The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 73

Given Shen Nian’s level of fame, it would have been impossible for the two of them to visit popular tourist attractions if they wanted to remain undisturbed. Ultimately, Shen Nian did her own research and selected a lesser-known small county in the southwest as their destination.

After a journey involving a flight and a high-speed train transfer, Shen Nian stepped off the carriage and took a deep breath. She immediately felt she had chosen the right place. Turning around, she saw the wind at the station whipping the hem of Shen Zui’s skirt high into the air.

Shen Zui held her hat down with one hand while pulling her suitcase with the other. For a brief moment, her flying black hair obscured her clear, bright eyes. Sensing Shen Nian’s approach, she naturally reached out and rested her hand on her.

“The wind is so strong,” Shen Zui remarked.

Shen Nian smiled faintly, pulling her into her arms and using her own body as a windbreak for her lover. Only when the wind momentarily died down did she look down at Shen Zui, who was using her fingers to comb through her hair.

“…It’s all a mess,” Shen Nian murmured. She picked up a stray black strand from Shen Zui’s shoulder and tucked it back behind her.

Shen Zui pursed her lips slightly, looking a bit frustrated. “…The comb is at the very bottom of the suitcase.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Shen Nian’s eyes crinkled with warmth. She withdrew her hand, purposefully brushing her fingertips against Shen Zui’s cheek, and lowered her voice. “You still look beautiful.”

Shen Zui was taken aback. She shyly grasped Shen Nian’s fingers, though the tips of her ears betrayed her by turning a soft shade of pink.

“It’s rare to see you looking so casual and natural,” Shen Nian teased as she took over the luggage. She looked back and continued to flirt, “You look completely different from your usual ‘prestigious and noble’ self.”

Walking beside her, Shen Zui heard the comment and asked nonchalantly, “Which version do you prefer?”

Shen Nian froze, blinking blankly.

Shen Zui prompted, “Hmm?”

“Aren’t you making things difficult for me?” Shen Nian realized the trap and laughed. Rolling her eyes playfully, she suggested, “You should ask which version I don’t like.”

So, Shen Zui followed her lead: “Which version don’t you like?”

“None!” This time, Shen Nian answered instantly. She leaned over quickly, stealing a sweet kiss from her lover’s delicate cheek. “I love every version of you!”

Shen Zui covered her face and stole a quick glance at their surroundings. There weren’t many people at the station, but even with their masks on, the duo’s exceptional height and poise still drew several glances. Fortunately, everyone was busy waiting for their own trains and didn’t have the energy to focus on strangers for long.

Shen Zui breathed a secret sigh of relief and steadied herself by Shen Nian’s arm. “Focus on walking.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Shen Nian replied, knowing when to stop. she winked at her playfully, acting the part of the obedient partner.

Leaving the high-speed rail station wasn’t the end of the journey; they had to endure another two-hour car ride before reaching their final destination.

The inn room Shen Nian had booked sat right beside a small stream. The village was very rustic, and the public areas lacked the bright artificial light of a city. Shen Zui stood by the window for a long time, unable to see the full view of the stream in the dark, hearing only the constant shua-shua of the flowing water.

Having finished washing up, Shen Nian came out and saw her still leaning against the window. She approached and asked, “What is there to see?”

Shen Zui didn’t turn around. “I can’t see anything.”

“Then why are you still standing here?” Shen Nian leaned down, whispering close to her ear. “Just to catch a breeze?”

Shen Zui turned slightly to ward off the warmth of her breath. She cleared her throat and voiced her concern: “Do you think I’ll be able to sleep tonight?”

“Hmm?” Shen Nian was puzzled. “Why not?”

Shen Zui pointed outside. “It’s too loud.”

Shen Nian realized what she meant. She straightened up and closed the window; the sound of the water muffled slightly. “Is that better?”

Shen Zui listened for a moment. “I can still hear it.”

“It’s impossible to block it out completely.”

Shen Zui rubbed her temples. She required absolute silence to sleep. Back in A-City, their apartment was professionally soundproofed; once the windows were shut, not a single sound from the outside could penetrate.

“It’s fine,” Shen Zui said, having anticipated this. “I brought earplugs.”

“It’s just white noise, surely it’s not that bad?” Shen Nian led her back to the edge of the bed. She tossed aside her damp towel and leaned over, pinning Shen Zui between the mattress and her arms. “Besides…”

As she spoke, she reached out to caress Shen Zui’s cheek. “If you need it, I provide a ‘comprehensive sleep-aid service’ here.”

A dark glint flashed in Shen Zui’s eyes. She kept her voice steady and asked, “‘Comprehensive sleep-aid’? What kind?”

Shen Nian leaned closer. “It seems you’re interested, Guest?”

President Shen nodded candidly. “Mm-hmm.”

“Very well~” Shen Nian couldn’t help but laugh. Looking into Shen Zui’s eyes, she parted her lips and whispered, “I can give you a ‘trial run’.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she leaned down impatiently, capturing Shen Zui’s lower lip and beginning a gentle, licking kiss. Shen Zui’s body went soft, nearly collapsing onto the mattress behind her. Attempting to steady herself, she reached out and grabbed Shen Nian’s collar, barely maintaining her balance.

Shen Nian noticed the small movement and couldn’t stop herself from chuckling against her lips.

Shen Zui let out a muffled “Mmh?”

In the next instant, Shen Nian pressed her weight down. Losing her leverage, Shen Zui fell back into the soft bedding, still locked in the kiss. She opened her eyes against Shen Nian’s shoulder, seeing that the other woman’s collar had been pulled open, revealing the lustrous skin beneath.

“…Mm!” Before she could catch her breath, Shen Nian’s lips and tongue pressed down again.

If the previous kiss was merely a teaser, this one was the official appetizer. While teasing her soft tongue, Shen Nian guided Shen Zui to open her hands. Their fingers soon intertwined, and Shen Zui was—without suspense—pinned beneath her.

“How was that?” Shen Nian pulled back slightly, considerately giving Shen Zui space to breathe. She licked her partner’s sensitive neck. “The trial service is over. Are you satisfied, Guest?”

Shen Zui’s face was flushed crimson. Suddenly unwilling to give in so easily, she bit her lip and squeezed out three words: “…I’m not satisfied.”

“Oh?” Shen Nian raised an eyebrow, her energy renewed.

“Not satisfied,” Shen Zui repeated, adjusting her breathing and meeting her gaze with practiced composure. Her eyes were full of mirth, wearing a proud expression that clearly said, ‘What are you going to do about it?’

Shen Nian gave a theatrical sigh. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. “This is a small business; we don’t accept negative reviews.”

Shen Zui stared at her. “Has anyone else given you a positive one?”

“No one.” Shen Nian said this with a hint of ferocity. She lightly bit Shen Zui’s lip. “I’ve been filming all over the place these past few years, and I haven’t even given away my on-screen first kiss yet. Don’t you know if there’s anyone else?”

Shen Zui’s gaze drifted down from her collar. She asked, “Is that a regret?”

Shen Nian replied, “Of course.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zui immediately knit her brows.

“So…” Without giving her a chance to speak again, Shen Nian recaptured her breath. Amidst the entanglement of lips and tongues, she managed to state her demand: “You have to compensate me.”

Shen Zui no longer had the strength to speak, dragged along by her into the depths of desire. Outside the window, the stream gurgled, its sound seeping through the cracks of the window frame. Amidst the rising scent of cedar and cold plum blossoms, it drifted into the ears of the lingering lovers.

The noise Shen Zui had initially worried about eventually transformed into a lullaby, accompanying both her and Shen Nian into their dreams.

Knowing they had travel plans the next day, Shen Nian exercised considerable restraint. When Shen Zui was woken by her biological clock and stretched, she saw Shen Nian by the window getting dressed. She started to ask what time it was, but before she could finish, she felt Shen Nian’s warm lips brushing against her again.

“The sleep-aid service has concluded,” Shen Nian said, her voice carrying the lazy hoarseness of early morning. “How does the guest feel?”

Shen Zui let out a muffled laugh, her chest rising and falling slightly beneath the covers.

“Well?” Shen Nian waited stubbornly for an answer. She knelt one leg onto the bed. “If you are still unsatisfied, I don’t mind providing—”

“No, there’s no need…” Realizing what she intended, Shen Zui hastily called a halt. She pressed her hands against Shen Nian’s shoulders to stop her approach. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she said with a hooked smile, “I am… very satisfied, very satisfied!”

“Don’t force yourself,” Shen Nian said, lifting her hand to her lips for a gentle kiss. “You are the only customer of this shop. You may use the service repeatedly before giving your final evaluation.”

She emphasized the word “repeatedly” with such ambiguity that Shen Zui’s cheeks flushed a faint red at whatever thought crossed her mind.

“I’m not forcing myself.” Shen Zui cleared her throat and awkwardly changed the subject. “I want to go see the stream outside.”

“Okay,” Shen Nian laughed and pulled back. She gathered her hair into a high ponytail. “Today, we have the whole day to explore this ancient town.”

After a simple breakfast, the two left the inn to explore. Shen Nian loved these raw, natural landscapes. The ancient architecture and unrefined greenery provided a release for the “dust” she had accumulated living in the metropolis. At the same time, she was keenly aware that Shen Zui didn’t actually have much interest in these things.

However, most of the time, even if she didn’t particularly enjoy the setting, Shen Zui remained in high spirits because of Shen Nian’s enthusiasm, immersing herself in the simple and pure journey. Shen Nian thought that, at the very least, Shen Zui was happy.

Her regret came later that afternoon.

They had wandered further than they had in the morning when it began to rain without warning. Despite Shen Nian’s best efforts to shield her, Shen Zui’s shoes and the hem of her skirt were soaked and stained with unsightly brown mud, clinging wetly to her legs.

“It’s fine,” Shen Zui said, unbothered. Seeing the rain lighten slightly, she suggested, “Should we head back now?”

The weather was unpredictable; they couldn’t be sure the rain would stop if they waited.

Shen Nian frowned. An undeveloped ancient town like this was extremely inconvenient. When trouble struck, there were no taxis to call, and they couldn’t even find a place to buy rain gear. Shen Nian felt a pang of guilt.

“…We shouldn’t have come to a place like this.”

“Why?” Shen Zui looked up at her. She lifted her foot and gave it a shake. “Just because the rain ruined my shoes?”

Shen Nian knelt down, using her last clean tissue to wipe them off. Shen Zui couldn’t see her expression, but she could hear the helplessness in her voice.

“You aren’t suited for a place like this.”

Shen Zui moved her leg. “Don’t wiggle,” Shen Nian scolded softly.

Shen Zui remarked nonchalantly, “Do you remember when we just got off the train?” She tilted her head at Shen Nian. “You said my casual and natural side was also beautiful.”

“Yes.” Shen Nian nodded. She touched the wet hem of the skirt; her fingertips felt chilled. “You look beautiful no matter what, but…”

Shen Zui leaned down and lifted Shen Nian’s chin. “But what?”

“But, you really are best suited for a life of prestige and nobility.” Shen Nian looked up, and their eyes finally met, allowing them to see the delicate emotions within each other. She lowered her head and continued, “You should be held high, coaxed, and pampered, far away from all the filth and rain.”

She followed this with a sigh, unable to let go of the fact that Shen Zui had ended up in such a sorry state after just one day out with her.

Suddenly, she heard a cool, light laugh from above. Shen Nian looked up to see Shen Zui’s exquisite, flawless hands. She stood up as Shen Zui pulled her, feeling the sudden proximity of her body heat.

Encircled in an embrace, Shen Zui rested her head on Shen Nian’s shoulder. “I think so too.”

Shen Nian: “…”

Shen Zui tilted her head, her warm breath hitting Shen Nian’s neck as she spoke. “I didn’t feel it before, but in this moment, I truly feel like I’m being held high, coaxed, and pampered.”

“I meant—” Shen Nian gripped her shoulders.

“I know,” Shen Zui interrupted. She hopped out of Shen Nian’s arms and casually shook out her skirt. “I’m not that fragile; there’s no need to be so careful.”

She looked at Shen Nian, her eyes reflecting her lover’s silhouette against the backdrop of the green mountains, the ancient waters, and the drifting silk-like rain. “You’ve done well enough.”

Shen Nian’s hand happened to grasp her forearm. Hearing those words, her chilled fingertips finally felt some warmth. She smiled, glanced outside, and suddenly turned around to crouch down.

Shen Zui: “…What are you doing?”

“Carrying you back,” Shen Nian said. “Hop on.”

Shen Zui hesitated for only two seconds before pressing herself onto her back.

“Ready?” Shen Nian confirmed.

Shen Zui hooked her arms tightly around Shen Nian’s neck. She laughed freely, without any of her usual professional formality or artificiality. “Let’s go.”

They smiled at each other and charged back into the mountains and waters, through the drifting silk of the rain.