After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 91

Xu Chun was at a complete loss for words to describe Zhao Ciying’s dramatic antics. She remained silent for a moment, then remembered she’d soon be traveling abroad for a variety show filming likely staying away for one or two months. Under Qin Yao’s watchful gaze, she reluctantly agreed.

Zhao Ciying finally got what she wanted and stopped her unreasonable demands, saying cheerfully, “I’ll come pick you up when the time comes.”

Her fingers tapped lightly on the table, almost absentmindedly. “By the way, where are you staying now?”

Though it seemed like a simple question, the probing intent was obvious. Xu Chun thought for a moment before deciding to turn Zhao Ciying’s own tactics against her. “Seriously, President Zhao?” she gasped in exaggerated shock, layering her tone with disbelief and heartbreak. “After all this time, you don’t even know where I live?”

“And here I thought of you as my dear sister, my trusted elder yet you, ” She paused theatrically, feigning sorrow. “Sister Zhao, you’ve truly disappointed me!”

Caught off guard by Xu Chun’s counterattack, Zhao Ciying: “…”

Just keep acting.

She really had no way to deal with this drama queen and didn’t want to be pestered further about being “uncaring and oblivious,” so she quickly steered the conversation elsewhere.

Xu Chun, too, decided not to push her luck—lest she end up getting scolded by Qin Yao as well and dropped the act.

The topic was quietly brushed aside, as if neither had ever brought it up.

After finalizing the time with Zhao Ciying, Xu Chun obediently set down her phone and sidled up to Qin Yao, pressing close affectionately. “Sister, Director Guo has already bought all the guests’ plane tickets for the trip abroad,” she said excitedly. “And our hotel rooms are all booked too! Who knew we’d get a riverside suite right from the first day? It’ll be perfect for sightseeing and photos.”

She subtly gauged Qin Yao’s expression before sighing in feigned regret. “What a shame, though, you’ll be busy with work and can’t come with me.”

Qin Yao saw right through her little act, lips curling in amusement as she turned to meet Xu Chun’s gaze. “Then I’ll just come join you later.”

Xu Chun: “?!”

She froze for a second before hesitantly replying, “But, won’t you have work to handle?”

“I’ll take time off,” Qin Yao said casually. When Xu Chun stayed silent, she turned fully to face her. “Or is it that you don’t actually want me there, getting in the way of you and the other female guests,”

“Of course not!” Xu Chun nearly raised her hand to swear to the heavens. “Sister, my loyalty to you is as clear as the sky above!”

Qin Yao simply smiled at her a smile that took Xu Chun half a second too long to realize was teasing. She shot Qin Yao a reproachful look, only to be pulled into her arms. “It’s not very safe overseas lately,” Qin Yao murmured. “Once I wrap up urgent work here, I’ll come keep you company.”

Xu Chun wasn’t too concerned. Director Guo had already coordinated with the relevant departments in the countries they were visiting. To maintain their national image, the authorities would at least ensure their basic safety, wouldn’t they?

As she pondered this, she heard Qin Yao remark, “Zheng Jinchan nearly met her demise a couple of days ago.”

Xu Chun immediately tensed up upon hearing this. “Is she alright?” This couldn’t be happening. She hadn’t come across such dangers in the original story. Qin Yao’s words made her consider backing out of the variety show. After all, compared to worldly possessions like money and fame, her life was obviously more important.

She had struggled so hard to survive till now; she didn’t want all her efforts to go to waste!

“Nothing too serious,” Qin Yao said, pleased to see her finally taking it seriously. “But it was quite a scare.”

Hearing this, Xu Chun’s heart raced with anxiety. Still, she knew backing out now wouldn’t be wise, and the company wouldn’t allow her to be so capricious. The news of her participation had been publicized for over a month, and all the guests for the season had already been announced. If she suddenly caused any trouble, she would undoubtedly be kicked while she was down.

Not to mention the damage to her reputation and public image, even the projects she was currently working on would suffer a huge blow.

She didn’t want the entire crew’s hard work to be undermined because of her personal reasons.

After much deliberation, Xu Chun had no choice but to grit her teeth and go through with it.

However, thoroughly spooked by Qin Yao, she immediately contacted her agent to buy every available insurance policy on the market. The agent, receiving this unreasonable request, was baffled: “?”

What nonsense was this kid up to now?

Terrified but unyielding, Xu Chun declared, “Although I’m sure nothing will happen to me, to prevent any accidents, I’ve decided to buy some insurance, just in case.”

The agent: “…” Are you doing tongue twisters now?

Since her artist had made a request, she naturally complied. Recalling Xu Chun’s past experiences, she went all out and purchased several high-end insurance policies for her.

Xu Chun was now her most successful artist and the company’s top priority. As Xu Chun had said, it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra layer of protection consider it,  buying peace of mind.

Xu Chun’s attitude and Qin Yao’s earlier actions had even made the agent nervous.

Her heart pounded so much that she briefly considered getting a fortune reading for Xu Chun. But after calming down, she dismissed the absurd idea.

After communicating with her agent, Xu Chun inexplicably felt much more at ease.

Before Xu Chun’s departure, “Secretly Falling for You” aired its finale. The well-reasoned conclusion sent the drama’s ratings and reputation soaring, earning widespread acclaim. Major influencers enthusiastically promoted the complete series across platforms, recommending it to fans and newcomers alike. The show was soon hailed as this year’s most groundbreaking and heartfelt drama.

From the cast to the costumes, sets, and editing everything was flawless, leaving no room for criticism.

Aside from that, every actor in the entire series had their moment in the spotlight, even the minor supporting roles. The veteran actors, with their superb acting skills, saw a resurgence in popularity after this drama. The number of scripts coming their way almost surpassed what they’d received in the entire past year, making people marvel at how “Secret Crush” had been a true talent scout for the entire cast.

The only regret was that while everyone else was enjoying brighter career prospects, Jiang Banxia chose to fade from the entertainment industry. Though those in the know understood she had family assets to inherit, many still engaged in heated debates over whether she should pursue her career at home or in showbiz, given the messy family affairs awaiting her.

Zheng Yanran pursed her lips and said disapprovingly to Xu Chun, “How much can you really earn in showbiz? Isn’t running your own business at home much freer?” She added nonchalantly, “Like my mom, she easily makes several hundred million a month.”

Xu Chun was momentarily speechless. “Not everyone is as capable as your mom. Plenty of people end up bankrupt and drowning in debt from failed businesses.” Just like her parents in the original story, who worked hard for decades only to lose everything and even their lives in the end.

Zheng Yanran thought about it and conceded, “Well, whatever Xiaxia decides, I’ll support her.”

“If she doesn’t want to do business anymore and goes back to acting, I’ll just manage the company for her until she’s ready to take over again,” Zheng Yanran shrugged. “No matter what happens, I’ll be there to back her up.”

Xu Chun looked at her and suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Under her gaze, Zheng Yanran felt a bit uneasy and quickly pushed her chair away with her legs. “Aren’t you leaving the day after tomorrow? Have you packed yet? Don’t forget to bring extra suitcases and buy me lots of souvenirs.”

“Already packed.” Xu Chun shot her a disdainful look. “Miss, haven’t you been to those places like a thousand times yourself?”

“That’s different,” Zheng Yanran declared shamelessly. “What you buy carries a different meaning.” Then she lowered her voice and muttered, “Who knows, maybe I can use your gifts to win Xiaxia’s favor.”

Xu Chun: “???” Have some decency.

Realizing she’d accidentally revealed her ulterior motive, Zheng Yanran laughed awkwardly and brazenly changed the subject. “Do you know what your ex has been up to lately?”

Xu Chun genuinely didn’t. Ever since the TV series aired and the initial uproar died down, everyone had silently stopped mentioning Yu Sui’an, realizing they couldn’t fight the tide. Xu Chun had hardly thought about her since. She knew Yu Sui’an was still with the Jiang family, but she’d never bothered to find out what she did there day to day.

Now that Zheng Yanran brought it up, Xu Chun assumed Yu Sui’an was stirring trouble again and instinctively frowned. “Is she causing more drama?”

“Not exactly.” Zheng Yanran scooted her chair back over, leaning in to whisper behind her hand, “I heard her dad recently gave her a serious beating and a harsh lesson.”

“As expected, it takes a villain to deal with a villain,” Zheng Yanran smirked. “I doubt she’ll have much presence left in the Jiang family soon.”

Xu Chun was surprised, but considering Jiang’s father’s methods, she had to admit: While the priest climbs a foot, the devil climbs ten.

With Jiang’s father keeping Yu Sui’an in check, Xu Chun felt considerably more at ease. Of the two people who posed a threat to her in the original story, one was now too preoccupied to focus on her, and the other. Thinking of Jiang Zhaolie’s attitude toward her, Xu Chun frowned, she doubted the woman would dare try any tricks under Qin Yao’s watchful eye.

All in all, Xu Chun was now safe.

At this realization, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. The gloom that had weighed on her heart for so long finally began to disperse, letting in long-awaited sunlight.

Unfortunately, Zheng Yanran misunderstood her reaction, assuming Xu Chun was still wary of Yu Sui’an. She leaned in conspiratorially. “Actually, Xiaxia has been getting help from President Qin lately. Just wait by the time you finish filming the show, the entire Jiang family will be firmly in Xiaxia’s grasp.”

“Once Xiaxia is calling the shots in the Jiang family, do you really think she won’t help you deal with someone as insignificant as Yu Sui’an?”

Zheng Yanran smiled mysteriously. “Don’t think Xiaxia is some meek little rabbit.”

Xu Chun certainly didn’t. In the original story, Jiang Banxia had devoted herself to academic research, achieving remarkable success in her field and even becoming the youngest professor at a prestigious foreign university. Compared to that, the current situation was a complete upheaval.

Xu Chun couldn’t say whether Jiang Banxia’s original path was better or if this new trajectory suited her more. She just felt a pang of regret.

Regret that her Jiang Banxia should have been free to wholeheartedly pursue her passions, yet now, because of certain people and circumstances, she had to abandon what she loved and fought for just to secure a chance at survival.

Because of one Yu Sui’an, the fates of so many people had unknowingly veered off course.

But why? Why should Yu Sui’an alone wield such influence? Xu Chun’s thoughts drifted, suddenly recalling the unnamed text’s description of this world collapsed.

A twisted world, a broken order, it needed to be set right.

And perhaps, the one chosen to do so was Qin Yao.

Xu Chun’s spirits lifted instantly. If it was Qin Yao, then there was nothing left to worry about. Who could possibly help Yu Sui’an defeat Qin Yao now? No one.

Maybe, Xu Chun’s heart raced uncontrollably, Qin Yao was the true heroine of this world.

Xu Chun held her breath, exhilaration surging within her. She pondered the idea carefully, and the more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. After all, every admirable, resilient, and unyielding trait of a heroine could be found in Qin Yao.

Overjoyed, Xu Chun hastily bid Zheng Yanran farewell and set off to find Qin Yao.

Watching her retreating figure, Zheng Yanran was baffled: “?” All she’d said was that Xiaxia wasn’t some harmless bunny was that really enough to make Xu Chun this happy?

A moment later, she suddenly realized, oh no! Could Xu Chun be going to find Jiang Banxia right now?!

She immediately sat bolt upright like a terminally ill patient miraculously revived, hastily chasing after Xu Chun. “Where are you going? Wait for me!”

She shamelessly followed Xu Chun into the car, refusing to leave no matter how much she was urged. Xu Chun gave her a complicated look for a long moment, I’m going to see my girlfriend, why are you tagging along?

But Zheng Yanran was determined to follow, leaving Xu Chun no choice but to step on the gas and take her along.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Zheng Yanran tightly gripped the seatbelt while secretly thinking: Today, I’ll finally see what secrets you two are trying to hide from me.

However, as the car drove on, she began to feel something was off.

Isn’t this the way to the Qin Corporation? Zheng Yanran opened her mouth to ask but then remembered Jiang Banxia’s close relationship with Qin Yao, swallowing her question back down. She shot Xu Chun a sidelong glance. Well, well! I never expected you to know Xiaxia’s whereabouts so intimately.

Xu Chun found Zheng Yanran’s gaze somewhat odd, but couldn’t quite pinpoint why…

Her mind was completely preoccupied with Qin Yao at the moment, so she paid no attention to Zheng Yanran’s strange behavior. After parking, upon learning from Secretary Zhao that Qin Yao wasn’t busy, she immediately rushed to Qin Yao’s office, her voice brimming with joy and excitement, “Sister!” The cheerful tone lasted barely half a second before abruptly cutting off.

Zheng Yanran, following closely behind, saw her suddenly stop in her tracks and instinctively nudged her forward. “Why are you frozen at the door? Go in.”

Could she be getting shy at the sight of Jiang Banxia?

After pushing Xu Chun inside, Zheng Yanran stepped in as well, only to freeze in shock upon looking up. There was no Jiang Banxia here only Qin Yao and Zhao Ciying!

Seeing the two enter while bickering and pulling at each other, Zhao Ciying immediately launched into a sarcastic attack, her smile not reaching her eyes. “So, this is why you keep standing me up,” she said with a sharp edge to her words. “Turns out your heart already belongs to someone else.”

Xu Chun: “…” Weak, pitiful, but unable to refute.

Then Zhao Ciying turned to Zheng Yanran. “And you, your mother keeps pleading with you to learn from me, yet you reject me just to chase after her all day?”

Zheng Yanran: “……..” Had she known this was a battlefield, she wouldn’t have eagerly followed along.

What rotten luck.

Support