After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Became the Female Lead's Stepmother (GL) - Chapter 6

Afraid? How could she be!

Would Xu Chun ever fear this delicate little white flower? What a joke.

Forcing herself to appear composed, Xu Chun tactfully reminded the other woman, “We’re still live on air. You’d better watch your words and actions.” Her lashes fluttered downward as her gaze settled on Yu Sui’an’s toes.

Yu Sui’an’s eyes swept over Xu Chun’s slightly flushed earlobes and the thick lashes trembling faintly with unease. Her heart felt as if a kitten’s paw had lightly scratched it not painful, but unbearably ticklish, stirring a tingling ripple of excitement in her chest. She seemed a little different from before, Yu Sui’an mused silently. Compared to her former rigid and resolute demeanor, Xu Chun now appeared much softer.

The thought had barely crossed her mind when Yu Sui’an heard the woman before her speak coldly, “Unless you want me to be slandered and harassed by your fans and netizens again over your careless actions.”

Her words left no room for mercy. Yu Sui’an froze, staring blankly at the icy woman, her heart inexplicably wrenched as a rare flicker of panic surfaced. “Sister, it’s not like that, I didn’t—”

Cutting her off, Xu Chun took half a step back and brushed past her. “Save your explanations. I’m not interested.” After a few steps, she paused and added calmly under Yu Sui’an’s hopeful gaze, “Besides, it’s already too late for anything you say now.”

Xu Chun retrieved a face mask and headed back to the bathroom. As she passed Yu Sui’an, the other woman didn’t react at all, prompting Xu Chun to spare her a glance. Yu Sui’an had her head bowed, revealing the pale skin of her nape. A few unruly strands of hair had escaped her loose up do, clinging to the delicate curves of her cheeks, amplifying her fragile, ethereal aura to its peak.

Yu Sui’an’s appearance was indeed deceptive. Even Xu Chun, who knew her true nature and schemes from the original novel, found herself momentarily ensnared, as if bewitched by her allure.

Xu Chun quickened her pace. As she passed by, the air carried a faint, elusive fragrance. Unable to resist, Yu Sui’an lifted her head, her unblinking gaze fixed on Xu Chun’s retreating figure, her eyes gradually darkening with unreadable emotion.

Outside, it was quiet. Xu Chun didn’t dwell on it, but when she opened the door after finishing her routine, she found Yu Sui’an already gone. Just then, the doorbell rang. Xu Chun opened it to find He Qingli cradling a stack of books. “Jiang Zhaolie just asked Yu Sui’an out for a walk,” He Qingli said. “I was worried you’d be bored alone in your room, so I brought some books to help pass the time.”

As Xu Chun’s most devoted admirer, He Qingli would never let her suffer in silence or wipe away tears alone during a live broadcast. “I figure they won’t be back for at least two or three hours, so if you don’t mind, Sister Xu Chun.”

“Of course I don’t mind.” Xu Chun stepped aside to let He Qingli in. “But won’t your date have complaints about you being here with me?”

“She wouldn’t dare.” He Qingli immediately glared, then realized she’d revealed her true colors in front of Xu Chun. Quickly slipping back into her gentle, sweet facade, the image of a genius sugary pop singer the world knew, she added, “She obeys my every word now. If she dares complain, I’ll cancel our date tomorrow.”

Xu Chun caught the scent of gossip and pressed for details. He Qingli shrugged, “It’s nothing much. She’s just extremely mild-mannered, agreeing to everything anyone says as if she’s never learned how to refuse.” Frowning slightly, she continued, “Sister Xu Chun, don’t you think someone that gentle might get bullied by others after the show ends and she leaves me?”

“As if she wouldn’t get bullied even if she stayed with you,” Xu Chun retorted, eyeing her sideways. He Qingli’s face flushed red with embarrassment as she stomped her foot in frustration, “Sister Xu Chun!”

“If you’re going to be like this, I might as well leave,” He Qingli threatened, baring her teeth dramatically. “Not only will I go back, I’ll call Yu Sui’an and Jiang Zhaolie over too! Let the three of you sit there glaring at each other till dawn!”

Xu Chun: “???” What a vicious woman!

“But…” He Qingli scrutinized Xu Chun until she grew uneasy, then leaned in and whispered, “I’ve got some ropes and a little whip back in my room. Need them tonight? I can lend them to you for a few days.”

Xu Chun was baffled, “Wait, why did you bring those things to a variety show?”

“It’s a dating show, isn’t it?” He Qingli declared shamelessly, “What if I meet someone I like here? Then they’d come in handy.”

Xu Chun was momentarily speechless. “…” What a forward-thinking little devil.

“Actually, I think you and I are cut from the same cloth, Sister Xu Chun,” He Qingli continued excitedly, grinning widely. “They say birds of a feather flock together. The idol I adore must share my tastes. I’ve been your fan for two whole years, but something always felt missing in my admiration. After joining this show and getting close to you, I finally figured out what it was.”

Xu Chun had a feeling nothing good would come out of He Qingli’s mouth next and she was right. “What was missing was that shamelessly audacious ‘scumbag’ energy you just displayed in front of Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Sui’an!”

Beaming brightly, He Qingli laughed. Xu Chun pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. “…”

After fooling around with Xu Chun for a while, He Qingli checked the time, Yu Sui’an would be back soon. She hastily handed Xu Chun a stack of books. “If you two run out of things to talk about tonight, these should help pass the time.”

Xu Chun reflexively caught them, only for several eye-catching, melodramatic titles to assault her vision: Sister on Top, Me Below, The Domineering Actress Loves Fiercely: Woman, Don’t You Dare Run, The Innocent Secretary’s Secret Baby: Ex-Lover’s Pursuit Ends in Flames, The Darkened Younger Lover: Punish with Restraint, and similarly thunderously clichéd romance novels. Xu Chun couldn’t bear to read beyond half the titles.

She looked up at He Qingli with profound disbelief. “…You usually read these?”

He Qingli felt genuinely wounded by Xu Chun’s look and couldn’t help defending herself. “Don’t judge them by their cheesy titles, the content is actually amazing. These books I picked for you are all chart-toppers with enough readers to circle the Earth ten times over. Seriously, don’t let the clichéd names prejudice you. Once you read them, you’ll understand how addictive they are.”

Xu Chun was nearly swayed by He Qingli’s persuasion. Flipping through the books absently, she made a final protest: “But these are all about female CEOs…”

“What’s wrong with that? A domineering businesswoman chasing her love interest through hell is fresh and exciting! Everyone’s tired of male CEOs that’s exactly why these books are so popular.” He Qingli added conspiratorially, “Here’s an insider tip: the adaptation rights for these novels were sold at sky-high prices. They might get TV adaptations this year. If you finish the originals early, Sister Xu Chun, you could audition for roles.”

“Shows in this genre are still rare in the market. If you seize this opportunity, you’re guaranteed to skyrocket to fame!”

Dazed, Xu Chun clutched the books, almost completely taken in by He Qingli’s pitch. Left alone with nothing to do, she hesitated before finally selecting “Punish Me Gently” to read. The irony of reading yuri novels within a yuri novel wasn’t lost on her.

As she set aside the other books and prepared to start reading, Yu Sui’an and Jiang Zhaolie returned. Their expressions froze when their eyes simultaneously landed on the title in Xu Chun’s hands, leaving them unsure how to react. In the awkward silence, Xu Chun miraculously deciphered their unspoken message.

So, this is what you’re into.

Xu Chun: “……”

No! That’s not it! Stop imagining nonsense!

Reflexively tossing the book aside, she feigned composure. “You’re back.” But Yu Sui’an and Jiang Zhaolie interpreted her actions differently.

She’s flustered. She’s embarrassed.

Should we have knocked to give her time to hide the evidence?

As the atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable, Yu Sui’an softly broke the silence. “Zhaolie, didn’t you say you have a meeting soon?”

Jiang Zhaolie snapped out of it. The meeting was real, but how could she possibly leave Sui’an alone with Xu Chun, who was openly reading such material, let alone allow them to share a room tonight?

If she left now, she wouldn’t sleep a wink.

Struggling to voice her concerns, Jiang Zhaolie looked physically pained. Xu Chun sat expressionlessly, exasperated by Jiang Zhaolie’s demeanor that implied she’d pounce on Yu Sui’an. For heaven’s sake, she was the female lead of a romance novel! Even if every woman in the world turned gay, she’d remain straight. Annoyed, Xu Chun deliberately provoked Jiang Zhaolie with a sweet smile. “Zhaolie, if you’re reluctant to leave, could it be you can’t bear to part with me?”

Jiang Zhaolie: “?”

“Since that’s the case, why don’t you stay with us tonight? The three of us can sleep together anyway.” For Xu Chun, spending time alone with Yu Sui’an was no different from being with both Yu Sui’an and Jiang Zhaolie having one more person made no difference to her.

In fact, having Jiang Zhaolie around actually put her more at ease. Facing Yu Sui’an alone always left her feeling somewhat uncertain.

Jiang Zhaolie was genuinely stunned this time: “???” So you’re actually this wild in private?!

The other woman was staring at her unblinkingly, and Xu Chun belatedly realized she had been misunderstood. She glanced at Jiang Zhaolie, then at the stack of books He Qingli had kindly sent over, waiting for her attention beside her. “…”

The more she tried to explain, the worse it got.

Exhausted, she thought, just let the world end already.

In the end, Jiang Zhaolie couldn’t resist the temptation of sharing a room even sleeping with Yu Sui’an and reluctantly agreed, though her emotions were complicated. While Yu Sui’an went inside to tidy up, Jiang Zhaolie’s scrutinizing gaze lingered on Xu Chun, sweeping over her from head to toe.

She felt like she no longer understood this woman.

In the past, Xu Chun had been infatuated with her. But after Jiang Zhaolie firmly rejected her yet again, it wasn’t long before rumors of Xu Chun being in a relationship surfaced online. She had assumed Xu Chun was acting out of spite unable to have her, she turned to someone else. And later events seemed to confirm her suspicions: Xu Chun had gotten together with Sui’an, yet treated her terribly.

If not for the coincidence of their seats being assigned next to each other on a flight, leading to their gradual reconnection, Jiang Zhaolie would never have known just how much suffering Sui’an had endured at Xu Chun’s hands all because of her.

Whether out of guilt or heartache, Jiang Zhaolie had begun doing everything she could to make it up to Sui’an, hoping she could break free from Xu Chun and heal. But instead, Xu Chun only grew worse, eventually publicly cheating on her caught by the media, the scandal spreading across the internet. The moment Jiang Zhaolie saw the news, she could hardly imagine how devastated Sui’an must have been.

It was from that moment on that Jiang Zhaolie resolved to protect Sui’an for the rest of her life, ensuring she would never suffer again. She had also braced herself for Xu Chun’s inevitable retaliation either relentless pursuit of her or vindictive torment of Sui’an. Yet now, things were unfolding differently than she had expected.

After watching Yu Sui’an leave, Xu Chun casually picked up the book she had set aside earlier. Just as she was about to start reading, she accidentally met Jiang Zhaolie’s gaze complex and unreadable. Her scalp prickled instantly. “?!”

Xu Chun reflexively took a defensive step back.

The movement snapped Jiang Zhaolie out of her thoughts, but it also stung. Her voice dropped, laced with an inexplicable emotion. “Xu Chun, lately, it feels like you’ve been deliberately pushing me toward others.”

Yu Sui’an, who had been about to step out to retrieve something, paused. Her long lashes veiled the emotions in her eyes.

Xu Chun was baffled by Jiang Zhaolie’s words. Without dwelling on them, she suddenly planted one hand on her hip and thrust the other palm-up in front of Jiang Zhaolie, arrogantly threatening, “Jiang Zhaolie, you’d better transfer me three million right this instant, or I’ll tell Yu Suian every single word about how you want to rekindle our old flame!”

All subtle emotions in Jiang Zhaolie’s heart vanished instantly, “……”

Why don’t you just rob a bank?!