The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 16

Qin Zhaoman had offered to help, but she didn’t actively involve herself in anything. She mostly just responded occasionally when Shen Niannian asked her something.

Shen Niannian didn’t mind her indifference—she was only playing hard to get, not actually looking to switch to another partner.

At Qin Zhaoman’s café, Shen Niannian was propping up her laptop, studying the list of alternative candidates Secretary Li had sent over. Though she was only putting on a show for Qin Zhaoman, she still habitually prepared thoroughly, researching and organizing the information as she went.

Qiao Qiao sat beside her, nibbling on cookies. After getting permission, she leaned over to peek at the screen and asked, “Are these all potential partners you’re interested in?”

Shen Niannian set aside the mouse and turned to focus on her. “Yes.”

Qiao Qiao scanned the list. She didn’t recognize all the names, but she was familiar with the surnames. Qin Zhaoman’s name was at the very top, but Shen Niannian had already skipped past it and stopped on the second page.

“You’re really not planning to work with Zelmer anymore? Why?”

Qiao Qiao felt Shen Niannian was practically guaranteed to secure the contract. Given Qin Zhaoman’s personality, if Shen Niannian truly had no chance, she wouldn’t even be sitting here right now.

Shen Niannian picked up a cookie from the plate Qiao Qiao was holding and said, “Open your mouth.”

Qiao Qiao obediently opened her mouth, and Shen Niannian fed her the cookie before patting her head. “Be good. Don’t ask.”

Qiao Qiao immediately switched sides. “Zelmer is notoriously stubborn. I’ve known her for years, and no one’s ever been able to change her mind—not a single person.”

Shen Niannian hummed in acknowledgment. “It’s my fault.”

Qiao Qiao softened her voice and, after a brief pause, asked, “Then how’s it going with the rest of these people?”

Shen Niannian explained the disadvantages she faced as an heir when collaborating with these potential partners.

Listening to her, Qiao Qiao understood. “So Zelmer really is the best choice. Out of all these, she’s probably the only one who doesn’t want to marry you. She’s practically marriage-phobic—”

Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly remembered that Zelmer also refused to work with Neve and abruptly changed the subject. “Why are these few at the bottom?”

She pointed to the names at the end of the list. “These are way more capable than the ones above.”

Shen Niannian glanced at the surnames below. “Because they’re too difficult to get in touch with.”

Qiao Qiao thought for a moment and suggested, “Then you should go to the St. Peter’s Banquet next week. These people will definitely be there. My family’s sending my brother, so I can’t take you, but you could ask Zelmer to bring you. The invitation for her family always goes to her.”

The St. Peter’s Banquet was an annual high-profile charity event in F Country, with extremely strict invitation criteria—requiring both substantial wealth and political influence. Those invited were essentially aristocratic heirs with titles and fortunes.

Shen Niannian’s family met the financial standards, but as new money, they lacked political clout and historical prestige, placing them on the second tier of the social hierarchy.

Qin Zhaoman, however, was at the very top.

Qin Zhaoman walked in from outside and, spotting the two of them by the window, headed straight over. “What are you talking about?” Shen Niannian looked up. Qin Zhaoman had changed into a pinstriped suit dress today, cinched slightly at the waist, with metal wire butterfly earrings—looking particularly domineering in that older-sister way.

Qiao Qiao turned to her and asked, “We were talking about the St. Peter’s banquet. Can you get Neve in?”

“Make some room for me.” Qin Zhaoman pressed down on Qiao Qiao’s chair, signaling her to move to the opposite seat.

Qiao Qiao lifted her chin, indicating there were still two seats across from them. Qin Zhaoman gave her a warning look, and Qiao Qiao reluctantly moved to the other side.

Qin Zhaoman caught sight of the list on Shen Niannian’s desk and asked, “Going to recruit someone?”

Shen Niannian followed her gaze and glanced at it again. “No need to trouble yourself. It doesn’t matter whether I go or not.”

Qin Zhaoman picked up one of Qiao Qiao’s cookies and said, “It’s no trouble. Didn’t I say last time I’d help you?”

She took another bite, her tone casual, as if she didn’t care at all that Shen Niannian might collaborate with someone else.

Qiao Qiao watched as Qin Zhaoman tried to take the entire bag and quickly gathered the cookies. “It’s almost dinnertime. I’ll head back first—you two chat.”

With that, she left with the cookies in hand. Qin Zhaoman clicked her tongue in boredom.

Shen Niannian took in her expression and said, “If you want some, I’ll bake you some next time.”

Qin Zhaoman rested her elbow on the book and turned to look at her. “Will it be just for me, or will others get some too?”

Her sharp, aggressive features paired with such a delicate, Lin Daiyu-like remark created an oddly endearing contrast.

Shen Niannian met her deep brown eyes. “Can others not have any?”

Qin Zhaoman raised a brow, domineering. “If others get some, then I don’t want it.”

Shen Niannian couldn’t help but laugh. “Have you been reading Dream of the Red Chamber lately?”

Qin Zhaoman ignored her, picking up the book she’d been leaning on and declaring unreasonably, “Never read it. I just don’t like sharing, that’s all.”

Daisy brought over her pear and rock sugar soup for the day. Qin Zhaoman picked up the spoon with her left hand, took a sip, and immediately set it down. “Still tastes too much like medicine.”

Daisy grew nervous. “I followed the recipe exactly.”

Seeing Daisy flustered, Shen Niannian said, “The way the herbs are handled and the precise timing can affect the flavor. It’ll get better with a few more tries.”

Qin Zhaoman shot her a glance and dismissed Daisy, but she didn’t touch the soup again.

Watching Shen Niannian, who had already refocused on her documents, Qin Zhaoman thought to herself—The treatment I get from Shen Niannian is way worse than what her past collaborators got.

If this were before, Shen Niannian would’ve personally brewed her soup by now.

And with this, Shen Niannian still claims she wants to be friends?

Not even a dog would believe that.

Qin Zhaoman found the whole thing pointless. She hadn’t even planned to come to the café this afternoon, and now she regretted it even more.

Shen Niannian noticed her closing the book. “Heading home?”

Qin Zhaoman nodded. Shen Niannian smiled and asked, “Mind giving me a ride?”

“Barely convenient,” Qin Zhaoman replied.

Unbothered by her indifference, Shen Niannian followed her out and took the passenger seat.

Qin Zhaoman was somewhat pleased that she hadn’t treated her like a chauffeur. “You could’ve sat in the back.”

She wasn’t too familiar with the entertainment industry, but celebrities usually avoided being photographed in private. The front seat made it easier for paparazzi to catch them.Shen Niannian fastened her seatbelt and said, “It’s fine. I want to sit next to you—it’ll be easier to chat.”

Qin Zhaoman gave a quiet “Mm,” and said nothing more.

It was around five or six in the evening, sunset, the light soft and gentle. A thin glow streamed through the car window, casting itself over Qin Zhaoman’s striking nose bridge.

As a mixed-race woman, her features were sharp and defined—long, upturned lashes, dark as ink, yet her lips were a vivid red, like a proud black swan.

Shen Niannian studied her for a moment before sighing, “Zelmer, you’re really beautiful. Your lashes are so long.”

Many celebrities didn’t have such perfect facial proportions, and hers was the rare kind of beauty—regal and commanding, the type that belonged on the big screen.

Qin Zhaoman hadn’t expected her to say that, to compliment her looks.

In their circle, people didn’t praise appearances—they praised vision and capability. This was the first time she’d been complimented on her looks.

It felt novel. She waited for Shen Niannian to continue.

But Shen Niannian had only mentioned it in passing. Soon, she changed the subject. “When we get to the supermarket up ahead, could you stop? I need to buy a few things.”

Qin Zhaoman: “Hm?”

Shen Niannian explained, “A friend of mine is sick. I want to visit her, so I thought I’d bake her a small cake to bring along.”

Qin Zhaoman understood—that earlier compliment had truly been offhand.

She gave another “Mm” and fell silent again. The car stopped in front of the supermarket.

Shen Niannian began putting on her mask, hat, and sunglasses. Qin Zhaoman waited in the car until she was done, then the two stepped out together.

Qin Zhaoman didn’t have anything she wanted to buy, so she simply followed Shen Niannian around. Shen Niannian stopped in the fruit section to pick up some pears.

Qin Zhaoman finally spoke up again. “You’re buying pears?”

Shen Niannian selected a few and placed them in a bag. “You don’t like the ones Daisy makes, right? I’ll brew some for you over the next few days. Once Daisy’s version tastes better, you can switch back to hers.”

Qin Zhaoman’s previously gloomy mood brightened. The corner of her lips lifted, and she took the initiative to follow behind and pay.

Shen Niannian didn’t buy any more fruit. Instead, she asked, “Is there anything you’d like to eat? My treat.”

Qin Zhaoman countered, “Do you cook yourself?”

“Mm.” Shen Niannian studied her expression. “Does it not seem like it? This face of mine probably looks pretty useless—like I can’t do anything.”

In good spirits, Qin Zhaoman reassured her, “Isn’t that a good thing? It means you look like a princess, the kind meant to be pampered. Someone like me, who looks like she can do everything, is meant to work.”

Shen Niannian listened quietly before remarking, “Sounds like we’re quite compatible.”

Qin Zhaoman arched a brow. “That sounds like flirting.”

An overly blunt accusation, but one that suited Shen Niannian’s face perfectly.

Shen Niannian laughed inwardly. Her first thought was of what Qin Zhaoman had said on the plane. She even mimicked her tone exactly: “We’re both straight women. How is this flirting?”

Qin Zhaoman, carrying the bag of pears behind her, said, “Good impression. Don’t do it again.”

Shen Niannian couldn’t help but chuckle.

By the end of their shopping trip, they circled back to the fruit section to grab some pomegranates, planning to juice them for dessert.

On the drive back, Qin Zhaoman listened as Shen Niannian described the dishes she intended to make. She felt a flicker of anticipation—Shen Niannian was someone who could even master embroidery, so surely her cooking wouldn’t be bad.

As they neared home, Shen Niannian received a call. “Does it have to be today?” Qin Zhaoman looked over and heard her say, “I already have plans for tonight.”

The person on the other end must have been explaining something, as Shen Niannian finally replied, “Alright, I understand.”

She hung up the phone, seemingly unsure how to bring it up.

If Qin Zhaoman were a considerate person, she would have politely offered to let Shen Niannian attend to her work first—but Qin Zhaoman clearly wasn’t.

Shen Niannian could only speak apologetically, coaxing her, “Zelmer, I’m sorry, I can’t have dinner with you tonight.”

She explained, “There’s been an unexpected issue. Originally, our meeting with Mr. Peter was scheduled for tomorrow morning, but we just received news that a severe snowstorm is coming the day after. He has to leave first thing tomorrow, so I need to go to the office now.”

Qin Zhaoman didn’t know Peter, but she had seen his name on Shen Niannian’s list—one of alternatives.

Qin Zhaoman pulled the car to a stop and asked, “Are you sure?”

Shen Niannian apologized again and coaxed her a little longer, but when it came time to leave, she didn’t hesitate. She opened the car door and immediately got into Secretary Li’s car.

Qin Zhaoman drove to the parking lot but didn’t get out right away. She sat in the car for a while, then picked up her phone. The top trending topic was indeed about the severe snowstorm—Shen Niannian hadn’t lied to her.

She was still annoyed.

Just for some alternative, Shen Niannian was going to stand her up?

She had helped—or rather, indulged—Shen Niannian in contacting those people on the alternative list to stir up some drama, not to downgrade her own treatment.

Shen Niannian got into the car, and Secretary Li said, “Actually, the contract was already drafted. You just needed to come in tomorrow morning.”

That was what she had originally mentioned on the phone, but Shen Niannian had responded as if it were a completely different matter.

Shen Niannian exited the trending page on her phone and said, “It’s fine, let’s just get it done today. Tomorrow afternoon, I want to visit a friend in the hospital, so I’ll need two hours free then.”