The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 6

Shen Niannian flew back to work punctually at eight o’clock that day. After working nonstop for several days, she managed to squeeze out time to return to District A the day before their scheduled meeting.

He Junyu remarked, “What perfume is this? It smells really nice. I thought you didn’t like wearing perfume before?”

Shen Niannian spritzed some near her collar. “I’ve been into it lately.”

“I bet Qin Zhaoman likes it, huh?”

He Junyu sat on the backrest of the studio sofa, looking down at her. “I’m genuinely, genuinely curious—who exactly is this person? You’re taking this so seriously.”

“Won’t you get to meet her this afternoon?”

Shen Niannian adjusted the hem of her dress in the mirror. Today, she was wearing a goose-yellow qipao with hand-embroidered magnolia blossoms winding up the fabric. To match the outfit, she had woken up an hour early to style her hair into an updo.

For accessories, she chose only a pair of teardrop-shaped pearls, deliberately keeping it minimal to appear more warm and homely.

He Junyu teased, “This doesn’t look like you’re just trying to make a friend.”

Shen Niannian glanced sideways, brushing her off. “Then what does it look like?”

He Junyu leaned closer, grinning. “Like you’re trying to pursue her.”

Shen Niannian replied, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

He Junyu countered, “I’m not talking nonsense. Who dresses like… this… just to see a friend? Hmm?”

“Qin Zhaoman is straight.”

Shen Niannian knew she was overdoing it, but with only a month’s time, she had no choice.

She sat by the window sipping tea, occasionally glancing outside. Before Qin Zhaoman arrived, there was one more client in the morning—the wife of a high-ranking official.

The woman, in her forties with sharp cheekbones, appeared somewhat stern now, but it was easy to imagine she had been a striking beauty in her youth.

Shen Niannian received her, chatting about their alma mater. After taking measurements, the woman even smiled and took a photo with her, her initial cold demeanor completely gone.

Shen Niannian escorted her to the door. When she returned, He Junyu applauded. “As expected of you.”

Shen Niannian smiled faintly, though she didn’t seem particularly pleased.

He Junyu slung an arm over her shoulder. “Now you can relax, right? I don’t even know what you were worried about—”

The Golden Wind Chime at the door jingled.

Qiao Qiao walked in, phone in hand. “Aren’t you coming with me? Your driving yesterday nearly made me throw up—I barely ate anything. Hurry up and treat me again later.”

Shen Niannian approached her.

Qiao Qiao’s eyes lit up. She moved the phone slightly away and said, “Neve, you look absolutely stunning in that qipao.”

“Thank you.” Shen Niannian smiled, faintly hearing Qin Zhaoman’s voice from the phone. “You’re there already?”

Qiao Qiao brought the phone back to her ear. “Yeah, hurry up.”

Whatever Qin Zhaoman said next made Qiao Qiao glance at Shen Niannian. “Yeah, didn’t you already know?”

Shen Niannian’s gaze flicked to the phone.

Qiao Qiao hung up.

Shen Niannian didn’t press further, simply gesturing. “Follow me upstairs.”

Qiao Qiao asked, “Are you the only assistant today? Is there anyone else?”

Shen Niannian led her to the seat and motioned for her to take off her coat. “There are others, but… do you really want to replace me?”

Her tone carried a playful hint of disappointment.

Qiao Qiao took off her coat, her tone tinged with sadness: “Of course I don’t want to, but when Zelmer arrives later, you’d rather be with her, wouldn’t you?”

Shen Niannian helped her hang up the coat and said, “Not really. She just likes teasing me.”

Qiao Qiao burst into laughter: “She rarely teases anyone—usually, she’s so blunt it makes people want to strangle her.”

Shen Niannian recalled the time Qin Zhaoman had roasted Edward at the poker table and couldn’t help but smile. “Is that so…?”

Qiao Qiao nodded. “During a university elective, the professor had us use virtual funds to trade stocks. She worked alone and still left everyone in the dust. Near the end of the course, she asked the professor if the final grade was based on who lost the most money. The number of opponents she crushed could’ve cried enough tears to collapse the Great Wall.”

Shen Niannian laughed again. Picking up the soft measuring tape from the table, she said, “Let me take your measurements first. It won’t take long.”

Qiao Qiao naturally didn’t refuse.

As they worked, they chatted some more—topics shifting from Shen Niannian’s new film to nearby restaurants, then to high-society gossip, before somehow circling back to Qin Zhaoman again.

Qiao Qiao asked curiously, “So you really want to invite Zelmer to collaborate with you?”

Shen Niannian didn’t deny it, jotting down the last measurement on paper before asking casually, “Mm. Do you think there’s any chance she’d agree?”

Qiao Qiao sat on the sofa, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Shen Niannian work. “Honestly, before today, I’d have said absolutely no way. But now, I think there might be a shot.”

Shen Niannian glanced up, smiling. “Why do you say that?”

Qiao Qiao beckoned her closer.

Shen Niannian tilted her head slightly, then leaned down.

Qiao Qiao whispered in her ear, “Because I think you’re taking the right approach. Qin Zhaoman treats her own people completely differently.”

In her mind, Qiao Qiao pictured Qin Zhaoman sitting obediently through an hour-long scolding from her uncle—a financial titan to the outside world, but a quail at home.

Shen Niannian realized there had been a misunderstanding—the second one today.

But wasn’t Qin Zhaoman straight? Why would her friends also assume otherwise?

Shen Niannian thought back and confirmed that Qin Zhaoman had personally declared herself a “certified straight woman” at the bar.

Besides, Qin Zhaoman didn’t seem like someone who could be won over in a month. Pursuing her wasn’t a practical strategy.

Qiao Qiao went to discuss designs with He Junyu, and by 12:30, Qin Zhaoman still hadn’t arrived. Qiao Qiao returned to share a plate of pastries with Shen Niannian.

Qiao Qiao was the type who let her guard down easily. Winning her favor was simple—by the time the pastries were finished, she and Shen Niannian had already grown close.

When Qin Zhaoman arrived at one o’clock, she found Qiao Qiao and Shen Niannian deep in cheerful conversation.

Shen Niannian noticed her first.

Qiao Qiao turned and said, “You’re right on time.”

Shen Niannian stood up and repeated the explanation about going upstairs. Once Qin Zhaoman nodded, she turned back to Qiao Qiao. “We’ll head up first, then.”

Qiao Qiao gave her an encouraging gesture and waved them off.

Qin Zhaoman raised an eyebrow. “What were you two talking about earlier?”

Shen Niannian said, “She said a lot. Which part are you referring to?”

Qin Zhaoman glanced back at Qiao Qiao, who wasn’t looking her way, completely engrossed in conversation with He Junyu. Turning back, she asked, “Was there anything about me?”

“Yes.”

Shen Niannian smiled and turned to meet her gaze. “But that’s confidential. Take off your suit jacket for me.”

Qin Zhaoman caught another whiff of that intriguing, pleasant fragrance from her.

She didn’t press further about the earlier question, handing over her jacket instead. “What perfume are you wearing?”

Shen Niannian paused for a couple of seconds.

Qin Zhaoman raised an eyebrow. “Another classified project?”

Picking up a soft measuring tape from the table, Shen Niannian shook her head with a smile. “It’s a custom blend I made. Haven’t settled on a name yet.”

She stepped closer to Qin Zhaoman, wrapping the tape around her waist to record the measurement.

“It smells wonderful,” Qin Zhaoman complimented.

“Then I’ll send you a bottle later,” Shen Niannian replied. “We can name it then.”

Following Shen Niannian’s guidance to raise her arms, Qin Zhaoman asked, “What name?”

After measuring her shoulder width and retracting the tape, Shen Niannian looked into Qin Zhaoman’s eyes and suddenly laughed. “Let’s call it ‘That’ll Cost Extra.'”

The implication couldn’t be more obvious. Qin Zhaoman chuckled but didn’t take the bait.

Shen Niannian didn’t expect her to respond. Kneeling down, she measured Qin Zhaoman’s leg length. As the tape reached her ankle, a vicious scar came into view.

During their previous encounters, Qin Zhaoman had always worn long skirts, so this was Shen Niannian’s first time seeing the scar. Just by its appearance, she could tell how severe the original injury must have been.

“Motorcycle accident,” Qin Zhaoman explained casually.

“I might need to examine this scar,” Shen Niannian said.

Qin Zhaoman pulled up her left pant leg, revealing the scar that extended up her calf. Upon closer inspection, there were smaller scars scattered around it, faded with time.

She only briefly showed it before lowering the fabric. “Don’t worry about it. The scars go all the way up to my ribs.”

“How did it get so bad?” Shen Niannian asked.

“Crashed while riding motorcycles. You probably know about bikes—I’ve seen your film Moto. Great performance.”

Shen Niannian’s gaze remained fixed on the exposed scar.

Qin Zhaoman’s calves were shapely and strong. The scar didn’t detract from their appeal; instead, it added a wild edge that suited her personality, even making them more striking.

But Shen Niannian understood racing motorcycles.

Failing a turn on a racing bike often led to catastrophic injuries—even on professional tracks with sand and grass buffers. Riders who suffered major accidents usually had to retire from the sport.

She’d met many such riders while preparing for her role.

“Does it hurt during rainy or snowy weather?” Shen Niannian asked.

Qin Zhaoman seemed slightly surprised. “A little.”

Standing up, Shen Niannian wrote something on a slip of paper. “You should visit this clinic. More effective than hospitals.”

Qin Zhaoman took the note with the address. “Thanks.”

“I’m not sure if it’ll help,” Shen Niannian admitted.

From the doorway, Qiao Qiao’s voice interrupted: “What’s taking you two so long? I’m starving.”

Qiao Qiao and He Junyu approached together.

“Nothing important,” Qin Zhaoman said, retrieving her jacket to leave for lunch with Qiao Qiao. But by the time they reached the ground floor, Qiao Qiao’s persistent questioning had uncovered most of what happened.

Qiao Qiao suggested, “Neve gave you perfume, so why don’t you give Neve a card? Like a VIP for that café under your company. It’s always just you there alone—don’t you find it lonely?”

Qin Zhaoman slowly glanced at Qiao Qiao, who promptly fell silent.

Shen Niannian said, “The perfume is nothing special, but the coffee isn’t necessary. It wouldn’t be good to disturb President Qin’s work.”

“No disturbance,” Qin Zhaoman replied. “I’ll have my secretary deliver the card to your company tomorrow.”

A hint of surprise flickered in Shen Niannian’s eyes, followed by a warm smile. “Alright, got it.”