After Transmigrating into a Redemption Novel as the Evil Stepmother - Chapter 29

“You’ve changed a lot.”

Ming Jiayue’s composure remained unshaken as she scrutinized Ji Shuangci up close. In the business world, Ji Shuangci was undoubtedly young, but the sharp aura she radiated—a confidence bordering on arrogance—commanded attention.

Ji Shuangci let go of her hand with measured grace. The overhead lights flickered in her eyes as she gave a generous, poised smile.

“Even monkeys evolve, let alone humans. I’ve changed, and President Ming isn’t quite the same as she was back then either.”

Standing inches apart, as they spoke, the shifting shadows allowed Ming Jiayue’s features to overlap with the silhouette in Ji Shuangci’s distant memory, reflecting clearly in her eyes once more.

Five years had passed. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes had multiplied, and she seemed to have grown softer.

A meaningful emotion flickered in Ji Shuangci’s eyes, vanishing in an instant.

Or perhaps Ming Jiayue hadn’t changed; it was just that Ji Shuangci was standing higher and seeing further.

Back then, she saw her as snow on a high mountain, the moon in the sky—distant and unreachable. She had looked up with both awe and fear, desperately using every trick to grab a piece of that warmth, unaware that a sparrow does not walk the same path as a swan.

But now…

In the same business arena, in the same field, her presence would appear in Ming Jiayue’s life frequently and unavoidably—just as Ming Jiayue had once forcefully crashed into hers.

They weren’t meant to be on the same path, but in so many moments, Ji Shuangci wanted to walk with her too much.

Ji Shuangci frowned slightly, then relaxed. She stared into Ming Jiayue’s eyes and let out a sigh of release.

“President Ming, we’ll catch up next time.”

With that, Ji Shuangci turned her back on Ming Jiayue and walked toward the crowd with steady, composed steps.

A business partner familiar with Ming Jiayue leaned in, a knowing smile on his face.

“President Ming, she reminds me exactly of you years ago. That same matchless arrogance. The skies over H City are about to flip again.”

Ming Jiayue’s gaze followed the figure into the crowd. She watched her back in silence, a faint smile on her lips, saying nothing.

Throughout the gala, Ji Shuangci moved through the room with ease, handling social graces perfectly. The “old foxes” who thought her young and tried to give her a reality check found themselves hitting one soft wall after another.

The speed of her growth exceeded everyone’s expectations.

For the rest of the night, Ji Shuangci and Ming Jiayue had no further interaction.

Compared to the bustle around Ji Shuangci, for the first time, Ming Jiayue’s side was deserted.

The technology in Ji Shuangci’s hands was the key to the next generation of electric vehicles. Ming Corp was a monopoly; only competition brings breakthroughs. Now, both the government and the business world hoped for a rival to emerge. Anyone who could secure a partnership with Ji Shuangci meant a chance to snatch a piece of the cake from Ming Corp—or perhaps, divide her kingdom in half.

Many in the crowd watched the movements between Ming Jiayue and Ji Shuangci, discreetly exchanging looks.

Ji Shuangci’s return was sudden. They had heard rumors of a past between the two and worried that after a reunion, they wouldn’t stand a chance. But now, it seemed Ji Shuangci had returned specifically to oppose Ming Jiayue.

Several traditional car companies approached her, and she welcomed them all with a smile. Only the people from Ming Corp were pointedly unwelcome.

This turn of events delighted those who found Ming Corp’s dominance eyesore. By the end of the gala, several people were already complaining to Ji Shuangci about Ming Corp’s tyrannical monopoly.

That was when Tang Yijiang arrived. He maintained his usual attentive attitude, first seeking out Ming Jiayue for a chat before heading toward Ji Shuangci.

Ming Jiayue engaged in small talk with a hollow smile, clinking glasses and nodding.

In a gap between conversations, Ji Shuangci caught a glimpse of them. She tightened her grip on her wine glass and asked those around her casually:

“Who is he?”

The crowd followed her gaze. “President Tang, from Yucheng. The Benshi car line belongs to his family.”

Ji Shuangci gave an “Oh,” withdrew her gaze, and resumed her conversation as if she didn’t care at all.

Before meeting Ji Shuangci, Tang Yijiang thought a woman in her early twenties couldn’t have much ability; she must have snagged someone powerful to back her up to be this high-profile.

Women, in his eyes, were playthings; they didn’t amount to much.

But upon seeing her, his eyes lit up—not because his opinion of her changed, but because he was stunned by such a “rare catch.” He had to have her.

Tang Yijiang was tall and sturdy with rugged features, carrying an air of nobility built on money and power. Wearing gold-rimmed glasses, he looked like a “refined scoundrel,” which was quite intimidating at first glance.

He held a glass of wine. The guests, knowing his weight, tactfully made way as he strode directly to Ji Shuangci.

“President Ji, I am Tang Yijiang. A pleasure.”

For some reason, Ji Shuangci’s perception of Tang Yijiang was terrible—approaching a physical revulsion. She adjusted her breathing and raised her glass with a smile.

“President Tang, a pleasure. To see you is better than to hear of you; you truly look like a ‘clothed beast,’ just as the rumors say.”

The scene went silent. Many people’s expressions turned strange.

Was President Ji complimenting him?

Why did that sound so sarcastic?

Tang Yijiang’s face stiffened, a flash of irritation at his pride being offended. But looking at the smiling Ji Shuangci, he began to doubt if he was being too sensitive, and eventually squeezed out:

“President Ji has a unique way of complimenting people.”

“Hahahaha!” The crowd laughed along, and the atmosphere softened.

Ming Jiayue watched the scene from afar. Her gaze fell on Tang Yijiang beside Ji Shuangci; her smile vanished, and her aura darkened.

The assistant suddenly felt cold and looked around to see where the draft was coming from.

When the gala ended and the crowd had mostly dispersed, Ming Jiayue finally walked out. Her assistant sensed her bad mood and followed silently, not daring to speak. Thinking from her perspective, Ming Corp had invested heavily in R&D and market expansion, yet just as it was time to harvest, a rival appeared. No one would be in a good mood.

A light rain was falling outside. Ming Jiayue looked up at the stars for a moment. She refused an umbrella and didn’t get in the car, stepping instead into the fine spring drizzle.

The System chattered in her ear:

“Great, now the protagonist is back specifically to mess with you. My sensors say she’s not just coming for you, but for An’an’s father’s company too.”

“She has the ‘Heavenly Luck’ of a female lead. If she gets serious, you might not win.”

“I told you to just give in to her back then. She just wanted your body, but now the mission is even harder.”

“Shut up,” Ming Jiayue thought.

After walking a short distance, a familiar voice came from ahead.

Ji Shuangci was standing by the road. Tang Yijiang was by a black Rolls-Royce; the two seemed to be in an argument.

“I gave you face by calling you President Ji. But woman, don’t be ungrateful. This is China. If I want you to live, you live. If I want you to die, you die. Be sensible and follow me; I’ll make sure you live well.”

Ji Shuangci had her back to Ming Jiayue. She seemed quite restrained, as if this wasn’t her first time encountering such a thing. She wasn’t intimidated by Tang Yijiang at all.

“President Tang, this is a society ruled by law. Your words show you admire me, but…”

It was a polite enough reply. But Tang Yijiang wasn’t buying it. He reached out to grab her and pull her into the car. Ming Jiayue’s expression sharpened, and she was about to step forward, but she saw Ji Shuangci move—a swift clench of the fist, a punch, a turn, an elbow strike…

Tang Yijiang didn’t even know how he ended up on the ground. When he came to, his chest was in searing pain. Then, a light laugh sounded in his ear.

“Kill me? Many people have wanted to kill me. So? Who do you think you are?”

“President Tang, this is what happens when you’re given face but won’t take it. Don’t make the mistake again.”

“As for tonight, I’ve already sent a recording to the elder President Tang.”

Tang Yijiang’s face turned pale and green. He had never suffered such humiliation. He opened his mouth to curse, but Ji Shuangci, having predicted it, stepped on his chest. Aside from a howl of pain, he couldn’t say another word.

After handling it cleanly, Ji Shuangci realized Ming Jiayue was behind her, watching with a slight frown.

Ji Shuangci stepped forward. Ming Jiayue spoke first:

“What you just did was impulsive.”

Then, Ming Jiayue had her assistant take the man to the hospital.

Ji Shuangci had been happy to run into Ming Jiayue, but seeing her current attitude and face, her mood soured instantly. She gave a cold sneer.

“Does President Ming feel sorry for him?”

Ming Jiayue didn’t respond; she turned to leave.

Seeing her coldness, an anonymous fire burned from Ji Shuangci’s heart to her head. She took a few steps forward and grabbed Ming Jiayue’s sleeve, her words sharp.

“President Ming sought me out, and you’re leaving just like that? Or do you not want to talk about cooperation anymore?”

Ming Jiayue frowned. Ji Shuangci was being too sharp. Thinking of what had just happened, her tone softened.

“You must have suffered a lot abroad these past few years.”

Usually, growth comes at the cost of pain—especially for Ji Shuangci to grow so fast and so well.

Ming Jiayue’s expression remained calm, showing a hint of faint concern.

But Ji Shuangci’s reason was about to be burned away by that look. It’s that look again. Seemingly caring, yet treating her like a stray cat or dog on the street—an act of convenience.

Knowing how I feel about her, yet still acting this way, making it so I can’t have her, can’t retreat, can’t let go, and can’t find peace.

For five years, not a single word. Now you come back and naturally act like you care.

Perhaps it made her look like an ungrateful wolf, but so what?

She was an ungrateful wolf to the core!

Her temples throbbed. Ji Shuangci suddenly laughed, changing her tone.

“President Ming told me once that you like investing in high-potential businesses. You spent money on me before; why don’t you take another gamble on me?”

Ming Jiayue’s lips moved. Her dark eyes fixed on Ji Shuangci’s face. For some reason, she asked:

“How shall we gamble?”

Under the cold streetlights, the dust kicked up by traffic was clearly visible. Ji Shuangci stepped forward, her hands aggressively encircling Ming Jiayue’s waist. In an instant, the noise of the surroundings faded away.

“Sleep with me, and all of Chuangyi’s projects are yours.”

It was a guaranteed winning deal. Ming Jiayue went still for a moment. Her eyes grew deeper in the sudden silence, almost threatening to swallow the person before her.

Ji Shuangci didn’t like Ming Jiayue’s gaze right now—or rather, she didn’t want to see disappointment or resistance in her eyes.

She raised a hand to cover Ming Jiayue’s eyes. With her other hand, she took Ming Jiayue’s right hand and pinned it behind her waist, locking her entire body against the wall.

Then.

Their breaths mingled.

Red lips turned moist.