After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 67.1

How is this possible?!

Xu Chun instinctively turned to Jiang Banxia, only to see her expressionless, her crimson lips pressed tightly into a straight line.

Jiang Banxia’s eyes, devoid of emotion, fixed on Yu Sui’an. The calm she had felt earlier was now tinged with uncontrollable anger at Yu’s relentless pestering and unreasonable behavior, all because of Xu Chun’s arrival.

Suppressing the fury churning inside her, she signaled Zheng Yanran with her eyes to take Xu Chun to the adjacent reception room for a break.

Zheng Yanran had wanted to stay and defend her, to hurl a few choice words at Yu Sui’an. But seeing Jiang Banxia’s tense expression, she ultimately backed down. With a worried nod, she said, “Call me if you need anything.” Then, turning to Xu Chun, “Come on, let’s wait in the other room until they’re done talking.”

Hearing this, Xu Chun snapped out of her shock. Her emotions in turmoil, she glanced between Jiang Banxia and Yu Sui’an, racking her brains but failing to comprehend how things had spiraled into such absurdity.

Though her curiosity burned fiercely, she knew this wasn’t the right moment. Nodding, she followed Zheng Yanran out of the office, her probing gaze lingering on Yu Sui’an several times before leaving.

This woman’s protagonist halo was simply excessive. Just recently blacklisted by Zhao Ciying, with seemingly no chance of a comeback, and now she’s somehow become President Jiang’s illegitimate daughter. Truly tenacious as a cockroach.

But what concerned Xu Chun more at this moment was Jiang Banxia’s feelings. Already burdened with troublesome siblings, now she had to deal with a low-tier version of Zhao Ciying—adding insult to injury.

Xu Chun’s brows remained tightly furrowed. Zheng Yanran, gradually regaining her composure, tried to reassure her: “Don’t worry, Xiaxia isn’t someone who can be easily bullied.” The calmer she became, the more she felt Yu Sui’an’s schemes would backfire. “With Xiaxia involved, it’s hard to say who’ll come out on top.”

Her tone was confident, full of praise for Jiang Banxia’s capabilities. Xu Chun nodded, suppressing her unease, though her eyes kept darting toward the closed door.

Still, Yu Sui’an did have that protagonist aura. With her, conventional logic didn’t apply.

Yu Sui’an, too, was deeply aware of her own resilience her phoenix-like ability to rise from the ashes. Now, not only had she shaken off her past gloom, but she also felt a sense of vindication, as if her inevitable triumph had been confirmed.

With a light heart, she met Jiang Banxia’s steady gaze, her pale lips curving slightly. “Sister, long time no see. I hope you’ve been well.”

Jiang Banxia detected the smugness in her tone. Looking at Yu Sui’an’s smiling face, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “What exactly are you expecting?” she asked leisurely, raising an eyebrow. “Do you think that by becoming my sister—transforming from a penniless nobody into a privileged heiress you can mend things with her and start anew?”

Yu Sui’an’s expression stiffened imperceptibly.

Jiang Banxia slowly stepped forward, closing the distance with Yu Sui’an, her imposing presence causing Yu Sui’an to instinctively retreat half a step.

Realizing her reflexive movement, Yu Sui’an’s face paled slightly, her lips pressing together tightly as her smile vanished completely.

Jiang Banxia watched her with an enigmatic smile, the curve of her lips deepening with each passing second, only intensifying Yu Sui’an’s unease.

“Do you still believe that once you become the Jiang family’s heiress, your life will be smooth sailing getting whatever you want, whenever you want?”

Yu Sui’an couldn’t deny that was exactly what she had thought.

Once her identity as the Jiang family’s daughter was revealed, not only might Zhao Ciying spare her out of deference to her wealthy biological father, but even ordinary people would treat her with newfound respect.

Especially her fans.

With some careful marketing by her agent, wouldn’t industry resources be hers for the taking? Who would dare to slight her then? Who would dare to snatch opportunities from her? If anyone dared, it would be a direct insult to the entire Jiang family, her father would never let them off easily.

There were only a handful of young masters and heiresses in the entertainment industry. Excluding them and those backed by powerful benefactors, Yu Sui’an couldn’t imagine any obstacles left in her path.

Before coming to confront Jiang Banxia tonight, she had already planned how she and her agent would expose her true lineage to elevate her status.

She had fantasized endlessly about the adoration and admiration she would receive online once her background was revealed.

Her past diligence, her past struggles, all the hardships she had endured now, against the backdrop of her noble identity, they would only make her story more poignant. Her persona in the entertainment industry would become unique, unshakable, and impossible to replicate.

As long as she stayed cautious and avoided any missteps, her future in the industry would be dazzling, untouchable by anyone.

Clenching her fists, Yu Sui’an forced herself to speak calmly. “And why wouldn’t it be?”

“Everything you have now was only given to you out of Father’s kindness. Without him, you’re nothing.” The more she spoke, the more confident she became. She would never forget the sheer delight and excitement in her father’s eyes when he first found her the undisguised affection in his gaze had instantly made her realize she could exploit his guilt and love to achieve her own ends.

Family bonds? They meant nothing to her.

Abandoned by her parents as a child, she had long since lost any expectation of familial love.

Likewise, she knew perfectly well that this so-called father had sought her out now only to use her for his own purposes.

Which suited her just fine. They could both play dumb and use each other, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

After all, only interests forged the most stable relationships.

Jiang Banxia gazed at her deeply, offering no rebuttal. She simply straightened up and said calmly, “Since Father has already acknowledged you, you should come back.” Just as a flicker of doubt arose in Yu Sui’an’s heart, Jiang Banxia continued, “I’ll arrange for someone to pay the penalty for terminating your contract with your agency.”

“On what grounds?” Yu Sui’an instinctively raised her voice. “When did I ever say I wanted to terminate my contract?!”What right do you have?”

“I’m only thinking of your best interests,” Jiang Banxia replied, looking surprised and seemingly hurt by her ingratitude. “Now that you’re a young lady of such noble status, it’s highly inappropriate for you to continue acting and exposing yourself to public scrutiny.””

“From now on, you represent the reputation and standing of our entire Jiang family. Any misstep on your part could affect the whole clan.” Her tone gradually hardened. “If something were to happen, could you bear such consequences?”

Jiang Banxia narrowed her eyes slightly, offering a well-intentioned reminder: “Yu Sui’an, from the moment those rumors about your background surfaced online, you lost all choice in the matter.”

“Even if you called Father here to confront me today, you’d still have to terminate your contract and leave the entertainment industry.”

Her words were deliberate and left no room for refusal. Yu Sui’an clenched her fists, her face flushed with anger. “Jiang Banxia, don’t push your luck.”

“I’m merely following Father’s wishes,” Jiang Banxia said, studying her with feigned surprise. “Surely you’re not planning to defy him and oppose his will so soon after being acknowledged, before you’ve even had time to build any rapport with him?”

“Because if so, that hard-won affection and wealth of yours might vanish as quickly as they came.”

“After all, Father has several other children besides you, doesn’t he?” The corners of her lips curled slightly. Though her tone remained unchanged, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of threat: “Father detests disobedient children the most.”

Yu Sui’an was instantly thrown into turmoil. She never imagined Jiang Banxia could seize control of the situation in mere minutes. Not only had everything deviated from her expectations and plans, but she was now backed into a corner with no alternatives.

“You’re doing this on purpose!” she accused angrily.

Jiang Banxia was afraid, afraid that her newly elevated status would make her a rival for their father’s favor, afraid she might grow powerful enough to threaten her interests. All this talk of Father’s wishes and concern for her well-being was just a facade.

Yet frustratingly, she currently had little choice in the matter.

“Then by all means, test me,” Jiang Banxia replied with a serene smile, utterly composed. “See whether someone who’s been by Father’s side for over twenty years knows what she’s talking about.”

Jiang Banxia drew out her words, the slight upward inflection at the end subtly unsettling Yu Sui’an’s earlier confidence. On matters like this, Jiang Banxia likely had no reason to deceive her. Moreover, based on her brief interactions with their father these past few days, an inner voice already told her Jiang Banxia’s claims were true.

“You know when I first entered the film crew to shoot,” Jiang Banxia suddenly spoke up, successfully diverting Yu Sui’an’s attention before continuing slowly, “my family froze all my bank cards.”

Yu Sui’an’s heart sank abruptly at this realization, sending her into an involuntary panic.

Her career and her identity as the Jiang family’s heiress. Did she really have to give up one of them?

Torn and unsettled, she hesitated, but Jiang Banxia had no intention of giving her time to think. Softening her tone, she said, “You’re clever. If you follow Father to learn business and company management, it wouldn’t be any worse than staying in the entertainment industry.”

“Besides, in the entertainment world, you have to constantly curry favor with others for resources. But if you follow Father.” Jiang Banxia left the rest unsaid, but Yu Sui’an quickly grasped her meaning.

If she followed her father, with her status as the heiress, it would be others who would grovel and fawn over her in the future, not the other way around.

It had to be said at this moment, Yu Sui’an was sorely tempted.

But she didn’t let her guard down. “If it’s as wonderful as you say, why don’t you do it yourself?”

“Father doesn’t like me,” Jiang Banxia replied bluntly, making no effort to hide the truth from Yu Sui’an. “And I don’t like letting others control my life. Is that so hard to understand?”

Yu Sui’an fell silent. Right these privileged heirs, raised in luxury and lacking nothing, were inexplicably rebellious, as if their brains were broken, constantly opposing their families. If it were her, she would eagerly welcome all the family’s resources being poured into her, helping her transform and secure her footing.

If obedience meant gaining everything she wanted, she was willing to be someone else’s puppet until she had the power to resist.

With these thoughts, the scales in Yu Sui’an’s mind began to tip.

Business wasn’t difficult. When she had worked with Zhao Ciying, she had hardly ever failed, securing deal after deal as if it were her innate talent.

Or perhaps, she was simply born to thrive in the cutthroat world of high-society commerce.

The scales in her mind tilted further and further, until she caught sight of Xu Chun’s faintly swaying figure outside the blinds. Finally, Yu Sui’an made her decision. The opportunity she had longed for was right before her, she couldn’t let it slip away.

Even if her status was merely that of an illegitimate daughter, if she had the ability, openly inheriting the family business wasn’t impossible. When that day came, who would dare to easily suppress or threaten her?

At the thought, Yu Sui’an’s heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.

But she couldn’t help asking, “Why are you telling me all this?” Was Jiang Banxia really this kind-hearted? She didn’t believe it.

“Because I have no other choice now,” Jiang Banxia said slowly.

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