After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother (GL) - Chapter 5

It wasn’t Jiang Zhaolie or Yu Sui’an who got left out, so why should they bring Xu Chun along to ruin their own mood? Her original purpose for joining this show was to stop Xu Chun from pestering Sui’an and making her sad. If she agreed now, wouldn’t all her efforts to protect Sui’an be wasted?

Jiang Zhaolie’s expression turned cold as she flatly refused, “Don’t even think about it.”

Xu Chun wasn’t bothered by Jiang Zhaolie’s harsh tone. She patiently explained, “Zhaolie, don’t be so quick to reject me. Look, we’re still technically engaged, and Sui’an just broke up with me. If you publicly abandon your fiancée to date someone who just got out of a relationship in front of all these people, imagine the gossip that would cause.”

“Everyone already knows about our complicated relationship. If you two ditch me now, wouldn’t that give people more ammunition?”

“And even if you don’t care about me, think about Sui’an. She hasn’t done anything wrong, and she has so many upcoming dramas. If your selfish actions affect her career.” Xu Chun deliberately trailed off, giving Jiang Zhaolie time to consider.

After hearing this seemingly reasonable analysis, Jiang Zhaolie was furious. Who caused all this mess in the first place?

Who exposed their relationship live on air in front of millions of viewers? Who kept pestering Sui’an until she couldn’t stand the sight of her? Who insisted on being paired with Sui’an, forcing Jiang Zhaolie to join the show out of concern? If Xu Chun had kept her distance from Sui’an from the beginning, none of this ridiculous drama would be happening.

Jiang Zhaolie glared at Xu Chun with murderous eyes, but Xu Chun couldn’t even be bothered to look back. She turned directly to Yu Sui’an, “What do you think?”

What could Yu Sui’an say? She could only nod in agreement, “I have no objections.”

The millions of viewers who witnessed Yu Sui’an’s agreement were utterly baffled. This was something they’d never seen before in their lives.

Breaking up yet still appearing on a dating show with your ex and their fiancée? Only celebrities and actors could handle such psychological pressure. An ordinary person would probably want to run them over with a car the moment they met.

The live chat exploded with colorful comments, and the dramatic love triangle quickly trended on social media. Xu Chun, the crucial link in this messy triangle, soared to the top of the popularity charts for both male and female artists, leaving everyone else in the dust.

Her manager held her phone with mixed feelings. While she wanted Xu Chun to become wildly famous, she didn’t want her to be remembered this way! With Xu Chun’s chaotic personal life exposed, would any decent production team still want to work with her?

The manager sighed deeply. Whatever they’d cross that bridge when they came to it. At least Xu Chun was getting attention now, even if it was the wrong kind. She needed to capitalize on this moment and make proper arrangements.

And so, a three-person date was officially confirmed. He Qingli watched in stunned disbelief, even looking up at the sky as if questioning reality. After a long pause, she finally muttered, “This is absolutely fucking surreal.”

When Xu Chun’s infidelity was first exposed, He Qingli refused to believe her idol could do such things. Being in the same industry circle, her information wasn’t as limited as fans and netizens’. Having interacted with Yu Sui’an several times, she was more inclined to believe this was all Yu Sui’an’s trap and scheme.

But, now seeing Xu Chun appearing completely unbothered, even seemingly enjoying herself, He Qingli fell silent.

Truly worthy of being my idol! she thought excitedly.

Even more likable now!

Completely unaware she’d won He Qingli’s admiration, Xu Chun rested her chin on her hand, torn between clinging to Jiang Zhaolie or Yu Sui’an. She’d already broken up with Yu Sui’an getting entangled again would likely provoke his fans. Jiang Zhaolie was her nominal fiancée, but she was so detestable that Xu Chun felt even her breathing was offensive.

Yet with her reputation already ruined because of Yu Sui’an, getting closer might bring greater misfortune. So Xu Chun settled for the lesser evil, moving beside Jiang Zhaolie.

Jiang Zhaolie only had eyes for Yu Sui’an. She glanced sideways at Xu Chun’s movement but ignored her. Xu Chun timely reminded her, “Zhaolie, I’m your nominal fiancée now.”

“If you keep doting on Sui’an while neglecting me, netizens will surely fabricate rumors again.”

Jiang Zhaolie’s infatuated gaze froze, turning back with displeasure and resentment. Xu Chun shrugged innocently, “Staring won’t help. Unless you can blindfold netizens and gag them.”

Of course that was impossible. This realization only deepened Jiang Zhaolie’s frustration. She studied Xu Chun intently, sensing something different about her.

In her memory, Xu Chun was quiet, reserved, wholly dedicated to honing her acting skills awkward with words like an unromantic scholar, starkly contrasting her striking beauty. But today’s Xu Chun was like firecrackers sharp-tongued and merciless, each word striking where it hurt most.

Had Yu Sui’an’s breakup made her this hysterical?

Jiang Zhaolie’s probing stare made Xu Chun shudder, fearing her body’s new inhabitant might be discovered. She reined in her expressiveness, meeting Jiang Zhaolie’s gaze coldly. “What, am I wrong?”

Jiang Zhaolie’s “don’t push your luck” expression snapped her back to reality: “…”

Is she bipolar? One moment pleading pathetically not to embarrass her, the next turning heartless like some playgirl.

Belated anger flared in Jiang Zhaolie, yet Xu Chun’s logic was sound. To shield Yu Sui’an from online attacks, she suppressed her urge to stare at her, instead forcing sickly sweet concern toward Xu Chun her actions utterly perfunctory.

Even so, it was enough to leave Yu Sui’an feeling rather unsettled.

Yu Sui’an wasn’t sure which aspect of her displeasure weighed more heavily on her. On one hand, Xu Chun was her ex, someone she had painstakingly pursued for ages before finally winning over, convincing to date her. Later, she had gone to great lengths to make Xu Chun fall deeply, hopelessly in love, only to ruthlessly break up with her when she was most vulnerable, ensuring she would never forget her.

On the other hand, Jiang Zhaolie was her new target someone she hadn’t even fully won over yet, yet who now obediently listened to Xu Chun’s every word, like a well-trained dog. It gave Yu Sui’an the illusion that something she liked had been snatched away by another thing she liked, even if there was a logical explanation for it all.

Her lips pressed together lightly as she gazed at Jiang Zhaolie, her bright eyes filled with a fragile, desolate sadness.

Jiang Zhaolie’s heart shattered instantly, and she immediately wanted to turn and comfort her. But realizing they were still live-streaming, she forced herself to stop mid-motion.

Under Yu Sui’an’s wounded, uneasy stare, Jiang Zhaolie reluctantly put distance between them, her heart twisting in agony. Yu Sui’an’s eyes dimmed, her expression instantly losing its luster, like a pearl robbed of its glow.

Xu Chun’s heart ached at the sight. She shoved Jiang Zhaolie aside, frowning as she scolded her, “Why are you bullying Suisui? What did she ever do to you? There are so many viewers watching, how can you have zero gentlemanly manners?”

Jiang Zhaolie: “???”

Wasn’t it you who told me to stay away from Suisui?!

She watched, dumbfounded, as Xu Chun walked over to Yu Sui’an with tender concern, murmuring soothing words. Jiang Zhaolie’s mind buzzed with fury, what a scheming woman! She was the one who had manipulated things to make Suisui upset, and now she was playing the hero, offering comfort to salvage Suisui’s pride and earn her gratitude.

Clenching her jaw in belated realization, Jiang Zhaolie seethed, she had done this on purpose!

How had Xu Chun, in just a few short months, become so cunning?

As the tension between the two threatened to boil over, He Qingli hurried over and interjected, “So, about the room arrangements tonight three of them want the big room, which leaves the four of us to figure out the rest.”

The moment she finished speaking, Jiang Zhaolie immediately looked at Yu Sui’an, her meaning clear. But after a brief hesitation, Yu Sui’an lifted her gaze slightly toward Xu Chun.

Jiang Zhaolie: “?”

A murderous glare instantly shot toward Xu Chun, who met her gaze with silent indignation, she hadn’t done anything!

“I’ll share a room with Jiejie,” Yu Sui’an said softly, her voice crisp and clear, like a mountain spring trickling over stones. “If Jiejie stays with someone else, I won’t feel at ease.”

Xu Chun had no particular thoughts about Yu Sui’an’s words, but Jiang Zhaolie’s imagination ran wild, and the daggers in her eyes dug even deeper into Xu Chun. Without hesitation, Xu Chun refused, “No need. I’ll just room with Qingli.”

You two can sort out your own mess.

But to her surprise, Jiang Zhaolie immediately protested, “Then you stay with Suisui. I’ll sleep with He Qingli.”

Xu Chun’s attitude actually served as a wake-up call for Jiang Zhaolie. Given that their trio’s relationship was already under intense public scrutiny, if she selfishly insisted on staying with Suisui, not only would online comments potentially hurt Suisui, but Suisui herself might grow annoyed by her persistence. Watching Jiang Zhaolie and He Qingli walk away together, Xu Chun couldn’t help but think, “???”

However, when she noticed Yu Sui’an’s intense gaze fixed on her, she fell silent.

Xu Chun warily took two steps back. “What?”

“It’s time to rest, sis.” Yu Sui’an smiled softly, her pure and sweet “little white flower” demeanor on full display. Yet Xu Chun didn’t dare let her guard down, she had a feeling this woman was plotting something big.

Still, rest was necessary. Taking her luggage from her manager, Xu Chun walked ahead while Yu Sui’an followed behind toward their homestay. With three large suitcases in tow, Xu Chun struggled to move efficiently. Yu Sui’an paused nearby, watching her quietly for a long moment before suddenly stepping closer. “Sis, let me help you.”

She reached for one of the suitcases, but Xu Chun reflexively dodged. “No need, I can manage.” After a pause, she added, “You go ahead.”

Yu Sui’an didn’t move. Instead, she tilted her head with a smile. “But you’ve always been weak, sis. No matter how much you work out.” Her lighthearted tone carried an inexplicable intimacy, setting off alarm bells in Xu Chun’s mind. Before she could respond, Yu Sui’an swiftly grabbed two suitcases and carried them upstairs effortlessly.

Xu Chun, suddenly confronted with the reality that despite her tall frame she was physically weak, stared in disbelief as the petite, seemingly fragile Yu Sui’an handled the luggage with ease. “…?”

After helping Xu Chun move her belongings upstairs, Yu Sui’an finally tended to her own luggage. Out of courtesy, Xu Chun assisted with a couple of trips. A bit sweaty and with the late hour in mind, Xu Chun draped a towel over the bathroom camera and asked, “Are you going to shower first?”

Receiving a negative response, Xu Chun gathered her change of clothes. “Then I’ll go first.”

Yu Sui’an nodded calmly. “Okay.”

Their peaceful coexistence left viewers baffled. [I really didn’t expect this. If Xu Chun betrayed Yu Sui’an, how can Yu Sui’an still choose to share a room with her? Wouldn’t it bring back painful memories?]

[So what if they broke up? This is work. I may not understand Suisui’s reasoning, but I trust her to separate personal feelings from professionalism.]

[Most people wouldn’t even want to see their ex after a breakup, let alone share a room. Could there be more to their split?]

[Staying with Xu Chun is actually the safest option for Yu Sui’an. With hundreds of eyes watching, nothing inappropriate could happen. If she stayed with Jiang Zhaolie, it might invite gossip, and staying with He Qingli would indirectly create opportunities for Xu Chun and Jiang Zhaolie. A true white lotus would never allow that.]

Yu Sui’an’s slender fingers held her phone as she quietly watched the barrage of comments and messages on the screen, her expression unreadable. It wasn’t just the live stream anymore online speculation and doubts about her choices were rampant, yet Yu Sui’an had no intention of explaining herself.

As the show’s ratings soared, the director grinned so hard his face creased with wrinkles. Imagining how this love triangle would make his program a milestone in dating reality shows over the next few days, he was practically ready to drop to his knees and kowtow to his benefactors. His eyes glued to the monitors, a deranged thought crossed his mind.

If only things could get even spicier!

Since they were going for drama, they might as well go all the way. He mused that if Xu Chun could keep dropping bombshells on the show, he’d gladly call her “Daddy” in front of the entire nation.

Xu Chun stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a headscarf and wearing pajamas. Hearing the noise, Yu Sui’an turned her head, their gazes colliding. Xu Chun immediately averted her eyes, rummaging through her suitcase for hair oil before walking away. Yu Sui’an’s stare followed her, pupils faintly shifting.

After a few steps, Xu Chun suddenly remembered she’d forgotten to grab a face mask. She halted and spun around only to inadvertently meet Yu Sui’an’s inscrutable, shadowed gaze.

Xu Chun’s scalp prickled instantly.

Could this little white flower actually be.?

“Sister.” Yu Sui’an’s voice cut through Xu Chun’s thoughts. She snapped back to reality, realizing the other woman had somehow closed the distance between them without her noticing. A faint smile played on Yu Sui’an’s pale lips as she spoke slowly under Xu Chun’s deliberately calm scrutiny, “Are you afraid of me?”