Second Update

Xu Chun couldn't come up with a single decent excuse for a long moment, and Jiang Zhaolie immediately guessed she was up to something. Her brows knit slightly, and the look she fixed on Xu Chun was wary. "Why won't you swear it?"

Xu Chun: "..." She could have, but there was no need.

Jiang Zhaolie wanted to drag this out and grill Xu Chun properly, but Yu Sui'an's safety mattered more to her than anything else right now, so she let Xu Chun off the hook—not willingly. She rushed into the police station, eyes darting everywhere in search of Yu Sui'an. Only when she spotted her sitting quietly alone in the corner did the boulder in her chest finally drop. She hurried over. "Suisui, are you alright?"

Yu Sui'an looked up, a little surprised. "Zhaolie?" She blinked, puzzled. "Why are you here?"

"I heard you'd been brought to the station. I was worried, so I drove straight here." She looked Yu Sui'an up and down; only after confirming she was unharmed did her taut nerves relax. "What exactly happened? How did you and Xu Chun both..."

Instinctively, she wanted to put all the blame on Xu Chun. But with Qin Yao's shadow looming over her, the moment the words were about to leave her mouth, she forced the urge down. Ever since Grandpa's birthday banquet, Qin Yao had stripped her of her position and barred her from managing or handling any company affairs. Now she was like a prisoner—a useless piece of trash locked at home to reflect, day after day.

The past few days had been the most torturous of her life.

She couldn't arrange her own schedule or freely leave the villa to visit the set and keep Yu Sui'an company. Every day at home she did nothing but read, and then read some more. A single week had felt like several centuries.

Today, Qin Yao's attitude had finally loosened a little. Though she still couldn't return to the company or regain her position, at least she could come and go from home freely. She hadn't even had the chance to step out for some air when Xu Chun's message arrived saying Suisui was in trouble. Without a second thought, she'd wrenched the wheel around and sped all the way over, terrified that if she was late, Suisui would be bullied.

Her arrival didn't bring Yu Sui'an much surprise or gratitude. After Yu Sui'an briefly explained the whole sequence of events, Jiang Zhaolie whipped her head around to stare hard at Xu Chun, who was lounging about enjoying the show. Using me as a weapon again?

Xu Chun jumped at the sudden turn of that gaze. She lowered the leg she'd had crossed and forced a stiff smile, playing dumb. "What is it?"

Jiang Zhaolie wanted to settle both new and old scores with her, but with people coming and going and so many ears around, if some busybody who loved stirring up trouble reported this to Qin Yao... She thought about the consequences of Qin Yao finding out and silently swallowed every merciless thing she'd wanted to say.

She could make Xu Chun miserable. But there was no need to drag them both down together.

There was no telling when the investigation results would come out, so Jiang Zhaolie prepared to take Yu Sui'an back to the hotel to rest first. But Yu Sui'an gently shook her head and declined in a soft voice. "I want to stay and keep Sister company."

Meeting Jiang Zhaolie's concerned eyes, a faint smile finally tugged at her lips. "If I leave, Sister will be all alone here. Shen Shutong is arrogant and overbearing, and Sister is clumsy with words and has no one on her side—I'm afraid Shen Shutong will bully her."

Xu Chun seized the opening to cut in. "Why don't you think of a way to get this resolved quickly?"

After Jiang Zhaolie's resentful eyes swung back to her, Xu Chun straightened her spine, utterly shameless. "The sooner it's settled, the sooner we can all go home. It's been getting colder lately—look how thinly Suisui is dressed. If she sits here and catches a cold, that won't be good."

The reasoning was sound, and Jiang Zhaolie had intended to help anyway. But the moment certain words came out of Xu Chun's mouth, she reflexively wanted to do the opposite; she simply didn't want to let Xu Chun have her way so easily.

Jiang Zhaolie let out a cold laugh. "Then I'll call your manager over right now to clean up your mess. I'm taking Suisui back to rest first, so she doesn't catch a chill." She bit down hard on those last four words, as if they were Xu Chun herself. Xu Chun immediately glared, then pulled out her little notebook and fiercely jotted down a mark against Jiang Zhaolie. "You're done for."

"Treating me this badly—just you wait until Sister comes to deal with you."

Why was she using her mother to pressure her again? Jiang Zhaolie's chest suddenly felt stuffed full. No, seriously—what exactly was the relationship between her mother and Xu Chun? Was there some unspeakable little secret between them that she, the biological daughter, wasn't allowed to know?

This was going too far—treating her like an outsider.

Knowing that if she didn't step in, Xu Chun would definitely keep scheming to torment her and Suisui, Jiang Zhaolie had no choice but to stand up, pull out her phone, and start making calls to find help. Yu Sui'an lifted her snow-white face and fixed her gaze on Jiang Zhaolie's figure, the smile at the corner of her lips seeming to deepen a fraction.

It wasn't any big deal to begin with. After Jiang Zhaolie made a few calls, things started moving on the outside.

First, the production team posted a formal statement and clarification on Weibo, proving that Shen Shutong's removal from the role had nothing whatsoever to do with Xu Chun. It was entirely the decision of the production company's executives. The reason was simple: Shen Shutong had never suited the character's image to begin with, yet she'd obtained the role, which was never meant to be hers, through other means. After discovering this, the production company had carefully deliberated and unanimously decided to void her contract, stating that they would never work with Shen Shutong again.

Right on its heels, big-name influencers came forward one after another with explosive revelations about Shen Shutong's background and connections—from her brother and sister-in-law working at an entertainment company, to her parents' professions and company, and finally to the old stories of how her brother, sister-in-law, parents, and other relatives had risen to wealth and power by trampling on other people's blood and sweat. It was all exposed, clean and thorough.

Suddenly, negative news about Shen Shutong flooded the internet. Just as Shen Shutong's brother, sister-in-law, and parents scrambled to suppress it, the victims that family had persecuted seemed to have coordinated with one another, springing up like bamboo shoots after rain to step forward.

Shen Shutong tumbled from the clouds straight into the mud, pointed at and cursed. By now she no longer had the leisure to care about her petty removal from the role; she frantically called her parents. "Mom, how did things suddenly turn into this? Who's trying to take us down?"

"Hurry and get Grandpa and Grandma to think of a way to suppress the buzz!" she shrieked. "My career can't be ruined like this! I'm going to be a star—I'm going to trample everyone under my feet!"

But no matter how desperately she wished it, the popularity and fans she'd gained by riding Xu Chun's coattails all abandoned her overnight. Many fans still had a conscience, so after learning everything Shen Shutong had done, they didn't forget to stomp on her a few times on their way out. 【Anyone who feasts on others' blood should just die.】

【I admit I was a bit loud when I was criticizing Xu Chun before.】

【Compared to Shen Shutong, Xu Chun doesn't seem so annoying anymore. At least Xu Chun has acting skills and looks; aside from that ugly mess with Yu Sui'an, you really can't find much else wrong with her.】

【Exactly. Xu Chun and Yu Sui'an have been on set for so long without any trouble, and this Shen Shutong stirs up all this nonsense the moment she arrives. Xu Chun's the steady, honest, hardworking type.】

【Because of Shen Shutong, I've practically come around to liking Xu Chun.】

While others were enjoying the drama, Xu Chun's fans heaved a long sigh of relief, joyfully banging gongs and drums in their fan group: 【We finally got that clingy leech Shen Shutong off our backs. If this hadn't happened today, who knows how much longer Sister Xu Chun would've had to keep letting her drain her.】

Thinking about Shen Shutong potentially clinging to Xu Chun and milking the hype for a year or two, these true fans practically wanted to crowdfund Shen Shutong's downfall.

【I have a question.】 One fan weakly raised a hand. 【Wasn't our sister always the type to just lie down and let people mock her? How come today, the moment Shen Shutong pulled her stunt, someone swooped down and gave her a vicious beating? Did our sister find some backer, some powerful sugar daddy with iron fists?】

Xu Chun didn't have a powerful sugar daddy with iron fists. But she'd caught a sucker. And now that sucker, having been forced to clean up Xu Chun's whole mess, only wanted to grab Yu Sui'an and head back to the hotel to rest and enjoy their private time together.

After persuading Yu Sui'an, Jiang Zhaolie was about to take her hand and head toward the hotel when her phone dinged—a message from Qin Yao. 【You did well today.】

Jiang Zhaolie paused. "?"

There really was something off between her mother and Xu Chun.

Otherwise, given how her mother never meddled in other people's business, why would she go out of her way to send a text praising her? In all her years growing up, she'd never received such a direct compliment from the woman—not even when she ranked first in the whole school.

The joy of being alone with Yu Sui'an instantly dissipated by more than half. Right now Jiang Zhaolie felt like clawing at her heart, desperate to get to the bottom of whatever was going on between Xu Chun and her mother on the spot.

Unfortunately, Xu Chun had slipped away faster than a rabbit—a heartless scumbag who used her and then pretended not to know her. Still, remembering that Xu Chun had at least said thank you just now, Jiang Zhaolie's expression improved a little.

For the first time since transmigrating, Xu Chun felt this elated, this refreshed. The old saying her ancestors had summed up—"with a big tree to lean on, you'll be nice and cool"—wasn't wrong at all. Even a single Jiang Zhaolie made her feel like she had divine aid, as if she'd activated a cheat code. So if it were Qin Yao instead... wouldn't that be like carrying a max-level boss around to massacre noobs in the starter village?

Xu Chun's eyes lit up. This was no villain at all—this was clearly her precious darling, someone she needed to cradle in her palms, cherish, and please!

She returned to the set in high spirits. Everyone crowded around—their concern was fake; their appetite for gossip was real. They could understand why Shen Shutong hadn't come back, but Yu Sui'an had chased off to the police station with her; why was there still no sign of her now?

"Suisui?" Xu Chun casually pointed in a direction when asked where Yu Sui'an had gone. "She went to chat and unwind with a friend. She'll probably be back before long."

She answered honestly, not a single word a lie, yet doubt was written all over their faces. Xu Chun choked. Was there any age where telling the truth still got you disbelieved? She shook her head, picked up her script, and headed inside.

The drama might be full of clichés, but the production values were nothing to sneeze at. Aside from Yu Sui'an, practically everyone was professionally trained; the somewhat older ones were seasoned veterans who'd appeared in dozens or even hundreds of dramas. Even if audiences didn't know the veterans' real names, they could rattle off the roles they'd played.

The body's original owner had been a true actress, but Xu Chun was, after all, a half-baked amateur. For now, she'd bluffed her way through on sheer dramatics and her superior looks, and if she wanted to keep from being found out, she could only hurry and hone her acting while filming. These veteran actors would be her best teachers.

The veterans had a good impression of Xu Chun. Quite a few had seen her previous TV dramas and praised her acting to the skies, so when Xu Chun came over with her script, everyone was more than happy to give her pointers.

She was a rising star with no airs about her—unlike some people who had little fame but plenty of attitude. So she got along swimmingly with the veterans and quickly learned a great deal.

Meanwhile, Shen Shutong was frantic in the police station, calling everywhere and pulling every connection to salvage her reputation. When she saw in the cast group chat that the instigator was sitting comfortably in a chair, chatting and laughing with people, her indignation flared. Gritting her teeth, she took matters into her own hands and deliberately posted several pointed, tearful Weibo posts, her words dripping with grievance—all but saying outright that she'd been wronged.

But the netizens weren't buying it.

With all that evidence of bloodsucking laid out, even if the King of Heaven himself showed up today, the Shen family couldn't wash themselves clean.

One comment was blunt: 【If I were Shen Shutong, I'd pack my things and scram right now, tuck my tail between my legs and lie low for a while, then slink back out to rake in dirty money once everyone's mostly forgotten about this.】

Shen Shutong had just seen this comment when her father's call came through. "Delete the Weibo posts."

"Dad..." Shen Shutong started to speak, but her father cut her off and tore into her furiously. "From now on, without my permission, you are not to post any statement on any public platform."

"And right now, pack your things and get back here immediately!" Father Shen was beside himself with anger. He'd spoiled his daughter a bit in the past, yes, but he'd only wanted to give her the best of everything, to make her the happiest, most carefree little princess in the world. Who knew that not only would she show no gratitude or consideration, but that she would now stir up trouble everywhere and even provoke the Jiang family.

Xu Chun was nothing to fear, but these past two days, the whole uproar over Jiang Zhaolie insisting on breaking off the engagement with Xu Chun had made headlines. The Jiang family was in the wrong here; if Xu Chun ran into trouble at a time like this, could the Jiang family just stand by and watch?!

They wouldn't just stand by. They'd pounce on Xu Chun's enemies like ravenous wolves, desperate to salvage a bit of their own reputation.

In fact, Father Shen's guess couldn't have been more accurate. After all that commotion, Jiang Zhaolie did feel a tiny, negligible bit of guilt toward Xu Chun. So when Xu Chun had half-jokingly asked for her help earlier, she'd agreed without a second thought.

In the past, she never would have done such a thing. Xu Chun was nothing but an unrelated stranger to her; she only ever sided unconditionally with the people she cared about—like Yu Sui'an. She only ever helped Yu Sui'an within her means, without expecting anything in return. As for the other insignificant people... what did they have to do with her?

Yu Sui'an and Jiang Zhaolie walked side by side, both in masks, no attempt at elaborate disguise. There were few people around, and their steps were slow and unhurried. A light breeze brushed their cheeks, and the air was fragrant with roadside flowers.

"About Sister's matter... thank you." Yu Sui'an spoke first, offhandedly, as if merely mentioning it in passing. "If you hadn't been willing to step in, we might have had to ask someone else for help."

Her tone couldn't have been more normal, but Jiang Zhaolie keenly sensed something off. She was silent for a moment, her mind racing for a few breaths before she explained, "I didn't help her for any other reason. I just saw how much you cared about her, how concerned you were, so I wanted to do something for your sake." She turned Yu Sui'an by the shoulders, gazing earnestly into her eyes. "I wanted to help you. I didn't want to see you so troubled over her."

"I know." Yu Sui'an smiled softly, her lashes fluttering, a faint blush surfacing on her fair face. "Zhaolie, the way you care about me—I'm truly touched." She lifted her clear, bright eyes. "But I still have to thank you on Sister's behalf."

The two went back and forth, their words and tones perfectly normal, yet a subtle atmosphere slowly spread between them.

Jiang Zhaolie's gaze flickered, and she promptly changed the subject. "I'll be staying here for a couple of days. I want to spend more time with you." During the days she'd been confined at home, her longing for Yu Sui'an had nearly peaked, so now she wanted to stay by her side every moment, not leaving her side for a single moment.

"Sure." Yu Sui'an agreed happily. "But I still have filming during the day..."

"Then I'll just wait nearby until you're done." Jiang Zhaolie smiled. "By the way, is there anything you especially want to eat? I'll have someone bring it over. Didn't you mention you'd been craving roast duck from a place for a long time? I think it's nearby—why don't we go try it tonight?"

"Really?" Yu Sui'an looked up, and after receiving Jiang Zhaolie's affirmative answer, the smile on her face grew even brighter. The two chatted and laughed as they walked away, as if that subtle atmosphere earlier had never existed.

But soon, the expressions on both their faces gradually faded. In their hearts, they were still hung up on how overly enthusiastic the other had been toward Xu Chun just now. Only, for some indescribable reason, neither wanted to spell it out at this moment, to keep nitpicking and clinging to this matter.

...

After Qin Yao finished her work, Xu Chun finally received her reply. Her spirits lifted; she clutched her phone and typed happily, "It's all fine now, Sister. Zhaolie just helped out, so things are pretty much resolved." Along with a few words of praise for Jiang Zhaolie, her tidal wave of flattery came crashing toward Qin Yao: "Sister, you're just too amazing. Not only are you outstanding and exceptional yourself, but you've raised Zhaolie to be so excellent too."

"Zhaolie is so lucky—she actually gets to be family with you, Sister."

Qin Yao quietly watched the messages popping up nonstop on her phone screen, her long, slender, finely boned fingers unconsciously pushing up the gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose.

The praise came on too fiercely; she could almost picture Xu Chun racking her brains, typing with all her might. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips before she could stop it, and Qin Yao asked, "How lucky, exactly?"

"Incredibly lucky!" Xu Chun sensed an opening and quickly added, "If it were me, I'd probably wake up laughing from my dreams!"

Qin Yao tilted her head, suddenly recalling a variety show proposal she'd received a couple of days ago. It seemed to be from the director of the dating show Xu Chun had been on; he wanted to do a theme about "working alongside corporate bigwigs," and since Qin Yao was indisputably number one in the pharmaceutical field, the proposal had been sent to her first.

She'd had no interest in such things, but today's Shen Shutong incident had reminded her—Xu Chun seemed to have a "trouble comes looking for me even when I don't go looking for it" constitution. Rather than let her get beaten and bullied elsewhere, it'd be better to keep her under her own watchful eye. With her keeping an eye on things, at least she wouldn't be bullied every other day.

What's more, Xu Chun's grandfather had repeatedly asked her to look after the girl occasionally. The old man had been kind to her; Qin Yao couldn't very well stand by and watch Xu Chun suffer abuse everywhere.

With that thought, Qin Yao replied to Director Guo's email with an affirmative answer.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Sui'an returned to the set after their walk, since Yu Sui'an still had a scene to shoot. While Yu Sui'an went to get ready, Jiang Zhaolie headed toward Xu Chun to ask her a couple of questions. But the moment she approached from behind, she saw Xu Chun chatting up a storm with her own mother, all enthusiasm and fire. "Sister, it's been so many days since I've seen you—I really, re~ally~ miss you."

"No appetite, no taste for anything—every day apart feels like three years."

Jiang Zhaolie: "...?!" You bastard!