The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 2

The next afternoon, Qin Zhaoman received a phone call summoning her back to the old family estate.

On the sofa, her uncle sipped the coffee handed to him by the old butler, engrossed in his own speech as he introduced the promising young talents he had taken a liking to.

Similar conversations had played out countless times before.

Qin Zhaoman listened absentmindedly, not taking any of it to heart.

Her uncle had raised her, and she had no intention of defying his wishes—but that didn’t mean she would lower her standards for a future partner.

Her gaze drifted to the small pearls embedded in the maid’s bracelet, her thoughts taking a slight detour amid the nagging.

Those pearls looked about the same size as the ones on Neve’s mask.

Neve was probably even more annoyed than she was lately. She wondered when she’d get the chance to return the money for that last round of drinks.

Her uncle’s cane struck the floor with a sharp crack, snapping her back to attention. She glanced over and asked, “Finished?”

Her uncle was incensed by her attitude. “Go out and take a look—who your age isn’t married by now?”

Qin Zhaoman replied, “Plenty of people.”

Her uncle coughed violently, his face flushing with anger. His health had been poor these past two years, and when he coughed, his lips turned a purplish hue. Only his hawk-like eyes remained sharp, glaring at Qin Zhaoman with frustration.

She poured him a glass of water.

This routine—her being called over, her uncle coughing, and her reluctantly giving in—had been playing out for an entire year now. Anyone would be sick of the same act after three hundred repetitions.

Once his breathing steadied, Qin Zhaoman said, “Uncle, let me arrange for you to stay at the hospital for a while. Coughing like this isn’t good for your health.”

Her uncle brushed her hand away. “It’s just an old ailment.”

Qin Zhaoman insisted, “Go. I’ll also hire a psychologist for you. Seems like your mental state could use some work too.”

Before her uncle’s expression could shift into full-blown argument mode, she draped her suit jacket over her arm and turned to leave.

Her uncle’s cane slammed into the ground right beside her feet.

“Who does she say is sick?” “Who is she calling sick?” “She won’t get married, and now she’s saying I’m the one with problems!”

Secretary Li opened the car door for Qin Zhaoman and asked, “Should I really make the hospital appointment for the old master?”

She asked because Qin Zhaoman was genuinely filial to her uncle—she had even endured a year of matchmaking, something that seemed utterly out of character for her.

Qin Zhaoman lifted her eyelids. “Do I need to repeat myself?”

Secretary Li knew that if she didn’t immediately provide the answer her boss wanted to hear, the next words out of Qin Zhaoman’s mouth would be, “You’re fired.”

She bowed her head respectfully.

Qin Zhaoman disliked business banquets, but even a CEO couldn’t always do as she pleased.

After a quick styling session at the salon, her chauffeur dropped her off at the evening gala.

The banquet hall was elegantly decorated—luxurious but not gaudy. White crystal glowed softly under the warm, dim lighting. The attendees were all distinguished figures from various fields, and among them, Qin Zhaoman stood out as one of the most prominent.

She paid no mind to the glances cast her way, striding forward with an air of indifference—less like a guest and more like the host of the event, radiating an unspoken warning: I don’t care about the deals here, so don’t bother me.

Every time Secretary Li accompanied Qin Zhaoman to these events, she felt less like she was there for networking and more like she was escorting a monarch on an inspection tour of her domain.

Qin Zhaoman accepted the attention with ease, her gaze sweeping across the hall—until it landed on the far side of the room. Her eyebrow arched.

The CEO of Dianxi Technology, the youngest daughter of the Home Secretary, the vice president of Harry Group… These individuals, usually each more difficult to deal with than the last, were now gathered harmoniously around someone at the center, chatting away.

The scene was as bizarre as bears and jackals dancing together.

How strange. One more glance.

Qin Zhaoman picked up a glass of champagne, avoiding those who approached to strike up a conversation, and walked to the second floor to look down.

At the center of the crowd was Shen Niannian.

It was unclear what Shen Niannian was saying, but she wore a faint smile, like a butterfly fluttering among wolves and tigers—so delicate that one couldn’t help but worry her fragile wings might be nicked by someone.

But Qin Zhaoman also knew that no one here was purely starstruck.

If Neve could still draw these people to approach her under such circumstances, she wasn’t as vulnerable as she appeared.

At the very least, she was a formidable butterfly.

The unpaid drink debt no longer needed to be repaid. Qin Zhaoman beckoned to her secretary beside her and said, “Send her a glass of red wine.”

Secretary Li felt a flicker of surprise when she saw Shen Niannian. Since when did their CEO know Neve?

At this moment, delivering that glass of wine carried far more implications.

For instance, in the matter of Yahe, Qin Zhaoman favored Shen Niannian.

Downstairs, Shen Niannian glanced upward, meeting Qin Zhaoman’s gaze.

The beautiful, delicate butterfly paused for a moment, then her cool eyes curved slightly as she offered a gentle smile in return.

Qin Zhaoman watched her for a few seconds before nodding back.

The hum of conversation downstairs paused almost imperceptibly. Those who had been speaking with Shen Niannian noticed Qin Zhaoman’s gesture and exchanged glances.

Qin Zhaoman’s notorious arrogance in the financial world was infamous, but her competence and background made such pride seem justified.

Human nature craves what it cannot have. If goodwill had varying degrees of value, Qin Zhaoman’s was the most precious here.

Did Neve possess some hidden advantage they weren’t aware of?

The smarter the person, the more they overthought.

Shen Niannian could feel the gaze from the second floor still resting on her, and she sensed the shift in the atmosphere around her.

But it wasn’t enough yet.

She didn’t look up again, only subtly turning slightly to fully expose herself to the other’s line of sight.

Then, unhurriedly, she began counting down in her mind.

When she reached zero, the person speaking to her stopped mid-sentence and looked behind her. Shen Niannian waited a few seconds before turning as well.

Two well-known industry secretaries stood beside her.

“Miss Shen, this is the red wine President Qin sent you.”

“Neve, Mr. Vincent wishes to speak with you upstairs.”

The simultaneous invitations instantly carried a hint of tension.

Shen Niannian stood before the two, lowering her gaze to the glasses of wine.

Beside her, Miss Maggie was inwardly screaming. As Shen Niannian’s devoted fan, she was well aware of her charm that captivated all, but at this moment, she wished she could cover Shen Niannian’s face to prevent her from being led away by Vincent.

Vincent! The young master of the Vincent Group, who disregarded all propriety due to his privileged background—his private life was a scandalous mess.

Anyone with eyes knew why he was here!

It wasn’t just Miss Maggie. Though the chatter in the banquet hall hadn’t ceased, nearly everyone’s attention, whether intentional or not, had settled on Shen Niannian, waiting to see what choice she would make.

One drink was an opportunity, but two drinks turned into a crisis.

Especially when the owners of those two drinks were both formidable figures. The reputation of Vincent, the little pervert, was never a secret in high society.

Refusing Qin Zhaoman might still be manageable, but refusing Vincent would undoubtedly invite endless trouble.

But if she accepted Vincent’s offer…

Many onlookers cast strange, pitying glances at Shen Niannian.

Shen Niannian glanced upstairs again, but this time, the person there wasn’t looking at her—she was speaking with a few others.

Shen Niannian recognized them—Qin Zhaoman’s business partners.

She withdrew her gaze and softly apologized, “Thank you for the champagne, Mr. Vincent, but I already have a glass of red wine.”

Miss Maggie let out a quiet sigh of relief, though she couldn’t help but frown in worry. Vincent was far from a gentleman.

Sure enough, a mocking voice drew near: “Red wine?”

Vincent’s gaze was like a hyena’s, his sticky eyes crawling inch by inch over Shen Niannian’s neck. “Are you sure, Neve?”

Shen Niannian smiled slightly, accepting the red wine from Secretary Li, silently giving her answer.

Vincent narrowed his eyes. Miss Maggie gritted her teeth, ready to step forward.

“Coming upstairs for cards?”

Qin Zhaoman descended the stairs, dressed in a black evening gown with ruby earrings—striking and sharp.

She seemed entirely oblivious to the tension, casual as if she were just short one player for a friendly game at home, picking someone she fancied on a whim.

Miss Maggie halted. Shen Niannian gently patted her shoulder and walked toward Qin Zhaoman. “Sure.”

Qin Zhaoman gave a slight nod. “Let’s go up.”

Vincent was momentarily stunned by their exchange. When he snapped out of it, he took two steps forward, blocking Qin Zhaoman’s path. But the moment he met her eyes, the curses on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down.

He and Qin Zhaoman had grown up in the same private school.

He’d clashed with her before—but he’d been beaten into submission.

Just one look from Qin Zhaoman made his legs, arms, and entire body ache in phantom pain.

Qin Zhaoman waited, but when no words came, she stepped past him, leading Shen Niannian upstairs.

The first floor was a social hub, but the second floor was quieter, and the spiral staircase leading up was nearly empty. Only the two of them now walked on the deep red carpet.

Qin Zhaoman asked, “How’s the red wine, Miss Shen?”

Shen Niannian replied, “Very cool.”

Qin Zhaoman chuckled. “Then consider the debt repaid.”

Shen Niannian knew she was referring to the bar incident last time. “Of course. It was meant for you in the first place.”

Qin Zhaoman reached the top step, turned, and leaned one arm against the railing, effectively caging Shen Niannian in. “Really?”

The faint scent of roses—Qin Zhaoman’s perfume—lingered around Shen Niannian.

Qin Zhaoman studied the faint blush on her neck. “I’m curious about something. Did you know in advance that I’d be at Shepherd’s Bar yesterday?”

Shen Niannian held her gaze for a few seconds, then raised her glass slightly in a silent toast before draining it in one go.

Qin Zhaoman got her answer, her tone devoid of reproach. “And today?”

Was this also part of the plan?

Shen Niannian met her eyes, her voice soft and unhurried. “What do you think, Miss Qin?”

Qin Zhaoman released her hand and stepped onto the final stair. Turning her head, she said, “Miss Shen, your acting is superb. If you hadn’t told me yourself, I would never have noticed.”

Shen Niannian followed her up the steps and asked, “Really?”

Qin Zhaoman gestured for her to proceed, guiding her toward the card table. With a smile, she warned, “Whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter. After all, we won’t be seeing each other again after this, right, Miss Shen?”