After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother - Chapter 99

Zheng Jinchan had just regained consciousness and was still very weak all over.

She lay on the hospital bed, allowing the caregiver to tend to her meticulously, bringing her tea and water. After moistening her throat slightly, Zheng Jinchan surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings, a hint of wariness rising in her heart. “Where is this?” she asked the caregiver.

The caregiver set down the water cup in her hand and replied, “This is a hospital.” Noticing the guarded look in Zheng Jinchan’s eyes, she added kindly, “You’ve been receiving treatment here all this time.”

At these words, Zheng Jinchan frowned almost imperceptibly. She knew she had been injured, but the unfamiliar language on the walls around her made it painfully clear, she was not in her home country.

And to Zheng Jinchan, foreign lands had long been deeply branded in her bones as “unsafe.”

Had Xu Chun sent her to this hospital? Or  Zheng Jinchan lowered her gaze and pondered quietly for a moment before suddenly throwing off the covers, leaping out of bed, and bolting so fast the caregiver barely had time to react.

Zheng Jinchan moved swiftly, charging toward the door like lightning. She flung it open, but just as she lifted her foot to rush out, she collided head-on with a woman walking in. Their eyes met, and for a moment, both froze. Zheng Jinchan was about to speak when Zheng Yanran threw aside the things in her arms and flung herself into her mother’s embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Mom, you’re finally awake!” she wailed. “I’ve suffered so much while you were unconscious! Never in my life have I endured such hardship!”

“People from your company, your business partners, even strangers I’ve never met everyone tried to bully me. They saw me as a kid with no experience in business, so they took advantage, stepping on me while lifting others up, treating me like a pushover!”

Zheng Yanran cried with such genuine emotion that Zheng Jinchan’s heart softened. She was about to comfort her when suddenly, Zheng Yanran’s tone shifted.

“Damn it, I was already in a bad mood, and they had to provoke me! If I don’t ruin them completely, I won’t be satisfied!”

Zheng Jinchan: “…?”

“Mom,” Zheng Yanran blinked her teary eyes and looked up eagerly, “You always taught me not to let others walk all over me. So while you were out, I kicked all the disobedient people out of your company.”

“And those partners of yours who talk nonsense, whoever wants to work with them can go ahead. I wasn’t about to put up with them. But to make sure they don’t try to get revenge out of spite, I took everything from them their companies, houses, assets cutting off all their escape routes so they can’t secretly sabotage us anymore.”

Zheng Jinchan: “??” Are you a bandit?!

Zheng Yanran grew more animated as she spoke, her eyes shining with anticipation. “Mom, don’t you think I did a great job? Doesn’t it make you proud?”

Zheng Jinchan: “…” She was at a loss for words.

Staring at her daughter’s triumphant expression, she closed her eyes decisively. “Maybe I should just go back to being unconscious.”

What kind of mess is this? Everything she had painstakingly built was ruined by Zheng Yanran in just a few moves. Rather than having her wake up, it would be better if she had died at least then she wouldn’t have to deal with the disaster Zheng Yanran had created.

Zheng Jingchan’s reaction left Zheng Yanran stunned. Instinctively catching the fainting Zheng Jingchan, she blurted out, “No, Mom! You just woke up, why are you passing out again?”

“I don’t want to deal with your businesses or your work anymore,” Zheng Jingchan gritted her teeth in frustration. “Just thinking about those people makes me wish I could blow them all to the sky with fireworks!”

Hearing this, Zheng Jingchan couldn’t help but peek open one eye. “If you dare, I’ll probably end up burying my own child. We’ll meet again in jail.”

Zheng Yanran immediately put on an ingratiating smile. “I know, that’s why I haven’t acted yet.” She began fussing over Zheng Jingchan. “Mom, you have no idea how much I prayed for you to wake up while you were unconscious. Every single day, I begged the gods.”

“Do you know how hard it was for me after you left me alone? How miserable and lost I felt?” Zheng Yanran hugged her tightly. “Mom, I’ve relied on you my whole life. Without you, my entire world felt like it collapsed. So,” she lifted her teary face, “promise me you’ll never leave me alone again, okay?”

“No matter what happens in the future, promise me you’ll prioritize your own safety, okay?”

“I can’t bear the thought of you leaving me again.” Zheng Yanran shook her head repeatedly. “Just imagining it makes me panic and struggle to breathe.”

For once, Zheng Yanran was completely serious, her words earnest and heartfelt. After a moment of silence, Zheng Jingchan replied, “Alright, I promise.”

She couldn’t bear to leave Zheng Yanran alone either, it was just that the circumstances had been extraordinary. Back then, when she and Xu Chun were in such close proximity, she couldn’t stand by and ignore a living person in danger.

So, even knowing she might get hurt or even killed, she rushed in without hesitation.

If she succeeded and survived, Qin Yao and the Xu family would owe her gratitude. If she failed and died, their guilt would ensure Zheng Yanran lived comfortably for the rest of her life.

Whether it was the Xu family or Qin Yao, protecting Zheng Yanran would be effortless for them.

Zheng Yanran was her greatest concern in life. As long as she was safe and happy, Zheng Jingchan would have no regrets. So, for her, this gamble was worth it, win or lose.

Thinking of Xu Chun, Zheng Jingchan lowered her lashes and asked, “Where is Xu Chun? How is she?”

If she had been rescued, Xu Chun should be fine too, right?

“Her?” Zheng Yanran paused. “She’s been fine for a while. Right now, she’s probably throwing a tantrum on national TV.”

Zheng Yanran didn’t deliberately smear Xu Chun; she simply told the truth: “If you hadn’t woken up soon, the entire production crew would have gone mad because of her. These days, she’s either bungee jumping or skydiving, or openly racing in her wheelchair, as if she’s afraid her life isn’t short enough.”

She knew Xu Chun was venting her inner turmoil and anxiety through extreme thrills. But wheelchair racing? Only she could come up with something like that.

Zheng Yanran had even heard that Xu Chun wanted to modify her wheelchair to reach speeds of 120 km/h, but Qin Yao gave her a stern scolding, forcing her to abandon the idea. Otherwise, who knew what other outrageous stunts she might have pulled?

At this rate, it wouldn’t be bullets that killed her, she’d be the death of herself.

Zheng Jinchan’s eyelid twitched violently as she took in Zheng Yanran’s disgusted expression. “…” Truly, you two are cut from the same cloth, no wonder you get along so well.

Though she had just woken up, Zheng Jinchan already felt mentally and physically exhausted, too tired to speak.

Just then, a familiar voice sounded beside them. “I thought you were badmouthing me again behind my back.” Though Xu Chun’s words were directed at Zheng Yanran, her gaze was fixed on Zheng Jinchan, who looked surprisingly well. Suppressing her joy, she walked over calmly. “Sister Jinchan, you’re awake.”

“Are you feeling unwell? Why aren’t you resting in bed? Standing must be exhausting.” Only then did she turn to Zheng Yanran. “Did you drag her up?”

Zheng Yanran: “?”

“Stop pinning the blame on me, I’ve got enough on my plate already.” But Xu Chun’s reminder made her realize that their mother, still weak from just waking up, shouldn’t be standing for long. She quickly tugged at Zheng Jinchan’s arm. “Mom, come inside and sit down.”

“No need.” Zheng Jinchan rubbed her temples and said to Xu Chun, “I’m fine. I feel great now.”

As Xu Chun visibly relaxed, Zheng Jinchan coldly and mercilessly shooed away the two troublesome kids. “But I have something to discuss with President Qin. You two go find somewhere else to play.”

Zheng Yanran: “?”

Xu Chun: “??”

Their pitiful stares made Zheng Jinchan’s brow twitch, forcing her to add, “It’ll only take a few minutes not long.”

Only then did Xu Chun and Zheng Yanran reluctantly leave, glancing back every few steps. Once the troublemakers were gone, Zheng Jinchan immediately invited Qin Yao into the room. “I owe my life to you.”

“You’re too kind.” Qin Yao’s tone was calm, devoid of obvious emotion, yet her words carried deep gratitude. “You saved Xu Chun’s life. This is the least I could do.”

Zheng Jinchan looked up, meeting her gaze. After a moment, she chuckled. “So, you two are officially together now?”

Qin Yao didn’t shy away. “Yes.”

How interesting. Zheng Jinchan arched a brow. “Does Zhao Ciying know?”

“Not originally.” Qin Yao’s lips curled faintly. “But she probably does now.”

After all, the two of them had been openly flirting and pulling at each other in front of the live stream cameras, how could someone as well-informed as Zhao Ciying not have heard even a whisper about it? If Qin Yao wasn’t mistaken, the rumors about her and Xu Chun should already be trending on major social media platforms across the country by now.

Zheng Jinchan knew Qin Yao was someone who planned things meticulously. If she chose to acknowledge the relationship now, she must have already prepared for every possible outcome. So Zheng didn’t press for details, merely teasing lightly, “Then she must be absolutely furious by now.”

Qin Yao neither confirmed nor denied it, changing the subject instead. “You’ve just woken up, and your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. Take these next few days to rest properly.”

At this, Zheng Jinchan immediately frowned. “No, I have to return to the company right away. There’s a whole mess waiting for me to clean up.” She spoke through gritted teeth after all, she knew Zheng Yanran’s temperament all too well, and given what Zheng Yanran herself had just said, how could it be false?

The thought of her company possibly being in complete chaos made Zheng Jinchan’s vision darken, her head spinning.

Seeing her so agitated, Qin Yao couldn’t help but laugh. “Zheng Yanran’s actually doing quite well.”

Zheng Jinchan’s thoughts stuttered, her face openly displaying surprise. Qin Yao tugged at her pants and sat down. “She’s good, bold and strategic, with no hesitation to show mercy. They say a new broom sweeps clean. Though some people were unruly at first, after her repeated crackdowns, they’ve all fallen in line now.”

Zheng Yanran did have some capability, it was just,  Qin Yao fell silent for a moment. To put it nicely, she was unconventional; to put it bluntly, she was reckless. Being a novice herself was one thing, but she actually dared to seek advice from Xu Chun, another novice, and worse, she actually took Xu Chun’s suggestions seriously.

God only knew how many times Qin Yao had nearly had a heart attack listening to them.

Fortunately, after their wild and chaotic maneuvers, they had managed to achieve some results. With Qin Yao overseeing things in the background, Zheng Yanran’s half-baked efforts hadn’t caused any major disasters.

Though Qin Yao praised Zheng Yanran, Zheng Jinchan couldn’t quite believe her daughter, who had always been more interested in partying was actually that capable. Quick-witted, she soon replied, “Then let me thank you on her behalf for your guidance and support.”

Qin Yao smiled politely before asking, “So, why not take this chance to rest properly? Treat it as a vacation, and use the opportunity to train her further?”

Zheng Jinchan blinked in surprise. “That’s actually a great idea.”

Though she indulged Zheng Yanran, she had always been deeply annoyed by her daughter’s aimless, troublemaking ways. Using this chance to temper Zheng Yanran and make her more mature and responsible wasn’t a bad idea.

Zheng Jinchan couldn’t help but shoot Qin Yao a look of admiration, what a cunning old fox!

Once the two had reached an agreement, Xu Chun and Zheng Yanran returned right on cue. The moment they pushed open the door, they found Zheng Jinchan lying back in the hospital bed, looking utterly frail.

Xu Chun and Zheng Yanran exchanged glances, “???” That couldn’t be wasn’t she fine just moments ago?

Alarmed, the two immediately rushed over with concerned inquiries, “Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell again? Where’s the doctor?! I’ll go get the doctor right away!”

Amidst the frantic questioning from the two youngsters, Zheng Jinchan half-opened one eye, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion being a patient wasn’t so bad after all.

Having people fuss over her every day, with others handling her work, it was like a dream come true.

So she immediately put on her best acting performance, “I’m feeling a bit off, but I can’t pinpoint exactly where,” Zheng Jinchan said weakly. “It’s fine, I probably just need to lie down a bit longer to recover.”

“Of course, of course! Just rest for now. If you want anything to eat, just say the word, we’ll get it for you,” Xu Chun quickly responded, only to immediately earn a glare from Zheng Yanran. “Yes, yes! Mom, whatever you want, just tell us. Whatever you ask for, I’ll make sure you get it.”

Zheng Jinchan nearly burst out laughing at the sight of her daughter like this. Fortunately, she gritted her teeth and held it in, maintaining her frail act. “I’d like some water.”

The moment she spoke, Zheng Yanran rushed to bring her a cup of warm water. “Here, let me help you sit up. I’ll feed you.”

Watching Zheng Jinchan’s shameless manipulation of her own daughter, Qin Yao: “…”

She tugged at Xu Chun’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”

“Huh?” Xu Chun instinctively looked up, her expression reluctant. “But we just got here, and Sister Zheng just woke up.” She lowered her voice, whispering to Qin Yao, “Wouldn’t it be rude if I just left like this?”

“Since my work here is done, maybe I should stay a few more days to keep her company until she’s better?”

“Please, sis?” Xu Chun clung to Qin Yao, pouting.

Qin Yao glanced again at Zheng Jinchan’s utterly content expression as she basked in Zheng Yanran’s care. “……” She could already foresee the miserable future awaiting Zheng Yanran.

“No,” she flatly refused. “Director Zheng just woke up. Don’t disturb their mother-daughter bonding time.” She gave Xu Chun a pointed look before adding, “There’ll be plenty of time to see her after she recovers.”

Xu Chun was about to argue further, but then it occurred to her with both their companies so busy, Zheng Yanran was already swamped like a dog. Later, they’d probably need to discuss internal company matters, and it really wouldn’t be appropriate for her to stubbornly stick around. So she quietly shut her mouth. “Alright then.”

There would be plenty of time to meet in the future anyway.

Qin Yao nodded. “Rather than worrying about Zheng Jinchan, you should worry about yourself.” Under Xu Chun’s puzzled gaze, she continued leisurely, “Now that your relationship rumors are spreading like wildfire, you need to figure out how to respond.”

Xu Chun froze, interpreting Qin Yao’s insinuating tone as a veiled threat.

Her heart instantly tightened. Was Qin Yao upset that she hadn’t given her a proper title all this time? Did she no longer want to be the woman behind the celebrity? Or perhaps she herself had been inconsiderate, keeping their relationship hidden and causing Qin Yao’s current dissatisfaction?

Xu Chun’s mind spiraled with wild thoughts until she was about to text her manager about the situation. Suddenly, Zhao Ciying’s message popped up: [Are you dating Qin Yao?]

[Since when?]

[Why didn’t I know?]

Those three short sentences instantly made Xu Chun’s scalp tingle.

Staring at Zhao Ciying’s messages, only one thought flashed through her mind. Oh no, we’re screwed.

The little boat of their sisterly bond was about to capsize.

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