This Best Actress is a Bit Annoying - Chapter 46

Xia Qingye took a nap in the afternoon, assuming that Nie Zhuying’s temper would have cooled off. However, when she saw her again, she realized the woman was still under a dark cloud; one poke and she’d likely erupt into either a storm or a hail of ice.

“Zhuzi, I want to eat a rainbow fruit.”

“Oh. Wait here.”

In Xia Qingye’s view, Nie Zhuying was simply not built for housework. She was born to be the type who lounged on a sofa while others brought everything to her on a silver platter for her to choose from. To be chosen by her was considered an honor.

So, seeing her stay in the hospital without complaint, handing her tea and water, Xia Qingye felt deeply honored.

She took a bite of the rainbow fruit, and the abundant juice trickled down her chin. Sensing the cool liquid sliding down, Xia Qingye said urgently, “Quick, Zhuzi, the juice is about to run into my neck!”

Nie Zhuying quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe it for her, then stared fiercely at the collar of her clothes, which had already been stained by a drop of juice.

Xia Qingye blinked innocently. “Have you already started to find me bothersome?”

Hearing her speak so aggrievedly, Nie Zhuying couldn’t help but frown and said stiffly, “No!”

Xia Qingye tilted her head back, letting Nie Zhuying wipe her with a wet wipe, before being fitted with a dry towel as an “infant-sized” bib. “Zhuzi, did anyone come by today? I thought I heard voices.”

Nie Zhuying: “Sister Ling came by, but you were sleeping. She left some fruit and left.”

Xia Qingye understood, quickly analyzing what might be making Nie Zhuying unhappy. It was likely something related to the company or her upcoming appearances…

However, she didn’t feel it was her place to interfere directly, so she simply said, “Zhuzi, I’m getting bored lying here. Why don’t you find a movie for me to watch?”

The sky outside was still bright. Although she could see a nice view through the window, being stuck lying motionless was slowly grinding away at her patience.

As if she had expected this, Nie Zhuying’s frustration was replaced by a smug grin. “Wait there. I’ll pick a good one for you.”

She pressed a button somewhere; the curtains drew automatically, and the room plunged into darkness. Then, a touch-screen-like interface appeared in Xia Qingye’s field of vision. She reached out to touch it but felt nothing; an image appeared on the wall a short distance away. She was amazed. “This room is quite special. I didn’t know you could do this.”

Nie Zhuying said proudly, “This room was originally set up as a home theater. Knowing you were coming home with me, I specially rearranged it into a bedroom. If you’re bored, we can watch films together to pass the time. If you don’t want to watch a film, you can look outside.”

There was scenery, and there was entertainment. It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into this. Xia Qingye was unexpectedly moved. Thinking back to the guest room at the Xia house that Nie Zhuying had only casually decorated, she joked with a smile, “Zhuzi, has anyone ever told you that you have a great sense of design? It’s a pity you didn’t become a designer.”

Nie Zhuying huffed. “Does that even need to be said?”

Following that, Nie Zhuying selected a movie for Xia Qingye. “This is a classic. I think if you watch it again, you’ll definitely have new insights.”

Xia Qingye’s curiosity was piqued by those words. She was full of anticipation until she heard the familiar, heroic music of the opening. Xia Qingye was stunned.

In the darkness, Nie Zhuying’s breathing was right by her ear, soon drowned out by the movie’s sound. Xia Qingye stared at the heroic characters wandering the martial world with a sword and a flute, feeling caught between laughter and tears.

The two didn’t exchange a word throughout the film, their eyes fixed on the screen. As Xia Qingye watched, her thoughts were pulled back to many years ago. This was Xia Tianqing’s breakout work; she had won the Film Queen title for her role as Zhang Yan in this very movie.

The story took place during the late Ming Dynasty. The Eastern Depot’s power was immense. The parents of the protagonist, Zhang Yan, were wiped out due to a corruption case. Zhang Yan, who was away studying martial arts, escaped the slaughter. Once grown, seeking blood vengeance, she went to the capital to find the truth behind her family’s destruction. Disguised as a man, she saved a former commander of the Imperial Guards who was being hunted by the Eastern Depot. He had been one of the officials handling the case, but everyone involved had been silenced; he was a survivor who had been a wanted man for years. Sharing the same goal, the two teamed up for the journey…

Martial arts films like this used to be very popular, but nowadays, they are hard to find. It wasn’t an exaggeration for Nie Zhuying to call it a “classic.”

Watching her own breakout performance from the perspective of a third party felt very strange to Xia Qingye.

“How was it?”

The lights came on. Xia Qingye blinked and looked at Nie Zhuying with a complex expression. After watching the film, Nie Zhuying’s mood had actually lightened. Seeing Xia Qingye remain silent, she found it strange. “Aren’t you a fan of Xia Tianqing? You mentioned her during the livestream.”

Xia Qingye nodded slightly. It wasn’t strange to be a fan of oneself. What was strange… was that Nie Zhuying seemed more like a die-hard fan of Xia Tianqing than she herself was.

Stunned by this realization, Xia Qingye couldn’t help but recall Nie Zhuying’s bizarre attitude every time she encountered Zhong Ruanqin. She hesitated to speak.

Nie Zhuying, feeling uneasy under her gaze, touched her own face in confusion. Then, after making up some story in her head, she snapped in embarrassment, “What is it? It’s broad daylight—don’t look at me like that. Are you trying to seduce me again?”

Xia Qingye proactively took her hand, her expression turning very serious. “Zhuzi, tell me… are you deeply obsessed with Xia Tianqing?”

Nie Zhuying tilted her head, her eyes wide with shock. “What?”

Xia Qingye listed several points. “Otherwise, why do you hit Zhong Ruanqin every time you see her? And you go to pay your respects every year on the anniversary of Xia Tianqing’s death. You always sound a bit sad when talking about her, and you even showed me her old movies… Are these not enough to prove your obsession?”

After hearing this, Nie Zhuying’s expression turned peculiar. She leaned in to stare into Xia Qingye’s earnest eyes and suddenly gave a mischievous grin. “Qingqing, are you… jealous?”

Xia Qingye: “…”

Where on earth did this girl see jealousy?!

Xia Qingye pushed her “rule-breaking” face away. “Don’t change the subject. I’m going to get angry.”

Nie Zhuying had never seen Xia Qingye truly say she was angry before; she found it incredibly novel. She tugged at the other’s finger. “Qingqing, everything you just said is baseless. I hit Zhong Ruanqin because that woman stops at nothing and has crossed my bottom line. Besides, she tried to hit you before.”

Xia Qingye still felt that the way Nie Zhuying had charged forward in a rage at the cemetery was related to Xia Tianqing. She said deliberately, “That day at the cemetery, you said she didn’t deserve to be there. You weren’t doing that for me; you were doing it for Xia Tianqing.”

Nie Zhuying’s eyes widened. “Did I say those words?”

Xia Qingye: “…”

Xia Qingye shot her a fierce glare, pulled the quilt up over her head, and decided to ignore her for the time being.

“Qingqing, don’t do that. Sleeping with your head covered makes it easy to suffocate.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Qingqing.”

Xia Qingye remained silent, intending to play dumb for a while. She was nearly driven to madness by Nie Zhuying—the one thing she wanted to know, the other woman refused to say, yet she couldn’t show her true motives.

Nie Zhuying tugged at the quilt and called out “Qingqing” by her ear for a long time. Seeing that the other wouldn’t let go, she finally realized her wife didn’t just want peace and quiet—she was genuinely angry.

Nie Zhuying, being miserable herself, refused to let anyone else be happy. Her first target was Jin Manxi.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian (Nie): My wife is angry. What should I do? 【Crying river of tears】

Xi Shui (Jin): Go and act cute for your wife.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian: You single person who doesn’t even have a wife! 【I am super fierce】

Jin Manxi glanced at the message and let Nie Zhuying continue her wailing on WeChat. She thought for a moment, pulled up the text she’d received that morning, rubbed her chin, and reflected: “Am I really that obvious?”

Nie Zhuying bombarded Jin Manxi with messages. Seeing no response, she dejectedly tossed her phone onto the sofa and even gave it a disdainful kick, as if intending to get it out of her sight.

Nuonuo, seeing Nie Zhuying’s foot twitching, happily ran over to scratch at it with his paws. Nie Zhuying was in a bad mood, and seeing the little thing only made her more annoyed. She roughly scooped Nuonuo up in front of her. “You’re acting attentive now, but I’m telling you, Nuonuo—the moment you find a ‘wife,’ you’ll be the first to run off after her.”

As she said this casually, she looked at Nuonuo’s growing size and his angelic smile. “I’ve raised you to be this big; you can’t just run off with someone else’s female dog. You have to kidnap her and bring her back, you hear me?”

Nuonuo: “Woof woof woof!”

He wore a standard smiling face.

Seeing him so obedient, Nie Zhuying gave his big head an affectionate rub. She happened to spot the scripts on the coffee table; her eyes lit up, and she immediately began studying them.

Xia Qingye hadn’t actually intended to stay angry at Nie Zhuying, because she realized that staying angry at this person could literally drive oneself to an early grave.

“Qingqing.”

“Qingqing, are you asleep?”

“Qingqing.”

Hearing this voice—exactly the way Nie Zhuying usually called Nuonuo and Xia-Xia—Xia Qingye reached her limit. She threw back the thin quilt covering her head. “What is it!”

Seeing that the other was finally paying attention to her, Nie Zhuying immediately cast aside her previous caution and leaned in. “I think these scripts are all quite good, but I really don’t know which one to pick. Help me take a look.”

Nie Zhuying needs someone else’s help picking a script?

Xia Qingye knew with her toes that she was just using the scripts as an excuse to bridge the gap. She thought for a moment. “Zhuzi, I don’t have enough experience. I’m not suited to look at your scripts. You should discuss them with Sister Ling.”

Seeing her reluctance, Nie Zhuying blurted out, “How can that be? This one is specifically for you to look at!”

Xia Qingye: “…”

Having said it, Nie Zhuying’s gaze drifted elsewhere, refusing to look at Xia Qingye. “I don’t care. You have to help me look.”

After she finished speaking, she scurried off like a startled rabbit.

Xia Qingye mulled it over for a moment and suddenly realized she had oversimplified things. Nie Zhuying wasn’t using the scripts as an excuse to bridge the gap; she was using them to curry favor.

She looked at the three scripts by her bedside with a complex expression. She didn’t touch them; instead, she made a phone call.

When Wei Xianghong answered Xia Qingye’s call, she was at the filming location of a variety show for Xie Zhe. She was a bit surprised, so she signaled to Xie Zhe and ran to a quiet spot to pick up. “Qingye, is something wrong? Why are you calling at this hour?”

“Sister Xiang, I have to trouble you to list some scripts for me. I’ve been bored lately and want to see if there’s anything suitable for me.”

Normally, Wei Xianghong would be thrilled to see her artist so diligent. But now… “You’re still in recovery. What’s the rush? It’ll be soon enough to choose in two months. I’ll use this time to keep my ears open for good scripts for you.”

Xia Qingye knew she couldn’t rush even if she wanted to; three months of rest was set in stone. If she encountered a production that liked to delay its start date, her gap period would be at least six months to a year. For a newcomer, such a long absence is fatal. Public memory is limited; no one is going to hold a spot for a rookie for a whole year. After that long, who would remember you?

That must be why her “Zhuzi” was so anxious to pick a script for her!

“Sister Xiang, just bring a few scripts you think are decent. I have a use for them. If you’re busy, you can have Yu Lan drop them off for me.”

Wei Xianghong caught the subtext and sighed helplessly. “Alright, it seems you aren’t actually picking a role.”

Indeed, Xia Qingye wasn’t picking a script. She simply wanted to use them to tell her Zhuzi that her resources were already excellent compared to the average newcomer.

The next day, when Nie Zhuying found the scripts exactly where she had left them, her gaze turned incredibly aggrieved. “You don’t like these scripts?”

Looking at those “pity-me” eyes, Xia Qingye reached out. “Zhuzi, I want to hug you.”

Nie Zhuying’s face turned scarlet at lightning speed, yet her expression remained dead serious, stiffer than usual. “Acting like a spoiled child again,” she scolded, though her tone lacked any real bite. “Only I can tolerate someone as clingy as you!”

As she spoke, her body honestly leaned in closer.

Xia Qingye hugged her neck tightly and took a deep breath. “It’s not that I don’t like them, I just don’t want to bring you trouble. If people in your company find out you’re giving these resources to me, it will be an inevitable disaster.”

If Nie Zhuying ever wanted to leave her company for other opportunities, the company wouldn’t let their “cash cow” go easily. Small frictions would explode into major conflicts, and these “conveniences” would be used as indelible stains on her reputation. She had seen too many artists get trapped or sabotaged by their companies when their contracts expired.

“But there’s—”

“Shh, let me finish.” Xia Qingye looked into those bright eyes and couldn’t help but kiss the corner of her mouth. “I appreciate your kindness. But didn’t we agree in the hospital? I want to stand side-by-side with you. I want to see if I can be worthy of you. You should give me this chance to prove myself.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhuying couldn’t help but bite her lip. Then, looking triumphant and delighted, she said, “I really didn’t expect you to like me this much. Fine, then. I’ll allow you to pursue me.”

Xia Qingye loved seeing her look so smug and spirited. She smiled. “Of course. I like you very much.”

The next day, Nie Zhuying’s mother and father “airdropped” in with their luggage. Although Xia Qingye was mentally prepared, she still felt a bit guilty facing the sincere gazes of the two elders.

Nie Zhuying: “Daddy, Mommy, you guys got here way too fast. You should have called ahead so I could send someone to pick you up.”

Nuonuo: “Woof woof woof!”

The parents soon spotted Nuonuo in his cage. “You actually have the leisure to raise a dog at home? Quick, take us to see Qingye.”

Nie Zhuying shot a warning glance at Nuonuo before leading them to Xia Qingye’s room.

When Mrs. Nie saw Xia Qingye lying in bed, her heart broke. She clutched Xia Qingye’s hand. “Qingye, thank you so much.”

Xia Qingye knew what they were thanking her for. “Ma’am, it was no big deal.”

Mr. Nie didn’t see it that way. “The debt for a life is greater than the heavens. Your father saved my father’s life, and now you’ve saved our Zhuying. We probably won’t be able to repay the Xia family in a lifetime.”

Standing at the back, Nie Zhuying rolled her eyes at her parents. Every time she heard her father’s “life debt” theory, she reacted this way.

Through the two elders, Xia Qingye could see Nie Zhuying performing behind their backs—her mouth moving silently in a mocking pantomime. Xia Qingye’s eye twitched; she was starting to see where Nie Zhuying got her personality. “Ma’am, Sir, it really wasn’t a matter of life and death. Even without me, Zhuzi might have been fine.”

Mr. Nie sighed. “You have the same temperament as your father. We will remember this kindness.”

Mrs. Nie chimed in, “Yes, we understand what you mean, Qingye. But how could you forgive that woman named Zhong—or whatever her name is—so easily? Hurting someone and then settling it with just an ‘I’m sorry’?”

Mr. Nie looked at Nie Zhuying shrinking in the corner and felt a spark of anger. “You too! In that situation, you shouldn’t have let that woman walk away so easily.”

Xia Qingye: “…”

In full view of everyone, not letting her leave… were we supposed to start another fight?

Nie Zhuying glanced at Xia Qingye and retorted in a low voice, “I wanted to, but Qingqing wouldn’t let me.”

Xia Qingye: “…”

So now she’s pouting because I didn’t let Zhong Ruanqin suffer more?

Mrs. Nie asked, “Were the medical bills reimbursed? She grandly claimed she’d be responsible for all follow-up treatment. Xiaoying, you make sure that woman pays for everything: Qingye’s nutrition fees, mental distress, and every miscellaneous medical cost. If she doesn’t pay up, we’ll expose her online and make her pay the price.”

Xia Qingye was speechless. “That bad woman named Zhong”—Mrs. Nie and Zhuzi really were mother and daughter; they even used the exact same label for Zhong Ruanqin.

Nie Zhuying had already sent Zhou Ling to negotiate. She didn’t want to see Zhong Ruanqin’s face, and she certainly wasn’t going to let that bad woman off the hook easily.

Mrs. Nie wanted to keep talking, but Nie Zhuying interrupted. “Mommy, you’ve been on a plane and a car for so long. Aren’t you tired? Rest for a bit before chatting with Qingqing, okay?”

Mr. Nie immediately agreed. “Right, let’s not disturb Qingye for too long. She needs her rest.”

Mrs. Nie squeezed Xia Qingye’s hand. “Don’t worry, dear. I’m staying for a while. Xiaoying doesn’t know how to take care of people, so I’ll look after you. Just tell me whatever you want to eat, and I’ll cook it for you.”

Hearing her mother disparage her like that, Nie Zhuying frowned and pulled her away.

Xia Qingye let out a quiet breath. She wasn’t comforted at all. On the contrary, hearing that they were staying made her feel like she’d have to stay on high alert for the next few months.

After settling her parents, Nie Zhuying slipped back into the room. “Qingqing, see? My Daddy and Mommy aren’t as scary as tigers, right?”

Xia Qingye smiled but said nothing. That was only because they didn’t know the truth. If they knew the two of them were together, even the best-tempered people would have a moment of rage. She whispered, “What if—I mean if—one day they don’t agree to us being together? Zhuzi, have you thought about what to do?”

Nie Zhuying’s face twisted for a moment before she replied, “Look at them. They’ve hoped for thirty years that I’d marry Xia Yanbo. Did I marry him?”

Xia Qingye laughed. “So you plan to fight your parents for another thirty years?”

Nie Zhuying snorted. “If they really don’t agree, I’ll fight them until I’m old. And you,” she gripped Xia Qingye’s wrist, “must be with me.”

Xia Qingye stroked her cheek and said seriously, “Zhuzi, regardless of whether they agree or not, I will treat them as my own parents.”

Mrs. Nie was indeed a woman of her word. That night, she prepared a feast for everyone and even called the doctor to ensure she made things Xia Qingye could eat.

“Xiaoying, you’re doing it wrong. Let me feed her.”

Nie Zhuying’s face was dark. She was starting to regret letting them come. With them around, she couldn’t play “kissing games” with Xia Qingye whenever she wanted. “Mommy, I’ve been the one taking care of Qingqing this whole time.”

Mrs. Nie pursed her lips. “I know exactly what you’re capable of. You were fed by others your whole life growing up.”

“That’s because you and Daddy spoiled me!”

Mrs. Nie was nearly driven to fits by her daughter’s retort. Xia Qingye watched the mother-daughter bickering with amusement. She actually had hands and could eat herself, even if it was a bit awkward, but these two were treating her like an invalid. “Cough… Ma’am, actually Zhuzi is quite good at taking care of people.”

Mrs. Nie didn’t believe it for a second, assuming Xia Qingye was just being polite.

As soon as Nie Zhuying left the room, Mrs. Nie sat in her chair. “Qingye, I have a small question for you. You must tell me the truth.”

Seeing the cautious setup, Xia Qingye guessed what was coming. “Ask away, Ma’am.”

Mrs. Nie leaned in close to her ear. “Have our Xiaoying and your brother, Yanbo, ever gone out on a date?”

The answer was definitely no. Every time Nie Zhuying saw her brother, she was usually holding Nuonuo, so her brother would scurry as far away as possible.

Xia Qingye thought for a moment and said diplomatically, “Actually, during the New Year, my brother was busy hosting guests and Zhuzi was also quite busy. They almost never had time to go out, so they probably haven’t been on a date.”

Mrs. Nie cried out, slapping her thighs in regret. Then she grit her teeth. “I knew that brat was just fooling us when she agreed to go.”

Xia Qingye gave a dry laugh. “Ma’am, actually Zhuzi already announced the marriage contract in her New Year livestream. Now the whole country—even the whole world—knows she has a fiancé. What is there to worry about?”

Mrs. Nie thought that made sense. If the engagement was public, surely the girl couldn’t pull any more stunts. “I suppose you’re right.”

Having pacified Mrs. Nie, Xia Qingye felt a bit hypocritical looking at the bright smile on the elder’s face.

For a long time after that, Xia Qingye’s private space was occupied by Mrs. Nie, while Nie Zhuying was essentially “exiled” by her own mother.

Nie Zhuying poked at her phone dejectedly, not even wanting to stroke Nuonuo’s fur. She scrolled through her chat history with Jin Manxi and sent a message.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian (Nie): Ever since my parents got here, I haven’t been able to play kissing games with my wife. 【Baby is unhappy】

Jin Manxi saw the message and wanted to ignore the “dog food” radiating through the screen. But then a thought occurred to her.

Xi Shui (Jin): I can draw one conclusion from your mournful words.

Zhu Shang Ren Jian: What conclusion?

Xi Shui: You’re still an old virgin.

Nie Zhuying nearly bit her own teeth off.