After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 78

With her earth-shattering declaration, everyone’s expressions turned subtly complex.

Xu Chun couldn’t care less about their current feelings and quickly took charge, saying, “Since no one has any objections, it’s settled, we split the winnings fifty-fifty, but I take no responsibility for losses.” Her gaze swept around before finally landing on Zhao Ciying. “Since Sister Zhao suggested it first, I’ll start with her and then go clockwise. How’s that?”

Zhao Ciying opened her mouth but was momentarily speechless. This little scheme of hers was ringing loud and clear for her, this was a completely risk-free, cost-free investment.

Even the most unscrupulous schemers weren’t as shameless as her.

She studied Xu Chun with amusement, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. “No objections here.”

Zheng Jinchan’s eyelid twitched. Since she had just been joining in the fun without any real stake, she naturally had nothing to lose and thus no objections. As for Zheng Yanran, Xu Chun outright ignored her.

Zheng Yanran: “…”

Only Qin Yao gave her a meaningful look, as if to say, We’ll settle this later.

Noticing this, Xu Chun hastily averted her gaze, looking left and right anywhere but at Qin Yao’s expression. If she didn’t see it, it didn’t exist. Who knew how things would unfold after this was over?

She quickly dragged her chair over to Zhao Ciying’s side and spent a long time teaching her, only to realize her mahjong skills were abysmal so bad it was painful to watch. Yet, she couldn’t say a word about it. The moment she tried, Zhao Ciying would glare at her with razor-sharp intensity, sending a chill down Xu Chun’s spine and making her shudder. Wisely, she shut her mouth.

Xu Chun had always prided herself on being undefeated at the mahjong table, but Zhao Ciying was her Waterloo her flawless reputation was utterly ruined in one fell swoop. By the end of the first round, her heart ached, and her impression of Zhao Ciying had completely shifted. Fear was replaced by sheer exasperation, this one is beyond teaching.

Yet Zhao Ciying saw no issue with herself. Even after losing a hefty sum, she merely shook her head at Xu Chun and said coolly, “You don’t understand me.”

Xu Chun: “…” Yeah, yeah, sure.

She didn’t say who had such terrible skills yet was as stubborn as a rock in a cesspit.

After several rounds, Xu Chun realized Zhao Ciying was the bane of her mahjong career. She racked her brains, even deploying her lifelong expertise, but couldn’t salvage Zhao Ciying, the modern-day Ah Dou (a famously incompetent historical figure). Staring at her in disbelief, Xu Chun finally declared, “I refuse to believe it. One more round.”

She was dead set on battling Zhao Ciying, but the latter remained obstinate. Their debate grew heated, voices rising until it seemed less like an argument and more like an impending brawl. Gradually, the others lost interest in the game, watching the spectacle of Xu Chun and Zhao Ciying’s red-faced clash with amusement.

Zheng Yanran even managed to produce a handful of sunflower seeds from somewhere, munching on them like a little hamster while enjoying the show, the click-clack of cracking shells punctuating the air.

Xu Chun felt utterly exhausted. She stared at Zhao Ciying’s beautiful yet stern and icy face the kind that made people shrink back her raised finger trembling slightly as she pointed at her for a long while without managing to say anything coherent.

Zhao Ciying expressionlessly pressed down that slender, pale finger, then added fuel to the fire with a deadpan remark: “You’re not qualified as a teacher.”

Her eyes darkened as she abruptly changed the subject: “Why don’t you come to my place another day and teach me properly?”

All of Xu Chun’s pent-up frustration and anger instantly evaporated, leaving only sheer horror: “???” What the hell?

She stared at Zhao Ciying in disbelief. If she actually went, would she even make it out alive? She was about to refuse on the spot, but Zhao Ciying seemed to have anticipated it, immediately raising a finger. Xu Chun’s brow twitched as she cautiously asked, “A hundred million?”

Zhao Ciying rolled her eyes in exasperation. “What are you thinking? You might as well rob a bank if you want a hundred million.”

She knew Xu Chun could be shameless at times, but she hadn’t expected her to be this brazen. Cutting straight to the point, she shattered Xu Chun’s unrealistic fantasy: “A hundred thousand a day. Take it or leave it.”

“Deal.” Of course she’d take it, who would turn down free money?

Still, being alone with Zhao Ciying felt unsafe, so with a quick glance, she turned to the others at the card table. “How about we all go?”

Zhao Ciying didn’t stop her, merely watching with an amused smile as she desperately tried to recruit people.

Zheng Yanran didn’t agree, and Jiang Banxia also politely declined. Her startup was in its early stages and already swamped with work, she’d only come today out of respect for Qin Yao. Otherwise, she’d have taken Zheng Yanran to another city for contract negotiations.

Left with no options, Xu Chun shot questioning looks at Zheng Jinchan and Qin Yao, but neither gave a definite answer. Just as she was fidgeting nervously, the soft sound of the door opening caught her attention. She craned her neck, and upon seeing who it was, her eyes lit up as she bellowed, “Mom!”

Tang Shiyu jumped at the thunderous shout, giving Xu Chun a puzzled look before apologizing, “Sorry, something came up at the company, so I got delayed.”

Truthfully, Xu Chun had always felt out of place at this table. Now that Tang Shiyu had arrived, she immediately sprang up, dragging her over to sit beside Zheng Yanran. Zheng Yanran tactfully stood. “Auntie Tang, please sit here.”

“Yeah, yeah! Mom, you sit here and play with CEO Qin and the others. Yanran, Banxia, and I will go play cards over there.” Without giving Tang Shiyu a chance to refuse, Xu Chun plopped her down, then whisked Zheng Yanran and Jiang Banxia away like a slippery eel.

Zhao Ciying glanced at Tang Shiyu. “Your daughter is quite clever and lively very likable.”

Tang Shiyu paused, momentarily unsure. “…?” Was Zhao Ciying implying what she thought?

The thought had barely crossed her mind when Zhao Ciying spoke again, her tone casual as if making small talk: “I hope you don’t mind if your son-in-law is about a decade older than your daughter.”

This,  Tang Shiyu instinctively glanced at Qin Yao, yet Qin Yao’s expression remained unchanged. She withdrew her gaze, pondered for a moment, then replied, “As long as she likes it, that’s fine.”

Zhao Ciying immediately smiled at her, “Then I can rest easy.”

Wait! Tang Shiyu suddenly became alert. Zhao Ciying’s tone was all wrong. Just moments ago, she had thought Zhao Ciying was probing her on Qin Yao’s behalf, wondering why Qin Yao would need to confirm her stance again through someone else when she already knew it. But now, after hearing Zhao Ciying’s words, she realized,

Zhao Ciying was asking for herself!

Tang Shiyu’s mood instantly became complicated, and her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Zheng Jinchan. Surely this one wasn’t also…

The moment her eyes met Zheng Jinchan’s languid gaze, Tang Shiyu struggled to suppress the twitch at the corner of her mouth. So today was a battlefield of hidden agendas?

She glanced at Xu Chun, who was sitting casually with Zheng Yanran and Jiang Banxia, and fell silent.

This little troublemaker, she even dragged her own mother into this!

With no other choice, Tang Shiyu steeled herself and pretended not to understand as she picked up the mahjong tiles. On such a rare occasion as today, it was naturally not just for casual play. After a couple of rounds, the conversation at the table turned serious and business-oriented.

Everyone here was sharp exceptionally shrewd, in fact. With just a few seemingly offhand remarks from each, the landscape of the business world underwent a dramatic shift.

Tang Shiyu listened quietly, feeling a mix of admiration and urgency. She wondered how much longer she would need to strive before reaching their level of status and achievement.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, she heard Qin Yao’s voice beside her, “What does President Tang think?”

Tang Shiyu froze, instinctively turning to look at her. Was Qin Yao asking for her opinion? At this table, she was the least influential, with hardly any say.

But Qin Yao quickly confirmed it. She couldn’t help glancing at Zheng Jinchan and Zhao Ciying, both of whom were watching her with keen interest. Tang Shiyu tightened her grip on the mahjong tile in her hand, realizing this was a golden opportunity to showcase her acumen and decisiveness. Calmly, she began to articulate her views.

At the neighboring table, the conversation grew increasingly incomprehensible, so Xu Chun stopped straining to listen. She pulled out a deck of cards and struck up a chat with the other two. “You’re not planning to stay on business trips indefinitely, are you?”

“What else can we do?” Zheng Yanran scoffed. “You know how crazy Banxia’s father is now he’s openly parading a new illegitimate child every day, as if daring people to look down on him.” The topic clearly riled her up, and she vented freely. “He dotes on those illegitimate kids, showering them with attention and care, but when it comes to Banxia.”

She paused. “Anyone would think Banxia was the one born out of wedlock.”

Xu Chun had indeed heard rumors about Jiang Banxia’s father’s behavior, but she hadn’t realized the reality was even worse. Concerned, she looked at Jiang Banxia, who seemed unfazed. “Only by leaving this place will I have a chance to rise,” Jiang Banxia said simply.

“His influence doesn’t extend that far outside the local area.”

After saying this, she chuckled softly, “Now that he’s unusually preoccupied and stretched thin, if I don’t seize this opportunity, I’d be letting myself down.”

While having many illegitimate children allows a man to carefully select his heir, none of these so-called heir candidates are easy to deal with. Initially, everyone maintained a facade of politeness and brotherly affection, but these hypocritical masks didn’t even last half a month before everyone revealed their true colors.

With one pressing him today, another pressuring him tomorrow, and yet another causing trouble the day after, even this old fox who has dominated the business world for years found himself caught off guard.

Especially after Yu Sui’an returned to the Jiang family, he nearly turned the entire household upside down, creating utter chaos.

Yu Sui’an has always been cunning. Within just a short time of returning, he successfully became the most favored child in Jiang’s father’s eyes, pushing the others particularly Jiang Zhigang to the brink of fleeing abroad to avoid the fallout. If not for Jiang Banxia’s timely intervention, Yu Sui’an might have truly succeeded.

Xu Chun frowned deeply as she listened and couldn’t help but remark seriously, “I seriously suspect your family is raising scorpions in a jar.”

This really isn’t something ordinary people would do.

Jiang Banxia smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying it. “Throughout history, it’s always been the victors who write history.” She casually played a pair of unbeatable cards. “Only the winners get to laugh last and claim victory, don’t they?”

Xu Chun and Zheng Yanran, who had just lost tens of thousands in an instant, stared at those unbeatable cards as if trying to burn holes through them with their gazes. “…”

“You’ve changed a lot,” Xu Chun said, lifting her eyes to look at Jiang Banxia.

Jiang Banxia paused briefly before curling her lips into a smile. “So have you.”

“You’re very different from the Xu Chun I remember,” she said leisurely. “Back then, you were aloof, stubborn, rigid even downright obstinate. But now you’re full of witty remarks in a good way flexible and seemingly indifferent to everything.”

“It’s as if, you’ve excluded yourself from this world.”

Hearing this, Xu Chun couldn’t help but feel a tremor in her heart, her shuffling motions faltering slightly. Jiang Banxia continued without pause, “The way you are now gives me the impression that you don’t belong in this world.”

Was it because Yu Sui’an had hurt her so deeply that she completely shut herself off, unwilling to reconcile with the world anymore?

Jiang Banxia didn’t understand, but she could clearly sense Xu Chun’s faint yet unmistakable wariness.

“On another note, whenever I look at you, I can’t help but feel that you don’t consider me a friend.” Jiang Banxia, who was usually gentle and poised the epitome of good upbringing and considerate manners now carried an almost aggressive tone. “After all these years of knowing each other, am I still not worthy of your trust?”

Xu Chun’s fingers trembled slightly, leaving her momentarily speechless.

“Xu Chun,” Jiang Banxia called her name solemnly. “You need to know that no matter what happens, I’ll always stand by your side.”

“Just as a friend, without any other unnecessary thoughts or intentions.”

Zheng Yanran remained silent, not interrupting Jiang Banxia. She watched as Xu Chun froze completely, her expression stiffening.

Xu Chun never expected her most hidden thoughts to be laid bare so abruptly by Jiang Banxia at this moment. All those possibilities she had vaguely recognized but deliberately ignored, unwilling to dwell on them, were now forcibly dragged out by Jiang Banxia and flung before her.

She instinctively wanted to retreat, but as she met Jiang Banxia’s beautiful, gentle gaze, Xu Chun’s throat tightened. It took her a long moment to suppress the emotions surging inside her. “No matter who the real me is, no matter what my identity truly is,” she asked with difficulty, “would you still?”

Jiang Banxia didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she took her time to consider before replying firmly, “Yes.”

“After very careful and serious thought, my answer is yes.” Her voice was soft, like a warm, tender hand soothing the deeply buried unease in Xu Chun’s heart. “I like you as you are now, and I cherish you as you are now.”

“Whether in this moment or in the future, no matter how you change, I will always see you as the most precious and important person in my life.”

Only after hearing Jiang Banxia’s answer with her own ears did Xu Chun finally lose control of her emotions. She pulled Jiang Banxia into a fierce embrace, burying her face against her shoulder. “Thank you.”

This was the first time in her life she had ever been so openly affirmed and supported. If Qin Yao’s love had been subtle, quietly given, then Jiang Banxia’s love was blazing, scorching, enough to make one’s heart tremble, impossible not to be moved by its warmth and beauty.

Xu Chun pressed her face deeper into Jiang Banxia’s clothes. This “white moonlight” was truly too good, so good that she would gladly take a knife for her, pluck the stars from the sky just to show them to her.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Even Jiang Banxia was caught off guard, only managing to react after a long pause. She pursed her lips uncertainly. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Xu Chun said, blinking rapidly as she tried to rein in her emotions. “I just suddenly wanted to hug you.”

She sat up, only to immediately feel Zheng Yanran’s burning gaze.

When Xu Chun turned to look, Zheng Yanran pouted and gave an exaggerated shrug. “Me too.”

Xu Chun: “…”

“Go away, what are you even?” Before she could finish, Zheng Yanran cut in, “I’d stand by your side and support you too, you know! No matter what difficulties you face in the future, I’d even beg my mom to help you.”

She tilted her head in confusion. “We’ve known each other for so long. Don’t you consider us friends?”

“We are friends,” Xu Chun admitted, warmth blooming in her chest. Despite Zheng Yanran’s usual childishness, she could be surprisingly dependable when it mattered.

But Xu Chun’s gratitude lasted all of three seconds before Zheng Yanran asked with wide-eyed innocence, “If Banxia and I both fell into the water, who would you save first?”

Xu Chun: “???”

Old man on subway squinting at phone.jpg

Please, just be a decent human being.

Without hesitation, she deadpanned, “I’d choose to die on the spot, leaving the two of you to love each other in peace.”

Jiang Banxia immediately shot Zheng Yanran a glance, making her shudder. “I was just joking, don’t take it seriously,” Zheng Yanran said sheepishly, as if trying to convince herself. “See? Your mood has improved a lot now, hasn’t it?”

Xu Chun: “…Well, thank you so much.”

Zheng Yanran beamed. “No need to thank me, we’re like sisters!” She put on an innocent face before abruptly changing the subject. “So, about that could you maybe invest a bit more? My mom cut off my allowance. Of course, I should clarify this has nothing to do with Xiaxia. It’s entirely my own idea because I want to take a risk and seize the opportunity to turn a bicycle into a motorcycle. But Xiaxia just wants to play it safe.”

At this, Jiang Banxia frowned and was about to speak, but Xu Chun responded faster, “Sure.”

Zheng Yanran cheered and immediately abandoned the card game, leaning in to whisper excitedly to Xu Chun, completely ignoring Jiang Banxia as if she weren’t there. Jiang Banxia sighed helplessly she was only worried that if things went south, all the hard-earned money Xu Chun and Zheng Yanran had saved would go down the drain.

But Xu Chun and Zheng Yanran were like newborn calves unafraid of tigers, each bolder than the other. After settling on the amount they needed, Zheng Yanran steeled herself. “Later, I’ll go bug my mom again and squeeze some money out of her.”

Xu Chun glanced at her and couldn’t resist saying, “Your mom is so lucky to have you.”

This “little cotton-padded jacket” was full of holes and leaking wind everywhere.

“Of course!” Zheng Yanran proudly lifted her chin. “A daughter as clever and obedient as me is one in a million.”

“Tell me, who else in this world is as lucky as me to be friends with Xiaxia and a top-tier celebrity?”

Xu Chun: “…” She wasn’t wrong.

Perhaps influenced by Zheng Yanran’s enthusiasm, Xu Chun suddenly felt an overwhelming surge of confidence. Ha! So what if it was just some lousy yuri novel? She had already put in so much effort building good relationships with Qin Yao, Zheng Jinchan, and Zhao Ciying, defying fate to help her family make a comeback, she refused to believe she couldn’t bend the plot to her will in the end.

And even if she couldn’t, she’d drag the two female leads down with her to the grave.

She wanted to see if this world could keep spinning without its two heroines.

The gloom that had weighed on Xu Chun for days instantly dissipated. Riding high on her excitement, she impulsively waved the check in her hand and turned around, announcing loudly, “Ladies, dinner’s on me tonight! Eat to your heart’s content!”

Tang Shiyu: “?” Confused.jpg

Did she just call us “sisters”?

Zhao Ciying and Zheng Jinchan were puzzled by Xu Chun’s sudden exuberance, but Qin Yao, watching the carefree smile on her face, gently curved her lips in response.

Her gaze fell on the message from Secretary Zhao on her phone: [President Qin, everything you requested has been prepared.] The amusement in her eyes deepened slightly.

She still remembered that time when Xu Chun, drunk and failing to get her way after pestering her, suddenly burst into tears. Without caring about her image, she collapsed to the floor in front of her, sobbing and accusing, “What else can I do? Who is willing to help me now? I’ve lost everything, my entire career in the entertainment industry, my family’s fortune. Now our whole family is buried under hundreds of millions in debt, suffocating us. Besides you, there isn’t a single person left in this world willing to lend me a hand.”

“Even if I become outstanding through my own efforts and can create endless benefits for you, you still refuse to marry me?”

At that time, Qin Yao looked at the person who usually took meticulous care of every single strand of hair now sitting on the ground without any regard for appearance. Unable to bear it, she reached out to help her up, only to be grabbed tightly: “Qin Yao, is it really not possible without getting married?”

“Can’t we just be contractual spouses?”

Qin Yao remembered her own response at the time, something like, “I can’t promise I’ll always be able to take responsibility for you.”

“I don’t need you to take responsibility.” The woman immediately clutched at Qin Yao desperately, like a drowning person grasping at straws. “I’ll work hard myself to buy the resorts I like, the mansions, luxury cars, private jets, yachts.”

“As long as you’re willing to give me a status in front of the world, I can achieve all these things myself!”

“Don’t you already know what I’m capable of?”

Perhaps Qin Yao had drunk too much that night, her judgment clouded by alcohol when she inexplicably agreed. She would never forget how the woman’s smile had shone like the sun in that moment, nearly blinding her with its brilliance.

Maybe it was then that Qin Yao first realized: she wanted to protect this young woman before her, to ensure that what happened tonight would never occur again that tonight’s display of vulnerability and desperation would be the only one in her lifetime.

And now, she had clearly succeeded.

Qin Yao had prepared everything for her all the dreams and desires Xu Chun had in her previous life.

Priceless treasures.

Even without Qin Yao, even if she lazed around at home every day, she would live comfortably and glamorously for the rest of her life, free from anyone’s bullying. As for the Xu family, with Qin Yao’s deliberate support, their rise was only a matter of time.

Running through all the items on her mental checklist and confirming nothing was missed, Qin Yao finally let out a soft sigh of relief.

At this moment, Xu Chun held the check high, overwhelmed by the happiness of being loved.

Unlike the conditional love from her birth parents in her original world whether it was Jiang Banxia and Zheng Yanran’s sincere trust, Qin Yao’s quiet protection and care, or Zheng Jinchan, Zhao Ciying, Tang Shiyu, and even Xu father’s goodwill toward the entire Xu family all made Xu Chun truly feel: being loved makes one fearless and capable of anything.

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