The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 13

Before leaving, the waiter packed a hot drink for Qin Zhaoman. The base was jasmine tea, mixed with an indistinct medicinal taste.

Shen Niannian’s commentary skills were more professional than she had imagined. Unlike the other two commentators, whose styles were passionate and intense, Shen Niannian’s tone was gentle—not the most mainstream approach, but it had become Qin Zhaoman’s current favorite.

Antoine emerged from the crowd and, spotting the cup in Qin Zhaoman’s hands, asked, “Where’d you get the milk tea? I want some too.”

There was no milk tea shops here. The cup belonged to Shen Niannian, adorned with her signature brown bear design.

Qin Zhaoman replied, “A friend gave it to me.”

Antoine asked curiously, “Laura?”

Qin Zhaoman didn’t bother hiding her annoyance. “Is she still here?”

Antoine shrugged. “Even if she’s bankrupt, she can still come to have fun. With Neve here, of course she wouldn’t miss it.”

His expression turned indignant. “That crazy woman can’t keep her legs still when she sees a pretty woman. If Neve talks to you later, you better warn her. Neve doesn’t look like she can handle herself in a fight.”

Qin Zhaoman gave a noncommittal hum.

Antoine changed the subject. “I saw your Thunderfire was just delivered. Wanna go check it out?”

GP race bikes were usually kept in the factory for maintenance, but since Qin Zhaoman was coming, they had brought hers along.

Qin Zhaoman snapped out of her thoughts. “Let’s go.”

Thunderfire was a custom bike, its deep-red body painted with irregular white lightning bolts edged in gold. Qin Zhaoman’s name slanted boldly across the side.

Among the sea of similarly colored race bikes, it stood out as undeniably cool.

Antoine had been coveting this bike for ages. “Zelmer…”

Qin Zhaoman cut him off coldly. “Don’t even think about it.”

Antoine attempted to play the big, tough guy acting cute, but as he lifted his head, his movements froze, and his face flushed bright red. “Neve!”

Shen Niannian smiled and greeted him. Antoine’s gaze flickered between her and Qin Zhaoman before he quickly made up an excuse and left.

Shen Niannian waved at Antoine as he walked away. Qin Zhaoman said, “I’ll lend you Thunderfire later.”

Having overheard her earlier exchange with Antoine, Shen Niannian teased, “Really? You’d lend it to me?”

Qin Zhaoman shot her a glance. “Of course. Aren’t I your favorite racer? Little fan.”

Shen Niannian caught the faint scent of roses wafting from her as she met Qin Zhaoman’s eyes. “Then, thank you? My idol, Qin.”

From the distance, cheers erupted at the race track as the winner, Bart, pushed through the crowd.

“Zelmer! You brought Thunderfire—why not take it for a spin?”

Shen Niannian knew Bart. He had been Qin Zhaoman’s perpetual runner-up in the past, but in recent years, he had become the champion. Some bored media outlets, capitalizing on Qin Zhaoman’s injury, had joked that his victories were handed to him.

Now that Qin Zhaoman was here, Bart wouldn’t pass up this opportunity.

Qin Zhaoman replied, “Not interested.”

Bart shrugged and called out to the others who had followed him, “Don’t you all want to see me race Zelmer?!”

Fresh off their own races, the riders were still hyped up and easily riled.

A wave of enthusiastic shouts rose like the tide. “We want to see it!”

Bart locked eyes with Qin Zhaoman. “Come on, Zelmer. Just a friendly match. The result doesn’t matter.”

Qin Zhaoman repeated, “I’m not interested.” Bart frowned. “This is getting boring.”

The racers were all drawn to strength, and in his words, the crowd’s jeers grew louder, eager to see Qin Zhaoman accept the challenge.

Shen Niannian clapped her hands—a simple gesture that instantly quieted the noisy crowd as all eyes turned to her.

“Zelmer said Thunderfire is mine for today. How about I race Bart instead?”

If anyone else had said this, the fired-up spectators wouldn’t have taken it seriously. But coming from Shen Niannian, the cheers immediately shifted, now directed at Bart: “Accept it!”

Bart was surprised and somewhat helpless as he said to Shen Niannian, “I came here to challenge Zelmer.”

Shen Niannian repeated his words, her tone cool. “This is getting boring.”

She could guess Bart’s mindset, but pushing aggressively when he knew Qin Zhaoman was injured only confirmed the media’s opinion of him.

Bart had his own fans here, but they were a minority compared to Shen Niannian’s supporters, only able to voice their discontent in hushed tones.

Qin Zhaoman stood behind Shen Niannian, her indifferent gaze sweeping over the discordant murmurs.

Silence fell completely this time.

Bart realized they were in it together and reluctantly gestured. “Fine. I just hope I don’t get jumped after you lose.”

Qin Zhaoman said, “Do you always say that before you lose?”

Bart met her eyes, and for a moment, the back of his neck prickled. His lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing, silently mounting his bike.

Qin Zhaoman followed Shen Niannian. There was no need for her to step in—win or lose, it wouldn’t benefit her. Any accident could be a fatal blow to her career.

“Are you sure? Don’t push yourself.”

Shen Niannian adjusted her gloves. “I’m sure.”

Qin Zhaoman tucked her hands into her coat pockets, watching as Shen Niannian swung her leg over the bike with practiced ease. “Don’t worry about the result. Safety comes first.”

Shen Niannian pulled the starter pistol from her pocket, spinning it once around her finger before gripping it firmly and pointing it near Qin Zhaoman’s chest.

She looked down at Qin Zhaoman, her expression uncharacteristically displeased. “You already think I’ll lose? The last time you thought that was during cards.”

Beneath her cool demeanor, Qin Zhaoman’s heartbeat quickened.

She took the pistol, her fingers brushing Shen Niannian’s palm, leaving behind a faint warmth. “I’ll wait for your win.”

“That’s more like it.”

Shen Niannian smiled at her, settling onto the bike. The sleek racing suit accentuated her figure, and the helmet obscured her delicate, refined features, amplifying her naturally cool and sharp aura.

The roar of engines drew the attention of other racers, and a few more bikes rolled over to join the spectacle.

Qin Zhaoman didn’t usually play the role of starter, but Shen Niannian handing her the pistol was an exception.

Standing in the middle of the track, she fired the pistol. The two bikes shot forward, the wind whipping her hair back as she pressed a hand to it.

The course had twelve turns, but informal races typically only ran half. Bart wasn’t on his usual bike, which affected his performance, but he still maintained his usual skill, leading Shen Niannian after the first turn.

Cheers erupted, but Shen Niannian caught up by the second turn.Qin Zhaoman’s emotions surged with the roar of the engines. The way Shen Niannian took the corner looked so familiar—it was exactly like that scene from the movie, the very image she had imagined countless times.

It wasn’t a stunt double. It was Shen Niannian herself! The motorcycle and Shen Niannian’s delicate appearance seemed completely mismatched, yet she rode with such breathtaking coolness.

Shen Niannian sped down the racetrack, bringing an unparalleled rush of excitement and passion.

Screams erupted as she executed yet another flawless turn. GP races thrived on speed and adrenaline, the roaring crowd and unpredictable twists sending everyone’s pulse skyrocketing, shouting Neve’s name like mad.

Antoine excitedly nudged her arm. “Neve is so damn cool!”

Qin Zhaoman’s gaze remained locked on Thunderfire.

By the fourth turn, Shen Niannian had caught up. By the fifth, she was overtaken again. The two racers traded the lead back and forth, with Shen Niannian’s skill surpassing everyone’s expectations—so much so that the cheers in the stands became overwhelmingly one-sided, all chanting her name in sheer bias.

Qin Zhaoman’s eyes nervously fixed on the finish line, the surrounding noise fading into the background.

The last turn—neck and neck. The final 500 meters—still tied. The last 100 meters—Shen Niannian pulled ahead. The moment she crossed the finish line, the deafening roar of “Neve!” threatened to blow the roof off.

Neve won! Neve won!

Qin Zhaoman couldn’t help but join the biased cheering, shouting Neve’s name at the top of her lungs.

Someone who knew her well shot her a surprised look, but her outburst only fueled the crowd further, chanting Neve’s name even louder.

Between shouts, Antoine said, “I feel like Bart deliberately slowed down at the end. Maybe I’m imagining it, but if it’s true, that’s pretty disgusting. Neve was already strong enough—this just makes it seem like he let her win.”

“Who cares about second place?”

Qin Zhaoman gripped the railing and vaulted over it, heading straight for the winner.

The moment Shen Niannian dismounted, Qin Zhaoman swept her up in a spinning hug. Caught off guard, Shen Niannian laughed and patted her back. “Well?”

Qin Zhaoman was direct and fervent. “You were incredibly cool!”

Shen Niannian grinned. “I’m just glad I didn’t embarrass my idol.”

“More than just not embarrassing me,” Qin Zhaoman said. “I feel like giving you Thunderfire.”

Shen Niannian met her gaze, realizing she wasn’t joking. “No way. How could my idol not have her own bike?”

Qin Zhaoman caught her meaning and simply smiled.

There was a celebratory banquet that night for the warm-up race. Originally, Shen Niannian had no reason to attend, but after that final exhibition match, she became an unavoidable guest of honor.

Qin Zhaoman lingered at the back of the crowd. “If you don’t want to go, don’t force yourself. They can’t say anything about it.”

Shen Niannian turned to her. “Did you used to go?”

Qin Zhaoman’s excitement still hadn’t settled—every time she looked at Shen Niannian, her heart raced uncontrollably. “I used to, but I don’t like it anymore.”

Shen Niannian quickened her pace, stepping slightly ahead before turning to face her. “Why not?”

Qin Zhaoman had no choice but to meet her eyes. “Because I’m washed up now.”

Shen Niannian burst out laughing, pausing with her helmet in her arms. “Then I won’t go either. Drinking at night isn’t that fun anyway.”

Qin Zhaoman, currently in an extremely agreeable mood, asked, “What do you want to do instead?”Shen Niannian tilted her head slightly and said gently, “How about keeping your faded idol company for a while?”