After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 55

Zhao Ciying gazed with an amused smile at Xu Chun, who looked on the verge of tears. Her pale lips curled slowly into a mischievous grin as she deliberately teased, “I thought you might get the idea to steal me away when you saw your ex-girlfriend basking in the limelight because of me.”

She watched Xu Chun with a deep smile. “Turns out I was the one overestimating my own importance.”

Every word from Zhao Ciying felt like a stab to Xu Chun’s heart, until the pain became unbearable. Yet, in front of Qin Yao and Jiang Banxia, she had to force a smile and pretend indifference, saying stiffly, “If Suisui has earned Zhao’s favor, it’s her good fortune.”

Xu Chun’s smile was strained. “Others can only envy her.”

“Oh?” Zhao Ciying raised an eyebrow slightly. “Is that so?”

Her thick lashes fluttered, and after a drawn-out pause, she suddenly leaned closer, her magnetic voice laced with temptation. “Are you really not tempted to steal me from your ex?” Zhao Ciying laughed recklessly, continuing to provoke Xu Chun. “She betrayed you, took your fiancée, and nearly ruined your reputation. Don’t you hate her at all?”

Her tone was calm, but her eyes bore into Xu Chun’s. “Don’t you want revenge?”

“Just nod now!” She whispered like a devil weaving temptation, “and I’ll be yours.”

Xu Chun’s breath hitched, and for a moment, she felt an undeniable pull. Sensing her hesitation, Zhao Ciying pressed further, “If you ask me now, I’ll make sure she’s blacklisted worldwide, never to rise again. How about it?”

Zhao Ciying was undeniably skilled at seduction, and Xu Chun teetered dangerously close to the edge. But under the watchful eyes of Qin Yao and Jiang Banxia, she clung to the last shreds of her rationality, shaking her head firmly. “No, no, President Zhao, you must be joking.”

She put on a serious face, almost convincing herself. “Do I seem like that kind of person?”

“Even though my breakup with Yu Sui’an was messy, I’m principled, broad-minded, and kind-hearted. I’d never stoop to such underhanded tactics.” Her expression was stern, her tone resolute. “Please don’t say such things again.”

“Oh.” Zhao Ciying’s demeanor turned icy in an instant. “So you’re implying that I’m the petty, scheming villain here.”

Xu Chun: “?”

Confusion worthy of Hong Shixian.jpg

When had she ever said that? She hadn’t uttered a single word against Zhao Ciying!

Zhao Ciying glared at her coldly. “Miss Xu, I’ll remember you.” Her tone shifted abruptly, radiating hostility. “I’ll be keeping a close eye on you from now on.”

Xu Chun nearly collapsed on the spot. She wasn’t naive enough to think this “attention” would bring her any benefits.

Realizing that not only had her attempt to steal Zhao Ciying failed, but she’d also landed herself in hot water, Xu Chun felt like crying.

She quietly approached Qin Yao, her intention clear. Zhao Ciyin seemed to understand as well, offering Qin Yao a perfunctory nod with a forced smile. “Long time no see, President Qin.”

Narrowing her eyes slightly, her expression inscrutable, Zhao continued, “I’ve been quite busy lately and haven’t had the chance to properly thank you for your care and protection of my sister all those years ago.”

Zhao’s words carried a biting edge, yet Qin Yao remained composed, showing no trace of irritation at the sarcasm. “No need for thanks,” she replied, her deep-set eyes bearing a faint smile. “It was nothing, really.”

The woman’s response was flawless, leaving Zhao with no opening. Knowing she couldn’t gain any advantage here just like in the past, Zhao wisely chose not to provoke further in this setting.

Before leaving, Zhao cast a meaningful glance at Xu Chun, who shivered under the gaze and instinctively moved closer to Qin Yao, squeezing herself between Jiang Banxia and Qin Yao until she finally felt somewhat secure.

Jiang Banxia observed Xu Chun’s fearful demeanor after stirring up trouble: “…”

She was momentarily speechless. In that brief pause, Zhao Ciyin had already sauntered away in her high heels. As influential figures, their seats were naturally separate from the celebrities’. Qin Yao lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting shadows as she silently regarded Xu Chun.

Xu Chun immediately stiffened, raising her hands in innocence. “I absolutely don’t have any thoughts in that direction.”

“I swear.”

Her earnest expression and heartfelt words were almost convincing. Qin Yao, pressed for time, didn’t press the matter and followed in Zhao’s direction. As soon as she left, Jiang Banxia also moved. Xu Chun reflexively called out, “Why are you going that way too?”

“Because I’m the Jiang family heir,” Jiang Banxia replied with a gentle smile. “Did you forget?”

Xu Chun stared blankly. “Well, I’m the Xu family heir too! Why didn’t the organizers put my seat with yours?” Though the Xu family was only a minor wealthy household, they were still legitimate, weren’t they?

Jiang Banxia narrowed her eyes at this. “So eager to join us?”

Tilting her head slightly, she continued sweetly, “Are you upset because your status as a wealthy heir was overlooked or because you lost the chance to flirt around?”

Jiang prided herself on understanding Xu Chun well. “Those words you just said to President Qin were just lip service, weren’t they?” She smiled knowingly. “You never actually intended to give up on Zhao Ciyin, did you?”

“Of course not,” Xu Chun answered without missing a beat, her face unflushed and breath steady. She quickly changed the subject, not daring to dwell on the seating arrangement. “Time’s running out, I should go.”

Lifting her skirt, she hurried off while waving goodbye to Jiang Banxia. “See you after the event!”

Jiang watched her calmly, smiling. “Alright.” As Xu Chun’s pace gradually slowed, she added softly, “If I don’t see you later, I’ll come find you at your place.”

“Actually, it’s been a while since I last saw your parents. This would be a perfect opportunity to visit them properly and thank them for specially bringing me local delicacies last time.”

Though called “local delicacies,” it was really just a casual gesture once when Tang Shiyu came to pick Xu Chun up from university and noticed Jiang Banxia nearby as her daughter’s classmate, he’d casually handed her a pack of spiced duck from his car as a small token of care from an elder. Who would have thought Jiang Banxia would remember it for so long?

Now, under the pretense of visiting to express gratitude to Tang Shiyu, Xu Chun could tell with just a toe’s worth of thought that Jiang Banxia had more than just this simple intention.

The mere thought of the scenario gave Xu Chun an instant headache. Jiang Banxia was exceptionally smooth with pleasantries, and Tang Shiyu belonged to the overly chatty type. If these two women sat together, it wouldn’t even be surprising if Jiang Banxia ended up staying overnight.

Taking it a step further into horror territory: by the end of the night, they might even start calling each other sisters and become best friends.

Would there be any chance left for Xu Chun to resist Jiang Banxia after that?

But as the saying goes, misfortunes never come singly. Before she could even deal with this headache, Yu Sui’an’s figure appeared in her line of sight. Xu Chun paused slightly, then without hesitation, pretended not to see her and turned to leave.

“Sis.” Unfortunately, Yu Sui’an softly called out to stop her.

Yu Sui’an hurried over eagerly, but upon seeing Xu Chun’s expressionless face and recalling her earlier attempt to avoid her, her eyes darkened involuntarily. “Sis, are you avoiding me?”

“No,” Xu Chun replied, looking up at the sky. After a moment, she nodded and admitted bluntly, “But if you want to interpret it that way, sure.”

Glancing at Yu Sui’an, she made an excuse: “The event’s about to start, I should head over.” Before she could finish, Yu Sui’an raised a pale arm to block her path, staring unblinkingly at Xu Chun. “Sis, I just saw you talking to President Zhao.”

“Are you doing this on purpose?” Yu Sui’an bit her lip lightly. “You’re not the type to do something like this, yet you did it anyway. So you must be doing it deliberately, just to make me jealous, right?”

“You know I don’t like you interacting with other women, yet you went out of your way to approach President Zhao, the very person who’s helped me so much lately. You just wanted to get my attention, to make me regret and hurt, didn’t you?”

Yu Sui’an couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile. “I admit, sis, your goal’s been achieved.”

“Seeing you laugh and chat with President Zhao just now, I was so jealous I could’ve gone mad. I wished so badly it was me standing there with you.”

“If I were outstanding enough, if I had enough to keep you interested, would you stop turning to other women and think only of me every day?”

“I’m sorry.” Yu Sui’an suddenly bowed her head and apologized. “It’s all my fault for not being good enough yet.”

Xu Chun’s expression turned into the perfect “confused old man staring at phone” meme: “?”

She’d seen people who manipulated others, but never someone who went so hard they even manipulated themselves.

She simply couldn’t connect with Yu Sui’an’s train of thought. “I don’t really understand what you’re saying now.” Xu Chun no longer wanted to engage with Yu Sui’an. “I don’t mean any of what you’re implying. You’re overthinking it.”

“No matter how you change, we can never go back to how we were before.” Xu Chun advised her kindly. “So let me go, and let yourself go too.”

“I don’t believe it.” Yu Sui’an suddenly widened her eyes, emotions flaring. “I don’t believe what you just said, sister!”

“You don’t really think that way in your heart. You just want to take revenge on me, to make me suffer that’s why you’re deliberately saying these things.” Yu Sui’an couldn’t help raising her voice. “Sister, why must you do this?”

“Will you really be happy seeing me in pain?” Yu Sui’an smiled bitterly. “Will you feel satisfied seeing me in agony?”

“Someone as kind-hearted as you, sister, surely doesn’t feel good seeing me unhappy either.” She took a step forward, lowering her posture in a pitiful plea. “Sister, can you stop being angry with me? I already know I was wrong, and I’ve already been punished.”

“So can we just let that matter pass?”

Xu Chun couldn’t help but feel utterly baffled. Why was this person so deeply immersed in her own world? It seemed like everything she had just said went in one ear and out the other.

“Impossible.” Xu Chun rejected her again without hesitation, repeating firmly, “Seeing you suffer does give me satisfaction.”

“Seeing you commit so many wrongs yet still walk around unscathed, still so carefree it makes me furious. That’s why I want to take Mr. Zhao away from you, to leave you isolated and defenseless, to let those you’ve hurt turn against you. Only then will my hatred be appeased.”

Her words were harsh, but Yu Sui’an remained silent after hearing them.

Only after a long pause did she finally look up, smiling faintly, completely unbothered. “Sister, if you want Mr. Zhao, you just need to say so.”

“I’ll give him to you.” Her eyes curved with amusement. “I don’t care about these things. I just want you to be happy.”

Xu Chun: “???”

This is so twisted.

Goosebumps rose all over her body. At this point, even if Yu Sui’an was willing to give him up, she didn’t dare take him. Suddenly, she recalled how everyone said Zhao Ciying was even crazier than Yu Sui’an when provoked, and immediately dismissed any thoughts of getting involved with him.

One Yu Sui’an was terrifying enough, if Zhao Ciying got added to the mix. She feared she wouldn’t live to see another day.

“No need.” Xu Chun shook her head repeatedly, refusing, then walked away in her high heels despite Yu Sui’an’s attempts to stop her. As she made her escape, she pondered: Why were there so few normal people in this world?

Is this what they call a yuri novel gone off the rails? Love it, love it.

Xu Chun thought expressionlessly.

The brand event lasted a long time. While mingling, Xu Chun ran into He Qingli. Though He Qingli smiled on the surface, the moment she saw Yu Sui’an following Xu Chun, a string of curses flashed through her mind.

She approached Xu Chun. “Why did you bring her here?”

Xu Chun turned around and immediately protested, “I’m innocent!”

“I don’t want to deal with her either, but what can I do when she insists on following me?” she lamented bitterly. Recalling Yu Sui’an’s earth-shattering remarks earlier, Xu Chun endured repeatedly, ultimately deciding she couldn’t bear to hear them a second time even if those words had come from her own mouth.

He Qingli’s eyelid twitched as she sighed, “Thankfully she’s busy filming other dramas now and can’t spare the time. Otherwise, you’d see whether she’d follow you into the new production crew or not.”

If He Qingli hadn’t mentioned it, Xu Chun wouldn’t have realized this issue. Now that it was brought up, Xu Chun’s face paled in shock as she understood. Apart from her own substantial role, there was another female character with considerable screen time in the new drama. Due to various factions vying for the role, no decision had been made yet.

If that role ended up in Yu Sui’an’s hands with Zhao Ciying’s help.

Xu Chun shuddered violently.

Her eyes darted around, and seizing the moment when He Qingli wasn’t paying attention, she stealthily pulled out her phone and sent the director a message: [Director, isn’t the unresolved casting for the second female lead affecting our filming progress? I have someone to recommend, would you consider her suitable?]

With that, she sent He Qingli’s profile and resume to the director.

The director had been suffering under pressure from various factions lately, so much so that he was nearly bald from stress. Now that Xu Chun had suddenly entered the fray, generously offering to shoulder the burden for him, how could he not welcome it?

He immediately replied: [Excellent! Perfect! Have her join the crew with you tomorrow!]

Xu Chun’s popularity was soaring, and with her connections to the Jiang and Qin families, the director figured that even if others were displeased, they would understand his predicament out of respect for those influential names.

Previously, torn between competing factions, agreeing to any one of them would have brought him trouble. But with Xu Chun stepping in, the worst he’d face were a few complaints, no one would dare take real action against him.

Unless they believed their resources and influence could surpass those two families, there was no room for negotiation.

At this moment, the director regarded Xu Chun as his savior. Normally inarticulate, he awkwardly showered her with effusive praise before finally stopping.

However, the director’s eager and relieved attitude made Xu Chun pause. Had she acted too impulsively? Something felt off about this situation.

But what was done was done. Xu Chun put away her phone and proudly announced to He Qingli, “I just secured the second female lead role in my new drama for you.” She smirked triumphantly. “With me around, even if Yu Sui’an has all the power in the world, she won’t be able to replace you.”

He Qingli was stunned: “???” Sis, you’re really something.

He Qingli had looked into this drama before. While it could elevate one’s prestige beyond expectations, the filming process would be grueling. A senior actress she knew had told her that 90% of each day on set would involve struggling through harsh environments, a living hell for a delicate starlet.

After learning this, He Qingli had immediately withdrawn from consideration without a second thought.

Maintaining prestige is important, but some money,  isn’t necessarily worth earning. Given her lonely, helpless background, she definitely couldn’t compete with those backed by sponsors and powerful families. It would be wiser to gracefully bow out early rather than suffer an embarrassing defeat later.

Yet who could have imagined that her beloved idol would secure the role for her in just a few breaths!

At this moment, He Qingli felt like fainting on the spot with her eyes rolling back.

But seeing the hopeful sparkle in Xu Chun’s eyes like a puppy begging for praise, she forced a smile even uglier than tears: “Thank you, Sister Xu Chun.” She gripped Xu Chun’s hand tightly. “You’re truly my good sister.”

“Aw, no need to be so formal,” Xu Chun replied sheepishly. “Just treat me to a meal.”

He Qingli’s lips twitched. “Naturally.”

At least she had a job now, better than sitting idle at home. And with Xu Chun shielding her from above, even if Yu Sui’an despised her, there wouldn’t be much she could do.

This thought eased her despair somewhat.

After their chat, staff soon invited the actresses for photos. Standing together, Xu Chun radiant and poised, He Qingli sweet and demure, they quickly drew media attention.

Yu Sui’an bit her lip, recalling how she and Xu Chun once walked red carpets side by side, openly facing the cameras without hiding anything.

Those were her most beautiful memories, when everyone knew her sister belonged to her alone, untouchable by others. But now.

One woman after another stood by Xu Chun’s side, leaving Yu Sui’an powerless and furious.

She longed to chase them all away and reclaim her place beside Xu Chun in every setting. She wanted to shout to the world that her sister was hers alone, unstealable.

Yet reality showed her how insignificant she was against Xu Chun’s powerful new circle like an ant trying to stop a chariot.

If only she’d been born privileged wealthy, influential, high-status, she’d have fought ruthlessly to win her back.

Her nails dug into her palms until a staff member’s raised voice snapped her back. “Understood,” she replied coldly.

Today’s event was simple. For Xu Chun, now at peak fame, it was just a glamorous appearance to maintain visibility before her filming hiatus.

The new drama’s shoot wasn’t overly long, but prolonged absence risks fading stardom.

The company’s plan? Stockpile today’s footage for future PR, then rehash old content during filming to keep marketing Xu Chun’s beauty.

This strategy was considered the most effective way to maintain viewership, so it received unanimous approval from the team. Otherwise, Xu Chun wouldn’t be here right now, she’d be taking advantage of this rare free day before joining the new project tomorrow to rest at home.

However, while celebrities have their own agendas, brands naturally seek to profit from them as well. Take Xu Chun for example, she wandered around the venue like a walking display case, adorned with the brand’s jewelry and watches. If any wealthy executive took an interest in what she wore, they’d immediately summon the brand’s staff to make a purchase, indirectly boosting sales for the company.

But Zhao Ciying was someone who defied expectations. She called out to Xu Chun as she strolled by, “Come here.”

Xu Chun turned, pointing at herself in surprise when she realized Zhao Ciying was addressing her. “Me?”

Zhao Ciying nodded and beckoned her over. “Yes, you.”

Frowning slightly, Xu Chun lifted the hem of her dress and walked over, stopping before Zhao Ciying. Without beating around the bush, Zhao Ciying got straight to the point: “You’re currently under Qin Yao, aren’t you?”

“Leave her and come with me instead,” she said, leisurely swirling the champagne in her glass. “What do you say?”

Though the offer was tempting, Qin Yao was watching from nearby, so Xu Chun didn’t hesitate to refuse. “I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”

Before she could finish, Zhao Ciying cut her off. “Interesting. You’re very interesting.”

“But the more you reject me,  the more intrigued I become,” Zhao Ciying murmured, her gaze fixed on Xu Chun with deep amusement. “The more I want to take you for myself.”

She didn’t bother lowering her voice, and as the surrounding eyes turned toward them, Xu Chun’s smile stiffened.

How twisted!

Who even plays these domineering, forceful conquest games nowadays?

This is absolutely thrilling!

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