The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 26

Shen Niannian got out of the car and headed home when her phone rang. Seeing Qin Zhaoman’s name on the screen, she didn’t answer.

 

After changing her clothes, she pulled out a dark green ladies’ cigarette from her black clutch.

 

Shen Niannian sat down on the wicker chair by the balcony, gazing out the window through the sheer curtains. The crisp click of the lighter echoed as the faint scent of rose-flavored tobacco filled the air.

 

Her cat-like eyes lowered slightly as she recalled today’s performance—unsatisfactory, to say the least.

 

White smoke rings drifted in the air, reminding her of the surge of conquest and excitement she had felt earlier at the meeting table when she thought of the name beneath Qin Zhaoman’s collarbone.

 

Her fingers tightened, snapping the slender cigarette in half.

 

This was the downside of method acting—it was too easy to lose oneself in the role.

 

Shen Niannian stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray, watching the ember fade, as if extinguishing the unwarranted emotions in her heart along with it.

 

An actor who couldn’t separate fiction from reality was the most unprofessional.

 

Picking up her phone, she walked to the bathroom and dialed the only missed call.

 

The dial tone rang until the very last second before the call connected.

 

Qin Zhaoman’s voice came through the receiver: “Hello?”

 

“I was just showering. I called back as soon as my hands were dry. What’s up?”

 

The distinct echo of the bathroom lent credibility to her words.

 

Qin Zhaoman paused before asking, “You weren’t ignoring me on purpose?”

 

Shen Niannian softened her voice, feigning hurt. “Why would you say that?”

 

The reply came through the phone: “Instinct. You’re lying.”

 

Shen Niannian tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. That last sentence had felt as if Qin Zhaoman had whispered it right into her ear.

 

“Instinct doesn’t count as evidence. Please analyze rationally.”

 

Qin Zhaoman seemed to chuckle. “Fine. Proposal accepted.”

 

The tension eased. Shen Niannian turned to face the mirror. “So, why did you call?”

 

Qin Zhaoman said, “I was going to talk to you about moving, but there’s no time now. I have a meeting soon. We’ll discuss it tonight.”

 

“Moving?”

 

Qin Zhaoman hummed in affirmation. “Couples should live together.”

 

Shen Niannian mentally translated that as I’ll have to perform around the clock now. The invisible pressure mounted.

 

Qin Zhaoman noticed her hesitation and delivered the fatal blow with a light, teasing lilt: “Be professional, girlfriend.”

 

Shen Niannian lowered her gaze, her tone gentle. “I will.”

 

 

 

Qin Zhaoman had been in meetings at the company until 8 p.m. She wasn’t usually this busy, but her decision to intervene in Shen Niannian’s affairs was personal, requiring her to sacrifice more of her free time to handle it.

 

Closing her laptop, she picked up her phone and noticed Shen Niannian’s messages.

 

Two hours ago—
Niannian: What do you want for dinner?

 

One hour ago—
Niannian: What dessert would you like after dinner?

 

Ten minutes ago—
Niannian: Everything’s already bought (photo). If you don’t like it, reply sooner next time (angry).

 

Qin Zhaoman could easily picture her expression while sending those messages. The corner of her lips curved up as she replied: I’m not picky.

 

After sending it, she deleted the word like, leaving only the stern I’m not picky.

 

Shen Niannian responded almost immediately: Done with work? I’ll start cooking then.Qin Zhaoman picked up her coat and typed one-handed: “Has your cold gotten better? If you’re not feeling well, rest properly and let the housekeeper cook.”

 

Secretary Li stood at the door and, seeing Qin Zhaoman come out, reached out to take her coat for her.

 

Qin Zhaoman sidestepped her and said, “No need. I’m going straight home.”

 

Secretary Li caught the faint smile at the corner of her lips and froze for a moment before replying, “Understood.”

 

As she watched Qin Zhaoman leave, she couldn’t help but think, Being in a relationship really does improve one’s mood. Normally, after such a long meeting, she’d have already lost her temper.

 

Secretary Li earnestly crossed herself, hoping Shen Niannian and President Qin would stay together for many more years.

 

Qin Zhaoman got into her car and sat down, placing her hands on the steering wheel before pulling out her phone again. She opened the group chat with Qiao Qiao and Phoebe.

 

QIN: I’m with Shen Niannian now.

 

The replies came flying almost instantly.

 

Qiao Qiao: ???

 

Qiao Qiao: I just double-checked—today isn’t April Fools’ Day. Weren’t you straight?!

 

Phoebe: Did you sign a contract with Neve?

 

Qin Zhaoman: I did.

 

Qiao Qiao: In our country, what you’re doing is called taking advantage of someone’s misfortune. I even told Neve you were marriage-phobic and wouldn’t pull something like this.

 

Qin Zhaoman replied to Qiao Qiao’s “straight” comment: So straight women can’t be with Neve? Neve can also help me fend off the pressure of marriage.

 

Qiao Qiao: Listen to yourself! Neve is straight too—are you forcing a straight woman to turn gay?!

 

Qin Zhaoman raised an eyebrow at the word “straight,” feeling it probably referred to herself.

 

Phoebe: Fend off marriage pressure? Wasn’t your last blind date supposed to be the final one?

 

Qin Zhaoman skimmed through the barrage of questions and typed without batting an eye: The final one? You didn’t actually believe my uncle’s nonsense, did you?

 

She set her phone aside and had just inserted the key when the group chat buzzed again—another message from Qiao Qiao.

 

Qiao Qiao: Even if your uncle went back on his word, who could possibly force you? The more I think about it, the more something feels off. Could it be… you actually have your eyes on Neve?

 

Qiao Qiao: (I’ve seen through everything.jpg)

 

Qin Zhaoman stared at the two lines, tapping her fingers against the phone keyboard twice without typing a response. Well, I do have my eyes on her—but not in that way.

 

Phoebe’s video call came through.

 

Qin Zhaoman slowed the car and answered. Glancing at Phoebe on the screen, she asked, “What is it?”

 

Phoebe was sitting in her home theater, the lighting dim. She said, “I sent you a file. Pull over and take a look, or it might be hard to explain if your little sweetheart sees it when you get home.”

 

Qin Zhaoman gave Phoebe a look before turning into a gas station. In their private chat, Phoebe had sent a detailed dossier on Shen Niannian—so detailed it was impossible to have prepared in such a short time.

 

Qin Zhaoman scrolled through it casually, not really reading, and said, “I had no idea you were this confident in Neve—so sure she’d secure a contract with me.”

 

Phoebe chuckled. “Oh, my confidence in her goes far beyond just that.”

 

Her implication was clear, and Qin Zhaoman couldn’t exactly refute it. “Why dig this up for me?”

 

Phoebe said, “Didn’t you investigate William before I married him? Consider this returning the favor.”

 

Qin Zhaoman found it absurd. “It’s not the same. Shen Niannian and I aren’t getting married.”Phoebe realized she genuinely felt that way and narrowed her eyes with a smile: “Alright then, as your first love, Neve does deserve this treatment. Are you really not going to take a look?”

 

Her tone turned more serious as she said, “I advise you to check it out. Neve’s background doesn’t seem as innocent and beautiful as her appearance suggests.”

 

Qin Zhaoman recalled how Shen Niannian had flinched in fear when her cheek was touched.

 

Back then, she had wanted Secretary Li to investigate, but she lacked the standing to do so. Now that she had the right, it was indeed time to understand the situation.

 

Shen Niannian was now one of her own people—there was no reason to let others bully her, not even past grievances.

 

Qin Zhaoman quickly skimmed through the document. By the time she finished, the car was refueled, and she drove straight out of the gas station.

 

Phoebe, who had been closely watching her expression, asked, “Don’t you have anything to say?”

 

Qin Zhaoman replied, “What should I say?”

 

The file didn’t even explain why Shen Niannian was afraid of having her face touched.

 

Phoebe continued over the phone, “Shen Niannian grew up in France with Shen Sui Sui and was later taken in as a disciple by the renowned musician Mitouran. When Mitouran fell seriously ill, she ruthlessly attached herself to the principal of the National Dance Academy—that duchess you know. The following year, after the principal proposed and was rejected, she withdrew from the academy, and Shen Niannian became the new principal. Two years later, she retired.”

 

Phoebe summarized the contents of the file, saying, “Then she returned to the country with all her accolades, just as Yahe was rising to prominence, and smoothly became an international film queen. Though Shen Niannian is successful, by all accounts, she seems like someone who’s ungrateful, ruthless, and willing to do anything to achieve her goals.”

 

Qin Zhaoman listened quietly before asking, “So what? If we’re talking about ruthlessness, she’s nowhere near my level, is she?”

 

Phoebe met Qin Zhaoman’s gaze and said, “You don’t believe it.”

 

Her tone carried a mix of surprises and something else: “You actually don’t trust the information I found and believe Shen Niannian more?”

 

Qin Zhaoman shot her with an exasperated look. “You sound like you have a crush on me.”

 

Phoebe was appalled. “I just think you’re doomed, but now you’ve disgusted me. I won’t bother trying to talk sense into you.”

 

Despite her words, years of friendship compelled her to add, “Reflect on your attitude right now. Did you really bring Neve in just to use her as a shield?”

 

Annoyed, Qin Zhaoman hung up before she could finish.

 

She got out of the car and walked to Shen Niannian’s door. Just as she raised her hand to unlock it with her fingerprint, the door opened from the inside—a familiar scene, though at a different time.

 

Qin Zhaoman’s finger hovered inches from Shen Niannian’s lips.

 

Shen Niannian lowered her gaze briefly before looking up again, the corners of her lips curving slightly. “Want to poke it?”

 

Poke what?

 

Before Qin Zhaoman could react, Shen Niannian stepped forward, letting Qin Zhaoman’s fingertip press against her lips.

 

The sensation was soft and slightly damp, like the flesh of a clam she’d once touched while opening shells by the sea.

 

Qin Zhaoman’s finger twitched, wanting to touch it again, but Shen Niannian had already taken two steps back and opened the door wider.

 

Her gentle gaze, as if she hadn’t noticed Qin Zhaoman’s reaction, Shen Niannian turned slightly and asked, “Aren’t you coming in?”

 

Qin Zhaoman stepped inside, fully aware that Shen Niannian had done it on purpose.

 

All those intricate schemes were useless in the face of directness.Qin Zhaoman stood at the doorway, gazing at her lips without the slightest hint that her request was unreasonable: “I want to poke them again.”

 

This was the treatment a girlfriend deserved.

 

Shen Niannian smiled and said, “Not today.” As she spoke, she turned to the kitchen to bring out the dishes.

 

The words could be interpreted in many ways—not today didn’t mean tomorrow.

 

Qin Zhaoman followed her and sat down when they reached the dining table. Shen Niannian set the dishes on the table and glanced up to notice the tassels of Qin Zhaoman’s earrings tangled in her hair.

 

“Your earrings are a mess.”

 

She reached up to untangle the tassels near Qin Zhaoman’s ear and said, “These earrings don’t suit you. Did you buy them yourself?”

 

“The stylist sent them over.”

 

Qin Zhaoman felt the slight coolness of her fingers. Shen Niannian probably knew her hands were cold and deliberately avoided touching her cheek.

 

Qin Zhaoman pressed Shen Niannian’s hand against her own face, only letting go when she felt some warmth transfer to her fingers.

 

Without changing her expression, Qin Zhaoman fibbed, “You won’t let anyone touch your face, but you’re quite comfortable touching others.”

 

Shen Niannian wasn’t angered by such a baseless accusation. “I was fixing your earrings.”

 

Qin Zhaoman steered toward her real question: “Why are you so afraid of others touching your face?”

 

Shen Niannian’s smile remained unchanged as she withdrew her hand, brushing it off lightly. “It was a long time ago. I don’t really remember anymore.”

 

She didn’t want to talk about it, and that was that.

 

Qin Zhaoman didn’t press further, placing the used dishes into the dishwasher.

 

Neither of them liked having outsiders in their home, so they rarely hired help. Ever since Shen Niannian injured her hand, tasks like washing dishes had naturally fallen to Qin Zhaoman.

 

After tidying up, Qin Zhaoman turned to see Shen Niannian standing nearby. She studied for a moment before asking, “You look like you really want to do something?”

 

Shen Niannian nodded. “I want to help you with something.”

 

She had analyzed Qin Zhaoman’s character profile—proud yet lonely, particularly attuned to small gestures of warmth in daily life. Cooking today, waiting now while she did the dishes—these were the acts of tenderness she could offer.

 

Qin Zhaoman dried her hands and said, “Then move in with me. Pack whatever you need to bring and come home with me later.”

 

Shen Niannian pointed to two suitcases by the door. “Already packed.”

 

Qin Zhaoman carried both suitcases straight back to her place, then headed upstairs for a meeting.

 

Shen Niannian was free to explore the house. She took her luggage to the walk-in closet first, remembering she had a matching set of pajamas with Qin Zhaoman.

 

Two-thirds of the closet space had already been cleared for her. Shen Niannian hadn’t organized the clothes by owner but by category—suits, formal wear, casual outfits, sleepwear…

 

Which made mix-ups inevitable.

 

She walked to the sleepwear section, where two nearly identical wine-red silk nightgowns hung side by side.

 

One had a subtle magnolia pattern along the hem, while the other carried the scent of rose perfume.

 

Shen Niannian nudged the magnolia-patterned one aside and picked up the rose-scented gown.

 

If the script’s plot was any reference, wearing the other’s pajamas was an excellent way to deepen intimacy.