The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 93

Everything was going smoothly until bedtime, which was when Sang Nian realized she was in a bit of a predicament.

She hadn’t planned on driving back in the dark anyway; the villa was massive, and she figured she could just find a guest room to crash in for the night.

However, as soon as 9:00 PM rolled around—Sannie’s usual bedtime—the “little bear cub” grabbed both of her parents and righteously demanded that they all sleep together.

“Cindy’s family sleeps like this!” Sannie declared.

“Cindy” was the protagonist of her favorite children’s picture book series. Cindy lived in a harmonious home, loved and pampered like a princess. Sannie’s life wasn’t much different, but the one missing piece was the experience of falling asleep surrounded by both of her parents.

Tonight, Sang Nian hadn’t left, and Shen Zui had finished work on time. Sannie had clearly been planning this move all evening.

Sang Nian lay down on the edge of the bed.

The bear cub, who had started in her arms, rolled twice until she landed directly in Shen Zui’s embrace. Then, she didn’t forget to look back and pat the empty spot beside her. “Mommy~ come here~”

Sang Nian glanced at Shen Zui, meeting a pair of dark eyes shimmering with soft light. Unable to decipher the complex emotions in that gaze, Sang Nian propped herself up and slowly scooted inward.

“A little closer!” the cub commanded, dissatisfied.

Unable to resist her daughter’s request, Sang Nian moved further in. Now, her shoulder was almost touching the little girl, and the distance between her and Shen Zui was only the width of one Sannie.

The faint scent of cold plum blossoms drifted into Sang Nian’s nose. She looked toward Shen Zui and saw her resting her head on one hand, looking down and chatting with Sannie.

The light traced a blurry line along Shen Zui’s profile, making her face look like it was under two different filters: her upper face was gentle and saint-like, while the slight curve of her lips held a trace of charm that felt like it could swallow one’s soul.

Those lips moved slightly as she spoke. “Mama doesn’t know. Ask Mommy yourself.”

Shen Zui lifted her eyes to look at Sang Nian.

“What is it?” Sang Nian asked, looking down at the cub.

“Mommy,” Sannie tugged at her collar. “Do you kick the blankets when you sleep?”

It was a childishly funny question, but under the girl’s serious gaze, it felt like a major family project that needed a formal report.

“…” Sang Nian paused for two seconds before stiffening her neck and shaking her head. “Of course not.”

Sannie let out a breath of relief and patted the duvet. “That’s good.”

“Mhm, don’t worry,” Sang Nian tucked the blanket in. “Mommy will watch over you. No one will steal your little blanket.”

Sannie puffed out her cheeks, her gaze suddenly becoming a bit resentful.

Sang Nian poked her cheek playfully. “What? Still not satisfied?”

The cub mumbled for a while before whispering, “I do…”

“What?”

“I kick the blankets!” Sannie whispered into Sang Nian’s ear as if sharing a top-secret intelligence report.

Sang Nian laughed. She pulled the little girl into her arms, pinning her limbs down. “Then Mommy will hold you tight so you can’t kick them. How’s that?”

Sannie’s face filled with mock horror. “Ah…”

“No?” Sang Nian continued to tease her.

Sannie’s struggle gradually weakened. Finally, she kicked her legs pathetically. “I can’t sleep like this…”

Having had her fun, Sang Nian let her go. She noticed Shen Zui was silently watching the scene and decided to drag her into the conversation. “So, back when Mommy wasn’t around, how did Mama deal with you?”

Sannie looked up proudly. “Mama would always fix the blankets for me!”

Sang Nian glanced at Shen Zui. “Oh? So she had to wake up several times a night?”

Sannie frowned in deep thought. “Umm…”

Sang Nian leaned in closer to her ear. “And how did she manage to notice the very moment you kicked them off?”

Sannie couldn’t figure out the logic, so she turned to Shen Zui for answers. “Is it true? Does Mama know every time I kick the blankets?”

Shen Zui replied with a straight face, “Mhm.”

“Whoa—” Sannie looked at her with pure adoration.

Sang Nian, however, wasn’t so easily fooled. “Liar.”

Sannie blinked. “Huh?”

“She’s teasing you,” Sang Nian said, exposing the other parent’s bluff.

“No!” Sannie balled up her fists. “Mama wouldn’t lie! Mama just knows!”

“Who said that?” Sang Nian’s lips curved into a sly smile. “She just told one, and you didn’t even notice.”

Sannie looked like she was about to cry.

“Sang Nian,” Shen Zui said suddenly, trying to intervene.

But she couldn’t stop her. Sang Nian pinched Sannie’s cheek. “She knows Mommy doesn’t kick the blankets when she sleeps, yet she purposely had you ask. Isn’t that a lie?”

Sannie rubbed her nose and turned to Shen Zui. “…Is it true?”

Shen Zui: “…”

Sannie’s mind raced as she arrived at a new question. “How do you know? Did you see her before?”

Shen Zui had no choice but to nod slightly.

“Oh…” Sannie looked even more aggrieved.

Before Shen Zui could explain herself, the child let out a “Hmph!” and delivered a soul-crushing accusation: “Why did Mama sleep with Mommy secretly and didn’t bring me along?”

Shen Zui: “…” Sang Nian: “…”

Shen Zui looked at Sang Nian and found her staring blankly at the ceiling, her face completely still.

“How many times did you sleep together?” the cub pressed.

“Cough, cough!” Sang Nian suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit. “San… Sannie…”

The cub’s attention was instantly diverted. she leaned over and frantically patted Sang Nian’s chest. “Be good, Mommy… be good…”

Sang Nian took the chance to grab the small hands. She furrowed her brows, acting pitiful. “It’s so late. Shall we sleep? Mommy feels a bit unwell…”

“Ah!” Sannie nodded nervously. “Okay!”

She cooperatively closed her eyes and pressed her head against Sang Nian’s chest, nuzzling her. The bedroom fell silent. Ten minutes later, Sannie’s breathing became steady as she drifted into dreamland.

Sang Nian patted her back gently and couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss the top of her head. When she looked up, she met Shen Zui’s gaze.

In the dim, amber glow of the nightlight, Shen Zui’s expression was far softer than usual. Despite the cute bear pajamas, she still looked elegant and composed.

“These clothes…” Sang Nian finally realized the implication. All three of them were wearing matching bear pajamas. It was clearly a premeditated purchase.

Shen Zui looked down at the sleeping cub. “She likes them very much.”

“Mhm.”

“Thank you,” Shen Zui said suddenly.

“For what?”

To avoid waking Sannie, both of them spoke in whispers. Their voices were like floating feathers, barely disturbing the air between them.

“Thank you for… putting her to sleep.”

Sang Nian’s lips quirked slightly. “She’s my daughter too. It’s what I should do.”

“Mhm.” Shen Zui looked up and asked, “Can you sleep?” She raised her upper body slightly. “If you’re not sleepy, you can go to the guest room. I’ll stay and look after her.”

It was still early for their usual schedules. Sang Nian didn’t say a word. She simply adjusted her position so that the little bear cub could lean more comfortably against her.

Then, surrounded by the warm fragrance of the room, she silently closed her eyes. Before her consciousness slipped into darkness, she felt someone gently touch her hair.

The voice was incredibly restrained: “Goodnight.”