After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 19

Qin Yao fell into deep thought.

She sat sideways, her head slightly lowered as the bright courtyard light spilled over her, softening her delicate features. Under the intense illumination, her well-maintained skin appeared flawless without a single visible pore. Her aura sometimes languid, sometimes icy was utterly captivating, impossible to resist.

Xu Chun stared unblinkingly at Qin Yao. Jiang Zhaolie snapped out of her reverie and, seeing Xu Chun’s expression, felt her heart sink instinctively.

Fortunately, after brief consideration, Qin Yao only mentioned Qiao Wan’s name. Grandpa Xu, after some simple questioning, couldn’t hide his disappointment.

She was still too young.

If possible, he hoped Xu Chun would find someone older someone who could care for and accommodate her.

Their conversation ultimately went nowhere. As lunchtime approached, Grandpa Xu, as host, invited Qin Yao and Jiang Zhaolie to stay. Qin Yao didn’t refuse, and though Jiang Zhaolie wanted to leave, she knew it wasn’t the right time.

After the birthday banquet, Jiang Zhaolie was sternly reprimanded by Qin Yao several times. Perhaps because of this, once her heated emotions cooled, she realized how thoughtless her earlier actions had been. Frowning, she reflected carefully and belatedly recognized that anything related to Yu Suian now made her lose all rationality.

She wasn’t like this before far from being the lovesick type. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have achieved such success and acclaim after returning home.

At work, Jiang Zhaolie was clear-headed and logical. She weighed every decision meticulously, ensuring maximum benefit before proceeding. She’d never act so impulsively otherwise.

Had she changed so much because this was the first time she’d met someone she truly loved? Was she willingly making exceptions and changing herself for Yu Suian?

As Jiang Zhaolie pondered, she noticed Xu Chun turning to leave. Instinctively, she called out. When Xu Chun stopped and turned back, eyes wary and questioning, Jiang Zhaolie suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Xu Chun frowned, staring at her until the prolonged silence wore her patience thin. “Spit it out if you have something to say,” she snapped.

Jiang Zhaolie snapped back to reality, but what came out was: “Never mind.”

Xu Chun: “?” What kind of nonsense was this?

Without hesitation, Xu Chun walked away. After a few steps, Jiang Zhaolie’s voice, barely above a whisper, drifted to her ears: “About before, I’m sorry.”

The apology sounded sincere, but Xu Chun only quickened her pace.

Jiang Zhaolie smiled bitterly, understanding Xu Chun’s aversion. After all, she’d publicly humiliated her, ensuring a lifetime of gossip and ridicule. If given another chance, Jiang Zhaolie would never act so recklessly.

Xu Chun thought the two female leads in this story were utterly deranged, switching from their perfectly good villainous personas to suddenly playing repentant saints. Did they think she’d fall for it? Of course not. Her sharp eyes saw right through their act.

It was now an indisputable fact that she and Jiang Zhaolie had called off their engagement, which meant she would soon be single again. Xu Chun’s eyes suddenly lit up, didn’t this mean she could now indulge freely without restraint?!

As Xu Chun fantasized about her future happiness, her crescent-shaped smiling eyes unexpectedly met Qin Yao’s sharp gaze. Her smile stiffened instinctively, her expression gradually fading before she quickly switched to a heartbroken and despondent look, calling out softly to Qin Yao, “Sister.”

Qin Yao didn’t expose her. “Your engagement with Zhaolie is currently awaiting your grandfather’s decision before he gives me a reply.” She paused briefly. “But before that, I’d like to hear your thoughts first.”

My thoughts? Xu Chun suppressed her inner excitement, this was exactly what she wanted!

However, in front of the female lead’s mother, she still had to maintain some decorum, putting on an act of reluctance and sorrow. She pursed her lips slightly, her expression downcast. “Zhaolie is a wonderful person. We’ve known each other since childhood, and after all these years, there’s naturally affection between us. It’s just…” She left her sentence unfinished, but Qin Yao understood her meaning.

Qin Yao watched as the corners of her lips drooped slightly, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, her appearance flawlessly pure. With a faint smile, Qin Yao played along and asked, “Just what?”

“It’s just that… her heart was never truly mine.” Xu Chun spoke with deep emotion, on the verge of tears. “Though it pains me greatly, and I can’t understand how things came to this, I also know that love cannot be forced.”

After speaking, she emphasized once more her reluctant yet helpless feelings toward Jiang Zhaolie. After all, she was still a villain, Xu Chun felt she shouldn’t push things too far. Leaving some room for the other party would benefit everyone.

To her surprise, Qin Yao didn’t follow the expected script after hearing her words. Instead, after a moment of contemplation, her deep-set eyes filled with seriousness, she said lightly, “If you’re still unwilling to let go of Zhaolie, I can help you.” Qin Yao added nonchalantly, “She wouldn’t dare disobey me.”

Xu Chun was instantly horrified: “?!” Are you the devil?!

She could no longer maintain her dramatic expression, awkwardly refusing, “N-no, that won’t be necessary.” She forced a dry laugh. “As a self-proclaimed successor of socialism, I couldn’t possibly steal someone else’s love.” Terrified that Qin Yao might take her earlier words seriously, she hastily backpedaled, “Rather than making both of us miserable, I’d rather step aside for them. Consider it an act of kindness to accumulate good karma.”

Qin Yao didn’t respond, but her amused gaze fixed on Xu Chun made it clear she had seen right through her little act.

Cold sweat broke out on Xu Chun’s forehead. This woman was truly hard to fool, no wonder she could suppress Jiang Zhaolie and become the story’s ultimate villain. But then a sudden thought struck Xu Chun: wasn’t Qin Yao’s current status essentially the super final boss of the story? Though her ending wasn’t great, if someone like Xu Chun, who knew the plot inside out were by her side.

Wouldn’t they make a match made in heaven?!

The possibilities instantly expanded!

Xu Chun pondered more and more, feeling this was a sure-win situation. Qin Yao was stunningly beautiful with an air of cool elegance, wealthy, influential, and status-conscious wholly devoted to her career while maintaining impeccable integrity, unlike Jiang Zhaolie’s reckless behavior. Moreover, she was Jiang Zhaolie’s mother, effortlessly capable of keeping both Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Sui’an in check and preventing their outbursts. She was simply the perfect marriage candidate.

Qin Yao suddenly noticed the petite girl, who only reached her shoulders, looking up at her with eyes gleaming like a starving wolf spotting prey. “…?”

She instinctively wanted to step back but restrained herself as the predatory glint in Xu Chun’s eyes quickly faded, replaced by a coy, hesitant gaze. “Sister,” Xu Chun tentatively asked, “if I call off the engagement with Zhaolie, your family won’t be upset, will they?”

Qin Yao: “??”

Xu Chun blinked innocently and pressed further, “I’m just worried that you standing up for me might cause disagreements with others in your family and strain your relationships.” She shook her head sympathetically. “I’d hate for you to have any trouble because of me.”

Having lived decades in the cutthroat business world, Qin Yao pieced together Xu Chun’s meaning after a brief silence. A faintly amused smile played on her lips as she replied slowly, “I live alone.”

Exactly as expected!

Xu Chun was overjoyed. She had known all along that a career-driven powerhouse like Qin Yao wouldn’t be easily entangled in romantic trivialities!

Her heart settled, but she kept up the act, sighing in relief. “That’s good. If you were unhappy because of me, I’d never forgive myself.”

Jiang Zhaolie had initially intended to stay out of their conversation, but upon hearing Xu Chun’s saccharine words, she inexplicably changed her mind. Though she couldn’t grasp Xu Chun’s scheme, her instincts screamed that the girl was up to no good with her mother.

Without hesitation, she interrupted. Xu Chun shot her a glare which only confirmed Jiang Zhaolie’s suspicions. She really was trying to manipulate Mom into something!

Jiang Zhaolie immediately went on high alert. Xu Chun gave her a deadpan look. Aren’t you tired? Always hovering around either Yu Sui’an or Qin Yao with this level of vigilance, why not just become a sentry?

Xu Chun was disappointed at missing a deeper conversation with Qin Yao. With Qin Yao’s busy schedule, who knew when they’d meet again? If some unexpected rival appeared in the meantime, she’d have nowhere to vent her frustration. She gazed longingly at Qin Yao, but her grandfather misinterpreted her expression and earnestly advised, “Chunchun, Jiang Zhaolie isn’t worth it.”

“She’s still too young, lacks steadiness, and isn’t mature enough in her actions…”

Xu Chun nodded emphatically before declaring resolutely, “Exactly. If I’m looking for someone, it has to be someone like Qin Yao.”

Grandfather: “???” Come again?

Jiang Zhaolie caught fragments of “looking for Qin Yao” and frowned. Why would Xu Chun seek out her mother? Was she planning to tattle on her in the future?

But after this matter was settled, shouldn’t they have nothing more to do with each other?

She racked her brains but couldn’t figure it out. Just then, Qin Yao beside her began another round of lecturing, forcing Jiang Zhaolie to temporarily suppress her doubts and obediently listen. She was still afraid of Qin Yao, none of the children from the Jiang or Qin families dared to defy her. Even Jiang Zhaolie’s usually arrogant uncles and aunts became meek as lambs in Qin Yao’s presence.

Jiang Zhaolie’s mind wandered. Ever since she could remember, Qin Yao had never had any men or women by her side. Sometimes, she couldn’t help but wonder, what kind of person would someone as rare and precious as Qin Yao eventually choose to grow old with?

…

The cast of Secret Heartbeats was gradually announced, and filming would begin soon. Xu Chun returned home to pack her luggage and, accompanied by her manager, checked into a hotel near the set. The company assigned her two assistants and six bodyguards partly to take care of her, and partly to help her manager keep an eye on Yu Sui’an, ensuring Xu Chun wouldn’t fall victim to her schemes again.

Though they had already reached an agreement with Yu Sui’an’s team, the manager still couldn’t relax. With too much on her plate, she couldn’t stay by Xu Chun’s side at all times, so assigning extra staff gave her some peace of mind.

The production team, aware of the bad blood between Xu Chun and Yu Sui’an, deliberately arranged their rooms on different floors. Yu Sui’an was disappointed when she found out, but she pressed her lips together and didn’t force the crew to change the arrangement.

Sometimes, pushing too hard only makes the prey struggle harder. Maybe in a few days, once Xu Chun’s anger had cooled, they could go back to how things were before.

The next day, after the entire crew completed the opening ceremony rituals, Xu Chun had her makeup done and changed into her filming attire. Tall and slender, she carried an air of effortless elegance in designer suits. With her jet-black hair neatly tied up, she exuded a crisp, refined aura, her aloof demeanor subtly warning others to keep their distance when she wasn’t smiling.

It was under these circumstances that Yu Sui’an saw her again. Whether it was because Xu Chun had made her stance clear before, Yu Sui’an couldn’t help but feel that the woman today was especially cold and indifferent.

The way Xu Chun looked at her was so unfamiliar, so detached completely devoid of the passion and affection from before, as if Yu Sui’an were nothing more than a passing acquaintance, a mere colleague.

This stark change unsettled Yu Sui’an, her emotions churning in her dark, unreadable eyes. She tried to force a smile and approach, but before she could get close, Xu Chun stood up and, surrounded by assistants and bodyguards like a star at the center of attention, walked away without sparing her a single glance.

Pretending not to care was impossible. A suffocating tightness gripped Yu Sui’an’s chest, along with an uncontrollable flicker of panic. Unlike her usual composed confidence, this time, she truly felt things were slipping out of her control.

Xu Chun genuinely hadn’t noticed Yu Sui’an’s presence. After carefully reviewing the script again, she nervously texted He Qingli: What do I do? I don’t think I can pull this off.

He Qingli replied immediately: Believe in yourself. You can do it, after all, you’re the one who dared to stir up chaos on national TV during a dating show.

Xu Chun: “…”

Thank you for the kind encouragement; she felt much more relaxed now.

Yu Sui’an had put a lot of effort into honing her acting skills, so despite this being her first collaboration with Xu Chun, the filming progressed smoothly after a brief adjustment period. Xu Chun, however, couldn’t help but notice how fragile Yu Sui’an looked her delicate frame seeming as if it might snap with the slightest twist. A twisted urge to torment her suddenly surged in Xu Chun’s heart.

When she snapped out of it, Xu Chun fell silent.

But after a moment, she found herself a perfect excuse, she was simply too immersed in her role! She really was born to be an actress!

So, after the shoot, Xu Chun accepted the flattery from the crew with a self-satisfied smile, proudly puffing out her chest. “It’s also thanks to everyone’s great teamwork,” she added.

The crew exchanged knowing glances and tactfully continued to shower her with praise.

The atmosphere on set was harmonious, but Yu Sui’an’s fans couldn’t stay calm after seeing the leaked photos.

[Is Xu Chun using the shoot to settle personal grudges? She’s being so rough with Sui’er, showing no gentleness at all. Is she just using the acting as an excuse to retaliate?]

[Well, if even you fans are saying this, then Yu Sui’an must have done something truly unforgivable for Xu Chun to take revenge like this. Everyone, just move along, this is just karma at work.]

[If I recall correctly, didn’t your idol just steal Xu Chun’s rich fiancée a few days ago? And even convinced her to publicly humiliate Xu Chun in front of everyone? You’re not seriously forgetting what your darling did already, are you?]

[Ah, some people just have selective memory pure willful ignorance.]

Xu Chun’s fans, on the other hand, were thrilled by the leaked footage.

[Justice has been served! What goes around comes around. How long is this drama supposed to film? It’d be even better if it took half a year or more.]

[Agreed. With a three-million-word novel adaptation, they should at least film for a year or two, right?]

[As a die-hard fan of the original novel, I demand the production team faithfully adapt every single steamy detail. Otherwise, us hundred-million-strong novel fans won’t care if it’s Yu Sui’an or whoever, we’ll attack indiscriminately!]

Yu Sui’an’s fans: [……]

Their idol having to film some cheesy “CEO falls in love with me” drama with that woman was bad enough, but now they had to shoot those kinds of scenes too? They were so disgusted on Yu Sui’an’s behalf that they wanted to pack up and flee overnight.

Even the original novel fans hadn’t expected the two fandoms to clash so fiercely on the first day of filming. They couldn’t help but marvel, [Who knew the drama off-screen would be even juicier than the one on-screen? We’re in for months of entertainment.]

After waiting patiently for a long time and realizing Xu Chun had no intention of approaching her not even to discuss the script, Yu Sui’an lowered her lashes slightly and finally took the initiative to walk over.

“Sister, your performance today was amazing,” Yu Sui’an said softly. “More vibrant than ever before.”

Pressing her lips into a faint, graceful smile, she added, “I loved seeing you like this today. I hope every day from now on, I’ll get to witness such brilliant acting from you.”

“However.” Yu Sui’an’s smile faded slightly as she slowly met Xu Chun’s gaze. “Sister, you don’t need to pity me or treat me with such caution. It’s fine even if you’re rough and forceful with me.”

Xu Chun was utterly baffled: “…?”

Who in their right mind would actively seek mistreatment?

This was just too perverted!

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