After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 27

Originally, Jiang Zhaolie and Qin Yao weren’t supposed to return for another ten days, but an unexpected situation at the company forced them to book the earliest afternoon flight back. On their way to the office, Jiang Zhaolie missed Yu Sui’an so intensely that she used the excuse of “having left something at Yu Sui’an’s place” to convince the driver to divert to the film studio.

Jiang Zhaolie’s excuse was as flimsy as ever, but Qin Yao didn’t call her out on it.

Not only did Qin Yao refrain from exposing her, but she also stepped out of the car right after Jiang Zhaolie. She offered no explanation for following along, but Jiang Zhaolie assumed it was because Qin Yao disapproved of her interacting with Yu Sui’an and wanted to monitor her to limit their time together.

So the two of them walked side by side to the hotel where the crew was staying.

Jiang Zhaolie asked for Yu Sui’an’s room number, but after knocking for a while with no response, she decided to try her luck at Xu Chun’s room, wondering if Yu Sui’an might be there discussing the script. To her surprise, Yu Sui’an was indeed there.

However… As Jiang Zhaolie approached, she noticed Xu Chun in a pristine white bathrobe, then Jiang Banxia standing with her arms crossed, expressionless. Finally, her hesitant gaze landed on Yu Sui’an.

“Are you… discussing the script?” she asked uncertainly.

Instead of staying in their rooms, the three of them were standing conspicuously in the hallway, as if they wanted everyone to notice.

Xu Chun glanced at Qin Yao before shrinking back slightly and snapping at Jiang Zhaolie, “What are you doing here?” Her situation was already chaotic enough, she hadn’t even sorted out her own mess before having to deal with this. Just thinking about it exhausted her.

“I’m here for Sui’an,” Jiang Zhaolie replied, unfazed by Xu Chun’s unwelcoming attitude. After all, Xu Chun had never been particularly friendly toward her. She walked up to Yu Sui’an. “Sui’an, do you have time now?”

She stared at her expectantly, but instead of the enthusiastic welcome she had imagined, Yu Sui’an only frowned slightly, as if displeased by her unannounced arrival disrupting her plans.

“I’m discussing the script with my sister right now,” Yu Sui’an said plainly, her tone devoid of any excitement.

Jiang Zhaolie’s hopeful heart instantly plunged into an icy abyss. A chill spread through her limbs, freezing her in place. She was at a loss, unsure what she had done wrong this time to upset her.

While she was still reflecting, Xu Chun took the opportunity to shoo them away. Turning to Yu Sui’an, she said casually, “If you have other matters to attend to, we can discuss the script tomorrow.”

Xu Chun would have loved nothing more than for Jiang Zhaolie to whisk Yu Sui’an away so she could focus on bonding with Qin Yao. But Yu Sui’an, shameless as ever, hesitated.

“But…” she said softly, “I have to film this scene at five tomorrow morning.”

Jiang Banxia couldn’t stand Yu Sui’an’s feigned helplessness. She gave her a cold sidelong glance.

“Why don’t you ask me? I happen to have time, I can explain it to you.”

“Banxia,” Jiang Zhaolie couldn’t help calling out, his voice laced with dissatisfaction. “What would someone who’s never acted or taken acting classes know about it?”

Jiang Banxia lazily lifted her eyelids at his words. “Then let them stay. Let Xu Chun personally and meticulously teach her how to act.”

How could that work? Jiang Zhaolie instinctively wanted to refuse, but right now, only Xu Chun could help Yu Sui’an. After a brief moment of contemplation, he said, “We’ll just watch from the side while she teaches Suisui.”

Xu Chun: “???”

She immediately wanted to kick Jiang Zhaolie flying.

Xu Chun stared at Jiang Zhaolie expressionlessly for a few seconds before straightening up from where she’d been leaning against the doorframe. Pausing briefly, she then fluttered like a butterfly, “whoosh!” straight into Qin Yao’s arms. “Sister, look at her! How shameless can she be, barging into someone’s home like this?!”

“I’m still in my pajamas, completely unkempt!” Xu Chun openly threw shade at Jiang Zhaolie. “My room isn’t even tidied up, clothes and pants are strewn everywhere, and there are confidential script materials carelessly left in plain sight…”

Before she could finish, Jiang Zhaolie already felt Qin Yao’s sharp gaze turn toward her, filled with piercing scrutiny. Jiang Zhaolie was inexplicably at a loss for words. Why was her mom siding with Xu Chun again? Wasn’t she the biological daughter here?

An indescribable discomfort welled up in Jiang Zhaolie’s heart. Qin Yao interrupted her thoughts, her tone indifferent. “Hurry up and get your things, then leave.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “You have five minutes.”

The tight deadline Qin Yao set made Jiang Zhaolie anxious. Without considering Yu Sui’an’s feelings or opinions, she grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward her own room. “Suisui, I need to talk to you.”

After struggling briefly to no avail, Yu Sui’an forcibly shoved the gift box in her arms into Xu Chun’s hands. “Sister, please keep these pastries. I’ll be really upset if you don’t accept them.”

With that, regardless of whether Xu Chun was willing, she tossed the box into her arms and left. Jiang Banxia’s icy gaze fell once more on the gift box in Xu Chun’s embrace, as if she were barely restraining herself from snatching it and throwing Yu Sui’an’s gift straight into the trash were it not for the fact that such behavior would be impolite.

Holding the gift box, Xu Chun felt like she was cradling two hot potatoes. She couldn’t decide whether to keep it or throw it away, and by the time Yu Sui’an had been dragged off by Jiang Zhaolie, she still hadn’t settled on what to do with it.

But since Qin Yao had made a rare appearance, Xu Chun suddenly remembered her own plans. Eagerly, she invited her, “Sister, come sit in my room and rest for a bit.” Then, noticing Jiang Banxia radiating cold air like an air conditioner, she pursed her lips and added, “You can come in too?”

Jiang Banxia didn’t stand on ceremony, she lifted her right foot and strode inside.

Xu Chun looked at Qin Yao, who nodded. “Alright.” After saying this, Qin Yao pulled a jewelry box from her bag and handed it to Xu Chun. “For you.”

Huh?

Xu Chun stared blankly at the pale green Van Cleef & Arpels box resting in Qin Yao’s fair palm, not immediately taking it. “This is too extravagant, sister.”

Qin Yao’s gift came as a complete surprise to Xu Chun. In Xu Chun’s impression, Qin Yao was always swamped with work and official duties. It wasn’t a holiday or any special occasion, so there was no reason for her to bring a gift. Most importantly, strictly speaking they weren’t even that close.

But Qin Yao didn’t explain. She simply said, “Once you’re done here, I’ll arrange a time with your grandfather. We should sit down and discuss the matter of calling off the engagement.”

Hearing this, Jiang Banxia, who was walking ahead, couldn’t help but glance back at Qin Yao. Then her gaze shifted to Xu Chun, her expression growing slightly inscrutable.

So both families had agreed to end the engagement?

The corners of her rosy lips curled imperceptibly, and Jiang Banxia’s steps seemed to lighten.

Xu Chun’s room was still in disarray. After tidying up the living room a bit, she fetched two bottles of water from the fridge for her guests, then went to change into something more comfortable. She would have preferred loungewear, but after some consideration, she decided against it, it might be too casual.

While Xu Chun was behind closed doors getting ready, Jiang Banxia and Qin Yao exchanged a glance. Jiang Banxia spoke first, “President Qin, it’s been a while.” They had met a few times before, back when Jiang Banxia was much younger. Her first impression of Qin Yao had been one of breathtaking beauty so stunning it left her speechless. Even now, that impression hadn’t changed. Despite being praised for her looks all her life, Jiang Banxia couldn’t help but feel a twinge of inadequacy in Qin Yao’s presence.

Qin Yao had always been radiant, but compared to the bold, crimson-lipped woman from her childhood memories, the Qin Yao before her now was far more refined and elegant like a priceless jewel in the Louvre.

Qin Yao smiled warmly, like an elder. “You’ve grown up.” Her expression softened noticeably. “And you’ve become even more beautiful than before.”

Jiang Banxia, rarely one to be flustered, felt a faint blush rise to her cheeks, though she was undeniably pleased. “No one could ever surpass you in my eyes, President Qin.”

The two exchanged pleasantries, while elsewhere, Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Sui’an walked a short distance before Yu Sui’an suddenly yanked her hand free. Startled, Jiang Zhaolie stopped. “What’s wrong?”

Confused, she thought she might have squeezed too hard and immediately reached out to check, but Yu Sui’an avoided her touch. Lifting her gaze, Yu Sui’an fixed her clear almond-shaped eyes on Jiang Zhaolie. “Zhaolie, I have filming to do.” Her voice carried a hint of suppressed frustration and disappointment. “I’m exhausted.”

The fatigue on her face was unmistakable, leaving Jiang Zhaolie at a loss. “Then let’s go back to your room and rest.” She tried to take Yu Sui’an’s hand again. “You said you have to be on set by four or five tomorrow morning. ”

Her hand met empty air again. Jiang Zhaolie stood frozen, her eyes filled with confusion. “Sui’an?”

“I was planning to go over the script with my sister, run some lines.” Yu Sui’an took a deep breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to get her to even talk to me?”

“I finally managed to seize the opportunity just now, but…” Yu Sui’an suddenly stopped speaking, biting her lip tightly before taking a deep breath. “Sorry, I’m a bit emotionally unstable right now.”

Jiang Zhaolie’s heart, already plunged into an icy abyss, sank even further. After a long silence, she spoke hoarsely, “I’m sorry.” She whispered, “I shouldn’t have come to see you without telling you in advance. I’m sorry.”

“Won’t you forgive me this time?” she pleaded, but was met only with Yu Sui’an’s silence.

The light in Jiang Zhaolie’s eyes dimmed instantly. As the two remained at an impasse, Yu Sui’an suddenly spoke, “Actually, my sister is very fragile. When you see her in the future…” Her tone was ambiguous. “Don’t make her angry again.”

Jiang Zhaolie’s low spirits immediately turned into confusion: “?” What did that mean?

Now not only was her mother siding with Xu Chun, but even Yu Sui’an was aligning with her? What kind of tricks had Xu Chun played on her mother and Yu Sui’an without her noticing?

Was Xu Chun some kind of vengeful fox spirit from a past life, specially sent to bewitch the people around her and steal their hearts?

Jiang Zhaolie felt a suffocating lump rise in her chest, making her unbearably uncomfortable.

After delivering her subtle warning, Yu Sui’an left, heading straight for Xu Chun’s room likely to continue discussing the script. Jiang Zhaolie instinctively clenched her fists, hesitated briefly, then followed.

She was determined to see exactly how Xu Chun had managed to seduce Sui’an and her mother.

Xu Chun had merely changed clothes when she emerged to find the previously empty living room now crowded with four people. The moment she appeared, eight eyes locked onto her in unison, a sight so eerie it made her reflexively retreat and slam the door shut. When she reopened it moments later, the crowd remained unchanged. She even caught a hint of bewilderment in Qin Yao’s eyes.

Xu Chun: “…”

With everyone waiting outside, she had no choice but to steel herself and step out, forcing a stiff smile as she asked Jiang Zhaolie, “Why are you all back?” Please, for heaven’s sake, act like decent human beings!

Her home had already turned into enough of a battlefield.

Jiang Zhaolie fixed Xu Chun with an intense stare. “President Qin is still here. I came back to wait for her.”

Xu Chun was speechless. Well… that was an airtight excuse. She then turned to Yu Sui’an, who smiled faintly. “I still hope you can spare some time to guide me after you’re done.”

Xu Chun’s eyelids twitched violently, she wished she were utterly talentless at acting. But since things had already spiraled out of control, she decided to go all in. “In that case, stay. Later, you, Banxia, and I will have a thorough discussion together.”

Perhaps it was Jiang Zhaolie’s imagination, but Xu Chun seemed to emphasize those last words with particular venom, as if she wanted to skin someone alive and drink their blood.

Noticing Xu Chun’s barely concealed frustration, Qin Yao’s lips curled slightly deeper. With Jiang Zhaolie’s return, she stood up. “We’ll take our leave first.”

Xu Chun immediately raised her head, gazing at her with eager eyes. “So soon?” She hadn’t even had much time to talk to Qin Yao yet.

“Work matters,” Qin Yao nodded, crushing Xu Chun’s last sliver of hope. Seeing her dejected expression, Qin Yao thought for a moment and added, “I’ll come visit you again in a couple of days when things settle down.”

Xu Chun suddenly perked up, brimming with energy as she declared with grand enthusiasm, “Okay!”

Jiang Banxia couldn’t help but narrow her eyes, scrutinizing Xu Chun up and down several times. Xu Chun shrank back slightly, and after seeing Qin Yao and Jiang Zhaolie off, she quickly changed the subject. “Let’s go over tomorrow’s scenes first.”

Jiang Banxia saw right through her but didn’t call her out. Instead, she lazily propped her chin on her hand, her alluring peach-blossom eyes sharp and delicate settling on Yu Sui’an with a hint of hostility and pressure. Yu Sui’an, however, refused to back down. Her fair, slender face wore a faint smile as she met Jiang Banxia’s gaze head-on, unflinching in the face of the unspoken threat.

The smile on Jiang Banxia’s lips deepened, but the warmth in her eyes grew colder. “You’re not bad,” she said slowly. “But that’s all there is to it.”

Yu Sui’an lowered her lashes with a soft chuckle. “Thank you for the compliment.”

Jiang Banxia narrowed her eyes slightly, her bewitching gaze filled with an inscrutable amusement.

Xu Chun glanced between the two before feigning ignorance and flipping open the script. “Let’s stop chatting and wrap this up early so I can rest.” Then, with an awkward expression, she turned to Yu Sui’an, her avoidance obvious. “If you have any questions in the future, you should ask the other experienced actors in the crew.”

She didn’t mince words. “I’ll be busy studying my own role, so I probably won’t have much spare time. Besides, the senior actors here have way more experience than I do, they’ve probably acted in more scenes than I’ve eaten meals in my life. Instead of relying on me, you’d be better off putting in the effort to learn from them. They can offer you far more than I ever could.”

Xu Chun’s words were far from tactful. After a brief moment of stunned silence, Yu Sui’an quietly lowered her gaze. It took her a while before she responded, “I understand. I’m sorry for troubling you all this time.”

She looked genuinely crestfallen, but Xu Chun couldn’t tell if her sadness was real or feigned. Either way, she didn’t particularly care and smoothly moved past the topic, picking up the script again.

Jiang Banxia studied Yu Sui’an for a long while before suddenly breaking into a radiant smile. So that’s how it is.

Xu Chun noticed Jiang Banxia’s smile but had no idea what had prompted it. She decided not to bother asking. Roughly two hours later, after sending Jiang Banxia and Yu Sui’an off, feeling thoroughly drained,  Xu Chun began contemplating whether she should quietly switch rooms when no one was paying attention.

But in the end, her plan never came to fruition.

Time seemed to blur in the midst of filming. This period was a rare stretch of tranquility for Xu Chun. After that day, Yu Sui’an rarely pestered her for acting advice, and Jiang Banxia, for reasons unknown, was scarcely seen outside of her scheduled scenes, disappearing from dawn till dusk.

Even online, things were calm, no major scandals involving the cast surfaced. Even Jiang Zhaolie seemed too swamped with work to bother Xu Chun much.

After finalizing the last plot details with the screenwriter and original author, Xu Chun returned to her trailer. With most of the filming already completed, they were on track to wrap up production in about four more months at the current pace.

Scratching her eyebrow absentmindedly, Xu Chun checked her agent’s messages.

Recently, her agent had secured her a spot on a new workplace-themed variety show, directed by the same Guo who’d helmed the previous dating show meaning it would also follow a 24-hour live broadcast format. Before accepting, Xu Chun had repeatedly confirmed with her agent: “Yu Sui’an isn’t involved this time, right?”

“She’s not.” Her agent still didn’t know what exactly had happened during filming to make Xu Chun so determined to avoid Yu Sui’an, but it was a positive development. Her voice carried a hint of amusement as she continued, “After the last incident, Yu lost several endorsements. Her agent went berserk picking fights everywhere and ended up offending Director Guo, who explicitly stated he’d never work with Yu Sui’an again in this lifetime.”

“Besides, I heard Yu herself wants to focus on acting now. She probably won’t appear on variety shows much going forward.”

Xu Chun nodded this aligned perfectly with the original storyline. Yu Sui’an rarely participated in dating shows; her previous appearance had solely been to use the live broadcast to utterly ruin Xu Chun’s reputation, forcing her to quit the industry and eliminate her as a threat.

In Yu’s career plan, taking on more sweet romantic dramas that matched her image would help solidify her position faster, paving the way for transitioning into films later, challenging breakthrough roles to build critical acclaim and gradually rise to top-tier status.

Reassured that their career paths wouldn’t intersect, Xu Chun happily accepted the offer.

Today was contract signing day. Her agent personally drove over to escort her, only broaching a burning question after the paperwork was complete: “Did you and Yu Sui’an have a falling out recently?”

“No?” Xu Chun looked puzzled. “Why do you ask?”

The agent just smiled cryptically. Perplexed but unconcerned, Xu Chun dismissed the matter until Jiang Zhaolie’s message popped up during the ride home: [How… how is Suisui doing?]

Accompanied, tellingly, by a digital red envelope.

Xu Chun perked up immediately. [She’s doing great! Works diligently every day. The crew veterans all say she’s hardworking, eager to learn, and improving rapidly everyone sings her praises.]

This should have been good news, yet Jiang Zhaolie felt inexplicably despondent.

For months now, Yu Sui’an hadn’t initiated contact once. Between his own hectic schedule and Qin Yao’s constant surveillance, he couldn’t visit the set. Countless nights, he’d hold his phone after work, yearning to message her only to hesitate, fearing the notification might wake her.

He knew how exhausted she must be, but couldn’t comprehend: Did she not miss him at all?

Their bond had been so strong before. Whenever they met, her calm eyes would always brighten with that soul-stirring, mesmerizing glow.

These past few months had been the most agonizing period for Jiang Zhaolie. Her mind seemed split into two opposing factions, one urging her to follow her heart and actively message Yu Sui’an, while the other warned her not to lose herself or her dignity by desperately seeking affection where none was returned.

Torn between these conflicting thoughts, Jiang Zhaolie hesitated for months until today, when she could bear it no longer. In anguish, she finally went to Xu Chun to seek information.

Xu Chun hadn’t been in contact with Jiang Zhaolie for quite some time. Propping her chin thoughtfully, she considered Jiang Zhaolie’s intentions before raising an eyebrow. [Missing Yu Sui’an, are we?]

Having her thoughts exposed, Jiang Zhaolie didn’t deny it and admitted openly. She had expected Xu Chun to notice something off about Yu Sui’an and offer some comforting words to poor her. Instead, with just a blink and a glance downward, Jiang Zhaolie nearly stormed off upon seeing Xu Chun’s new message on the screen: [What a disgrace to womanhood!]

[Don’t forget our engagement hasn’t been officially called off yet! Here you are, still bound by our betrothal, openly pining for another woman right in front of me. I’m telling my sister about this!]

Jiang Zhaolie: “…………”

[But since I’m kind-hearted, as long as you now…] Before Xu Chun could finish typing, she received a hefty red packet from Jiang Zhaolie. Smiling contentedly, she squinted her eyes. [On second thought, my sister’s so busy, I shouldn’t bother her with such trivial matters.]

Jiang Zhaolie couldn’t help but roll her eyes, though the gloomy mood brought on by Yu Sui’an had lightened considerably.

After this exchange with Xu Chun, Jiang Zhaolie found herself puzzled, why was Xu Chun always so carefree, as if nothing in the world could trouble her?

When Jiang Zhaolie had publicly humiliated her by breaking off their engagement, Xu Chun hadn’t lashed out even once. When Shen Shutong slandered her online, she didn’t get angry but simply called the police, leaving the matter to them. Time and again, in Jiang Zhaolie’s memory, Xu Chun remained emotionally steady. Even when upset, she’d just extort a hefty sum from Jiang Zhaolie before letting it go.

Not like Yu Sui’an…

Her heart was as unfathomable as a needle in the ocean impossible to guess or grasp. No matter what happened, she refused to confide in Jiang Zhaolie, bearing everything alone and leaving both of them to overthink and imagine the worst. Most frustratingly, even when Jiang Zhaolie reached out, Yu Sui’an seemed indifferent, lukewarm at best, often ignoring her.

Work had left Jiang Zhaolie mentally and physically exhausted lately. She no longer had as much time as before to seek Yu Sui’an out and cheer her up.

Jiang Zhaolie’s ideal love was simple: a gentle, understanding partner who could offer just enough emotional comfort to make her feel at ease. That was all she asked for.

She didn’t expect more. After work, she just wanted to be with someone who could make her feel relaxed, free from the mental strain of her job. That was it.

Yet even this modest wish remained unfulfilled.

Yu Sui’an’s hot-and-cold attitude wore Jiang Zhaolie down. She couldn’t help wondering had Yu Sui’an fallen out of love? Or was she truly too busy with filming to spare her any attention?

Unaware of the growing rift between the two female leads, Xu Chun happily used Jiang Zhaolie’s red packet to treat the crew to bubble tea. She then ordered a bouquet online for Qin Yao, making sure to instruct the florist to include a handwritten note “For the most beautiful and wonderful Sister Qin.”

When Qin Yao received the flowers, Jiang Zhaolie was also present. Jiang Zhaolie was puzzled, why would her perfectly normal mother suddenly have a suitor sending her flowers? But when she walked over for a closer look and saw the signature “Xu Chun,” a wave of frustration instantly clogged her chest.

So she’s using my money to play the generous donor and make Mom happy again?!

I must have given her too much in red envelopes!

Instead of focusing on her acting career, she’s just obsessing over my mother day after day. Jiang Zhaolie thought expressionlessly is she still waiting for the perfect moment to unleash some grand scheme of revenge?

Unable to hold back, she sent Xu Chun a message: [Did you send flowers to my mom again?]

Her phone vibrated. Xu Chun looked down at Jiang Zhaolie’s accusation, hesitated for a moment, then replied: […Should I send a bouquet to Yu Sui’an for you too?]

Jiang Zhaolie: [???]

Damn, so one mom isn’t enough, now you’re eyeing two at the same time!

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