When The Scheming Female Supporting Character Is Forced To Seduce The Female Lead - Chapter 26

The moment Du Jingmo saw the redness in Zhao Qingdai’s eyes, she regretted her words.

She had expected Zhao Qingdai to act as she always did, playing the innocent victim and pitifully recounting her grievances. But she didn’t.

Instead, Zhao Qingdai lifted her chin, forcing back the tears that had welled up at her lashes. Slowly and firmly, she said, “I didn’t.”

“I’m kind to Sister because of my feelings. It has nothing to do with anyone else, and certainly not Brother. It’s just…” Her voice cracked. After a pause to compose herself, she continued, “Just because that’s what I want.”

“It’s nothing else, just for Sister.”

As she spoke, tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks. She quickly turned away to wipe them off, unwilling to be misunderstood as putting on an act of pity at such a moment.

She possessed countless green tea tactics, but with Du Jingmo, she had only resorted to acting cute and doting on her with meticulous care. Now, she even had to hide her tears, fearing they would be misconstrued and hurt her feelings.

In that instant, Du Jingmo’s regret reached its peak.

She gently took Zhao Qingdai’s shoulders, turning her to face her. “I’m sorry.”

Looking around, she found no tissues nearby, so she softly brushed away the tears clinging to Zhao Qingdai’s lashes with her fingertips. Her touch was tender. “I shouldn’t have doubted you. Even if there was a misunderstanding, I shouldn’t have questioned you like this. I should have talked to you properly.”

It was just… just the memory of Zhao Qingdai’s sudden distance that year, followed by three consecutive attempts to undermine her. Suitors were nothing; as Qiao Jiaojiao had said, countless people liked her, but she’d never cared about any of them.

What truly bothered her was Zhao Qingdai.

The sting of betrayal from that time was still vivid in her mind. If Zhao Qingdai’s approach this time was also driven by ulterior motives…

The mere thought sent a chill down her spine.

Du Jingmo felt the tears on her fingertips burn with a scalding heat.

At the end of the day, it all boiled down to two words: “I care.”

Back then, she felt betrayed because she cared. Now, she couldn’t tolerate another betrayal, still because she cared.

“Sister, you don’t need to apologize. You’ll never need to feel sorry for me,” Zhao Qingdai sniffled, forcing back her tears. “I’ll never be angry with you.”

In Zhao Qingdai’s eyes, Du Jingmo was never wrong.

In that moment, Du Jingmo suddenly felt regret again, mixed with tenderness. Not regret over this morning’s confrontation, but regret over the past.

Why had this girl, who had been wronged yet still fought back her tears and declared she would never be angry with her, distanced herself all those years ago? Du Jingmo hadn’t even asked, just let things drift apart.

How unforgivable.

She gently wrapped her arms around Zhao Qingdai’s shoulders, stroking her hair and the nape of her neck. “Don’t cry anymore. From now on… from now on, I’ll never make you cry again because of me.”

The words were overly sentimental and clingy, but in that moment, under those circumstances, they slipped out unbidden, without thought.

Zhao Qingdai hummed in acknowledgment. She subtly turned her head, nestling against the crook of Du Jingmo’s neck. Her tears had stopped the moment her sister had embraced her, but her voice still trembled with sobs.

The System had a cringe-worthy thought lodged in its throat, refusing to utter it aloud. It simply couldn’t bring itself to acknowledge the scene before it: two beauties nestled together, the setting sun piercing through the gauzy curtains to create a soft, perfect light. Even the breeze seemed to arrive at just the right moment, gently caressing their hair and the edges of their clothing.

The System muttered bitterly, “What kind of world-class painting is this? Why does it look… almost pleasant?”

How could these two, who were sniffling and tearful from their argument just moments ago, now be embracing so harmoniously? Was this proper etiquette?

The System wasn’t alone in its bewilderment. The nanny, who had finally arrived for work, shared the same confusion.

With no breakfast to prepare, she even occasionally got to join the family for a meal. She had grown accustomed to arriving later. But today, upon entering the house and finding no food, she peeked into the kitchen and froze, utterly stunned.

Auntie couldn’t understand it, but she was deeply shaken! She felt neither right to stay nor to leave, her hands twisting awkwardly. Finally, she raised her voice tentatively and asked, “Young Miss… did you… did you argue?”

Zhao Qingdai reacted most strongly, immediately jumping out of Du Jingmo’s arms. Realizing her reaction had been too dramatic, she cleared her throat awkwardly and lowered her head, remaining silent.

True to her worldly reputation, Du Jingmo turned around, crossed her arms, and delivered a flawless, though entirely fabricated, explanation: “The gas suddenly wouldn’t light. My little sister was in a rush to cook for me and started crying in frustration. I was just comforting her.”

Auntie immediately exclaimed in understanding, realizing she’d overthought the situation. “Oh, so it was just sisterly affection! I shouldn’t have been so nosy.”

As she spoke, “Let me see, let me see,” she effortlessly lit the gas stove with a flick of her wrist.

“So it wasn’t broken after all. I just wasn’t familiar with the appliances,” Zhao Qingdai added, following the convenient excuse. “I’ll go wash my face first. Auntie, could you stir-fry the rice for me?”

And just like that, the century-defining social awkwardness was diffused.

Watching the sisters’ seamless act, the System could only think, Absolutely brilliant.

Zhao Qingdai fled the scene at top speed. She always wore light makeup when she woke up, fearing her tears would ruin it. She scrutinized her face in the mirror, relieved to find that while her crying had made her look slightly disheveled, it hadn’t completely ruined her appearance. The raw honesty of the moment, she decided, was ultimately what saved her.

“It wasn’t a total loss. From today on, Sister definitely won’t associate me with Brother anymore.”

This was a roundabout way of severing the root of the problem.

The System approved of her constant focus on tasks.

Though Zhao Qingdai wasn’t diligent in her studies, she was truly devoted and relentless when it came to playing the green tea role.

She splashed cold water on her face, focusing on cooling her slightly reddened eyes. “Hey, Funny Face, help me out again. Locate Lu Anshi for me.”

[System: You’re asking for help and calling me names? Don’t you dare curse me again!]

Zhao Qingdai immediately launched into her usual nonsense. “How is that a curse? You’re a Funny Face! Calling you ‘Hey, Funny Face’ is a term of endearment! Why don’t you understand my heart?”

[System: Your entire heart is devoted to the Female Lead. What does that have to do with me?]

Zhao Qingdai clicked her tongue. This System was truly unlikable. Not only did it see through her, but it also had to point it out.

The aroma of cooking wafted through the air. She quickly wiped her face, reapplied her base makeup, and drew her eyeliner, creating a minimalist yet calculated “natural” look. “Just give me the location already! The sooner we complete the task, the sooner you can be rid of me. Isn’t that a win-win?”

System: “Getting rid of you is definitely a good thing, but isn’t this development path a little… strange?”

Zhao Qingdai swiftly and precisely drew her eyeliner. “Have you received any notifications that the storyline is veering off course?”

The System fell silent.

What infuriates the System most is when it has nothing to say! Zhao Qingdai had long since figured out the System’s workings through her daily interactions. She knew her current direction was correct, so even if the System was displeased, it had no choice but to swallow its discontent.

Funny Face reluctantly provided the real-time location, grumbling indignantly, “People these days will ship anything! They’re actually cheering for the ‘Female Lead and Villainess’ pairing—what a messed-up ship!”

Not a single reader questioned why this sweet romance novel, after being revised by the author, had become increasingly… suggestive. They accepted it with surprising ease!

Zhao Qingdai pressed her lips together, suppressing a laugh. “What do you know? These readers clearly have discerning taste!”

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