Chapter 33

Jiang Zhaolie dodged with lightning speed, as if she wanted to plaster 'I don't know her' all over herself. Xu Chun's eye twitched at the sight. Was it really necessary to be this tense and overreact? All she'd done was seize the chance to do a little brainwashing.

Xu Chun narrowed her eyes and closed the distance to Jiang Zhaolie again. 'Don't tell me you actually have designs on me?' She looked Jiang Zhaolie's tense body up and down and laughed. 'You didn't cherish me when you had me, and now that you've lost me, you're still hung up on old feelings—is there something wrong with your head?'

'And another thing—why are you so afraid of me? It's not like I'm going to eat you.' Xu Chun had no idea what was going on, but her mouth kept running anyway, and she even put on an impromptu, heartfelt performance: 'Zhaolie, you avoid me like the plague, you won't even look me in the eye—you really make me so sad, so heartbroken—' She stumbled, and then, before she could stop herself, her tone shifted entirely and she blurted out, 'Sister?!'

How had she missed Qin Yao's arrival entirely?!

Xu Chun stood frozen beside Jiang Zhaolie for a long moment before it finally dawned on her why the other woman had suddenly put so much distance between them and was standing ramrod straight like a gentleman keeping his distance from women. Of course, this was exactly the kind of thing waiting for her.

But when exactly had Qin Yao arrived? Just now, or even earlier? How much of Xu Chun's conversation with Jiang Zhaolie had she heard—a little, or all of it?

Xu Chun racked her brain trying to recall the moment Jiang Zhaolie had abruptly pulled away, and her eyes flew wide. '!!!' She was screwed! It had all happened while she was spouting nonsense!

She shot Jiang Zhaolie two vicious glares, then folded her hands obediently and stood quietly beside her, as silent as a mute, just like Jiang Zhaolie.

The two of them—one tall, one short—stood stiffly at the restroom door like a pair of doormen, neither daring to meet her eyes. Qin Yao arched a brow. 'What are you two doing here?' Her gaze drifted lazily over them, her voice faint and a little low. 'Catching up?'

'No!' Xu Chun denied it without thinking. 'No, no, no.'

She'd already come up with ten thousand excuses to deal with Qin Yao, but when she raised her chin and met those authoritative dark eyes, her mind went blank and she couldn't get a word out.

Qin Yao tilted her head. 'No? But what I just heard didn't sound like that.'

'You must have misheard, right, Zhaolie?' As she spoke, she subtly nudged Jiang Zhaolie with her elbow. Jiang Zhaolie glanced at her, then silently withdrew her gaze and made a simple sound. 'Mn.'

Qin Yao had no proof, so she only gave Xu Chun a long, meaningful look. 'If there's nothing else, head back early. Your grandfather is still waiting for you.'

Granted Qin Yao's pardon, Xu Chun bolted, vanishing in a flash. Jiang Zhaolie was suddenly alone with Qin Yao; she bit down hard on her back teeth, then settled into a couldn't-care-less attitude, as if she had nothing left to fear.

She had nothing left now anyway. Everyone she loved and everyone who loved her had left her overnight, so even if Qin Yao scolded her a bit now, it didn't matter.

It was all her fault, so if someone wanted to curse her out to vent their anger, she was happy to bear it.

But the expected scolding didn't come. Qin Yao's tone was gentler than usual. 'Since there's nothing else distracting you now, set aside all these unnecessary feelings and focus on work.'

Qin Yao gazed at Jiang Zhaolie. 'Everything that happened before is in the past.'

Qin Yao had always been strict with her, so from childhood Jiang Zhaolie had demanded the best of herself, because only then would Qin Yao occasionally praise her. For the sake of that elusive word of praise, Jiang Zhaolie studied with utmost diligence, sacrificing rest and playtime from a very young age—nothing like a normal child with a happy childhood.

She'd skipped several grades growing up—the model child every parent and teacher held up as an example, and the least popular kid in her class. But she didn't care; all she cared about was getting what she wanted.

The trouble was, Qin Yao's praise and approval were precious and rare. No matter how well she did, the other woman seldom opened that golden mouth. But if she made the slightest mistake, Qin Yao's attitude was the exact opposite, stern and unsmiling, until she trembled at every error, remembered it deeply, and never dared repeat it.

Today Qin Yao's calm, even faintly comforting words left Jiang Zhaolie completely stunned. She raised her face in disbelief. 'Aren't you disappointed in me?'

'I didn't do anything right. I failed to protect the marriage you and Grandfather arranged for me, and I couldn't even successfully pursue a girl I had feelings for. I'm good for nothing—like a complete loser.' Her voice was low; she tried hard to control her emotions and not let them show too clearly.

'Some things are destined.' Qin Yao said something baffling.

'Work hard from now on, and don't get involved with women anymore.' She stared into Jiang Zhaolie's eyes, and when she spoke again her tone was noticeably heavier. 'Otherwise you'll still lose completely, without a shred of dignity left.'

Jiang Zhaolie didn't understand what Qin Yao meant, but she no longer had the chance to ask. Qin Yao had already turned and walked away.

She instinctively followed, her mind a tangled mess. Why wouldn't Mom let her get involved with women anymore? After connecting all the dots and carefully sorting through what had just happened, she abruptly stopped in her tracks. Had Mom misunderstood that she actually still had feelings for Xu Chun?

And that Mom herself also had that kind of interest in Xu Chun?!

That was it. When Mom arrived, her conversation with Xu Chun had been rather ambiguous, so Mom had naturally misunderstood. But had Xu Chun really succeeded that quickly?

She'd been filming every day and had no time to come into contact with Mom at all. How had she managed, in the midst of all that, to successfully bewitch Mom's heart?

And Mom was just as busy. She worked overtime with Jiang Zhaolie every day, spinning like a top and shuttling between several cities day after day. How did she still have time to romance Xu Chun?

Jiang Zhaolie was thoroughly shaken. Had she been the only one honestly and single-mindedly working all this time?

She couldn't help but feel conflicted.

By the time Xu Chun ran back to the private room, her shoe soles were practically sparking. She plopped down, and Old Master Xu shot her a puzzled look, but Xu Chun only grabbed the cup beside her and downed two big gulps. Old Master Xu frowned and quietly studied her for a while. Had she gotten into an argument with Jiang Zhaolie outside just now?

His expression shifted abruptly. He turned slowly to Jiang Peiyuan. 'I think we need to have a proper talk about this matter.'

Jiang Peiyuan: '?'

Old Master Xu couldn't care less about any of that. He was here today for one reason: to help his granddaughter claim everything she deserved. The Jiang family had done something so hurtful; he wasn't about to spare any consideration for their old friendship.

Old Master Xu and Old Master Jiang plunged into a new round of battle. After listening for a while, Xu Chun secretly gave her own grandfather a thumbs-up. Grandpa really was the seasoned one. She'd have to learn more from the old man's shamelessness in the future. If your skin was thick enough, pie would fall from the sky.

And so, through her grandfather's relentless arguing, several more luxury homes and famous cars were added to Xu Chun's name. She secretly counted on her fingers: with these compensations backing her up, even if the Xu family were bankrupted by the female lead in the future, she wouldn't have to worry. She already had enough trump cards in hand; with her parents' abilities, making a comeback wouldn't be a problem.

Xu Chun and her grandfather returned fully loaded. Jiang Peiyuan stared at their beaming faces and came away with a whole new understanding of what a modern-day bandit looked like.

He secretly regretted it and swore that in the future he would provoke this grandfather-granddaughter pair as little as possible. Not only that, he would firmly instruct the younger generation of the family: keep a low profile, lest you be targeted by Xu Chun.

Jiang Zhaolie had just returned to the private room when her grandfather pulled her aside, sighing heavily. 'Keep your distance from that Xu Chun in the future.'

Jiang Zhaolie didn't understand. 'Why?'

'I tell you to stay away from her, so stay away from her. Why are you asking so many questions?' Old Master Jiang glared in frustration, but in the end couldn't help explaining: 'She's just like that grandfather of hers—like a hyena. Once she sinks her teeth into prey, she won't let go. So provoke her as little as possible in the future, or she'll strip even your underwear from you.'

Jiang Zhaolie: '...'

She couldn't help glancing at Xu Chun, who at that moment was glowing and full of energy, huddled with Xu Jixian checking off items on a list one by one. Grandfather and granddaughter were smiling so happily, so radiantly—truly the very picture of bandit chiefs.

Grandfather's description was quite apt.

Xu Chun sensed a gaze lingering on her and instinctively looked up. When she saw it was Jiang Zhaolie, she glared. Jiang Zhaolie tactfully withdrew her gaze and said to Jiang Peiyuan beside her, 'I'll work hard to earn all of this back.'

Jiang Peiyuan didn't care about such things. He only said, 'Just listen to your mother, work hard, and focus on supporting the family. As for these things, you don't need to repay anything. This matter was decided by us adults without consulting you in the first place; strictly speaking, it has nothing to do with you.'

Jiang Zhaolie remained silent. Jiang Peiyuan guessed she might not be feeling great, so he didn't disturb her further.

The broken engagement was finally settled. Xu Chun beamed, bag in hand, arm linked with her grandfather, utterly delighted. Just as she was floating in bliss and forgetting herself, Qin Yao suddenly pushed open the private room door and walked in, a faint smile on her lips as she looked at Xu Chun. 'See you next week.'

Xu Chun's smile froze dead on her face.

Qin Yao had been absent all this time. She'd assumed the other had left early because she had something to do. How was she supposed to know that not only had she come back, but she'd even made a point of telling her they'd meet in a couple of days? This was scarier than a horror story, wasn't it?!

She didn't reply for a long time, and Qin Yao raised an eyebrow at her. Xu Chun jolted on the spot and nodded hurriedly. 'Okay, okay.' She forced out a stiff smile and steeled herself. 'I'm really looking forward to working with you, Sister.'

Qin Yao's smile deepened. When she smiled, it was like ice and snow first thawing, bringing a springlike softness and brilliance, a splendor that revived all things and set a hundred flowers blooming. Xu Chun stared, dumbstruck.

She knew Qin Yao was beautiful, but every time she looked at her directly, she still felt as though her very soul had been struck hard from the inside out. That numbing sensation, like a nerve being hit, started at her scalp and spread through her whole body in an instant, leaving no power to resist. Before she even realized it, she had already sunk in deeply.

Xu Chun lost herself for a moment before snapping back to awareness, her dark eyes fixed straight on Qin Yao, carrying a certain indescribable quality.

The meal ended there. After Xu Chun got into the car with her grandfather, she laid the flattery on thick, and he lapped it up, but then he sighed regretfully. 'What a pity. The Jiang family still has some foundations, after all.' He turned to Xu Chun. 'If only you could have married into the Jiang family.'

Xu Chun's thoughts stirred. 'What about the Qin family?'

'The Qin family?' Old Master Xu hadn't expected her to ask that. 'Forget about the Qin family. Their threshold is even higher than the Jiangs', and Qin Yao's branch is just her now—no other brothers or sisters. As for the Qin Group's collateral branches...' Old Master Xu frowned. 'Best not to mention them.'

'You'd do better to think about the Jiang family or the Zhou family and the like. The younger generations of those two families are familiar with you, after all.' People like Jiang Banxia and Zhou Yuying, who'd grown up with Xu Chun—more or less childhood friends—had backgrounds that were well known. Rather than marrying into some unfamiliar family, or marrying down into a family even worse off than the Xu family and effectively subsidizing them, Old Master Xu would prefer Xu Chun's future in-laws to be evenly matched with the Xu family.

He wasn't aiming to climb into some great clan; he just didn't want his granddaughter to suffer the way she had during her engagement to Jiang Zhaolie.

Xu Chun pretended to have a sudden realization and seized the chance to ask: 'Then since Sister Qin is Jiang Zhaolie's mother, why does Jiang Zhaolie live with the Jiang family and even acknowledge that Jiang couple as her parents?'

She propped her chin on her hand. 'Is it because Sister Qin's husband was some member of the Jiang family who died young?'

'Nonsense.' Old Master Xu couldn't help glaring at her, his expression turning somewhat serious. 'Qin Yao has never married. What husband are you talking about?'

'Back then, Qin Yao went abroad to study when she was very young. One year she came back with a nursing infant in her arms. That was Jiang Zhaolie. I remember she was still quite young then; at that age in our country she'd have been in middle school? High school? I don't remember exactly. The whole Qin family was shaken at the time, and they immediately locked down the information.'

'Later, I don't know how the Qin and Jiang families negotiated, but in the end the child in her arms was adopted by that infertile couple from the Jiang family, who became her parents.'

'Not many people know that Qin Yao is Jiang Zhaolie's birth mother.' Old Master Xu glared at Xu Chun. 'Don't go blabbing these things everywhere with that big mouth of yours.'

Xu Chun felt a little aggrieved. 'When have I ever gone around blabbing these things everywhere?'

'Wasn't it you who spilled on that show that Jiang Zhaolie was your fiancée? Wasn't it you who spilled on that show that Jiang Zhaolie was pursuing that Yu-something? And wasn't it you who spilled on that show that Qiao Wan and Jiang Zhaolie are cousins?'

Xu Chun was speechless. '...'

'All right, just keep your mouth shut from now on.' Old Master Xu didn't mean to blame her; in his heart he even somewhat approved of what Xu Chun had done before. Without outside pressure, who knew how much worse Jiang Zhaolie might have behaved.

'Has Jiang Zhaolie broken things off with that Yu-something now?' Old Master Xu asked suddenly.

Xu Chun's eyes widened in shock. 'Grandfather, you know about that too?'

'Of course I do. I've been quietly keeping an eye on your affairs. That Yu-something is cut from a different cloth from you and Jiang Zhaolie. The two of you should have less to do with her in the future. She's ambitious.' A thoughtful look came over Old Master Xu's face. 'Whether it's you or Jiang Zhaolie, you're both just a stepping stone for her. I have a feeling she'll climb even higher in the future.'

'People from poor backgrounds like hers have tasted every hardship, so their methods tend to be ruthless. Although your business with her is already in the past, it's best not to make an enemy of her if you can help it.' Just in case her fortunes turned around someday.

Xu Chun didn't take Yu Sui'an to heart. The other did have a certain female-lead halo about her, true, but now that Yu Sui'an's relationship with Jiang Zhaolie had hit a crisis, Xu Chun didn't know who Yu Sui'an could rely on going forward. But whoever she ultimately leaned on, Xu Chun wasn't afraid—because she still had Qin Yao.

At the thought, Xu Chun couldn't help biting her lip. She had to seize this opportunity!

But... her grand ambitions receded like the tide in just one second. She'd just been spouting all that nonsense and Qin Yao had heard every word. Surely Qin Yao wouldn't think she was some kind of lecherous, perverted kid?

Xu Chun heaved a mournful sigh. Step one of pursuing love, ruined by her own big, smart-aleck mouth.

No matter how Xu Chun regretted it, what was done was done. He Qingli sent a congratulatory message: 【I heard you and Jiang Zhaolie finally broke off the engagement? Congratulations, congratulations, you've successfully returned to singlehood.】

Xu Chun was astounded: 【How do you know that?!】

The other end went quiet for a moment, then shared a link: 【Here. It's all over the internet now, how could I not know? But from the way you're asking... it's like we're not supposed to know. So who leaked it, you tell me? Jiang Zhaolie, or Yu Sui'an?】

Xu Chun thought about it and replied: 【No idea.】

He Qingli immediately sent a string of ellipses, then explained why she'd come: 【Aren't you going on that show in a couple of days? I wanted to ask you to look after Fu Xin for me. Her family ran into trouble, and she's the only one left in the country now, so I used my connections to get her onto the show. At least she can earn some living expenses and not have to work so hard.】

Fu Xin was He Qingli's date on the dating reality show—very tall, with skin as pale as if she never saw sunlight, her figure slender but overly thin, as though her health wasn't good. She always carried an air of illness about her. Sometimes when Xu Chun saw her, she was afraid she'd keel over the next second and be rushed to a hospital.

This was no big deal. Xu Chun agreed readily, then asked curiously: 【If you're so worried about her, why don't you go on the show yourself to keep her company?】

He Qingli: 【I'm busy preparing a new album and can't get away, and besides, we had a fight.】

Xu Chun immediately perked up, eager to listen, but the other was already on her way to the recording studio, so she had to let it go and save the questions for next time.

Before getting busy, He Qingli pushed Fu Xin's WeChat to Xu Chun, and soon Xu Chun received a friend request. After accepting, the other obediently sent: 【Hello, Sister Xu Chun.】

At the sight, Xu Chun straightened her back and waved magnanimously: 【Lizi told me all about it. Don't worry, I'll have your back on the show. Don't be afraid.】

Fu Xin was a little torn between laughter and tears. 【Thank you.】

Xu Chun was determined to complete the important task He Qingli had entrusted to her perfectly. After receiving the schedule the production team mailed over, she wrestled with it for a whole night until she had the contents memorized.

The show wasn't complicated. It centered on the Qin Group and invited six celebrity guests to experience the life of a corporate drone. The guests were randomly assigned positions and, over the course of a month, simply had to complete the tasks they were supposed to complete.

Xu Chun's assigned position was Qin Yao's assistant. Her job description arrived along with the white paper, and the first look nearly made her faint. Aside from the ten o'clock assembly on the first day, she had to get up at six in the morning every day. Not only were the daytime tasks heavy, but after work she had to keep her phone open at all times to ensure she could handle any emergency at a moment's notice.

After reading through all the various rules and precautions, Xu Chun's vision nearly went black. Actually... this romance didn't have to be pursued.

For a moment she suspected Jiang Zhaolie was secretly making things difficult for her, but then she figured Jiang Zhaolie wasn't that petty, so she put the thought out of her mind.

Xu Chun kept reading until she reached the last item—an employment contract stating a monthly salary of one hundred thousand—and instantly felt much better.

A hundred thousand a month was already a very high salary for an ordinary person, and most importantly, this was a publicly funded romance!

Not only was she drawing a salary from the variety show, she was also drawing a salary from the Qin Group. With double pay and a company-funded wife-pursuit, Xu Chun's heart finally felt a good deal lighter.

To show her most beautiful self in front of Qin Yao later, Xu Chun began exercising diligently before the variety show started filming. She trained until her waist was slim and her legs long, her chest lifted and her backside perky, her figure curvy and shapely, sexy yet healthy. Even in the simplest white T-shirt and jeans, she drew every eye.

As the show's start date drew nearer, the whole Qin Group began busy preparations. Meanwhile, Director Guo didn't forget to build hype online, boosting attention as much as possible. Through everyone's efforts, the variety show finally officially began.

Early in the morning, the production crew arrived at Xu Chun's home and set up the phones for the livestream and all the various equipment needed for filming. Fans who received the broadcast notification flooded into the livestream room: 【Welcome back, our dating-show bully!】

【Can't wait for Sister to stir up trouble and slack off on the new workplace variety show!】

【The moment I saw Xu Chun was a guest, I knew this show was done for. Xu Chun will single-handedly turn the whole program into a muddy mess. Lighting a candle for the Qin Group in advance.】

Xu Chun, who'd casually glanced at the screen, stopped in her tracks. '??? Is that really the kind of image I have in your hearts?'

The bullet comments didn't hold back in the least at her question: 【Of course! Sister, be confident—as the saying goes, confidence shines bright. When you first enter the workplace, confidence is exactly what you need most. That's how you'll survive the longest among all the big shots at the Qin Group.】

Xu Chun's eye twitched violently. Unconvinced, she rolled up her sleeves. 'Since you all say that, then today I absolutely must show you a thing or two.'

She packed a few things, then rode with the production crew all the way to the company.

By now the morning rush at the Qin Group had passed, and the company entrance looked rather empty. Only three or four people stood sparsely around with the production crew. Besides Fu Xin, three other guests had already arrived. Xu Chun wasn't very familiar with them, but out of respect for her seniors she still greeted them politely before going to stand beside Fu Xin.

As soon as the two met up, Xu Chun said enthusiastically, 'For this whole month, go ahead and raise hell in the company however you like. Whatever happens, I'll cover for you.' She tilted her chin at Fu Xin. 'I've got connections upstairs.'

Fu Xin, quiet and bookish, gave a shy smile at that and asked curiously, 'Is that person even more powerful than President Jiang?'

'Of course.' Xu Chun lifted her head arrogantly. 'Jiang Zhaolie is nothing—what kind of small fry is she? In front of my backer, she doesn't even dare breathe.'

After saying that, Xu Chun lowered her voice even more: 'Let me tell you, sooner or later I'm going to become her stepmother, and make her obey my every word and treat me with the utmost respect...'

She'd only gotten halfway through when Fu Xin suddenly tugged lightly at her clothes. Xu Chun looked up, confused. 'What is it?' She followed the motion, and her gaze landed, without any warning, on the figures of Jiang Zhaolie and Qin Yao.

At that moment, the production crew's phone in the distance—used for the livestream—had been lagging from too many viewers and was looping: 'I'm going to become her stepmother, become her stepmother, stepmother—' over and over without end.

Xu Chun died on the spot.

The bullet comments all gloated: 【Oh snap, my guess is Xu Chun will be fired by Jiang Zhaolie tomorrow for stepping into the company with her left foot first.】

TL Note:

Grandpa really was the seasoned one (姜还是老的辣) = literally “older ginger is spicier,” meaning experience makes someone wiser.

what kind of small fry (算哪块小饼干) = internet slang literally “which piece of cookie,” meaning “who does she think she is / she’s nobody.”

female-lead halo (女主光环) = the plot armor or special luck a novel’s female protagonist has.

stepping into the company with her left foot first (左脚先踏入公司) = an internet joke about being fired for an absurdly trivial reason.