After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 48

As Zheng Yanran’s words fell, the dagger-like gazes from Qin Yao and Zheng Jinchan on Xu Chun became almost tangible, sharp enough to cut her skin.

Xu Chun was so furious she nearly passed out on the spot and departed this beautiful world. After steadying herself, she glared at Zheng Yanran through gritted teeth. “I did what to you?”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” she hissed, taking a deep breath, her eyes wide with indignation. “Zheng Yanran, if you don’t explain yourself clearly today, I’ll—” She raised a finger, thought for a moment, then hardened her expression. “I’ll tell Jiang Banxia that you’re no longer pure, that I’ve defiled you, and you’re no longer an untouched maiden!”

Come on, let’s mutually destroy each other.

Zheng Yanran was stunned. Even in her wildest, most shameless fabrications, she had never imagined someone in this world could outdo her in sheer audacity.

Tell Jiang Banxia she was no longer pure? That she wasn’t an untouched maiden anymore? That would be disastrous! She had spent years repeating, “Banxia, I guard my chastity for you every second of every day,” like a mantra. If Xu Chun ran to Jiang Banxia now and spouted such nonsense, the carefully crafted persona she had built in Jiang Banxia’s heart would crumble instantly.

What would Jiang Banxia think of her then? She’d surely assume Zheng Yanran was a deceitful liar, someone who couldn’t be trusted. Worse, she might even use this baseless accusation as an excuse to cut ties with her.

The thought of potentially losing the love of her life over a careless remark nearly made Zheng Yanran faint on the spot.

Trembling, she pointed a shaky finger at Xu Chun, her face a mix of fury and despair. “Y-you!” she stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

To make matters worse, Qin Yao and Zheng Jinchan’s suspicious gazes now bore into her, their eyes demanding a reasonable explanation. Zheng Yanran’s lips twitched after over twenty years of life, she finally understood the suffocating frustration of being completely outmaneuvered.

But a true master of adaptability, Zheng Yanran prided herself on her mental resilience. In an instant, she shed her pitiful, teary-eyed act and flashed a bright, unbothered smile at the group. “Oh, come on, it was just a joke! Mom, President Qin, don’t be so serious.”

“I only did it to show you all how pure, kind, honest, and brave Sister Xu Chun is,” she added sweetly, batting her eyelashes.

She lied through her teeth without so much as a flicker of hesitation. Anyone unfamiliar with her would have been fooled by her convincing performance.

Xu Chun stared at her, lips trembling. “Don’t you get tired of living like this?”

Zheng Yanran immediately shot her a glare, which Xu Chun returned with equal intensity. Just as it seemed the two were about to come to blows, Zheng Jinchan, thoroughly exasperated by her daughter, waved her off impatiently. “Go, go, go play by yourself. Don’t bother me and delay my important work.”

Her dismissive gesture was no different from shooing away a stray dog.

Zheng Yanran didn’t seem to mind Zheng Jinchan’s attitude at all, grinning cheekily as she clung to her, rubbing her face against hers several times. It wasn’t until Zheng Jinchan pushed her away in disgust that Zheng Yanran reluctantly pouted. Then, when facing Xu Chun, she deliberately straightened her appearance with practiced elegance, striding past her with graceful steps.

As she passed by Xu Chun, she deliberately slowed her pace, her voice dropping to a whisper only the two of them could hear: “I’ll be waiting for you outside.”

Hearing the barely suppressed frustration in Zheng Yanran’s tone, Xu Chun smiled sweetly at her. That smile instantly sent a wave of foreboding through Zheng Yanran. Sure enough, the next second, Xu Chun turned to Zheng Jinchan with utmost sincerity and said, “Sister Zheng, there shouldn’t be any problem with Yanran asking me out on a date, right.”

Before she could finish, Zheng Yanran yelped as a pen Zheng Jinchan casually grabbed smacked her squarely on the backside. Clutching her rear, she fled in a panic without another word not even daring to mutter a single threat.

Qin Yao silently observed the entire scene and, not one to miss an opportunity, shamelessly praised Zheng Yanran to Zheng Jinchan: “Your daughter is truly lively and spirited, just as the rumors say.”

Zheng Jinchan knew full well this was mere politeness. She sighed helplessly, “A bit too lively, to the point of being annoying.”

She couldn’t understand how someone as composed and steady as herself had raised such a whimsical and clueless daughter.

Not only did Zheng Yanran have a sharp tongue that could infuriate anyone, but she was also a spendthrift. Most of the money Zheng Jinchan had earned in her lifetime had been squandered by her daughter calling her a “prodigal woman” would be an understatement.

Qin Yao chuckled and continued her insincere flattery, “Children are charming when they’re energetic. Besides, Yanran might seem unreliable on the surface, but she’s actually quite sensible and resourceful adaptable, too. If she were to inherit your legacy one day, I’m sure she’d surpass even you.”

Her words greatly pleased Zheng Jinchan.

She had long dreamed of her daughter gradually taking over the reins of her company, ensuring her life’s work would be in good hands. But right now, Zheng Yanran’s heart and mind were entirely consumed by Jiang Banxia, her youthful infatuation unshakable even by ten oxen. Troubled by this, Zheng Jinchan found Qin Yao’s words only deepened her frustration, making Zheng Yanran’s exuberance all the more grating.

Watching Zheng Jinchan sink into dangerous silence, Xu Chun felt a surge of satisfaction, knowing Zheng Yanran was in for a thorough scolding later.

So she trotted over to Qin Yao like an eager underling, her voice sweetly obedient, “President Qin, Secretary Zhao said you were looking for me?”

“Take these documents and organize them. Bring them back when you’re done.” Qin Yao handed her a stack of files, her slender, delicate fingers as beautiful as fine art. “Be quick.”

Qin Yao was likely in a hurry. Recognizing this as the perfect opportunity to showcase her competence, Xu Chun immediately straightened up, puffing out her chest with determination. “I’ll get right to it. I’ll have them ready and delivered to you within an hour, guaranteed.”

With that, she clutched the documents and dashed out of the meeting room, eager to return to her workstation and quickly complete the tasks assigned by Qin Yao. Little did she know that as soon as she rushed out, a fair arm suddenly reached out and grabbed her. Startled, she lost her balance and nearly crashed right into Zheng Yanran’s embrace.

After barely steadying herself, Xu Chun glared coldly. “What mischief are you up to now?”

Perhaps it was the first time in her life someone had criticized her so bluntly, but Zheng Yanran fell silent for a moment. Her expression crumpled, instantly turning aggrieved as she lowered her head in sorrow. “Do you also think I’m annoying and unbearable?”

Xu Chun remained expressionless. Well, obviously?

“I know following you around every day is irritating, but isn’t it because I like you all? Isn’t it because I miss you so much and desperately want to see you?” She theatrically sniffled, her voice choked with emotion. “I’m pouring out my heart, so why can’t you understand me? Why can’t you see my sincerity?”

“I’m really hurt,” Zheng Yanran murmured, lightly biting her lower lip. “If you truly dislike me, then I’m willing to disappear from your lives forever.”

“Good.” Before Zheng Yanran could finish her melodrama, Xu Chun cut her off crisply in agreement.

Zheng Yanran’s acting momentum faltered. After a brief silence, she immediately flared up in frustration. “Don’t even think about it! The more you don’t want to see me, the more I’ll stick around!”

“I’ve decided on days I can’t find Jiang Banxia, I’ll pester you nonstop until she comes looking for you and finally sees me!”

Xu Chun’s mind flooded with question marks: “???”

No, please! Settle your grudges with the right person, I beg you, just go haunt Jiang Banxia! I’ve done nothing to you, so why must you torment me like this?!

Xu Chun was so furious she momentarily forgot to maintain the poised demeanor expected of a celebrity and rolled her eyes hard at Zheng Yanran. “Move. I have work to do.”

“What work?” Zheng Yanran instantly transformed into a curious puppy. “Need my help?”

Xu Chun shot her a skeptical look. Zheng Yanran smiled sheepishly. “Don’t overthink it. I’m only helping so you’ll finish faster and keep me company.”

“I’m all alone here with no other friends, and Jiang Banxia won’t even acknowledge me. Right now, you’re the only one I can rely on, Sister Xu Chun.” She lowered her head slightly, feigning shyness. “Sister, please don’t abandon me.”

Xu Chun’s eyelids drooped in resignation. There was just no dealing with her. But then again wasn’t everything Zheng Yanran complained about entirely self-inflicted? No wonder Jiang Banxia wanted nothing to do with her; the girl was utterly exhausting.

In the end, Xu Chun chose to ignore her and focus on organizing the documents Qin Yao needed. Yet as she worked, Zheng Yanran hovered like an eager puppy, blinking her bright eyes and staring unwaveringly making it impossible to refuse her plea for attention. After holding out for three minutes, Xu Chun finally surrendered, redirecting the nuisance with a sigh. “Go bother Fu Xin instead.”

“She has a major project worth 100 million to discuss with you,” Xu Chun said without batting an eye. “You know she’s an incredibly talented designer, right? So any request you make like designing a custom collaborative product for you and Jiang Banxia, she’ll fulfill it 100%.”

Before Xu Chun could finish her sentence, Zheng Yanran had already vanished.

Involuntarily letting out a sigh of relief, Xu Chun stared at the documents and couldn’t help but think: Zheng Jinchan has really had it tough these years. Juggling a demanding career while dealing with a rowdy dog at home, barely getting a moment to breathe. No wonder everyone says she’s ruthless probably all that pent-up frustration from dealing with her dog.

Free from Zheng Yanran’s pestering, Xu Chun quickly finished processing the documents and sent them over.

After leaving the conference room, she finally had a moment to check her phone. To her shock, Fu Xin, who rarely ever messaged her on WeChat had actually reached out first: [Sister Xu Chun, save me.]

Xu Chun’s heart skipped a beat: “?” What happened?

She immediately headed toward Fu Xin’s department while replying: [What’s wrong? What happened? Where are you? I’m coming right now!]

Fu Xin replied quickly: [Miss Zheng is too much to handle. I can’t keep up.]

She then sent a crying emoji: [Sister Xu Chun, where are you? Please hurry, I really can’t take it anymore.]

Xu Chun involuntarily paused mid-step, hesitating before asking: [I told her you had a project to discuss. How’s that going?]

Fu Xin: [It’s already settled. I’ll establish a jewelry and fashion designer brand, and Miss Zheng will invest. I’ll prioritize her design requests, and the rest of the time I can manage independently. Profits split 70-30 in my favor.]

Xu Chun: [That sounds great! But since you haven’t talked for long, maybe you should chat more, get to know each other better.] She added earnestly: [After all, you’ll be business partners weathering storms together. It’s necessary to build familiarity now.]

Fu Xin didn’t reply after that. Xu Chun exhaled in relief and pocketed her phone, intending to find somewhere else to relax, only to nearly jump out of her skin when a figure suddenly appeared in front of her.

Jiang Banxia stood there, lips curled in a faint smirk, her narrowed eyes carrying a dangerous glint. “Am I that terrifying? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Not at all,” Xu Chun shook her head like a rattle drum without hesitation. “Of course not. You’re so serene and lovely, like a fairy. How could you possibly scare me?”

Jiang Banxia’s eyes narrowed further, clearly unconvinced by her nonsense. “Is that so?”

“Absolutely.” Clearing her throat, Xu Chun hesitated before admitting the truth about Zheng Yanran. “I was just a little startled earlier because of her.”

“Zheng Yanran is here?” Jiang Banxia’s expression turned slightly grave. Even someone as composed and unflappable as Xu Chun remembered her to be had changed countenance upon hearing Zheng Yanran’s name enough to show how notorious Zheng Yanran usually was.

Xu Chun nodded. “She’s been here for almost a day.” Then she reassured Jiang Banxia, “But she’s with Fu Xin now, so she probably won’t come over anytime soon.”

Only then did Jiang Banxia relax. “That’s good.”

“By the way,” Xu Chun ventured cautiously, “I heard from Zheng Yanran that your family.” She left the question unfinished, assuming someone as sharp as Jiang Banxia would understand the unspoken half.

But things took an unexpected turn. Jiang Banxia’s fox-like, languid eyes narrowed slightly, her tone carrying an ambiguous edge. “You just met her today, and you’re already so close that she’s telling you everything?”

The words made it sound as if Xu Chun had been unfaithful in Jiang Banxia’s absence.

Xu Chun choked back a retort. “That doesn’t seem to be the point here?”

“Then what is?” Jiang Banxia leaned slightly closer. “That she took a liking to you, or that you two got together is that the point?”

Xu Chun: “?” Zheng Yanran clearly likes you! She’s utterly devoted to you, even followed you abroad, and now she’s chased you straight to Qin Corporation!

Xu Chun felt more wronged than Dou E. She decided to skip the topic altogether. “Weren’t you at the company earlier? Zheng Yanran couldn’t find you all day.”

She pursed her lips. “Is your family situation, complicated?”

Jiang Banxia had initially intended to avoid the question, but Xu Chun had already asked twice in such a short time. She must care deeply. After a long silence, Jiang Banxia finally spoke.

“It’s a bit complicated.” Jiang Banxia answered honestly. Since Zheng Yanran had already spilled everything to Xu Chun, there was no point hiding it. “My father has already tracked down three illegitimate sons and two daughters.”

Xu Chun couldn’t help but look bewildered. “Is your family staging a modern version of the Nine Dragons vying for the throne?”

Under Jiang Banxia’s deadpan stare, Xu Chun shrank back slightly. “Sorry!”

“It’s fine.” Jiang Banxia quickly relaxed again. “My mother is fighting him tooth and nail now, but my father had this planned for a long time. If they divorce, my mother might not get a single cent.”

But staying married would be unbearable.

Madam Jiang had already been pressuring Jiang Banxia to marry Zheng Yanran to secure the company’s inheritance. Now, with five illegitimate children in the picture, she had gone into overdrive, even threatening suicide when Jiang Banxia refused again.

But Jiang Banxia knew her mother too well. She remained unmoved. Even if Madam Jiang truly jumped off a building, Jiang Banxia would simply watch not lift a finger to stop her.

What was the point in saving someone who had already lost the will to live?

It would be better to break free early, rather than endure her daily rants about “unfaithful husbands,” “unreliable men,” and “daughters being money pits, nothing compared to raising sons.”

Jiang Banxia had only been home for two or three hours, yet the oppressive atmosphere weighed on her more heavily than a week of overtime and sleepless nights combined.

That place, it was better not to go back at all.

“What about you?” Xu Chun pressed urgently. Though she knew the Jiang family head had likely planned this long ago and might leave Banxia with little, she still found it hard to believe.

In another world, her own parents had been loving her father devoted to her mother, the two acting like young lovers even in their later years, often leaving her behind to go on romantic getaways. Xu Chun couldn’t fathom how the Jiang family head could do something like this.

Banxia’s expression remained unchanged. “I’ll be fine. I’ll just keep working on my projects as usual.”

Xu Chun fell silent. Without financial support from the Jiang family, Banxia’s projects would likely struggle to continue.

After a long pause, Banxia looked at her, the sharp angles of her delicate features softening imperceptibly. “This won’t affect me,” she said with a faint smile. “You know I’ve always been strong. Always exceptional.”

Her smile wasn’t radiant, but the sunlight streaming into her amber eyes illuminated her face, and in that moment, the confidence radiating from her was breathtaking.

It was as if an invisible hand seized the viewer’s soul, pulling them irresistibly to her side compelled to admire, to revere.

It took Xu Chun a while to regain her senses, her ears ringing. She couldn’t help but steal another glance, only to be caught red-handed. “What, don’t you believe me?” Banxia arched a brow. “Or are you secretly pitying me?”

“Neither.” Xu Chun knew a wrong answer would invite another lecture, so she took an unconventional approach. After a brief pause, she replied half-seriously, “I was just wondering, if I invested in you now, what kind of returns I could expect.”

Banxia went quiet for a beat before her smile widened. “What do you think?”

Another perilous question. Xu Chun’s eyes flickered. “I think, as the legitimate Jiang family heiress, you wouldn’t let what’s rightfully yours slip away so easily.”

“Because in my eyes, you always excel. You always go above and beyond.” Xu Chun tilted her head. “So I believe this time won’t be any different.”

“I’m certain of it.”

Banxia didn’t respond for a long while. She studied Xu Chun so intently that the latter’s face nearly cramped from the tension. Finally, Banxia flashed a dazzling, heart-stopping smile. “You still understand me better than anyone.”

She added, “No one else in this world could ever know me the way you do.”

Banxia pressed her lips together. “Not even the old you came close.”

The speaker might not have intended anything, but the listener took it to heart. Xu Chun nearly thought the other person had discovered that the body before them now housed a different soul, breaking out in a cold sweat on the spot. Her expression stiffened slightly as she said, “People change.”

Xu Chun rambled, “After all, I’ve been through so much now. It’s only natural that I’ve matured.”

Matured? Jiang Banxia couldn’t help but size her up, what part of her right now could possibly be considered mature? Someone who could extract so much information from Zheng Yanran’s mouth during their first meeting was probably just as unreliable as Zheng Yanran herself.

Speaking of Zheng Yanran, Jiang Banxia asked as if confirming, “You’re sure she won’t be coming over anytime soon?”

“Probably?” Xu Chun wasn’t certain. She took out her phone: “But I can ask Fu Xin to see how much longer they might be talking. If needed, I can also ask Fu Xin to stall her a bit longer.”

Jiang Banxia was silent for a moment before nodding.

Xu Chun couldn’t help but sigh, “Zheng Yanran really is disliked, huh? Even you go out of your way to avoid her.”

“Zheng Yanran, Zheng Yanran, how many times have you mentioned her name just since we started talking?” Jiang Banxia suddenly said in a sharp tone. “You keep bringing up another woman right in front of me?”

Xu Chun was immediately struck speechless: “…?”

Wait, weren’t you the one who brought her up first?

Caught off guard by this completely undeserved accusation, she nearly wanted to cry herself to death by the Yellow River.

Under Jiang Banxia’s death glare, Xu Chun instinctively licked her dry lips and tried to console her earnestly, “Miss Jiang, you should have confidence in your own charm and beauty. You should know that Zheng Yanran’s eyes see no one but you, so there’s really no need to worry about anything happening between her and me.”

“Of course, we’re not even the same kind of people, so there’s no way anything could happen between us.”

Jiang Banxia obviously knew that, but it didn’t stop her from feeling that these two were up to no good that if they got too close, they might actually pull off some earth-shattering, tear-jerking stunt. “Stay away from her in the future.”

Xu Chun absolutely wanted to, but Zheng Yanran had just threatened her not even fifteen minutes ago, saying that if she couldn’t see Jiang Banxia, she’d pester Xu Chun relentlessly.

Just thinking about the future made every cell in Xu Chun’s body, from head to toe, tremble in terror.

“I’m going to talk to President Qin,” Jiang Banxia said, glancing at her. “Want to come along?”

Xu Chun’s first instinct was to say “no,” but then it occurred to her, if Jiang Banxia left, she’d be all alone. And if she happened to run into Zheng Yanran on the way wouldn’t that be.

“Yes!” she answered decisively, without a shred of hesitation.

Her booming declaration startled Jiang Banxia so much her heart skipped a beat: “?”

Jiang Banxia was going to Qin Yao to discuss a collaboration though in truth, it was more of a request for help. If her father refused to leave his wealth and company to her, preferring instead to hand it over to his illegitimate children, Jiang Banxia had no problem burning everything down, even if it meant losing just as much.

She knew Qin Yao had the capability, and now that Qin Yao was working with Zheng Jinchan, if Zheng Jinchan was willing to step in as well, her chances of success would be even higher.

A mere Jiang family wouldn’t stand a chance against the two of them combined.

They were still some distance from the meeting room when they ran into Qin Yao, Zheng Jinchan, and their entourage, who had just finished their discussion and were leaving. Xu Chun was about to call out a greeting when an even louder “Banxia!” from beside her stole everyone’s attention.

Xu Chun turned to look sure enough, it was Zheng Yanran, her excitement practically overflowing.

Meanwhile, the expression on Jiang Banxia’s face at that moment was indescribably complicated.

Completely undeterred by whether she was welcome or not, Zheng Yanran immediately spread her arms and dashed forward, clearly intending to sweep Jiang Banxia into a dramatic, passionate embrace.

Little did she know that just as Zheng Yanran was about to get close, Jiang Banxia suddenly dodged and stepped back. Flustered by Jiang Banxia’s movement, Zheng Yanran nearly performed an embarrassing flat-ground fall in front of everyone. After barely managing to steady herself, she misjudged the force needed to stand upright, causing her to lose control and lunge straight into Xu Chun.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

Xu Chun only felt a blur before her eyes, then a hard impact against her body. The next second, she found someone in her arms. Looking down slightly, she met the beautiful eyes of Zheng Yanran staring back at her.

The air seemed to freeze. The two stared wide-eyed at each other, neither able to react or speak.

After ten seconds, they suddenly opened their mouths in perfect unison: “Ah!”

Mom, I’m tainted!! I’m unclean!!!

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