After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 96

With Qin Yao by her side, Xu Chun felt considerably more at ease.

The two factions had been locked in a chaotic battle throughout the night, only stopping as dawn began to break. Xu Chun had stayed up the entire night, her eyes weary and sore, barely able to stay open.

Dazedly, she gazed at the faint light on the horizon, questioning the absurdity of her life.

Who would have thought that, in this day and age, she would still encounter such an outrageous situation? Meanwhile, Qin Yao showed no signs of surprise, as if she had anticipated all of this.

Yet Qin Yao’s composed demeanor was a great comfort to Xu Chun. Unable to suppress a yawn, Xu Chun thought blankly: It should be over soon, right? After days of fear and sleepless nights, this nightmare should finally come to an end, shouldn’t it?

Another two hours passed, the gunfire gradually fading until silence finally settled in.

Xu Chun instinctively let out a sigh of relief. “It’s finally over!” Before she could finish, a sudden gunshot rang out. In the next moment, from the corner of her eye, she saw Qin Yao’s figure sway slightly then collapse straight toward her.

At first, Xu Chun didn’t react, staring blankly as Qin Yao slumped against her. Only when multiple gazes turned her way did she snap back to reality, flustered, her hands reaching out but not daring to hold Qin Yao, afraid of causing her pain.

She couldn’t see her own expression at that moment, but she imagined it couldn’t have been pleasant.

Qin Yao’s bodyguards swiftly and efficiently moved her aside. Xu Chun swept her gaze around, bewildered and furious, the fire in her chest burning hotter by the second.

She wished with every fiber of her being that the perpetrators would explode on the spot. If anything happened to Qin Yao, even skinning and dismembering those responsible wouldn’t be enough to quell the rage inside her.

Qin Yao had been shot in the chest but still clung to consciousness. She called Xu Chun over, her voice strained. Seeing her struggle, Xu Chun’s eyes and throat burned with unshed tears.

She didn’t have to be this way didn’t have to be pushed to such extremes. She didn’t have to come here personally, didn’t have to put herself in danger. And yet, she had come without hesitation for her. Whether it was Qin Yao or Zheng Jinchan, the depth of their devotion was so immense, so selfless, that Xu Chun could never repay it.

Unconsciously, tears streamed down Xu Chun’s face. She tried to control her expression, but in Qin Yao’s eyes, she was still a complete mess.

Qin Yao remained calm and composed, unfazed by her injury. “Don’t cry. I’m fine,” she murmured, gently wiping Xu Chun’s tear-streaked face, only to smear the dust on her cheeks, turning her into a little soot-stained kitten. Qin Yao nearly laughed but pressed her lips together, forcing herself to stay serious lest Xu Chun lash out in embarrassment.

“Now, follow them closely and break through,” Qin Yao instructed.

“What about you?” Xu Chun asked instinctively. If Qin Yao expected her to leave alone while staying behind herself, Xu Chun would never agree.

But Qin Yao seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. With a faint smile, she said, “I’m coming too.”

“Blades and bullets have no eyes protect yourself and don’t get hurt,” she managed to gasp out in warning. Xu Chun nodded eagerly, like a chick pecking at rice. As long as the two of them could stay together, she would agree to anything Qin Yao said without hesitation.

Action followed words. With Xu Chun’s support, Qin Yao struggled back to her feet. Her once pristine white shirt was now soaked through with blood. Xu Chun stared at the wound with growing distress, her mind wandering between worries about how much pain Qin Yao must be in and frantic speculation over whether the injury was life-threatening. The turmoil left her unable to focus.

It wasn’t until Qin Yao pulled her jacket closed, concealing the gruesome wound, that Xu Chun managed to rein in her thoughts and steel herself for their escape.

Qin Yao had arranged for Zhao Ciying to meet them nearby, but their pursuers seemed to realize that letting them leave would mean losing their chance forever. Their attacks grew fiercer than ever. Xu Chun, already numb, showed little panic. Her eyes remained fixed on Qin Yao, terrified of any further mishap befalling her.

At one point, a falling rock struck Xu Chun’s foot with brutal force. The sharp, searing pain nearly made her cry out, but she stifled the sound with a muffled groan, biting down hard to avoid distracting Qin Yao.

She endured the pain until it faded into numbness, her body moving mechanically crouching, dodging, rising driven purely by instinct to survive.

What should have been a short distance of just a few kilometers felt like days of endless struggle.

Throughout it all, Xu Chun had barely slept. Her swollen, aching eyes shifted to Qin Yao’s blood-drenched coat. She wanted to weep, but no sound escaped her.

Her face remained a mask of numb indifference, belying the storm of worry inside. She looked like a shattered porcelain doll, beautiful, yet devoid of emotion.

After what felt like an eternity, Xu Chun finally caught sight of Zhao Ciying’s face uncharacteristically free of arrogance or mockery, replaced only by urgency and concern.

In that moment, Xu Chun couldn’t describe the complex emotions surging within her.

All she knew was that Zhao Ciying had never looked more radiant, more reassuring like a divine messenger sent to rescue them from their torment, igniting an overwhelming will to survive.

Xu Chun heard herself call out Zhao Ciying’s name with desperate, thunderous force. The other woman’s unfocused gaze sharpened, and she hurried over under the cover of her allies.

Instinctively, Xu Chun grabbed Zhao Ciying’s arm. “President Qin’s been shot,” she blurted out. She wanted to drag Zhao Ciying over to see the wound for herself, but before she could, her legs buckled without warning. Darkness swallowed her as she collapsed, unconscious, to the ground.

Zhao Ciying immediately ordered someone to carry Xu Chun, turning to ask Qin Yao what had happened to reduce even her to such a state. But at the sight of Zhao Ciying, Qin Yao seemed to lose the last ounce of strength that had been keeping her going. Her eyes closed, just like Xu Chun, and she completely lost consciousness.

Zhao Ciying stared silently at the two who had collapsed so abruptly, “……”

After a moment, she snapped out of it, quickly stubbing out her cigarette butt underfoot, her expression dark and terrifying. “Let’s go, get in the car!”

As the group surged into the vehicle, their pursuers caught up, bullets pinging against the car in rapid succession. After instructing the doctor inside to check on the two injured women, Zhao Ciying hardened her heart, picked up a gun, and began firing indiscriminately at their attackers.

Whether it was Xu Chun or Qin Yao who had provoked them before didn’t matter now. Since they dared to cross her, they’d better be prepared for her relentless pursuit and revenge to the ends of the earth.

No one could point a gun at her and walk away unscathed.

The gunfire was intense, but Zhao Ciying’s people were stronger. Soon they shook off their pursuers and safely reached the airport. After having Xu Chun and Qin Yao carried onto the private jet, Zhao Ciying left no unfamiliar faces onboard for security reasons.

She stayed alone with the two unconscious women, her eyes scanning back and forth between their IV drips without saying a word.

The atmosphere in the cabin was oppressively tense. Even the doctor needed several minutes of mental preparation before daring to approach to change the IV bags. Under Zhao Ciying’s gaze, the doctor’s hands trembled slightly. Once finished, she fled from Zhao Ciying’s presence as if escaping death itself, only then feeling like she could breathe again.

They arrived in the country secretly. As soon as the private jet landed, medical teams swarmed in, urgently loading the two women into ambulances that sped toward the hospital like arrows loosed from bows.

Both Xu Chun and Qin Yao were seriously injured and were immediately taken to separate operating rooms upon arrival. The surgery lights burned from day to night, then night to day again.

Zheng Yanran waited outside the operating room, her exhausted body slumped, her gaze unfocused.

Zheng Jinchan had already been sent back to the country earlier and received emergency treatment. However, due to the delayed medical attention, even though she was revived, there was a high chance she would remain in a vegetative state, bedridden and requiring constant care for the rest of her life.

Zheng Yanran couldn’t accept this. She couldn’t imagine how painful it must be for her strong-willed, capable mother if she were conscious now.

With her mother’s company needing leadership, Zheng Yanran couldn’t bear to see her mother’s life’s work destroyed. So she took charge of the massive corporation, handling business matters day and night without rest.

Since the incident, Zheng Yanran hadn’t slept properly. Now, learning that Xu Chun and Qin Yao were also in surgery, her insomnia worsened.

Clutching an armful of belongings, she sat in a daze, endlessly reflecting on how things had escalated to this point. She remained motionless for an immeasurable amount of time until Jiang Banxia rushed over after handling company affairs. Only then did Zheng Yanran’s lips tremble as she uttered in a broken voice, “They’re still not out of danger.”

It was just filming a variety show abroad, so why were all the people she cared about so severely injured?

Zheng Yanran couldn’t understand, who wanted them dead so badly that they’d even dare to bribe guests on the show to openly target Xu Chun? Did they hate Xu Chun that much? Did they really want her to die a miserable death?

Right now, Zheng Yanran was furious, so furious that it nearly consumed her rationality, making her want to hunt those people down on the spot and demand their lives in return.

Jiang Banxia grabbed her arm. “We’ll deal with everything after they wake up.”

Zheng Yanran pursed her lips. What if,  just what if, Xu Chun and Qin Yao ended up like Mom? No. She shook her head violently, forcing the thought out of her mind.

They would be fine especially Xu Chun.

With her cockroach-like resilience, even Yu Sui’an and Jiang Zhaolie teaming up back then couldn’t do anything to her. These small fry wouldn’t stand a chance against her.

Zheng Yanran stared nervously at the operating room, her fingers unconsciously clenching together.

After what felt like an eternity, the light above Xu Chun’s operating room finally dimmed. Zheng Yanran immediately stood up, rushing forward with Jiang Banxia. “Doctor!” Before she could even finish, the doctor seemed to know what she wanted to ask. “The surgery went smoothly. The patient will wake up once the anesthesia wears off.”

With that, the doctor sidestepped them and hurried away.

Zheng Yanran and Jiang Banxia both let out a sigh of relief. They exchanged a glance, then couldn’t help but worry about Qin Yao again.

Rumors said Qin Yao’s injuries were more severe, and there had been no updates from Jiang Zhaolie’s side for a long time,  Jiang Banxia pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling utterly exhausted by everything that had happened recently.

Outside the family, and even more so within it.

Xu Chun was soon wheeled out and taken to a private ward. Jiang Banxia followed, barely sitting down before her phone started ringing incessantly. She stood up and walked to the lounge, listening coldly to the report on the other end. “Understood.”

Before Qin Yao had left the country to find Xu Chun, she had already analyzed the domestic situation for Jiang Banxia and disclosed all her contingency plans without reservation. Though Jiang Banxia thought she was being overly cautious, Yu Sui’an’s recent uncharacteristic quietness had put her on guard as well.

But who could’ve guessed that Yu Sui’an, even at death’s door, refused to stay still? At some point, she had secretly connected with Chairman Qiao, quietly scheming to stage a comeback and reclaim everything she had lost.

In this whole mess, Yu Sui’an might not have played the biggest role, but the fact that she would sacrifice anyone around her for her own ambitions and interests meant she would never be forgiven.

Jiang Banxia glanced at her watch, then turned back to grab her briefcase. “I need to leave for a bit. I’ll come back to relieve you once I’ve handled some things.”

Zheng Yanran looked at her with tired eyes for a moment before nodding. “Alright.”

She hadn’t been doing well lately either. After Zheng Jinchan fell into a coma, she left behind a huge mess that left Zheng Yanran physically and mentally exhausted. At the same time, she had to personally take care of Zheng Jinchan in every way because she didn’t trust anyone else to do it. Under such high-intensity, non-stop work, Zheng Yanran, once a refined young lady from a wealthy family, had now become disheveled, looking like a down-and-out puppy.

But no one was doing particularly well these days. Jiang Banxia gave her a faint smile and said, “Just hang in there a little longer, it’ll be over soon.”

Zheng Yanran smiled back but didn’t respond.

Whether her mother would wake up was still uncertain, and she had already prepared herself for the worst in her heart.

Time waits for no one. Jiang Banxia soon drove away from the hospital and returned to this familiar yet unfamiliar home she hadn’t seen in a long time. There weren’t many people in the house. Several illegitimate children had either been sent to godforsaken places abroad under the pretext of work or had already had their relationships with her completely severed and been forcibly kicked out of the house.

Jiang’s father was in poor health and powerless to intervene in family matters. Moreover, her mother was constantly by his side, watching his every move. If he dared to make any rash decisions, her mother wouldn’t hesitate to kick him out of the company and secure everything under Jiang Banxia’s name.

Thus, the entire Jiang family had effectively become Jiang Banxia’s domain.

However, all of this was only true before Jiang’s father’s surgery was successfully completed. Once the surgery went smoothly and he regained his former physical condition, Jiang Banxia would undoubtedly face suppression again.

Jiang Banxia glanced around the house before calling out to the housekeeper, “Isn’t Yu Suian home today?”

The housekeeper stopped in her tracks. “No. Mr. Jiang’s surgery is the day after tomorrow. She’s probably waiting at the hospital with him now.”

Without waiting for the housekeeper to finish, Jiang Banxia turned and rushed back to the hospital.

She couldn’t let this surgery succeed. Whether it was her nominal father or Yu Suian, she wouldn’t give them another chance.

It took half an hour to reach the hospital. Jiang Banxia went straight to Yu Suian, who was sitting blankly on the hospital bed, and walked in without knocking. “Are you wondering why Mr. Qiao’s people haven’t come to pick you up yet?”

Yu Suian turned her head, her expressionless face staring at her.

Jiang Banxia locked the door behind her, a cruel smile tugging at her lips. “They will never come to pick you up again.” She slowly approached Yu Suian, looking down at her with disdain. “As long as I’m around, your little schemes will never succeed.”

“Do you think cozying up to Mr. Qiao is your way out? It’s not.” Jiang Banxia leaned slightly closer. “If you had behaved and stayed in your place, I might have let you off. But what you’ve done now is unforgivable.”

“Even if I pity you, your death wouldn’t be enough to make up for everything you’ve caused.”

In Yu Suian’s eyes, Jiang Banxia now resembled a demon cruel and merciless. The last shred of hope in Yu Suian’s heart shattered, but she forced herself not to show it, sneering coldly. “Stop trying to drive a wedge between us. I won’t be affected by you.”

“Whether you’ve been affected or not, don’t you already know the answer?” Jiang Banxia stared at her. “Besides, when have I ever lied to you?”

“With President Qiao caught up in so many troubles of his own, do you really think he’d spare a thought for you now?”

Yu Sui’an was at a loss for words. The moment the other party was late, she had already sensed something amiss, though she stubbornly refused to dwell on it, clinging to the hope that perhaps they were simply delayed by some matter. But now, with Jiang Banxia mercilessly laying bare the truth, Yu Sui’an was overwhelmed with fury and panic.

If even President Qiao wouldn’t help her, where else could she place her hopes?

She glanced at Jiang Banxia. This woman? The thought almost made her laugh bitterly.

The very person who had reduced her to this state was none other than this woman gentle and formidable in the eyes of outsiders. If not for her, how could Yu Sui’an have fallen so low, treated worse than a dog? How could she have become that Jiang family’s organ bank, subjected to their picking and choosing?

Yu Sui’an seethed with hatred for Jiang Banxia’s hypocrisy and cruelty, for her so-called father’s heartlessness, and most of all, for Xu Chun’s ruthless actions that had ruined her reputation.

Clenching her teeth, she suddenly smiled. “How is Xu Chun doing now?” she asked sweetly, locking eyes with Jiang Banxia. “Is she alright?”

Watching someone you care about fall into a worse state than yourself, surely that must sting, no?

Jiang Banxia saw right through her little game and smiled in return. “She’s doing well, out of danger now.” She met Yu Sui’an’s gaze sincerely. “When she wakes up, I’ll pass along your concern. I’m sure she’ll be deeply moved.”

“But…” Her tone shifted. “Whether you’ll be around to hear her gratitude in person, I can’t say.”

With that, Jiang Banxia straightened her posture. “Your surgery is the day after tomorrow. Get some rest, I won’t disturb you further.” She turned to leave, her voice fading into the air. “Call me if you need anything.”

Every venomous word Yu Sui’an had prepared stuck in her throat. The calm facade she had maintained shattered instantly under Jiang Banxia’s words, leaving only terror in its wake.

Would she simply resign herself to fate like this? No. She refused.

She still had a bright future ahead of her. Why should she sacrifice herself for someone already halfway in the grave? She wasn’t that selfless.

But with the surgery looming, if she didn’t act now, it would truly be too late.

After a moment of silence, Yu Sui’an decisively yanked the IV from her hand and hurried out of the hospital room. If only one of them could survive her or that Jiang family member then it would have to be her.

Jiang Banxia visited her mother at the hospital again, spending some time chatting with her.

As their conversation wound down, sudden exclamations erupted near the windows, where a crowd had gathered, craning their necks for a better view. Jiang Banxia glanced at the commotion just as her mother stood and made her way over. “Excuse me, let me through.”

Before she could finish, her mother’s expression changed. “Come quick!” she called to Jiang Banxia, her voice a mix of sorrow and something almost like relief. “Your father and your sister, they’ve jumped.”

Jiang Banxia slowly walked over, lifting her legs with effort, and looked down at the two people lying in pools of blood on the first floor, apparently having lost their balance during a struggle and fallen. “What a pity,” she murmured.

Jiang’s mother stared at her for a long moment before finally feigning panic and rushing downstairs. “Doctor! A doctor, quickly! Someone come check on my husband!”

Standing by the window, Jiang Banxia watched with calm, almost indifferent eyes as Yu Sui’an struggled to speak, his lips moving desperately as if trying to convey something to her. She remained unmoved.

Only then did Yu Sui’an suddenly realize: from the very beginning, she had never intended for him to fare well.

Hadn’t she come here today precisely to stir up conflict between him and that Jiang fellow, to pit them against each other until they both suffered, so she could reap the benefits in the end?

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a regret medicine in this world. Even if she now sees through Jiang Banxia’s schemes, it is of no use.

Yu Suian struggled to move her fingers; her body hurt so much.

Is this time really the end for her?

At this moment, it seemed everyone was gathered around that person named Jiang, while no one had ever cared about her, this insignificant being.

She felt like she had lived a failed life, and now, at the brink of death, there wasn’t even a single pretender willing to shed fake tears for her.

Jiang Banxia watched as Yu Suian breathed her last and slowly made her way downstairs. “Clean up and send her to where she belongs,” she instructed the housekeeper with a tone so cold that it betrayed no hint of sorrow.

The housekeeper bowed his head. “I will take care of it right away.”

After a pause, he asked, “Should we hold her funeral together with President Jiang’s?”

Jiang Banxia glanced back, a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown on her lips. “What do you think?”

The housekeeper immediately dared not ask further, hurriedly leaving Jiang Banxia’s sight to get busy. Jiang Banxia watched his retreating figure with a faint smile. Together?

Did she deserve that?

Xu Chun had still not woken up, and even if it meant trading one life for another, she found Yu Suian to be filthy.

With Jiang’s mother busy at the hospital, Jiang Banxia went directly to keep watch over Xu Chun. The good news was that Qin Yao’s surgery had also been very successful; however, she was still in the intensive care unit. As long as she could get through the initial dangerous days, there would be no major issues.

Since both Xu Chun and Qin Yao had returned to the country secretly, various rumors and speculations were still swirling online, with all sorts of outrageous developments. But at this moment, no one took the initiative to clarify anything; everything would have to wait until Qin Yao woke up.

Xu Chun woke up about a day after the surgery. As she opened her eyes, she saw Zhao Ciying’s kind face. As her consciousness gradually returned, she suddenly remembered what this person had done for her, and she sat up instantly, hugging Zhao Ciying’s thigh. “Mom, you are my second mother in this world.”

“You gave me a second chance at life, and from now on, you are my rebirth parents!”

Zhao Ciying was taken aback when suddenly hugged by Xu Chun, her hair standing on end, nearly kicking her away on instinct. Fortunately, she recognized Xu Chun’s voice just in time and managed to stop herself, turning back to look at her in exasperation.

“Enough already,” Zhao Ciying decisively rejected her. “I can’t handle that.”

The speaker was oblivious, but Jiang Zhaolie suddenly thought of something and turned sharply to Xu Chun, hesitating, “…she, this, grandma?”

Xu Chun: “?”

Zhao Ciying: “??”

She squinted her eyes and couldn’t help but look at Jiang Zhaolie, thinking he better keep both eyes open while sleeping tonight.

Support