After Transmigrating into a Redemption Novel as the Evil Stepmother - Chapter 20

S University, first floor of the Maple Forest Book Bar.

A low-profile, pure black sedan slowly approached. Xie Lan turned to the Director of Psychiatry sitting beside her.

“Director Lin, I’m counting on you today.”

Lin Yushen, only 33 years old, had studied under Professor Du, a leader in domestic psychiatry. Her resume was second to none—even a top student like Xie Lan had to admit defeat in comparison.

Lin Yushen gave a polite, slight nod.

“I shall do my best.”

The first floor of the book bar served as S University’s Psychological Health Studio, a collaborative project between the university and the hospital. Lin Yushen was the appointed Chief Counselor.

Outside the studio was a lush grove of fir trees, quiet and serene; the interior was decorated in a simple, warm style.

Ming Jiayue sat in the counselor’s sofa, leaning back slightly in a relaxed posture. She curved her lips into a faint smile.

“Doctor Lin.”

When Ming Jiayue walked, her shoulders remained level and steady; her posture was indescribably elegant.

Lin Yushen took a seat opposite her and steadily handed over a cup of warm water. “President Ming.”

Lin Yushen’s features were delicate, she wore no makeup, and her gaze was clear and shallow, giving off a cold and steady impression. Even knowing she was facing a giant of the business world, she maintained her professional rhythm.

Necessary test results related to ECGs and EEGs had been handed to Lin Yushen by Xie Lan in advance. The main task today was to help Ming Jiayue conduct an effective counseling session.

The consultation began with simple, ordinary topics.

— “The weather is quite nice today. President Ming, what are your usual hobbies?”

“Work.”

— “Have you ever kept a pet, or have you thought about trying?”

“…”

Ming Jiayue had briefly owned a cat—a ginger cat with beautiful fur. When Ming Jiayue first saw her, she was lying in a trash heap, missing an ear and a leg, barely clinging to life.

Ming Jiayue had used all the money she had to save her, and afterward, she raised her until she was round and lively. The cat trusted Ming Jiayue completely, remaining as defenseless as if she had never been harmed by a human.

Ming Jiayue gave her a name: “Yuan Yuan” (Roundy).

Everything ended on a sunny afternoon. Her father and stepmother found the basement where she was hiding; like gods passing judgment, they slammed the cat to death on the ground.

“A little beast having the nerve to raise another beast—both are worthless trash!”

“It’s your blessing that someone took a liking to you. Marry him and have children obediently, or I’ll make things difficult for you!”

Ming Jiayue’s brow twitched slightly, her fingers interlacing. She fell silent for a moment before speaking.

“I kept one. It died.”

Lin Yushen observed the extremely subtle changes in Ming Jiayue’s expression and took the opportunity to delve deeper.

“Did it die of illness?”

“No. It was smashed to death by someone.”

“Did you see it with your own eyes? Why didn’t you save it?”

Unobtrusively adjusting her breathing, Ming Jiayue looked directly into Lin Yushen’s eyes. “Doctor Lin, I believe I need to confirm that your question is a necessary part of the treatment.”

Lin Yushen smiled, neither avoiding nor yielding, meeting her head-on.

“President Ming, please do not doubt my professionalism.”

For a few heartbeats, sparks seemed to fly between them.

Finally, Ming Jiayue answered in a flat tone, appearing entirely unmoved.

“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. As for why I didn’t save it—because at twelve years old, I was severely malnourished and couldn’t fight off two sturdy adults.”

On the surface, Ming Jiayue was a very cooperative patient, answering every question; she even provided a detailed account of the circumstances and symptoms Lin Yushen needed to understand.

But in reality, her psychological defenses were high. Combined with a physiological perspective, she had severe depressive and self-destructive tendencies, yet she could use sheer willpower and sedatives to maintain a stable state that almost never spiraled out of control.

Her personal emotional needs were extremely low.

Such a patient was the hardest to break through.

Thinking of certain things Xie Lan had told her, Lin Yushen fell silent for a while before continuing.

“President Ming, your work pressure must be immense. What are your ways of relieving pressure when you rest? For example, exercise, reading, tea tasting…”

Ming Jiayue had never had a casual chat like this before; it was novel, and she didn’t find it repulsive. She took a sip of water, her expression neutral.

“Sleeping.”

The current workload was within her tolerance. Sufficient sleep was the best rest, provided she didn’t need pharmaceutical assistance.

Lin Yushen smiled. “Does President Ming not require a sexual life during rest? It doesn’t have to be with another person—have you never even masturbated?”

Lin Yushen’s gaze lifted slightly, her posture still unhurried, as if asking about a trivial statistic.

The swaying shadows of the trees were reflected in her eyes. Ming Jiayue shifted her gaze and answered crisply.

“No.”

The consultation ended. When Ming Jiayue walked out of the book bar, it was already dusk. The red clouds in the distance were like fire, engulfing billowing layers of clouds as they crashed majestically toward the ridgeline.

Xie Lan had already left due to a temporary work arrangement.

The evening breeze was cold. Ming Jiayue pulled her trench coat tighter. Instead of getting into the car immediately, she walked a distance toward the fir grove, facing the sunset.

Ji Shuangci had come to the book bar for self-study. She was wearing a hat and a mask; in two days, she would be filming the next episode of Star Teachers. She needed to finish all her accumulated coursework before going back to work.

Encountering Ming Jiayue was a complete surprise.

They weren’t close—they were actually quite far apart. Ji Shuangci recognized her based solely on a silhouette blurred by the sunset’s afterglow.

Why was Ming Jiayue at S University?

Business or private?

Holding her breath, she calmed her nerves and approached step by step.

Ming Jiayue seemed lost in thought. Ji Shuangci stood still three paces away. Their shadows overlapped. Ji Shuangci’s gaze climbed up inch by inch, a hint of obsession flashing in the depths of her eyes.

Ming Jiayue was tall, wearing high-waisted trousers and a light-colored trench coat. The wind and sunset seemed to favor her especially; amidst the flowing light and shadow, her face was as serene as a mountain in spring, her eyes like ripples on water.

It was a gentle look, completely different from her usual self.

Ming Jiayue lowered her eyes in contemplation. Xie Lan had said that as long as one is human, there will be desires—whether to satisfy the material or the spiritual, for oneself or for others…

No one is born a robot, doing nothing but charging and working.

Lin Yushen had also suggested: “If President Ming truly cannot find interest in other recreational activities, then go enjoy sex—enjoy the most primitive, instinctive pleasure of the body being satisfied.”

Their arguments seemed absurd to Ming Jiayue.

But without trying, how could she easily judge right from wrong?

Could I really try? Ming Jiayue shook her head, unwilling to think deeper, and turned around with a serious expression.

Ji Shuangci keenly noticed Ming Jiayue’s movement and lowered her head first, stroding forward.

Inevitably, the two passed each other by.

Ming Jiayue returned to the office. The moment she entered, she instinctively reached for her pocket, but it was empty. Only then did she remember that all non-essential medications had been taken by Xie Lan.

Pausing, Ming Jiayue changed her course and took a bottle of wine from the cabinet.

She didn’t like drinking, but tonight her mood was indescribably restless. This faint feeling of losing control wasn’t strong, yet it stirred her enough that it was hard to find peace.

As the bottle hit bottom, Ming Jiayue took out her phone and clicked into a chat box. After hesitating for a long time, she finally hit send.

“Find someone clean and obedient. Must be voluntary. Tonight. Address: Minglu Court No. 5.”

Xu Hong, the owner of H City’s largest lesbian bar, Jiese, was a friend of the original host who shared similar tastes.

Receiving a message out of the blue in the middle of the night, Xu Hong stared at it for several moments to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. Ming Jiayue was the largest shareholder of Jiese; she used to come often, but in the last two years, she had been a ghost.

Ready to restore her ‘Sea King’ glory?

Isn’t she seeing that little sister named Ji-something? Did they fight?

Others didn’t know Ji Shuangci was being backed by Ming Jiayue, but Xu Hong knew clearly; she knew Ji Shuangci had several business collaborations with Ming Corporation. Since Ming Jiayue took an interest in Ji Shuangci, Xu Hong hadn’t seen Ming Jiayue “fishing” at all.

There must be some sincerity there. A little fight—it’s just “flavour,” she understood.

Xu Hong thought for a moment and replied: “Had a fight with the little girlfriend?”

Fifteen minutes passed without a word from Ming Jiayue. Xu Hong assumed it was a tacit admission. Ji Shuangci had worked part-time at her bar before, singing on weekends, and the response had been quite good.

Finding Ji Shuangci’s contact, Xu Hong sent a screenshot directly.

”

”

“Are you free? Go coax her right now?”

Outside the book bar, the streetlights were dim. Ji Shuangci had just taken out her phone when the message popped up.

!!!

Was she seeing things?

Ji Shuangci’s throat tightened. She clicked in and confirmed it repeatedly. Sister Xu must have misunderstood something.

Currently, Ji Shuangci’s thoughts were incredibly subtle and complex. Her perception of Ming Jiayue had undergone a world-shaking change.

For these two years, she had been the one trying to proactively get close to Ming Jiayue, only to be deliberately avoided. So if Ming Jiayue wanted to find someone now, why couldn’t it be her?

Tonight was her chance. Ji Shuangci didn’t explain. She replied quickly.

“Got it. Thanks, Sister Xu.”

Ji Shuangci didn’t hesitate. She went home to drop off her things, changed her clothes, did her makeup, and took a taxi straight to Minglu Court. It was a seamless process.

It was early winter. Ji Shuangci wore a wool plaid coat with straight-leg trousers and light makeup. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, making her look youthful and vibrant.

Ji Shuangci remembered that two years ago, Ming Jiayue had sighed in front of her more than once.

“Being young is good; just looking at you is pleasing to the eye.”

After sending the message, the phone was casually placed on the desk by Ming Jiayue. She then went to Minglu Court, changed into a light silk nightgown, and curled up on the sofa in the second-floor study.

The second-floor study wasn’t large. In this small space, the lighting had been intentionally designed with dark tones. Ming Jiayue closed her eyes, hiding in the shadows of the corner, trying to regain the calm of controlling her emotions.

The butler led Ji Shuangci to the door. The door was ajar. Ji Shuangci didn’t knock; she pushed the door open and walked right in.

The floor heating was on in the house. Ji Shuangci had taken off her coat before entering.

Passing through the irregularly placed bookshelves, a scene that invited imagination burst into view without warning.

Light and shadow alternated. Ming Jiayue’s long hair was scattered; the rise and fall of her form surpassed the whiteness of snow.

Ji Shuangci’s throat bobbed. Her breath hitched. The sound of her heartbeat grew louder and louder in her ears.

Ming Jiayue heard the movement. She didn’t open her eyes, but said softly, “Come here.”

The dim light made the surroundings even more silent. Ji Shuangci’s heart trembled. She had never been in a relationship, and she didn’t even know if she was gay or straight—only for Ming Jiayue did she clearly feel a desire for closeness and possession of both body and soul.

Raising her hand to untie her hairband, Ji Shuangci walked over. Her fingertips landed and slid slowly.

An icy touch fell upon her eyelids, and her vision was completely obstructed. Ming Jiayue was surprised; she wanted to see who had come, but her shoulders were pressed down by an irresistible force first. A cold, magnetic voice struck her eardrums.

“Don’t move. Trust me. It’ll be over soon.”