After Transmigrating into a Redemption Novel as the Evil Stepmother - Chapter 10

Ming Jiayue glanced at Ji Shuangci and then picked up her phone, no longer paying her any attention.

Ji Shuangci’s throat bobbed slightly. She licked her lips and, with some hesitation, raised her hands to grab the hem of her shirt. The indoor temperature was neither too high nor too low; she was only wearing a white T-shirt on top. If she took it off, she would be left in only her undergarments.

Ming Jiayue sat sideways to her with a serious expression, seemingly handling some urgent matter. There was no sign that she was preparing to do anything at all.

The bright sunlight, a study used for official business, and herself—standing there like a small toy to be used at someone’s whim.

Left hanging, Ji Shuangci stole a peek at Ming Jiayue’s expression, her fingertips frozen at her waist.

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock on the door sounded just then.

“Come in.”

The secretary, Li Ling, pushed the door open, followed by a woman with shoulder-length short hair and a beige suit. Her image and aura were exceptionally crisp and efficient. She greeted Ming Jiayue directly with a friendly smile.

“President Ming, is this little girl next to you the one you want to promote?”

“Mhm. Take a look and see how she measures up.”

Huo Linxi was one of the top entertainment agents in the industry. Every phenomenal artist who had exploded in popularity over the past five years had come from her hand. The internet praised her for creating a new industry standard; netizens joked that while A-list stars come and go, Agent Huo is eternal.

The sudden turn of events sent Ji Shuangci’s heart into her throat. Almost the instant the knocking began, she had frantically smoothed down her clothes.

Ji Shuangci felt extremely guilty and pursed her lips in deep discomfort. Even though she hadn’t had time to do anything, she felt the nervous tension of being caught in an affair.

Li Ling stood to the side, looking straight ahead.

The gazes of both Huo Linxi and Ming Jiayue fell upon Ji Shuangci. Huo Linxi walked a circle around her, scrutinizing her carefully. The light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter; by her estimation, the girl’s looks and physique were top-tier. Most precious was her scholarly aura; her image possessed high plasticity.

In the past, many bosses had approached Huo Linxi to promote people, but most couldn’t even pass the basic threshold of looks and temperament in her eyes.

Huo Linxi hadn’t held much hope today either, yet this was an unexpected windfall.

Ming Jiayue’s focus was different from Huo Linxi’s. Her gaze fell somewhat strangely on the tips of Ji Shuangci’s ears, which had quietly turned beet red.

What is Ji Shuangci so nervous about?

Why didn’t I notice she was so easily embarrassed before?

Is she shy around strangers?

The air was quiet for a moment before Huo Linxi broke the silence with utter directness. She first asked Ji Shuangci:

“Little sister, do you want to be a big star?”

Then she turned to Ming Jiayue and guaranteed with absolute confidence:

“President Ming, if you sign her to me, I guarantee she will be a massive hit within five years!”

It was rare for Huo Linxi to extend an olive branch so proactively. Ming Jiayue’s gaze circled Ji Shuangci’s face, and she softened her tone before speaking.

Ming Jiayue handed out the prepared documents—one to Huo Linxi and one to Ji Shuangci. She looked at Ji Shuangci and said seriously:

“Read the document. If you don’t want to sign, I will immediately arrange for someone to take you home.”

Her tone wasn’t intimate, but one could feel a clear sense of protection.

Only then did Ji Shuangci completely snap out of it. It dawned on her: being called here today wasn’t for that…

It was to sign a contract and promote her as a star?

Ji Shuangci froze, her emotions instantly becoming complex and indescribable.

The document was detailed to the extreme, covering every aspect of Ji Shuangci’s study, life, and work after signing. What surprised Huo Linxi most was a clause stating that all expenses related to Ji Shuangci’s entry into the industry would be covered by the Ming family’s enterprises, while the profit share for the artist and agent was 50% higher than the industry standard.

In particular, it specifically noted that under any circumstances, Ji Shuangci’s academics and personal will would always take priority over work.

Looking at Ming Jiayue’s attitude toward Ji Shuangci again, Huo Linxi was even more astonished.

The President’s treatment of this little girl was clearly extraordinary.

Ji Shuangci couldn’t find the words to describe her feelings. Everything happening today was as absurd as a plot in a novel, yet it was unfolding in a perfectly logical way.

She didn’t read it as closely as Huo Linxi; she simply had an intuition that Ming Jiayue wouldn’t hurt her.

“I’m willing.”

The three parties reached an agreement and signed the papers. The contract officially took effect, with the preliminary plan for Ji Shuangci to begin systematic training after the Gaokao. The contract specified that the Ming family would arrange this.

Ji Shuangci scanned the training content: lines, physique, vocals, acting, diction, eye contact, emotions, dialects, foreign languages, various talents and skills—there was even Mandarin training.

There was a lot to learn, but Ji Shuangci wasn’t intimidated. Instead, she felt a sense of anticipation; the more she learned, the more fulfilled and secure she felt.

After the contract was signed, only Ming Jiayue and Ji Shuangci were left in the room.

Ming Jiayue picked up a book, leaned against a bookshelf, and flipped through it unhurriedly. She didn’t tell Ji Shuangci to leave, nor did she tell her to stay, acting as if she had forgotten she was there.

The potted gardenia on the table was in full bloom. Ji Shuangci toyed with her hem, her gaze drifting as her mind began to struggle again.

Does Ming Jiayue mean for us to wait until the others are gone before doing it?

After several bouts of hesitation, Ji Shuangci gathered her courage and walked over. With a hint of genuine gratitude, she asked far less subtly than before:

“President Ming… should I take them off now?”

A rush of heat flooded her system. Ji Shuangci lowered her gaze to her toes, trying to hide her flushed cheeks and ears.

Hearing this, Ming Jiayue froze for a solid two minutes before realizing what Ji Shuangci was talking about. She was both annoyed and amused; did she look like a female predator who was in heat at any time and place in Ji Shuangci’s eyes?

Ming Jiayue opened her mouth to explain but changed her mind. She spoke coldly:

“Look up.”

Ji Shuangci honestly looked up as told. Her fair skin was tinged with pink, and her eyes were misty. Her helpless appearance was the type that easily provoked wicked thoughts in others.

Ming Jiayue’s eyes remained clear as she emphasized each word slowly:

“Since you’ve become an artist under my company, working hard to make money is the best way to repay me.”

“As for anything else, you absolutely do not need to overthink it.”

Scanning Ji Shuangci from head to toe, Ming Jiayue added in a teasing tone:

“Do you know Xu Shu? Although I like women, it doesn’t mean just any woman will do. I like women like Xu Shu—mature, charming, and full of feminine grace. To put it bluntly, I like women with curves, not a little kid with no chest and no backside like you.”

Xu Shu was a famous veteran actress in the industry, renowned for both her acting and character. Her most famous looks involved wearing qipaos in Republican-era dramas.

Regardless of how much was truth or lies, Ming Jiayue’s reasoning for becoming Ji Shuangci’s benefactor was simple.

The system’s requirement was to ensure the two targets grew up physically and mentally healthy. Ji Shuangci wasn’t as simple or easy to coax as Zhou An’an; she gave Ming Jiayue the impression of a character who could easily turn into a “yandere” or go down a dark path. Thus, Ming Jiayue decided to give her something to do.

When a person is busy with academics, work, earning money, expanding their horizons, and improving their social status, they naturally become healthier in mind and body.

Ming Jiayue didn’t finish her explanation, but the meaning was clear.

Ji Shuangci didn’t feel real until she walked out of Jingyuan No. 2 and got into the car to go back.

On the way home, she pinched her own face; it hurt.

Once home, Ji Shuangci went to the mirror and turned sideways. Enduring the shame, she lifted her shirt to observe herself seriously. It didn’t seem as flat as Ming Jiayue had claimed!

An ill-timed car horn sounded from outside. Ji Shuangci snapped back to reality, realized what she was doing, and frantically pulled down her clothes. Covering her face, she ran back to the bedroom and buried her head in the blankets, feeling incredibly embarrassed.

With so many things happening today, why was this the one thing she was fixated on?