This Best Actress is a Bit Annoying - Chapter 22

The Nie Residence

“Arrogant but not restless, very humble… to have these achievements at such a young age, he’s much more impressive than I was back then.”

“He looks quite like his father, a real talent. In the future, paired with our Zhuying, it’s a perfect match.”

Nie Zhuying had taken off her high heels and was holding up her long gown, sneakily creeping toward the stairs step by step, only to be caught red-handed by her sharp-eyed father.

“Zhuying.”

“Stand still. What was with you today? Giving people attitude the moment you arrived. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re plotting.”

Caught in the act, Nie Zhuying simply tossed her heels aside and walked across the carpet barefoot. She puffed out her cheeks, utterly dissatisfied. “Daddy, what era is this? You’re still doing that ‘betrothal before birth’ marriage contract thing? I don’t want to get married, and I certainly don’t want to just casually marry some man I don’t know at all. Why should I have to keep a promise you made yourselves back then? If you want someone to marry him, go marry him yourselves!”

Mr. Nie was nearly half-dead with rage. He let out a roar: “Unless I’m dead, our Nie family will keep this promise! Put away those little schemes of yours. You’re coming with me to pay them a visit tomorrow or the day after.”

“I’m not going! Go yourself!”

“Sigh, don’t get angry, don’t get angry. Your blood pressure is going to spike again.”

Nie Zhuying turned and stomped upstairs barefoot. Back in her room, she gave the bed a frustrated kick, only to end up hopping in place clutching her foot in pain, gritting her teeth for a long while. “Talk about bad luck.”

She pulled out her phone and found WeChat.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian (Nie): 【About to explode from anger】

Xi Shui: Looking at you, I take it your plan failed.

Xi Shui: I warned you not to be impulsive, but you wouldn’t listen.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian: While the priest climbs a foot, the devil climbs ten.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian: The plan died in the womb before it could even start. The old stubborn man threatened me, saying unless he dies, I have to listen to him and bury the happiness of my entire life. 【I am also in despair】

Xi Shui: …It’s not that dramatic. Maybe once he marries you, he’ll turn over a new leaf.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian: 【Playing dead】【Face-slap】

Xi Shui: What?

Zhu Shang Ren Jian: They’re siblings. Biological. 【Tears streaming down my face】

Xi Shui: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hiccup

“Qingye, have you laughed enough?”

Xia Yanbo rubbed his temples, looking helplessly at his sister who hadn’t stopped laughing since they left the hotel. “Those two gowns you asked me to prepare… one of them was for Miss Nie?”

Whenever Xia Qingye thought of Nie Zhuying’s teeth-gritting expression as she left, she couldn’t stop smiling. It had been a long, long time since she had laughed like this. “How did you know, Brother?”

Xia Yanbo patted her head dotingly. “Your brother’s eyes aren’t just for show. That dress was clearly one you liked.”

Xia Qingye playfully stuck out her tongue. She did indeed like it. As a woman who was over thirty in her past life, choosing a mature gown for a banquet was second nature, but it wasn’t quite right for the original owner of this body.

The original owner was only twenty—a difference of over ten years.

Fortunately, the fading purple bruises on her body reminded her of her current situation; otherwise, her “persona” probably would have collapsed entirely tonight.

Habit is truly a terrifying thing.

“Don’t you think Miss Nie looked better in it, Brother?” Xia Qingye was telling the truth. She might not have been able to outshine Nie Zhuying in it. Nie Zhuying was a natural clothes-hanger; she could pull off different personas and styles with different outfits.

“Qingye, she was very unfriendly toward you just now. You aren’t angry?”

“Why should I be angry?”

Xia Yanbo recalled Nie Zhuying’s arrogant posture. “She came on strong, and everything she said seemed targeted at you. I thought you two had some major history.”

Xia Qingye recalled carefully. She was certain the original owner didn’t know Nie Zhuying at all. Their circles were different. The so-called “history”… was probably just the mess caused by that night she got drunk.

She rubbed her nose guiltily. “Brother, are you and the Nie family planning a partnership?”

Xia Yanbo was suspicious of this “meat pie falling from the sky.” Years in the business world had taught him that there is no such thing as a free lunch. The Nie family, which had always developed overseas, suddenly choosing to collaborate with him… there was something fishy. He answered with a question: “How much do you know about Miss Nie?”

Xia Qingye thought of the rumors from her past life—that Nie Zhuying dared to snap at anti-fans and investors because of her incredible background, supposedly being a third-generation revolutionary. But whether that was true, she wasn’t sure. “Brother, Miss Nie is a good person.”

Hearing this, Xia Yanbo looked at his sister with a strange expression.

Xia Qingye had only had brief intersections with Nie Zhuying in her previous life. Later, because their careers were in different places, they rarely met. Furthermore, she had a lover at the time, so her interactions with other women remained superficial.

A brief silence fell in the car until they reached home.

“Qingye.” Xia Yanbo looked conflicted. Meeting his sister’s confused eyes, he swallowed the words he was about to say and smiled. “It’s nothing. It’s been a long day; get some rest early.”

“Okay.”

Xia Qingye was indeed exhausted. Especially after seeing Zhong Ruanqin, she felt drained both physically and mentally. She took a hot bath, vaguely remembering the first time she had crossed paths with Zhong Ruanqin.

It was during a casting call for a drama; she had been invited as a judge. When she saw Zhong Ruanqin, though the girl wasn’t classically trained, her performance was noteworthy. She was an exceptionally shy girl. That was the first time she saw her, and compared to the Zhong Ruanqin who boldly seduced a stranger tonight, they were poles apart—like two different people.

Five years might have passed since her fall, but some things remained as clear as if they had happened yesterday.

She could even recall the scene of the argument with Zhong Ruanqin that led to her accidental fall… and then, everything she had worked for over the years, along with her love, vanished with that tumble.

That night, Xia Qingye had a nightmare. She was back on the day she tried to stop Zhong Ruanqin, and they argued. Then, she saw Zhong Ruanqin leaning intimately into Zong Cong’s embrace…

The next morning, Xia Yanbo was surprised to find Xia Qingye sitting at the dining table, staring blankly at a glass of milk.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t sleep well?”

“Brother, the New Year is almost here. Have we prepared the holiday goods?”

Xia Yanbo looked troubled. “I usually have Xiao Li prepare them. He’s probably been busy lately. I’ll give him a call later and have him send some over.”

Xia Qingye was speechless. In her memory, Xia Yanbo was always busy with the company. The two rarely went out together. This huge house had no life in it; it was empty, like a hotel. “Brother, your company is about to go on holiday, right?”

Xia Yanbo poured himself a glass of warm water. “Soon.”

“Then find some time over the next few days. Let’s go to the mall and buy the holiday goods ourselves.”

“Alright.”

The two agreed to go shopping the next day, but plans change faster than one can keep up.

The following day, as Xia Qingye was tidying up at home, the Nie couple arrived for a visit with Nie Zhuying. She was stunned for a moment before inviting them in. “I’m sorry, my brother is at the office. He should be back in a while. If you three don’t mind, please sit for a bit while I give him a call.”

Nie Zhuying looked utterly displeased. Even while sitting on the sofa, she radiated a “stay away” aura.

“Mr. Nie, Mrs. Nie, please have some tea.”

“Thank you. Qingye, are you usually home alone?” Mrs. Nie reached out familiarly to hold Xia Qingye’s hand.

To the side, Nie Zhuying watched disdainfully as her mother held Xia Qingye’s hand, the word “hypocrisy” practically written on her face. She radiated coldness from time to time.

Xia Qingye glanced at her and smiled. “Actually, I’m not home that often either.”

Mrs. Nie immediately picked up the topic, saying how such a large house must be lonely for the other person if someone isn’t home often. Finally, she asked, “Qingye, would you object to your brother finding a girlfriend, or perhaps a fiancée?”

The topic shifted so fast the whole room went silent the moment she finished.

Xia Qingye blinked and looked at the family of three. Seeing Nie Zhuying’s livid face, a strange—even eerie—thought flashed through her mind. She shook the terrifying thought away and smiled. “Of course not. I even mentioned this to my brother a few days ago. It would be quite lively if our home had two more people.”

“Exactly, that’s the spirit.”

“Two?” Nie Zhuying protested, dissatisfied.

Xia Qingye playfully stuck out her tongue. “A sister-in-law and a baby, of course. I’d even welcome three, four, or five.”

Nie Zhuying’s face turned green with rage. The look she gave Xia Qingye was fierce enough to eat someone alive.

Mr. Nie, however, burst into laughter. “The more, the merrier! That’s how a home should feel.”

Mrs. Nie added, “So, what did Yanbo say?”

Three people and six eyes were now fixed intently on Xia Qingye.

Xia Qingye gave a dry laugh. Her brother had said he wanted to settle her life-long affairs first. But how could her affairs be easily settled? Besides, she couldn’t exactly tell these people that she liked women.

Just as she was about to be overwhelmed by Mrs. Nie’s questioning, Xia Yanbo returned.

“Yanbo.”

“Hello, Mr. Nie. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.” Xia Yanbo greeted everyone politely. “Mr. Nie, if you don’t mind, shall we talk in the study?”

Mr. Nie waved his hand. “No, no. I came today primarily to confirm something with you. There were too many people at the banquet last time; it wasn’t convenient to discuss serious business.”

Xia Qingye instinctively backed away, wanting to give them space to talk, but she had only moved one step when Mr. Nie spoke: “Qingye, you stay too. This matter concerns an agreement between your Xia family and our Nie family from years ago.”