The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 52

The matter was resolved even faster than Shen Nian had anticipated.

Wang Ze’s lead drama, Urban Revenge, premiered at 9:00 AM the next morning. Within a single hour, public opinion shifted from high anticipation to confusion, and finally to outright fury.

Shen Nian had spent the previous night diligently “helping” Shen Zhui supplement her temporary marking. By the time she woke up and finished coaxing her agitated partner, it was nearly noon. This happened to be the exact moment Wang Ze’s reputation was imploding.

In a great mood, Shen Nian hummed a bright tune as she followed the links in her group chat to Wang Ze’s social media account. Beneath his latest promotional post, past a few filtered comments with single-digit likes, the section was a battlefield of vitriol.

“What is this garbage? I watched ten minutes and I’m still nauseous from the plot.”

“Why the animal cruelty? Can you explain what happened to the kitten that was thrown to the ground and bleeding in Episode 1 just to make the lead look ‘edgy’?”

“So cringe. Not just the plot, but your acting makes my skin crawl!”

Among the outcries, Shen Nian’s name was frequently invoked:

“LMAO, you’re comparing this to Shen Nian? This is ‘moon-landing’ levels of reaching.”

“Going back to re-watch ‘The Chronicles of Zhuang Zhou’ to bleach my eyes.”

“If you hadn’t used Shen Nian for clout, I might have given you a passing grade… but now? How do you even have the nerve?”

Because the scandal hit the trending charts, many bystanders began asking: “Who is Shen Nian?” or “Is ‘Zhuang Zhou’ really that good?” As a result, when Shen Nian switched back to her own profile, she found her follower count surging once again.

Mo Huai sent a timely message: 【Shen Nian, it’s time to clarify.】 Shen Nian: 【Understood.】

Too lazy to overcomplicate things, she simply forwarded the evidence provided by Zhou Nan and added a brief caption: “Justice resides in the hearts of the people.”

With that done, she set her phone aside to cook a meal for the still-fuming Shen Zhui in the bedroom.

When Shen Zhui finally emerged, leaning against the doorframe and supporting her aching waist, she saw Shen Nian in the open kitchen looking utterly satisfied. Shen Zhui felt her legs, already weak, soften even further.

“Morning… wait, good afternoon,” Shen Nian greeted her cheerfully. She washed her hands and leaned in. “Feeling better?”

Shen Zhui tried to push her away, but it was like pushing a wall. “Where’s the food?”

“Almost ready.” Shen Nian leaned down and pecked her cheek.

Shen Zhui pulled back with a look of disdain, even glaring at her. Shen Nian, thick-skinned as ever, leaned in closer and spoke in a playful, low voice, “Sister… are you the type to turn cold the moment we leave the bed?”

Shen Zhui’s breath hitched. “Don’t… don’t call me that.”

“Call you what?” Shen Nian teased, burying her face in Shen Zhui’s neck, her lips brushing against her skin. “That’s strange. You seemed to love it last night. I remember clearly—every time I whispered ‘Sister’ while I had you pinned down, you grew softer, trembling so much. You were soaked in sweat, melting like water, yet you wouldn’t let me go for a second.”

“Shen Nian!”

The imagery was too vivid. Shen Zhui’s face turned a deep crimson. Shen Nian continued to tease her about the scent of her plum-blossom pheromones until Shen Zhui grew so flustered she covered Shen Nian’s mouth with her hand.

The Career Choice

After a bit of playfulness, Shen Nian carried Shen Zhui to her favorite sofa.

“I’ve decided to sign with Cengyue Entertainment,” Shen Nian announced. “Mo Huai is a capable manager. With her, my path will be smoother.”

Shen Zhui frowned. “I told you, if you want an agency, I can—”

“I want to try on my own,” Shen Nian interrupted gently but firmly.

Shen Zhui looked at the girl before her. The child who used to cry in her arms had grown into a woman taller and more reliable than herself. She felt a complicated mix of pride and a desire to possess, to lock Shen Nian away in a place where only she could see her. She realized, however, that Shen Nian’s beauty was like a light—even in the dark, she would eventually be discovered.

The New Role

A few days later, the contract was signed. Mo Huai brought Shen Nian her first script—a role in a movie called The Solitary Traveler, directed by the rising star Lou Ze.

“It’s a supporting role, the fourth female lead,” Mo Huai explained. “The original actress’s agency got greedy after she had a minor hit and demanded a higher salary. Lou Ze has a temper and fired her on the spot. I used a personal favor to get you the part. You head to the set next week.”

“Lou Ze?” Shen Nian asked. “Isn’t he close with Starlight Entertainment?”

Mo Huai looked a bit guilty. “He’s principled and doesn’t like the corporate games. But be careful—the male lead, Wei Haohan, is a Starlight actor. His manager is… well, a total lunatic.”

The Wedding Banquet

That night, Shen Nian informed Shen Zhui about the filming schedule. Shen Zhui, who was reviewing financial reports on her tablet, responded coolly, “You’ve learned to act first and report later.”

To make up for it, Shen Nian agreed to accompany Shen Zhui to a high-profile wedding in Shunhai City for the son of Fang Zhi, a famous tycoon.

At the banquet, Shen Zhui was the center of attention. Clad in a deep green gown, she moved through the crowd with an air of cold elegance. Shen Nian stayed by her side like a loyal bodyguard, shielding her from the crowded room and the mingling scents of various pheromones.

“Are you okay?” Shen Nian whispered. “It’s crowded. If you’re uncomfortable, we can leave.”

Shen Zhui shook her head, leaning closer to Shen Nian’s neck. “You stay close… you smell better than this place.”

As they moved toward their table, the crowd surged. A woman was pushed from the front and began falling backward toward Shen Zhui. Shen Nian reacted instantly, pulling Shen Zhui out of the way and catching the falling woman by the arm.

“Ah—thank you!” the woman gasped.

Shen Nian recognized her immediately. “Pei Chunming?”

The woman was a legendary film star, a household name who had nearly achieved a “Grand Slam” of acting awards. In her previous life, Shen Nian had studied her films to improve her own craft.

Pei Chunming smiled gracefully. “And you are?”

“I’m Shen Nian,” she replied warmly. “I’ve seen all your movies.”