After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 31

Jiang Zhaolie felt utterly disheartened, her entire body as if plunged into an ice cellar. Listlessly, she removed her racing suit, freshened up briefly in the rest area, then slowly drove away in her car.

Too much had happened these past days, she needed time to sort through everything and calm herself down.

Staring at Yu Sui’an’s pinned profile picture on her phone for a long moment, Jiang Zhaolie closed her eyes, pressed her lips tightly together, and slowly added the other woman to her blocklist. Since Yu’s heart and eyes were now completely filled with Xu Chun, there was no reason to keep her contact anymore better than being haunted by memories every time she opened WeChat for work.

After blocking Yu Sui’an, Jiang Zhaolie sent Xu Chun a message: [Our deal is canceled.]

Xu Chun was stunned, what deal? Racking her brains, she finally recalled Jiang’s earlier transfer of five million yuan asking her to look after Yu Sui’an. With the film set so peaceful lately, she’d completely forgotten about it. But why would Jiang suddenly bring this up now? And cancel it?

She couldn’t help asking, [Did you two fight? Over what? Was it serious? When are you making up?]

The barrage of nosy questions made Jiang’s temper flare instantly, her furrowed brows sharp enough to kill a fly. [We have no relationship anymore. Never mention her to me again.]

[Why?] Xu Chun’s curiosity burned like an unsatiated gossip addict, her restlessness making it impossible to focus on filming.

The persistent interrogation made Jiang’s eyelid twitch violently. Realizing she’d never hear the end of it unless she spelled things out and that Xu might even pester Qin Yao for details, Jiang replied with a darkened expression: [Because of you.]

[She still can’t forget you. I can’t compete, so I’m bowing out.]

Xu Chun: Hong Shixian’s confused face.jpg

Frowning, she typed: [? Don’t tell ghost stories in broad daylight. Your fights have nothing to do with me, stop throwing blame my way.]

Jiang sneered: [Don’t believe me? Ask her yourself whether I’m lying.]

Xu Chun unconsciously licked her neat teeth. [I’d believe your fight was about me, but if you’re claiming she dumped you to get back with me, I’ll have to fight you on principle. Everyone knows she’s crazy about you, your relationship made headlines!]

Yes, their love had once been public knowledge, even officially announced across platforms. Yet this was how it ended. A bitter taste filled Jiang’s mouth, her eyes stinging slightly. [Believe what you want. The deal’s canceled.]

Xu Chun: [Fine to cancel, but I won’t return the money, already spent it.]

Surprisingly generous, Jiang replied: [Keep it. Consider it dog food for all I care.]

Xu Chun’s eyes widened: [Did you just call me a dog?]

Her response was met with a long string of ellipses, which irritated Xu Chun’s eyes to no end. In Xu Chun’s book, Jiang Zhaolie had already been categorized as a “first-class ATM dumb but loaded.” Now that the ATM was troubled and in a bad mood, she felt it was her duty to offer some comfort. [Don’t be sad.]

[Even though you two are fighting right now and you’ve temporarily lost her, think about it, you still have me! You lost a girlfriend, but at the same time, you gained a mother to love you. You’ve gained maternal affection!]

[You should actually be happy right now because, while there might be many girls suited to be your girlfriend, someone as perfect as me to be your stepmom is one in a million! While losing your future girlfriend means no more daily arguments, you’ve also gained a loving mother. You’re practically winning at life!]

[So what’s there to be sad about?]

This time, when Xu Chun sent her message, a big, bright red exclamation mark appeared next to the chat box. She pouted in boredom, how dull.

Perplexed, she propped her chin on her hand. In the original story, Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Sui’an only had minor squabbles, so how had things escalated to a breakup before their relationship even reached the second stage?

Could it be that Yu Sui’an, the scheming little white flower, was starting to miss what she had lost? Was she really planning to go back, just as He Qingli had said?

No way. Xu Chun abruptly straightened up. These two had to be locked together, tightly.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Yu Sui’an’s soft, gentle voice came from behind her. “Sister,” she called sweetly. “Sister, I noticed you haven’t been feeling well lately, so I had someone prepare pigeon soup for you to replenish your energy.”

Xu Chun shuddered at the sight of her and naturally refused. “No thanks, I’m allergic.”

Yu Sui’an looked puzzled. “To what?” She braced herself to take notes, only to hear Xu Chun say firmly, “To eating.”

An awkward silence fell. After a long pause, Yu Sui’an lowered her lashes sadly. “Sister, do you really have to push me away like this and ignore me forever?”

“I know I’ve done many wrong things in the past. I know I was selfish and hurt you. But now I realize my mistakes, and I want to make it up to you.” She gently set the soup aside. “I understand you’re still wary of me, but I believe time will prove everything including my feelings for you.”

She smiled softly, her expression innocent and her eyes clear and bright. “I know you won’t believe anything I say now, but I’ll prove it to you. I’ll show you that I can be just as outstanding as you, someone people can’t look away from.”

Xu Chun remained wary, watching her closely. Yu Sui’an’s face dimmed slightly with disappointment, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she reminded her gently, “Sister, you already have low blood sugar, and with such a heavy filming schedule, you’ll easily faint if you don’t get enough nutrients.” She knew Xu Chun well. “I’m sure you don’t want to hold up the entire crew because of your own stubbornness, do you?”

After Yu Sui’an finished speaking and left, Xu Chun seriously considered for a moment before quickly calling her assistant. “Go buy me a box of chocolates to have on standby.”

The pigeon soup looked tempting, but Xu Chun was a woman of strong principles. If she said she wouldn’t eat Yu Sui’an’s food, then she absolutely wouldn’t.

Fifteen minutes later, Xu Chun summoned her assistant again. “Find out which store Yu Sui’an bought that from.”

The assistant hesitated. “She’s already sent me the shop name.”

Perhaps knowing Xu Chun wouldn’t easily accept her goodwill, Yu Sui’an had proactively provided all necessary details. Xu Chun’s words took an abrupt turn mid-sentence. “Never mind, I think chocolates are quite tasty too.”

They provide energy, they’re sweet, and she could even send a box to Sister Qin.

No sooner said than done. Xu Chun immediately ordered several boxes online and had them delivered directly to Qin Yao’s company, with a special note on the order: [Jiang Zhaolie normally isn’t allowed to eat these, but considering she’s just gone through a breakup today, she can have one small piece. No more.]

Qin Yao found Xu Chun’s specific instructions both amusing and exasperating. She called her secretary in and gestured toward opening one of the boxes, taking out a single piece of chocolate. “Deliver this to President Jiang.”

The assistant couldn’t help glancing at the several large boxes of chocolates piled in the corner of Qin Yao’s office, then down at the pitifully small piece in her palm, her mind filled with question marks. “???” President Qin had never been this stingy before…

But as a competent employee, she knew better than to question it. She stood up and nodded. “I’ll deliver it right away.”

After taking two steps, Qin Yao’s voice came from behind her. “The gift is from Miss Xu.” The assistant instinctively turned back to hear Qin Yao continue leisurely, “Miss Xu specifically instructed that President Jiang can only have one piece.”

The assistant: “…” For a moment, she didn’t know whether to criticize Xu Chun for holding grudges over the smallest matters or to say Jiang Zhaolie had it coming.

When she arrived at Jiang Zhaolie’s office with the measly chocolate piece, she ran into the woman herself. Looking at the embarrassingly small offering, the assistant closed her eyes and simply placed it on the desk. “President Qin asked me to give this to you.”

Jiang Zhaolie looked up in confusion. “?” Just this? Chocolate? Her mother never liked sweets, and she’d never seen Qin Yao voluntarily buy any, why would she suddenly think to send this?

The assistant, concerned Jiang Zhaolie might misunderstand Qin Yao, repeated what Qin Yao had told her. Jiang Zhaolie stared at the chocolate on her desk, initially indifferent until she went to Qin Yao’s office and saw the single opened box missing just one tiny corner. Her face instantly twisted in outrage.

This was beyond unfair!

Xu Chun had clearly bought several large boxes for her mother, yet would only spare her this palm-sized piece!

Didn’t Xu Chun want to become her stepmother? Was this how she treated her?! If she was already this stingy and malicious before even entering the family, who knew if she’d start pilfering Jiang Zhaolie’s allowance after the wedding?

Jiang Zhaolie was so furious her soul seemed to twist in rage until Qin Yao lifted her head and gave her a calm glance. Immediately, Jiang Zhaolie suppressed the emotions in her eyes. “President Qin, what did you need me for?”

“This is the company’s variety show proposal. Take it and review it carefully.” Qin Yao studied Jiang Zhaolie’s slightly dazed, weary expression before continuing, “You’ll be fully responsible for this program.” Her gaze deepened, though her tone remained indifferent. “Don’t disappoint me again.”

Jiang Zhaolie’s eyes flickered briefly before she lowered her head and took the thick white binder Qin Yao held out. “Understood.”

She left quietly with the proposal in hand. Qin Yao watched her retreating figure. Jiang Zhaolie had talent and ability, but perhaps she had been sheltered too much growing up, she had never truly suffered. As a result, she acted immaturely, prone to reckless emotions in love and easily swayed by others, blindly trusting whatever she was told.

Qin Yao’s pale fingers tapped absently on the desk. If Jiang Zhaolie was ever to shoulder the responsibilities of both the Jiang and Qin families, she needed to endure hardship while she was still young.

Adversity tempers the will, and Jiang Zhaolie clearly had a long, long way to go.

Lowering her eyelids, Qin Yao turned her attention back to the computer screen. This variety show would serve as her trial run. If she made any mistakes, the audience would undoubtedly call her out and with Xu Chun around, there would be no mercy. Xu Chun wouldn’t hesitate to point at Jiang Zhaolie and scold her the moment she was displeased.

That girl Xu Chun was quite something. A good tongue-lashing might just knock some sense into Jiang Zhaolie.

Unaware that Qin Yao had already set her up, Jiang Zhaolie was currently fuming over her phone, arguing with someone she deemed unbearably biased. After all I’ve done for you, you won’t even spare me an extra piece of chocolate? The red packets I’ve sent you these past months must add up to at least ten million, if not twenty! Would it kill you to give me one more piece?

Yes, it would. Xu Chun raised an eyebrow at her phone. Besides, wasn’t every cent in those red packets earned through my own hard work? You’re acting like an employer who, after paying an employee, demands they grovel in gratitude even after quitting. But wages are just fair compensation for labor, physical or mental.

Honestly, you’ve been completely brainwashed by capitalism.

Jiang Zhaolie’s breathing grew erratic from sheer frustration. She wanted to retort fiercely, but after racking her brain, she couldn’t come up with a suitable comeback. In the end, her face turned ashen with suppressed rage. This woman is too sharp-tongued! She gritted her teeth. For every word I say, she fires back eight!

If she was like this now, what would happen three months later when she started working at the Qin Corporation? Wouldn’t the entire company, from top to bottom, be thrown into chaos by her?

Jiang Zhaolie lowered her head, staring at the white project proposal. After a quick glance, she expressionlessly picked up her fountain pen and began making continuous additions and revisions to Xu Chun’s scope of work. As long as Xu Chun was busy enough, she wouldn’t have time to cause trouble on the 24-hour live broadcast program and tarnish the Qin family’s reputation, nor would she have time to secretly try to seduce her mother.

Receiving no response from Jiang Zhaolie for a long time, Xu Chun clicked her tongue and muttered, “So sensitive? I only said a couple of things about her, and now she’s giving me the silent treatment?”

The more she thought about it, the more mischievous she felt. Finally, she sent a message: [Well done, woman. Your little game of playing hard to get has successfully caught my attention.]

Jiang Zhaolie still didn’t reply, but Xu Chun didn’t mind. She put down her phone and walked over to Jiang Banxia, who had been acting mysteriously lately, rarely appearing on set except for filming. Today was a rare opportunity, so Xu Chun naturally wanted to get some gossip. “Good morning, Miss Jiang,” she said with a smile.

Jiang Banxia was momentarily taken aback and couldn’t help but glance at the sky it was almost evening. Did that mean Xu Chun had just woken up?

Turning her expressionless gaze to Xu Chun’s slightly eager face, she said, “Get to the point.”

She had been extremely busy recently. After rushing to complete an overseas project, she had hurried back to check on Xu Chun and see if there was anything she could help with. But clearly, she had underestimated Xu Chun. Even without her, Xu Chun could navigate any crisis and live just fine.

Though her project was finished, there was still a lot of follow-up work. After seeing that Xu Chun was not only doing well but also had the energy to flirt around, Jiang Banxia shifted her focus back to the project’s remaining tasks.

On top of that, her parents had always wanted her to inherit the family fortune, so the moment she returned, they had hounded her relentlessly until she agreed.

Exhausted by her parents’ persistence, Jiang Banxia finally gave in.

Because of all this, Jiang Banxia had been swamped for the past four or five months, barely finding time to breathe until today. Suddenly recalling a certain rumor, her eyes flickered slightly. “What are your plans after the drama wraps?” she asked.

The abrupt change of topic caught Xu Chun off guard. “Continue with variety shows,” she replied, puzzled.

Variety shows were fun, easy, and paid well. If she weren’t an actress, she’d happily spend her whole career on them. Jiang Banxia tilted her head slightly, studying her. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

Then what did she mean? Xu Chun blinked in confusion.

After a moment of staring at Jiang Banxia, something suddenly clicked in Xu Chun’s mind. “Oh! You mean my engagement with Jiang Zhaolie? I’ll break it off after the drama wraps. Why?”

Jiang Banxia gazed at her deeply. “You really don’t understand?”

Xu Chun’s eyelid twitched. “Should I?”

A faint, inscrutable smile curled at the corner of Jiang Banxia’s pale lips. “You’ll understand eventually,” she said. “From now on, I’ll be focusing on domestic projects. I believe we’ll have many opportunities to work together.”

Xu Chun: “?!” Why did that sound like a very bad omen?

The Jiang family’s business empire was vast, covering nearly every aspect of daily life dining, clothing, home appliances, hotels, and countless other industries. When Jiang Banxia mentioned there would be many future collaboration opportunities, Xu Chun didn’t doubt it for a second. After all, no one would turn down money, especially not herself.

Thinking about endorsement fees, Xu Chun even leaned slightly closer to Jiang Banxia in excitement. “Then tell me, are there any products in your family business that haven’t been endorsed yet?” She enthusiastically promoted herself, “Do you think I’d be a good fit?”

Jiang Banxia was momentarily speechless. “…No.”

“Then which celebrities have endorsed your products? I’ll check if any of them have questionable private lives. I’ll expose them, and then you can let me take their place, okay?”

Jiang Banxia’s eyelid twitched violently. “All our products feature my grandmother’s portrait because it’s iconic, we’ve never used celebrity endorsements. Did you forget?” Suddenly, her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Or have you never paid attention to anything related to me?”

Xu Chun felt like she had shot herself in the foot. She quickly scrambled for an excuse. “Of course not!”

“How could I forget?” She turned the tables with quick thinking. “I just wanted to test how much our friendship means to you.”

After explaining, Xu Chun secretly let out a sigh of relief, thank goodness for her quick reflexes.

Jiang Banxia watched her discreetly exhale but didn’t call her out. “You’d better mean that.”

Xu Chun let out a dry laugh, forcing herself to keep smiling. When the director finally called her, she bolted. “I’ll go film now!”

Secretly Smitten had gone smoothly from the very beginning perfect timing, location, and teamwork meant the drama wrapped up nearly half a month ahead of schedule. Holding the script for the finale, Xu Chun was thrilled. Once this week was over, she’d never have to see Yu Sui’an again!

So even though her character ended up behind bars, nothing could dampen her glee. She was practically floating with joy, if she told people she’d won the lottery, they’d believe her.

But while some rejoiced, others worried, Yu Sui’an was the latter. Her wealthy patron had aggressively booked her for numerous commercial endorsements and new projects, filling her schedule for the next two years. Once filming ended, who knew when she’d get another chance to see Xu Chun?

The entertainment industry wasn’t exactly small, but it wasn’t that big either. Even though everyone knew each other, busy schedules meant few had time to meet up and chat. And Xu Chun had been avoiding her from the start once filming wrapped, she’d probably disappear entirely.

Yu Sui’an grew increasingly anxious. She kept trying to find moments alone with Xu Chun, but every attempt was either interrupted by Jiang Banxia or thwarted by someone else. After enough failures, even she realized someone was deliberately keeping them apart and that someone. Her gaze swept across the crew before landing on Jiang Banxia.

It had to be her.

She was the only one on set who disliked her and had the power to stop her.

The Jiang family was simply too powerful and influential. Though Yu Sui’an harbored resentment, she was powerless to act. She couldn’t possibly trouble her sugar mommy with such matters, she knew perfectly well that the wealthy woman had chosen her precisely because she appeared docile and obedient.

Yu Sui’an gave Xu Chun a long, meaningful look. If obstacles prevented her from approaching her today, then she would simply wait until she had climbed high enough to stand before her openly and unhindered.

She believed in her own abilities, and she believed in her destiny. After all, since childhood, nothing she had ever set her sights on had ever slipped through her fingers.

Xu Chun would be no different.

Yu Sui’an watched Xu Chun for a long time, but Xu Chun pretended not to notice, toasting merrily with the director and screenwriter. Gradually, Yu Sui’an was pushed to the back of her mind, completely forgotten.

After the wrap-up, everyone was in high spirits. A harmonious and efficient crew like this was rare, and after spending over half a year together, deep bonds had formed. Even the usually strict director got drunk, enthusiastically making promises to the actors, “Next time I film, I’ll definitely cast you as my lead!”

The actors were speechless the man had already retired!

But given the festive atmosphere, they all leaned into their dramatic sides, playing along. “Of course, Director! Don’t worry, I’ll give it my all. We’ll rally the entire cast to win you Best Director!”

The director was overjoyed, hugging people and refusing to let go.

Xu Chun watched with mixed emotions. Her first project had wrapped. Who would’ve thought that someone who used to care only about shopping would diligently stay in the studio filming for months? If her parents found out, they’d probably weep with joy, thanking their ancestors for this blessing.

A sudden wave of melancholy washed over her. She sighed softly and texted He Qingli: [Everyone’s drinking freely, enjoying themselves, but for some reason, I feel a little lost.]

[At such a beautiful moment, I’m all alone, with no one to share my thoughts with.] Xu Chun stared gloomily at her phone. [My heart is dead.]

He Qingli replied quickly: [Your heart may be dead, but your brain isn’t. You still lust after President Qin’s body and covet her beauty, how terrifying!]

[So, when are you sitting down with Jiang Zhaolie to finalize the annulment and then throw yourself into President Qin’s arms?]

Xu Chun: “…” Can’t a girl even wallow in sadness for a moment?

But the next second, she perked up and typed cheerfully: [Three days from now.]

Support After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead’s Stepmother