The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 71

Ambiguity was blossoming wildly; the crisp scent of plum blossoms and the earthy aroma of cedar filled the entire space.

Both women were well aware of the tension, yet they deliberately acted as if nothing were amiss, beginning their meal with practiced elegance. Shen Nian raised her crystal glass toward Shen Zui. The glass collided in mid-air with a sharp, melodic clink.

Shen Zui felt the vibration of the glass travel through her fingers and resonate across her entire body. She trembled slightly. To hide her loss of composure, she quickly pressed her lips to the rim and took a sip. The liquid hit her throat so suddenly that she caught her breath and began to cough.

“Mm, cough, cough—”

“So careless?” Shen Nian asked, gently patting her back. She arched an eyebrow, teasing her audaciously. “Or have you lost even this small bit of tolerance for alcohol?”

Shen Zui’s face flushed crimson. She pushed Shen Nian’s hand away, but as their skin brushed, she recoiled as if burned. “Let’s… let’s eat first…”

Shen Nian gave a soft “Mm” in response.

Having already eaten quite a bit at the party, Shen Nian was already sixty percent full; she didn’t have much of an appetite for the colorful, fragrant dishes before her. However, knowing that Shen Zui must have been waiting for her return on an empty stomach, she focused all her attention on serving her partner.

The “Pearl of the Shen Family” enjoyed the service as she always did, but after a few bites, she noticed Shen Nian hadn’t moved her chopsticks. She asked doubtfully, “Is it not to your taste?”

Shen Nian brought a piece of peeled crab meat to Shen Zui’s lips. Shen Zui subconsciously took a bite, only to hear Shen Nian ask with a smile, “Is it sweet?”

“Yes.” As the fresh flavor of the crab spread across her palate, Shen Zui nodded.

Shen Nian then naturally ate the remaining half in her hand, nodding in praise. “Mm, it truly is good.”

Realizing what had happened, Shen Zui’s lips curved into a smile. She dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin and took another sip of champagne. “Do you have a wish?”

Shen Nian blinked. “Hmm?”

Shen Zui tilted her head. Her dark, lustrous hair slid from her shoulder, swaying across her chest. “A graduation gift. What do you want?”

Shen Nian leaned closer, gazing into her eyes. Her expression was deeply earnest. “You have already given me more than enough.”

As she spoke, her lips brushed lightly against the other woman’s—a restrained, fleeting touch.

Shen Zui cupped her face, preventing her from pulling away. She slowly traced her thumb over Shen Nian’s delicate skin, her eyes reflecting Shen Nian’s features like a priceless treasure.

“You could be…” She paused slightly, her fingers sliding down to the side of Shen Nian’s neck. “…a bit more willful.”

Shen Nian’s breathing suddenly grew heavy.

Desire was stirring; every exhaled breath was scorching, carrying sparks of fire. She couldn’t understand why, in her past life, she had stubbornly clung to unworthy people and things—blinded to the point of never feeling the kindness Shen Zui had constantly radiated.

Thinking of this, a wave of lingering fear washed over her. She stared wide-eyed at Shen Zui, wishing she could engrave the woman’s image onto her heart, refusing to blink even when her eyes grew sore.

Shen Zui leaned in and tenderly kissed her eyelids. Just as she was about to pull back, Shen Nian grabbed her collar.

“Will we… always be like this?”

The beautiful life she had now was a shore she once never dared to dream of reaching.

Shen Zui chuckled softly. “Heh—”

Shen Nian’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at her with a sense of trepidation. “Shen Zui…”

Shen Zui pulled her into a firm embrace. “Silly girl.”

Shen Nian felt a slightly cool hand touch her earlobe. Shen Zui’s voice wasn’t loud, but on this graduation night, it sounded firmer than any promise Shen Nian had ever heard in her life.

She said: “I will give Niannian more and better things.”

Then she added: “We will only get better and better.”

Shen Nian closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around the other’s waist. She wanted to say she wasn’t greedy; that if they could just maintain this state, she would be happy. She also wanted to tell Shen Zui not to be too good to her, fearing she might one day lose herself in it.

There was so much to say, but in the end, Shen Nian didn’t utter a word. She simply nodded, quietly wiping the tears escaping the corners of her eyes onto the dark fabric of the other’s evening gown.

“Shen Zui…” she called out, her voice raspy.

Shen Zui looked down. “Yes?”

“Let’s go on a trip,” Shen Nian whispered. She tightened her arms. “Just the two of us. Let’s leave here, leave City A, and just go somewhere else.”

Having lived together for over three years, both were at the stages of starting or restarting their careers. They had both been so busy that they had never managed to find the time to escape the noise together. Recalling how Shen Zui had asked her to choose her own graduation gift, these words had spilled out almost without thinking.

Shen Zui was stunned for a moment, but when she realized what was asked, she smiled tenderly. She nodded. “Alright.”

Shen Nian breathed a long sigh of relief. She glanced at the mostly untouched dishes on the table and asked, hardening her heart, “…Are you full?”

Shen Zui: “…”

Before she could answer, Shen Nian scooped her up like a child. Shen Zui swallowed a gasp, sitting on Shen Nian’s arm and instinctively hooking her arms around her neck.

Usually, due to the height difference, she had to look up to meet Shen Nian’s eyes. But in this position, she was looking down at her.

“Well?” Shen Nian pressed for an answer.

Shen Zui pinched her cheek. “…What do you think?” They had barely been sat for ten minutes; there was no way she was full.

Shen Nian looked down to avoid her gaze, muttering under her breath before squeezing out a sentence: “I have a better idea…”

“Oh?” Shen Zui was puzzled.

In the next moment, Shen Nian carried her straight toward the master bedroom.

“You don’t seem to have much of an appetite,” Shen Nian said. “I’ll help you burn some energy first, and we can come back to finish eating later…”

The journey was smooth; Shen Zui didn’t even kick her legs in protest. Shen Nian thought the “negotiation” was a success, but just as they reached the door, she found Shen Zui holding onto the doorframe.

Forced to stop, Shen Nian rubbed her cheek against Shen Zui’s, acting spoiled and obedient. “What do you think?”

Shen Zui narrowed her eyes. Her back was to the light, making her expression hard to read, but Shen Nian could see the ambiguous smile playing on her lips. Shen Zui leaned in until their noses touched.

She cupped Shen Nian’s face, her breath lingering on her skin.

“Yes,” Shen Nian heard her say with a chuckle. “It is indeed a… ‘good idea’.”

Shen Nian took a deep breath. Casting all hesitation aside, she quickened her pace into the bedroom. She hooked the door with her toe, and it shut with a thud. Shen Nian placed her on the bed—not particularly gently—and leaned over, pressing down without giving her a moment to catch her breath.

She held her tightly. “Shen Zui.”

Her older lover responded dotingly, “Mm.” She said, “I’m here.”

As if possessed, Shen Nian repeated, “Shen Zui, Shen Zui…”

“Mm.” Shen Zui showed no trace of impatience. Her gaze was like water. After Shen Nian called her name for the umpteenth time, she leaned into her ear.

“Mm. I love you, too.”

“…” Shen Nian fell silent instantly.

She looked up, meeting Shen Zui’s eyes, and saw her own reflection—honest to the point of appearing a bit disheveled. She finally couldn’t help herself; she leaned forward and bit Shen Zui’s lower lip.

“Cheater!” she accused.

Shen Zui laughed softly. Under Shen Nian’s gaze, she completely softened her body, allowing Shen Nian to release her emotions.

“…I love you.”

“I love you too, Niannian.”

There were many things to prepare for a trip. In addition to coordinating with Shen Zui, Shen Nian had to find time to check her schedule with Mo Huai. Talking over the phone was inconvenient.

One day, after confirming with an assistant that Mo Huai was at the office and not busy, Shen Nian ordered afternoon tea for the entire staff and drove over to talk in person. Unfortunately, when she arrived, Mo Huai happened to be hosting a guest.

Shen Nian was in no hurry. She distributed the tea and leaned against A-Qi’s desk to chat. The conversation quickly shifted to the guest inside.

“I don’t know her,” A-Qi shook her head honestly. “A new face.” She paused, then added, “But I think she’s a director. She wanted to book you for a project.”

Shen Nian understood. She smiled and shook her head. “I don’t have any openings this year.” She was currently on break, and then she had to prepare for Cai Kang’s film, which would keep her filming until the end of the year.

“True,” A-Qi nodded, wrinkling her nose. “Even if you had time, it wouldn’t go to these unknown directors.”

Shen Nian’s market value was different now. Aside from old friends like Cai Kang who had helped her career, the directors she worked with were all quite famous. Since A-Qi said the visitor was a “new face,” they likely weren’t very competitive.

“Not necessarily.” Whether three years ago or now, Shen Nian remained humble. “Choosing a project isn’t just about the director’s fame; you have to consider many factors.”

A-Qi realized she had been a bit dismissive and stuck out her tongue. She took a sip of pearl milk tea. “Do you want to check it out? Should I find the script she sent…”

“No need,” Shen Nian stopped her. She shrugged with a smile. “I’m here today to talk about my vacation plans. I don’t want to deal with work for now.”

“Oh~” A-Qi teased.

Just then, footsteps sounded from the office nearby. A-Qi turned her attention back. “Look, she’s coming out. Once she leaves, you can talk to Sister Mo.”

Shen Nian nodded. The office door opened.

“…Miss Duan, I’m truly sorry,” Mo Huai said at the door. “Thank you for visiting today. I’ll see you out.”

“No need, this is fine,” a low female voice replied.

Shen Nian froze and looked up sharply.

Thirty-year-old Duan Wenyin was intellectual and elegant. Even after being rejected, she remained graceful. She clasped her hands in front of her, looking slightly regretful. “…I still hope you and Shen Nian can reconsider. I really love her acting. Regarding the contract, I can offer even more benefits.”

“I completely understand,” Mo Huai replied with a flawless business smile. “But there’s really no way. Shen Nian is very busy in the second half of the year, she—”

Before she could finish, a voice from behind interrupted her.

“Sister Mo.”

Mo Huai and Duan Wenyin turned at once.

Shen Nian’s face was calm, but her heart was beating faster than usual. She walked up to them as if nothing were wrong, her gaze lingering on Duan Wenyin with a well-hidden spark of longing.

Mo Huai snapped out of it and introduced them immediately. “Shen Nian, this is…”

“I know.” Shen Nian proactively extended her hand. “Duan Wenyin, Director Duan.” She flashed a friendly smile. “Hello, I am Shen Nian.”

Duan Wenyin’s face flushed as she excitedly shook her hand. “Shen Nian! Hello!”

Mo Huai was bewildered. “You… you know Miss Duan?”

“Yes.” Shen Nian nodded. She finally withdrew her gaze and looked at Mo Huai. “Can we talk in your office?”

“Yes.” Mo Huai nodded, her look toward Duan Wenyin changing instantly. She stepped aside to welcome her back in. “Please, come in.”