The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 97

Sang Nian leaned over to tuck the corners of the little girl’s blanket. She waited a moment before leaving the room, ensuring Sang Ni was truly fast asleep and wouldn’t wake up in the middle of the night crying for her mother.

Afterward, she went to the villa’s liquor cabinet and poured herself a small glass of crisp brandy, following her mood. Estimating that enough time had passed, she returned to the guest bedroom.

Even though she had turned on the ventilation system before leaving, the room was still thick with a potent scent of plum blossoms. It created the illusion that winter had arrived early, and one was walking through a fresh snowfall.

Amidst the bed curtains, Shen Zui had wrapped herself into a cocoon with the quilt, her body rising and falling with her breath. Sang Nian could hear her heavy, labored gasps—each one sounding like an agonizing effort to maintain restraint.

In her near-delirious state, Shen Zui didn’t even realize Sang Nian had returned.

Sang Nian walked to the bedside and leaned down. She saw Shen Zui’s eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, heavy with a single crystalline drop—whether sweat or a tear, it was hard to tell. It hung there precariously, threatening to fall at any moment.

It was a sight that inspired a strange sort of pity.

Licking her lips, Sang Nian reached out and crushed the droplet between her fingers. Feeling the moisture dissolve against her fingertip, she didn’t withdraw. Instead, she let her hand slide down, tracing the line of Shen Zui’s cheek all the way to her chin.

Affected by the Heat, Shen Zui was drenched in sweat. Under the restless teasing of Sang Nian’s fingers, Shen Zui finally opened her eyes. It took a few seconds for her gaze to focus. The moment she saw Sang Nian, a sound escaped her lips that was hard to define—part laugh, part sob.

“Niannian…” she whispered, reaching out to grasp at something for support, only to find her hand meeting empty air.

Sang Nian took in the full display of her desire and her struggle for control. “How did you get yourself into such a state?”

Her voice was cold. Thanks to her years of refined acting skills, her delivery was flawless, betraying nothing of her own inner turmoil.

Shen Zui shivered. She instinctively tried to burrow deeper into the quilt, but Sang Nian ruthlessly stripped away her sanctuary. The thin blanket was tossed to the foot of the bed, revealing Shen Zui underneath in only a flimsy nightgown.

The gown was a loose-fitting style with a wide neckline. The soft fabric lay draped haphazardly over her collarbones, dark damp patches blooming at the edges, making the slender body beneath seem even more delicate.

Under Sang Nian’s gaze, Shen Zui hugged her shoulders. She lay on her side, perfectly exposing one side of her neck. The previously inconspicuous gland was now flushed and swollen, like a wintersweet blossom branded onto her skin, waiting to be plucked.

Sang Nian leaned down to inhale the scent; she nearly lost her soul to it. Her own body felt parched and restless. She unbuttoned the top two buttons of her own pajamas, but she felt no relief from the heat.

“You’ve sweated so much…” Sang Nian focused back on Shen Zui. “Why keep the blanket on? Aren’t you afraid of falling ill from the stuffiness?”

Shen Zui bit her lower lip, squinting to see Sang Nian clearly. “Cold…”

“Cold?” Sang Nian repeated.

Shen Zui forced herself up on her elbows. In the next moment, she practically fell into Sang Nian’s arms. The instant their skin touched, both of them let out a satisfied sigh.

“Niannian, it’s so cold,” Shen Zui said, clinging to her shoulders.

Sang Nian could feel every tremor in her body. She slid a hand behind Shen Zui’s back, her fingertips grazing the nightgown, sliding from the collar to the hem as if appraising a piece of art. The contact sparked small fires that were reflected in Shen Zui’s increasingly frantic breathing.

“Why are you so damp?” Sang Nian whispered into her ear.

“I…” Shen Zui couldn’t even form a coherent response. Her senses were failing her; she couldn’t tell if she was burning up or freezing. All she knew was that Sang Nian’s body temperature was the only medicine that could save her.

She pressed herself against Sang Nian, but her long-sleeved autumn nightgown was in the way. Frustrated and acting almost childishly, Shen Zui tugged at her clothes until a large portion of her shoulder was exposed.

From Sang Nian’s perspective, a vast expanse of snow-white skin was revealed. She reached out to steady Shen Zui, using a bit of force because of the sweat. When she let go, red marks blossomed on Shen Zui’s skin—like a grove of red plum blossoms blooming in a snowy field.

Sang Nian was transfixed. This magnificent sight existed only because of her, and she was the only one who could appreciate it. To prove her theory, she continued to press her fingertips against the skin, planting more “plum blossoms” amidst Shen Zui’s breathless moans.

“…Mmm, it hurts,” a tear slipped from the corner of Shen Zui’s eye.

Sang Nian reconsidered. She replaced her fingers with her lips and tongue, softly sucking and kissing the length of that slender neck. Shen Zui’s breath hitched; she finally cried out, unable to endure any longer.

“Oh—!”

Sang Nian pulled back, satisfied with her handiwork. The marks left by her lips were lighter, beautiful like thin clouds that might drift away at any moment.

“Does it still hurt?” she asked.

Shen Zui stared at her blankly. Sang Nian didn’t expect an answer, but suddenly, Shen Zui pushed herself up and embraced her in a kneeling position.

“Niannian,” she said. “More.”

Sang Nian was buried in the scent of plum blossoms. She struggled to lift her head from that softness, asking with a smile, “More of what?”

Shen Zui’s gaze was glazed over. Her fingers fumbled across Sang Nian’s face until she found her lips. Sang Nian deliberately refused to cooperate, leaving Shen Zui to tug at her unresponsive lips in a panic, fragrant sweat pearling on her forehead.

“Sang Nian!” she shouted the full name with a flash of temper, but her strength faded within two seconds. “Kiss me.”

“Oh,” Sang Nian replied dryly. “So eager, are we?”

Shen Zui had cast aside all dignity and reserve. “…Yes.”

Sang Nian chuckled, though there wasn’t much warmth in it. “Is this the same person who dumped me without a word?”

Shen Zui froze. Sang Nian’s words dragged up bitter memories; her brow furrowed, and her fingers twitched.

“So…” Sang Nian hardened her heart, continuing to settle old scores. “You really sat there and considered what you would do if I had someone new when you returned, didn’t you?”

Shen Zui was stunned for a long time before she gave a small nod. “Yes.”

Sang Nian laughed out of sheer anger. She grabbed Shen Zui’s wrist, pulled it to her mouth, and bit down on her index finger. She didn’t hold back; a ring of teeth marks soon appeared. Shen Zui didn’t struggle or even cry out in pain.

It was Sang Nian who couldn’t bear it first. She began to lick the marks gently, kissing the finger as she spoke: “Tell me about it then.”

Shen Zui didn’t answer immediately. But instead of words, she began to tremble violently. With a sob, her strength left her, and she slid down from Sang Nian’s embrace.

The mere thought of that hypothetical scenario was enough to break her.

Sang Nian saw that she wanted to curl into a ball again, to retreat into a protective cocoon. She wouldn’t allow it. She pinned Shen Zui to the bed, holding both her wrists to force her arms open, making her completely vulnerable.

“What is this?” Sang Nian questioned harshly. “Trying to hide again?”

“I… I don’t know,” Shen Zui shook her head in agony, gasping for air. “If you had someone else… I… I would fight to take you back.”

“Take me back?” Sang Nian raised an eyebrow. “With what?”

Shen Zui: “…”

Sang Nian scoffed. “With your ability to beg for a kiss?” She gave a mocking laugh. “Who could you possibly win against?”

Shen Zui bit her lip, frustrated.

“I never let you suffer in bed,” Sang Nian said, tilting Shen Zui’s chin up. “Back when we were together, did I ever let you worry about anything from start to finish? If you really have to compete with someone else, what are your odds of winning?”

Shen Zui opened her mouth to speak, but Sang Nian cut her off. “Or do you have other tricks? You’ve never tried them, but it’s not like you don’t understand…”

Shen Zui gave a muffled “mm” and reached up with her free right hand to grasp the third button of Sang Nian’s pajamas. Sang Nian was surprised and didn’t stop her. The button was undone, and Shen Zui’s fingers slipped beneath the fabric, fumbling without any real technique.

Sang Nian wanted to laugh at her clumsiness, but her body began to tremble. Bathed in Shen Zui’s pheromones, she couldn’t remain unaffected. As an Alpha, she was naturally susceptible to an Omega’s influence. Without her noticing, the scent of Cedar had begun to mingle with the Plum Blossoms.

She had to admit that even Shen Zui’s amateurish touch made her shudder uncontrollably. “You’re cheating!” She grabbed Shen Zui’s wrist, though she couldn’t bring herself to use force.

Shen Zui tilted her head, her expression one of pure innocence. “Are you going to arrest me then?”

“Are you prepared to face the consequences?” Sang Nian countered.

“Are you going to… use punishment?” Shen Zui asked, shivering with fear but refusing to back down.

Sang Nian gave a threatening nod.

“Niannian,” Shen Zui whispered, pressing closer. “Be gentle…”

Sang Nian couldn’t speak. Her lips pressed hard against the corner of Shen Zui’s mouth, kissing her way down toward the gland.

The plum blossoms deserved to bloom even more vibrantly.

The Following Morning

When Shen Zui woke up, she felt as if she had been run over by a truck—every part of her was aching and sore. Something heavy was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

“Mama?” The little weight crawled off her. “Are you awake?”

Shen Zui looked around and confirmed she was still in the guest room. “Nini… how are you here?”

“I don’t know,” Sang Ni shook her head. “When I woke up, I was just next to Mama.”

Shen Zui smiled weakly. She sat up, checking her phone to see it was nearly noon. “Where is Mommy?”

“Auntie Su said Mommy ran away very early.”

Shen Zui laughed. “Mommy didn’t ‘run away’.” She paused and sighed. “She left for work.”

Later that day, Sang Nian arrived at her hotel with her agent, Mo Huai. She was scheduled for a dinner with the production team that evening. Meanwhile, back at the villa, Shen Zui promised Sang Ni that she would take her to see her mommy at work soon.

The Video Call

Sang Nian simpled unpacked her things and couldn’t resist calling Sang Ni. When the video connected, Shen Zui and Sang Ni’s faces appeared on the screen.

“Mommy!”

Sang Nian smiled warmly at her daughter. “Did you have lunch?”

“Mm-hm!” The little one nodded vigorously. “I ate my radishes!”

“Good girl,” Sang Nian praised. She then glanced at Shen Zui, noting the slight dark circles under her eyes, but otherwise, she seemed fine. She secretly licked her canine tooth, trying not to show her lingering satisfaction.

“Are you settled in?” Shen Zui asked.

“Yes,” Sang Nian replied.

Shen Zui continued, “The weather forecast says the temperature will drop in a couple of days. Remember to wear more clothes when you go out. And remember to eat your meals on time.”

“I know.”

Sang Nian’s voice was cool and indifferent. Shen Zui felt the many words she had prepared die in her throat. She touched the back of her neck; the gland was covered in bite marks and still throbbed slightly. It had only been one morning, but Sang Nian’s heat from the night before felt like a dream lost to the darkness. At least now, there was no trace of it in her voice.

“You woke up so early today,” Shen Zui said after a silence. “You must be tired. If you have nothing to do this afternoon, try to get some rest.”

Sang Nian gave a low “alright” and looked at the little girl. “Mommy is going to sleep for a bit. I’ll call you again tonight.”

“Okay,” Sang Ni pouted.

Before hanging up, Sang Nian added, “Nini, ask Auntie Su to play with you this afternoon, okay?”

“Why?” Sang Ni was confused.

Sang Nian cleared her throat. “Mama didn’t sleep well last night. Let her rest this afternoon.”

Sang Ni looked back at Shen Zui and nodded obediently. Once the call ended, she crawled back into Shen Zui’s arms. “Why didn’t you sleep well, Mama?”

Shen Zui stroked her hair. “Mommy was mistaken,” she said softly. “Mama slept very well.”

She let out a gentle breath. “It was the best sleep I’ve had in three years…”