The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 19

Qin Zhaoman suspected that Shen Niannian probably knew she was willingly walking into a trap, which was why her attitude had become increasingly indifferent. Once they actually collaborated and the contract was signed, would she even get to see Shen Niannian again?

Perhaps she could add another clause to the contract—Shen Niannian would have to serve as her personal assistant.

Never mind. If she really made Shen Niannian her personal assistant, Shen Niannian’s team would probably be furious.

Qin Zhaoman sat up from the sofa and said, “Let’s eat first. We’ll talk about everything else after the meal.”

She needed to stall for a bit, to think more carefully about how to structure this contract.

Shen Niannian had no idea what she was thinking and simply went along with it, sitting down to eat when told.

Qin Zhaoman had prepared three dishes and a soup. Two of the dishes were Shen Niannian’s favorites, while the remaining dish and soup were safe, everyday recipes are unlikely to go wrong.

Only after sitting down did Shen Niannian realize that all the food had been cut into very small pieces—small enough to be scooped up with a spoon.

There was indeed only one spoon on the table.

Shen Niannian was surprised by Qin Zhaoman’s thoughtfulness. Qin Zhaoman, who had been watching her, asked, “Think I’m very considerate?”

Shen Niannian nodded.

Qin Zhaoman gazed at her lovely, cat-like eyes and said, “I’m not like this with just anyone.”

Shen Niannian smiled. “Thank you.”

That wasn’t what Qin Zhaoman wanted to hear, though she wasn’t sure what exactly she was hoping for. She let out a noncommittal hum and didn’t say anything else.

Shen Niannian picked up the spoon and tried the dish she liked best, first expressing surprise: “How did you know what I like to eat?” Then she praised, “It’s delicious.”

Qin Zhaoman laughed at her insincere performance. “Don’t use your usual tactics on me. Be honest.”

Shen Niannian took another bite. Seeing Qin Zhaoman still staring at her, she said, “It’s as delicious as I imagined, but you’re even more considerate than I thought.”

Normally, she was very good at compliments—she could make them sound beautiful—but Qin Zhaoman didn’t want that.

Qin Zhaoman rested her chin in her hand and smiled, seemingly satisfied with this answer. “Much more sincere.”

Shen Niannian had a small appetite and usually didn’t eat much, but because Qin Zhaoman had made the meal, she ate a little more than usual.

Qin Zhaoman wasn’t hungry and only took a few bites to keep her company. When she saw Shen Niannian was nearly done, she said, “Since you saved me this time, as compensation, I can sign a one-year contract with Yahe. But the contract will be drafted by my company’s lawyers.”

She added, “Using our own lawyers is company policy. But you don’t need to worry—I won’t shortchange you.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Shen Niannian set down her chopsticks. “I didn’t save you with any ulterior motives. You don’t have to compensate me for it.”

Qin Zhaoman’s expression shifted slightly. “You don’t need it?”

She had never even considered this possibility.

Shen Niannian confirmed it. Qin Zhaoman repeated, “You don’t want to work with me?”

Another stretch of silence filled the room. The lack of an answer was answer enough.

Qin Zhaoman looked at her and said, “Fine.”

She didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh. Shen Niannian actually didn’t want to collaborate with her!

This wasn’t some ploy to string her along, nor was it anything else—it was all just her own wishful thinking.

As for all that earlier talk about emotional value outweighing commercial value…

Only a fool would believe that.Even Qiao Qiao could see why Shen Niannian had approached her before. Now that she wasn’t doing so anymore, was it because of feelings? Not even a dog would believe that.

Who on that list had caught her eye now?

No wonder she was the last name on those documents.

Qin Zhaoman’s heart felt like a mess of conflicting emotions, yet she maintained an air of composed indifference.

She placed the used dishes into the dishwasher and tidied up before asking, “Is there anything else you need help with?”

Shen Niannian remained silent, only shaking her head slightly. Given Qin Zhaoman’s current attitude, anything other than agreement would only pour oil on the fire.

Qin Zhaoman watched her, biting the tip of her tongue. Fine. Now she couldn’t even be bothered to explain.

She changed her shoes at the door and said, “Then I’ll be leaving.”

Shen Niannian stood up. Qin Zhaoman pulled open the door just as Secretary Li was walking in from outside. They brushed past each other, and the door closed again.

Secretary Li was startled by Qin Zhaoman’s expression and asked, “What happened?”

That look had sent chills down her spine. Though Qin Zhaoman had always been difficult to get along with, she had at least been polite in front of Shen Niannian.

Shen Niannian returned to the sofa and recounted Qin Zhaoman’s offer to collaborate, mentioning her refusal. Secretary Li’s expression twisted into something resembling a Van Gogh painting.

Every word from Secretary Li dripped with disbelief: “Why did you refuse?”

Shen Niannian replied calmly, “I shouldn’t agree for that kind of reason.”

She added, “It’s not part of the plan.”

Secretary Li’s expression shifted from confusion to agony. “Wasn’t the whole point of your plan to get Qin Zhaoman to sign the contract with us? This isn’t a performance where every line has to match the script word for word.”

Her agitation grew as she sat across from Shen Niannian. “And now that you’ve rejected her, with Qin Zhaoman’s temper, do you really think she’ll cooperate with the rest of your plan? Just look at the expression she had when she left—she probably never wants to see you again.”

Shen Niannian glanced at her. “No need to worry. She won’t stay angry for long.”

She had a strong intuition that if she agreed out of compensation, whatever was between them would end there.

Of course, that wasn’t the main reason. The primary issue was that she disliked losing control. In acting, altering a single key point in the script could trigger a domino effect of unintended consequences.

She hated losing control of the script.

Secretary Li wanted to argue, but Shen Niannian gave her a quiet look.

She fell silent. Shen Niannian granted them considerable autonomy, but the core of their team’s operations had always been Shen Niannian herself.

With an inward sigh, Secretary Li resigned herself to the thought—perhaps it was just the occupational hazard of being an award-winning actress. After all, Shen Niannian had never made a mistake before. This time should be no different.

Shen Niannian gave her time to calm down before saying, “When you leave later, spread a rumor discreetly—say that I’m ill, that there are oversights in the new project, and that I’m considering marriage. Make sure it doesn’t trace back to us.”

Secretary Li nodded. “Understood. I’ll handle it.”

Shen Niannian pushed the fruit platter toward her and said gently, “I trust you.”In high society, news spreads effortlessly. It’s like a small pond—throw in a single stone, and ripples will reach every corner.

In Phoebe’s private home theater, the latest blockbuster thriller was playing on screen.

A maid quietly brought in red wine and desserts before discreetly leaving.

As if suddenly remembering something, Phoebe tilted her head toward Qin Zhaoman beside her and asked, “Is Neve’s injury serious? I’ve noticed several families getting restless lately, almost ready to fight over her.”

Qin Zhaoman sat at the far left, her gaze lazily fixed on the screen. “How would I know?”

Qiao Qiao’s ears perked up at the mention of Neve. She had just returned from a vacation with her new girlfriend and only knew bits and pieces. Leaning in, she asked, “What exactly happened to Neve?”

Phoebe patted her head teasingly. “Oh, I forgot—you’re still in the dark.”

Qin Zhaoman ignored them, listening to their whispers as she uncorked the wine and poured a third of a glass.

The more she heard, the more irritated she grew. She hadn’t looked into Shen Niannian’s affairs, yet the woman seemed unavoidable.

Everyone was talking about her.

After getting the full story, Qiao Qiao felt the call of fandom duty and turned to Qin Zhaoman. “Aren’t you going to do anything about Neve’s situation?”

Qin Zhaoman, who had just picked up her glass, shot her a glance. “Do what?”

The cold tone stung. Qiao Qiao clutched her chest dramatically. “But Neve kind of saved you, didn’t she? You should help her out.”

Once she’d had her fill of theatrics, she added, half-joking, half-serious, “Or just sign that contract with Neve. Look at all those people chasing after her—do you think they’re sincere? They just want to take advantage.”

Qin Zhaoman downed the half-glass of wine in one gulp, but the frustration in her chest refused to dissolve.

In the dim, flickering light of the theater, her expression remained blank as she stared at the screen. “Not my problem.”