The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 53

Hearing such a casual self-introduction, Pei Chunming gave a faint, distant nod. She stepped aside, rubbing her arm where it had been squeezed by the crowd.

A waiter rushed over, having witnessed the near-fall. “Are you alright, ma’am?”

Pei Chunming shook her head, and the waiter let out a visible sigh of relief. He then looked past her to Shen Nian and Shen Zhui in the corner. “Please follow me. The ceremony is about to begin; all guests must return to their seats. I will lead the three of you.”

Pei Chunming replied with a refined, hushed, “Mhm.”

Shen Nian glanced out and saw the crowd had mostly dispersed, leaving the path clear. She stepped back toward Shen Zhui. “You two go ahead.”

The waiter looked confused. “Miss, you…”

“Our seats are in the front,” Shen Nian said, pointing toward the stage.

“Oh, I see. Very well,” the waiter nodded.

However, Pei Chunming’s eyes widened slightly. “You… you’re sitting in the front rows?”

In a family like the Fangs, those invited to the front were either blood relatives or high-level business partners. Regardless of which, they were people worth knowing.

“Yes,” Shen Nian replied.

“Ah—” Pei Chunming’s expression lit up instantly. She began rummaging through her bag. “Shen Nian, was it? Here, this is my business card…”

Before she could finish, Shen Zhui suddenly reached out and tugged at Shen Nian. Her fingers gripped the silk fabric at Shen Nian’s waist, forcing the younger woman to lean down and meet her gaze.

What is it? Shen Nian asked with her eyes.

“Let’s go,” Shen Zhui whispered. To add a sense of urgency, she covered the lower half of her face. “I can’t breathe in here.”

The corner was indeed poorly ventilated, pressed against a wall of decorative flowers. Shen Nian frowned. Ignoring whatever Pei Chunming was still prattling on about, she supported Shen Zhui by the waist and led her out.

The Contrast of Status

Once they were back in the open corridor with the air conditioning humming overhead, Shen Nian leaned in. “Better?”

“Mhm,” Shen Zhui replied softly.

As they walked, Shen Zhui asked, “Who was that?”

“Who? You mean Pei Chunming?” Shen Nian smiled, her mood bright. “She’s the Film Queen. Her movie My Passionate Youth is legendary. You’ve never seen it?”

“No,” Shen Zhui said flatly. Then, she added indifferently, “Do you like her a lot?”

“Yes,” Shen Nian nodded. “She’s quite good. I’ve watched it several times.”

They reached their table, and Shen Nian pulled out a chair for her. “Here.”

Shen Zhui sat, smoothing her skirt. When the others at the table tried to greet her, she brushed them off with a coldness that was far more severe than before. Sensing the shift, the guests wisely stopped their flattery.

Shen Nian, assuming she was unwell, moved her chair closer and whispered, “If you really feel bad, you can lean on me.”

Shen Zhui glanced at her. “There are many actors and celebrities at this banquet,” she noted suddenly.

“Oh?” Shen Nian looked around, confused. “Where?”

Shen Zhui let out a cold chuckle. “You can’t see them.”

“Why not?”

Shen Zhui looked up at her. She sat cross-legged on the red silk chair, her expensive green gown shimmering like flowing light. The luxury of her attire only heightened her icy, untouchable aura.

“They are at the very back… just like that ‘Film Queen’ of yours.”

Shen Nian froze. She lowered her gaze, realizing with a sudden clarity why Shen Zhui had insisted on bringing her to this wedding.

The Film Set: A New Challenge

After returning to A City, Shen Nian packed her bags and flew to H City under Mo Huai’s arrangements to join the set of Lou Ze’s film, The Solitary Traveler.

The movie was a crime thriller. A high school student is murdered, and while all evidence points to a local delinquent, the suspect remains silent. Shen Nian was cast as the owner of the arcade where the suspect hung out. It was a small but pivotal role—her character provided the key clue that broke the case.

On her first day, Mo Huai took her to meet Director Lou Ze. He was busy discussing a shot with his AD when they arrived. When he looked at Shen Nian, his brow furrowed instantly.

“Mo Huai… you’re screwing with me,” he grumbled.

Mo Huai was offended. “What do you mean by that?”

“Why didn’t you tell me she was just a green little girl?” Lou Ze snapped, his voice rising. Nearby staff turned to look.

“Green?” Mo Huai shot back. “I don’t see you being that much older. Why are you being so unreasonable?”

“Besides,” Mo Huai continued, “she hasn’t even had her makeup done or been on camera yet. How can you judge her so easily?”

Lou Ze studied Shen Nian. “Are you in college? Have you graduated?”

“I’m a sophomore,” Shen Nian replied calmly.

Lou Ze muttered a curse under his breath.

“Lou Ze,” Mo Huai said, her face darkening. “Are you trying to back out?”

“Mo Huai, I trust your eye, but…” Lou Ze rubbed his temples. “For your sake… Hey, Xiao Zhang!” He waved over a staffer. “Take her to the makeup artist. Get her into character.”

Xiao Zhang hurried over. One look at Shen Nian made him turn bright red and look at the ground. “Miss, please… follow me.”

Shen Nian nodded. “Thank you.” She gave Mo Huai a look that said stay calm and followed the boy.

“Mo Huai, I’m telling you now,” Lou Ze said, dusting off his pants. “If this doesn’t work, I’ll reimburse your plane tickets, okay?”

Mo Huai huffed and smacked the back of his head. “Stop looking down on people!”

Though she acted fierce, Mo Huai felt a pit in her stomach. Lou Ze’s film was the best resource she could find, but looking at Shen Nian’s refined, elegant appearance, she realized there was a massive gap between her and a “rough-around-the-edges arcade owner.” She began to worry she had made a huge mistake.