The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 66

Counting the days, Sunday finally arrived. Shen Nian woke up early. She rationally filled her stomach, fearing she would need the energy for the “hard battle” ahead at the Shen estate.

She had agreed to meet Shen Zui at 10:00 AM, but she actually arrived in the vicinity by 8:30. After killing an hour and a half in her car, she finally drove slowly into the deep, somber manor.

It had been a while since her last visit. A patch of red paint had peeled off the bottom left corner of the main gate, revealing dense wooden splinters beneath. Shen Nian got out of the car and stood before the front hall, not rushing to go in.

Yu Bingnan was standing guard. Her face was unnaturally pale and she looked listless, a far cry from the woman who had barked at Shen Nian over the phone. Upon seeing Shen Nian, she straightened her back. Two seconds later, as if remembering her place, she spoke with visible reluctance: “Nian-jie’er.”

Shen Nian curled her lips. “I’m here to pick up Shen Zui.”

She didn’t bother hiding her disdain. The Old Matriarch’s sudden “severe illness” was no coincidence—it happened right as her relationship with Shen Zui went public, and it conveniently required Shen Zui’s constant bedside presence. Some things were placed on the table; they weren’t said out loud, but everyone knew.

Yu Bingnan’s face darkened further. She coughed twice with a stiff expression. “Miss is inside with the Old Matriarch.”

“Mm.” Shen Nian went to the trunk and took out the gifts she had prepared. As a junior, no matter how much she loathed people like Shen Bi, she had to maintain proper etiquette on the surface.

Yu Bingnan had been warned by Shen Zui earlier, so she didn’t dare block her. However, she followed Shen Nian step-for-step, squinting her eyes as if guarding against a thief.

As their footsteps echoed, Shen Zui heard the commotion from inside the room. “Shen Nian?”

Shen Nian: “Yes.”

“Come in.”

Shen Nian paused, adjusted the gift bags in her hand, and walked forward with a composed expression. She stopped at the doorway and looked in. She saw Shen Bi reclining in bed and Shen Zui sitting on a wooden chair.

Shen Zui still looked perfectly poised. Conventionally, caring for the sick should take a toll, but even a lover as biased as Shen Nian couldn’t find a trace of exhaustion on her. On the contrary, the Jewel of the Shen Family looked radiant with bright eyes; she had clearly been well-pampered. Indeed, the head of the family loved her like the apple of her eye; even if she used an illness to force her back, she couldn’t bear to actually let her suffer.

In contrast, Shen Bi was thinner than Shen Nian remembered. Her hair was cut short, and beneath the grey strands, a pair of cloudy, cold eyes peered out from a web of wrinkles.

“Why are you standing at the door?” Shen Bi glanced at her, asking indifferently.

Shen Nian twitched her lips. She was truly unwilling to enter the room, and her movements were naturally hesitant. But Yu Bingnan was right behind her. Hearing the Matriarch speak and seeing Shen Nian stay still, the assistant’s brows furrowed.

“Nian-jie’er!” She shoved Shen Nian hard. “The Matriarch is calling you.”

Shen Nian was caught off guard and stumbled forward several steps before managing to steady herself. The gifts slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor with a loud clatter.

“Sss…”

Shen Zui’s brows knitted into a tight knot as she glared displeasurably at Yu Bingnan. Only then did the assistant feel fear. “I… I didn’t use much force. I just gave her a light nudge…”

Shen Zui rushed to Shen Nian, only to find the girl looking terrible. “Niannian?” She was stunned and quickly supported her. “What’s wrong?”

Shen Nian’s face was ashen. She gritted her teeth, trying to stay calm, but she couldn’t stop her body from trembling. When Shen Zui’s hand reached out, Shen Nian instinctively grabbed it to find some strength, only to realize her own palms were soaked in sweat.

That feeling… the sensation of being pushed…

It was exactly like the moment she was pushed off the high-rise in her previous life.

Thinking of this, Shen Nian instinctively looked at Yu Bingnan’s right hand. She noticed a uniquely shaped copper ring on her index finger…

“Nian-jie’er…” Yu Bingnan’s body was stiff, and in her fear, she used formal honorifics. “Please stop acting. You’re an Alpha; you were just nudged by me. How could you put on such a performance?” She began to play the victim. “I’m just a servant. I’ll apologize to you, okay? Don’t make things hard for me.”

Shen Nian: “…” She literally couldn’t speak.

“Aunt Bingnan, how long have you been with Mother?” Shen Zui took in Shen Nian’s reaction. Having been with her for so long, Shen Zui knew better than anyone if Shen Nian was faking.

Yu Bingnan faltered. “Thir… thirty years…”

“After all this time, haven’t you learned even a bit of Mother’s humility and grace?” Shen Zui’s voice suddenly rose. She pulled Shen Nian into her arms. “The Shen family cannot house such a fierce person. Tomorrow is Monday; go find the manager to collect your severance pay!”

Yu Bingnan’s expression completely collapsed. She realized the gravity and cried out, “Miss! Miss! You can’t do this!” Seeing Shen Zui unmoved, she immediately knelt by Shen Bi’s bed. “Matriarch! Matriarch, I was wrong! I really was! I don’t want to leave, don’t let Miss fire me! Matriarch, you…”

Amidst the wailing, Shen Nian looked down at Shen Zui. Despite being a petite Omega who wasn’t as tall as her, Shen Zui’s protection was so vivid and powerful, as if she feared nothing. Shen Nian’s internal panic was soothed, and her cold limbs began to warm.

She lowered her head and whispered, “…I’m okay.”

Shen Zui was still shaken, her arm loosely circling Shen Nian’s waist. “Don’t be afraid. Say hello to Mother, and then we’ll leave.”

Shen Nian’s thoughts were no longer in the present. She recalled the events she had seen in that illusory space after her death in her previous life. After she fell to her death, Shen Zui had investigated the killer. The process had been incredibly smooth; based on building surveillance, an unemployed male Alpha was arrested. He claimed to be a fanatic fan of Xi You; at the time, Xi You had framed Shen Nian for assault, and in a fit of rage, he followed Shen Nian and pushed her.

It was a perfect, logical explanation. The case was closed quickly, but Shen Zui hadn’t fully believed it. While she began investigating the true cause of death, she pinned most of the blame on Xi You and began her retaliation. The revenge went smoothly, leaving the leads destitute, but the investigation into the fall eventually fizzled out for no reason.

Back then, Shen Nian hadn’t thought much of it, assuming the male Alpha was the true culprit. Since the “killer” was caught, Shen Zui naturally couldn’t find anything else.

But now…

She looked up, meeting Shen Bi’s gaze across the room. She clearly caught a flash of suppressed, dark intent in the old woman’s eyes.

“Heh.” Shen Nian let out a cold laugh. With Shen Bi’s ruthlessness and methods, it was perfectly normal that she would want to get rid of her.

“Niannian?” Shen Zui whispered.

“Hmm?” Shen Nian looked down. “What did you say?”

Shen Zui took her hand dotingly. “Come with me.”

She led Shen Nian to the bedside. With just a glance from Shen Zui, Yu Bingnan immediately stopped her wailing and moved aside, sobbing.

“Mother,” Shen Zui said softly, “Niannian is here to see you.”

Shen Bi: “…Mm.”

Shen Nian forced a smile. “Grandmother. How is your body? Is the illness serious?”

Shen Bi said indifferently, “I won’t die yet.”

“I brought you gifts.” Shen Nian turned back and picked up the bags from the floor. She didn’t even bother to brush off the dust, simply piling them on the table. “I hope you recover soon.”

Shen Bi looked at her gloomily. “With such filial grandchildren, Grandmother will surely get better…”

Shen Nian looked down at her. Their gazes clashed in mid-air. A moment later, Shen Nian smiled. Shen Bi wanted to kill her, of course. But so what?

She looked at Shen Zui. “It’s getting late. Should we head back?”

At this point in time, Shen Zui still needed her pheromones to survive. Even if Shen Bi’s teeth ached with hatred, she wouldn’t act yet. After all, in her previous life, it wasn’t until eight or nine years later—when the foreign research institute funded by the Shen family produced a special medicine—that Shen Nian was “retired” from her role as a blood bag and met her “accident.”

She still had time. Give her a bit more time; ten years from now, she would not be the same person at Shen Bi’s mercy!

“Mother, we’ll be going then,” Shen Zui said. “Rest well. I’ll visit you later.”

“A-Zui…” Shen Bi suddenly reached out to her.

Shen Zui leaned in. “What is it?”

“My heart is suddenly pounding. Is it… is the Buddha coming to take me away?” Shen Bi’s face was full of panic.

Shen Zui frowned. “No.”

Shen Bi gripped her tightly. “As soon as you leave, my heart feels uneasy. Why don’t you stay one more day?”

Shen Zui: “…” She sighed. “Mother, we agreed on this before.”

Yu Bingnan whispered, “Miss, no one can predict illness. How can there be an agreement when it comes to symptoms?”

As if to support her words, Shen Bi clutched her chest, her breathing becoming increasingly labored. Shen Nian couldn’t take it anymore. She stepped forward and kicked Yu Bingnan hard in the shoulder.

“Ah!” The assistant stopped acting, her eyes wide. “What are you doing?!”

“Grandmother is in such pain, and you’re such an idiot that you don’t call a doctor immediately?” Shen Nian questioned sharply. “Where are the people? Is Shen Zui a doctor or a nurse? Why is there not a single professional here?!”

“…” Yu Bingnan looked sheepish. “I… I…”

“Grandmother, don’t be afraid.” Shen Nian turned and pulled out her phone. “I’ll call emergency services right now. Hang in there, I’m getting you an ambulance.”

Shen Bi’s face went dark. “…No need.”

“How can there be no need!” Shen Nian didn’t give her a chance to refuse. “This is a critical situation. Even if there’s equipment at home, can it compare to a top-tier hospital?”

As she spoke, the call connected. Shen Nian quickly gave the address. “Yes, an elderly female Beta, over 70, experiencing palpitations and shortness of breath. Please hurry…”

Before she could finish, Yu Bingnan lunged forward, pressing down on her hand. “No! It’s a mistake, all a mistake! Nian-jie’er! Don’t waste medical resources! There are doctors in the house!”

Shen Nian pushed her away. “Then where is the doctor?”

She knew Shen Bi was faking and hadn’t actually dialed an emergency number; she had merely cut off a call to a telemarketing agency. Yu Bingnan couldn’t see the screen. Her teeth chattered. “To… today is the weekend. The doctor is on leave…”

Shen Nian cut her off. “Are you joking with me? Grandmother’s condition is this serious, and you gave the medical team the day off?!” She looked at Shen Bi on the bed, enunciating every word: “Are you all making a joke out of Grandmother’s life?”

Shen Bi paused. She gritted her teeth secretly, only to see the “indignant” Shen Nian curl her lips at her—that smile was full of irony.

Shen Nian realized Shen Bi’s predicament. If she hadn’t reached a dead end, a powerful woman like Shen Bi wouldn’t have resorted to faking an illness to show weakness. In this life, Shen Zui’s health had improved greatly, and she had moved out of the small building early. Openly, Shen Zui fully favored Shen Nian, and Shen Bi’s few underhanded moves hadn’t truly hurt her. In the shadows, she was too timid to act directly. This was her last resort.

It meant Shen Bi was at the end of her rope. She was no longer a threat!

After much fuss, the medical team was called back. They examined Shen Bi, and the result was: the Old Matriarch’s health was as sturdy as ever.

“But… if…” the doctor looked at Shen Bi, then at Shen Zui, “If Miss can stay and care for her, the Matriarch might feel better and be able to get out of bed sooner.”

Shen Zui seemed to be in deep thought. Shen Bi also called out from the bed, “A-Zui…”

Shen Nian stood near the door with a dark expression. She stared at the green trees and birds outside the window. Sensing Shen Zui’s gaze, she turned to look. A moment later, Shen Zui looked away and walked toward Shen Bi.

Shen Nian ground her molars. She tried to console herself, thinking that losing wasn’t shameful; after all, that was the mother who had loved Shen Zui for thirty years. And she was just the lover who had been acknowledged recently. But they had agreed to go back on Sunday…

Shen Nian blinked, staring at the pale scene outside. Suddenly, she felt someone approach. She looked up to meet Shen Zui’s gentle gaze.

“Let’s go.” In front of everyone in the room, Shen Zui took her hand.

Shen Nian was still dazed. “…Where?”

“…” Shen Zui sighed, her smile still doting. “Where else?” She said, “Home.”

Home…

Shen Nian finally reacted, a massive surge of joy rising within her. She looked back at the bed; Shen Bi had her head lowered, listening to the doctor, not even daring to look over.

The two left the room, passed the front hall, and walked into the sun-drenched courtyard. Spring arrived early in the south. Though the temperature wasn’t high, bits of green could be seen in the warm spots under the trees. Stubborn grass was poking through.

Shen Nian stretched. Before getting into the car, she sighed, “Spring harmony and bright scenery (Chun He Jing Ming)~”

Shen Zui gave her a playful, scolding glare. “Don’t use idioms if you don’t know how to use them.”

“I’m not using it wrong,” Shen Nian said righteously. “To me, it is spring harmony and bright scenery.” She leaned in, circling Shen Zui’s waist. “Don’t you think?”

Shen Zui pushed at her arms. Shen Nian: “Don’t move.” She leaned her head on Shen Zui’s shoulder. “I missed you so much. Let me hug you first.”

Shen Zui was still shy, given they were at the Shen estate—a place filled with her history. “Hug me when we get home.”

Shen Nian’s eyes lit up. “You said it!” She let go, opened the car door, and sat inside, poking her head out to urge: “Come on!”

Shen Zui met her predatory gaze, and two clouds of red appeared on her cheeks. Beneath her skirt, her straight legs rubbed together secretly. Recovering, she walked around to the passenger side and got in.

Spring was harmonious and the scenery was bright; they were going home together.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Shen Nian fully realized the power of this saying. She brushed the sweat-dampened hair from Shen Zui’s forehead, coaxing softly, “One more time?”

“Mmph!” Shen Zui let out a soft whimper. “An hour ago, you said… it was the l-last time…”

“Be good. Last time, for real.” Shen Nian hugged her from behind, kissing her cheek. “It’s been so long; I need to give you a proper temporary marking…”

Shen Zui tried to struggle, crawling forward on the bed. Suddenly, Shen Nian’s hand covered her delicate neck. “…” Shen Zui was firmly locked in place. The next moment, Shen Nian’s tongue grazed her skin, moving toward the gland on the side of her neck. She forced the woman to look up, then bit down—

Another mark was added to the tender, bite-covered gland.

“Mmph!” Shen Zui’s face was flushed. She arched her neck back, her chin tracing a breathtaking curve.

Finally satisfied, Shen Nian carried her to the bathroom to clean up. In the warm water, Shen Nian scooped up a handful, watching the droplets fall. Shen Zui shivered and turned to hold her hand.

“What?” Shen Nian teased. “Want to continue?”

Shen Zui glared at her. However, the Jewel of the Shen Family looked lazy and limp in her arms; the gaze had no lethality.

Shen Nian kissed her temple, then heard her ask, “This morning… what was that about?”

“Hmm? What specifically?”

Shen Zui knit her brows slightly. She looked up, speaking of the thing that had bothered her all day: “When Yu Bingnan pushed you, why did you have that expression?”

Shen Nian froze. She leaned down, her lips brushing Shen Zui’s neck. “Nothing…”

Shen Zui became serious. “Shen Nian?”

“…” Shen Nian looked at her gloomily. “Do you really want to know?”

Shen Zui pinched the soft flesh of her cheek. Shen Nian lowered her gaze. “I’m afraid you’ll laugh at me.”

“I won’t.” Shen Zui’s voice softened. “Tell me.”

Shen Nian carried her out of the water and threw on a bathrobe. She told Shen Zui, “I had a dream…”

Shen Zui, held in a princess carry with her arms around Shen Nian’s neck, asked, “During the days I was gone?”

“…” Shen Nian didn’t answer directly. “I dreamed that after I became successful, I was framed. With nowhere to go, I went to the rooftop to catch some air, but…”

Shen Zui: “Hmm?”

Shen Nian leaned down and placed her on the bed. “Someone pushed me from behind.”

Shen Zui’s brows furrowed, her eyes clearing significantly. She knew Shen Nian wouldn’t tell her about a dream for no reason. “Yu Bingnan?”

“Mm.” Shen Nian nodded. “It was her who harmed me… I mean, in the dream.”

Shen Zui fell into deep thought. Shen Nian was surprised—she didn’t want to reveal the truth of her rebirth, as it was too bizarre. She expected Shen Zui to tell her not to worry about a dream, but she hadn’t expected this reaction.

“What are you thinking?” Shen Nian asked tentatively. “Do you also think… Yu Bingnan would harm me?”

Shen Zui looked up and pulled Shen Nian onto the bed with her. Shen Nian leaned down, resting quietly in her arms.

“It scared you, didn’t it?” Shen Zui soothed.

“…You think it’s just ‘thinking during the day leading to dreaming at night’?”

Shen Zui stroked her hair. She didn’t nod, but her expression said it all. “Mother… isn’t as unscrupulous as you think.” She sighed. “She lost her partner when she was young, and now that she’s old, her thinking is stubborn. You don’t need to be afraid.”

Shen Nian paused. “Actually, there’s one thing I’ve never understood.”

“Hmm?”

“You say…” Shen Nian sat up and looked at Shen Zui. “You have this difficult illness. Logically, besides me, it’s impossible for you to be with anyone else. I’m clearly the best choice for your partner, but Shen… cough.” Realizing her slip, she changed it. “I mean, why is Grandmother so opposed to us being together?”

Shen Zui: “…”

“I really am not a match for you.” Shen Nian felt more and more that Shen Bi was crazy. “But besides me, who else could she possibly arrange for you to marry?”

Shen Nian knew she wasn’t the best option for Shen Zui, but she was the only option. Between seeing Shen Zui suffer and letting Shen Nian end that pain, the old woman who loved her daughter more than life actually opposed them. It was very strange.

Shen Zui rested her head on Shen Nian’s shoulder. “I’m tired.”

Shen Nian narrowed her eyes. “You don’t know? Or are you avoiding the topic?” She held Shen Zui’s shoulders. “I should at least know the crux of the problem? That way I know how to solve it.”

Shen Zui shook her head. She leaned in and kissed the corner of Shen Nian’s mouth. “Leave this to me. Don’t worry.”

Shen Nian clenched her fists.

“With me here…” Shen Zui leaned limply in her arms. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. Not Yu Bingnan, not Mother.” She emphasized the last word, clearly having made a decision.

Shen Nian felt a surge of warmth, but she wasn’t satisfied. She held Shen Zui’s wrist. “I don’t want to be kept in the dark forever…”

Shen Zui looked at her. She was truly sleepy; she yawned, a few physiological tears squeezing out of the corners of her eyes. “I’m not entirely sure… but, it should be related to Mama…”

“Hmm?” Shen Nian froze. “You mean, the grandmother who passed away?”

“Mm.” Shen Zui closed her eyes. “When Mama was critically ill, it seemed a match was found… But she refused.”

After saying these two sentences, she lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep.

Shen Nian’s mouth hung open slightly. It was like hearing the most anticipated story, only for the storyteller to stop halfway. She didn’t know if Shen Zui was truly asleep or avoiding more questions… but either way, she couldn’t bring herself to wake her up.

“Sigh…” Shen Nian let out a sigh.

She said nothing more, pulling the blanket over both of them. As she lay down, only one thought flashed through her mind—nothing she said now mattered. She had to become strong as quickly as possible, strong enough to contend with the Shen family.