The Ice-Queen Actress Used Her Acting Skills to Reel Me In! - Chapter 9

Qin Zhaoman took a box of chocolates from her bag and handed it to her.

Shen Niannian was a little surprised. She had received many chocolates these days, but she never expected Qin Zhaoman to give her any.

After all, Qin Zhaoman’s attitude toward her had always been one of neither driving her away nor paying her any attention. Giving chocolates could already be considered a response—even barely counting as concern—which didn’t align with Qin Zhaoman’s usual indifference.

Qin Zhaoman probably guessed what she was thinking and said, “The doctor you recommended was very good. My leg feels much better. The perfume was nice too—I liked it.”

So it was a thank-you gift.

Shen Niannian took it and placed it on the table beside her, saying, “I’m glad it helped. If you like the perfume, I can give you another bottle next time.”

Qin Zhaoman nodded, then glanced at the chocolates on the table and asked, “Didn’t you say you hadn’t had any sugar today? Not going to try one?”

Shen Niannian thought that if it was just a thank-you gift, there was no need to eat it right away.

But Qin Zhaoman had already crossed her legs and sat down across from her, her gaze fixed on her. “Hmm?” she prompted, as if urging her.

Shen Niannian found Qin Zhaoman’s expression oddly familiar.

After thinking about it, she realized it was very similar to how her assistant looked when she bought a cat teaser and eagerly waited to see the cat’s reaction.

Shen Niannian: “…” It was both amusing and strangely fitting.

Still, she decided to indulge Qin Zhaoman’s expectations and unwrapped a piece of chocolate to taste.

Qin Zhaoman watched her eat as if observing a performance, sitting comfortably on the sofa. When she finished, she asked, “How is it?”

Shen Niannian answered honestly, “Very good.” It was rare to find chocolate that blended the milk flavor so well.

The black packaging had no logo, making it impossible to tell the brand—it seemed like a custom order from a private confectionery.

She asked, “I really like it. Where did you buy it?”

Qin Zhaoman replied, “My housekeeper made it.”

Shen Niannian asked, “So it’s not available for purchase?”

Qin Zhaoman wanted to hear what she would say and nodded.

Shen Niannian looked into her eyes and suddenly smiled. “Then it seems like there’s another reason to be friends with Zelmer.”

Qin Zhaoman raised an eyebrow. “You really like it? You must have received every kind of chocolate these past few days.”

Shen Niannian nodded. “Yours is better.”

Qin Zhaoman caught the key point. “So how many kinds of chocolate have you actually eaten?”

Shen Niannian said, “Two.” Then, changing her mind, she confessed, “My agent’s and yours.”

Qin Zhaoman chuckled. Shen Niannian neatly packed away the chocolates and led Qin Zhaoman to the oversized clothing rack on the second floor to select suitable fabric.

Qin Zhaoman followed behind her, choosing whatever she recommended, and finally settled on a piece of dark green satin.

Shen Niannian took the fabric from the rack and folded it carefully. Worried that Qin Zhaoman might be bored, she began explaining the weaving history of this type of satin.

Qin Zhaoman asked, “You know a lot about this?”

Shen Niannian then talked about what she had learned while filming a movie. As Qin Zhaoman listened, she recalled the scene in the motorcycle film where Shen Niannian leaned into a curve, stopped the bike, and took off her helmet.

She glanced at Shen Niannian’s profile and realized she was still a little curious about whether Shen Niannian had done those stunts herself.

But so what if she had? It wouldn’t change Qin Zhaoman’s mind about working with her.

Since they weren’t going to collaborate anyway, there was no harm in asking.

Qin Zhaoman mentally reasoned with herself and finally asked, “Then where were you—”

“Zelmer! Quick, look at this satin! It’s the only pink piece in stock!”

Qiao Qiao came running up with several yards of pink satin draped over her arms, twirling around happily to show it off. With her naturally pink hair and the fabric wrapped around her, she looked like a walking peach.

Qin Zhaoman’s words were cut off. She glanced at Qiao Qiao and said, “Ugly.”

Qiao Qiao froze, then began throwing a tantrum on the spot. “What did you just say?”

He Junyu, noticing the fabric in Shen Niannian’s arms, changed the subject. “Is this the material Miss Qin picked out?”

Qiao Qiao looked over and added, “Also ugly.”

Qin Zhaoman ignored her. Shen Niannian handed the fabric to He Junyu and turned to Qin Zhaoman, lowering her voice. “What were you going to say earlier?”

That kind of question would have flowed naturally in the earlier conversation, but now, bringing it up separately made it seem like she cared too much.

Qin Zhaoman replied, “Nothing.”

Shen Niannian nodded. If Qin Zhaoman didn’t want to say, she wouldn’t press further.

He Junyu held the fabric and remarked, “This would look best with old-mine jade buttons.”

Shen Niannian pictured it and agreed. “I have some at home. I’ll have someone bring them over tomorrow.”

He Junyu suddenly realized. “Ah, right. I almost forgot you have everything.”

Shen Niannian loved collecting jewelry. Once, while filming in the desert, she had even called He Junyu to bid on a bracelet for her. Just one bracelet, auctioned for 18 million—He Junyu still remembered the feeling of raising the paddle that day.

Misinterpreting the look in He Junyu’s eyes, Qin Zhaoman said, “I’ll have someone bid for a piece and send it over.”

Shen Niannian replied, “Buttons only need a bit of scrap material. If you feel bad about it, just give me two more boxes of chocolates.”

Qiao Qiao leaned in. “What chocolates?”

Shen Niannian glanced at Qin Zhaoman, who showed no reaction, so she explained to Qiao Qiao.

Qiao Qiao’s eyes lit up as if she’d caught something. She walked over to Qin Zhaoman. “So you remembered just because I mentioned Neve has low bl00d sugar?”

Qin Zhaoman replied nonchalantly, “Unlike you, I don’t need things repeated to remember.”

Ignoring Qiao Qiao’s accusations, she turned to Shen Niannian. “Next time you come to the café, let me know. I’ll bring them for you.”

Shen Niannian smiled. “Alright.”

A few days later, Shen Niannian found time to visit the café. Qin Zhaoman hadn’t arrived yet.

Two people were already seated inside. Shen Niannian recognized them both—one was Phoebe, who had played cards with them last time, and the other was the noblewoman she’d met at He Junyu’s studio.

Phoebe spotted Shen Niannian first and greeted her. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen new guests at this café.”

The noblewoman turned and, surprised to see Shen Niannian, smiled. “It makes sense Zelmer would invite Neve here.”

Shen Niannian was invited to join them. Spread across the table were several albums showcasing the jewelry exhibition pieces for the upcoming event.

The noblewoman handed her one of the albums. “We were just picking out a couple of pieces. Take a look too.”

As Shen Niannian browsed, she shared her thoughts. The noblewoman usually disliked listening to jewelry salespeople, but Shen Niannian had a way of making her words effortlessly engaging.

It seemed as if she had practiced every syllable to perfection, ensuring each word sounded as pleasing as possible.

Phoebe could discern more than the noblewoman could, her gaze resting appreciatively on Shen Niannian.

Noticing Phoebe’s attention, Shen Niannian, after helping the noblewoman make her selection, steered the conversation toward jewelry-related topics with Phoebe.

Phoebe wore a faint smile, but her demeanor remained politely distant.

Once the jewelry was chosen, the noblewoman asked if they’d like to join her for a game of cards. Noticing Shen Niannian had brought her laptop, she added considerately, fearing Shen Niannian might be busy.

Phoebe glanced over and spoke before Shen Niannian could respond: “Since Neve is here, she must not have anything pressing.”

Shen Niannian smiled. “Indeed, I’m free.”

The twins took their roles—one as dealer, the other filling in as a player—and the four of them settled into a game of bridge.

Shen Niannian knew exactly how to keep the game engaging, winning a round or two before gracefully conceding a few. As a teammate, she led effortlessly to victory; as an opponent, she never made anyone feel uncomfortable.

When the noblewoman’s chauffeur arrived, she was still reluctant to leave, exchanging contact details with Shen Niannian and arranging another game soon.

With only Shen Niannian and Phoebe left in the room, Phoebe tossed her cards onto the table and teased, “Quite the grudge holder, aren’t you, Miss Shen?”

She had sensed Shen Niannian’s subtle targeting during the game.

Shen Niannian didn’t admit to it, her eyes glinting with amusement. “A game must have a winner, after all.”

Phoebe chuckled, her light green eyes resembling a pair of exquisite jade stones. She signaled the twins to bring over a plate of macarons, placing it before Shen Niannian.

“I heard you have low bl00d sugar. You should take care of yourself.”

Shen Niannian sighed softly. “It seems everyone knows about my condition now.”

Phoebe replied, “Many people care about you. I’m also one of your fans.”

Shen Niannian took a bite of a macaron. “Thank you. If we’re settling the bill today, it should be my treat.”

Phoebe smiled and asked, “I heard you’re interested in collaborating with Zelmer?”

Without waiting for an answer, she added gently, “Perhaps consider other partners instead.”

Shen Niannian met her gaze.

Phoebe’s tone remained friendly. “Using less-than-honorable tactics with Zelmer—failing would be one thing, but succeeding would bring real trouble.”

Shen Niannian’s expression didn’t change, nor did she respond.

The café door opened just then, and Qin Zhaoman walked in. The twins greeted her, and with a casual nod, she headed straight toward them.

Phoebe stood up. “You’re a bit late. Qiao Qiao already called to hurry you along.”

Qin Zhaoman replied, “I didn’t expect them to drone on so long today.”

As she spoke, she placed a paper bag in front of Shen Niannian. “Chocolates for you.”

Phoebe smiled at Shen Niannian before turning to Qin Zhaoman. “I’ll wait for you in the car, then.”

Qin Zhaoman nodded.

Shen Niannian took out a piece of chocolate and tasted it. “Still the milk flavor.”

Qin Zhaoman raised a brow. “What else?”

Shen Niannian sensed the shift in Qin Zhaoman’s attitude and said, “I think adding hazelnuts would make it even better.”

She wrapped a piece in its golden foil and held it to Qin Zhaoman’s lips. “Try it and see for yourself.”

Her tone was natural, as if this were merely a casual exchange about flavors.

Qin Zhaoman blocked the twins’ line of sight, bent down, and pressed the piece of chocolate against Shen Niannian’s lips through her sleeve while gripping her wrist.

Gazing into those beautifully shaped cat-like eyes, she spoke in a rather pleasant tone: “Know when to stop, Miss Sweet.”

After Qin Zhaoman left, Shen Niannian gathered the chocolates on the table, recalling Phoebe’s earlier warning.

What did she mean by “it would be troublesome if successful”?

She wiped clean her chocolate-stained fingers, the crumpled paper tracing a parabola as it landed in the trash can.

Picking up her bag with a smile, Shen Niannian bid farewell to the twins. The fisherman’s hat covering half her face, the mirth in her eyes completely faded away.

Failure would only bring greater trouble.