After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother (GL) - Chapter 10

She was terrified that Yu Sui’an wouldn’t believe her, almost raising all ten fingers to swear to heaven. “Suisui, she’s just an ordinary carbon-based life form to me nothing more. I can swear on my life, even if she were the last woman on earth, I wouldn’t have any thoughts about her.”

“Really,” she emphasized repeatedly, carefully watching Yu Sui’an’s expression. The female lead must not misunderstand, she still wanted to live.

Jiang Zhaolie, who had done nothing wrong, found herself insulted for no reason: “…”

This was too much.

Jiang Zhaolie felt she would one day be angered to death by Xu Chun. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, the veins on the back of her hands slightly bulged, clearly struggling to control her emotions.

Thankfully, this was a live broadcast, Xu Chun thought with relief. Otherwise, without millions of eyes watching Jiang Zhaolie, who knew what unspeakable things she might do off-camera.

Xu Chun exhaled softly, desperately trying to prove her innocence. “Suisui, believe me, I don’t have the slightest affection for her. I swear.”

She kept repeating herself, her words dripping with disdain. Jiang Zhaolie’s eyelid twitched, her hands gripping the steering wheel so hard it seemed she might tear it off. Amid her anger, Jiang Zhaolie took a moment to coolly reflect perhaps Xu Chun’s resolute rejection wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

The complicated emotions between the three of them had already caused an uproar online. After the scandal broke, none of them escaped the harsh criticism from netizens. But now, with their mutual dislike out in the open, and their marriage being an arranged, outdated relic, reasonable netizens would surely understand their predicament once they learned the truth.

As long as she and Xu Chun remained completely uninvolved, this mess wouldn’t drag Suisui down or hinder her future pursuit of her.

Jiang Zhaolie sighed, her emotions momentarily tangled. Though Xu Chun had inadvertently helped her, she had also publicly humiliated her in front of millions!

Yu Sui’an’s brows furrowed subtly. She studied Xu Chun intently, unsure what game she was playing. Xu Chun didn’t seem interested in reconciliation, instead, she was actively pushing her and Jiang Zhaolie together.

While this aligned with Yu Sui’an’s own wishes… why would Xu Chun do this?

Just yesterday, before the show began, she had still been deeply in love with her.

Yu Sui’an’s probing gaze burned, making Xu Chun squirm awkwardly. She forced a dry laugh to mask her discomfort. Not that Xu Chun had expected Yu Sui’an to believe her immediately this outcome was acceptable.

The conversation ended there, and silence returned to the car. The two in the front occasionally exchanged words, and when Xu Chun stayed quiet, Yu Sui’an would deliberately pull her in. “Sister, what do you think?”

What did she think? She thought nothing.

Since when did a villainous side character like her get a say?

Xu Chun glared at Yu Sui’an, her emotions in turmoil. Fortunately, Jiang Zhaolie’s timely reminder, “We’re at the supermarket” saved her. Xu Chun swiftly pushed the car door open and scrambled out, hurrying toward the store ahead of them.

The supermarket wasn’t in a remote location and usually had decent foot traffic. Due to the live stream, many fans recognized the surroundings along the way and posted the address online. Immediately, people deduced the trio’s destination. Fans who got the news rushed over, so by the time the three arrived, the area was already swarmed by frenzied fans.

Of course, the overwhelming majority were Yu Sui’an’s fans.

The fans were so overexcited that they forced Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Sui’an back into their car. Xu Chun, who was standing farther away, narrowly escaped the chaos. Just as she was feeling relieved, someone suddenly turned their head, pointed at her, and shouted at the top of their lungs, “Sisters! That heartless scumbag who betrayed Sui’an is right there!”

Xu Chun: “?!”

What the hell? Don’t you dare mess with me! I’ll call the police!

A crowd instantly surged toward Xu Chun. Her scalp prickled with fear as she clutched her phone and bolted. After running a short distance, she realized she was about to be overtaken by Yu Sui’an’s fans. Spotting a car about to pull into a parking spot by the roadside, she didn’t hesitate, she yanked the door open and threw herself inside. “Go, go now!”

The driver froze, still processing how a disheveled yet stunning woman had suddenly appeared in their car, when they saw the horde of Yu Sui’an’s crazed fans charging toward them. Qiao Wan’s legs trembled in fright, and she slammed on the accelerator. The car shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.

As the figures of the crowd grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing from sight, Xu Chun finally let out the breath she’d been holding. She smoothed her slightly tousled long hair and flashed a relieved, post-crisis smile, turning to the driver. “Thank you, kind stranger.”

Qiao Wan gave her an odd look, her expression complicated. “You’re calling me… a kind stranger?”

Xu Chun’s smile stiffened. She studied Qiao Wan’s face carefully, and the more she looked, the more familiar it seemed. “Have we…” Xu Chun hesitated, “met somewhere before?”

Qiao Wan arched an eyebrow, her smile cold and mocking. “What do you think?”

Her reply made it clear they knew each other. Xu Chun shrank back slightly, racking her brain until she finally matched the face to a name from her memory.

The moment she remembered who this was, Xu Chun’s breath hitched.

Wasn’t this the person she was supposedly cheating with?!

The very same rumored affair partner that the tabloids had pinned as the “other woman” after Yu Sui’an announced their breakup on Weibo, the one accused of sneaking around with Xu Chun during her relationship.

Seeing that Xu Chun had finally placed her, Qiao Wan pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to punch her. The truth was, she didn’t even know Xu Chun! That day, she’d just been out for dinner with friends and happened to walk a few steps alongside this random celebrity.

And just like that, she was labeled a homewrecker, accused of knowingly being the “other woman” and ruining someone else’s relationship. She’d been viciously attacked online for days, with even her relatives and friends calling to ask if the rumors were true. If she hadn’t defended herself fiercely the moment the news broke, her father would’ve broken both her legs!

The more Qiao Wan thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. What sin had she committed in her past life to deserve this? Without another word, she pulled the car over to the side of the road and commanded icily, “Get out.”

Xu Chun didn’t react immediately, “Huh?”

“What do you mean ‘huh’? I said get out of the car.” Qiao Wan felt a pang of frustration just thinking about what had just happened. She’d painstakingly explained everything to her relatives and friends, who had finally believed her based on her usual trustworthy character. But now, thanks to this person’s ridiculous antics, her hard-won reputation was ruined again.

Qiao Wan could practically see those people holding up their phones, snapping so-called scandalous photos of her and this celebrity, which would soon flood the internet.

And all she’d wanted today was to stop for a bottle of water because she was thirsty!

With a dark expression, Qiao Wan glared as Xu Chun guiltily tucked her feet further in. “Sorry for causing you trouble.”

Qiao Wan stared at her wordlessly. Xu Chun awkwardly scratched her cheek. “How about we exchange contact info? If there’s anything I can do to help later, just say the word.” She forced a dry laugh. “Even if it’s climbing mountains of swords or diving into seas of fire, I’ll—”

“Enough, enough,” Qiao Wan cut her off. “The only way you can help me is by staying as far away from me as possible.”

Preferably never seeing each other again, Qiao Wan thought silently.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Xu Chun gave an embarrassed smile and turned to grab the door handle. But just as she pushed it open, Qiao Wan spotted a crowd behind them some holding phones, others shouldering cameras, all lenses trained unrelentingly on her car. Her face paled instantly, her mind screaming one thought:

This is it. Her father was really going to break both her legs this time.

After getting out, Xu Chun turned and bowed politely. “Thank you so much for today.” If not for her, she might have been torn apart by Yu Sui’an’s fans.

The celebrity’s voice was as melodious as a nightingale’s, but Qiao Wan, numb with despair, just rolled her eyes. Then, spotting the approaching crowd behind Xu Chun, her expression changed. After a brief hesitation, she decided against abandoning Xu Chun there. Before Xu Chun could ask why, the wealthy young woman gritted her teeth and yanked her back into the car. “Get in!”

Stumbling from the pull, Xu Chun fell onto the seat, one knee landing awkwardly. Qiao Wan started the car while leaning over to shut the door, then pushed Xu Chun down as she straightened up. “Put your seatbelt on. Now.”

Before Xu Chun could process the command, she heard Qiao Wan murmur, “I’m accelerating—”

The car shot forward like an arrow, sending Xu Chun shrieking as she scrambled to buckle up. Only after they’d sped a good distance did Xu Chun notice the vans chasing them.

She swallowed hard and turned to Qiao Wan. “Are those all Yu Sui’an’s fans?”

“How should I know?” Qiao Wan suppressed the urge to hit someone. She felt incredibly unlucky lately. After a wave of regret, she began reflecting: Why hadn’t she checked the almanac before leaving today? If she had, she might have avoided this mess and history wouldn’t have repeated itself!

The resentment emanating from the young mistress was so intense even ghosts would flee from it. Xu Chun guiltily tugged at the corners of her mouth, placing her hands obediently on her knees, not daring to make a sound.

After a period of silence, she couldn’t resist turning to look at Qiao Wan, who was focused on driving and shaking off the fans. The other woman appeared to be about her own age, just twenty-two or twenty-three, with clear, translucent skin and deep, exquisite features. Though there was still a hint of youthful immaturity about her, one could already imagine the formidable, unyielding presence she would project when fully matured.

Qiao Wan was tall and long-legged, standing nearly 180cm. Even in the spacious car interior, her slender legs seemed to dominate the space. Unlike Yu Sui’an’s gentle elegance, she carried more of a heroic, dashing air, combined with her youthful looks, making her resemble a freshly matured alpha.

Beautiful, and seemingly easy to bully.

Noticing Xu Chun’s wandering gaze, Qiao Wan immediately tensed up warily. “What are you looking at?”

“Ah.” Xu Chun instinctively made a sound before snapping back to attention, solemnly averting her eyes. “Nothing.” After a quiet moment in the car, Xu Chun couldn’t help but look at Qiao Wan again. “You’re really beautiful.”

Qiao Wan: “……?” Was this woman about to repay kindness with betrayal, developing improper intentions?

Fortunately, Xu Chun still had some sense. After the compliment, she closed her mouth and nervously monitored Yu Sui’an’s relentless fans chasing behind them. As they neared the homestay with no sign of the pursuers giving up, she couldn’t help muttering, “It’s just a breakup with Yu Sui’an. Do they really need to act like they want to cast me into the eighteenth level of hell?”

Qiao Wan’s ears perked up at this, and she let out a cold laugh. “If it were me, ” Xu Chun immediately turned back with sparkling eyes, full of expectation. “Even casting you into the eighteenth level of hell wouldn’t be enough to vent my hatred.”

Xu Chun: “……”

The car accelerated into the homestay. The director, seeing Xu Chun in a stranger’s car, rushed over anxiously. “Why are you alone? Where are Miss Jiang and Sui’an?”

Xu Chun immediately launched into a tearful recount of everything that had just happened. Upon hearing this, the director was horrified and quickly had someone contact Yu Sui’an, only relaxing with a long sigh after confirming both were safe.

While Xu Chun was talking with the director, Qiao Wan’s phone suddenly went crazy with calls. All her aunts and uncles were frantically trying to reach her. She didn’t need to guess, they were undoubtedly calling about the online rumors. Qiao Wan felt a bitter taste in her mouth; this time, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t wash her clean.

As she hesitated over whether to answer and whose call to take, another number came through. Qiao Wan’s eyes lit up when she saw the caller ID, and she quickly answered. “Auntie, I got delayed on the way. I’ll be there later.”

After a pause, she added carefully, “Auntie, there’s something I need to ask of you,  Could you please explain to Dad that I have absolutely no relationship with that actress Xu Chun?”

“We just walked side by side for a few steps, and the media started spreading rumors that I ruined her relationship with someone else. I’m completely innocent, Auntie!”

There was a brief silence on the phone before the woman’s husky, magnetic voice slowly responded, “She is your cousin Zhaolie’s fiancée.”

“In other words, your future cousin-in-law.”

Previously, the engagement between Jiang Zhaolie and Xu Chun hadn’t been widely publicized, so most people were unaware of it. Later, as Jiang Zhaolie grew older, her dislike for Xu Chun made her wish to bury the matter entirely. Over time, almost everyone forgot she was even engaged.

Hearing Aunt Qin Yao confirm it personally, Qiao Wan was first stunned, then overjoyed, Cousin Zhaolie’s fiancée? Her future cousin-in-law?!

So they were all family! Finally, she could prove her innocence.

But just as she was nearly dizzy with excitement, she noticed Weibo had already pushed a trending scandal about her: [Xu Chun openly brings her cheating partner to film a show, is this moral corruption or human depravity?]

Qiao Wan’s eyelid twitched violently.

“What are you all thinking?” Qiao Wan pointed at Xu Chun, exasperated, facing the camera. “This person is my cousin Zhaolie’s fiancée, my own cousin-in-law!”

The live chat fell silent for a moment before a bold, pink message floated across the screen:

“Your own cousin-in-law?”

“Even juicier now.”

Qiao Wan: “???” Darling, how did your 37°C fingers type out such ice-cold words?