After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 84

The reporter was utterly speechless at her cunning, remaining silent for a long while before mustering the energy to continue questioning. Since her manager had given Xu Chun a heads-up earlier, Xu Chun had expected the reporters to ask questions related to Yu Sui’an. Yet now, with the event already halfway through, not only had Yu Sui’an not been mentioned, but even a single character from those three words had barely been brought up.

She couldn’t help but feel puzzled and cast a doubtful glance at her manager beside her.

The manager also found it strange. The draft questions she had reviewed with the media beforehand had included many inquiries about Yu Sui’an. How was it that now, during the actual event, everyone was keeping silent about Yu Sui’an as if the person had never existed?

Still, not mentioning Yu Sui’an wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The manager gave Xu Chun a reassuring nod. Seeing this, Xu Chun withdrew her gaze and fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, Jiang Banxia was being relentlessly surrounded by reporters. Despite her earlier statement that she wouldn’t answer any questions related to her privacy, the reporters only grew more persistent, refusing to give up.

In the end, Jiang Banxia had no choice but to casually answer a few questions, though her responses were vague and insignificant, leaving everyone thoroughly disappointed.

As the reporters realized they wouldn’t be able to extract any juicy details from Jiang Banxia, they immediately turned their focus back to Xu Chun. The quick-witted host swiftly intercepted, pushing other cast members forward instead. After briefly sharing some amusing anecdotes from the filming process, the event was abruptly brought to a close under the host’s direction.

The suddenly dismissed reporters stared at the now-empty stage, speechless.

How infuriating.

Today had undoubtedly been a Waterloo in their professional careers. The host and this cast were like thousand-year-old foxes, slipperier than eels.

With everyone already gone, no matter how unwilling they were, they could only pack up and return to report back.

Xu Chun walked side by side with Jiang Banxia, holding up the hem of her dress. Unable to contain her confusion any longer, she asked, “Why wasn’t Yu Sui’an mentioned even once today? The draft questions were full of inquiries about her.”

Hearing her question, Jiang Banxia looked surprised. “You didn’t know this drama was funded by President Qin?”

Xu Chun was taken aback. “Huh?”

Seeing her genuine confusion, Jiang Banxia lightly pursed her red lips and added, “Then you also didn’t know the production company is actually a subsidiary under President Qin’s name?”

Xu Chun: “Huh?” What?!

Since when had Qin Yao ventured into the film industry? She knew Qin Yao’s business interests were vast, but she hadn’t expected them to extend this far even dipping a toe into the entertainment world.

If that was the case, how long ago had Qin Yao started preparing? Establishing a company and assembling a team would have taken time. Xu Chun had accepted this script while still on the dating show, which meant Qin Yao must have laid all the groundwork even earlier.

For a moment, Xu Chun was at a loss for words, inexplicably moved. Even in the original story, Qin Yao, the villainous boss, had been an undeniable powerhouse, let alone now.

Yet such a big shot ended up being utterly ruined by Yu Sui’an. Just the thought of it made Xu Chun’s fists clench in anger.

Seeing her lost in thought, Jiang Banxia couldn’t help but chuckle. “So today was probably arranged by her in advance with the media. Otherwise, everyone wouldn’t be so unanimously silent.” Now that Qin Yao had built her company into a powerhouse, many relied on collaborations with her to make ends meet, so they’d naturally give her face.

Xu Chun suddenly sighed with emotion, “Being rich is really great.”

Jiang Banxia couldn’t resist pouring cold water on her enthusiasm. “Money alone isn’t enough.” Under Xu Chun’s resentful gaze, Jiang Banxia smiled cheerfully. “Alright, time to eat.”

“You’ll still participate in the follow-up promotions, right?” Xu Chun asked, tugging at her sleeve. After all, apart from herself, Jiang Banxia was the only lead actor she was somewhat close to. If Jiang Banxia didn’t join, she’d be left looking rather pathetic. Jiang Banxia nodded. “I will.”

With that assurance, Xu Chun finally relaxed and happily followed Jiang Banxia to the gathering.

Meanwhile, online, the storm was brewing with skepticism everywhere.

[Even though a certain someone has left the industry, how come there’s not a single mention of her today? It’s as if she never existed. I’m not being paranoid or delusional, but doesn’t this seem too bizarre? She was the female lead, after all.]

[You must be a fan of that banned person, right? On such a joyous occasion, don’t spoil the mood with your unpleasant remarks.]

[I’m not her fan, but I find it strange too. While the truth behind her past actions is still debatable, isn’t it inappropriate to completely exclude her from such an important event? In all my years of following dramas, I’ve never seen anything like this.]

[Didn’t she say herself that she wouldn’t participate in promotions? She’s probably at home waiting to inherit her family fortune, while you malicious folks want to drag her back to work for others. Your intentions are downright vile!]

[So now, anyone who speaks up for her is automatically labeled as her fan?]

[Isn’t that the case? What neutral bystander would even care? Just grab a stool and enjoy the show when it airs.]

The online debate was raging. Sitting at home, Yu Sui’an dug her nails into her palms, numb to the pain. Though she had been forced to post that Weibo statement, she had assumed they would at least mention her or say a few words in her defense during the event.

But now, not only was her name absent, it was as if everyone had collectively forgotten her existence. Or perhaps, someone had given explicit instructions to keep her name out of any public discussion.

As this possibility crossed her mind, several suspects flashed through Yu Sui’an’s thoughts before settling on one name: Qin Yao.

Jiang Zhaolie’s earlier threats hadn’t been baseless, she must have known something to act so brazenly. Coupled with her claim that Xu Chun was now with Qin Yao, who would undoubtedly seek revenge for Xu Chun, Yu Sui’an grew increasingly certain of her conclusion.

Of course, who else but Qin Yao could wield such immense power and influence that no one dared refuse her face?

Now, apart from the drama “Secret Crush” she co-starred in with Xu Chun, even the rival show that had been rushed through post-production to compete against it suddenly announced an indefinite delay in its broadcast. And “indefinite delay,” in everyone’s understanding, meant it was aborted never to see the light of day again.

To this day, it seemed she had lost utterly and completely.

She had become a laughingstock, the subject of everyone’s scorn and ridicule.

Even without stepping outside, Yu Sui’an could almost picture how her former rivals were privately mocking and sneering at her, their faces twisted with disdain. And those who were far less successful than her, how they must be sharing her humiliation as gossip, pointing fingers at her as if she were some sideshow attraction. Why?

Yu Sui’an clenched her fists so tightly her palms ached, her breath suddenly coming in ragged gasps as if she couldn’t draw air.

Her face drained of color, turning deathly pale. Just then, the family maid knocked on her half-open door and entered, whispering, “Miss, your genetic compatibility with Chairman Jiang has been confirmed.”

Like a thunderclap exploding in her ears, the words struck Yu Sui’an dumb, leaving her frozen in shock for what felt like an eternity.

Moments later, she lunged at the maid like a madwoman, her face contorted with hysteria. “You’re lying to me, aren’t you? Who paid you to destroy me like this?!”

The maid winced in pain as Yu Sui’an’s nails dug into her arms, stumbling backward. “I’m not lying! Go ask the doctors yourself if you don’t believe me!”

“You should be thanking your lucky stars for this match with Chairman Jiang. Being chosen to serve him is a blessing from your past life!” The maid, a long-time servant of the household, had nothing but contempt for this illegitimate daughter. “None of the other bastards qualified only you. Instead of seizing this chance to please him, why waste time wallowing in self-pity?”

“This is an opportunity others would kill for.”

“Go to hell with your ‘opportunity’!” Yu Sui’an spat. “If you’re so envious, why don’t I carve out your organs and donate them instead?!”

Before she could finish, the maid tore free in terror, scrambling away while muttering, “You’re insane completely insane!”

Yu Sui’an burst into wild laughter. Who was truly mad here, her, or them?

Stockpiling illegitimate children like spare parts for organ harvesting in his old age was this the scheme of a sane person?

Now she only felt an icy, bone-deep chill, as though plunged into an abyss.

Ever since returning to the Jiang family, misfortune had dogged her every step. The Jiangs were like a bottomless pit, slowly dragging her in with velvet-gloved cruelty, devouring her piece by piece.

And she, she had no power to resist at all.

Xu Chun was inexplicably excited today and downed several glasses of alcohol, despite Jiang Banxia and her manager’s attempts to stop her. After finally managing to coax her into the car, the manager heaved a long sigh of relief and gratefully turned to Jiang Banxia. “Thank you, Miss Jiang. Let me give you a ride home.”

“No need,” Jiang Banxia declined with a smile, glancing at Zheng Yanran, who had been waiting in the car with a sullen expression. “Someone’s already here for me.”

Seeing this, the manager didn’t press further. After expressing her gratitude once more, she watched as Jiang Banxia got into Zheng Yanran’s car before closing the door. “Let’s go.”

Xu Chun didn’t think she was drunk. Though her body wasn’t entirely under her control, her mind remained crystal clear.

When she noticed the car heading toward the Xu family villa, she immediately protested. After stammering for a while, she finally managed to blurt out Qin Yao’s home address. Once the manager set the navigation, she casually asked, “Is this your new place?”

She didn’t think much of it, nor did she expect Xu Chun to respond. But to her surprise, Xu Chun answered with utmost seriousness, “No.”

“It’s President Qin’s.” She grinned. “I’ve been staying at her place before.”

Manager: “?!” Shut up! Do you even realize what you’re saying?!

She quickly covered Xu Chun’s mouth. Xu Chun didn’t resist, obediently letting herself be silenced, motionless except for her dazed eyes staring pitifully at the manager.

Under that gaze, the manager’s frustration melted away. She reluctantly released Xu Chun, suppressing her complicated emotions as she asked as patiently as possible, “Since when? Have you two been together for a long time?”

“No.” Xu Chun answered truthfully before immediately veering off-topic, testing the manager’s patience to its limits. Only after a mix of threats and coaxing did the manager finally extract the truth: “It was just the day after we wrapped up filming. A few of us had dinner together, and then we got together.”

A few of them?!

Recalling Xu Chun’s earth-shattering declaration at the promotional event.”We’re one big happy family”, the manager’s heart sank with a terrible premonition.

Still, she reasoned with herself it couldn’t possibly be that bad.

Even if Xu Chun was willing, President Qin surely wouldn’t be.

Taking a deep breath, the manager tried to calm the agitation Xu Chun had stirred in her. Just as she prepared to gently press for more details, the PR team leader called. “Sister Yang, the media just leaked rumors online about Xu Chun and President Qin’s relationship. Should we issue a clarification?”

Manager: “?”

They had just been talking about this, and now it was already exposed?

Her expression turned grave. “Don’t act rashly. Hold off on any response until I get back.”

After hanging up, the manager looked at Xu Chun with indescribable emotions. Xu Chun was an artist she had nurtured from the ground up from bit parts to leading roles. No one understood the hardships she had endured better than her.

Later on, she watched as the other person hit rock bottom because of Yu Sui’an, completely losing their footing and seemingly beyond redemption, about to be abandoned by the company. Yet, against all odds, they managed to salvage their reputation single-handedly, turning the tables in such a spectacular fashion that it left other artists who had once trampled on them in the dust, gnashing their teeth with envy.

The agent admired Xu Chun and genuinely liked her. So, in these days when success was finally within reach, she naturally didn’t want anything to disrupt it.

However, she also respected Xu Chun. With a faint smile, she gazed at Xu Chun and said gently, “Xu Chun, your relationship with President Qin has been exposed.” She met Xu Chun’s bright, dark eyes directly. “Do you want the team to deny this news on your behalf?”

“No.” Xu Chun shook her head without hesitation.

“She would be unhappy.” And her own consequences would be dire.

She didn’t want to do anything that would hurt Qin Yao or disappoint her. Even when drunk, she instinctively rejected any possibility of causing Qin Yao pain.

Qin Yao had been so sincere and passionate toward her, how could she repay kindness with ingratitude and turn her back on her?

Moreover, she secretly wished for her relationship with Qin Yao to be made public.

The agent understood. “I see. For now, I won’t deny it on your behalf, but I won’t confirm it either. The team will make no official response regarding this matter.”

Xu Chun nodded blankly, then suddenly flashed the agent a radiant smile. “Sister Yang, thank you. I’ve always been grateful for your protection and support.”

Caught off guard by the sentimentality, the agent rolled her eyes. “If you want to repay me, be more careful when you’re out with President Qin. Don’t get caught by the paparazzi every other day.”

Xu Chun, knowing she was at fault, stayed silent out of guilt.

After dropping Xu Chun off at Qin Yao’s place, the agent hurriedly left. Xu Chun lay alone on the sofa, growing drowsy until her eyelids grew heavy, and she eventually drifted off to sleep.

Qin Yao watched the surveillance feed on her phone, her expression softening unconsciously as she took in Xu Chun’s peaceful sleeping face.

She had just learned about Xu Chun’s team’s decision to “neither deny nor respond” to the relationship rumors. Though she had braced herself for a denial, discovering that Xu Chun cared deeply about her feelings still filled her with an irrepressible sense of joy.

Xu Chun was always so attentive, so effortlessly attuned to her emotional shifts just like in their past life, when Qin Yao had been relentlessly cornered by her, forced to face her and answer her questions.

Despite having a sharp tongue herself, Qin Yao could never outtalk Xu Chun. With others, she never lost an argument, always leaving them speechless under her imposing presence and cutting words. But against Xu Chun, all her dominance and toughness were useless.

When I tried to intimidate her with my presence, she’d respond with even fiercer energy like a kitten with its fur puffed up all day. Even when angry, she remained utterly adorable and endearing, never once becoming unpleasant.

Though Xu Chun no longer left her as flustered as before, Qin Yao still found herself slightly exasperated by the girl’s occasional mischievous antics.

Half-asleep, Xu Chun sensed someone entering the room and slowly approaching her. The moment the figure drew near, she drowsily lifted her arms and hugged them. “President Qin,  I really like you so much.”

Nestling against Qin Yao’s neck, she took a deep breath, inhaling the comforting, soothing scent that always clung to her. Her face was full of tender affection as she murmured, “Thank you for giving me confidence in this world.”

If not for Qin Yao, her situation might not have been this easy. More likely, she would have been crushed by Yu Sui’an, the protagonist blessed with plot armor, forced toward the original story’s tragic ending losing everything, even her life.

To her, Qin Yao was like a streetlamp visible through dense fog, a piece of firewood she could grasp for warmth in the dark, or a floating plank that could shelter her in the deep sea.

Qin Yao was Xu Chun’s salvation.

Holding Qin Yao tightly, Xu Chun rambled on and on, as if finally releasing all the words she had kept bottled up inside. Throughout it all, Qin Yao simply held her quietly, listening without interruption until Xu Chun finally fell silent. Then, softly, she whispered by Xu Chun’s ear.

“Let’s go to the bedroom.”

Xu Chun jolted awake instantly, her drunkenness vanishing. “?!”

Young people really need to learn moderation!

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