black road. Since her rebirth, she had rarely addressed the other girl so formally. “Xi You.”

Xi You was stunned, her fingers gripping the phone so hard they turned white.

Shen Nian took a deep breath, slowly organizing her words. She asked, “Is it worth it?”

“Hah,” Xi You laughed disdainfully. She rubbed her stinging nose. “Shen Nian, you have no idea how much of a struggle my life has been…”

“I just feel…” Shen Nian felt as though her throat was stuffed with cotton. “That you haven’t actually solved the problem. You’ve just jumped from one mire into another that is bigger and deeper.”

“Heh—” Xi You’s voice was dry. “It’s still better than before.”

Shen Nian lowered her eyes. She finished with a quiet “I understand” and hung up.

Afterward, Xi You stubbornly called back twice, but Shen Nian rejected both calls. By the time she reached the elevator of her building, she saw that the other person still hadn’t given up, and she frowned. Shen Nian didn’t believe she and Xi You had anything left to say; once Xi You firmly chose that path, their friendship had reached its end.

She habitually rejected the call, thinking about blocking the number. She didn’t want to bring these annoying ringtones into the home she shared with Shen Zui. However, as she pressed the red button, she realized the caller’s name was different. But her eyes were slower than her hand; the call was disconnected before she could stop herself.

A figure by the elevator turned around. Shen Nian looked up, and their eyes met.

Shen Nian was stunned. “…Little Aunt?”

She walked quickly to the masked Shen Zui. “Why are you out?”

Shen Zui looked her up and down. “You’re allowed to leave the house, but I’m not?”

Shen Nian: “That’s not what I meant.”

Shen Zui shook the phone in her hand. “Then what did hanging up on me mean?”

Shen Nian looked away, embarrassed. The elevator doors opened, and she let out a sigh of relief, leading Shen Zui inside. In the enclosed space, Shen Zui’s sharp senses picked up more information. “Niannian, you’ve been drinking?”

“Mm.”

Shen Zui thought for a moment. “Did something unpleasant happen with your roommates?”

Shen Nian shook her head. Shen Zui didn’t look away, clearly waiting for a further explanation. Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze, Shen Nian’s eyes wandered.

“It’s okay,” Shen Zui smiled, breaking the silence. She turned to face the row of buttons on the wall. “Niannian is grown up now; it’s normal to have your own secrets.” Her tone was full of twists and turns, every syllable dripping with a hint of bitterness.

Shen Nian gripped her fingers. They reached their floor, and Shen Zui was the first to let go and walk out. Looking at her slender back, Shen Nian wanted to say something, but her tongue felt numb.

Inside, Shen Zui took off her mask. She stood sideways, the warm foyer light splitting her face into light and shadow, making her beauty even more striking. She looked intently at Shen Nian. “What are you standing there for?”

Shen Nian blinked.

Shen Zui smiled again. “Niannian, come inside.”

Shen Nian couldn’t resist. She broke through the social safety distance and pulled Shen Zui into a tight embrace. The familiar scent and body heat calmed her weary mind. She buried her head in the woman’s neck, taking a greedy breath.

Shen Zui cooperatively tilted her head back, letting the girl lean comfortably on her shoulder. She asked nothing, only gently stroking Shen Nian’s long hair.

“I…” Shen Nian’s voice trembled. “It feels like I’ve been betrayed by a friend again.”

Shen Zui frowned. Her focus was on that word “again.” But she was considerate and didn’t pry. “Niannian must be very sad.”

“I’m okay,” Shen Nian sighed. She remembered her past with Xi You; it felt as distant as a hollow dream. “I was just thinking that relying on each other during times of poverty seems to mean nothing. Does everyone abandon everything once they find a shortcut to climb higher?”

Shen Zui narrowed her eyes, a certain name flashing in her mind. She rubbed the top of Shen Nian’s head tenderly. “Silly Niannian, you know… not everyone is like that.”

A flicker of sorrow passed through Shen Nian’s eyes. “But…”

“But even if we are careful, we can’t avoid experiencing these things,” Shen Zui took the lead, caressing her cheek. “That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.”

Shen Nian was stunned, looking up at her.

“Niannian was betrayed; Niannian is the victim,” Shen Zui said seriously, meeting her eyes. “You shouldn’t blame yourself for someone else’s baseness.”

Shen Nian’s breathing suddenly felt clear. Xi You was someone she had kept in her heart for a long time. Whether in her past life or now, experiencing betrayal always caused a moment of self-doubt—Is it because I didn’t do enough? Is it because I really couldn’t give her what she wanted that she chose a path so opposite to mine?

But in reality, that wasn’t Shen Nian’s problem. Her sincerity being squandered only proved that Xi You wasn’t a partner worthy of trust. And by her side, there had always been someone better. Someone who wouldn’t betray her, who appreciated her with a whole heart, and even loved her.

At that moment, the way Shen Nian looked at Shen Zui changed. Shen Zui nearly drowned in those eyes that were as deep and gentle as the ocean. When she came to, her lips parted in surprise. Wasn’t she supposed to be the one comforting Shen Nian?

In the next second, Shen Nian buried her head back in the woman’s neck and whispered something.

Shen Zui didn’t hear it clearly. “What?”

“I said…” Shen Nian leaned into her ear. “Shen Zui, hurry up and fall in love with me, okay?” Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.

“…” Shen Zui realized the girl was teasing her on purpose and gave her an annoyed glare.

Shen Nian smiled. She leaned her weight into Shen Zui, forcing her back until her spine curved. Shen Nian held her waist firmly. “So… is there any way to quickly increase the affection between two people?”

“Hmm?” Shen Zui frowned. “Whom do you want to increase affection with?”

“…” Shen Nian didn’t answer. Instead, she said, “I thought of a way.”

Before Shen Zui could ask, she was suddenly swept off her feet. She let out a cry of surprise, her legs wrapping around Shen Nian as she clung to her.

“Niannian?!”

“Increasing physical contact is sometimes more effective than talking,” Shen Nian leaned in, their noses brushing. Her breath was hot. “What do you think… Little—Aunt—ie—?”

Shen Zui bit her lower lip. Her feet were dangling in the air, her expensive high heels hanging off her toes. “The shoes,” she reminded her.

Shen Nian glanced to the side but didn’t stop, quickening her pace to carry her into the bedroom. As they hit the soft bed, Shen Nian pinned her down before she could move. Shen Nian’s hand traced from the tip of the high heel to the heel itself, her touch as gentle and ambiguous as if she were caressing lover’s skin.

Clatter. The first shoe hit the floor.

Shen Nian looked at Shen Zui. The room was warm, the scents of cedar and plum blossoms intertwining. She loosened her collar. “Should I take the other one off too?”

Shen Zui raised an eyebrow. She didn’t speak, but simply lifted the remaining heel and rested it on Shen Nian’s shoulder. The texture of the soft leather pressed through the thin fabric of the shirt. Shen Nian turned her head just in time to see Shen Zui give a light nudge; the shoe immediately slipped off, sliding down her back and hitting the floor.

“…” Shen Nian was dazed, even forgetting what she was going to say.

Seeing this, Shen Zui’s lips curved into a seductive smile. “Niannian…” she said, her fingers tracing her own neck. “I can do it myself.”

Gulp.

Shen Nian clearly heard herself swallow. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights were bright, the neon turning the night into a restless anthem. Of course, the passion inside this small building was far more brilliant than the night view.

After the madness…

Shen Nian came out drying her hair to find Shen Zui still on the bed, tapping away at her phone. She approached slowly. “…So when you said ‘I can’t anymore, I can’t anymore’ just now, you were lying to me?”

Shen Zui’s movements froze. She slowly turned off the phone and closed her eyes, pretending to be fast asleep. Shen Nian laughed, walked over, and gave her a light kiss on the nose. “I won’t believe you again.”

Shen Zui’s face was already flushed; at these words, the color deepened like a plum blossom in full bloom. But knowing that opening her eyes to argue would only lead to a worse fate, she kept them squeezed shut. Soon, Shen Nian finished drying her hair and lay down, pulling the woman into a careful embrace. The “sleeping” Shen Zui relaxed and soon truly drifted off.

Aside from the new home, the only other good news for Shen Nian was the growing popularity of Tao Di’s new songs. Though they were just ordinary friends, Tao Di shared her joy every day, making Shen Nian feel involved.

“What are you listening to?” Xu Lele asked after a drama club rehearsal.

Shen Nian: “Glass Candy Wrapper, a new song.” She turned the screen. “Have you heard it?”

“Huh?” After seeing the screen, Xu Lele’s brow furrowed. “You like this song?”

Shen Nian sensed something was wrong. “Is there a problem?”

“I was browsing the forums last night and saw people talking.” Xu Lele sat in the empty seat next to her. “Did you know? This song was originally meant for Mina! Someone in the company disliked her and intentionally gave the song to an unknown little singer… just to humiliate Mina!”

Shen Nian was confused. She didn’t browse forums and didn’t know the industry gossip. “But this song was written and composed by Tao Di—the singer herself.”

“Really?” Xu Lele asked innocently.

Shen Nian: “Yes.” She thought the rumor would be debunked right there, but Xu Lele said, “Even if she wrote it, you can’t say it’s ‘hers,’ right? Aren’t songs bought by the company and then assigned?”

Shen Nian was speechless to the point of laughter. “So, what are they saying on the forums?”

Xu Lele checked her phone. “They say Tao Di has a very powerful background! A newcomer coming in and stealing a song from a senior like Mina.”

“…” Shen Nian frowned. By the time she realized this was Mina’s revenge, public opinion online had already turned completely one-sided. This wasn’t surprising; Mina had a loyal fanbase from her previous dating scandal, while Tao Di was just a rookie.

Shen Nian found Tao Di’s latest update; it was filled with thousands of malicious comments. Even when rational people pointed out the flaws in the logic, they were drowned out.

Shen Nian called Tao Di. “Shen Nian…” Tao Di’s voice was tearful. “You saw it too…”

“Where are you now? What do you plan to do?”

“I’m on my way to the company,” Tao Di sobbed. “The director wants me to come in and talk in person.”

Shen Nian rubbed her forehead. “What can you possibly ‘talk’ about with them?” Having dealt with the entertainment industry in her past life, she was 100% sure the company would side with Mina. They were bringing Tao Di in to force her into submission.

“But I don’t know what to do…” Tao Di continued to cry. “They keep cursing at me. I’m having a breakdown…”

Shen Nian gripped her phone. “Tao Di, I’m only asking you one thing: do you want to fight for yourself? Or do you want to give in to the company and let them take control?”

Before this call, Tao Di had already planned to take the second path. She had no backing and no capital to fight Mina or the company. But hearing Shen Nian’s voice gave her a surge of courage. “Shen Nian… help me. What should I do?”

Shen Nian’s lips curved. She quickly arranged everything. “I’m sending something to you via courier right now. Once you have it, you’ll know what to do.” She paused. “The final result depends on you. Tao Di, pull yourself together!”

Tao Di wiped her tears. “Okay!”

“Good luck. I’ll wait for your good news.”

That evening, Tao Di finally escaped from the company. She immediately sent a recording file to Shen Nian.

“They didn’t notice?” Shen Nian asked, staring at her laptop.

“No, they didn’t even take me seriously.” Tao Di’s breathing was cautious. “And the recording pen you gave me looks so real—just like a regular ballpoint pen. They didn’t notice at all.”

“Good. Now get some rest. I’ll handle the rest.”

After hanging up, Shen Nian began listening to the five-hour recording at double speed. Shen Zui came out from her bath and saw her serious expression. Shen Nian adjusted the speed back to normal so she could talk to Shen Zui while listening.

Shen Zui frowned at the mention of “Tao Di.” Knowing her precious little niece was working overtime to help someone else made her unhappy. But she never liked to show her displeasure directly—after all, this was her niece’s private business. An “open-minded elder” shouldn’t interfere with a young person’s friendships.

Cough, cough. Shen Zui sat down next to her. Shen Nian was focused on the screen. Seeing the woman reach for a water glass, she said, “The water in the living room is cold. Go to the kitchen and get some warm water.”

Shen Zui held the glass anyway. “Too lazy.”

“…” Shen Nian glanced at her. Despite being busy, she stopped Shen Zui from drinking the cold water and stood up. “Mistress, wait a moment. I’ll pour it for you.”

Shen Zui’s face remained expressionless, but her toes were practically dancing with joy. However, when Shen Nian returned with the water, she picked up her laptop. “You sit here; I’m going to the study.”

She didn’t want to disturb Shen Zui, but it only made the older woman’s brow furrow deeper. “Niannian.”

Shen Nian turned back. Shen Zui looked at her, the warmth of the glass seeping into her palm. “How about I arrange for you to be the lead in a movie?”

“What?” Shen Nian’s eyes widened. “Why… why so sudden?”

Shen Zui looked away nonchalantly. “Is it sudden? What others have, Niannian can have too.”

Others? A flash of realization hit Shen Nian. “You investigated Xi You?”

Shen Zui raised an eyebrow.

Shen Nian took a deep breath and shook her head firmly. “I don’t need it.”

Shen Zui pursed her lips. Shen Nian put the laptop down. “If you investigated her, you know who the capital behind Xi You is.” She asked teasingly, “You think you can give me better resources?”

Without hesitation, Shen Zui nodded. “I can. I don’t want to provoke my mother, but if you say the word, I guarantee your resources will always be a step above hers.”

Shen Nian smiled and shook her head. She met Shen Zui’s eyes. “Xi You must have paid a high price for the family’s support. She has no value now, so she likely gambled her future life. If I agree…” She crouched down so she was at eye level with Shen Zui. “What price would I have to pay?”

Shen Zui met her gaze. Her eyes were as clear as a spring, hiding nothing unseemly. It was Shen Nian who looked away first.

Shen Zui cupped her face. “Niannian.” She leaned in, and Shen Nian instinctively held her breath. “Not everything requires a price. You don’t need to sell yourself like Xi You.”

Their faces were so close their breaths mingled. Shen Nian could have kissed her just by lowering her head. But strangely, in this ambiguous moment, no desire arose. Shen Nian pulled back. She knew too well that “free” was often the most expensive. She picked up her laptop again.

“I have my own plans.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m quite busy, and I have filming plans for the summer,” Shen Nian said with a small smile. “So, no need to trouble you for now.”

With that, she quickly left the living room. On the sofa, Shen Zui watched her retreating figure and narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.