The Supporting Female Lead Chooses to Mark the Villain [Rebirth] - Chapter 99.1

Outside the Hospital Ward

Sunny was held in Shen Zui’s arms, her beautiful eyes swollen from crying. She hadn’t yet recovered from her grief, clutching her small fists and hiccuping with every sob.

“Mommy hasn’t woken up yet…” Shen Zui felt a pang of heartache as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind the girl’s ear, forcing herself to remain composed. “So, you must promise me: once we go in, you have to be very quiet. You cannot disturb Mommy. Can you do that?”

Sunny nodded. Unable to wait any longer, she rested her hand on Shen Zui’s shoulder. “Quick, let’s go in. I want to see Mommy!”

“Okay.” Shen Zui nodded.

She looked down and took a deep breath to steady her expression where the little girl couldn’t see, then reached out and opened the door.

On the hospital bed, connected to various monitoring instruments, Sang Nian lay in a deep coma. Her face was pale, and a thick layer of gauze was wrapped around her head.

The moment the little girl saw her mother’s features, her eyes reddened again. However, remembering Shen Zui’s instructions, she didn’t dare make a sound. When she truly couldn’t hold it back anymore, she used both small hands to cover her mouth tightly. A broken whimper escaped through her fingers, sounding so muffled it seemed she might suffocate the next second.

“Mommy…”

Shen Zui turned her head and buried her eyes in Sunny’s shoulder, wiping away her own overflowing tears. She walked slowly to the chair by the bed and sat down, her voice hoarse. “It’s okay. Didn’t the doc—cough—didn’t the doctor uncle say so? Mommy is fine. She’ll wake up in a little while.”

Sunny sensibly wiped her own tears. She desperately wanted to throw herself into Sang Nian’s arms or even just touch her, but looking at her mother lying there pale and unconscious, she didn’t know what to do.

“Mama,” the little girl turned to Shen Zui. “Will Mommy… be in pain?”

Shen Zui patted her back. “…Yes.”

“I’ll help Mommy ‘hoo-hoo’ [blow on the wound].” Sunny tugged at Shen Zui’s collar. “Let me ‘hoo-hoo’ for her, okay?”

“Okay.” Shen Zui forced a smile.

She placed Sunny on the bed and watched as the little girl leaned in, blowing several soft breaths onto the bandages on Sang Nian’s head. Seeing that it was enough, Shen Zui picked her back up.

“Alright, that’s enough,” she coaxed the child. “With your help, Mommy won’t feel the pain anymore.”

Sunny asked, “Then why hasn’t Mommy woken up yet?” She was heartbroken. “Mommy said she’d take Nini to the amusement park tomorrow…”

“Nini, be good.” Shen Zui squeezed her small hand. She whispered, “When Mommy has had enough sleep, she will wake up. You… you…” She paused, steadying her breath before continuing. “You have to be good, so you can help Mommy ‘hoo-hoo’ more.”

Sunny’s spirits lifted significantly. “Okay!”

“So, when the nanny auntie comes later, what are you going to do?”

The girl blinked. “I… I…”

“You need to go back with Auntie obediently, eat well, and sleep well,” Shen Zui instructed gently, leaving Sunny no room for protest. “That way, you can come back early tomorrow to see Mommy and give her ‘hoo-hoo’.”

Realizing what was happening, Sunny pouted.

“Mommy really needs you.” Shen Zui leaned over and kissed her fair, tender cheek. “Nini will come tomorrow to ‘hoo-hoo,’ right?”

“…Right.” The little girl nodded.

Having reached an agreement with her daughter, Shen Zui breathed a silent sigh of relief. They stayed by the bedside for half an hour until the nanny arrived with a meal box and successfully took Sunny away.

Shen Zui had no appetite. She placed the food on the table and sat back in the chair, staring blankly at Sang Nian.

The moment the accident happened, she had nearly lost her mind and bolted from the car. Sunny hadn’t seen the collapse and didn’t know what had happened, but she had been terrified by Shen Zui’s sudden change in expression, clutching her sleeve and screaming “Mama” in fear.

Recalling the warmth and weight of her daughter had brought Shen Zui’s scattered soul back to her body. Ignoring Sunny’s protests, she had handed the girl to the driver, given some instructions, and rushed to the scene. By then, Sang Nian had already been pulled from the rubble.

At this point in her memory, the scene would be completely shrouded by the red blood on Sang Nian’s head. Her body’s self-protection mechanism blurred the image, preventing her from continuing to torture herself.

“It’s okay, nothing will happen.” Shen Zui took Sang Nian’s hand and brought it to her lips, kissing her fingers with every word she spoke. “You said on the phone that you had something to tell me when you got home. I’ve been looking forward to it for five days. Every moment, I’ve been guessing what you would say, what you would do…”

Her nose felt stingy. “And Sunny, she’s still thinking about how you said you’d take her to the amusement park. When she saw you bleeding just now, she couldn’t stop crying. She’s always been so good; it’s the first time I’ve seen her like that…”

The cold equipment at the bedside flashed with regular green lights. Sang Nian’s face was pale and peaceful. Shen Zui’s words echoed in the ward, dispelling the pungent smell of disinfectant.

“…You were so fierce that day; my gland ached for days.” Shen Zui lightly rubbed her cheek against the back of her hand. “But I was so happy, Niannian. My body craves you just as much as my soul does. What makes me even happier is realizing you never forgot me. you’re just as addicted as I am, aren’t you?”

“When you wake up, we’ll go home immediately. You’ll rest well, and once you’re better, we can go back to how things were.” At this point, her voice carried a slight sob. “Lately, I always dream of our days in the apartment. When you recover, let’s move back to the apartment and bring all your things to the villa? I want to take Nini back too, to show her where we used to live, and leave that house to her…”

Perhaps some words truly touched the patient’s nerves. Shen Zui felt the fingers in her palm suddenly twitch.

“Niannian?!” She was overcome with joy.

Sang Nian’s Perspective

Sang Nian felt a splitting headache.

The darkness was boundless, and monsters hidden in the shadows glared at her, seemingly ready to pounce and tear her apart. She didn’t know how to hide, so she relied on her survival instincts and ran forward frantically.

But, just like a cliché TV plot, she eventually reached a cliff. The bottom of the cliff was dark, like a bloody mouth leading to an even more unfathomable abyss.

Sang Nian stopped at the edge and slowly backed away. Jumping meant certain death, but turning back might offer a slim chance of survival. She still had a chance; everything Xi You said was a lie. She hadn’t violated or harmed anyone. She could—she could…

The cold wind howled.

A pair of ghostly hands pressed against her back and gave her a heavy shove. By the time Sang Nian realized it, it was too late. Her center of gravity shifted forward, and she fell uncontrollably toward the bottom of the cliff…

“AH—!!!”

A strong sensation of weightlessness hit her. Sang Nian gasped for air and sat up in bed, trembling.

“Niannian?!”

Shen Zui pressed the call button for the doctor while supporting her. “Quick, lie down! Don’t get up, lie down slowly.”

Sang Nian looked around blankly. White walls, bedside instruments, hospital gown, and by the bed… a woman whose features were somewhat familiar but whom she couldn’t quite place.

“I… I’m still alive?” She raised her hands in disbelief.

Shen Zui’s nose turned red instantly. She suppressed the intense bitterness rising in her chest. “Are you feeling very unwell? The doctor said you have a mild concussion and need to rest.” She held Sang Nian’s hand. “Don’t overthink it; your life isn’t in danger!”

“Not in danger…”

Being pushed off such a tall building, she… she only had a concussion? Her life wasn’t in danger?

Sang Nian finally took the time to observe the person in front of her. The woman was beautiful, and her aura was unique; after just one look, Sang Nian was captivated. Realizing the woman’s concern for her, Sang Nian’s heart began to race. For a moment, when their eyes met, she was actually too embarrassed to look away first.

Soon, she became annoyed with her own lack of composure—now was not the time for such thoughts!

“How do you feel?” Shen Zui leaned over to observe her. “Are you dizzy? Do you want some water?”

Sang Nian’s lips parted. After hesitating for a moment, she finally couldn’t help but ask:

“…Who are you?”

Shen Zui’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air. Even her basic reflex to blink stopped; she was frozen in place.

Sang Nian still couldn’t understand the current situation. “Where are my manager and assistant? Sister Duan… I mean, is Duan Wenyin here?” She tried to recall what happened before she was pushed off the building. “Please call my manager; I have something to tell him!”

Shen Zui: “…”

The next moment, the doctor and nurses entered the room. They pushed past Shen Zui and gathered around Sang Nian to perform a series of physical examinations.

Shen Zui’s eyes were wide and stinging. After calming down, she walked slowly to the doctor’s side. “Dr. Wu… she seems to have lost her memory.”

The doctor wasn’t surprised and even offered a word of comfort. “Don’t worry. Her injuries aren’t serious. There might be short-term amnesia; she’ll recover slowly.”

With that, he glanced at the patient’s name on the chart and leaned over to ask Sang Nian, “Miss Sang, do you remember what happened before you lost consciousness?”

Sang Nian: “…” She realized that “Miss Sang” was directed at her. Feeling something was wrong, she didn’t answer the question but tried to correct him first. “My name is Shen Nian.”

Doctor: “…”

Shen Zui reminded him from the side, “She changed her surname nearly two years ago. She was indeed called Shen Nian before.”

“Oh, right.” The doctor realized. He thought for a moment and changed the question. “Do you remember today’s date? Do you remember how old you are this year?”

Sang Nian was somewhat speechless. The doctor and Shen Zui were talking right in front of her. She understood every word, but putting them together felt nonsensical. Still, she cooperated and answered, “28.”

“28, okay…” The doctor looked down at the chart.

Beside them, Shen Zui, who had already realized the problem, swayed slightly, unable to stand steadily.

“That’s not right…” Soon, the doctor’s expression also cracked. He looked at Sang Nian and confirmed her date of birth on the chart. “By all accounts, you are… only 26 this year…”

Sang Nian: “…”

The wound on her head was still throbbing, and she didn’t have much patience. “Have you got the wrong person?” She took a deep breath and demanded again, “I want to see my manager. Where is he? Dealing with the media outside?”

Doctor: “Please calm down. Right now, nothing is more important than your health. Please cooperate with the examination.”

Sang Nian frowned, her fingers clutching the bedsheet in dissatisfaction.

Shen Zui looked at her. Suddenly, she asked, “Who… is your manager?”

Sang Nian looked at her in confusion. She didn’t know why this strange woman was here, appearing to have a close relationship with her. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to feel any resentment toward the woman.

“Ke Jun,” Sang Nian said, then lowered her head to rub her brow. “From Fan Jing Entertainment.”

“What?”

The ward door was pushed open with a “bang.” Mo Huai had driven at full speed from City A the moment she got the news. She didn’t know about the previous conversation and only heard Sang Nian say a completely unfamiliar name in a familiar voice.

When she entered and saw the bandages on Sang Nian’s head, her eyes turned red instantly. “Damn it! I’m going to kill Meng Qin!!!”

Sang Nian: “…”

Only then did Mo Huai notice Shen Zui. “Shen—President Shen?” She was stunned, her hands not knowing where to go. “Long time no see. How… why are you…”

Shen Zui was in no mood to explain and shook her head tiredly. She looked at Sang Nian. “It seems you don’t remember her either.”

Sang Nian: “…” She frowned and, ignoring Mo Huai, stared straight at Shen Zui. “Who exactly are you?”

Shen Zui hadn’t expected the day to come when she’d have to introduce herself to her lover. She pursed her lips and tried to say those two words in a steady voice.

“Shen Zui.”

“Shen Zui?” Hearing this name, Sang Nian reflexively shrunk back.

Shen Zui noticed her unusual reaction and a glimmer of hope sparked in her heart. “You remember me?”

“…” Sang Nian shook her head. “No, I don’t know you.”

“You’re lying!” A huge sense of grievance rose in Shen Zui’s heart. “You clearly reacted to my name!”

Mo Huai had been observing for a while and was completely bewildered. “What—what is going on?”

“That’s…” Sang Nian spoke up, forced to explain. “That’s because I have an aunt who is also named Shen Zui.”

Shen Zui: “…”

She pushed past the doctor to the bedside, grabbed Sang Nian’s hand, her expression looking as if she were about to cry. “I am Shen Zui!”

Sang Nian gave a dry, awkward laugh. “How is that possible?”

Shen Zui? Wasn’t Shen Zui a wheelchair-bound, skin-and-bones invalid who looked like she might die at any moment? How could it be this rosy-cheeked, breathtakingly beautiful woman, even if she looked exhausted? No, absolutely not…

But suddenly, Sang Nian froze. She had felt Shen Zui was familiar from the start. Now that they were close, the sense of déjà vu in the woman’s features couldn’t be ignored. A string in her mind was plucked. She suddenly remembered a few years ago, in that small building filled with the smell of disinfectant at the Shen residence, seeing the bloodless face of a woman on a sickbed… It perfectly overlapped with this woman’s exquisite features.

Sang Nian suddenly shivered violently. The next moment, she snapped back to reality and gave a sharp push, shoving Shen Zui away.

“Sang Nian!” Mo Huai supported Shen Zui and turned to glare at Sang Nian in shock.

On the bed, Sang Nian curled up, trembling.

“Get out.” She buried most of her face in her knees, showing only a pair of eyes filled with resentment and fear. “Shen Zui, get… out!”

A Few Days Later

“…The neurological issue is quite complex.” In the office, the new attending physician looked at the recent CT scans. “The good news is the wound is healing well and there are no lesions. The preliminary diagnosis is that she is suffering from a specific type of delusional disorder.”

It had been several days since Sang Nian woke up. Once it was confirmed she could be moved, Shen Zui transferred her to the most famous neurological hospital in City A.

Shen Zui listened to the doctor’s analysis with an expressionless face. She asked, “Can she recover? How long will it take?”

The doctor shook his head helplessly. “It’s hard to say.” He had recently combed through many domestic and international medical records because of Sang Nian. “Even among similar symptoms, her case is unique. Using her 18th year as a starting point, she has reconstructed an entirely different life… This has never been heard of before.”

Shen Zui: “…”

The doctor felt a bit guilty toward the wealthy woman who spent money without blinking. “The… the hospital can only help cure her physical injuries. As for the mental aspect, it depends on her own recovery.”

Shen Zui lowered her eyes and remained silent. Rather than being lost in thought, she had become almost numb over the past few days.

She had thought that after Sang Nian finished filming the commercial, they would go home, talk things through, and return to their former sweetness. But now, the situation