The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 10

Phoebe and Qin Zhaoman went together to Qiao Qiao’s newly opened Thai massage parlor.

Qiao Qiao came from a family with generations of military officers. She was the only girl in the last three generations, and aside from being beaten half to death when she came out of the closet, she basically got to do whatever she wanted.

Her hobby over the past couple of years had been opening shops—she had already started several strange little businesses, most of which operated at a loss, purely for the sake of fun.

Qiao Qiao was waiting for the two of them at the entrance, arms crossed, looking utterly drained: “I’ve waited so long I don’t even have the energy to yell at you two anymore.”

Phoebe locked her car and adjusted her shawl: “This time, it’s not my fault.”

Qiao Qiao’s resentful gaze shifted to Qin Zhaoman: “Zelmer, if one day I and your conference table both fell into the water, who would you save first?”

Qiao Qiao: “You.”

Phoebe interjected: “She’s lying.”

Qiao Qiao, ever the bully who only picked on the weak, lunged at her with a headlock: “How is she lying? In your eyes, am I really worse than a conference table?”

Phoebe patted her arm: “Let go, and I’ll tell you why Zelmer was late.”

Qiao Qiao glanced at Qin Zhaoman, then released her grip and leaned in eagerly.

Qiao Qiao watched as the two of them conspired loudly nearby. Before long, Qiao Qiao shot her a suggestive look, dragging out her words: “Ohhh—”

Qiao Qiao took the bathrobe handed to her by the attendant and asked, “Oh what?”

Qiao Qiao was in the next cubicle over, emboldened by the fact that Qin Zhaoman couldn’t reach her: “Oh, you’re so cold and heartless, ignoring a gorgeous woman chasing after you.”

Qiao Qiao walked out with her and shot her a glance: “She wasn’t sincere—she just wants something from me.”

Qiao Qiao trailed behind her, sitting cross-legged on the bed next to hers: “Who has that much sincerity these days? Sincerity is fragile and unreliable. Financial relationships are way more stable. If I were you, I’d say yes.”

She pulled out her iPad and started browsing for masseuses: “Look at all my sisters—aren’t they all so good to me? Our financial relationships are more stable than a triangle.”

Phoebe was the last to come out, just in time to hear that: “You think everyone’s like you?”

Qiao Qiao immediately fired back: “What’s wrong with me? Did you marry William for love? You’d only met twice before tying the knot.”

Qiao Qiao said, “Aren’t you two tired of arguing about this every time?”

Qiao Qiao scooted closer to Qin Zhaoman: “If you’re not interested in Neve, how about I give it a shot?”

Qiao Qiao raised an eyebrow: “Whatever.”

Phoebe let out a laugh, dripping with mockery.

Qiao Qiao’s gaze shifted over, assuming the comment was directed at her: “What are you laughing at?”

Phoebe was tying up her hair in front of the mirror. She glanced back through the reflection: “At your lack of self-awareness.”

Qiao Qiao was tempted to strangle her again: “What lack of self-awareness? If Neve really agreed to be with me, I’d marry her and let her manage the household. Once she’s family, you think my grandpa wouldn’t take care of her?”

Qiao Qiao, growing drowsier in the warmth, cracked an eyelid open: “Marry?”

Qiao Qiao: “Yeah, marry. Why not? My family’s gonna pressure me sooner or later anyway. If there’s someone this high-quality, why bother with blind dates? After marriage, we’d each do our own thing—a life of mutual respect sounds just around the corner.”

Phoebe affectionately ruffled her hair, saying, “Wake up, you already know Neve is the best. If she’s going to marry someone, why not the best as well?”

Qiao Qiao glanced at Qin Zhaoman and asked, “Then why did Neve choose Zelmer?”

Phoebe looked calmly at Qin Zhaoman and replied slowly, “Because she didn’t intend for anything serious with Zelmer either. Didn’t she say it herself? Just making friends, that’s all.”

Qin Zhaoman locked eyes with Phoebe for a moment before closing them again.

By the time the masseuse arrived, she was almost asleep. The tea-scented essential oil carried a faint hint of Shen Niannian’s perfume, causing her half-dreaming mind to flicker with scenes from Shen Niannian’s films.

She dreamed of Shen Niannian stopping her motorcycle, taking off her helmet, her voluminous black hair clinging to her cheeks. She dreamed of her dismounting, helmet in hand, those cool, indifferent eyes that held no pretense for anyone.

Shen Niannian was actually more beautiful when she wasn’t smiling.

Qin Zhaoman woke up, annoyed by the dream, and swept her hair back with a hand.

What a nuisance.

Qiao Qiao was also feeling drowsy. Propping her head up, she asked Qin Zhaoman, “Did you not drive here? If you’re heading home, I can give you a ride.”

Phoebe, sitting on the other side, added, “If you’re going back to the office, come with me.”

Qin Zhaoman, now wide awake, stood up and adjusted her earrings in the mirror. “I’ll have my secretary pick me up. I’m heading to my uncle’s place.”

She had gone back more often recently because she’d promised to bring Shen Niannian chocolates. She had braced herself for hours of nagging from her uncle, but surprisingly, he hadn’t said much.

After reading a few books on geriatric psychology, she theorized that her uncle had been pressuring her to marry out of loneliness—just to get her attention. Now that she was giving him that attention, he’d stopped making a fuss.

It sounded like a stretch, but she hoped it was true.

—

Arriving at the old estate, Qin Zhaoman stepped out of the car. A pure white, fluffy-tailed Chinchilla cat leaped from the flower trellis to her feet, affectionately rubbing against her leg.

Qin Zhaoman picked it up and asked the approaching maid, “Is Ke’ai feeling better now?”

Ke’ai was a show-grade kitten her cousin had gifted her before moving abroad. With snow-white long fur, pink paw pads, and eyes like translucent aqua glass, it was stunningly beautiful.

The only downside was its delicate temperament and fragile health—always falling ill.

The maid respectfully replied, “She returned from the pet hospital yesterday. She can’t have canned food these days and has been sulking, refusing to eat.”

Qin Zhaoman pinched its paw pad and scolded lightly, “What kind of kitten refuses to eat kibble? If you don’t eat, you’ll end up back in the hospital.”

Ke’ai tilted its head, gazing at her with innocent aqua eyes, then nuzzled against her face.

Qin Zhaoman pressed a finger against its tiny head, holding it back. “No use acting cute.”

After a moment, Ke’ai softened and rubbed against her fingers.

Qin Zhaoman chuckled, tweaking its ear. “You’re just like Shen Niannian.”

Ke’ai mewed in response.

Holding it up to eye level, Qin Zhaoman teased, “Just as much of a troublemaker as you.”

Ke’ai stretched toward her face, but Qin Zhaoman gently pushed it back. “No way. One little troublemaker is enough—can’t handle any more.”

Uncle called from nearby, “What are you talking to Keai about? I think you’re just too lonely, chatting away with a cat. Come here quickly, I have something to show you.”

Qin Zhaoman handed the cat to the maid, not particularly eager to see what it was.

Uncle didn’t care whether she wanted to or not—he had already pulled out a thick “marriage resume.”

Leaning against the sofa, Qin Zhaoman pressed the resume onto the table. “Didn’t we agree not to talk about this these past few days?”

Recalling what she’d read about geriatric psychology, she tried to reason with him. “Why are you so insistent on me getting married? I’m not lonely, and my future is secure.”

She asked earnestly, “Do you want to raise a child? How about I buy you a dog? Much more obedient than a kid. If you really want a person, I can pick someone from the branch family to keep by your side. How about that?”

Uncle glared at her. “What nonsense are you spouting? I’m doing this for you.”

Qin Zhaoman straightened up. “Fine, I get it. So as long as I get married, that’s enough, right?”

Uncle was first delighted by her concession, then immediately worried. “But they have to be a good match, someone worthy of you.”

Qin Zhaoman nodded. “A good match, and married—that’s it, right?”

Uncle thought for a moment, confirming there wasn’t much else to nitpick. “Right.”

Without batting an eye, Qin Zhaoman asked, “So a woman would be fine too, then?”

The words slipped out lightly, and even she wasn’t sure why she suddenly asked that.

Uncle’s expression darkened instantly. “A woman? Absolutely not!”

Qin Zhaoman shrugged. “Why not? Isn’t this for me, not for kids?”

Uncle was so furious he nearly blacked out again. Rage burning in his chest, he abandoned any attempt at reasoning, wishing he could dig out his own thoughts and shove them into Qin Zhaoman’s head—make her settle down and start a family like any other girl.

Qin Zhaoman, accustomed to this, poured him a glass of water. Once he’d calmed down, she asked, “Uncle, so do you want a dog, or should I pick someone from the branch family for you? Let me be clear—I won’t marry unless I meet the right person. Even if you write it into your will—”

Uncle snatched the cane beside him and hurled it at her. After a thorough scolding, Qin Zhaoman was unceremoniously kicked out.

Secretary Li could hear Uncle’s booming curses even from the doorway. “You shouldn’t have mentioned the will. Of course an elderly person would get angry hearing that.”

Qin Zhaoman rubbed her ear. “I know.”

The weather had been getting colder these past few days. Stepping outside, away from the central heating, the cold air hit her face, and Qin Zhaoman frowned, unable to suppress a coughing fit that wouldn’t stop.

Her lungs had always been weak. Though treatment had helped, every winter brought a relapse.

Secretary Li always kept a thermos of hot water in the car during winter. He quickly poured her a cup. “Should we go to the hospital?”

Qin Zhaoman sipped the hot water, feeling slightly better. “No need. I still have medicine from last winter.”

Secretary Li, driving ahead, suggested, “How about seeing a TCM doctor? Your leg felt much better after the last visit.”

Qin Zhaoman realized that lately, the presence of “Shen Niannian” in her life seemed unusually high.

Even though Shen Niannian hadn’t been part of this afternoon at all, she’d lost count of how many times that name had popped into her mind—or been mentioned by others, even the cat.

Qin Zhaoman said, “We’ll see.”

The assistant took note to schedule a traditional Chinese medicine consultation. In Qin Zhaoman’s responses, there were only yes or no. “We’ll see” could be interpreted as a yes.