The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 59

“Shen Nian, look at the camera~”

The perspective was shaky, clearly filmed by an amateur. But the moment the lens panned from the sea to the young girl ahead, Shen Nian’s striking features instantly lit up the screen. Blue sky, white clouds, and a heroine with eyes full of anticipation—it was a masterpiece of a candid moment.

Xi You’s hand appeared in the frame. “Don’t walk so fast, wait for me.”

Shen Nian stopped and approached with a smile, extending her hand. “Want to hold hands?”

“Hahaha—” Xi You giggled and playfully slapped her palm. Shen Nian didn’t get angry; instead, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks, her eyes overflowing with indulgence.

“Shen Nian,” Xi You asked in the video. “Will we always be like this? Will you always like me?”

Sixteen-year-old Shen Nian nodded firmly. “I will.”

“What about you?” Shen Nian asked, stepping closer. “Xi You, will you like me too?”

“Of course!” Xi You’s voice was scattered by the sea breeze. “You love me, so of course I’ll like you.” She burst into the frame, flashing a peace sign next to Shen Nian.

The video ended. In a luxury apartment, the current Xi You darkened her phone screen. She looked exhausted, a world apart from the bright girl in the video.

Her manager, Fan Xiuran, walked in. “Is the video ready?”

“Heh,” Xi You sneered. She was suffocating in the heat of the room. “I’m sending it to you now.”

Fan Xiuran grabbed her phone and played the video. His eyes lit up at the “ironclad evidence.” He immediately forwarded the file to a major paparazzi.

“The news that Shen Nian is only an adopted child has already been spread across all platforms,” Fan said coldly. “We need to strike while the iron is hot and solidify the relationship between you two. The higher-ups want you deeply ‘bundled’ with her.”

Xi You bit her lip. “What if she doesn’t cooperate?”

“If she doesn’t, we have a plan for that too,” Fan sneered. “A story of ‘abandonment after intimacy.’ Public opinion will tear her to pieces.”

He informed Xi You that he had secured her a spot on the hit reality show As You Please and an audition with the famous director Hu Shuo. “You’re an Omega; you should know how to seduce an Alpha.”

As Fan left, Xi You sat alone. “I’m sorry, Shen Nian,” she whispered. “But this is Hu Shuo… you wouldn’t pass up an opportunity like this either.”

The Truth About the Adoption

Meanwhile, back at the apartment, the news was breaking: the world now knew Shen Nian was not a blood relative of the Shen family. Shen Zui was prepared to go back to the main house to demand an explanation, but Shen Nian stopped her.

“Everyone knows I’m not a Shen bloodline now. What’s the use of waking Grandma up to talk about it?” Shen Nian’s voice was low. She wasn’t sad—she simply wasn’t surprised by the family’s lack of a bottom line.

Shen Zui walked to the bed and held her hand. “Don’t be sad… No matter if you’re adopted or not, you are a member of the Shen family.”

“I’m not sad,” Shen Nian replied, holding her hand back. “I’m just tired.”

Shen Nian had underestimated them. She thought the Shen family wouldn’t admit she was adopted to save face. She was wrong. To prove the “romance” with Xi You, they were willing to expose her status as an orphan. In her past life, this was where the trap began—a fake video, accusations of assault against an Omega, and eventually, her death.

The Reality Show Invitation

The next morning, Mo Huai called. “As You Please has officially invited you and Xi You as guest stars for one episode. They want you two on screen together immediately.”

Mo Huai wanted to reject it, but Shen Nian surprised her.

“Accept it. I’m going.”

“Are you sure? This is clearly a pit they dug for you!” Mo Huai exclaimed.

“Clarifications are useless now,” Shen Nian said, looking out the window at the cityscape. “Since that’s the case, I’ll go and settle things with Xi You face-to-face. Don’t worry, I won’t gamble my future on those pieces of trash. I know what I’m doing.”

Shen Zui’s “Visit” to the Banquet

While Shen Nian packed for the trip, Shen Zui went to the Jinxi Hotel, where Xi You was having a celebratory dinner with Director Hu Shuo.

One by one, the people at the table—including Hu Shuo—received urgent calls and left, leaving Xi You alone. Panic set in. She opened the door to leave and ran straight into Shen Zui.

“Sister Shen Zui… what a coincidence…” Xi You stammered.

“It’s not a coincidence,” Shen Zui said, her gaze freezing. “Get inside.”

Inside the private room, Shen Zui sat down, looking at the trembling Xi You. “Does Mother really think she can use you to control Shen Nian?”

“I don’t know…” Xi You cried.

Shen Zui leaned in and pinched Xi You’s chin hard. “You’re her aunt. She’s a child. Can’t you be a bit more mature?” She pushed Xi You to the floor.

Shen Zui looked down at her with undisguised contempt. For days, she had acted like she didn’t care about the rumors. But in this moment, her eyes burned with a dark, terrifying jealousy.

“Remember your place,” Shen Zui hissed. “What kind of thing are you to be compared to a lady of the Shen family?”

She wiped her fingers with a fresh towel, as if touching Xi You had dirtied them. “This variety show is your last chance. Think carefully.”

The Bread and the Noodles

When Shen Zui returned home, Shen Nian was finishing her packing.

“You’re back? Didn’t you say you were eating out?” Shen Nian asked, noticing Shen Zui picking up a piece of plain bread.

“I forgot,” Shen Zui replied.

“It’s late. You’re just going to eat that?” Shen Nian sighed. “I’ll call the medical team to send up a proper dinner.”

“Niannian,” Shen Zui pulled her wrist, her voice soft and full of a strange longing. “Don’t bother them. Just… make a bowl of noodles for me?”

Shen Nian looked at her, then pulled her hand away. “We’re out of ingredients.”

She called the doctor instead. “They’ll be here in fifteen minutes. Eat something hot.” Then, she turned and went into her room.

Shen Zui stood alone in the kitchen, taking a bite of the dry bread. It tasted like ash.