After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 24

“How did you know?” Xu Chun raised her hand, seemingly casually covering her mouth as she quickly asked Assistant A. Worried that Jiang Banxia might notice, Xu Chun even masked her small movements with a forced smile while questioning her assistant.

But clearly, Jiang Banxia wasn’t so easily fooled. She took a step closer to Xu Chun, stopping just inches away. As the other woman leaned in slightly, her long, silky black hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders, exuding a breathtaking beauty.

The two stood so close that Xu Chun could almost catch the faint scent of shampoo lingering in Jiang Banxia’s hair, mingling with the subtly refined sweetness of the perfume behind her ears, unintentionally stirring a delicate, unspoken tension.

Jiang Banxia was undeniably beautiful. Unlike Yu Sui’an, whose delicate purity gave off an air of fragile innocence, Jiang Banxia carried herself with the unapologetic elegance of nobility.

Her flawless, porcelain-like skin, every strand of meticulously cared-for hair, even the smallest, most insignificant accessory, every inch of her radiated a refined sophistication that ordinary people could never attain.

A woman like her, fair-skinned, stunning, and born into privilege untouchable as a celestial being was like a mirror, reflecting the deeply buried insecurities and inadequacies hidden in the hearts of ordinary people.

Jiang Banxia’s beautiful eyes lingered briefly on Xu Chun’s lips before settling on her delicate brows. “Xu Chun,” she tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips, “you wouldn’t…” Her voice was light, almost teasing, “have forgotten me so quickly, would you?”

“N-no, of course not,” Xu Chun denied without hesitation. “How could I forget you?”

She let out an awkward laugh, intending to engage in some friendly small talk, but for some inexplicable reason, her brain short-circuited at the last second, and what came out instead was: “We’re so close, I’d recognize you even if you were burned to ashes!”

Jiang Banxia’s smile froze instantly.

Xu Chun, belatedly realizing her blunder: “!!!”

No! That’s not what I meant! Let me explain!

Jiang Banxia seemed genuinely offended. She straightened abruptly, looking down at Xu Chun with icy detachment. “Good,” she said, her lips still curved in a smile, though her eyes were devoid of warmth. “Very good.”

Xu Chun shuddered at her tone and scrambled to explain, but Jiang Banxia clearly had no intention of staying. Without another word, she turned and strode away, her entourage following in her wake, vanishing from sight in an instant.

Only after Jiang Banxia was completely gone did Assistant A finally exhale in relief. “I have a friend who lives in the same neighborhood as Miss Jiang,” she explained. “At the time, she had another friend who was very close with Miss Jiang, basically her bestie. So when that friend overheard Miss Jiang’s complaints and casually mentioned it to me, I just… remembered it.”

Such a convoluted connection? Xu Chun suddenly doubted the credibility of this so-called “inside information.”

After dismissing her assistant, Xu Chun took a deep breath and closed her eyes, delving into the long-buried memories of the original host. After a long while, she finally pieced together the entire story.

Jiang Banxia, much like Jiang Zhaolie, could be considered the original host’s childhood friend. The only difference was that the original host had known Jiang Zhaolie since childhood because they were betrothed in an arranged marriage.

As for Jiang Banxia, the original host had first heard of her through mutual friends and classmates during their school days. Both stood out for their striking looks and top-tier academic performances, making each other aware of the other’s existence.

Back then, their youthful immaturity led to a rivalry rather than camaraderie. Instead of peacefully coexisting as equally outstanding peers, they viewed each other as fierce competitors. Every encounter was charged with tension, as if they were on the verge of openly declaring, “I don’t like her,” with signs plastered on their foreheads.

From elementary to middle school, then high school, fate seemed determined to keep them intertwined always attending the same institutions, placed in different elite classes. Even after the college entrance exams, they somehow ended up at the same university, the same major, and eventually the same class, where their rivalry truly ignited.

This marked their first direct confrontation. Young and headstrong, neither was willing to back down. They pushed each other relentlessly, battling for the title of top student as if their lives depended on it, like sworn enemies locked in an endless feud.

Their competitive spirit was no secret. Everyone in their university and even neighboring schools knew these two top-ranking students refused to yield, earning a reputation as infamous rivals.

For two and a half years, their rivalry raged on. Just when everyone assumed they’d continue this duel until graduation and beyond into postgraduate studies, Jiang Banxia abruptly withdrew from school without a word. She vanished overseas overnight, disappearing from everyone’s lives.

The sudden departure of a lifelong rival left the original host unsettled. Despite their animosity, there had never been any real conflict between them, just a healthy competition that drove each to greater heights. Jiang Banxia’s absence left a void, stripping away the motivation that had once fueled her.

Struggling with this unfamiliar emptiness, the original host turned to alcohol for the first time, trying to numb the loneliness and loss that followed Jiang Banxia’s exit as if her very spirit had been uprooted.

Jiang Banxia had undeniably left a profound mark on the original host’s life. Without her, everything felt lackluster, devoid of the fire that once pushed her forward. Yet, it was absurd to twist this into some tragic tale of unrequited love, let alone fabricate a narrative where the original host had supposedly “dumped” her.

Xu Chun was about to mock those who spread rumors and reveled in others’ misfortune when she suddenly remembered something. Back when Yu Sui’an meticulously laid traps to lure the original host, the latter had actually seen through her schemes. Yet she still willingly fell into them, largely because she felt Yu Sui’an occasionally bore an uncanny resemblance to Jiang Banxia.

So she half-heartedly, almost like settling for a substitute, allowed herself to be ensnared.

After piecing together this chain of events, Xu Chun was utterly dumbfounded. This messed-up yuri story even had the trope of a heart-wrenching, body-breaking substitute romance?!

Did the original host have feelings for Jiang Banxia? Xu Chun believed there must have been a hint of it. Otherwise, no matter how carefully Yu Sui’an schemed, she wouldn’t have stood a chance if the original host felt nothing at all.

Yet in the end, Yu Sui’an succeeded not only becoming the original host’s official girlfriend but also enjoying her boundless indulgence, nearly ruining her reputation and leading to a tragic downfall.

So Jiang Banxia’s title as the “first love white moonlight” was somewhat justified.

Xu Chun sat silently in her chair for a long while, initially wallowing in the guilt of having “angered the original host’s beloved white moonlight to death.” But the next second, she abruptly sprang up like a salted fish, her dark eyes gleaming with excitement. The original and the substitute were now in the same filming crew… Didn’t that mean there’d be endless drama to enjoy from now on?!

Ah! This was truly a paradise for gossip lovers.

Xu Chun adjusted her collar with a finger, then turned and patted Assistant A’s shoulder, speaking in a deliberately solemn tone, “Remember to be extra cautious when indulging in gossip from now on.”

Assistant A was baffled by her sudden seriousness. “Huh?”

What did that mean? Were the rumors circulating online fake? Just as she was about to press Xu Chun for answers, she saw the woman humming cheerfully and walking straight toward Yu Sui’an, looking inexplicably pleased.

Something was off, Assistant A thought. Didn’t Xu Chun usually avoid Yu Sui’an? Why was she suddenly acting like a different person, willingly approaching her?

Of course, Xu Chun was heading over to secure a front-row VIP seat for the juiciest gossip. What could be more soul-crushing than realizing “you were just a substitute all along”?

Yu Sui’an had noticed Xu Chun approaching early on, and for a moment, her heart leaped with joy. But she was still filming, so she suppressed her excitement and focused on finishing the scene. The moment it wrapped, she hurried over to Xu Chun, her bright almond eyes brimming with unconcealed delight. “Sister.”

Her gaze was clear, and when she tilted her fair face up to look at someone with that obedient, quiet expression, it was indeed hard to resist. But Xu Chun was no ordinary person not only was she unmoved by Yu Sui’an’s charm, but her mind was solely occupied with the drama, eager to share news about Jiang Banxia.

“The actor replacing Shen Shutong has arrived,” Xu Chun said, her eyes fixed intently on Yu Sui’an, not wanting to miss even the slightest reaction. “Have you met her yet?”

Hearing Xu Chun mention someone else, Yu Sui’an’s smile faded by more than half. The warmth in her expression diminished, leaving only a faint trace. “I just caught a glimpse of her from afar,” Yu Sui’an said softly, blinking lightly as she asked Xu Chun in an ambiguous tone, “Sister, do you know her?”

“Yes,” Xu Chun answered without hesitation. “We used to be classmates.”

The air fell silent for a moment before Yu Sui’an smiled faintly and said, “No wonder Miss Jiang looked at me earlier with such an unwelcoming expression.” The curve of her lips deepened slightly. “She must be very close to you, sister.”

Though her probing sounded like a question, it was actually a statement. With just a few words from Xu Chun, Yu Sui’an had already formed her own judgment about their relationship. An uncontrollable sense of crisis rose within her, and when she lifted her gaze to Xu Chun again, her eyes had darkened into an unfathomable depth.

Xu Chun had initially wanted to say something, but upon noticing the dangerous narrowing of Yu Sui’an’s eyes, she immediately clamped her mouth shut, swallowing back all the gloating and provocative words she had been tempted to say.

This little white flower had a tendency to turn dark and stir up trouble at the drop of a hat, better not provoke her, lest she accidentally drag herself into the mess.

With a subtle shift in tone, Xu Chun distanced herself from Yu Sui’an. “We’re just okay. You focus on filming; I need to go prepare.” Without giving Yu Sui’an a chance to stop her, she turned and disappeared in an instant.

Yu Sui’an stood silently in place, her gaze lingering on the direction Xu Chun had left. A faint smile remained on her lips, like a carefully crafted disguise, concealing the deepest, most unspoken thoughts within her.

After this brief encounter with Yu Sui’an, Xu Chun quickly adjusted her approach don’t stir trouble, and trouble won’t stir you. Her goal was to finish filming this drama peacefully and uneventfully, then pack up and leave, putting as much distance as possible between herself and Yu Sui’an. Since Yu Sui’an wasn’t actively causing problems for her now, there was no need to go out of her way to entangle with her.

After mentally repeating “Love and Peace” ten more times, Xu Chun was about to send Qin Yao a greeting when her assistant strode in, barely containing her excitement. “Sister Xu, it’s time for your shoot.”

Today, Xu Chun had a scene with Yu Sui’an, another emotionally charged misunderstanding, as usual. After breezing through the scene effortlessly, Xu Chun noticed Jiang Banxia standing among the crowd at some point. Meeting Xu Chun’s gaze, Jiang Banxia slightly lifted her chin toward Yu Sui’an and, without lowering her voice, asked loud enough for the entire crew to hear, “Is that the ex-girlfriend who passive-aggressively called you out on Weibo after the breakup?”

For a moment, the surroundings fell into dead silence. Everyone held their breath, the quiet so profound that one could almost hear a pin drop.

Xu Chun’s heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to speak, Yu Sui’an beat her to it. Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying no hint of aggression. “The matters between me and sister don’t seem to concern you, Miss Jiang, do they?”

The other party’s words carried an undertone of her meddling in others’ affairs. Jiang Banxia chuckled lightly, “How could it be unrelated?” She tilted her head with a smile, glancing at Xu Chun beside her. “Chun and I have known each other for years. Our bond is irreplaceable, what concerns her concerns me.”

“Chun, don’t you agree?”

Xu Chun, who had been happily spectating the drama only to be abruptly dragged into the fray, froze: “!”

Here we go… Let the storm rage even fiercer!

Caught between them, she nodded with forced composure, attempting to deflect. “I think you both make valid points, but this matter isn’t important. Let’s all focus on filming.”

Jiang Banxia’s gaze turned languid yet dangerous as she studied Xu Chun. “Chun, am I to understand you’re openly siding with her now?”

Xu Chun: “?!” No! That’s not true! Don’t twist my words!

Just as she opened her mouth to respond, Yu Sui’an’s delicate yet unignorable voice interjected softly, “Sister and I were once bound by deep affection. Is it really so strange for her to treat me this way?” Pausing, Yu Sui’an smiled slowly. “Or does Miss Jiang believe my sister is so cold-hearted?”

Watching the light in Jiang Banxia’s eyes turn icy, Xu Chun glanced between the two, her head spinning. Good grief, stop arguing! If this continues, I’ll end up trending on headlines again today!

As tensions threatened to spiral out of control, the director quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation. Sternly shooing away the onlookers, he pulled Xu Chun aside. “Xiao Xu, you know how strict censorship has been lately. You really need to be more mindful of your conduct.”

“This project has massive investments and countless hours of effort poured into it, not to mention it’s my retirement work…” Though his words were tactful, Xu Chun understood perfectly. She wanted to protest this truly wasn’t her fault! She was wronged! Even with a hundred mouths, she couldn’t explain this away.

After a hesitant pause, she finally said, “Understood, Director. I’ll be more careful.”

Only after her assurance did the director reluctantly let her go, though not without repeated warnings: “What you do privately is your business just keep it off the radar, and no one can interfere.”

As the director droned on like a chanting monk, Xu Chun nodded vigorously before scurrying away.

After the commotion, Xu Chun finally grasped Jiang Banxia’s feelings toward the original host. Perhaps even Jiang Banxia’s sudden appearance as the second female lead had been premeditated. Yet, true to form, Jiang Banxia remained blunt as ever, like a fiery rose with thorns, breathtaking yet intimidating.

But,  Xu Chun frowned slightly. Hadn’t Yu Sui’an always preached harmony and followed a gentle, family-friendly persona? Why was she suddenly confronting Jiang Banxia so openly today?

That unyielding demeanor was just like a little flower trying to stop a chariot despite knowing its own limitations, it didn’t seem ridiculous at all. Instead, it made people involuntarily hold their breath for her, stirring a soft wave of tender pity in their hearts.

Xu Chun shook her head, realizing she understood Yu Sui’an less and less these days… No, it seemed she had never truly understood her. Whether in the past or now, Yu Sui’an’s thoughts were always tightly concealed, never easily deciphered.

In the brief moment Xu Chun let her mind wander, she turned back to find that the recent incident had already been anonymously leaked online. The tangled web of love and hate between Xu Chun and Yu Sui’an, the high-status white-rich-beauty second female lead parachuted into the crew, plus the explosive first encounter between this new actress and Yu Sui’an these three major revelations sent gossip-loving netizens into a frenzy, swarming to spectate.

[“…Who would’ve thought Xu Chun played such wild games behind the scenes? Could that second lead be some old flame of hers?”]

[“The person above guessed right. From what I know, Jiang Banxia, the parachuted second lead, is actually Xu Chun’s first love and white moonlight. I bet Jiang Banxia joined the crew because of Xu Chun.”]

[“I heard Jiang Banxia just returned to the country yesterday… and she’s already on set today? Wow! Did she come back specifically to act with Xu Chun?”]

[“Everything that belongs to me, I’ll take back including my woman. Ah, this has all the makings of a prime-time soap opera! This production crew is truly a treasure trove. Even before filming started, the two female leads were causing drama, and now we’ve got Jiang Banxia too. At this rate, they’ll need at least six months to finish shooting, right? Does this mean we’ll have fresh gossip for the next half year?”]

[“Crew: How cruel of you. Focus less on the drama and more on our actual drama, okay?”]

[“Huh? They’re still filming? If the off-screen drama is this juicy, the on-screen plot must be even wilder!”]

[“Heck yeah! We’re eating good for the next six months!”]

The director had no idea how the audience’s attention had shifted from the three leads’ personal drama to the show itself. Thanks to Xu Chun and Yu Sui’an’s relationship, the series already had massive hype. Now with Jiang Banxia added to the mix… The director suddenly felt like he was sitting on a powder keg, not daring to let his guard down for even a second, lest he tarnish his legacy.

If anything went wrong and damaged the reputation of this series potentially his retirement project, he wouldn’t be able to rest in peace even with both feet in the grave.

After an emergency meeting, the screenwriter and director worked through the night to revise and polish the script.

The next day, Xu Chun stared at the freshly printed script containing only the latest episode: “?” Since when did they start overworking like this? Were the director and screenwriter trying to kill themselves with these all-nighters?

But since this was her first serious acting project after the scandal Yu Sui’an dragged her into, essentially her official comeback, Xu Chun joined the late-night grind too. She enthusiastically suggested all sorts of outrageous plot twists she’d picked up from the dogblood yuri novels He Qingli had given her.

After all, this was already an adaptation of an old-school melodramatic CEO novel. No matter how absurd it got, nobody would bat an eye.

After the three of them gathered together and finalized the script, Yu Sui’an fell silent as she clutched the freshly printed script in her hands. Wasn’t she supposed to be the female lead? Just two days without seeing Xu Chun, and now she’d become the biological younger sister of Xu Chun’s character in the script?

Had Xu Chun cheated on her? Or had Jiang Banxia added scenes for herself to push her out and take the lead role?

Yu Sui’an suddenly grew agitated. An inexplicable emotion surged rapidly in her heart, wiping away the gentle smile that usually graced her face, replacing it with an unshakable gloom.

Her manager knew Jiang Banxia had joined the production. He had originally planned to come that very day to back Yu Sui’an up, but family matters had kept him tied up until now. Little did he expect to find Yu Sui’an in such a foul mood the moment he arrived. Raising an eyebrow in surprise, he casually remarked, “Is Jiang Banxia really enough to unsettle you like this?”

Yu Sui’an remained silent, not responding. Her manager chuckled lightly and comforted her, “Sui Sui, you’re destined to be an award-winning actress, a woman who will dominate the entertainment industry.” He turned her shoulders toward him, softening his tone. “Relax. At most, she’s just here to have fun. She won’t seriously compete with you.”

After all, Jiang Banxia still had a family fortune waiting for her to inherit.

His words did little to comfort Yu Sui’an. She lifted her dark, gleaming eyes and met her manager’s gaze directly. “She knows Xu Chun.”

The manager frowned briefly but quickly smoothed his expression. “That might be a problem, but Sui Sui, you have Jiang Zhaolie. As long as you hold onto him tightly, even if Xu Chun and Jiang Banxia team up, they won’t be able to touch you.” He then shifted the topic. “By the way, how are things with Jiang Zhaolie lately?”

Not great.

Ever since Qin Yao’s last visit, when they had parted on bad terms, neither Yu Sui’an nor Jiang Zhaolie had taken the initiative to apologize or reconcile. They were locked in a cold war, neither willing to admit fault first.

Moreover… right now, Yu Sui’an’s mind was preoccupied with how to win back Xu Chun and conquer her once more. She had no energy left to spare for Jiang Zhaolie.

The manager read her expression and immediately understood. He persisted with his persuasion. “Sui Sui, the entertainment industry isn’t as easy to navigate as you think. You don’t have a strong family background or powerful backing. Anyone with a bit of money can easily manipulate you. That’s why you should seize the opportunity with Jiang Zhaolie while you can.”

“Once you’ve achieved fame and retire, your future will be secure.” His tone turned icy by the end. “Otherwise, you’ll just become a plaything at someone’s dinner table. Understand?”

“I understand,” Yu Sui’an murmured, lowering her head slightly. Her neatly lowered lashes concealed all emotion in her eyes.

The manager’s relentless pressure disgusted her. She clenched her fingers silently. One day… she would kick him aside and no longer be at his mercy.

“Good. Then hurry up and secure Jiang Zhaolie as soon as possible.”

Yu Sui’an gave a vague acknowledgment, her expression unreadable. The manager glanced at her dismissively but didn’t call her out. As long as she obeyed, she remained a useful pawn. If she stopped listening…

She’d be disposable.

Far from easing Yu Sui’an’s turmoil, the manager’s visit only stirred her emotions further. After spending nearly an hour alone, she took a deep breath and suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

Closing her eyes briefly, she gripped her phone, the screen still open to her chat with Jiang Zhaolie. They hadn’t spoken in over ten days. If she messaged him now, right after clashing with Jiang Banxia and feeling wronged, it would seem too opportunistic and calculated.

After much deliberation, Yu Sui’an ultimately didn’t send the message.

In truth, Jiang Zhaolie wasn’t feeling much better than Yu Suian at the moment. She had received news the instant Jiang Banxia joined the production team, and later, her informant had relayed every detail of what happened on set as if giving a live broadcast. When she heard Jiang Banxia openly slandering Yu Suian, Jiang Zhaolie nearly dropped everything to rush over and stand up for her. But right now, she was with Qin Yao.

Not only would Qin Yao never let her leave at such a critical moment, but even if she did, Jiang Zhaolie was currently out of town and had no idea how long it would take to get back. By then, it wouldn’t just be too late to support Yu Suian, the entire situation would have long since cooled down.

Tormented inside, Jiang Zhaolie was distracted and visibly unsettled. Qin Yao gave her a sidelong glance, expressionless, and Jiang Zhaolie immediately snapped back to attention. She stood up, her voice tinged with apology, “I need to use the restroom.”

Without waiting for Qin Yao’s response, she pushed open the door and strode out of the meeting room.

Clutching her phone tightly, she found a secluded spot and took a deep breath before resolutely dialing a number she hadn’t called in a long time. Her fingers curled into fists, regret washing over her. Why had she been so childish, letting a petty disagreement come between them? Hadn’t she sworn in her heart to protect Yu Suian forever?

Yet because of a minor conflict, she had ignored her for nearly half a month…

If Yu Suian suffered because of Jiang Banxia and did something drastic in despair, she would never forgive herself.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity. Finally, after an agonizing wait, the call was answered. That voice gentle, beloved, the one she had missed so dearly drifted softly through the receiver. “Zhaolie?”

“Suisui, about what happened before… I was wrong. I’m sorry,” she blurted out, the weight of her guilt and anxiety dissolving instantly at the sound of Yu Suian’s voice, replaced by the familiar warmth of happiness and contentment. Struggling to contain her soaring emotions, Jiang Zhaolie asked, “Are you still angry with me?”

Angry? Truthfully, Yu Suian had long since let go of her anger. Earlier, she had considered reaching out to reconcile, but after much deliberation, she decided it wasn’t the right time. Now that Jiang Zhaolie had taken the initiative to apologize, there was no reason not to meet her halfway. “No,” she replied, laughter threading her voice. “I was never angry with you.”

Jiang Zhaolie’s heart leaped with joy, but before she could respond, Yu Suian added, shy and hesitant, “Zhaolie… I missed you.”

Overwhelmed, Jiang Zhaolie felt as though countless fireworks had exploded in her mind, leaving her dizzy with delight. “Me too,” she echoed instinctively. “I missed you so much these past days.”

After a flurry of words, Jiang Zhaolie glanced at her watch, they had been talking for nearly half an hour. It wasn’t long, but Qin Yao and the executives were still waiting in the meeting room. Considering the consequences of angering Qin Yao, she took a deep breath and reluctantly interrupted Yu Suian. “Suisui, once I finish my work next week, I’ll come back to you.”

There was a pause on the other end before Yu Suian replied softly, “Okay.”

Jiang Zhaolie was currently tied up with work and couldn’t get away, while Jiang Banxia remained an unpredictable element in the film crew. Anxious yet helpless, Jiang Zhaolie finally thought of someone after hanging up the phone, Xu Chun.

Though entrusting Xu Chun to look after Yu Sui’an was like making a pact with the devil, she had no other choice. Apart from Xu Chun, she couldn’t think of anyone else in the crew who could match Jiang Banxia’s influence and prevent her from harassing Yu Sui’an.

After much internal struggle, Jiang Zhaolie steeled herself and called Xu Chun. Glancing at her lit phone screen, Xu Chun saw the words “that damn woman” and promptly hung up. Jiang Zhaolie was left bewildered.

Undeterred, she called again and again until Xu Chun, thoroughly annoyed, finally picked up with a dangerous edge to her voice, “Jiang Zhaolie, this better be important.”

Jiang Zhaolie hesitated, finding the request difficult to voice. But thinking of Yu Sui’an’s safety and well-being, she forced herself to speak, “Xu Chun, I need you to look after Sui’an for me.”

“You know how Jiang Banxia is she openly targeted Sui’an on the first day. With more time together, who knows what else she might do…” Xu Chun winced at the repeated use of “Sui’an” and cut her off, “You know Jiang Banxia has a temper. Asking me to stand up to her for Yu Sui’an? You’re practically throwing me into the fire.”

Between filming and dealing with Yu Sui’an, she already had enough headaches. If she had to face Jiang Banxia’s wrath too, how was she supposed to survive?

Jiang Zhaolie knew she was asking too much, so she tried tempting Xu Chun with money, “Just one week. I’ll give you a million.” She added, “Once I’m back in a couple of days, you won’t have to bother anymore.”

Xu Chun raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, “That little? You think I’m a beggar?”

“Five million,” Jiang Zhaolie gritted her teeth, making her final offer. If Xu Chun still refused, she’d have to find someone else—more troublesome, but at least cost-effective.

“Deal,” Xu Chun replied instantly. Five million wasn’t just enough to babysit Yu Sui’an for a week, she could practically wait on her hand and foot. Struggling to contain her glee, she feigned reluctance, “Transfer the money now. The job starts when I see it.”

With that, she hung up abruptly.

Jiang Zhaolie’s temple throbbed in irritation, but she had no choice but to swallow her pride. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself not to dwell on Xu Chun’s attitude and quickly arranged the transfer.

When she returned, Qin Yao’s gaze lingered on her for a long moment. Feeling guilty, Jiang Zhaolie steered the conversation toward work matters before Qin Yao could press further.

By the time Xu Chun finished filming a scene, the money had arrived. Her eyes gleamed, since when did such generous fools exist? Suddenly, she felt she’d stumbled upon a unique path to riches.

With Jiang Zhaolie by her side, reaching the pinnacle of life becoming a CEO and marrying a beautiful, wealthy woman was no longer just a dream for Xu Chun.

Taking money meant doing the job. Xu Chun cast a glance, focusing her attention on Yu Sui’an. After initially humiliating Yu Sui’an in public, Jiang Banxia had settled down and was now diligently filming. Xu Chun could more or less understand Jiang Banxia’s mindset seeing an old friend being bullied had simply rubbed her the wrong way, so she had wanted to vent some anger on their behalf.

All in all, her intentions were good.

After a moment’s thought, Xu Chun turned and walked over to Jiang Banxia, belatedly saying, “Thanks for what you did the other day.”

Jiang Banxia lazily lifted her eyelids, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Oh? What brings you here today?” she said sarcastically. “Why aren’t you busy protecting your precious Sui’an?”

Xu Chun was momentarily speechless. “…” This was unbearable. Jiang Zhaolie’s money was truly hard-earned.

After being verbally battered by Jiang Banxia, Xu Chun slunk back to the director’s side, script in hand, looking thoroughly defeated. These days, she had been deliberately avoiding both Jiang Banxia and Yu Sui’an, not saying a word to either. Only the elderly director could offer her the faintest sliver of warmth in this world.

…Wait, she had almost forgotten about Qin Yao.

Remembering the hefty sum she had just earned from Jiang Zhaolie, Xu Chun immediately transferred a million back to her and sent a WeChat message: “Sent you a million. Use it to buy some nice treats for Sister Qin to cheer her up. Keep the change as your delivery fee.”

Jiang Zhaolie’s phone was screen-sharing in a meeting. When the message notification popped up at the top, the entire conference room fell silent. “…?”

Who was this person, daring to order Jiang Zhaolie around like an errand girl?

Who was this person, daring to covet their noble, aloof, and pristine President Qin?

For a moment, the gazes of every executive in the room flickered between Jiang Zhaolie and Qin Yao. Jiang Zhaolie snapped back to reality, nearly grinding her teeth to dust. This was too much! Xu Chun truly didn’t treat her as human!

She had worked her fingers to the bone to earn that money, all so Xu Chun could take care of Yu Sui’an not so she could turn around and use it to curry favor with her own mother!

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