The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 95

Sang Nian played with Sannie and the Samoyed, though she kept her mask firmly in place to avoid being recognized.

“Mommy, why is it so big?” Sannie whispered, staring at the dog’s fluffy white fur.

“This is how big they grow when they’re adults,” Sang Nian explained, taking the opportunity to teach her a lesson. “Next time you see a dog, don’t run up to it. You must wait for Mommy or Mama to be with you!”

“Why? Will it bite?” Sannie asked.

Sang Nian looked at the Samoyed, which was currently rolling on its back and showing its belly to them. It wasn’t exactly a threatening sight. “Some dogs are shy around strangers,” she corrected. “If you rush at them, they might get scared.”

The girl who owned the dog laughed, joining their conversation. “Your baby isn’t shy at all! She’s so outgoing.”

“Mhm,” Sang Nian felt a surge of pride. “She’s usually very well-behaved. She’s just excited today.”

“Man, I wish I could have a daughter like this!” The girl sat on the grass. “You and your wife must have amazing genes. She’s beautiful, and even your eyes alone are enough to kill.”

Sang Nian smiled behind her mask. “My eyes are okay, but the rest of my face is pretty average.”

“Worse than your wife’s?” the girl teased.

Sang Nian looked up, genuinely curious. “How many people have you seen who are more beautiful than her?”

“True…” The girl nodded in agreement. “Though, I think the celebrity Shen Nian is the most beautiful! But she’s an Alpha, so it’s not a fair comparison. For an Omega… what do you think of Ruan Lu?”

“No,” Sang Nian shook her head immediately. She couldn’t help but defend Shen Zui’s beauty. “No one has a better temperament than her.”

The girl chuckled. “Subjective, of course. She’s your wife, so naturally, you think she’s the best. That’s what they call ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.”

Sang Nian’s face flushed. She glanced toward the picnic mat and saw Shen Zui preparing food. The autumn wind brushed through Shen Zui’s hair. As if sensing the gaze, Shen Zui looked up, and their eyes met in a moment of shared warmth that even the approaching winter couldn’t chill.

“Why do you keep the mask on?” the girl asked.

“Because…” Sang Nian’s mind raced. “She makes me wear it.”

“Mama?” Sannie piped up, curious.

“Oh, I get it!” the girl whispered conspiratorially. “You must be so pretty that your wife is a ‘vinegar jar’ (jealous type) and doesn’t want anyone else looking at you, right?”

Sang Nian shrugged, letting the mystery hang.

“Makes sense,” Sannie nodded solemnly, pressing her hand against Sang Nian’s mask. “Mommy, don’t let anyone else see.”

Sang Nian noticed Shen Zui was missing from the tree. She looked around and found her behind the trunk, still on the phone.

“…I’m sorry, something came up at home. You met Qin Li, right? She’ll take you to the hotel. We’ll meet at the office on Monday.”

Sang Nian couldn’t hear “Miss Zhou” on the other end, but the woman was clearly protesting.

“It’s my weekend,” Shen Zui explained. “Sannie is at home… Fine, I’ll send you the villa address.”

Sang Nian slipped away and sat back down on the picnic mat. She handed Sannie an apple. “Baby, do you know a ‘Auntie Zhou’?”

Sannie’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Auntie Zhou brings gifts! Dresses, candy, and toys that Mama says are very, very expensive!”

Sang Nian pursed her lips. “Mommy will take you to the mall tomorrow to buy even better ones, okay?”

“Okay!”

“So, who do you like more? Auntie Zhou or Mommy?” Sang Nian asked childishly.

Sannie wrapped her arms around Sang Nian’s neck. “Mommy, of course! Even without dresses, I love Mommy best!”

Sang Nian felt like she had won a great victory. “Mommy loves you most too!”

“What about Mama?” Sannie asked. “Do you like me more or Mama more?”

“Cough, you… she… she can’t compare to you…” Sang Nian muttered, feeling inexplicably guilty.

“And what is Auntie Zhou’s relationship with Mama?” Sang Nian pressed.

“Kiss-kiss,” Sannie pouted. “Kiss-kiss partner. Grandma said so.”

Sang Nian’s grip tightened on her daughter’s hand. “You saw them kiss?”

“No.”

“Did Grandma introduce them?”

Sannie blinked, confused.

“Was Grandma there when they met?” Sang Nian tried again.

“Yes!”

Kiss-kiss… Sang Nian realized what she meant. “Do you mean… Blind date? They were on a blind date?”

Sannie nodded. “Mhm, kiss-kiss partner.”

Sang Nian cold-snorted. That old woman Shen Bi hadn’t given up; even while “recovering,” she was trying to play matchmaker for Shen Zui. And Shen Zui? She was still on that phone call! Was there really that much to talk about?

Five minutes later, Shen Zui returned.

“So busy? Working on the weekend?” Sang Nian asked, trying to sound indifferent.

“A client arrived a week early,” Shen Zui sat down. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Sang Nian’s tone was sharp.

Shen Zui looked up, surprised. “I’m apologizing because I ruined the picnic for you and Sannie.”

“You didn’t,” Sang Nian said, wiping juice from Sannie’s chin. “I just hope you can keep work and life separate.”

“I will,” Shen Zui promised. “This was an accident.”

Sang Nian felt a bit better. She blurted out, “Is the client pretty?”

“What?” A gust of wind blew past, and Shen Zui didn’t hear her.

“Nothing.” Sang Nian leaned in close to Shen Zui without warning.

Shen Zui froze, unable to resist the proximity. “Niannian…”

“The mask strap is caught in my hair.” Sang Nian tilted her head to the 3/4 angle that the media always said was her best. “Can you help me?”

“Okay…” Shen Zui’s fingers reached out, gently untangling the strap. Her touch grazed Sang Nian’s ear, and her cheeks turned a soft pink. “There. Finished.”

Sang Nian pulled her hair over one shoulder, exposing the long line of her neck. She pulled her mask back up, hiding a triumphant smile, though her eyes remained curved with mischief. “Thanks.”

Beside them, little Sannie held her orange juice, watching her parents. She wrinkled her nose, suddenly finding the juice a bit too sour.

She was too young to know the word for it, but she was getting her first taste of being a “third wheel” to her parents’ flirting. She’d better get used to it.