The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 58

“We can give it a try…” Mo Huai suddenly remembered something. “But aren’t you adopted by the family?”

“So what?” Shen Nian interrupted her. “Are relatives in name any less relatives?”

A-Qi stood frozen, realizing she had accidentally overheard a major secret regarding Shen Nian. She covered her mouth in shock. Mo Huai sat in her chair, paralyzed in thought for a long time.

“Is there a problem?” Shen Nian asked.

“You really enjoy giving me difficult puzzles to solve…” Mo Huai turned around, rubbing the bridge of her nose tiredly. “Do we really have to do this? It’s a lot of effort for very little reward.”

Initially, they could have sat back and enjoyed the traffic from Xi You’s relationship hype. Now, not only were they missing out on that “bonus,” but they also had to pay marketing accounts and water armies (paid commenters) to spread the new message.

“No room for negotiation?” Mo Huai confirmed one last time.

Shen Nian shook her head firmly. “None.” She had made up her mind. “Whether you find people or not, I will be posting a new clarification on my account shortly.”

“…I understand,” Mo Huai sighed. “I’ll arrange it. I’ll notify you when it’s time to post.”

“One requirement,” Shen Nian added as she adjusted her scarf to leave. “Make it fast.”

The “Grand Niece” Reveal

An hour later, a marketing account with 500,000 followers posted a thread with a sensational title: “A Massive Blunder: The CP You’re Shipping Is Actually Just Family!!!”

Xiao C, a recent graduate and die-hard fan of Shen Nian, had been “starving” for new content since Zhuang Zhou Ce ended. When the dating rumors first broke, she was thrilled. She thought Xi You—a rising star with beauty and talent—was the perfect “Sister-in-law.”

But then she clicked on the new marketing post. Her jaw dropped.

Shen Nian and Xi You weren’t a couple; they were distant relatives—specifically, an aunt and a niece. Suddenly, everything that looked “romantic” became “familial.” The umbrella sharing? Family care. The hugs? A junior congratulating a senior.

“My CP is dead again!” Xiao C wailed at her desk, startling her coworkers.

Back at the apartment, Shen Nian forwarded the post and tagged Xi You, intentionally adding the caption: “My dear Aunt.”

Ten minutes later, Xi You called, her voice trembling with rage. “Shen Nian! What are you trying to do?”

“I should be asking you that,” Shen Nian replied, sitting on her sofa as the evening sun crawled across her feet. “Why did you choose me for your hype?”

“Because…” Xi You stammered. “Hype is common in the industry. Warm Light is out, and I’m a newcomer. A bit of heat is good for both of us.”

“Is it?” Shen Nian sneered. “Why not hype it with your leading man? Or even a female supporting lead? That would be more effective than dragging an outsider like me into it.”

“I don’t just pick anyone!” Xi You blurted out. “Compared to them, I’d obviously choose you.”

“Enough,” Shen Nian said, her eyes cold. “I am telling you clearly: I will not cooperate. If you still don’t understand… Xi You, I don’t want anything to do with you ever again!”

“You’re so heartless!” Xi You cried. “After everything we were to each other?”

“Stop acting, Xi You,” Shen Nian whispered. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re really up to.”

She hung up and blocked her.

The Unexpected “Blind Date”

Near dusk, Shen Zui called. “Are you at the apartment? Get ready. I’m sending someone to pick you up for a banquet.”

“A banquet? Is it a last-minute thing?” Shen Nian asked.

“Yes. No time to send you to a stylist, so just… dress up nicely.”

Shen Nian was confused by her tone but complied. She pulled her hair up, put on some jewelry, and applied a darker shade of lipstick. When she met Shen Zui at the hotel, the elder woman frowned.

“I told you to dress up. What’s the difference between this and your daily look?” Shen Zui complained. “You didn’t even put on fake lashes.”

“I applied mascara twice,” Shen Nian teased, leaning in so close her lashes brushed Shen Zui’s cheek. “Are the natural ones not good enough for you?”

Shen Zui pushed her away by the shoulder, though she lingered a moment to adjust Shen Nian’s collar. “We’re in public,” she whispered.

“What kind of banquet is this?” Shen Nian asked as they entered the elevator.

“Have you heard of Lin Lu?” Shen Zui asked. Lin Lu was a major domestic enterprise. “Their daughter, Lin Xinwen, is back in town to visit her grandparents. She’s about your age; you should get to know her.”

Shen Nian froze. She didn’t snap out of it until the elevator doors nearly closed on her. She realized what this was: a setup.

Inside the private gathering, Shen Zui introduced them. “Niannian, this is Miss Lin Xinwen. She’s a top student studying management at Capital University.” Then, she turned to Lin. “Miss Lin… this is my niece, Shen Nian.”

Lin Xinwen, an Omega, was a fan of Shen Nian’s work. She was cute, with a youthful face and round eyes. As they talked, Shen Zui encouraged them. “You’re the same age. Shen Nian is a bit introverted; Miss Lin, why don’t you show her around and introduce her to some friends?”

“I’d love to!” Lin Xinwen chirped.

Shen Nian looked at Shen Zui, her eyes dark and unreadable. After a moment, she smiled nonchalantly. “Sure, why not?”

The Cold Ride Home

Throughout the party, people whispered about the “scandal” with Xi You. Lin Xinwen stepped in to “clear the air,” telling everyone that they were just relatives.

“Is your standard for a partner very high?” someone asked Shen Nian.

Shen Nian glanced at the buffet table where Shen Zui stood. Shen Zui was wearing a form-fitting dress that accentuated her curves—the same body that, just days ago, had been trembling under Shen Nian’s touch. And now, Shen Zui was acting as a matchmaker for her.

“I haven’t thought about it,” Shen Nian replied.

On the car ride back, the two sat on opposite sides of the backseat, a gap wide enough for two people between them.

“What did you talk about with Miss Lin?” Shen Zui asked.

“School, hobbies, acting…” Shen Nian paused. “Oh, and my rumors with Xi You.”

Shen Zui let out a disdainful huff. “I told you, she’s not good enough for you. I’ll arrange for you to meet more people. Don’t be resistant; just treat it as making friends. Lin Xinwen is a good girl—pedigree, ability, character. You should spend time with excellent people.”

“Oh?” Shen Nian’s eyes flickered. She turned to Shen Zui. “Speaking of which, aren’t you the most ‘excellent’ single Omega in the circle? Why don’t you date me?”

The car’s temperature seemed to drop. Shen Zui turned her head away. “You’re drunk.”

“I’m not,” Shen Nian countered. “I just have high standards. If it’s not the best, I don’t want it.”

They returned to the villa in silence. Shen Nian kicked off her heels and went to shower, wanting to wash off the evening’s facade. When she came out, she found Shen Zui still in the living room, her face pale with anger.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Nian asked.

Just then, the phone in Shen Nian’s bag began to ring loudly.

“Answer it,” Shen Zui said, her voice terrifyingly cold. “They’ve called several times now.”