After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 18

Qin Yao’s calm yet slightly chilly voice rang out, “Jiang Zhaolie.”

Jiang Zhaolie shuddered and instinctively pressed her lips together. It was rare for Qin Yao to address her by her full name, when she did, it always meant she was angry. Jiang Zhaolie dejectedly lowered her head, unable to understand why her mother would suddenly favor Xu Chun over her.

After all, she was the real daughter here.

Xu Chun hadn’t even married into the family yet, and she was already driving a wedge between mother and daughter. If Jiang Zhaolie gave up Suisui and obediently married Xu Chun as the family demanded, wouldn’t the entire Jiang household be thrown into chaos by Xu Chun alone?

Qin Yao crossed her legs in a posture that was both lazy and effortlessly authoritative. The woman had striking, almond-shaped eyes with pitch-black pupils that carried immense pressure when she fixed someone with an emotionless stare. “Apologize to Miss Xu,” she commanded in a tone that brooked no argument.

After a moment’s silence spent weighing the consequences, Jiang Zhaolie turned to Xu Chun. “I’m sorry,” she said with a slight bow, though her words carried no trace of remorse. “But the truth is I don’t like you, and I can’t force myself to try. I hope you’ll understand and let me be with Suisui.”

“You dated Suisui before you know how kind and wonderful she is.” Jiang Zhaolie’s tone grew increasingly aggressive. “You wouldn’t want to see her unhappy, would you?”

Jiang Zhaolie’s defiance made Qin Yao’s stern expression darken so severely that even Xu Chun beside her instinctively straightened her back, not daring to breathe too loudly. Xu Chun kept her eyes downcast, trying to minimize her presence and stay out of the family dispute.

But Jiang Zhaolie was determined to drag her into it. Ignoring Qin Yao’s displeasure, she stubbornly pressed Xu Chun, “Xu Chun, do you really want Suisui to live unhappily for the rest of her life?”

“Whether she’s happy or not has nothing to do with me.” Xu Chun lifted her eyelids to look at her. “By your logic, if she’s unhappy, I should abandon everything, my dignity, morals, and principles just to please her? If one day she hates me so much she wishes I were dead, should I jump into a river to fulfill her wish?”

Xu Chun’s expression remained blank. “I’ve never seen a living bodhisattva, but you’re the first living Yama I’ve met.”

“You’re twisting my words!” Jiang Zhaolie scowled deeply. “You know exactly what I mean, you know what both of us want right now.”

“I don’t,” Xu Chun interrupted impatiently. “Call the police if you have a problem.”

Jiang Zhaolie choked on her words, frustration boiling inside her.

Xu Chun was genuinely irritated by Jiang Zhaolie. A casual glance at Qin Yao’s intimidating face suddenly gave her an idea. Her eyes reddened instantly, and right in front of Jiang Zhaolie, she threw herself tearfully into Qin Yao’s arms, wailing, “Sister, you saw that, didn’t you?”

“If she dares to treat me like this in front of you, who knows how much worse she bullies me in private!” Xu Chun wiped her dry eyelashes dramatically, putting on an Oscar-worthy performance of heartbreak. “How did I end up with such terrible luck? To be stuck with a fiancée who treats me like trash while obsessing over my ex-girlfriend!”

With every word Xu Chun spoke, Jiang Zhaolie’s brow twitched violently, while Qin Yao’s expression darkened further. By the time Xu Chun finished her tearful complaint, Jiang Zhaolie felt feverish, a thin layer of cold sweat coating her back. She instinctively tried to explain to Qin Yao, “It’s not like that, Mom. Suisui just happened to be her ex. I didn’t deliberately.”

“Enough.” Qin Yao’s icy voice cut through Jiang Zhaolie’s words. “Do you think this scandal isn’t big enough already?”

“Today is your grandfather’s birthday. Look at what you’ve done to his celebration.” Though the woman wasn’t openly angry, every syllable dripped with fury. Xu Chun stiffened, debating whether to distance herself from Qin Yao when she heard the woman continue: “Your engagement with Miss Xu is pending.”

“When I say pending, I mean after we finish these two days of events, I’ll personally take you to the Xu family to apologize. Whether they choose to beat or berate you, I won’t utter a single word in your defense.”

“As for Yu Sui’an” Qin Yao’s tone turned resolute. “I absolutely will not approve of you two being together.”

Jiang Zhaolie swallowed her anger, fists clenched silently. She’d had rebellious phases in her youth, but remembering the consequences, she suppressed the urge to talk back.

She could endure punishment, could withstand Qin Yao’s scolding but she feared implicating Suisui. Knowing Qin Yao’s temperament, if she couldn’t control her daughter, she’d inevitably target Yu Sui’an instead.

Jiang Zhaolie didn’t dare gamble.

Xu Chun felt profoundly disappointed. Wouldn’t it be better if this ridiculous engagement ended sooner? Yet she knew this decision wasn’t hers to make. Before Qin Yao and Jiang Zhaolie came to apologize, she needed to sweet-talk her grandfather into abandoning the marriage alliance.

Still… Xu Chun’s thick lashes fluttered as she subtly studied Qin Yao. If she broke up with Jiang Zhaolie, could she take Qin Yao with her?

Not that she fancied the female lead’s mother it’s just, Qin Yao’s actions made her feel, for the first time under the dual pressures from Yu Sui’an and Jiang Zhaolie, the undeserved partiality and protection from a complete stranger without ulterior motives.

Jiang Zhaolie remained vigilant of Xu Chun’s movements. Noticing the girl’s infatuated gaze fixed on Qin Yao, her frown deepened. It wasn’t jealousy just an unsettling, almost grotesque scene that grated on her nerves.

Had this woman no backbone? Instead of sitting properly, she had to lean against Qin Yao. Was corrupting Sui’an not enough? Did she now intend to taint her pristine mother too?

Considering Xu Chun’s masterful green-tea acting skills and her ability to twist truths with whispered words, Jiang Zhaolie thought this possibility couldn’t be dismissed. Unable to restrain herself, she blurted, “Mom, be careful with her. She’s no good person.”

Xu Chun immediately turned glaring eyes on her before pitifully clutching Qin Yao’s suit fabric, wailing in exaggerated grief, “Sister, how could Zhaolie say such things about me?” She nearly convinced herself with the performance. “I don’t even know what I did to make her despise me so.”

Qin Yao’s voice dropped dangerously low. “Apologize to Miss Xu.”

Jiang Zhaolie: “…” Myocardial infarction imminent.

Jiang Zhaolie stubbornly held her ground for a while, but ultimately succumbed to Qin Yao’s imposing presence. She lowered her head, apologized, and fabricated some excuses to admit her mistake. After leaving the room, Jiang Zhaolie felt uncomfortable all over, with an inexplicable rage burning fiercely in her heart all because of Xu Chun.

But there was nothing she could do. With Qin Yao backing Xu Chun, she was no match for her no matter what.

Jiang Zhaolie glanced back at Xu Chun, who was obediently clinging to Qin Yao, and took a deep breath to suppress the urge to rush over and separate them. With a grim expression, she loosened the collar of her shirt and strode away.

As soon as Jiang Zhaolie left, Xu Chun straightened up and cautiously asked Qin Yao, “Sister, what if she bullies me again when you’re not around?” She tentatively added, “Can I call you and ask for your help then?”

Qin Yao glanced down at her, her expression unreadable. “You may.”

Overjoyed, Xu Chun immediately asked for Qin Yao’s phone number and even searched it to add her on WeChat. “Then, Sister, let’s add each other as friends too. If you’re busy and can’t answer calls, I can just message you instead, so I won’t disturb you.”

As she spoke, she opened the friend request page, but when she pasted the number in, the profile that appeared made her expression freeze.

On the screen, Qin Yao’s profile was clearly labeled with bold text: [Parking Lot / Phantom, Patek Philippe / 187cm / Cold Exterior, Hard to Approach].

Xu Chun: “…” What kind of backup candidate label was this?

Seeing Qin Yao’s attention about to shift her way, Xu Chun quickly lowered her phone, screen-down on her lap, and awkwardly changed the subject. “I really owe you my thanks today, Sister. If you hadn’t taken me away and helped me out, I would’ve become the laughingstock of the whole event.”

She spoke earnestly, her voice filled with sincerity. “If you hadn’t shown up when you did, I wouldn’t have known what to do. My embarrassment would’ve been filmed and posted online, and if that happened, I really wouldn’t want to live anymore.”

Qin Yao’s expression had softened slightly after Jiang Zhaolie left, but she still seemed somewhat aloof. “This matter… I’ll give you an explanation later.”

Though this was only their first meeting, Qin Yao’s words inexplicably made Xu Chun trust her. She didn’t specify how she would deal with Jiang Zhaolie, but Xu Chun was looking forward to it.

After Qin Yao left, Xu Chun ran into He Qingli. “I’m glad you’re okay, Sister Xu Chun,” He Qingli said with relief, not daring to tell her that the news of her public humiliation and broken engagement had already spread to Weibo and was trending. Instead, she rambled about trivial things, trying to keep Xu Chun from checking her phone to avoid further distress.

Staying at the hotel any longer was out of the question, the judgmental stares of the crowd could pierce through even the sturdiest mental defenses. So when He Qingli suggested taking her away to unwind, Xu Chun agreed without hesitation.

Xu Chun held up her dress hem all the way to the parking lot and got into He Qingli’s car. Only after they’d driven quite a distance did she hesitantly speak up, “After you were taken away by President Qin just now, I saw Yu Sui’an stand silently for two or three minutes before decisively leaving the spot to follow in your direction.”

That expression on her face seemed genuinely concerned, though who knows if it was real worry for Xu Chun or just maintaining her devoted lover persona for outsiders.

He Qingli truly couldn’t comprehend what schemes that black-hearted Yu Sui’an might be plotting. “Sister Xu Chun, you don’t think she still has feelings for you, do you?”

Xu Chun immediately recoiled in horror, “Heaven forbid! There’s no genuine affection in the entertainment industry. While that obsessive, twisted personality might be appealing in CEO romance novels, it’s downright creepy in real life.”

“You’re right,” He Qingli chuckled, dropping the subject of Yu Sui’an.

Jiang Zhaolie’s actions quickly thrust Xu Chun into the eye of the storm. After one well-connected gossip account framed the entire incident with “a friend told me,” other influencers rushed to verify the story with their contacts. Upon confirmation, they immediately flooded all platforms with follow-up exposés. Related news sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain, leaving Xu Chun’s manager no time for damage control.

Online opinions were sharply divided:

[No way! Jiang Zhaolie would actually do this? I thought she’d just privately negotiate with the Xu family, but she announced it publicly at her grandfather’s birthday banquet?]

[What do you know? This proves Sui’sui is Jiang’s true love. Publicly cutting ties with Xu Chun was to demonstrate her devotion.]

[I’ve worked with other Jiang family members before all quite gentle and polite. Never expected Jiang Zhaolie to well, let’s just say she differs from my impression of the Jiangs.]

[This completely disregards Xu Chun’s feelings. Settle your private matters privately, why make it public knowledge? As the discarded party, Xu Chun now faces renewed mockery and gossip. Isn’t this inflicting secondary, even tertiary harm?]

[I agree Jiang Zhaolie’s behavior lacks basic decency.]

Everyone clung stubbornly to their views, arguing endlessly without resolution.

Xu Chun’s manager was overwhelmed, glaring at her computer screen and overworked team. She seriously considered hiring someone to stuff Jiang Zhaolie into a sack and beat her in some deserted alley.

After careful consideration, the manager dismissed the idea that Xu Chun was simply unlucky in love this year. Instead, she became convinced Yu Sui’an had orchestrated everything from the beginning the mastermind lurking in the shadows.

Though compensation negotiations with Yu Sui’an’s team had nearly concluded, the manager changed her mind. She hadn’t been ruthless enough to make Yu Sui’an truly suffer.

Despite efforts by the manager and He Qingli to shield her, Xu Chun eventually learned the truth. Frowning through the news reports, she felt little anger. After all, Qin Yao had her back against Jiang Zhaolie. The worse Jiang behaved, the more Qin Yao favored her. The more she played the victim to Qin Yao, the harsher Jiang’s punishment would be.

What a vicious cycle of harm indeed.

As for Yu Sui’an’s side… Seeing how excited her fans were, Xu Chun immediately took to Weibo without hesitation and delivered a blow to the crowd: [“Don’t say things like that, you’ll make my Suisui sad.”]

Fans: “…” The audacity!

After once again shattering everyone’s perception of her shamelessness, Xu Chun happily logged off.

When Yu Sui’an received the Weibo notification, her pale lips pressed together lightly, a fleeting trace of amusement flashing through her eyes. She toyed with her phone, the curve of her lips carrying an ambiguous meaning. Her sister was becoming increasingly adept at using her as a shield far more interesting than the cold, rational, obedient person who used to cater to her every whim.

After a moment of silence, Yu Sui’an smiled faintly, opened her homepage, and reposted Xu Chun’s recent update with the caption: [“Sister is right.”]

The fans fell into collective silence, like a flock of speechless ducks, their faces full of confusion. What was wrong with Suisui? Why was she personally defending that scumbag Xu Chun again?

Just as everyone was struggling to understand, one fan suddenly jolted upright as if struck by inspiration and exclaimed in horror: [“Suisui is being gaslit by Xu Chun!”]

The others immediately had an epiphany, quickly labeling Xu Chun as a “gaslighting master” and urging everyone not to be deceived by this manipulative scumbag.

The scandal of Xu Chun’s broken engagement had initially caused quite a stir, but after Yu Sui’an stepped in to divert some of the backlash, public attention gradually shifted, and the engagement drama lost its heat.

The production team of Secret Crush saw that both female leads were currently trending and decided it would be a waste not to capitalize on the momentum. They immediately approved an official Weibo post [“@XuChun @YuSui’an Looking forward to our collaboration.”]

Everyone engrossed in the drama was caught completely off guard: “???”

Are you guys demons?

The fact that these two were appearing on a dating show together was dramatic enough, but now they were going to collaborate on an old-school CEO erotica novel? Even if the leads weren’t embarrassed, the bystanders were already cringing hard enough to build a seaside mansion.

Yu Sui’an’s fans were the first to protest, voicing their displeasure on the spot, but the production team couldn’t be bothered to respond. The rest of the crowd, ever eager to stir the pot, fanned the flames, infuriating Yu Sui’an’s fans even further.

Xu Chun truly hadn’t expected Yu Sui’an to agree to this. Now, she was about to face a new problem.

During filming, she would not only have to face Yu Sui’an day and night but also get Jiang Zhaolie as a bonus. Just the thought of it made her feel suffocated.

After agonizing over it for a long time, Xu Chun realized that, for now, she had no choice but to cling to Qin Yao like a fragile dodder vine, seeking her protection and help.

Just as Xu Chun was struggling over whether and how to ask Qin Yao for help, Jiang Zhaolie stood frozen in place, staring at her phone. She couldn’t understand, why had Yu Sui’an agreed to film that kind of drama with Xu Chun?

Xu Chun had hurt her so much, and she clearly cared deeply about everything Xu Chun had done to her. Given that, why would she still agree to collaborate with Xu Chun again? Were there really no other good scripts left in the entertainment industry?

Unable to make sense of it, Jiang Zhaolie decided to call the person involved directly. When the call connected, she clenched her fingers, the blue veins on the back of her hand faintly visible. Suppressing the displeasure in her heart, she kept her voice as calm and gentle as possible. “Suisui,” she got straight to the point, “what’s going on with Weibo?”

Yu Sui’an only needed a moment to guess Jiang Zhaolie’s intention. Without hiding anything, she answered bluntly, “I took the initiative to accept the script.”

Suddenly, Jiang Zhaolie couldn’t tell whether she felt more anger or disappointment. She bit down lightly on the soft flesh inside her lip and remained silent for a long while.

She had expected the other to say, “My agent forced me to take it,” or “Xu Chun pressured me into collaborating for publicity,” or even, “Working with Xu Chun again proves there’s no bad blood between us, which will help clear my negative image online.” But none of that came.

The admission was so straightforward and unapologetic that Jiang Zhaolie felt as if a hand had seized her chest, the pain turning her face slightly pale.

At this moment, she almost wished Yu Sui’an hadn’t been so honest. She would have preferred a well-intentioned lie.

“Zhaolie,” Yu Sui’an called her name softly, her voice as gentle and pleasant as ever. “Do you trust me?” There was a pause of several seconds before she spoke again, this time with a slight tremble. “Do you believe that I’m just working with her purely for the sake of acting?”

Jiang Zhaolie instinctively wanted to say yes, but at the last second, she hesitated. Her gaze flickered uncertainly. Only after several seconds of careful thought did she finally speak but instead of answering, she countered with a question of her own. “Why?”

“Because she’s a great actress, and this project is the first adaptation of a female same-sex romance novel in the country. I didn’t want to miss it.” Yu Sui’an remained transparent, holding nothing back. “I truly believe this drama will achieve unparalleled success once it airs. If I passed it up, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”

Her sincerity gradually soothed Jiang Zhaolie’s discontent. No longer overthinking, she finally relented. “If you genuinely love it, then go for it.” Though she gave in, she didn’t surrender completely. “But for the intimate scenes… I’d prefer if you used a body double.”

This time, the other agreed without hesitation. “Even if you hadn’t said it, my agent would’ve arranged it that way.”

Jiang Zhaolie finally exhaled in relief. As long as Yu Sui’an wasn’t going to be kissing Xu Chun on screen, she could handle it. Otherwise, she really would lose her mind. Feeling lighter, her tone softened. “Are you home yet?”

“I am.” Standing in her cold, monochrome home devoid of warmth or humanity, Yu Sui’an’s voice carried a smile, though her expression remained icy. “Just got back.”

“Rest first. I’ll come find you once I’m done here.”

…

After the broken engagement incident, Xu Chun had been resting at home. Earlier, Qin Yao had mentioned she would personally bring Jiang Zhaolie to the Xu family to apologize in a couple of days. Xu Chun had thought it was just polite talk, but to her surprise, on the third day, she received a call from her mother asking her to go to her grandfather’s place.

After hanging up, Xu Chun immediately grabbed her car keys and headed over. As soon as she drove into the courtyard, she caught sight of Qin Yao sitting upright with an icy demeanor across from her grandfather, while Jiang Zhaolie kept his head lowered, staring at the ground with what appeared to be a sincere attitude of remorse.

Today’s Qin Yao was unlike that cold-suited version from before. Her private attire in Chinese style accentuated her classical elegance, paired with delicate makeup and those profound, refined features her entire demeanor was so gentle that Xu Chun nearly forgot how intimidating she’d been when scolding Jiang Zhaolie.

After a dazed moment, Xu Chun pulled out her car keys and opened the door.

Noticing her arrival, the group briefly acknowledged her with nods before immediately refocusing on their serious discussion. Xu Chun’s spirited grandfather spoke up, “It’s not that I’m being petty or playing the elder card, but after this scandal, my granddaughter’s reputation has suffered tremendously. Now everyone avoids her like the plague, keeping at least eight hundred meters away.”

“My granddaughter’s already this old and hasn’t even dated yet. If she waits to find a partner naturally and dates for a few years before marrying, how old will she be by then?”

Xu Chun’s mouth twitched, she felt like she’d taken a direct hit to the knees.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to date! She just hadn’t had the chance yet! Give her a hoe right now and she’d dig up a partner overnight if she could.

Her heart ached with bitterness.

At these words, Jiang Zhaolie immediately offered a tactful apology. Xu Chun’s grandfather looked helplessly at her obedient yet stubborn demeanor. Even if Qin Yao objected, Jiang Zhaolie was dead set on breaking the engagement, and with the scandal so public, forcing the issue would only make the Xu family seem desperate.

Rubbing his forehead, the old man pressed on stubbornly, “Besides Zhaolie, does the Jiang family have any other marriageable candidates? If Zhaolie won’t do, we can substitute someone else.”

“Even if they’re underage, we can wait.”

As Xu Chun listened, something felt off. When her grandfather finished speaking, her expression turned horrified”……?!”

Why was the old man so fixated on the Jiang family?! Were there no other wealthy families in this world?!

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhaolie’s mind instinctively flashed two names, Qiao Wan and Qin Yao, currently the only two single women left in the entire family registry.

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