The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 89

Sang Nian had only taken two steps when the urgent clicking of high heels echoed behind her. Having just delivered her ultimatum, she felt a sense of relief and didn’t bother to speed up; instead, she mentally counted her steps, waiting for Shen Zui to catch up.

But just then, Duan Wenyin’s voice called out from nearby. “Shen Nian? Shen Nian!”

Sang Nian turned to see Duan Wenyin running toward her, holding up the hem of her dress. “Where did you go?” she asked, hooking her arm through Sang Nian’s. “Come with me, I want to introduce you to a few directors.”

“…Alright.” Sang Nian resisted the urge to look back, kept her back straight, and left with her friend.

For the rest of the banquet, Shen Zui was nowhere to be seen. After another thirty minutes, Sang Nian excused herself, claiming she was tired, and left the energetic Duan Wenyin to head back early.

The driver Mo Huai had hired hadn’t expected her to return so soon. He apologized over the phone, saying he would arrive in ten minutes. Sang Nian gave a brief “Mhm” and found a sheltered spot outside the venue to wait.

In this foreign land, the faces passing by were all Western. She had just secured the highest honor in the industry and was being hailed by the media as the most valuable actress today. Anyone else would be ecstatic, but Sang Nian felt a strange hollowness. She wrapped her arms around herself, hiding in the shadows. The night was overcast—no moon, and the stars were sparse.

Footsteps approached from the entrance, growing louder until they stopped right next to her. Sang Nian turned her head and met those familiar eyes that usually only appeared in her dreams. She deliberately looked away, tracing Shen Zui’s silhouette only with her peripheral vision.

“No driver?” Shen Zui asked. She offered, “We can go back together.”

“I wouldn’t want to trouble CEO Shen,” Sang Nian replied.

Shen Zui paused. “…It’s on the way, regardless.”

Sang Nian let out a soft laugh. She looked down at the marble floor; their reflections were visible, but they did not touch. “On the way to where?” She cleared her throat. “We just met. CEO Shen, you’re being a bit over-enthusiastic.”

“I suppose so,” Shen Zui didn’t argue. She took a tentative step closer. “Then, what level of ‘distance’ would you find appropriate?”

Sang Nian scoffed. “How should I know? I’m usually only in charge of rejecting people. I doubt CEO Shen wants to taste that particular brand of bitterness.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Shen Zui shrugged. “I don’t give up on the people I’ve set my heart on.”

Sang Nian bit her lip. She took a deep breath and forced a casual smile. “Unfortunately… CEO Shen won’t have the chance.”

Shen Zui frowned. “Oh?”

“I’m returning to China soon.” Sang Nian straightened up from the pillar she was leaning against. She looked out at the empty plaza rather than at Shen Zui. “The next awards ceremony is in three years. We’ll see if fate brings us together then.” She paused, then added in her calmest voice, “Though by then, I might not even remember who you are.”

Her heart was pounding. She strained her ears, waiting for Shen Zui’s reaction.

“I’m returning to China next week,” Shen Zui said.

Sang Nian’s expression stiffened. “Oh.” Fearing she had responded too quickly, she added dryly, “What does that have to do with me?”

“Most of the Shen family’s assets have been restructured. Our business focus in the UK is being handled by Shen Zhuan,” Shen Zui explained. “I’ll be taking over the headquarters back home. I’m returning to City A to start over.”

Sang Nian’s heart raced faster.

“If you want to know what happened these past few years, I can tell you slowly,” Shen Zui looked at her, the corners of her mouth twitching into a slight smile. “If you’re interested in knowing, that is.”

Sang Nian swallowed hard. “Should I congratulate you in advance then, CEO Shen?”

“For what?”

“For having all that power and wealth in your hands.”

Shen Zui countered with a puzzled look. “Is that worth congratulating? Hasn’t it always been that way?”

Sang Nian: “…” How does this woman make showing off her status look so effortless?

Seeing her silence, Shen Zui looked at her coldly. “Perhaps you can wait to congratulate me when I marry my beloved.”

Sang Nian huffed. She finally turned and looked Shen Zui in the eye. “You already have someone in mind?”

Shen Zui didn’t speak, she just stared back with those clear, dark eyes. Sang Nian tried to play dumb, but her cheeks began to flush. A car horn from the plaza snapped her back to reality.

“My car is here.”

The driver apologized in accented English as he opened the door for her. Sang Nian sat inside but watched the outside out of the corner of her eye. She saw Shen Zui get into a black Adelaide parked nearby. It was an expensive car, but low-profile—very much Shen Zui’s style.

“Miss Sang, I think we are being followed by the media!” the driver exclaimed three blocks later.

Sang Nian looked up. “What?”

“That Adelaide!” The driver pointed at the rearview mirror. “It’s been following us the whole way!”

Sang Nian looked and saw the car two lengths behind them.

“These paparazzi are getting bolder. They want to find out where you’re staying to harass you!” the driver said indignantly. “I can lose them! I’ll take some back routes only locals know. It’ll take an extra hour to get to the hotel, but we’ll shake them. Is that okay?”

Sang Nian sighed. “No need.”

“What?!”

“It’s fine,” Sang Nian said, her tone suddenly light. “Just take the original route.”

“I won’t charge extra for the detour…” the driver tried to insist.

Sang Nian gave him a look.

“Fine, I understand,” the man grumbled. “Your call.”

Consequently, Sang Nian and the Adelaide arrived at the hotel almost at the same time. Sang Nian went into the lobby and waited in the lounge area, but she didn’t see Shen Zui get out of the car. However, the car didn’t leave either.

Puzzled, she took the elevator to the top floor. She stepped out but didn’t go to her room. She waited in the hallway. About five minutes later, the elevator chimed again.

Sang Nian sneered to herself. There were only two presidential suites on this floor—hers and the one across the hall where Sunny and her mother stayed. It was obvious why someone would be coming up here.

Sure enough, the doors slid open to reveal Shen Zui. She was looking at her phone with a slight smile, looking relaxed. The blue light from the screen softened her features. Then, she looked up and saw Sang Nian. A flash of panic crossed her face.

Caught red-handed, Sang Nian thought.

“CEO Shen,” Sang Nian crossed her arms, her eyes scanning the woman provocatively. “This behavior is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Shen Zui stood frozen until the elevator doors tried to close on her. She stepped out and whispered a soft “Sorry.”

Sang Nian grabbed Shen Zui by the chin. “Three years apart, and you’re so impatient that you’ve delivered yourself right to my door?”

“Actually…” Shen Zui stammered, unable to finish.

“What were you planning to do? Were you planning to ‘offer yourself up’ tonight?”

Shen Zui slowly calmed down. Her eyes grew misty. “Would you want me if I did?”

Sang Nian blinked. “…What?”

“Isn’t that what you said?” Shen Zui stepped closer. Her skin was flawless even after hours of wearing makeup. “If I offer myself, do you want me?”

Sang Nian’s face turned bright red. She quickly narrowed her eyes in annoyance. “Where did you learn to do this? Have you used this line on others?”

“No,” Shen Zui said with such sincerity it was moving. She poked Sang Nian’s shoulder. “You know others make me ‘allergic’… it can only be you.”

Sang Nian coughed. The tables had turned. Flustered, she let go and stepped back.

Just as she was about to speak, a click sounded behind her. Little Sunny had managed to open her door with the help of her nanny. She was wearing an adorable white and pink rabbit onesie.

“Ma—” the little rabbit started to shout but stopped halfway. She looked up at Sang Nian. “Mommy!”

“Why are you out of bed?” Sang Nian’s attention shifted instantly. She scooped the little girl into her arms. “What time is it? Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I’m going now!” Sunny chirped.

“Did you come out because you heard voices?” Sang Nian laughed. “You’re so energetic, can you even sleep?”

Behind her, Shen Zui quietly hid her phone in her bag. She gave the confused nanny a look; the nanny understood immediately, bowed her head, and closed the door, disappearing as if she had never been there.

“Mommy, tell me a story!” Sunny demanded.

“You little…” Sang Nian pinched her cheek gently. “Alright, I’ll tell you a story.”

“Yay! I love Mommy!” Sunny kicked her feet happily.

Sang Nian took a deep breath and turned back to Shen Zui. Shen Zui’s face was expressionless. She didn’t even seem surprised to hear the child call Sang Nian “Mommy.”

“I’m going in now. You… you should head back,” Sang Nian said.

“Mhm,” Shen Zui replied.

As Sang Nian walked away, Sunny leaned over her shoulder and looked at her mother standing by the elevator. She tilted her head in confusion. Shen Zui put a finger to her lips, signaling “shhh.”

The little rabbit giggled.

Suddenly, Sang Nian turned back around. Her face was red, and her voice was strained. “By the way… she’s the neighbor’s kid! She’s not mine!”

With that, she swiped her key card and bolted into her room.

Once the lights were on, Sang Nian leaned against the wall, panting.

“Mommy?” Sunny tugged at her rabbit ears. “What did you just say?”

Sang Nian gave a stiff smile. “Nothing… I was just telling her what a cute child you are!”

“No!” Sunny widened her eyes. “You’re lying!”

“Am I?” Sang Nian kissed her cheeks. “Is my baby not cute?”

Sunny was instantly appeased and nodded shyly.

On the other side of the door, Shen Zui calmly walked to the opposite suite. The nanny was waiting and opened the door immediately.

“In an hour, please go across the hall and bring Sannie back,” Shen Zui instructed.

“Yes, Madam.”