This Best Actress is a Bit Annoying - Chapter 24.2

With those final words, Xia Qingye drove away, leaving Nie Zhuying standing there, completely bewildered.

It was early evening on New Year’s Eve. Xia Qingye received a call from Xia Yanbo. “Is Miss Nie and her dog still there?”

Xia Qingye glanced at Nie Zhuying, who was sitting on the sofa watching the Spring Festival Gala. On the screen, Xie Zhe had just appeared, singing into a microphone. The little white puppy was whimpering and snuggling in Nie Zhuying’s arms. She lowered her voice and said, “Brother, you’re actually afraid of a tiny puppy? If people found out, they’d laugh their heads off.”

Xia Yanbo didn’t back down. “And who was it hiding behind my back this morning, refusing to come out? If it weren’t for me, that dog would’ve climbed right on top of you.”

The Xia siblings were truly two of a kind when it came to fearing small animals. After two minutes of mutual teasing, they got back to the point.

“Brother, what are your actual intentions toward Miss Nie? She’s been in our house for two days, and you’ve only seen her once this morning. If you don’t like her, just say it early so you don’t waste her time.”

“You understand, I understand, and Miss Nie understands. But the thoughts of the older generation… we simply can’t predict them.”

“True.”

Seeing another call coming in, Xia Qingye hung up on her brother and ducked into the kitchen to answer. “Hello, Sister Xiang.”

As the manager for both Xie Zhe and Xia Qingye, Wei Xianghong was feeling a sense of pride seeing one of her artists shining on the Spring Festival Gala stage. She wanted to motivate the other one to take it to heart as well. Her voice was filled with irrepressible joy. “Qingye, Happy New Year! Are you watching the Gala?”

“Ah, I saw Xie Zhe singing.”

In reality, Xia Qingye had been busy all evening making dumpling and wonton fillings, steaming them or making potstickers. She hadn’t had time for the Gala. With a “little ancestor” in the house who couldn’t do anything, she’d only caught a quick glimpse. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to keep up with Sister Xiang’s excitement. “Xie Zhe sang beautifully. As expected of someone you trained, Sister Xiang.”

Flattery works every time. Wei Xianghong laughed heartily. “If you behave and work hard for the next couple of years, you’ll have a chance to be up there too.”

Xia Qingye knew that artists with a positive image and high popularity indeed had opportunities for the Gala. However, she glanced at Nie Zhuying, who was curled up on the sofa with the puppy. “Sister Xiang, do you know why Nie Zhuying didn’t perform this year?”

“Nie Zhuying? Why the sudden question? Do you have a personal connection with her?”

“No, no. My brother is a fan of hers; he asked me to find out.”

At the mention of Xia Yanbo, Wei Xianghong understood. “I heard they offered her a spot, but it conflicted with her schedule. She’s been filming abroad; she must be very busy during the New Year.”

The “very busy” Nie Zhuying, currently tired of sitting, sprawled out on the sofa with her legs crossed, idly petting the puppy. She looked as relaxed as could be.

Xia Qingye’s mouth twitched. “Sister Xiang, anything else? My brother is rushing me for dinner.”

Thinking of Xia Yanbo, Wei Xianghong immediately said, “No, go ahead and have your New Year’s dinner.” It wasn’t until she hung up that she slapped her thigh and realized, “Oh! I forgot to talk to her about work!”

Xia Yanbo arrived home shortly after, carrying a bottle of red wine and a “dog-beating stick.”

Xia Qingye nearly burst out laughing at his defensive stance. “Miss Nie, come over for wontons and dumplings.”

Nie Zhuying slowly rose from the sofa. Seeing the stick in Xia Yanbo’s hand, she sneered. “Nuonuo’s teeth aren’t even fully grown; he won’t bite you. Put that stick away.”

Xia Yanbo took two steps back. “Miss Nie, the dog isn’t allowed at the table. Please put him outside.”

Nie Zhuying glared at him. “How can you be so heartless? It’s freezing out there. You want Nuonuo, a newborn puppy, to stay outside? He’ll freeze to death.”

Xia Qingye didn’t participate in the debate. She knew Nie Zhuying would always find a way to win. Instead, she looked at the dumplings. “Brother, Miss Nie is right. Leaving such a small thing outside would definitely lead to him freezing. Let him stay in Miss Nie’s room for now; we can bring him some food later.”

Xia Yanbo shot his sister a look, as if blaming her for having no spine. Where happened to our alliance? Our friendly forces?

Xia Qingye set the table, eagerly pushing the plates of dumplings and wontons Nie Zhuying had requested toward her. “These are your favorite shrimp dumplings. Eat up. Take the puppy up first, wash your hands, and come eat.”

Nie Zhuying gave her a look, but for the sake of the dumplings, she reluctantly agreed to let them have a peaceful dinner.

Left without his teammate, Xia Yanbo retreated, only using his eyes to urge Nie Zhuying to take the dog upstairs.

Soon, Nie Zhuying returned and chose the seat furthest away from Xia Yanbo. Xia Qingye looked at the two of them, separated by a clear divide, and felt a flicker of amusement. She never thought she would spend the New Year with two people she originally had no connection with.

The three of them sat at the table, feeling both like strangers and family at the same time.

“I f–k—”

Nie Zhuying suddenly stood up, covering her mouth. Her eyes turned red and she glared fiercely at Xia Qingye. But because of the spice, tears welled up in her eyes, making her look more seductive than threatening.

Xia Qingye’s complex emotions were broken by this sudden outburst. Seeing the watery gaze fixed on her, she blinked blankly and then smiled, leisurely reminding them, “Ah, I forgot to tell you. There are surprises in these dumplings. Whoever finds them gets good luck for the coming year.”

Seeing Nie Zhuying rush toward the restroom, she added, “Don’t spit it out! It’s good luck; spitting it out might ruin your fortune for next year.”

Nie Zhuying froze for a second before slamming the restroom door shut.

“Hahaha!”

“Qingye, you didn’t do that on purpose, did you?” Xia Yanbo, who originally had quite an appetite, couldn’t look at his own plate now.

Xia Qingye picked up her chopsticks and casually dipped a dumpling in seafood sauce. “Brother, it’s all for good luck. I only put in fifteen: peanuts, coins, and wasabi. You think everyone’s luck can be as ‘good’ as Miss Nie’s?”

Just the thought of Nie Zhuying suffering made Xia Qingye feel vindicated.

Xia Yanbo ate one cautiously. Finding the taste good, he began to eat more boldly. After a while, Nie Zhuying emerged from the restroom, her eyes and lips bright red as if she’d eaten chili peppers.

The Nie Zhuying seen by the public was cold and aloof. Now, having shed her “idol baggage” and wearing a simple hoodie, she felt much more approachable.

Seeing her face was flushed, Xia Qingye handed her a glass of water. “How are you? Are you okay?”

Nie Zhuying couldn’t tell if it was deliberate or if her luck was just that “good.” She’d eaten three, and one had wasabi. She drained two glasses of water and glared at Xia Qingye. “I want your plate.”

“Uh, that’s not a good idea.”

Nie Zhuying didn’t care. She was increasingly convinced Xia Qingye had done it on purpose. Since the girl made the dumplings, putting wasabi in them was easy. If she’d made them herself, she would have marked them. She swapped their plates. “I like yours better.”

Xia Yanbo looked between the two with a subtle expression. He bit into a dumpling and crack—he nearly broke a tooth. Looking down, he said, “Hey, I got a coin.”

“Congratulations, Brother! You won a prize.”

“Haha, good luck, good luck!” Xia Yanbo suddenly asked, “Qingye, how many coins were there?”

“Five of each.” Xia Qingye’s eyes curved like a little fox’s. “So, there are four wasabi ones left. Be careful!”

Nie Zhuying nearly coughed up blood.

The wonton and dumpling feast instantly turned into a “Hongmen Banquet.” Aside from Xia Qingye, who ate calmly, Xia Yanbo and Nie Zhuying were terrified, taking tiny bites to test for wasabi.

Xia Qingye teased them, “Is that necessary? Wasabi actually tastes great. You’ll get used to it after a couple.”

Xia Yanbo saw he had one left on his plate. He steeled himself and took a bite. Then, he froze. Covering his mouth, he mumbled, “Qingye, you—” and bolted for the restroom.

Nie Zhuying did the math: three left.

Xia Qingye, meanwhile, found several coins. Three in a row. Plus Xia Yanbo’s, that was four. Only one left.

Crack. Nie Zhuying bit into hers. Fortunately, it was a small bite, so her teeth were safe. She held the coin up triumphantly like a child. “I got one too.”

“Miss Nie’s luck has always been good.”

“I heard you laughing just now.” Nie Zhuying had heard the laughter while she was in the restroom. Seeing five left on her plate, she took a spiteful bite—and then her beautiful face contorted.

Xia Qingye knew she’d been hit again. She’d meticulously put two wasabi ones in her own plate just to lure the other woman into the trap, and it had worked perfectly. She tried to stifle her laughter, her eyes dancing. “It seems Miss Nie’s luck is indeed incredible. Truly enviable.”

Nie Zhuying was fuming, especially seeing the other woman laughing at her so brazenly. She stood up, lunged across the table, and shoved the other half of the dumpling directly into Xia Qingye’s mouth.

And she used her tongue to push it in.

Xia Qingye was stunned, staring wide-eyed at the person above her. Feeling something smooth slip through her mouth, her whole world turned upside down.

“Qingye, you’re too ruthless! You didn’t even spare your brother—”

Xia Yanbo, finally having dealt with the wasabi taste, opened the restroom door. He looked up to see his sister being pressed into her chair by Nie Zhuying, kissing.