After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother (GL) - Chapter 14

Jiang Zhaolie’s temples throbbed with anger, wishing she could send Xu Chun flying with a gas canister. Steeling herself, she met Yu Sui’an’s wounded gaze, her lips dry as she stammered, “It’s not what you think, Suisui.”

It’s not me! I didn’t! She’s lying!

Forgetting her quarrel with Xu Chun, Jiang Zhaolie desperately ran toward Yu Sui’an, only for the latter to retreat two steps before turning away with a heartbroken resolve. Before giving chase, Jiang Zhaolie still found time to glare daggers at Xu Chun.

Troublemaker.

As the two figures disappeared into the distance, Xu Chun having masterfully stirred the pot shrugged and picked up her melodramatic novel, settling onto the porch swing with a rustle of skirts.

Due to the earlier fan incident, the production team canceled the grocery shopping segment for safety reasons, having staff prepare ingredients instead. Xu Chun had wanted to help in the kitchen, but He Qingli adamantly refused until Xu Chun spotted her slender, scholarly date and finally understood she was third-wheeling.

What a classic case of a lovestruck supporting character ditching friends for romance.

Not that Xu Chun minded the peace. She happily lost herself in her book.

This was the scene Qiao Wan and Qin Yao first witnessed upon approaching. The young woman lounged on the weathered swing, dappled golden light casting a pearlescent glow over her form.

Her silken black hair cascaded through the swing’s gaps, swaying gently in the breeze. The wind teased strands across her alabaster cheeks and forehead, the ephemeral beauty striking enough to shake mountains.

One had to admit, the camera loved her breathtaking looks.

Qiao Wan blinked. “With a wife this gorgeous, I can’t fathom why Cousin wouldn’t cherish her.” She stole another glance and, noting Jiang Zhaolie’s absence, hastily added, “Auntie, wait! I heard they were together earlier, she must be busy but will return soon.”

Qiao Wan wasn’t sure why she kept covering for her cousin. Perhaps after enduring so much humiliation lately, misery truly did love company.

If not for Jiang Zhaolie’s foolishness, Yu Sui’an would never have gotten away with bullying others, and Qiao Wan wouldn’t be shouldering such burdens so young. Remembering the pitying stares she’d endured, Qiao Wan itched to list every one of Jiang Zhaolie’s failings to Qin Yao.

The Qin family never forgot grievances not even among sisters.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhaolie was pouring her heart out to a silent Yu Sui’an, frustration mounting. “Suisui, Xu Chun did this on purpose,” she pleaded, grasping Yu Sui’an’s hands with desperate vulnerability. “She’s trying to drive us apart. Please don’t believe her, I’m begging you.”

“I know.” Yu Sui’an let the other hold her hand without resistance. “Zhaolie, of course I believe you.” She gave a bitter smile. “But even so, when I hear those words and see you interacting with my sister, I still feel heartbroken.”

“Even though my rational mind tells me I shouldn’t feel this way, I just can’t help it.” She lifted her face slightly, her dark almond eyes glistening with tears, looking utterly pitiful. She bit her rosy lower lip in distress. “Zhaolie, am I… being too melodramatic? I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.”

“No, Suisui, you’ve done nothing wrong.” Jiang Zhaolie couldn’t suppress a surge of wild joy. She hadn’t expected Sui’an’s feelings for her to run so deep, deep enough to feel jealous. Her heart blossomed with happiness, and she nearly spun the other woman around in front of the entire nation.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Zhaolie tried to calm her excitement and said seriously, “How about this, I’ll withdraw from the show.”

“From now on, I’ll quietly support you from behind the scenes, protect you, and stand by you. I won’t let anyone slander or bully you ever again, not even Xu Chun.” Jiang Zhaolie gently caressed Yu Sui’an’s soft, pale cheek, her eyes filled with tenderness.

“But I don’t want you to compromise for me,” Yu Sui’an whispered. “I want you to do everything you desire, not be constantly restrained by worrying about me. I don’t want you to become like that because of me.”

“No, I’m doing this willingly.” Jiang Zhaolie cut her off, quickly making up her mind. “Later, I’ll talk to the director. I’ll withdraw but keep my investment. From now on, I’ll watch over you quietly until everything is over.” She grew more animated as she spoke. “I’ll work by your side, keeping a close eye on Xu Chun, she won’t get a single chance to hurt you.”

Yu Sui’an wanted to protest, but Jiang Zhaolie gently coaxed her into silence. Under Jiang Zhaolie’s persistent insistence, Yu Sui’an finally nodded in agreement, her eyes reddening.

After watching the live stream, Qiao Wan inexplicably felt furious. Pointing at her phone screen indignantly, she turned to her aunt. “Auntie, look at her—”

“How can cousin openly flirt with another woman in front of the cameras when she’s already engaged?!” Isn’t this bringing shame to the Qin family? People might think the entire Qin family is full of fickle, wife-neglecting scoundrels like her!

The Qin family’s reputation was practically being ruined by her cousin alone!

Growing angrier, Qiao Wan couldn’t resist grabbing her phone and storming onto Weibo, joining the army of fans clashing with Yu Sui’an’s supporters. She didn’t criticize Yu Sui’an instead, she targeted Jiang Zhaolie, leaving Yu Sui’an’s fans unsure whether to defend or ignore her. In the end, they simply let Qiao Wan vent.

Jiang Zhaolie’s withdrawal was abrupt. Xu Chun had just heard the news from He Qingli when Jiang Zhaolie was already gone. Her eyelid twitched involuntarily was this a joke?

She couldn’t help but sigh with money, one truly could do whatever they wanted.

After Jiang Zhaolie withdrew, the confrontational atmosphere of the show dissipated significantly. Since she couldn’t appear on camera and had no interactions with either Yu Sui’an or Xu Chun, the online discussions were left to the two original opposing factions. At first, no one noticed much difference, but after watching the livestream for a while, viewers gradually realized that without Jiang Zhaolie acting as a catalyst between Xu Chun and Yu Sui’an, the show seemed to lack a certain spark.

Though she no longer appeared on the program, Jiang Zhaolie remained nearby, keeping a close eye on Xu Chun’s every move, always on guard. Xu Chun couldn’t even read in peace and finally couldn’t resist asking, “You stare at me all day do you still have feelings for me?”

Jiang Zhaolie: “?”

She immediately averted her gaze, gaining a deeper understanding of Xu Chun’s talent for twisting the truth. “You’re overthinking it.”

Xu Chun pressed on relentlessly, “Then why are your eyes glued to me?” She planted her hands on her hips and furrowed her brows. “Jiang Zhaolie, I misjudged you. I never thought you’d be the type to act but not own up to it. If you love someone, shouldn’t you say it out loud?”

Jiang Zhaolie was furious, especially worried that Yu Sui’an might overhear and misunderstand again. She shot Xu Chun an exasperated glare before turning and fleeing as if escaping a disaster.

Her retreating figure looked as though she were being chased by some monstrous beast.

Xu Chun was thoroughly satisfied. “Wouldn’t it have been better to stay away from me in the first place?”

In the remaining livestream sessions, due to Jiang Zhaolie’s absence, Xu Chun and Yu Sui’an rarely crossed paths. Xu Chun didn’t mind, fully immersing herself in the world of melodramatic novels, only hearing about the other two through He Qingli’s updates.

According to He Qingli, Jiang Zhaolie had initially focused 99% of her attention on Yu Sui’an. But within a couple of days, she began frequently leaving the set, her whereabouts unknown. Even when she occasionally stayed to work, she was constantly on the phone, leaving no energy for Yu Sui’an.

Yu Sui’an maintained a calm exterior, but inwardly, she felt a growing unease and anxiety, afraid that the prize she’d worked so hard to secure might slip away too soon.

Eventually, Jiang Zhaolie stopped appearing altogether. Yu Sui’an searched the entire set but found no trace of her. He Qingli excitedly reported, “You should’ve seen her expression, it was priceless! I really should’ve taken a photo to show you.”

Xu Chun brushed it off. “Probably tied up with company matters.”

Yu Sui’an thought the same and waited for Jiang Zhaolie to reach out with an explanation. But whether due to genuine obligations or fading feelings, Jiang Zhaolie never contacted her before the show ended. Yu Sui’an lowered her lashes, pressing her pale lips together as an uncontrollable wave of dissatisfaction rose within her.

She forced herself to maintain composure for the closing remarks, but the moment she stepped off-camera, her expression turned terrifyingly dark.

Spotting her mood from a distance, Xu Chun paused mid-step, then swiftly changed direction and bolted. The show was over there was no way she’d let herself be dragged into Yu Sui’an’s schemes again.

The audience was left wanting more after the show ended, flooding the comments section with demands for a second season. Their reasoning was simple and straightforward since both Yu Sui’an and Xu Chun were single, and their work schedules made it unlikely they’d find partners anytime soon, why not invite them back for another season? The show could help them build connections with new guests, allowing the production team to do a good deed for the entertainment industry.

The staff who saw the comments were speechless. If they wanted gossip, they should just say so, what was all this talk about helping Yu Sui’an and Xu Chun find love? Did they think they were some kind of community outreach program?

Their ulterior motives were practically written all over their faces.

The manager and assistant loaded Xu Chun’s luggage into the van. Once the car started moving, the manager repeatedly emphasized, “Take a few days to rest at home. You can go online during this time, but under no circumstances should you respond to anything without consulting me first. Yu Sui’an’s team will definitely make more moves, and if you’re not careful, you’ll fall right into their trap. So no matter what you do from now on, you have to discuss it with me first, understand?”

Xu Chun nodded eagerly, but the manager still couldn’t relax. After witnessing Xu Chun’s talent for stirring up trouble over the past week, she was convinced that expecting Xu Chun to behave for even a single day was wishful thinking.

Still, Xu Chun’s reputation had improved somewhat after appearing on the dating show. Though the “scumbag” label was now permanently stuck to her, Yu Sui’an hadn’t come out unscathed either. The manager was torn between relief and worry, eventually sighing and consoling herself everyone had their own path. Maybe Xu Chun’s chaotic antics would somehow win people over in the end?

This was Xu Chun’s first time returning home, and she was nervous. After all, these were the birth parents who had raised the original host for over twenty years they would know every habit and mannerism. What if they saw through her act the moment they met?

She worried the entire trip, but as soon as she arrived, she realized her fears were unfounded.

The moment she stepped out of the car, her mother, Tang Shiyu, rushed out anxiously. “Chunchun, were you treated badly this whole time? I was so worried watching the show, I was afraid the online comments would get to you and you’d do something extreme.”

Before Xu Chun could respond, Tang Shiyu tearfully examined her, her face full of concern. “I’m just glad you’re okay, that’s all that matters.” She exhaled in relief, as if she’d narrowly escaped disaster, and patted Xu Chun’s head like she was comforting a child. But then, abruptly changing the subject, she tentatively asked, “Chunchun… how did you feel about Jiang Zhaolie after spending time with her?”

“Not great,” Xu Chun replied casually, relieved that her mother hadn’t noticed anything amiss. “I didn’t feel anything special. We should just call off the engagement, no point dragging it out.”

She added seriously, “She doesn’t like me anyway. No need to keep shamelessly clinging to her and embarrassing you and Dad.”

“But…” Tang Shiyu hesitated. “The Jiang family is one of the most powerful elite families. Your grandfather went through so much trouble to arrange this marriage for you…”

“Mom, you said it yourself, it’s the Jiang family that has money and status, not Jiang Zhaolie herself. If Grandpa truly cares about me and wants me to live in wealth and luxury for the rest of my life, he should think more about how to make me Jiang Zhaolie’s stepmother instead,” Xu Chun joked half-heartedly. “Being Jiang Zhaolie’s stepmother would be so much better plenty of money, status, and prestige. The sooner the old man at home kicks the bucket, the more I’d profit.”

“And in the future, Jiang Zhaolie would have to respectfully call me ‘Mom’ and take care of me in my old age.” Xu Chun thought about it seriously though she could skip the funeral part, since who knew who would die first?

She was just spouting nonsense, hoping to convince her mother to agree to cancel the engagement first. Little did she expect the other party to actually consider it seriously. “That,  might not be a bad idea…”

Xu Chun nearly stumbled and fell flat on her face in shock. She turned her head, disbelief written all over her face. “???”

This was really,  Like shocking her mom to the extreme shock squared!