After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 21

After Xu Chun failed to produce a decent excuse for half the day, Jiang Zhaolie immediately suspected she was up to no good. Frowning slightly, she eyed Xu Chun with wariness. “Why won’t you swear to it?”

Xu Chun: “…” I could, but there’s no need.

Jiang Zhaolie wanted to press the issue, but Yu Sui’an’s safety took priority in her mind. Reluctantly letting Xu Chun off the hook, she rushed into the police station anxiously, scanning the room for Yu Sui’an. Spotting her sitting quietly alone in a corner, the weight in Jiang Zhaolie’s chest finally lifted. She hurried over. “Suisui, are you alright?”

Yu Sui’an looked up in surprise. “Zhaolie?” She blinked slowly, confusion in her voice. “What brings you here?”

“I heard you were at the police station and came straight away.” After thoroughly checking that Yu Sui’an was unharmed, the tension in her shoulders eased. “What happened? Why are you and Xu Chun both?”

She nearly blamed Xu Chun out of habit, but thoughts of Qin Yao’s authority stopped her at the last moment. Since her grandfather’s birthday banquet, Qin Yao had suspended her from all company duties, confining her to the house for reflection. Those past few days had been the most torturous of her life, no freedom to manage her time, no visits to Yu Sui’an’s filming sets, just endless days of reading. A single week felt like centuries.

Today, Qin Yao had finally relented slightly. Though still barred from work, she could at least leave home. Before she could even step out for fresh air, Xu Chun’s message about Yu Sui’an’s trouble arrived. Without hesitation, she’d sped over, terrified of arriving too late to protect her.

Yet Yu Sui’an showed little joy at her arrival. After hearing the brief explanation, Jiang Zhaolie whirled around to glare at Xu Chun, who was leisurely enjoying the drama. Using her as a pawn again?

Startled by the sudden attention, Xu Chun uncrossed her legs and forced an awkward smile. “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Zhaolie burned to settle scores, but the crowded station posed risks. If some bystander reported to Qin Yao… Imagining the consequences, she swallowed her scathing remarks.

She could destroy Xu Chun but wasn’t worth mutual annihilation.

With no resolution in sight, Jiang Zhaolie suggested returning to the hotel. Yu Sui’an gently declined. “I’m staying with my sister.”

Meeting Jiang Zhaolie’s concerned gaze, she finally managed a faint smile. “After I leave, my sister will be all alone here. Shen Shutong is so domineering, and my sister is neither eloquent nor well-supported. I’m afraid she’ll be bullied by Shen Shutong.”

Xu Chun seized the opportunity to interject, “Why don’t you think of a way to resolve this matter quickly?”

When Jiang Zhaolie turned her resentful eyes back toward her, Xu Chun straightened her posture, exuding confidence despite her lack of justification. “The sooner we solve this, the sooner everyone can go home. It’s been getting colder lately, and look how lightly Suisui is dressed. If she catches a cold sitting here, it won’t be good.”

The reasoning was sound, and Jiang Zhaolie had originally intended to help. But certain words, when spoken by Xu Chun, triggered an instinctive urge to oppose her, she simply didn’t want to let Xu Chun have her way so easily.

Jiang Zhaolie couldn’t help but sneer. “Then I’ll call your agent over right now to clean up this mess. I’ll take Suisui back to rest first, so she doesn’t catch a cold.” She emphasized the last four words heavily, as if they were directed at Xu Chun herself. Xu Chun immediately glared at her and pulled out a small notebook, scribbling furiously. “You’re done for.”

“Since you’re treating me so horribly now, just wait for my sister to deal with you.”

Why was she using her mother to pressure her again? Jiang Zhaolie suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. Seriously, what exactly was the relationship between her mother and Xu Chun? Were there some unspeakable secrets between them that even her own daughter couldn’t know about?

This was just too much.

Knowing that if she didn’t step in, Xu Chun would surely find ways to torment both her and Suisui, Jiang Zhaolie had no choice but to stand up, take out her phone, and start calling for help. Yu Sui’an lifted her snow-white face, staring intently at Jiang Zhaolie’s figure, the smile on her lips deepening slightly.

It wasn’t a big deal to begin with. After a few calls from Jiang Zhaolie, things quickly started moving outside.

First, the production company issued a serious statement and clarification on Weibo, confirming that Shen Shutong’s removal from the role had nothing to do with Xu Chun. It was entirely the decision and arrangement of the production company’s higher-ups. The reason was simple: Shen Shutong had never matched the character’s image in the first place, yet she had secured the role through other means. After discovering this, the production company unanimously decided to terminate her contract after careful consideration and stated they would never collaborate with Shen Shutong again.

Soon after, influential bloggers began exposing Shen Shutong’s background and connections from her brother and sister-in-law working in the entertainment industry to her parents’ professions and companies, and even the long-buried accounts of how her family had climbed to success by stepping on others’ efforts. Everything was laid bare.

Negative news about Shen Shutong suddenly flooded the internet. Just as her brother, sister-in-law, and parents were scrambling to suppress the situation, victims who had suffered under their family’s actions seemed to coordinate their efforts, emerging one after another like bamboo shoots after rain.

Shen Shutong plummeted from the heights of fame into the mud, her reputation in tatters. Now, she could no longer focus on the trivial matter of losing her role. Frantically, she called her parents. “Mom, how did things suddenly turn out like this? Who is trying to ruin us?”

“Quick, get Grandpa and Grandma to suppress the media frenzy!” she shrieked. “My acting career can’t be ruined like this! I’m going to be a star. I’m going to crush everyone beneath my feet!”

But no matter how desperately she wished, the fame and fans she had gained by riding on Xu Chun’s coattails abandoned her overnight. Many fans still had a conscience, so after learning about Shen Shutong’s actions, they not only unfollowed her but also took the opportunity to kick her while she was down.

[Those who profit from others’ suffering should just drop dead.]

[I admit, I might have been too harsh on Xu Chun before.]

[Compared to Shen Shutong, Xu Chun doesn’t seem so bad after all. At least Xu Chun has both acting skills and looks. Other than her messy breakup with Yu Sui’an, there’s really nothing else to criticize.]

[Exactly. Xu Chun and Yu Sui’an filmed together for so long without any drama, but Shen Shutong caused trouble the moment she stepped on set. Xu Chun is clearly the more down-to-earth and professional one.]

[Because of Shen Shutong, I’ve almost started liking Xu Chun.]

While others were busy enjoying the drama, Xu Chun’s fans finally breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated wildly in their fan groups:

[We finally managed to peel off that leech Shen Shutong! If not for today’s incident, who knows how long Xu Chun would’ve been stuck with her bloodsucking antics.]

The thought of Shen Shutong possibly clinging to Xu Chun for months, if not years, for clout made the die-hard fans so furious they could’ve collectively crowdfunded her demise.

[I have a question,] one fan timidly raised a point. [Wasn’t our girl always the type to just lie back and take the criticism before? How come Shen Shutong got wrecked the moment she tried to stir up trouble today? Did Xu Chun find some powerful backer some ruthless sugar daddy?]

Xu Chun didn’t have a ruthless sugar daddy, but she did manage to rope in one unlucky scapegoat. And after being forced to clean up this mess, said scapegoat was now solely focused on dragging Yu Sui’an back to their hotel for some quality alone time.

Jiang Zhaolie, having convinced Yu Sui’an, was about to take her hand and head back when her phone suddenly pinged, a message from Qin Yao:

[You did well today.]

Jiang Zhaolie paused. “?”

There was definitely something going on between her mom and Xu Chun.

Otherwise, given Qin Yao’s usual hands-off attitude, why would she go out of her way to send praise? Jiang Zhaolie had never received such direct approval from her, not even when she topped her school exams.

The joy of finally getting some alone time with Yu Sui’an instantly dimmed. Now, Jiang Zhaolie was itching to uncover the truth behind Xu Chun and her mother’s connection.

Unfortunately, Xu Chun had bolted faster than a rabbit, the absolute definition of a heartless scoundrel who vanishes after getting what she wants. Still, remembering that Xu Chun had at least thanked her earlier, Jiang Zhaolie’s expression softened slightly.

For the first time since transmigrating, Xu Chun felt like she could finally hold her head high. The old saying “it’s easy to relax under a big tree’s shade” really held true, just having Jiang Zhaolie on her side felt like wielding cheat codes. If she had Qin Yao’s backing instead… wouldn’t that be like bringing a max-level player to slaughter a beginner’s village?

Xu Chun’s eyes immediately lit up, this was no villain, this was clearly her beloved “old baby” whom she wanted to cherish and pamper in the palm of her hand!

She returned to the film set in high spirits, where everyone crowded around her. Their concern was fake; what they really wanted was to hear the juicy details. They could understand why Shen Shutong hadn’t returned, but Yu Sui’an had followed her to the police station, so where was he now?

“Ah, Sui’an?” Xu Chun casually pointed in a direction when asked about his whereabouts. “He went to chat and relax with a friend. He’ll probably be back soon.”

She answered honestly, without a single false word, yet the group’s faces were filled with skepticism. Xu Chun was momentarily speechless since when did people not believe the truth these days? Shaking her head, she picked up the script and headed inside.

Though the drama was a cliché melodrama, its cast was top-notch. Apart from Yu Sui’an, nearly everyone was professionally trained, and some of the older actors were seasoned veterans with dozens, even hundreds, of roles under their belts. Even if audiences didn’t know their real names, they could easily recall the characters they had played.

The original host was a genuine actress, but Xu Chun was just an amateur who had temporarily fooled everyone with her dramatic flair and striking looks. To avoid being exposed, she had to quickly improve her acting skills while filming, making these veterans her best teachers.

The veteran actors had a favorable impression of Xu Chun. Many had seen her previous dramas and praised her acting, so when she approached them with the script, they were more than willing to offer guidance. As a popular actress with no airs unlike some who acted pretentious despite their lack of fame, she got along harmoniously with the veterans and soon learned a great deal.

Meanwhile, Shen Shutong was frantically making calls at the police station, pulling strings to salvage her reputation. When she saw in the group chat that the instigator was lounging comfortably in a chair, laughing and chatting, she couldn’t help but feel bitter. Gritting her teeth, she took to Weibo, posting several vague, tearful messages dripping with victimhood stopping just short of outright claiming she had been framed.

But netizens weren’t buying it.

With so much damning evidence exposed, not even the heavens could whitewash the Shen family’s crimes today.

One comment bluntly stated: If I were Shen Shutong, I’d pack my bags and disappear for a while, keeping my head down until everyone forgets about this mess. Then I’d come back to keep making dirty money.

Just as Shen Shutong read this, her father called. “Delete those posts,” he ordered.

“Dad!” she began, only to be cut off and harshly scolded. “From now on, you are not to make any public statements without my permission.”

“And right now, pack your things and get back here immediately!” Fuming, her father could barely contain his anger. He had spoiled his daughter, wanting her to have the best and be the happiest, most carefree princess in the world. Yet instead of gratitude, she had repaid him with endless trouble, even provoking the Jiang family.

Xu Chun wasn’t much of a concern, but the recent uproar over Jiang Zhaolie’s insistence on breaking off their engagement had put the Jiang family at fault. If Xu Chun encountered any trouble now, could the Jiang family simply stand by and do nothing?

Not only would they not stand idly by, they would pounce on Xu Chun’s enemies like ravenous wolves, desperate to salvage whatever remained of their reputation.

In fact, Father Shen’s guess was spot on. After causing such a stir, Jiang Zhaolie did feel a faint, almost negligible twinge of guilt toward Xu Chun. So when Xu Chun half-jokingly asked for her help earlier, she agreed without hesitation.

In the past, she would never have done such a thing. Xu Chun had been nothing more than an irrelevant stranger to her, she would have unthinkingly sided with those she cared about, like Yu Sui’an. She would have gone out of her way to help Yu Sui’an without expecting anything in return. As for everyone else… what did they matter to her?

Yu Sui’an and Jiang Zhaolie walked side by side, wearing masks but making little effort to conceal themselves otherwise. The streets were quiet, and their steps were slow and unhurried. A gentle breeze brushed their cheeks, carrying the fragrance of flowers blooming along the roadside.

“About my sister… thank you,” Yu Sui’an spoke first, her tone casual, as if she were merely making small talk. “If you hadn’t stepped in, we might’ve had to ask someone else for help.”

Her words sounded perfectly normal, yet Jiang Zhaolie sensed something amiss. She fell silent for a moment, her mind racing before she finally explained, “I helped her for no other reason than seeing how much you care about her. I just wanted to do my part for you.” She turned Yu Sui’an to face her, gazing earnestly into her eyes. “I wanted to help you. I didn’t want to see you so troubled over her.”

“I know.” Yu Sui’an smiled softly, her lashes fluttering as a faint blush colored her fair cheeks. “Zhaolie, I’m really touched that you care so much about me.” She lifted her clear, bright eyes. “But I still want to thank you on my sister’s behalf.”

Their exchange was polite, their tones perfectly measured, yet an inexplicable tension lingered in the air.

Jiang Zhaolie’s gaze flickered, and she quickly changed the subject. “I’ll be staying here for a couple of days. I want to spend more time with you.” During the days she had been unable to leave home, her longing for Yu Sui’an had nearly driven her to madness. Now, she wanted to stay by her side every moment, never letting her out of sight.

“Sure,” Yu Sui’an replied cheerfully. “But I still have filming during the day…”

“Then I’ll wait for you until you’re done,” Jiang Zhaolie said with a laugh. “By the way, is there anything you’ve been craving? I can have someone bring it over. Didn’t you mention a roast duck place you’ve been wanting to try? It’s nearby, how about we go there tonight?”

“Really?” Yu Sui’an looked up, her smile growing even brighter at Jiang Zhaolie’s confirmation. The two walked off chatting and laughing, as though the earlier tension had never existed.

But soon, the expressions on both their faces gradually faded as they turned away, still inwardly troubled by the other’s overly enthusiastic behavior toward Xu Chun just moments ago. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, neither wanted to bring it up now, unwilling to dwell on the matter any further.

…

After Qin Yao finished her work, Xu Chun finally received her reply. Perking up, she hugged her phone tightly and typed excitedly, “Everything’s fine now, sis! Zhao Lie helped out, so the issue is pretty much resolved.” She took the opportunity to praise Jiang Zhaolie a few times before launching into a flood of effusive compliments toward Qin Yao: “Sis, you’re just too amazing! Not only are you outstanding and exceptional yourself, but you’ve also raised Zhao Lie to be so brilliant.”

“Zhao Lie is so lucky to be part of your family.”

Qin Yao quietly watched the messages flooding her phone screen, her slender, delicate fingers unconsciously adjusting the gold-rimmed glasses on her nose. The praise was so overwhelming that she could almost picture Xu Chun racking her brains to come up with every flattering word. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she replied, “How lucky?”

“Unbelievably lucky!” Sensing an opportunity, Xu Chun quickly added, “If it were me, I’d probably be laughing in my dreams!”

Qin Yao tilted her head slightly, suddenly recalling a variety show proposal she had received a couple of days ago. It seemed to have been submitted by the director of Xu Chun’s previous dating show, who wanted to create a theme around “Working with Industry Titans.” As the undisputed leader in the pharmaceutical field, Qin Yao had naturally been the first to receive the proposal.

She had no interest in such things, but today’s incident with Shen Shutong reminded her Xu Chun seemed to have a knack for attracting trouble wherever she went. Rather than letting her get bullied elsewhere, it might be better to keep an eye on her herself. At least under her watch, Xu Chun wouldn’t be constantly mistreated.

Besides, Xu Chun’s grandfather had repeatedly asked her to look out for his granddaughter occasionally. The old man had done her a favor in the past, and Qin Yao couldn’t just stand by and watch Xu Chun suffer. With that in mind, she replied to Director Guo’s email with an affirmative answer.

Meanwhile, after their walk, Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Suian returned to the film set since Yu Suian still had a scene to shoot later. While Yu Suian went to prepare, Jiang Zhaolie approached Xu Chun, intending to ask her a couple of questions. But as she neared from behind, she was stunned to see Xu Chun engaged in an animated, passionate conversation with her own mother. “Sis, I’ve missed you sooo much these past few days, terribly, terribly much!”

“I’ve lost my appetite, everything tastes like sawdust, and it feels like years apart.”

Jiang Zhaolie: “…?!” What the?!

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