After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 69

He Qingli almost called the police. She stared at Xu Chun with an indescribable expression, as if trying to bore holes through her with her gaze.

Yet under He Qingli’s guidance, Xu Chun’s mood had improved significantly. After all, no one could resist the temptation of being favored especially by such an outstanding, seemingly unattainable partner, lofty as a deity.

Just the thought of it made Xu Chun’s blood boil with excitement.

Failure was terrifying, but the moment she imagined giving up and letting this heart-fluttering person end up deeply in love with someone else, whispering sweet nothings to another, her heart twisted painfully.

With a stubborn resolve, she decided to throw caution to the wind whether she succeeded or not, she had to try first.

Xu Chun let out a soft sigh and patted He Qingli’s shoulder gratefully. “Thank you. You’re such a kind and beautiful soul.”

He Qingli: “…” No need for the “good person” card, thanks.

Xu Chun quickly adjusted her state of mind and threw herself into work. He Qingli stood still, watching as Xu Chun was surrounded by the film crew like the moon among stars. Even dressed in the simplest, most ragged coarse clothes, she exuded an effortless charm.

Her slightly disheveled raven-black hair was casually tied up, accentuating her gentle yet lingeringly tender demeanor. Though her cheeks were thinner now, her delicate and striking features remained. Without a trace of makeup, her snow-white skin still made her breathtakingly beautiful at first glance, leaving people unable to resist sighing in admiration.

Unlike her usual polished appearance under the spotlight, Xu Chun now carried an ethereal, untouchable elegance flawless from every angle.

In He Qingli’s eyes, Xu Chun was resilient and stubborn, her entire being especially those pitch-black eyes radiating an overwhelming vitality and sensuality that was nearly impossible to resist.

The people around Xu Chun spoke in hushed tones, and many crew members stole glances at her, unable to tear their eyes away yet too shy to be caught looking. Their bashful expressions were the highest praise for her beauty.

Xu Chun gazed up at Qin Yao, seeing her as an untouchable star high above. But in the eyes of others, wasn’t Xu Chun herself just as unattainable?

To those who adored her, she was the brightest star in their world.

He Qingli thought calmly: Even if Qin Yao is extraordinary now, to those who love her, status, position, and any gaps between them mean nothing.

Xu Chun no longer dwelled on the differences between herself and Qin Yao. Though she saw Qin Yao’s aloof, untouchable face on her phone every day, unlike the disappointment she had felt before, each glance now only strengthened her resolve:

I must win this person over.

Because in every way her looks, her poise, her temperament, or any other aspect, Qin Yao struck Xu Chun’s heart with perfect precision.

Sometimes Xu Chun even weighed in her heart that if she could succeed, she’d willingly trade twenty years of her life. What was a mere lifespan compared to Qin Yao’s importance?

Unbeknownst to Qin Yao, she had already become the target of Xu Chun’s secret admiration. Recently, she dressed impeccably every day, mingling among tycoons, swiftly securing desired collaborations over drinks and accomplishing her mission with remarkable efficiency.

Leaving the bustling venue, Qin Yao’s tall, slender figure sank into the car seat. After closing her eyes for a few seconds, her cool voice broke the silence, “When’s the return flight?”

Secretary Zhao nodded, “In two hours.” She added softly, “Would you like to return to the hotel first to change, or—”

“No need. Head straight to the airport.” Qin Yao opened her eyes, her deep gaze shifting to Secretary Zhao. “The meeting with President Xu and the others is scheduled for today, domestic time?”

“Yes.” Secretary Zhao couldn’t help glancing at Qin Yao through the rearview mirror. She knew Qin Yao had been working nonstop these days with barely any rest. Though Qin Yao showed no outward signs of fatigue, Secretary Zhao gently suggested, “Perhaps we could postpone the meeting? You could rest first.”

Qin Yao’s expression remained unchanged. “No need. It’s just a meal, won’t take long.”

Seeing this, Secretary Zhao didn’t press further. It was futile, Qin Yao’s plans were rarely altered, especially when it came to someone as significant as President Xu.

The car fell silent again, the backseat occupant seemingly asleep without a sound. But when Secretary Zhao glanced back, she found Qin Yao’s dark hair elegantly pinned up, her deep eyes fixed intently on the laptop screen.

Probably reviewing work-related emails.

Even before Qin Corporation entered the public eye, Qin Yao had been swamped, personally overseeing major company matters from top to bottom. Now, with business expanding overseas, her workload had doubled, twenty-four hours a day barely sufficed, as if she wished to stretch them into forty-eight.

Fortunately, Jiang Zhaolie could handle some secondary tasks.

After Secretary Zhao’s brief distraction, the airport gradually came into view. She perked up finally, they were heading back. Stealing another glance at Qin Yao, she wondered: Surely, President Qin must be missing Miss Xu terribly?

Otherwise, why would she have compressed a month’s schedule into just two weeks, wrapping everything up with such efficiency?

Xu Chun only learned of Qin Yao’s imminent return during a casual chat with Tang Shiyu. Not only that, but she also discovered Qin Yao’s first stop back would be a meal with her parents to discuss details about “Tianyu.” Envy overwhelmed her, she wished she could fly over immediately and nonchalantly join them.

Alas, the remote mountainous area’s rugged roads and her tight filming schedule made it impossible to leave.

So she pinned her hopes on Tang Shiyu. “Mom, later, take a few extra glances at President Qin for me,” she said earnestly. “It’s been so long since I last saw her.”

Tang Shiyu: “?” So long? Wasn’t it just a month?

Mei’s brow twitched involuntarily as Tang Shiyu decisively rejected her, “Come see for yourself if you want to. That’s enough, we’re leaving now.”

With that, she heartlessly ended the call, leaving Xu Chun standing there dumbfounded, her heart aching as if cut by a knife.

On her way to meet Qin Yao, Tang Shiyu felt somewhat uneasy. She had been keeping tabs on Qin Yao’s movements these past few days and knew that Qin Yao’s current status was no longer ordinary. Dining with someone like this and being personally invited left Tang Shiyu both flattered and unable to suppress her suspicions about Qin Yao’s true intentions.

Though their collaboration on a project had brought them closer, Qin Yao had no real reason to carve out time from her busy schedule just for a meal.

Qin Yao had just returned from abroad wasn’t every matter on her plate more important than this?

Moreover, after such a long period of exhaustion, the most urgent thing for Qin Yao should have been adjusting to the time difference and getting a good night’s rest to face work the next day in better condition.

Tang Shiyu silently fretted over Qin Yao’s well-being in her heart, and before she knew it, they had arrived at the agreed-upon hotel. She tugged at Xu’s father’s sleeve and reminded him, “Do you remember what your daughter said that day?”

“I remember.” Xu’s father nodded. How could he forget? Even if he were two feet in the grave, he wouldn’t.

It was precisely because of his daughter’s words that he had been pulled out of a toxic friendship like a butterfly effect, allowing him and Tang Shiyu to gradually improve the company and secure a future a hundred times brighter than before.

Though at the time, those words had shaken him deeply.

“Whether what our daughter said that day was true or not, don’t let it show too obviously in front of President Qin later.” Tang Shiyu couldn’t help but worry. The disparity in status and age between Qin Yao and Xu Chun was vast. While many successful people enjoyed pursuing younger women, most only did so for fleeting amusement.

Tang Shiyu didn’t want Xu Chun’s hopes to come to nothing, nor did she want to see her daughter trapped in a quagmire, throwing away her entire life.

Xu’s father nodded. Whatever his wife said, he would follow. Tonight’s dinner would just be treated as a business meeting. As for anything else, he wasn’t one for convoluted thinking and had little to say to Qin Yao anyway.

After reminding her husband, Tang Shiyu took a deep breath. For some reason, she suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of déjà vu, as if she were following her husband home to meet his parents all over again.

Shaking her head subtly, she suppressed the excess emotions in her eyes and forced herself to step into the restaurant with an air of calm composure.

The woman was tall and slender, still in her evening gown, though she had draped a loose blazer over her shoulders. She wore no other extravagant accessories, yet she still radiated brilliance, effortlessly drawing all eyes to her.

Tang Shiyu had always known Qin Yao was beautiful, with an enviable figure, but at this moment, she couldn’t help being stunned anew.

Unlike Xu Chun’s delicate charm, Qin Yao’s striking beauty carried the mature allure of experience and the commanding presence of someone in power.

She was like an aloof, untouchable flower both mesmerizing and dangerous.

Tang Shiyu found herself momentarily spellbound until her husband’s voice calling out “President Qin” snapped her back to reality. After regaining her composure, she finally understood why her daughter was so infatuated with her.

If it were her, she wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation either.

When Qin Yao turned her gaze toward them and respectfully addressed her as “Madam Xu,” Tang Shiyu nodded with a polite smile and took her seat at the table, where the waiter had already pulled out the chair for her. Though she didn’t detect any signs of fatigue on Qin Yao’s face, she still offered a courteous inquiry. “I’m terribly sorry to trouble you right after your return to the country.”

“You flatter me, Madam Xu,” Qin Yao replied, handing the menu to Tang Shiyu, her eyes shifting subtly between them. “I just happened to have some matters I wished to discuss with both you and President Xu.”

Tang Shiyu accepted the menu, inexplicably sensing that whatever Qin Yao was about to say would inevitably concern Xu Chun.

Sure enough, the moment her eyes landed on the menu, she heard the woman speak in a measured tone, “Xu Chun isn’t engaged yet, is she?”

Under Tang Shiyu’s suddenly sharpened gaze, Qin Yao leisurely curled her crimson lips into an innocent, unassuming smile. “What do you think of me?”

Tang Shiyu stared at Qin Yao in stunned silence, unsure of what to make of her words. As if to ensure Tang Shiyu fully grasped her meaning, Qin Yao considerately added, “I’ve already prepared the betrothal gifts.” She retrieved a thick folder from her briefcase and gently slid it across the table. “Please take a look, this is the list I’ve drafted.”

Tang Shiyu and Xu’s father stared at the hefty folder, their hearts trembling in unison. The contents inside were likely worth at least a hundred times the Xu family’s entire fortune.

Support