After Transmigrating into a Redemption Novel as the Evil Stepmother - Chapter 26

Unsurprisingly, the second episode of the variety show saw its popularity soar even higher.

Videos related to Ming Jiayue and Ji Shuangci dominated the trending charts across various social media platforms for days. Even several industry directors, rumored to be extremely difficult to deal with, reached out to Ji Shuangci with scripts.

The assistant, browsing through the scripts nearby, couldn’t resist a bit of gossip.

“Sister Shuang, the internet is in an absolute uproar. Everyone is saying President Ming is your big sugar daddy—is that for real?”

“If we really have a close connection with President Ming, and you’re in the middle of a golden career peak, why would the company arrange for you to go to Africa to film a documentary?”

A natural geography documentary meant Ji Shuangci would have to stay there for at least six months to a year. If things didn’t go smoothly, it could be even longer.

The market determines the commercial value of a documentary; for the trending Ji Shuangci, this was clearly a thankless task.

The assistant didn’t dare ask outright, but public opinion shifted every day. Currently, the most common narrative was that Ji Shuangci was deeply manipulative, having charmed the head of the Ming family into losing her senses and filming a variety show regardless of appearances.

Ji Shuangci heard the words but didn’t reply. She picked up her phone; as the screen lit up, the wallpaper was revealed to be a photo of Ming Jiayue standing in front of the Ming Corporation building.

Ji Shuangci had taken it secretly.

In the photo, Ming Jiayue was in a formal suit, her long hair tied low, with a bright moon hanging high above her head.

Even just a side profile exuded an aura of cold determination and the poise of someone who held the world in her hands.

After gazing at the wallpaper for two seconds, Ji Shuangci clicked into the chat page. She quickly typed a few lines, then stood up to leave.

The assistant asked hurriedly, “Sister Shuang, where are you going?”

Ji Shuangci grabbed her car keys, her pace as fast as the wind. “To the Ming building to confirm something.”

The assistant’s expression turned subtle. Was she going there to throw a tantrum?

She knew Sister Shuang couldn’t possibly be willing to go to Africa!

Ming Jiayue was in a meeting. Wang Ting had been promoted from General Manager’s secretary to a secretary in the President’s Office and was currently in the pantry listening to gossip.

Vice President Zhang had been using his status as a founding member to stir up trouble, trying to oust Ming Jiayue. Who would have thought that as soon as the new energy vehicles were released, a single day’s sales would equal two previous quarters?

Overnight, Ming Corporation’s stock rose by more than 3%.

Those money-grubbing old fossils on the Board of Directors were currently grinning from ear to ear at the sight of President Ming. As for a vote to replace her? Non-existent. No one would part with a God of Wealth!

Vice President Zhang, backstabbed round after round, had come to a profound realization of the ruthlessness of capital.

In the meeting, Ming Jiayue didn’t even need to speak; others naturally cursed Vice President Zhang into the ground, taking the opportunity to rightfully clear out his people and divide his share of the cake.

Vice President Zhang’s face was ashen. Looking at this circle of “elites” who were polite on the surface but full of schemes underneath, he finally lost his spirit and bowed his head in defeat. Afterward, Ming Jiayue unhurriedly proposed promoting a few people.

As for a “triple promotion within six months” being against company policy? Well, shouldn’t the most important factor be capability? If President Ming took an interest in someone, it couldn’t be a mistake.

After some social maneuvering, the meeting ended. Ming Jiayue remained alone in the conference room. She touched the tea beside her; it was cold.

She didn’t call anyone, instead closing her eyes and sitting quietly for two minutes.

There was a business dinner tonight. The new semiconductor project at the R&D center was a collaborative effort with the government and occupied a vital position in Ming Corporation’s ten-year development plan. Tonight, several high-ranking officials from H City and important business figures would be attending.

When one is in the spotlight, envy is inevitable. Tonight, there would be no shortage of people waiting to dig a hole for Ming Jiayue.

Her fingertips tapped rhythmically against the cold table. Her phone flashed silently twice on the side, but she didn’t notice.

Wang Ting received Ji Shuangci’s message immediately. Having nothing to do, he went downstairs enthusiastically to meet her.

“President Ming is still in the conference room. Wait in the lounge first.”

“Okay. Thank you, Brother Wang.”

“Hey, no need for formalities with me.”

In Wang Ting’s eyes, the relationship between Ming Jiayue and Ji Shuangci was anything but ordinary. He had seen the news online and figured eighty to ninety percent was true, so he didn’t hold back.

“You have no idea how glorious President Ming is in the group right now. Her word is law. Those old geezers on the Board don’t dare to chirp anymore—whatever she says, goes. Even I, as part of the President’s Office, am called ‘Brother Wang’ wherever I go. It feels great.”

“The bigger the company, the worse the infighting. To find someone with the charisma of President Ming, who can clean up the dissenters without causing chaos… in all of H City, she’s one in a million!”

Wang Ting’s expression and tone were exaggerated, appearing as if he were ready to kowtow to show his devotion. Ji Shuangci was amused by him and added:

“Yes. In H City—no, in all of China—there are few female entrepreneurs as capable as Sister.”

Wang Ting lowered his voice with a wink. “Exactly! Weren’t you conquered by President Ming too?”

Ji Shuangci sat upright. Hearing this, her long lashes trembled slightly. Wang Ting’s grin was mischievous but lacked malice. As if possessed, Ji Shuangci followed his lead and joked:

“I was. But I don’t even need to be conquered—as long as Sister Ming wants, I’m willing to kneel and sing ‘Conquered’ for her.”

“Hahahahahaha!”

Wang Ting laughed until his eyes were slits, completely failing to notice when the lounge door had opened.

Xiao Ye, also from the President’s Office, stood beside Ming Jiayue with a face full of gossip suppressed by professional duty. She coughed twice, but neither person in the lounge looked toward the door.

Kneel and sing ‘Conquered’? Is she singing it while kneeling on the bed?

Xiao Ye thought: I’ve done all I can…

Wang Ting was having a blast, clapping a hand on Ji Shuangci’s shoulder. “The first time I saw you, I knew you were different. When are you and President Ming going to get marr—”

Wang Ting looked up by chance and froze like a duck being lifted by its neck. His voice cut off instantly.

Ji Shuangci followed his wide-eyed gaze. It was Ming Jiayue.

Their eyes met briefly. Ming Jiayue’s voice was flat.

“Secretary Wang, marry what?”

Wang Ting became professional in a split second. “President Ming, I was saying it’s time to go to the logistics department to ‘marry’—I mean, carry back the office supplies for the President’s Office.”

With that, Wang Ting grabbed Xiao Ye to flee.

The moment before he stepped out, Ming Jiayue spoke unhurriedly.

“One week’s salary deducted.”

Wang Ting: “…”

Who can understand my heartbreak!

A moment later, only Ming Jiayue and Ji Shuangci remained in the lounge. After a glance at Ji Shuangci, Ming Jiayue walked toward her office, and Ji Shuangci followed naturally.

Back in the office, Ming Jiayue immediately poured herself a cup of hot tea. She didn’t ask why Ji Shuangci had come, only saying:

“You have five minutes.”

Since the second variety show finished filming, they hadn’t met for a month, as if Ming Jiayue were avoiding suspicion.

During this time, Ji Shuangci had seen Zhou An’an using an “alt” account on Weibo to argue with her fans, saying she should wait and see, that she would be sent to Africa.

Ji Shuangci hadn’t taken it seriously then, but she had actually received notice from the company.

Was it because of Zhou An’an?

Ji Shuangci had sent two lines to Ming Jiayue on WeChat, but she hadn’t replied.

【Zhou An’an likes you.】

【Do you like her too?】

After a pause, Ji Shuangci looked straight into Ming Jiayue’s eyes.

“President Ming, do you like Zhou An’an? The kind of ‘like’ between lovers?”

Ming Jiayue happened to click into the chat page with Ji Shuangci. Her pupils trembled minutely. The overhead light caught one side of her face, casting a shadow over her eyes; no one could read her expression.

Ji Shuangci was expressionless, appearing very calm. Only the hand hanging at her side, nails digging deep into her palm, betrayed her.

Time seemed to slow down infinitely. After what felt like a century, Ji Shuangci heard a clear voice.

“Miss Ji, who I like seems to be none of your business.”

Emotions surged in her chest, and Ji Shuangci’s breathing grew heavy. Ming Jiayue walked to the window, her back to her, appearing unwilling to dwell on the question.

Ji Shuangci held a breath in her chest. She walked over and stood beside Ming Jiayue.

“Why send me to Africa?”

Ji Shuangci’s tone was incredibly peaceful, as if discussing the weather.

Ming Jiayue lowered her eyes to glance at her, her tone still cold.

“A person like you has too much scheme, too much haste. Your luck is poor, yet your ambition is higher than anyone’s. In the future, you will certainly want to climb to the clouds and look down upon the world. But if your vision is imprisoned within a small space, you will inevitably take the wrong path. Is it not good to have a chance to go out and see the world?”

Ming Jiayue had taken off her jacket, her shirt sleeves rolled high. Ji Shuangci could clearly see the muscle lines on her forearms—superior, restrained, and hiding strength.

Ji Shuangci blinked as she stared, her expression shifting slightly.

She had never imagined Ming Jiayue would say such things. Her gaze drifted out the window, and for a moment, she didn’t speak. Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass, high-rises stood tall and traffic flowed like day. From this height, the city’s prosperity was fully visible.

And in the shadows of the neon were countless ordinary people struggling to survive.

If it weren’t for Ming Jiayue, Ji Shuangci thought she might have spent her whole life without ever standing in this position to admire the scenery.

Some are born at the peak, while others struggle for a hundred years and remain like frogs at the bottom of a well, never seeing the sky.

Ji Shuangci didn’t argue with Ming Jiayue. She was as silent as a stone.

Five minutes passed. Ming Jiayue didn’t chase her out, and Ji Shuangci didn’t say she was leaving. She quietly watched Ming Jiayue beside her, reflections flickering like flames in her pupils.

Why did Ming Jiayue help her?

Was there a plot?

Ming Jiayue didn’t seem to care about anything she possessed.

Simple pity?

That didn’t seem quite right either.

Ming Jiayue’s kindness toward her was excessively open, yet it was precisely this lack of seeking anything in return that made Ji Shuangci feel apprehensive.

Seeking nothing meant she could withdraw at any time.

Coming and going without anyone knowing.

Finally, Ji Shuangci replied softly, “I will go to Africa.”

Before she left, she suddenly added:

“Ming Jiayue, Zhou An’an is a child who finds it hard to grow up. She is not suitable for you.”

After Ji Shuangci left, the System let out a sharp, explosive burst without warning!

“AH! Host, I just verified it—Ji Shuangci wasn’t tricking you! Zhou An’an also wants to do ‘this and that’ to you! I’m clearly a R-rated system, why has this plot turned into a ‘green’ pure-love style? Is the next step… a ‘blackened imprisonment of the Master/Stepmother/Senior/Sister’ plot?”

The System’s voice grew louder and louder. Ming Jiayue was completely stunned.

“What? You said Zhou An’an also…”