After Transmigrating into a Redemption Novel as the Evil Stepmother - Chapter 23

The sudden system notification calmed Ming Jiayue’s mind. She cast a look of intense complexity at Ji Shuangci, watching her for several long moments.

Could the protagonist be a masochist?

As the dim light and shadows shifted, Ming Jiayue put the ruler back. Standing in place, she took a silent breath to steady herself and walked toward the door.

One step from the threshold, Ming Jiayue spoke, her voice devoid of emotion.

“Ji Shuangci, if one day I go bankrupt and have nothing, and at that moment someone appears who can give you unlimited top-tier resources, but you can only choose one—me or the resources—who would you pick?”

Ji Shuangci was visibly stunned. Outside, the rain had begun to fall at some unknown point, the pitter-patter filling her ears.

She heard her own voice answer without a hint of hesitation through the continuous rain.

“The resources.”

“I want the resources.”

Hearing this answer, Ming Jiayue let out a smile that held no surprise and stepped out the door.

“The butler will bring medicine shortly. You’ll rest here tonight.”

The driver held an umbrella at the door and escorted Ming Jiayue into the car.

Outside the window, the city’s neon lights flashed by. Ming Jiayue’s eyes reflected the endless night. She unconsciously reached into her pocket—it was empty. No medicine, no cigarettes.

Through the glass window and the thin curtain of rain, Ji Shuangci watched from afar as the taillights vanished at the end of her vision.

The ointment sent by the butler sat on the table. Beside it was a steaming bowl of late-night supper.

Ji Shuangci asked, “Did President Ming order this supper to be sent?”

The woman before her was young and looked somewhat disheveled, but her aura was steady, quiet as a deep current. The butler lowered his eyes slightly.

“Yes, those were President Ming’s instructions.”

“I understand. You may leave.”

Ji Shuangci walked to the table. She didn’t sit; she stood and finished the entire meal, bite by bite. Once finished, she picked up the ointment and examined it repeatedly until she finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Taking out her phone, Ji Shuangci snapped a photo and switched to her “alt” account to post on Weibo.

“The soft approach didn’t work, and the hard approach was too tough to beat. So, I guess I’ll just choose to be good at taking a hit!”

“Ointment_picture.jpg”

After posting, Ji Shuangci still didn’t apply the medicine. She just held the tube in her hand, the smile on her face slowly fading.

Would Ming Jiayue find her vain, realistic, or materialistic?

The fate between people is a strange thing. Perhaps those who are meant to form a bond possess a mutual attraction from the moment they meet.

Ji Shuangci’s intuition told her Ming Jiayue wouldn’t.

Even taking ten thousand steps back, if Ming Jiayue’s hypothetical became reality, Ji Shuangci would still choose the resources. Sharing hardships is all well and good, but isn’t it better to seize the opportunity, achieve greatness, and then offer everything back to help her make a faster comeback against the wind?

In Ji Shuangci’s eyes, money was everything; it clearly defined the order of the real world. She had had enough of days without money.

For example, only after having money did she realize with shock that the hospitals she had run to countless times could have medical environments far superior to top-tier hotels. Experts could work overtime for you at any moment. Even in the undignified matter of being seriously ill, money could help you be as dignified as possible.

Most importantly, she had to be rich enough—so rich that she no longer had to look up at Ming Jiayue as a sponsored student, a newcomer to society, or a junior. Instead, she wanted to look her in the eye as a trusted partner, a dependable ally, or even a rival of equal standing.

Rich enough that Ming Jiayue would have no choice but to truly acknowledge her.

The rain continued relentlessly. The streetlights’ glow reflected in the scattered puddles, flickering with the ripples.

Ji Shuangci opened the window, letting the wind-blown rain blow directly against her face.

In the heavy darkness, desire and ambition intertwined in the depths of Ji Shuangci’s eyes, sharp as a blade and strikingly bright.

After that night, Ming Jiayue and Ji Shuangci didn’t meet again until the recording of the second episode of Star Teachers: Learning to Act.

Due to the unexpected popularity of the first episode, numerous brands had flocked to the show for title sponsorships and investments; the filming budget had increased several-fold accordingly.

Two days before filming, the production team notified them of a change in location. It was moved to a niche scenic area in the south, Siniang Lake.

Siniang Lake was a natural wetland with flocks of water birds and vast, deep blue water. It was the season of clear skies and crisp air; the lake and mountains were visible in all their glory.

Ming Jiayue and Ji Shuangci arrived at the filming site one after the other. Zhou An’an had come as well, constantly clutching Ming Jiayue’s sleeve in an intimate posture. The two of them had virtually no chance to speak.

The scenery at Siniang Lake was beautiful. Before filming started, Zhou An’an dragged Ming Jiayue everywhere to take photos. Ming Jiayue, following her psychiatrist’s advice, treated the variety show recording as a leisure activity outside of work. Additionally, since Zhou An’an was “low difficulty” to please, playing along with her increased mission progress. Thus, Ming Jiayue was very cooperative.

“Auntie Ming, come over here! Hold your hand higher—let’s take a photo of us making a heart!”

“Okay. Lean closer to me, be careful not to slip.”

The girl’s voice was crisp, her whole body radiating youthful energy. She didn’t hide her intimacy toward her elder at all, acting wanton and vivid.

During the previous episode, Ming Jiayue had been polite and courteous to everyone, but there was a distinct sense of distance.

In this episode, the staff members exchanged discreet looks as they watched them play. They turned to look at Ji Shuangci in the distance, who remained silent and behaved with perfect propriety.

What’s the situation?

The “CP” I shipped last episode is fake? Did it end before it even began?

Today’s guest is the actual partner?

Another guest, Bai Ling, stood in an inconspicuous corner. Behind her sunglasses, her eyes glared sullenly at Ji Shuangci. She had come to the show to boost her popularity, but Ji Shuangci had stolen all the limelight in the last episode. This wasn’t the first time Bai Ling found Ji Shuangci irritating; they were similar in age and image, and many roles were set for Bai Ling before Ji Shuangci appeared. Once Ji Shuangci arrived, the roles went to her.

By what right? Why did she have to be overshadowed by her at every turn? Was she intentionally making things hard for her?

Bai Ling’s teeth itched with hatred. In her heart, she was certain Ji Shuangci had slept her way into those good resources. During the last shoot, she observed the director’s attitude and felt Ming Jiayue’s status was extraordinary. Later, she asked around and found out Ming Jiayue’s identity.

This made Bai Ling even more unhappy—that Ji Shuangci could actually snag a female tycoon like Ming Jiayue.

You see, women are much cleaner and easier to serve than men!

Men, regardless of how much money they have—most who come to play with them are just brutes with too much strength, tiny parts, and no hygiene.

Angry and jealous, yet not daring to act, Bai Ling noticed today that Ji Shuangci seemed to have tried to snag President Ming and failed. This made Bai Ling delight in her misfortune. Unable to wait, she walked right over to Ji Shuangci to speak sarcastically.

“Little Ji, I entered the industry earlier than you; you won’t be unhappy if I call you that, right?”

“My, President Ming seems to be having a wonderful time. She must really like the little girl beside her. That’s why people need self-awareness—if it’s not someone you should be pestering, they won’t spare you a second glance even if you offer yourself up.”

“Going out of your way to chase them like that… wouldn’t that just be asking to be called ‘cheap’?”

“…”

It was a sermon full of barbs.

Ji Shuangci had her head down, reading a new script—a serious drama script that had reached her hands yesterday. The director said the script was written exceptionally well and that one of the roles was meant for her.

She examined it unhurriedly, not responding to a single word of Bai Ling’s.

Only Bai Ling’s assistant was nearby. Ji Shuangci’s lack of response gave her a sudden surge of anger at being made to look like a fool. She reached out and slapped the script out of Ji Shuangci’s hands.

“I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?”

Only then did Ji Shuangci look up. Her lips curled up slightly, her eyes cold and sharp.

“Bai Ling, I didn’t want to bother with you, yet you go out of your way to keep talking. Is that what you meant by ‘asking to be called cheap’? I’ve learned something today.”

Ji Shuangci’s voice was light; there wasn’t even a trace of anger or rage on her face. Yet as Bai Ling was stared at by those clear, dark eyes, she suddenly felt as if she couldn’t breathe.

By the time she snapped out of it, Ji Shuangci had already picked up her script and walked away.

Bai Ling stood in place, looking around blankly. She suddenly felt like a clown performing desperately on stage, yet unable to keep a single member of the audience.

Embarrassing.

Comical.

Yu Chun appeared from nowhere and handed Bai Ling a bottle of water. “What happened?”

Bai Ling stammered a reply, “Nothing,” and then rubbed her face hard. Ji Shuangci usually seemed to have a good temper; today she must have been possessed because she failed to snag her sugar daddy!

Yes, yes, it must be her imagination.

How could she be intimidated by a little girl?

Imagination!

Bai Ling gulped down a large mouthful of water!

Ming Jiayue had accidentally caught the commotion on Ji Shuangci’s end. Ji Shuangci happened to look up, locking eyes with her from a distance.

They were quite far apart. Ji Shuangci’s mind turned; she walked to a position that was neither too close nor too far—just right for Ming Jiayue to see her reddened eyes, the tip of her nose, and her slightly disheveled long hair.

She looked exactly like someone who had been bullied.

Ji Shuangci didn’t stay there long. After lingering in front of Ming Jiayue for a moment, she walked back to her assistant.

Ming Jiayue’s gaze darkened as she watched her walk away, her thoughts unknown.

Zhou An’an keenly sensed Ming Jiayue’s gaze. She followed it, and her previously high-spirited face immediately deflated.

Frowning, she reached out to cover Ming Jiayue’s eyes. “What is Auntie Ming looking at? No looking! You’re only allowed to look at me. I’m the prettiest.”

“How spoiled.”

Zhou An’an was used to acting shamelessly. Ming Jiayue grabbed her hand. “Whatever you say goes. I’ll grant it all. But Zhou An’an, if your final GPA isn’t above 3.7, don’t blame me for not showing mercy.”

S University used a 4.0 scale. Ming Jiayue was willing to indulge Zhou An’an, but she wouldn’t let her slack on the things she needed to learn—she had even begun to let her dabble in company affairs.

Zhou An’an immediately shrunk back, her response lacking confidence.

“I’ll work hard. Just you wait and see.”

“In that state, are you asking me to ‘wait’ so I can deal with you?”

“…”

Filming was about to start. Ming Jiayue sent Zhou An’an back to the car early. Turning around, she saw Ji Shuangci moving a massive equipment box; the people who were supposed to be beside her were nowhere to be found.

Next to the equipment box, Ji Shuangci’s already slender frame looked even more fragile and brittle.

The grass was uneven. Ji Shuangci was tripped by something, and as the box was about to fall toward her, Ming Jiayue immediately strode over to support it.

With one above and one below, Ming Jiayue looked down at her, her tone a bit urgent and sharp.

“Does Miss Ji know how to write the words ‘overestimating oneself’?”

The winter sun in the south was wonderful, spilling out in large patches and plating Ming Jiayue’s figure with a pale gold halo. Ji Shuangci looked up and blinked. The wind seemed to be imbued with Ming Jiayue’s body temperature, falling against her cheek along with the sunlight.

Ji Shuangci propped herself up and stood. For some reason, the corners of her lips curled up as she looked directly into Ming Jiayue’s eyes, her face full of seriousness.

“I don’t. Is Sister unhappy? If I’d known, I would have let Sister go straight to An’an, who knows how to write those words. After all, I’m not as good as her at chatting, acting spoiled, or making Sister happy.”