The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 5

Shen Niannian often visited He Junyu’s studio. Back when He Junyu was just starting out and didn’t have an assistant, Shen Niannian would frequently wheedle and pester her way into helping out. Making clothes was an oddly addictive activity, and even now, whenever she had free time, she would still drop by to lend He Junyu a hand.

Shen Niannian pushed open the studio’s door, and the golden wind chimes hanging at the entrance jingled softly.

“Niannian-jie, you’re here!”

The assistant hurried down from the second floor to take her bag. “He-jie is waiting for you upstairs.”

Shen Niannian said, “She asked me to come try on a dress, but she couldn’t even come down to greet me?”

The assistant wasn’t the least bit intimidated by her and giggled, lowering her voice. “The fabric that just arrived has color discrepancies. He-jie isn’t happy and is in a bit of a temper.”

Shen Niannian smiled and headed upstairs, rapping her knuckles against the glass wall.

He Junyu was measuring a dress form and didn’t turn around. “How rare. This is the first time you’ve shown up so quickly when I called.”

Shen Niannian said, “Don’t take it out on me. I come here whenever I have time.”

He Junyu set down the measuring tape and shot her a glare. “You think I believe that?”

Shen Niannian sat on the sofa and asked, “When are you planning to start this year’s spring collection?”

He Junyu grabbed two beers from the fridge and tossed one to Shen Niannian. “What, you want to help?”

The fact that an A-list actress would come to the studio to assist had become one of their selling points. Shen Niannian’s fame was immense, and she was one of the rare movie stars whose public image was both widely recognized and sophisticated.

It was a perfect match for high-end fashion. Wealthy clients had no reservations about haute couture that involved Shen Niannian.

Setting aside her career, Shen Niannian’s family background alone placed her among the upper echelons.

Shen Niannian said, “I’ll come help on the day Qin Zhaoman and Qiao Qiao visit. I’d like to get to know them.”

He Junyu wasn’t involved in politics and didn’t understand economics, so she wasn’t aware of the situation with Yahe. But since Shen Niannian had asked, she wouldn’t refuse. “No problem. Spring collection won’t be until February. I’ll call you when it’s their turn next month.”

Shen Niannian said, “That’s too late. Let’s do it this month.”

He Junyu choked on her beer and coughed. “Big-shot actress, have you looked at the calendar? It’s barely January.”

Shen Niannian sat beside her and gently patted her back. “Big-shot designer, you’re supposed to set the trends. Better early than late, right?”

He Junyu wiped her lips with a tissue and glanced at Shen Niannian before turning slightly. “Then give me a shoulder rub.”

Shen Niannian obliged.

He Junyu sighed. “Now I finally understand what they mean by ‘beauty is a double-edged sword.’”

Shen Niannian punched her shoulder. “So, can you do it or not?”

He Junyu laughed. “Fine, fine. Since you asked, how could I say no? How about mid-January?”

Shen Niannian said, “Have them come in the next couple of days for measurements, then return mid-January to review the designs. I’ll be here both times.”

That way, she would have two guaranteed opportunities to meet Qin Zhaoman.

He Junyu was genuinely curious now. “Alright, just how impressive is this person that you’re so eager to meet them?”

Shen Niannian popped open her beer and offered an objective assessment. “Very impressive.”

He Junyu patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. No matter how impressive they are, they won’t stand a chance against the Shen Niannian friendship offensive. But tell me—once you have them, will you still love me?”

The icy beer slid down her throat, making Shen Niannian squint slightly from the cold. She said, “She doesn’t like me. She finds me annoying.”

He Junyu rubbed her ear. “Huh?”

Shen Niannian shrugged her right shoulder, pushing He Junyu away, and picked up the vintage-looking metal desk phone on the table. “Read me Qiao Qiao’s number.”

He Junyu went to the bookshelf to find the document for her. “Who finds you annoying? Qiao Qiao?”

Shen Niannian replied, “Qin Zhaoman.”

He Junyu flipped open the booklet and said, “Then why not call Qin Zhaoman first? If she rejects you, calling Qiao Qiao afterward might help lift your mood. Trust me, in France, you won’t get annoyed twice in a row.”

Such comforting flattery.

Shen Niannian was convinced. “Alright, let’s call Qin Zhaoman first.”

He Junyu recited the phone number, and Shen Niannian realized it wasn’t the same one Qin Zhaoman had used to text her last time.

Holding the receiver, the phone hadn’t connected yet. The beeping tone inside sounded eerily like a hospital heart rate monitor, making her inexplicably nervous.

He Junyu leaned in to listen.

“Hello? May I help you?”

The voice on the other end was indeed not Qin Zhaoman’s. It sounded efficient and somewhat familiar—probably Qin Zhaoman’s personal assistant.

Shen Niannian said, “Hello, this is He Junyu Studio. Miss Qin has reserved a custom order for our spring collection. May we confirm if she can come to our studio for measurements three days from now, on the 26th?”

There was the sound of rustling papers on the other end.

“That should be fine. We can come at 1 p.m. Will an hour be sufficient?”

The corner of Shen Niannian’s lips curved slightly. “That works. There’s one more thing—Miss Shen Niannian will be assisting at our studio that day. Would Miss Qin mind?”

There was a pause on the other end. “I’ll need to check with President Qin. May I call you back in half an hour?”

Shen Niannian replied, “Of course.”

He Junyu asked after she hung up, “Why did you ask that extra question? What if she says she minds?”

Shen Niannian said, “She won’t mind.”

From Qin Zhaoman’s agreement to have dinner with her last time, it was clear she wasn’t the type to avoid confrontation. She would surely tease a little, then effortlessly reject her as planned.

So confident, so arrogant.

—

After hanging up, Secretary Li happened to see the conference room doors open. She refilled Qin Zhaoman’s empty coffee cup and said, “I just received a call from the styling studio confirming your appointment for measurements on the 26th. I scheduled it from 1 to 2 p.m.”

Qin Zhaoman gave a noncommittal hum and opened the office window.

A cold gust rushed in, making her cough, but she didn’t close it. The central heating in the office building was too intense in winter—she disliked both excessive heat and dryness.

Secretary Li added, “Shen Niannian will likely be there to assist that day. They asked if you’d mind.”

Qin Zhaoman turned her head. “What?”

Secretary Li, familiar with the relationship between He Junyu and Shen Niannian, explained how Shen Niannian occasionally helped out and how many clients specifically visited He Junyu’s studio for custom designs because of her.

After listening, Qin Zhaoman asked, “Did they usually start spring collections as early as January in previous years?”

Secretary Li hesitated. “It does seem unusually early this year.”

Qin Zhaoman thought of Shen Niannian, and her mood actually improved a bit. She said, “Reply to them. I don’t mind.”

Secretary Li took note of it when the door was suddenly pushed open. Qiao Qiao strode in excitedly, saying, “Guess whose call I just received?”

Secretary Li exited and closed the door behind her.

Qin Zhaoman waited until Qiao Qiao had milked the suspense enough before asking, “Neve?”

Qiao Qiao immediately deflated: “You got the call too? Well, of course, you and I are a package deal.”

She plopped down opposite Qin Zhaoman, sprawling across the marble desk: “I should never have teamed up with you back then. Then I’d have Neve all to myself now.”

Qin Zhaoman said, “Then you wouldn’t even have met her.”

“What do you mean?”

Qiao Qiao sat up, processing the implication in Qin Zhaoman’s eyes before exclaiming, “Ah… Neve wants you to collaborate with Yahe?”

“Mhm.”

Sympathy welled up in Qiao Qiao. She didn’t even need to ask to guess Qin Zhaoman’s stance. The ugly face of capitalism was epitomized perfectly in Qin Zhaoman—there was absolutely no way she’d agree to take this on under these circumstances.

At this realization, Qiao Qiao perked up again: “So does that mean you’re not going to He Junyu’s place? Since you have no intention of working with Shen Niannian anyway, just don’t go. Let me handle it—I’ll make Neve give up.”

Qin Zhaoman said, “I’m going. Why wouldn’t I?”

Qiao Qiao asked, “Why go?”

Qin Zhaoman replied matter-of-factly, “Who would mind getting to see Shen Niannian a few more times?”

Qiao Qiao was speechless: “So you actually like Shen Niannian too? Then why not help her out?”

Qin Zhaoman said, “No. Neve’s value isn’t that high.”

Qiao Qiao picked up a document from the desk and swatted her with it: “This one’s for Neve. How is this any different from taking advantage of her?”

Qin Zhaoman adopted an infuriatingly lazy tone: “The difference is, your Neve approached me first.”

Qiao Qiao had originally come to invite her to lunch but was now too angry to eat. The meal never happened. Just before leaving, Qin Zhaoman received a call from her uncle.

Her uncle refused to go to a retirement home or see a psychologist. The older he got, the more rebellious he became.

Qin Zhaoman endured over half an hour of scolding, followed by another half-hour lecture on marriage. By the time she hung up, lunchtime was long past.

Qiao Qiao, wilted from hunger on the sofa, said, “Your uncle really… age hasn’t mellowed him. Do you even still have an appetite?”

Qin Zhaoman said, “Let’s eat. If we don’t eat now, I’ll have even less appetite tonight.”

Catching the implication in her words, Qiao Qiao asked, “Forcing you to go on blind dates again?”

Qin Zhaoman grunted in affirmation. “I’m not going.”

Qiao Qiao felt this wasn’t sustainable. Once in the car, she tentatively broached the subject: “Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask—what exactly are you looking for in someone? Either just outright refuse your uncle and stop caring whether he’s happy, or take the initiative to look yourself? Dragging it out like this is just making you miserable, isn’t it?”

Qin Zhaoman pulled the car out: “Haven’t met anyone like that. Can’t find them.”

Qiao Qiao didn’t believe her: “Not a single one? Let’s be honest here—if you haven’t met even one person who fits, shouldn’t you… umm… maybe reconsider whether your standards are actually realistic…?”

Qin Zhaoman merged onto the highway, flooring the accelerator. The red Ferrari shot forward like a bullet.

At this extreme speed, her tone became light and exhilarated: “I have met a woman who perfectly fits my requirements.”

Qiao Qiao tightly gripped the seatbelt, numb yet accustomed: “Can you drive normally? I’m about to fucking puke.”

Gossip revived her as she asked: “Which woman? Do I know her?”

Qin Zhaoman said: “You do. Shen Niannian.”

Qiao Qiao asked: “Who?”

Qin Zhaoman, now in high spirits, didn’t hold back: “Shen Niannian!”

The Cadillac beside them suddenly accelerated, a young guy sticking his head out to yell: “I like Shen Niannian too!”

Qiao Qiao: “…”

Qin Zhaoman let out a derisive laugh.