The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 39

Zhou Nan called to briefly congratulate her on the successful performance before informing her that the location for the group dinner and script reading had been finalized.

“Mm,” Shen Nian acknowledged. She glanced at Shen Zui through the vanity mirror and added, “You guys head over first. I have something to handle here and will catch up as soon as I’m done.”

“Sure,” Zhou Nan agreed readily. “We’ll wait for you!”

After hanging up, Shen Nian returned to Shen Zui’s side. She picked up the makeup remover and cotton pads, speaking as she began to clean her face. “Little Aunt, I’ll take you home once I’m finished with this.”

“Are you going out?”

“Yes.” Shen Nian nodded, casually adding, “Didn’t we agree on this earlier?”

Shen Zui asked again, “What time will you be back?”

Shen Nian gave her a puzzled look. In her memory, Shen Zui was quite a broad-minded elder. Since they started living together, she rarely paid much attention to Shen Nian’s whereabouts.

“I’ll try to be early,” Shen Nian replied. “If it’s too late, go to sleep first. Don’t wait for me.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zui gave her a lingering, unfathomable look.

Driver Liu was already waiting outside the venue. Shen Nian watched as Shen Zui settled into the backseat, leaning down toward the window to instruct him: “It’s rush hour and traffic near the entrance is heavy. Drive slowly; there’s no rush.”

Driver Liu chuckled. “Don’t you worry, Miss Nian. I’ve been driving for the Shen family for decades. Our Miss’s health is the most precious thing; I’ll be careful.”

Shen Zui leaned against the backrest without a word, the atmosphere in the car growing strangely heavy. Driver Liu glanced at her through the rearview mirror and tried to lighten the mood. “Miss Nian is truly filial and kind. It’s barely a twenty-minute drive to the apartment, yet she’s so concerned about you, Miss.”

Shen Nian smiled but didn’t know how to respond, so she remained silent.

Suddenly, Shen Zui opened her eyes. She spoke tonelessly, “She just wants to pack me off quickly so she can go see those young and beautiful friends of hers.”

“…” Shen Nian felt as though she couldn’t defend herself even if she had a hundred mouths. She cleared her throat and countered, “Young and beautiful friends? Who?”

Shen Zui’s level of social maneuvering was clearly leagues above hers. She slanted a glance at Shen Nian. “So there are so many you can’t even count them?”

In the driver’s seat, Driver Liu broke into a cold sweat, not daring to breathe. If he could, he would have loved to travel back one minute in time and slap himself for trying to make small talk.

“…Little Aunt.” Shen Nian raised her hands in a white flag of surrender.

Only then did Shen Zui retract her gaze and sit up straight. Shen Nian sighed. “I know many people my age, but as for beauty…” She rubbed her fingers together, her eyes uncontrollably tracing Shen Zui’s features. “I’ve yet to meet anyone more beautiful than Little Aunt.”

Shen Zui turned her head to look back at her. Her eyes were filled with unidentifiable emotions, like a brewing storm. But as they held eye contact, the waves gradually returned to a calm shimmer. Shen Nian smiled at her. Shen Zui turned away awkwardly, but the corners of her lips curled up uncontrollably.

After seeing Shen Zui off, Shen Nian prepared to head to the Chronicle of Zhuang Zhou gathering. She took out her phone to check the address Zhou Nan had sent, but a hand slapped her shoulder without warning.

The person didn’t hold back; Shen Nian felt as though the left side of her body had been struck. She furrowed her brows and turned into a defensive stance.

“You little rat.” Shen Zhuan looked at her with an unfriendly expression before glancing around. “Where is Aunt?”

Shen Nian’s frown deepened. “I don’t know.” She couldn’t be bothered with Shen Zhuan and turned to leave.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Shen Zhuan shouted. “Did I say you could leave?”

Shen Nian ignored her, but a man of similar height soon blocked her path. He wore gold-rimmed sunglasses and carried an air of insufferable arrogance. Meeting Shen Nian’s eyes, he waved dismissively. “Second Miss, are you deaf? Ignoring your sister like this—where are your manners?”

“Qi Zhou.” Shen Nian called him out immediately and asked with a cold laugh, “What are you pretending for?”

This was their first meeting, but Shen Nian had long followed his social media; she knew he was Shen Zhuan’s maternal uncle and loyal lackey. While Qi Zhou’s presence wasn’t surprising, the woman who appeared next did startle her.

“Mina?”

Mina was also in disguise. She walked gracefully to Qi Zhou’s side and took his arm. Pulling down her sunglasses, she scanned Shen Nian with contempt. “So it’s the Second Miss of the Shen family. No wonder you could get a ‘High Night’ Black Card.”

“Oh?” Qi Zhou asked. “You two know each other?”

Mina embellished the story of their encounter and affectedly buried her face in Qi Zhou’s chest. “Oh, I’ve been on edge since that day, thinking Tao Di had found some great benefactor to bully me. As it turns out, besides that MV, the Second Miss doesn’t seem to have any other tricks. I worried for nothing~”

Qi Zhou squeezed her hip through her dress. “Tsk tsk, I’ve picked the softest persimmon for you to squeeze.”

“Hmph.” Shen Zhuan caught up from behind. “She’s a useless waste. What are you afraid of?”

Mina’s eyes lit up. “With the Eldest Miss backing me, I have no concerns!”

Qi Zhou added pointedly, “There’s more than just an ‘Eldest’ and ‘Second’ Miss distinction between them. It’s the difference between the genuine article and a counterfeit product, understand?”

Shen Nian remained expressionless, looking down at the time. “Are you finished?”

“In a hurry?” Shen Zhuan asked.

“I just don’t want to waste time on unimportant matters.”

“Heh, sharp-tongued as ever.” Shen Zhuan narrowed her eyes. “Since we ran into each other, come home with me. Grandmother mentioned you recently; I’ll take you to see her.”

“I’m busy,” Shen Nian refused.

“What did you say?”

“I said, I’m busy,” Shen Nian repeated. “Grandmother wants to see me? How come I didn’t know? I haven’t received a single message from the family.”

Shen Zhuan sneered. “Are you saying I’m lying to you?”

“I’m saying…” Shen Nian didn’t hold back. “Shen Zhuan, stop being so self-centered. Do you really think the world revolves around you?”

She continued walking. When Qi Zhou tried to block her again, she didn’t flinch. “Restricting a citizen’s personal freedom—Master Qi, are you looking to start a new business venture in the detention center?”

They were on a busy campus road. The commotion had already drawn onlookers. Qi Zhou lost his nerve and looked to Shen Zhuan for help. Before Shen Zhuan could speak, a shrill cry erupted from behind them.

“Shen Zhuan! Where are you? Why are you hiding from me!!”

“Shit!” Shen Zhuan cursed without looking back. “How did she catch up again? She’s like a ghost!”

“Damn it!” Qi Zhou was even less discreet. “That girl looks pure, but she has a massive appetite. Even fifty thousand wasn’t enough… tsk…” He caught Shen Nian’s eye and cautiously cut himself off.

Shen Zhuan ignored Shen Nian entirely and kicked Qi Zhou. “What did you tell me back then? You can’t even handle one Omega!”

“Don’t be angry, Eldest Miss. I’ll get someone to deal with her right away.” Qi Zhou detached himself from Mina and strode toward the shouting girl.

Shen Nian glanced at the girl through the crowd. She looked familiar—a girl she had seen in Qi Zhou’s short videos, always clinging to Shen Zhuan’s side in scenes of nightlife. They were clearly a couple—or at least had been.

“What are you looking at?!” Shen Zhuan glared at her. “Get lost!”

Shen Nian withdrew her gaze, deep in thought. She didn’t dally, hailing a cab to head to the gathering. On the way, she called her roommate, Xu Hong. “Xu Hong, it’s Shen Nian. Are you at school? I need a favor. Can you go to the entrance of today’s performance venue…”

Thirty minutes later, Shen Nian entered a Sichuan restaurant. With the help of a blushing hostess, she found Box 303.

“Oh, look who’s here. Really thinking you’re a big star now, acting like a diva already?”

Without looking, Shen Nian knew who the voice belonged to. She ignored him and greeted the others. The crew swarmed her with praise until Zhou Nan intervened to let her sit down.

During dinner, the conversation turned to the script. Most of the actors were students who cherished the opportunity. Tan Zhu, the female lead, rested her head on Shen Nian’s arm. “Shen Nian, you’ve been working out, haven’t you?” She blushed, her hand brushing Shen Nian’s arm through her sleeve. “It feels so solid! It’s comfortable to lean on!”

The Omegas squealed and crowded around to “inspect.” Shen Nian dodged them, explaining, “The character Chen Amin is supposed to be the powerhouse type. I promised the director I’d build some muscle for the role. But the results are limited for such a short time.”

“I think it’s just right!” Tan Zhu giggled. “You look lean in clothes, but we know there’s plenty of ‘substance’ underneath~”

Wang Ze, feeling ignored, threw cold water on the mood. “Pretty face. Do you think looks can put food on the table? Acting and experience are—”

A knock interrupted him. The sweet hostess from earlier entered, holding a fruit platter. “Welcome to our restaurant. This is a complimentary platter on the house~”

“Eh?” Zhou Nan asked. “I’ve been here before; they never gave a free platter.”

The hostess looked shyly at Shen Nian before scurrying away. Tan Zhu smirked at Wang Ze. “It seems looks can put food on the table. Wang Ze, want to taste a piece of pear? See if it’s sour?”

Wang Ze turned away, sullen.

After dinner, they moved to a nearby hotel for the table read. Since the production was poor, they used a cheap hotel room as their workspace.

Inside, Wang Ze was reading his lines: “If you want to live, listen to what I have to say next—”

Before he finished, Shen Nian cut in: “What’s there to say? We charge in together, I don’t believe—”

“Fuck!” Wang Ze suddenly exploded, slamming his script to the floor. “Are you done? I’m asking you, are you done?!” He ran a hand through his hair. “You’re just going out of your way to target me, aren’t you?!”

The room fell into a deathly silence. Shen Nian remained calm. “I was just delivering the lines normally.”

“Do you understand basic manners? Let a person finish!” Wang Ze barked, his speech littered with profanity. “Did I finish? You just cut in! Do you look down on me?”

“Wang Ze!” Zhou Nan finally snapped. He stepped between them. “Shen Nian was delivering the lines correctly. Chen Amin is a reckless character; this part is specifically written for her to interrupt the male lead’s plan and act on her own.”

“Wait, did he even read the script…” Tan Zhu muttered.

The others chimed in, criticizing Wang Ze’s lack of preparation and his “crazy” outburst. His face darkened as he realized he had made a fool of himself.

“What are you all whispering about?!”

“Wang Ze!” Zhou Nan’s voice turned cold. “How about this: I think you need to familiarize yourself with the script. I’ll get you a separate room; you study tonight, and we’ll start the male lead’s part tomorrow.”

“No need!” Wang Ze shoved him aside. “With her here, I can’t read the script at all! Screenwriter, I’m requesting a recast. Get rid of her!”

“Are you insane?” Tan Zhu laughed in disbelief. “In what capacity are you requesting a recast? Is there water in your brain?”

The group, having had enough of Wang Ze’s arrogance, turned on him.

“On what basis? On the basis that I am the only male lead!” Wang Ze shouted. “You bunch of nobodies are lucky to be in a show with me! Who else would do ‘charity’ for a trashy crew like this?”

Zhou Nan sighed. “Wang Ze, let’s go outside and calm down.”

“Nothing to talk about.” Wang Ze tilted his head back, looking down his nose at him. “I’m telling you now: it’s either her or me!”

Zhou Nan was silent for two seconds. “So, you’re saying you’re going to breach the contract and quit?”

“Hmph, I won’t breach it. That costs money.” Wang Ze smirked. He leaned into Zhou Nan’s ear. “But Screenwriter, you know who’s more important. If she doesn’t leave, I can’t guarantee what ‘accidents’ might happen during filming.”

As the male lead, Wang Ze could sabotage the production without technically breaching the contract. Zhou Nan’s fists tightened in rage. He couldn’t afford to lose a lead, but he didn’t want to lose a talent like Shen Nian.

“Either kick Shen Nian out,” Wang Ze gloated, licking his lips, “or you pay the penalty to terminate my contract.”

“Then let’s terminate it.”

Two voices spoke simultaneously—one furious, one calm and steady. Zhou Nan turned to look at Shen Nian.

“Since it’s like this,” Shen Nian stepped forward, “just terminate the contract.”

“Tch.” Wang Ze stared her down. “Do you have any idea how much you’d have to pay me?”

“How much is the penalty?” Shen Nian asked.

Wang Ze stuttered. “Wha—what do you mean?”

“It’s okay,” Shen Nian nodded to Zhou Nan. “I will pay Wang Ze’s penalty. What is the amount?”

She didn’t shout or act arrogant. She just stood there with a natural authority that commanded the room. The girls in the room were swooning.

“Help! She’s so cool!” “Mom! I want to marry her!” “So ‘Alpha’! Wang Ze isn’t even a villain in front of her; he’s a side character at best!”

“Can you even afford it?” Wang Ze looked panicked. The Chronicle of Zhuang Zhou was his first lead role; he valued it more than he let on. He thought the penalty was his safety net, but Shen Nian had crushed his leverage with two sentences.

“Shen Nian, don’t be impulsive,” Zhou Nan whispered. “Terminating his contract will cost 250,000 yuan. Your salaries aren’t nearly…”

Without a word of nonsense, Shen Nian opened her chat with Zhou Nan and transferred the 200,000 yuan she had saved up as allowance. “See if you can cover the rest or wait a bit. I’ll transfer the remaining 50,000 at the start of next month.”

Zhou Nan stared at the transfer in shock. He looked at Shen Nian’s calm eyes and gritted his teeth. “Enough! Director Cai and I will handle the remaining 50,000!”

“It’s fine,” Shen Nian tucked her phone away. “You pay it first; I’ll pay you back next month. As for the script… I might have to trouble you to make some temporary changes.”

“No problem!” Zhou Nan was revitalized. “The main plot stays the same. We’ll cut the character ‘Chen Amin’ and have you play the first lead. I can finish the edits in two or three days.”

Shen Nian looked apologetically at the others. “You all might need to re-memorize lines…”

“I’ll do it! I love memorizing lines!” Tan Zhu raised her hand.

“Me too!” “I can’t wait to see Shen Nian as the lead!”

Shen Nian smiled gratefully. Finally, she looked at the pale Wang Ze. “Alright, Mr. Wang, the farce ends here.” She stepped aside, clearing the path to the door. “You are no longer a member of this crew. Please leave.”

Wang Ze, sweating despite the air conditioning, fled the room, nearly tripping on his way out.

After the meeting ended, Shen Nian took a cab back to the apartment. The fare was over 30 yuan. Normally, she wouldn’t care, but having just emptied her accounts of 200,000 yuan, the 30 yuan stung a bit.

“I should have walked; I could have counted it as exercise…”

She trudged upstairs. The living room was dim, lit only by a warm floor lamp. Shen Nian assumed Shen Zui was in the bedroom and headed toward the kitchen for water, only to hear a voice behind her.

“Niannian.”

Shen Nian turned to find Shen Zui. She was wearing a rose-pink silk robe, the neckline slightly open to reveal her fair skin. Her long, slender legs peeked through the slit of the robe as she walked.

Shen Nian dazed for a moment. Shen Zui walked past her to the fridge, taking out half a bowl of cherries and picking them into a transparent salad bowl one by one.

Shen Nian approached.

“Only eight left,” Shen Zui murmured. “They’ll be gone once I eat them.”

“Do you want more?” Shen Nian asked.

Shen Zui hummed an indifferent “Mm.”