The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 17

Unpleasant things always come one after another.

Qin Zhaoman didn’t work on Sundays and usually went out with Phoebe and Qiao Qiao for fun. This week, however, she had barely stepped out when she received a call from the old butler notifying her of yet another blind date.

Phoebe asked what was going on, and Qin Zhaoman recounted her recent visit to the family estate.

Qiao Qiao teased her with a laugh, “Looks like your uncle has turned the tables on you.”

At first, Qin Zhaoman had been annoyed by the blind dates, but now she was simply numb to them. She resigned herself to their teasing, pretending not to hear.

Phoebe asked, “Is it even legal for a psychiatrist to go on a blind date with a patient?”

Qin Zhaoman lazily cut her off, saying, “First of all, I’m not a patient. Secondly, the other person isn’t a psychiatrist—she’s the director of that rehabilitation center.”

Phoebe’s eyes lit up with interest. “Then I’ll go with you? A blind date at a rehab center—feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Qiao Qiao had initially wanted to join as well, but she ended up missing out after receiving a video call from a pretty girl.

In the end, Qin Zhaoman took Phoebe along.

The director of the rehabilitation center was a man who appeared very refined. Seeing that Qin Zhaoman had brought a friend and showed no interest in the blind date, he didn’t display any dissatisfaction. Instead, he politely invited them to tour the facility.

The rehab center was located in the suburbs, covering a vast area with expansive natural lawns. The serene environment, free from the city’s hustle, made it an ideal place for relaxation and recovery.

As Qin Zhaoman and Phoebe followed him on the tour, the director grew increasingly enthusiastic about his introductions. Phoebe leaned in and whispered to Qin Zhaoman, “I’m seriously starting to suspect he just wants you to invest in this place.”

Without changing her expression, Qin Zhaoman tilted her head slightly and replied in a low voice, “That’s normal. Once, I even had someone hand me their business card during a blind date, hoping to apply for a job at my company.”

Phoebe remembered that incident. “Was that the one who later got screened out by your HR because of their low academic qualifications?”

“Mm. Their undergraduate degree wasn’t prestigious enough.”

A melodious tune drifted over from nearby. At the end of a small grove stood a two-story villa, its semicircular balcony slightly protruding. Two figures could faintly be seen—one playing the violin, the other the cello.

Qin Zhaoman thought one of them looked familiar and moved closer for a better look. Sure enough, it was Shen Niannian.

The other girl, with platinum-blonde hair, also seemed familiar. They were performing Ave Maria.

Beneath the balcony, a few wooden chairs were casually arranged, with only one little girl sitting and listening.

The director explained, “Playing music helps soothe our patients’ emotions. Later, some patients started coming to listen voluntarily, so we added a few more chairs.”

Phoebe finally recognized them too and asked, “Is Shen Niannian also a patient here?”

The director shook his head. “No, Neve is here visiting a friend.”

Phoebe glanced at Qin Zhaoman, who nodded. During their last trip to the supermarket, Shen Niannian had mentioned visiting a sick friend. Who would’ve thought they’d end up at the same rehab center?

Qin Zhaoman turned to the director and asked, “Can we stay and listen for a while?”

The director, as if he’d been waiting for this question, immediately replied, “Of course!”

Realizing his eagerness might have seemed odd, he quickly added, “If Neve hadn’t entered the entertainment industry, she would’ve been an internationally renowned violinist by now. I’m a huge fan of her music.”The three of them sat on wooden chairs near the edge. After listening for a while, Qin Zhaoman realized Shen Niannian’s violin playing was even better than she had imagined.

Phoebe, who studied the violin, remarked, “There’s a hint of Master Mi’s style in her playing.”

The director enthusiastically explained, “Neve is the only student of Madam Mi. She’s been learning under Madam Mi since childhood. Although there are rumors outside about their relationship being strained, it’s clearly false at first listen.”

The blind date candidate chimed in indignantly, “Madam Mi didn’t even teach her own daughter. To this day, Neve remains her only student—how could their relationship possibly be bad?”

Phoebe exchanged a few words with him, while Qin Zhaoman fixed her gaze on Shen Niannian, whose body swayed slightly with the rhythm of the bow.

That feeling returned—the sense that Shen Niannian was like a butterfly, as if she could flutter away with the slightest movement.

To the elegant strains of the violin, Qin Zhaoman thought to herself that someone like Shen Niannian truly resembled a princess, the kind suited to being kept in a gilded cage, free from any labor.

Suddenly, the music stopped abruptly, the bow scraping across the strings with a harsh screech. Qin Zhaoman looked up just as Shen Niannian shouted, “Watch out!”

She turned and saw her cousin in a hospital gown, his face twisted with fury, hurling a basketball at her with all his strength.

Qin Zhaoman instinctively moved to dodge, but hearing the terrified screams of a little girl behind her, she forced herself to freeze.

In that split second, it was already too late to react—she could only watch as the ball hurtled toward her.

A loud thud echoed as the violin, and the ball collided.

Shen Niannian had thrown down her instrument.

Qin Zhaoman could still feel the gust of wind from the ball brushing her cheek. Stunned, she barely registered Phoebe’s urgent question, “Zelmer, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Qin Zhaoman glanced toward the balcony—Shen Niannian was already gone.

She turned back, snatched up a nearby stool, and hurled it at her cousin. It missed his head, striking his leg instead.

Striding forward, Qin Zhaoman demanded, “Do you have a death wish?”

Her cousin snarled at her, “Go ahead, kill me!”

“Death is too easy.” The corner of Qin Zhaoman’s lips curled, her eyes icy.

Just as she raised the stool again, aiming for his head, the director rushed over, pleading, “Miss Qin, please calm down! This is our fault—he was admitted just today. We failed to investigate his background before letting him approach you. It’s entirely our responsibility.”

Phoebe also stepped in, gripping her arm. “Enough. You’re scaring the children.”

Qin Zhaoman glared at her cowering cousin before turning away in disgust, allowing the orderlies to drag him off.

Dropping the stool, she considered going after Shen Niannian but hesitated after a few steps. Instead, she turned back to Phoebe. “Handle today’s incident for me.”

Qin Zhaoman wasn’t concerned about her own reputation, but Shen Niannian’s public image was more sensitive.

Phoebe nodded. “Don’t worry. Not a whisper of this will get out.” She then addressed the director, “Please take me to the surveillance room.”

Qin Zhaoman didn’t follow. Phoebe’s family controlled the media—if she promised silence, it would remain absolute.Shen Niannian ran down from the second floor and stood in front of Qin Zhaoman, giving her a quick once-over before asking, “Are you okay?”

She should have come down immediately, but Iye Fute had been frightened, so she spent some time comforting her first. Only after Iye Fute had calmed down did Shen Niannian manage to break away.

“I’m fine.”

Qin Zhaoman noticed the bl00d on Shen Niannian’s hand and asked, “What happened to your hand?”

Shen Niannian opened her palm, revealing several cuts from the violin strings. Her skin was very pale, making the bloodstains appear especially stark.

It was unclear how much force she had used when throwing the violin to sustain such severe injuries.

Qin Zhaoman regretted not using the chair to hit her cousin’s head earlier.

She initially held Shen Niannian’s hand with one hand, noticing how cold it was, then cupped it with both hands to warm it. “I’ll take you to the hospital,” she said.

Shen Niannian thought Qin Zhaoman looked like she needed comforting more at the moment. She reached out with her other hand and gently patted Qin Zhaoman’s head. “It’s not serious, it just looks worse than it is.”

She explained, “The strings aren’t that sharp—the cuts are shallow. My friend said there’s a medical room here. We can just get it treated quickly.”

Qin Zhaoman completely disagreed but didn’t oppose Shen Niannian’s wishes. “We can treat it here first, then go to the hospital.”

Shen Niannian didn’t respond and instead went to check on her violin. The backplate was shattered, and the scroll and pegs had broken off. In this state, it was beyond repair.

Her heart was clenched. “Have someone help me pack up the violin,” she said.

Qin Zhaoman let go of her hand and personally picked up the violin, carefully arranging it for the attendant to pack away.

She glanced at Shen Niannian, who showed no expression, as if she didn’t care at all.

But Qin Zhaoman didn’t rely on appearances to understand Shen Niannian. The fact that she had even mentioned the violin proved she wasn’t as indifferent as she seemed.

The reason for her pretense was obvious.

Qin Zhaoman lowered her eyes and said apologetically, “I’m sorry about your violin. I’ll find you an identical one.”

Shen Niannian didn’t mention that this particular violin was no longer available for purchase. She patted Qin Zhaoman’s shoulder and said it was fine before heading to the medical room.

The nurse used tweezers to dab disinfectant on Shen Niannian’s hand, asking if it hurt with every gentle press—as if the injury were her own, not Shen Niannian’s.

Qin Zhaoman frowned at the sight. Shen Niannian softly reassured her, “It doesn’t hurt.”

Once the nurse was done, Qin Zhaoman insisted, “Let’s go to the hospital.”

Shen Niannian raised her hand to show her. “See? It’s really nothing. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Qin Zhaoman crouched slightly in front of her. “Do you not want to go to the hospital? I can take you to my friend’s private clinic. No one will take photos of you there, I promise.”

Shen Niannian seemed at a loss, as if she knew Qin Zhaoman would be upset. Softly, she said, “It’s not that. I am having dinner with Mr. Byron tonight to discuss the contract. It’s been scheduled for a while and can’t be changed easily.”

Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, trailing off completely when she saw Qin Zhaoman’s darkening expression.

Qin Zhaoman knew Byron—technically, he could be considered a friend, the kind with access to the café.

Byron was also a textbook aristocrat, appearing on the latter half of Shen Niannian’s list. If not for the café, he and Shen Niannian would never have crossed paths.Qin Zhaoman felt even more frustrated at the thought. Suppressing her temper, she asked, “You still want to go even with your hand injured?”

Shen Niannian met her gaze and nodded. “I can’t stand up our business partner.”

Qin Zhaoman nodded and stood up, making a call to Byron.

Byron: “Hello?”

Qin Zhaoman said, “Go to Country A for me today.”

Byron hesitated before replying, “Zelmer, I’m afraid I can’t today. I already have plans.”

Qin Zhaoman’s tone darkened. “Think again, Byron.”

That was all she said.

Thirty seconds later, Byron responded, “Alright, I’ll have the butler book my flight soon.”

After hanging up, Qin Zhaoman turned to Shen Niannian. “There. Now he’s the one standing you up.”

Shen Niannian remained seated, sensing Qin Zhaoman’s silent threat—if you say one more thing I don’t want to hear, I’ll knock you out and drag you to the hospital.

She first smiled faintly, then pressed her lips together, explaining the earlier situation. “It’s not that I particularly wanted to meet Byron. It’s that I couldn’t not go.”

Qin Zhaoman asked, “Do you really think I’d ignore you after you saved me?”

Shen Niannian repeated her famous line with perfect logic: “You’re the one who said we shouldn’t mix business with friendship.”

Softly, she added, “Don’t you want to be friends anymore?”

Seeing her pitiful expression, Qin Zhaoman suddenly felt like laughing—if Shen Niannian was playing hard to get or trying to reel her in.

She had to admit, Shen Niannian was doing an excellent job.

She was so irritated she almost wanted to walk right into the trap herself.