The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 80

A few days later, Shen Nian packed her belongings to join the film crew ahead of schedule.

“I thought filming wasn’t supposed to start until next month?” Shen Zui handed over a folded pair of pajamas, her brow furrowing. “Why do you have to leave now?”

“Mm, there’s some pre-production work I need to participate in,” Shen Nian explained vaguely. She cleared her throat to change the subject. “That’s about it. I’ll handle the rest myself.”

Shen Zui didn’t say a word. She turned and left the bedroom.

By the time Shen Nian closed her suitcase and walked into the living room, she found the CEO leaning against the sofa with her arms crossed, clearly sulking.

Shen Nian approached her. “What’s wrong?”

Shen Zui glanced up at her briefly before looking back down.

“Are you unhappy?” Shen Nian sat down right next to her. She leaned in to kiss Shen Zui’s lips, but the other woman turned her head away, and the affectionate kiss landed only on her temple.

Shen Nian let out a chuckle. “We already have so little time to be together, yet President Shen won’t even let me touch or kiss her.” She let out a dramatic sigh. “I really don’t know how I’m going to survive the days once we’re apart.”

Shen Zui pursed her lips. Seeing her silence, Shen Nian prepared to go to the kitchen to find something to win her back. Mistaking her movement for leaving, Shen Zui grabbed her wrist.

Shen Nian looked back and sat down again.

“I’m not angry with you…” Shen Zui toyed with her fingers, her voice muffled. “The production management is a mess. They agreed on a start date but suddenly changed the schedule and expected you to cooperate unconditionally.” She looked up as if making a mental tally. “Is it that director named Cai?”

“Ahem.” Shen Nian felt a bit guilty. She took a deep breath. “I’ve worked with Director Cai many times. He’s a perfectionist…”

“A perfectionist?” Shen Zui snorted but didn’t comment further.

Shen Nian took her hand. “Alright, let’s not talk about other people. Let’s talk about something meaningful.”

“Like what?”

“Like…” Shen Nian pulled her into her arms. Her lips held a smile, but her eyes were serious. “When we’re apart, how does President Shen miss me?”

Shen Zui’s hand climbed up to her shoulder. “Why ask that?”

“For reference,” Shen Nian said shamelessly.

Shen Zui smiled. Her hand moved further up, her fingertips brushing against Shen Nian’s skin. “My method… probably wouldn’t be of much reference value to you.”

“Oh?” Shen Nian raised an eyebrow. “Is the difference between an Alpha and an Omega so vast it’s beyond my imagination? Why wouldn’t it have reference value?”

With that, her hands began to cause mischief at Shen Zui’s waist. Shen Zui’s body was sensitive; she laughed and arched her back under the tickling. But with the sofa armrest behind her, she had nowhere to hide and could only burrow into Shen Nian’s embrace, her breath coming in warm huffs.

Watching her lover fall into her trap, Shen Nian held her satisfactorily, savoring the familiar scent and warmth. She still wouldn’t let the topic go. “I think President Shen is just holding back.”

Shen Zui’s eyes were shimmering. She shook her head in denial. “I’m not.”

“Mhm?”

Shen Zui straddled her, sitting on her lap. This position allowed her to look down at Shen Nian. She stroked the other woman’s cheek and recalled, “When I’m busy, I don’t have time to think about missing someone.”

“Tsk, that’s definitely cheating.” Shen Nian leaned back, letting Shen Zui tease her. “My schedule is set by the crew; whether I’m busy or not isn’t up to me.”

Shen Zui suddenly became interested. “Then what do you do when you aren’t busy?”

Shen Nian’s lips curved. She leaned her face into Shen Zui’s palm and protested, “If I remember correctly, wasn’t I the one asking you?”

“My answer is finished.” Shen Zui traced Shen Nian’s features with an intimate gaze. “Now it’s your turn.”

Shen Nian refused to cooperate. She lifted her chin. “I’m not telling.”

“Hmm?”

Seeing her lover’s puzzled look, Shen Nian’s smile grew wider. “I’m going to hold back, too.”

Shen Zui’s eyes flickered, but she wasn’t angry. Her fingers slid down to Shen Nian’s half-open collar. “Holding back?” Without changing her expression, she skillfully unbuttoned the first button.

Shen Nian licked her lower lip, feeling a sudden surge of thirst. Although water was on the coffee table just a meter away, she didn’t look at it, her gaze fixed solely on Shen Zui’s moving lips.

“In here?” Shen Zui began her “interrogation.”

Shen Nian couldn’t resist. She leaned in for a kiss but was pushed back. Shen Zui narrowed her eyes, looking down with a noble and cold air. “It seems you haven’t figured out your situation yet?”

Shen Nian played along. “Your Excellency,” she pleaded, “I am innocent.”

“Innocent or not…” Shen Zui sat down heavily, tilting Shen Nian’s chin up. “I will see for myself.”

“Your Excellency is wise.” If this scene were broadcast, the headlines would surely scream “The Moment Shen Nian’s Acting Skills Failed”—for even as the “prisoner,” she looked relaxed and smiled more brightly than the “prosecutor.”

Sure enough, Shen Zui was dissatisfied. She gave a powerless warning: “Be serious.”

Shen Nian raised both hands in a gesture of total surrender. “Is this okay?”

Shen Zui’s hands began to roam downward. “Confess early, and you’ll suffer less.”

Shen Nian’s abdomen tensed for a moment before relaxing. Her breath was shaky, but she didn’t back down. “…I really don’t know what to confess. Are there any hints?”

Shen Zui enjoyed the supple texture under her palms for over a minute before finally letting go. Shen Nian was nearly driven mad by the other woman’s clumsy yet bold advances.

“Ha—President Shen.” She caught Shen Zui’s wrists. “Using ‘torture’ like this isn’t very fair, is it?”

Shen Zui leaned down. Shen Nian was prepared for a deep kiss, but the other woman only nipped her lower lip and pulled away before she could even use her tongue.

“…” Shen Nian looked up, her expression innocent yet amused.

“Behave!” Shen Zui said fiercely.

Shen Nian hadn’t expected her to be so bold. Outside the window, the night view of City A was reflected on the glass. Seizing the moment Shen Zui was off-guard, Shen Nian scooped her up and stood from the sofa.

Shen Zui let out a cry of surprise. “Ah—!”

“For such an important matter, shouldn’t we find a different place for the ‘interrogation’?” Shen Nian bounced her slightly in her arms.

Shen Zui wrapped her arms tightly around Shen Nian’s shoulders, clinging to her like a water snake. Shen Nian turned and carried her back to the master bedroom. That “interrogation” took a lot of effort; the prosecutor lay in bed all night and almost missed work the next day due to her raspy voice.

Mo Huai came to pick up Shen Nian for the airport. “Everything is arranged over there. You can go straight there once we land.”

Shen Nian gave a faint “mm.”

Mo Huai scrolled through her phone while secretly observing Shen Nian’s expression. After a pause, she said, “President Shen’s assistant asked for your schedule last night…” She hesitated.

Shen Nian looked at her.

Mo Huai gritted her teeth. “I told her you left early on short notice and the schedule would take a couple of days to finalize.”

Shen Nian nodded. Mo Huai breathed a sigh of relief.

As they arrived at the airport, Shen Nian put on her mask and sunglasses. “Regarding Shen Zui…” Shen Nian suddenly spoke. Mo Huai jumped, looking at her. Shen Nian’s voice was flat, as if she were discussing something trivial. “I’ll find a chance to explain to her myself. Don’t reveal my arrangements after this.”

Mo Huai nodded quickly. “I understand.”

Shen Nian gave a light laugh that didn’t sound happy at all. “How deeply has she infiltrated Chengyue?”

Mo Huai cleared her throat and shook her head. “President Shen respects you. Even though she’s provided most of the resources over the past two years, she hasn’t interfered with internal affairs beyond asking about your whereabouts.”

Shen Nian turned away. “You don’t believe me?” Mo Huai asked, moving in front of her.

“No.” Shen Nian’s expression was hidden. She adjusted her mask. “Let’s go.”

After a long journey involving two layovers, Shen Nian landed in Y City—not far from City A—that night. Mo Huai, knowing she hadn’t eaten all day, wanted to arrange dinner immediately.

“No need,” Shen Nian declined. It was 8:00 PM. “Have you contacted them? Let’s go straight to the hospital.”

Mo Huai frowned. “Aren’t you going to eat something first?”

Shen Nian shook her head. She was no longer the fledgling student of years ago. The atmosphere in the car was heavy, and the driver followed the new navigation without question.

They arrived at the hospital after 9:00 PM. Following the address, she encountered Jiang Shubai in the hallway, just as he was going out for a smoke.

“…” Jiang Shubai was stunned. Shen Nian glanced at him coldly and walked right past him.

“Hey! Wait!” He called out. Shen Nian stopped. “Your grandmother is already asleep,” he said, scratching his head. “Why so late? Come back tomorrow morning.”

Shen Nian ignored him and kept walking. But she soon stopped and whispered to Mo Huai, “Wait for me downstairs.”

“But he said the patient is—”

“I’ll take a look and be right down,” Shen Nian said.

Mo Huai sighed and led Jiang Shubai away.

In the quiet hallway, Shen Nian softened her footsteps. It was late for a visit, and the ward area was silent, save for the pale light spilling from half-open doors. Through the gaps, she saw patients resting. Everyone was struggling with their own burdens.

When she reached the private room at the end of the hall and saw the old woman on the bed, she felt a strange sense of unreality. The old woman had a head of silver hair and was sleeping peacefully. There were no wounds or complicated life-support machines; she looked like an ordinary elderly person sleeping at home.

Initially, the face seemed foreign. Shen Nian had no memories from before her time with the Shen family. But slowly, a sense of familiarity bubbled up. Fragments of dreams became clear. She saw a farm courtyard and a woman chasing her with a bowl, coaxing her to eat. A long-suppressed hunger burned in Shen Nian’s gut.

Suddenly, her phone rang. Shen Nian snapped out of it and declined the call. A message from Shen Zui popped up.

Shen Zui: [?] Shen Zui: [Is it inconvenient to talk?]

Shen Nian: [Mm. I’ll call you once I’m back at the hotel.]

In her apartment in City A, Shen Zui looked at the messages, confused. Shen Nian had replied quickly, yet said she couldn’t talk until she was back at the hotel.

Shen Zui: [Okay.]

Back at the hospital, Shen Nian put her phone away. She had been standing at the door for half an hour. It was time to leave. But as she turned to close the door, her pupils shrank. The old woman had woken up and was trying to sit up.

Shen Nian was at her side in three steps.

“Shubai?” the old woman called out for her son.

Shen Nian caught her.

“Huh?” The old woman was sharp. She felt that the fingers holding her were too slender. “Nurse Zhang?”

Shen Nian froze. “What do you need?” she asked hoarsely.

“Where is my son?” the old woman asked gently. “Nurse Zhang, can you check for me?” She was looking straight ahead, but her eyes were unfocused.

Shen Nian waved a hand in front of her. No reaction.

Shen Nian felt a dull ache in her chest. She had heard from Jiang Shubai that his mother was blind, but seeing it was different.

“He’s gone somewhere,” Shen Nian whispered. “I can help you.”

The old woman frowned. “I want to go home. This hospital is too expensive. We don’t have much savings left; I don’t want to stay here!”

Shen Nian forced a smile. “Just focus on getting better. The young people will worry about the money.” She paused. “Your son seems very wealthy; he’s already paid for everything.”

The old woman gave a bitter laugh. “How could that be?”

“It’s true. Has the hospital asked you for money?” Shen Nian rubbed her back. “Do you need the restroom? Or some water?”

The burning in her stomach intensified as the silence stretched.

The old woman shook her head and gripped Shen Nian’s hand. “He won’t listen to me. Nurse Zhang, please talk to him. I’m old, and my eyes are gone. I don’t want treatment.”

Shen Nian looked down at the weathered hands. “But…”

“If Shubai really has money, he should use it for what matters!”

“What matters?” Shen Nian asked, confused.

“Finding her!” The old woman’s skin tightened. She stared into the void as if trying to break through years of silence. “We still haven’t found our Nian-Nian!”

Shen Nian thought she had survived the initial reunion, but this sentence struck her like a physical blow. She felt dizzy as the pain in her stomach spread to her limbs.

The old woman kept muttering, “We haven’t found our Nian-Nian…”

Shen Nian bit her lip. “Nian-Nian? Who is Nian-Nian?”

“Nian-Nian is my granddaughter,” the old woman smiled weakly. “She went missing when she was five.”

“How did she go missing?”

“Sigh—” The old woman lowered her head. “Her father finally came home and took her out to play. But Nian-Nian was shy and didn’t really know her father. While Shubai was buying snacks… she ran away.”

Shen Nian felt like laughing in rage, but the sound stayed trapped in her throat. She touched the old woman’s silver hair. “Is that what he told you?”

The old woman nodded after a moment. “It’s my fault and her grandfather’s. we wanted them to bond, but we didn’t realize she was so scared.”

Shen Nian’s grandfather, Jiang Asheng, had passed away ten years ago.

“So it’s been nearly twenty years?” Shen Nian took the old woman’s hand. “Have you been looking for her all this time?”

“Of course!”

Shen Nian narrowed her eyes. “Was the place where she went missing far from home?”

“Not far. In the next county over. Her grandfather and I took her there often… but…”

“Then even if she ran away from her father, shouldn’t she have known the way home?” Shen Nian pointed out.

The old woman was silent. It was late, and her energy was fading. Just as Shen Nian was about to tuck her back in, she heard a whisper.

“Yes… that’s true…”

The old woman’s grip tightened, and Shen Nian felt a surge of pain.

“But… she never came back. Do you think our Nian-Nian got lost?”

It took Shen Nian a long time to speak. “Yes. She got lost.”

“It’s a long road…” Shen Nian leaned her head on the old woman’s shoulder. “Grandma, it’s a very long road…”

The old woman seemed confused. “Nurse Zhang, you don’t have to mind me. Let Shubai…”

“I’m not Nurse Zhang,” Shen Nian whispered. She adjusted the old woman’s collar.

“Oh? Then who are you?”

Shen Nian gave a soft laugh. The pain in her body began to fade. “Nian-Nian,” she whispered. “My name is Jiang Nian-Nian.”

The name “Jiang Nian-Nian” was something Shen Nian had seen in the files Mo Huai provided. That file should have been filtered out, because shortly after Jiang Asheng reported the missing child, his son Jiang Shubai had gone to the police station to withdraw the case. The Shen family likely had a hand in it, and the case was never mentioned again.

Mo Huai had found so much data she had needed time to sift through the useless information. But since Shen Nian had encountered Jiang Shubai first, she had the keywords to find the file.

The missing girl was “Jiang Nian-Nian.”

The old woman was exhausted and fell asleep after crying for a while. Shen Nian promised to come back in the morning.

Downstairs, Jiang Shubai was nowhere to be seen, but Mo Huai was still waiting. “Jiang Shubai left,” Mo Huai explained, noticing a damp spot on Shen Nian’s shoulder. “Did you…”

“Let’s go back first,” Shen Nian said, looking exhausted.

On the drive back, Shen Nian arranged for the old woman to be transferred to a high-end nursing home and for new property to be purchased. Mo Huai agreed to everything until she heard one specific instruction.

“What did you say?” Mo Huai asked.

“Collect evidence of the Shen family’s crimes in the adoption case,” Shen Nian repeated calmly.

Mo Huai’s heart hammered. “But President Shen…”

“What does it have to do with her?” Shen Nian interrupted. “She was just a child when I was adopted. She didn’t know what Shen Bi was doing. She was just as deceived as I was.”

Mo Huai was her manager and had even been her assistant. She knew how deep the feelings between the two women were. Seeing Shen Nian close her eyes, she kept quiet and noted the instruction. She had underestimated Shen Nian’s resolve; soon after, a professional law firm contacted her to coordinate the evidence gathering.

Back at the hotel, Shen Nian showered and checked her phone. It was past 11:00 PM. She looked at the chat with Shen Zui. She hesitated for half an hour before typing a message.

Shen Nian: [It’s a bit late. I want to rest early. Let’s talk next time.]

Shen Zui, who was looking at project files, replied immediately.

Shen Zui: [Mm. Sleep well if you’re tired.] Shen Zui: [Goodnight.]

“Goodnight?” Shen Nian whispered. She thought of the teary-eyed old woman in the hospital. Her heart ached.

Shen Nian: [Goodnight.]

Three days later, Shen Nian left Y City to join Director Cai’s crew. The pace of filming was fast, and everyone was busy.

“Cut!” Director Cai gave her a thumbs up. “Perfect.”

Shen Nian took some water from her assistant and watched the footage with the director.

“You’ve captured the character perfectly!” Cai praised. “Better than I expected.”

“Your direction gave the character room to grow,” Shen Nian replied modestly.

Cai noticed the dark circles under her eyes. “Are you too tired? Can your body handle it?”

Shen Nian nodded.

“The filming is going smoothly. How about we take a break this weekend?”

“I don’t need a break,” Shen Nian interrupted. Cai was stunned. Shen Nian realized her slip. “Do you find it too hard? Do you need a break?”

“I’m fine.”

“Then let’s keep filming,” Shen Nian said. “I have another crew to join later.”

“Alright, if you can handle it,” Cai agreed. “At this rate, you’ll be finished here before you even have to start the other one.”

“Mm.”

“Who is this Duan Wen-yin?” Cai asked curiously. “I’ve never heard of her.”

“I’ll introduce you if there’s a chance,” Shen Nian smiled. Both directors were her benefactors.

After work, Shen Nian returned to the hotel and made a video call to Sang Li—her blind grandmother.

Sang Li had been moved to a high-end nursing home. The staff knew to connect Shen Nian’s calls immediately. Sang Li was enjoying a massage after dinner when the call came through.

“Nian-Nian!” she called out happily.

Shen Nian asked how she was. The old woman mentioned wanting to go home to save money.

“The money is already paid. If you leave, it’ll be wasted,” Shen Nian teased.

“Oh my!” Sang Li exclaimed.

“It’s not expensive. Just focus on your health,” Shen Nian reassured her. She looked at the cloudy grey eyes on the screen. “I’ll visit you once I’m done with work, okay?”

“Mm. Don’t worry about me; just focus on your work.”

The atmosphere was harmonious until the old woman asked, “Nian-Nian, why haven’t I seen Shubai in a while?”

Shen Nian froze. “Do you miss him?”

“Sigh—” The old woman’s mind wandered. “Did he run off again? That boy… he’s always been like that. Even though you’re all grown up, he’s still so irresponsible!”

“Don’t worry,” Shen Nian said. “He… he seems to manage well wherever he goes.”

“True. He once left the country with a woman and didn’t call for ten years!”

Shen Nian gave a cold laugh, her finger resting on a document from the law firm. “Yes. Maybe while I’m taking care of you, he’s run off to find that woman again.”

The old woman was furious but tried to comfort Shen Nian. “If you hate him, Grandma…”

“I don’t hate him,” Shen Nian lied softly. “Grandma, I just want to be with you and live a good life. As for the others…” She looked at the name of one of the defendants on the document. “They will get what they deserve.”

The old woman didn’t catch the hidden meaning. After talking for a while, Shen Nian told her to rest and hung up.

She opened a chat with “Cao Zheng-fen from Yong’an Law Firm.”

Shen Nian: [I’ve looked it over. Everything seems fine.] Shen Nian: [File the lawsuit.]

Despite the late hour, the reply came instantly.

Cao Zheng-fen: [Understood, Miss Shen.]