Failed to Run Away After Transmigrating as the Scummy Alpha's Wife of the Villain - Chapter 21

The final investigation results confirmed that the masked knife-wielding assailant was indeed one of Jiang Ci’s anti-fans. He had obtained the exact timing of Jiang Ci’s commercial shoot from the long-haired woman and disguised himself as a fan to break into the dressing room, intending to slash Jiang Ci’s face and end her career as a celebrity.

 

 

Chi Yuan watched as the handcuffed man sat in the interrogation room, spewing vulgarities that sent chills down her spine.

 

 

She gently covered Jiang Ci’s ears, not wanting her to hear.

 

 

But Jiang Ci pulled her hand away and shook her head slightly. “I’m fine. I’ve seen and heard all this before—it’s nothing.”

 

 

Her expression remained calm and composed, completely unfazed by the man’s words. “Just follow standard procedures.”

 

 

As for the long-haired woman Chen Qingqing who had thrown the inducer, she confessed that she had met the man during an advertising consultation. He had paid her a large sum to let him into the studio on the day of Jiang Ci’s shoot.

 

 

The small bottle originally contained concentrated sulfuric acid. The plan was that if the masked man was caught or stopped, Chen Qingqing would take over.

 

 

But at the last moment, she had switched it to an inducer, averting disaster.

 

 

With the crisis resolved without major harm, Jiang Ci’s commercial shoot proceeded without delay, bringing the matter to a close.

 

 

Yet Jiang Ci frowned, staring at Chen Qingqing with a growing sense that something wasn’t right.

 

 

Chen Qingqing claimed she had been coerced but later changed her mind and swapped the sulfuric acid—meaning she was aware of the danger of public assault.

 

 

So why didn’t she just use plain water?

 

 

Her aggressive stance when throwing the liquid hadn’t been an act, and after being caught, she remained eerily calm, as if she had expected it. None of this pointed to a spur-of-the-moment decision.

 

 

Moreover, inducers were banned outside of hospitals. After strict crackdowns, even the black market rarely circulated them, let alone high-grade versions specifically targeting Omegas—priced exorbitantly.

 

 

An ordinary person without money or connections would never have been able to obtain one.

 

 

But tracing the inducer’s source was nearly impossible. Despite suspicions that someone else had orchestrated this through Chen Qingqing, there was no evidence.

 

 

Someone with the means to pull this off—and a grudge against her…

 

 

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Ci’s eyes as she pieced it together.

 

 

At 6 p.m. on the weekend, the first episode of Hometown of Peach and Plum officially aired.

 

 

Countless netizens who had been waiting for the truth about the fall gathered in front of their screens for the update.

 

 

Chi Yuan was no exception—she was curious about how the production team would edit it.

 

 

The episode opened with an aerial view of the idyllic Hometown of Peach and Plum, surrounded by lush green mountains and clear waters, a land of abundant harvests. As a well-known tourist destination, the barrage was flooded with recommendations from viewers.

 

 

Then, the camera zoomed in, shifting from a wide landscape to a small, weathered black-canopied boat drifting on the lake.

 

 

A subtitle appeared: A lone boat, rippling on gentle waves~

 

 

But in reality—

 

 

The boat was packed with four men sweating profusely, each wearing an expression of sheer misery.

 

 

LMAO, the peak of summer afternoon—the hottest time in Hometown of Peach and Plum—and they just had to be out then.

 

 

All four male guests crammed together in one boat? This is too funny!

 

 

Did y’all see the waterline? I’m dying—I was afraid the boatman would row them straight into the lake!

 

 

 

The fisherman in a short-sleeved shirt stood at the bow of the boat, straining to pole the vessel forward. With the weight of five people plus all their luggage and suitcases, he was drenched in sweat after just ten minutes of effort, having moved barely ten meters from the dock.

 

 

My god, couldn’t the production team arrange better transportation? Who exactly is this torture for—the suffocating guests or the exhausted crew whose hands are shaking from exhaustion?

 

 

The filming crew from the “Land of Peaches and Plums” is notorious for making things difficult. This shouldn’t come as a surprise.

 

 

They’ll go to any lengths just to make the guests miserable, even if it means suffering themselves.

 

 

I’d love to see someone put the director and screenwriter in their place. Watching them get their comeuppance would be so satisfying.

 

 

Then the scene shifted to the small Western-style house on the island, where the first group of guests had already arrived ahead of schedule.

 

 

Logically speaking, Jiang Ci, Zhao Zhenzhen, and Jiang Wan were all well-known celebrities in the industry. Even if they hadn’t met before, they should at least have heard of each other. Yet the atmosphere in the small house was as silent as the River Cam, unnervingly tense.

 

 

Newbie here—do they have some kind of feud?

 

 

Is the production team brain-dead or just marketing geniuses? Inviting Jiang Ci and then bringing in her supposed “replacement”? They’re just asking for backlash.

 

 

LOL, the earlier commenter must be a Jiang Ci fan. What did Jiang Wan ever do to you? Calling her a “replacement” is just petty.

 

 

Seriously? Are people still unaware that Jiang Wan rose to fame by riding on the “mini Jiang Ci” label? She’s just a budget version, okay?

 

 

That’s all just baseless gossip from tabloids. Jiang Wan worked hard—her schedule was packed for an entire year before she finally got her big break. And now you Jiang Ci stans want to credit her success to Jiang Ci? The audacity.

 

 

Exactly. Jiang Wan got where she is through her own efforts. Jiang Ci? She’s just a scheming gold-digger who slept her way to the top. Other than her looks, she’s got nothing going for her.

 

 

Let’s be real—who actually believes those fabricated rumors? Jiang Wan’s fans keep repeating the same baseless accusations. If they’re so sure, why can’t they name a single director or producer involved?

 

 

Chi Yuan hadn’t expected the show to spark such a vicious, all-out war in the comments before it even began.

 

 

Chi Yuan: Are their fans always this intense?

 

 

System: Well, the bad bl00d runs deep. If the stars themselves don’t get along, what do you expect from their fans?

 

 

Chi Yuan recalled a scene from the original novel where Jiang Ci and Jiang Wan had attended the same gala.

 

 

The female lead, Jiang Wan, had schemed to outshine Jiang Ci by arranging for their seats to be placed together and showing up in a high-end gown with full glam, confident she could overshadow her rival.

 

 

The two exchanged zero words the entire time—though Jiang Wan kept sneaking glances—while Jiang Ci, exhausted from a late-night flight, nearly dozed off in her seat. When she realized Jiang Wan was beside her, she didn’t even bother to fake a smile.

 

 

Later, when a nosy entertainment reporter tried to interview them together, Jiang Ci walked away without a word, cementing the rumors of their feud.

 

 

The next day, Jiang Wan got her wish—her “stunning gala look” trended on social media.

 

 

But the hashtag right above hers?

 

 

“Jiang Ci’s hauntingly melancholic aura.”

 

 

Jiang Wan: …

 

 

Refusing to accept defeat, she clicked into the comments—only to find them flooded with praise for Jiang Ci’s stylist. The subtle dark eyeshadow accentuated her brooding elegance, they said, and the bl00d-red ruby necklace added an air of solemn intensity.

 

 

 

Her pale lips combined with that faintly cold and distant gaze created the perfect image of a delicate, sickly beauty under the camera lens, sending fans into a frenzy.

 

 

Jiang Wan was furious: “Are you all blind? That’s not black eyeshadow—those are dark circles! And that ‘cold distant gaze’? She was practically falling asleep!”

 

 

Madness. The fans must have gone mad.

 

 

When Chi Yuan first saw it, she found it surreal—how could a sleep-deprived celebrity still manage to look like some melancholic, ethereal beauty?

 

 

That was until she actually saw Jiang Ci and suddenly understood the saying “love is blind.”

 

 

Some people simply have an innate charm that makes them lovable no matter what.

 

 

Finally, as the sun began to set, the overloaded sampan docked. The twins couldn’t hold back any longer and sprinted toward the villa at top speed.

 

 

Wang Wen sighed behind them, “Ah, the energy of youth.”

 

 

Gao Yaohui wiped his sweat and disagreed, “Bro, we’re only 32. Not exactly old yet.”

 

 

“I’m comparing us to the Gus. They’re just twenty—a whole zodiac cycle younger than us.” Coincidentally, all four of them were born in the Year of the Rooster.

 

 

Later, Chi Yuan watched the entire cringe-worthy exchange between herself and Momo, captured mercilessly by the cameras.

 

 

Help, what’s up with this girl? Can’t she control her expressions?

 

 

Secondhand embarrassment is killing me. Was she looking at the river because she wanted to jump in?

 

 

Probably shocked by Momo’s professional self-introduction. Love my fangirl queen!

 

 

Seriously, who is this Chi Yuan? Her Weibo looks brand new—her first post is the official announcement for “Peach and Plum Homeland.”

 

 

She’s a civilian, non-celeb, non-celeb.

 

 

You expect me to believe someone this pretty is just a regular person?

 

 

What’s so weird about civilians being hotter than celebs? Not every good-looking person wants to join the entertainment industry!

 

 

At the same time, Chi Yuan was baffled to see her Weibo followers skyrocketing.

 

 

Chi Yuan: ?

 

 

System: Host, ever considered entering showbiz? This system comes with a face-slapping rise-to-fame mechanism—guaranteed to make you a superstar.

 

 

Chi Yuan: …Hard pass. Do I look like acting material to you?

 

 

Fake fan? So Chi Yuan’s real identity is Jiang Ci’s fake fan? Mystery solved.

 

 

LMAO, what do you gain from killing me with laughter?

 

 

Wait… do I smell drama? Xiao Fang? Who’s Xiao Fang? Does Jiang Wan know Chi Yuan? And then she went to talk to Jiang Ci?

 

 

That village girl trope? So outdated it hurts.

 

 

Chi Yuan: Not that Xiao Fang, damn it!

 

 

So not Sister Chi, but CEO Chi? Wow, beauty and brains—I’m in love.

 

 

Hold up, her surname is Chi? Like… that Chi? The company she mentioned is a subsidiary of the Chi Group, right? What a coincidence…

 

 

Seems like… it’s the same person (sweat)(sweat). So the rich second-gen heiress I was trash-talking earlier is from the Chi family?

 

 

Pretty sure she’s the eldest Chi’s only daughter—legitimate heiress to the fortune.

 

 

And you all thought she was here for clout and CP marketing? How’s that egg on your face? Mine stings.

 

 

 

Chi Yuan didn’t expect her identity to be exposed by netizens so quickly, but if it could help improve her public image, that wasn’t a bad thing.

 

 

High energy ahead! Warning for those rewatching this part.

 

 

It’s coming, it’s coming!

 

 

What? Is it the kissing scene?

 

 

Gu Mengmeng! So it was your fault?

 

 

Poor Jiang Ci even mopped the floor so thoroughly, only to have it backfire on her.

 

 

Actually… if I may say so, they looked really sweet when kissing.

 

 

Hey you in front, watch out for Jiang’s fans coming after you.

 

 

Honestly, I just want to see these beautiful women get close. “The Dominant CEO and Her Canary”—I’ve even got the title ready, waiting for someone to write this fanfic.

 

 

Not sure if I should say this, but wouldn’t the OA position be better? It seems more fitting.

 

 

Is Sister Chi’s back okay? Seeing her rub her waist like that… hmm…

 

 

We’re definitely not thinking anything inappropriate here. Nope.

 

 

That was quite a hard bump, no other meaning intended. Really.

 

 

Chi Yuan’s face burned red as she watched these borderline inappropriate comments that somehow slipped past the censors.

 

 

Why hadn’t she realized it at the time?!

 

 

Seeing Jiang Ci’s teary eyes on screen, Chi Yuan poked at the image with her finger, suddenly recalling that ambiguous temporary mark in the villa.

 

 

After that incident, the atmosphere between them became strangely tense. The closeness they’d built up instantly vanished, leaving them more distant than when they’d first met.

 

 

Could it be that Jiang Ci preferred the original flirtatious owner of this body over her?

 

 

And saying they should pretend it never happened—did that mean she really disliked her?

 

 

Was seducing her for a full mark just to relieve… that?!

 

 

Was she just a mere tool?!

 

 

The more Chi Yuan thought about it, the more twisted her thoughts became, to the point where she wanted to call the very person driving her crazy.

 

 

Chi Yuan: System, does Jiang Ci hate me?

 

 

System: Well, from her perspective… Being forced into an arranged marriage since childhood, then having to marry someone completely heartless and utterly unfaithful, nearly getting drugged for indecent photos, finally joining a variety show only to have that nemesis follow her there…

 

 

System: Then yes. She absolutely despises you.

 

 

Chi Yuan: But… but during the show, I felt Jiang Ci was quite nice to me.

 

 

System: What gave you that illusion? As far as I recall, your interactions consisted mainly of bickering. Unless you’re a masochist who enjoys the female lead’s cold remarks—then that’s different.

 

 

Chi Yuan: …

 

 

After consecutive blows, Chi Yuan felt utterly heartbroken.

 

 

It seemed bridging the gap with Jiang Ci would be a long and arduous task.

 

 

Life isn’t easy—Chi Yuan sighed.

 

 

On screen, the show progressed to the second day’s task assignments.

 

 

Chi Yuan hadn’t known about the fruit-picking team’s situation, but now seeing the edited footage…

 

 

She was confused.

 

 

Jiang Wan also had skin allergies? And would develop red patches from sun exposure?

 

 

What a coincidence.

 

 

In the video, Jiang Wan stood beneath a peach tree, gazing longingly at the three remaining peaches in the basket, her pitiful expression tugging at heartstrings.

 

 

Our Wanwan has allergies and can’t be in the sun—she really wanted to complete the task properly.

 

 

 

“That’s right, Wanwan has a weak constitution and is prone to allergies—it’s a lingering effect from when she fainted from heatstroke while working as an extra on set. Please don’t mistake her for being delicate. She usually works incredibly hard.”

 

 

“Wow, thanks for the info! I think Jiang Wan’s personality is great—quiet and polite, never causing trouble for others.”

 

 

“As a casual viewer, this scene totally won me over. sobs Only fellow allergy sufferers understand how awful allergies can be. I have hay fever and once had such bad sinusitis I needed IV drips for days at the hospital.”

 

 

“Little sister should really find some shade to rest in soon.”

 

 

Chi Yuan rewound the footage, took a screenshot, and zoomed in manually. Though the image was blurry, the red patches were unmistakable.

 

 

Finally, as the task neared completion, Jiang Wan struggled back with another basket of large, red peaches, earning an outpouring of praise and admiration in the comments.

 

 

Her professionalism in a reality show won over many viewers unfamiliar with Jiang Wan, significantly boosting her popularity.

 

 

Baffled, Chi Yuan exited the video and searched allergy-related keywords in both Jiang Ci and Jiang Wan’s fan communities.

 

 

No results appeared for Jiang Ci, while Jiang Wan’s page flooded with posts:

 

 

“My heart aches for Wanwan—her arms are allergic again.”

 

 

“Can the assistants please take better care of our Wanwan? With the scorching sun in Hengdian these days, how could you let her walk around alone? If she enjoys shopping, is it too much to ask you to prepare an umbrella? cries Fellow fans, this hurts to watch. ImageImageImage”

 

 

“Our baby’s allergic again—should we organize sending some medicine? I know a crew member who could deliver it to Wanwan.”

 

 

Chi Yuan enlarged the clearer close-up images and noticed something odd.

 

 

Chi Yuan: System, I’ve seen Jiang Ci’s allergic reactions—they’re rash-like red dots. But Jiang Wan’s marks look more like… parallel lines? Doesn’t seem like allergies, more like…

 

 

System: Self-inflicted scratches.

 

 

Chi Yuan: Exactly! The novel never mentioned the female lead having allergies either.

 

 

System: Because the “universally adored heroine” archetype includes being fragile and sickly. Jiang Wan periodically “falls ill”—colds, allergies, injuries—to cultivate that “beautiful yet tragic” image.

 

 

System: It’s currently the most popular character trope… though easily exposed.

 

 

Chi Yuan felt indignant. Despite suffering severe allergies, Jiang Ci had kept working under the sun without complaint, with the program even editing out her reaction. She later wore arm sleeves silently.

 

 

Meanwhile, Jiang Wan faked allergies while casually slacking off.

 

 

Chi Yuan: Can’t the fans tell?

 

 

System: If the female lead says it’s allergies, then it’s allergies. Unless… host, you could expose her in person.

 

 

Chi Yuan stroked her chin, considering.

 

 

True—if she posted now claiming Jiang Wan lied about allergies, fans and casual viewers likely wouldn’t believe it. The “fragile constitution” narrative is already ingrained. Only direct confrontation with proof could dismantle her persona.

 

 

With the Peach Blossom Village reality show continuing, she doubted Jiang Wan could maintain the act indefinitely.

 

 

 

Thinking of this, Chi Yuan calmed down again, clicked on the video, skipped Jiang Wan’s segment, and directly fast-forwarded to when their Red Team was on the mission.

 

 

When the scene showed Chi Yuan carrying rice bags like a walking grain truck—

 

 

Is this strength for real? A Hercules?

 

 

…So it was rice. Damn, for a second I thought she was carrying cotton.

 

 

Tried lifting my family’s rice bags—two sacks are my absolute limit. P.S. I’m a 6’3″ guy.

 

 

Am I the only one concerned about the excessive quantity?

 

 

LMAO, can they even finish all that? Might not get through one bag.

 

 

HAHAHAHA, the way Boss Chi proudly showed off to Jiang Jiang is exactly like my golden retriever.

 

 

She got scolded! That look Jiang Ci gave her—total “you idiot” vibes.

 

 

Correction: This isn’t “Domineering CEO and Her Delicate Wife”—it’s “Genius Beauty and Her Lovable Dumbass.”

 

 

Amidst the flood of snarky comments, a rainbow-glitter bullet comment suddenly exploded across the screen with virtual confetti:

 

 

“JiangChi CP fanclub is now open! Sisters, are we doing this or what?”