The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 64

Shen Nian unlocked her phone, her mind a complete blank.

The screen was still on her profile page. The pinned update at the top—“She said we’re going to get married!”—consisted of the very words she had typed out, character by character, in the early hours of the morning. Everything looked the same as she had left it, yet something felt fundamentally different.

As her eyes scanned the screen, she suddenly froze.

The post, which she had clearly set to [Visible only to myself], now showed actual numbers next to the share, comment, and like icons. And they weren’t small numbers, either.

If it’s private, why are there likes and comments?

Shen Nian was incapable of rational thought. Her mind felt even more sluggish now than it had during the height of her intoxication the night before. She tapped the post to see the details, and immediately, the comments from netizens struck her eyes like a bombardment.

【Ahhh, is it for real this time?! Beautiful sister, I wish you 99 years of happiness!】

【I’ve finished my investigation—this hand definitely doesn’t belong to Xi You! Xi You’s hands aren’t this pretty!】

【Just looking at the hand, you can tell the other person is a great beauty too. Best wishes!】

【Everyone, stop believing random rumors. Follow what the lead says herself! By the way, who is the other person? A civilian? Is that why her identity isn’t being disclosed?】

【…】

As Shen Nian scrolled down, she couldn’t suppress the upward curl of her lips. Of course, not all comments were kind; some accused her of trending too often or using her love life as a marketing stunt. But Shen Nian was in a fantastic mood; she simply ignored the vitriol as if it didn’t exist.

She couldn’t think of anything else. She clutched her phone, refusing to move from her spot. Thus, twenty minutes later, when Shen Zui finished freshening up and stepped out of the bathroom, she found the girl sitting on the edge of the bed with a goofy grin on her face.

“Hehe… hehe…”

The look on her face made it clear she had completely forgotten Shen Zui’s earlier request to prepare a meal.

The Jewel of the Shen Family was hungry. And when the Jewel of the Shen Family was both hungry and neglected, she tended to get angry.

But before she could put on a stern face, Shen Nian noticed her. Dropping her phone, Shen Nian lunged toward her like a jubilant golden retriever, a gust of wind in her wake.

“Shen Zui!”

Caught off guard, Shen Zui staggered back two steps before regaining her footing. By the time she recovered, she was already firmly enveloped in Shen Nian’s arms. The lingering fragrance of the younger woman’s body swirled around her nose as they pressed together, leaving no gap or barrier between them.

“Shen Zui! Shen Zui! Shen Zui!…”

Shen Nian was simply too ecstatic. Her body trembled, and knowing no other way to properly vent her emotions, she could only chant her lover’s name over and over to convey her joy.

Even if Shen Zui’s heart had been encased in ice, it would have melted under such warmth.

“…Stupid.” She wrapped her arms around Shen Nian, resting her face against the girl’s chest. “What is there to be so happy about?” she murmured.

And yet, clearly infected by the mood, her own lips were curved upward, and her shimmering eyes were filled with a gentle, melting warmth.

Shen Nian’s heart hammered against her ribs. On one hand, she wanted to meld the woman in her arms into her very body; on the other, she feared her lack of restraint might hurt her.

She took a deep breath to confirm: “That post… you were the one who made it public?”

The question was redundant, but Shen Nian needed the dialogue to steady her racing heart. Otherwise, she didn’t dare imagine what “beastly” thing she might do to Shen Zui next.

“There was a certain coward…” Shen Zui poked her with a finger. She looked up and countered, “You wrote the words. Why didn’t you just publish them?”

Shen Nian licked her lips, grasping the woman’s wrist. She couldn’t find the words to explain. “I…”

Seeing her hesitation, Shen Zui gave a soft scoff. She answered for her: “You just didn’t believe the things I said last night.”

“No! That’s not it!” Shen Nian clarified urgently. She guided Shen Zui’s hand to her own chest, letting her feel the thundering heartbeat. “I believed you. I just… I wasn’t sure…”

Shen Zui: “Not sure of what?”

Shen Nian’s cheeks flushed red. Biting her lip, she whispered, “I wasn’t sure… to what extent you were willing to go public. I wrote that message just to record it for myself…”

Shen Zui curled her lips, her eyes half-lidded. She reached out to stroke Shen Nian’s cheek, her thumb grazing the girl’s chin playfully, as if she were teasing a puppy.

“Then…” she asked, “Do you know now?”

Shen Nian nodded emphatically.

Shen Zui traced the girl’s lips. “Then in the future—”

Before she could finish, an impatient Shen Nian leaned down and captured her lips.

“Mmph!” Whatever Shen Zui was about to say was completely stuffed back into her throat.

Shen Nian kissed her with such abandon that when the phone began to ring, she didn’t even notice at first. Even if she had heard it, she would have chosen to ignore it. But Shen Zui, who had already been “tossed around” all night, was not about to let her go any further.

She fumbled around until she found the sensitive, soft flesh at Shen Nian’s waist and gave it a purposeful pinch.

“Ow!” Shen Nian paused, backing away slightly to look at her with wounded puppy eyes.

Shen Zui turned her face away; she wasn’t sure she could remain firm if she continued to meet that gaze. “The phone.”

Shen Nian: “Ignore it!” She leaned in again, seeking another kiss. “Let me kiss you a bit longer. Shen Zui, why are your lips so sweet? I remember last night…”

Shen Zui pushed her away with absolute determination. She repeated, “The! Phone!”

Shen Nian pouted. The ringtone persisted, dispelling much of the romantic atmosphere. Reluctantly, she returned to the bedside and checked the screen.

[Mo Huai]

She froze for a split second, a jolt of realization hitting her. “I’ll take this outside,” she told Shen Zui before scurrying out of the bedroom.

In the Living Room.

The moment Shen Nian pressed “Accept,” Mo Huai’s explosive rage erupted through the speaker.

“Shen Nian! Are you trying to start a damn rebellion?! Huh?! Are you revolting and trying to start your own agency?!”

Shen Nian extended her arm, keeping the phone as far from her eardrum as possible. She called out to the microphone from a distance, “Sister Mo, please stay calm.”

“How can I stay calm? Huh?! How am I supposed to be calm?!” Mo Huai was practically tearing her hair out. “Who taught you to announce a relationship without saying a word to me? Do you have any idea how dangerous this is for a newcomer who just started gaining traction?!”

Shen Nian: “…It’s not that bad, is it?” (Technically, she hadn’t intended to post it publicly anyway…)

“Not that bad my ass!” Mo Huai wailed. “I’ve already received word that at least three different parties are buying ‘black’ trending topics to smear you!”

“Hmm?” Shen Nian was genuinely confused. “When did I offend so many people?”

“Heh, think for yourself how many times you’ve trended lately. With that much limelight, it’s hard for people not to target you.”

Shen Nian frowned. The malicious comments she had ignored earlier were exactly what Mo Huai was worried about. Those looking to stir up trouble behind the scenes had already begun to use the post as fuel. They only needed to give it a little nudge to turn public opinion against her. After all, between the Xi You rumors and the variety show live streams, Shen Nian was currently a major target of envy.

“I’ve already got people handling it, but with the company’s current strength…” Mo Huai sighed exhautedly. “Sigh. Anyway, just be aware. If it gets too bad, stay off the internet for a few days. Those paid trolls will say anything to attack you. Just stay home and wait for things to settle.”

Shen Zui happened to overhear this last sentence as she walked out. She headed to the dining room to pour herself a glass of water. Seeing this, Shen Nian hurried over. Not wanting Shen Zui to exert herself even slightly, she wedged the phone between her ear and shoulder while taking over the pitcher.

Glug, glug… The warm, purified water filled the glass.

Only after handing the glass to Shen Zui did Shen Nian nonchalantly reply to Mo Huai, “Got it. I understand.”

Shen Zui tilted her head back to take a sip, watching her thoughtfully.

On the other end of the line, Mo Huai had no idea of the situation. “You… honestly…” She had calmed down enough to want details. “Who is the other person in the photo?”

Shen Nian stole a glance at Shen Zui. “She’s not in the industry. I don’t want to disclose her identity.”

“Fine, understood.” Mo Huai could empathize with that. But she was still annoyed. “Why did you have to announce it now? A romance movie offered an olive branch a few days ago just because you clarified things with Xi You. Now… well, I doubt we can keep that opportunity.”

Shen Nian was puzzled. “What movie project? What does that have to do with me going public?”

Mo Huai threw up her hands. “Their team liked your buzz. They wanted you to cooperate during the promotion by ‘shipping’ a CP (couple) with the other lead.”

“Pfft.” Shen Nian scoffed. “Isn’t that perfect, then?”

Mo Huai: “Huh?”

“I can’t accept that kind of marketing. It’s better if they withdraw on their own; it saves you the trouble of turning them down later.”

“You make it sound so easy!” Mo Huai, who had been slumping in her office chair, sat bolt upright. She spoke through gritted teeth. “Do you have any idea what a lead role in a major film means for you right now?”

Shen Nian was no fool; she knew exactly what it meant. “It’s a matter of principle.” Her fingers tapped lightly on the marble countertop, refusing to budge on her stance. “In the future, if there are any more underhanded offers like that, just reject them directly.”

“Hmph!” Mo Huai snorted in anger. “If everyone acted as willfully as you, the company would be out on the streets.”

Shen Nian chuckled. The radiant, enchanting look on her face caught Shen Zui’s eye. Sensing the gaze, Shen Nian turned to look at her. Their eyes met, and the smile on Shen Nian’s lips grew even wider, her eyes curving with a captivating spirit.

Shen Zui looked away, taking another sip of water as a cover-up.

“It won’t happen.” Shen Nian didn’t forget Mo Huai on the other end, lowering her voice. “Sister Mo, I believe in your ability. The company will only get better.”

Mo Huai grumbled, “Stop flattering me,” but internally, she was very pleased. She gave Shen Nian a few more instructions before hanging up and reopening her browser, ready to continue fighting on the front lines for her artist.

“Sister Mo!” An assistant hurriedly knocked and entered.

Mo Huai looked over. “What is it?”

“A call.” The assistant stepped forward and handed over the work phone. “It’s for you.”

Mo Huai was in a foul mood. She took it and gave a sharp “Hello?”

“Sister Mo! You’re truly incredible!” a fawning male voice erupted from the other end. “I knew you’d still be able to build a great empire after leaving Starlight! It really had to be you!”

Mo Huai had little patience. “What exactly are you trying to say?” He surely hadn’t called just to kiss her ass.

“Oh, I just wanted to apologize for earlier! I must have been possessed!” The man gave a couple of sheepish laughs. “Please don’t hold it against me. Tell you what—I guarantee all those negative comments will be scrubbed clean. Plus, I’ll throw in a wave of organic-looking promotion for your Shen Nian for free. How about that?”

“…” Mo Huai was utterly lost. “What?” She composed herself. “Didn’t you say earlier that business is first-come, first-served? Why are you willing to pull out now?”

The man on the phone was a famous “troll army” leader in the industry, controlling countless marketing accounts and paid commenters. When Mo Huai discovered someone was buying negative trends against Shen Nian, she had contacted him immediately, but he had acted aloof and played dumb.

Now, he was calling to apologize and promising to stop the smear campaign. Had the sun risen in the west?

“W-Wait, didn’t you find a way?” Hearing her question, the man was also stunned. “I just got word… we are strictly forbidden from taking any business that harms Shen Nian…”

“Huh?” Mo Huai was even more shocked than him. She recovered and asked immediately, “Who? Which company made the move?”

“That… I don’t know…” The man swallowed hard. He lowered his voice. “Sister Mo, I’ll give you the inside scoop. The call came from our Big Boss himself. He chewed me out until I was practically skinless.”

Otherwise, there was no way he would be this humble.

Mo Huai: “…”

Though she felt uncertain inside, she was an expert at the “pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger” strategy in business. “Ah, I… I see!” she said, her face not reddening a bit. “Tsk, it slipped my mind for a moment. That girl Shen Nian… she went and used her ‘backing’ without even telling me.”

The man quickly laughed along. “Hehe, exactly! If you need anything in the future, just give me a shout. No need to bother our Boss over there!”

Mo Huai: “Heh.”

She steadied her nerves and decided to go for broke, starting to haggle with the man. After five minutes of a meeting where she made outrageous demands and he agreed to all of them, she hung up feeling as light as air.

Ring, ring— Another call came in.

“Sister Mo! Why did it take so long to pick up? I’m so sorry about earlier, let me make it up to you… about Shen Nian’s matter…”

Shen Nian had finished serving Shen Zui her meal and was currently rubbing the woman’s stomach to help her digest when she received a text from Mo Huai.

Mo Huai: 【…Are you hiding something from me?】

She stole a glance at Shen Zui, who was looking at her phone, and quickly replied. Shen Nian: 【No.】

Mo Huai: 【…Really?】

Shen Nian frowned: 【What are you referring to?】

Mo Huai gritted her teeth and asked directly: 【What kind of ‘backing’ do you actually have?】

It had only been an hour since their last call, yet the public opinion storm that Mo Huai thought was uncontrollable had vanished into thin air. She had ordered extra espresso for the entire staff for this emergency, but now, she didn’t even want to look at the bitter drink. She was even thinking of letting the employees off early.

Shen Nian frowned at the text. She looked at Shen Zui. “…Did you contact Mo Huai?”

Shen Zui: “Hmm? Who?”

Shen Nian: “My manager.”

Shen Zui shook her head. “I don’t know her.” Qin Li had sent an update on a certain investment project; after reading it, Shen Zui replied with a voice message: “Understood. Proceed as planned.”

Shen Nian retracted her gaze. Her attention returned to the chat with Mo Huai. She typed again: 【None.】

Mo Huai’s eyes widened at the reply, and she began typing a long paragraph. Before she could send it, her phone rang. Mo Huai picked it up distractedly. “Hello, speak.”

“…” The other side was silent for a moment. “Hello. This is Hu Ze.”

Mo Huai: “If you have something to say, say it.”

Hu Ze: “Um… you’re Shen Nian’s manager, right? I have a movie…”

“Wait.” Mo Huai looked at the phone; the caller ID was an unknown number. She frowned. “Uh, who did you say you were?”

Hu Ze, being good-natured, introduced himself again. Mo Huai froze for a full three seconds.

“Hu Ze? Director Hu Ze?”

Hu Ze: “…I’m flying to City A in two days. Where is your agency? Perhaps we can talk in person?”

After hanging up, Mo Huai slumped in her chair, her body feeling weak. She stared blankly at the message she had been about to send Shen Nian, then suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself.

“Ouch.” After doing that, she rubbed her cheek and deleted the message character by character. She didn’t need to know the answer anymore.

Mo Huai: 【You’re the boss. (Legendary.)】