Transmigrated as the Villainess’s Vicious Fake Stepmother - Chapter 24

After receiving messages from both of them, Chu Qian happily went out to buy groceries and prepare a meal.

The menu from Zhan Se leaned toward light dishes while Qin Ru’s focused entirely on spicy food.

Their tastes were completely opposite which gave Chu Qian a headache.

After some thought, she chose to make three spicy dishes. These were spicy cold rabbit meat, shredded pork with garlic sauce and mapo tofu. Because Zhan Se’s stomach was weak and could not handle strong flavors, she also made two light dishes. These were oil-free tomato basa fish and boiled broccoli.

For soup she cooked loofah and egg soup, and she also prepared colorful fruit drinks with small melons.

When she looked at the table full of dishes, a strong sense of achievement rose within her.

The left side of the table was covered with food seasoned with chili bean paste and peppercorns. The right side held light dishes. In both color and taste, they belonged to two different camps.

When she finished setting the rice and chopsticks, it was already 11:30. At that moment, the bell for the end of class rang.

After a whole morning of lessons, the students were already starving.

In the classroom, Zhan Se packed her things, picked up her phone, and started toward the dessert shop.

After only a few steps, Qin Ru caught up.

“Zhan Se, let us walk together.” She lifted her brows with a bright smile, her big eyes filled with eager anticipation.

“You are going to Sister Qian’s place for lunch, right? What a coincidence, I am too. I already arranged it with Sister Qian. She is so skilled at cooking that today’s meal must be wonderful.”

Zhan Se frowned and looked at her with displeasure. “She only makes light dishes. They are not suitable for you.”

Qin Ru arched a brow. “That is not true. I already spoke with Sister Qian. Today we are having spicy rabbit meat, boiled fish, mapo tofu and shredded pork with garlic sauce.”

When she heard those names, Zhan Se thought of the ones she had chosen and let out a cold snort. “Then perhaps you will not be eating today.”

Her tone carried complete confidence.

Qin Ru did not show anger. Instead she wore a playful smile. “Then let us see who will not get to eat. I simply feel that Sister Qian and I connect better.”

Zhan Se’s expression darkened and she quickened her pace. Irritation was written on her face.

The two of them seemed to be competing in silence, one walking ahead and the other following, until they reached the dessert shop. Chu Qian saw them arrive and waved with a smile.

“You came together? Perfect timing, I just finished serving the rice.”

They exchanged a look before stepping forward, their eyes falling on the table full of dishes.

When they saw the five dishes and one soup, Zhan Se’s face grew darker while Qin Ru laughed aloud.

“Sister Qian really made the dishes I like. Thank you for the hard work. On the way here I even bet with Zhan Se about whose order you would cook. I did not expect you to make both. Three of mine and two of hers. They all look delicious.”

She glanced sideways at Zhan Se, her eyes filled with provocation.

Zhan Se’s face turned completely black.

Three dishes for Qin Ru and only two for her.

Whose side was Chu Qian truly on?

She suppressed her expression, went to wash her hands and then sat down at the table. She picked up her chopsticks, ready to eat. Before she could begin, Qin Ru quickly ran to sit beside Chu Qian.

“Sister Qian, may I sit with you? I already sat with Zhan Se all morning. She always keeps a cold face and I am tired of it. If I sit with you, I can enjoy your smile more. Is that alright?” She pouted sweetly, her lovely face full of charm.

Chu Qian felt her heart melt at the sight.

It was no wonder she was the female lead. With emotional intelligence like this she was unbeatable. That sweet little mouth could win anyone over.

Flattered, Chu Qian smiled and replied, “Of course, I do not mind. Sit down.”

“Thank you, Sister Qian.” Qin Ru sat down happily.

Above them, 4521 sounded utterly hopeless.

“Host, if you used even one third of this effort to follow the plot, you would already be halfway through the mission.”

Qin Ru took a bite of rabbit meat, the numbing spice filling her with satisfaction. In her heart she replied, Following the plot is not nearly as fun as chasing a pretty girl.

“You are blinded by desire. You think only about finding women. Chu Qian is clearly straight. If you do not follow the plot, you will gain nothing.”

Qin Ru lifted her brow and looked at Chu Qian.

The woman’s small face glowed with a gentle smile. She held a bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other. She seemed as sweet as a strawberry cake.

Straight? I think she smells like mosquito incense.

“You are imagining things.”

I call this attraction between the same kind.

She glanced at Zhan Se, who sat across the table with a frown while eating in silence. Her cold expression revealed nothing, yet Qin Ru sensed the strong air of annoyance around her.

Besides, chasing Chu Qian is part of pushing the plot forward. Someone has already gone off track.

4521 did not understand what she meant and thought it was only another excuse to chase women. It ignored her in frustration.

Qin Ru’s face once again lit with admiration. “Sister Qian, your cooking is amazing. It is even better than the chef at my home. My goodness, I could eat your food for a lifetime.”

Zhan Se’s brow twitched when she heard the words “for a lifetime.”

The broccoli in her throat suddenly became difficult to swallow.

Chu Qian laughed softly. “If you want to eat, you can come anytime.”

“Then may I come every day?”

Zhan Se slammed her chopsticks on the table with a loud crack and glared at Qin Ru. Qin Ru met her gaze with a lifted brow and a smile, her eyes full of challenge.

Zhan Se’s face grew darker.

“I do not like eating with others. Qin Ru, please show some respect.”

Qin Ru turned to Chu Qian with a pitiful look. “Sister Qian, did you hear her…”

Chu Qian quickly tried to smooth things over. “It is only a habit, do not take it too seriously. It is just one more person, no big deal. Zhan Se, do not be so narrow-minded. After all, you are deskmates with Qin Ru. Eating together and walking back together is not so bad. Learning to get along with others is also part of a student’s life. You, on the other hand, are always too cold with people. You will suffer because of it someday.”

She spoke with patience, trying to calm the conflict and protect Zhan Se’s image in Qin Ru’s eyes. She wanted Qin Ru to see her as cold and unsociable rather than hateful.

Zhan Se suddenly stood with a frosty gaze. “Who do you think you are to lecture me? Worry about yourself.”

She grabbed her phone and stormed out.

The dessert shop door slammed shut with a loud bang.

Chu Qian froze, her smile stiff on her face.

After a long moment she returned to her senses.

Her smile faded and turned into an ugly flush of anger.

Her chest rose and fell quickly with fury.

Qin Ru blinked and nearly laughed at the scene.

Zhan Se, that fool.

She quickly put on an obedient act. “Sister Qian, please do not be upset. Maybe Zhan Se really does not like me. Perhaps I should not eat here anymore…”

“No. You will eat here. You will come every day. Whatever you want to eat, I will cook it. As for her, let her starve. Who cares?” Chu Qian snorted and pushed the prepared desserts toward Qin Ru.

Qin Ru lowered her head and pretended to eat with an embarrassed face, but inside, she was thrilled.

…

Outside, Zhan Se quickly regretted storming off, yet she could not bring herself to apologize.

Seeing Qin Ru cling so closely to Chu Qian disgusted her. She knew Qin Ru did not have good intentions, yet that foolish woman still offered herself up like a sheep to a wolf. “Eat every day”? “Eat for a lifetime”? She would not even know how she died.

Idiot.

Zhan Se angrily kicked a roadside sycamore tree before heading back to class.

Soon after, Qin Ru also returned.

She sat down and glanced at Zhan Se with a raised brow.

This time, Zhan Se could not hold back.

“You had better not target her.”

“Oh? Why not? Chu Qian seems to like me very much.” Qin Ru tilted her head in apparent confusion.

Zhan Se’s face grew darker. “That woman is not for you. She will never be yours.”

“Then…” Qin Ru drew out the word and leaned closer to Zhan Se, her eyes fixed on her. “Is she yours?”

Zhan Se scoffed with disdain.

The meaning was clear.

Qin Ru smirked and leaned back in her seat. “If you do not want her, then do not stop me.”

Zhan Se turned to look at her.

The girl appeared cheerful and open as always, yet in that moment, Zhan Se sensed something deeper hidden within her. She narrowed her eyes, then turned away and opened her textbook.

Witnessing this close battle between the female lead and the rival, 4521 was left dumbfounded. In a flash, it understood Qin Ru’s true intention.

“You want to pursue Chu Qian only to provoke Zhan Se? Master, I bow before you. Only a veteran of thousands of worlds could twist a mission with such skill. Incredible. Truly admirable.”

In its heart, 4521 clenched its fists and vowed to follow this master, shining brightly in her wake.

…

Because of what had happened at noon, Chu Qian did not bother Zhan Se for the rest of the afternoon.

Staring at her empty phone screen, Zhan Se grew restless. She tapped on the cartoon rabbit icon and thought of sending a message to apologize, yet she could not bring herself to press send.

After school, Zhan Se lingered at the intersection for a while, but Chu Qian never appeared. Frustration settled in her chest until she saw Qin Ru in her car on the way home.

Zhan Se glanced instinctively inside, but Qin Ru quickly rolled up the window and refused to let her see.

Zhan Se pressed her lips together. From that reaction, she already knew Chu Qian was not in Qin Ru’s car, so she took a taxi home.

As expected, when she arrived home, she saw Chu Qian’s shoes at the door.

Walking inside, she found the woman sprawled on the sofa. One hand still held her phone, playing a video, while the other dangled off the side. Her bare feet rested on the back of the sofa. She had fallen asleep without care.

Zhan Se frowned.

How vulgar.

She walked over and covered her with the blanket on the sofa.

She should have left it at that, yet she stood rooted to the spot and stared at Chu Qian as she slept.

The evening light outside had dimmed, leaving the living room in shadow.

Asleep, Chu Qian was no longer noisy.

Her eyes were closed, long lashes casting shadows like butterfly wings. Perhaps she had risen too early and then spent the midday cooking without resting, for now she slept deeply. Her delicate nose flared gently with each breath, fluttering as if about to take flight.

Her skin was flawless and smooth. Her features were refined, her face small and round, and her proportions perfectly balanced. Looking at her brought a sense of peace.

Zhan Se realized she no longer found the woman so irritating.

Compared with the hostility she had felt at first, she now understood that her feelings had changed.

If the next three years passed quietly without trouble, she would even honor her father’s last wish and hand half of the inheritance to Chu Qian.

Deep down, no matter how much she disliked Chu Qian, she could not defy her father’s will.

If he had chosen to leave half the property to Chu Qian, there must have been a reason.

Pressing her lips together, Zhan Se was about to leave when she noticed Chu Qian stirring on the sofa. Her lips parted slightly and a thin line of liquid slid toward the edge of her mouth, about to drip onto the limited-edition wool blanket…

Zhan Se’s lips twitched as she lifted her foot and kicked Chu Qian’s calf.

Chu Qian was sleeping soundly, dreaming that she had transmigrated into the novel The Overbearing CEO Fell in Love with Me. Unlike reality, in the dream, she became the domineering female CEO, far more powerful than the Zhan family. When Zhan Se tried to retaliate against her, she used her influence to subdue Zhan Se.

She then ordered people to tie Zhan Se up and lock her in a dark room, feeding her only chili peppers and chili water every day.

Zhan Se, overwhelmed by the spice, knelt on the ground, crying and calling her “dad,” begging for mercy.

In the dream, Chu Qian stood arrogantly with one hand on her hip and the other holding a whip, striking Zhan Se’s backside. In the dream, Chu Qian hurled insults at Zhan Se, as she believed that the disobedient and ungrateful child deserved such punishment.

Afterward, with the whip in one hand and red wine in the other, she sat proudly on a dragon chair made of gold and diamonds, watching Zhan Se with great satisfaction.

Suddenly, the earth shook as if someone had kicked her and she fell from the throne. At that moment, she woke up.

Chu Qian, still groggy and furious, was about to curse. She had been enjoying her dream of inheriting a throne as a powerful CEO, only to be kicked down. That was too immoral.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Zhan Se standing before her like a lamppost, staring at her with disgust.

Her calf throbbed with pain, already turning red.

Angrily, she said, “Zhan, you went too far! Why did you kick me?”

“If not for the drool about to drip onto my blanket, I would not have bothered.”

Zhan Se glanced at the corner of her mouth.

It was too shameful to look at.

Chu Qian froze and touched her lips.

Ah…

She awkwardly lifted her hand, not knowing where to place it.

Zhan Se tossed a pack of tissues at her with clear disdain.

Embarrassed, Chu Qian quickly pulled one out and wiped away the saliva on her hand, her face flushed crimson.

Damn it…

So humiliating.

She cleaned up, lifted the blanket, washed it, and returned as if nothing had happened.

“Sit down and eat.”

“???”

Chu Qian glanced at her. Eat? She had not cooked anything.

After being scolded earlier, she had wanted to teach the little girl a lesson. Yet unexpectedly, Zhan Se invited her to eat.

Following her words, she walked to the dining table and saw an exquisite bamboo lunchbox placed on it. Chu Qian’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Yun Shuo’s Private Kitchen!”

Chu Qian’s whole being filled with excitement.

That was her idol’s private restaurant.

She hurried over and sat at the table, almost childishly eager.

In the culinary world, despite her own talent, Chu Qian had never admired anyone. But Song Shuo was different. She had once been fortunate to taste his cooking during her month of working at Dong Fang Hong, and she had never forgotten it.

Even more important was that Song Shuo was not only skilled in cooking but also strikingly handsome. Tall, long-legged, with fair skin and fine features, just watching his livestream could make her tremble with excitement.

Chu Qian was about to cry with joy.

So lucky…

Even so, she forced herself not to show too much excitement. She did not want Zhan Se to see her lose the dignity of an adult.

Zhan Se noticed her expression and could not help but curve her lips.

Her slender fingers slowly untied the ribbon around the bamboo box. As she lifted the lid, a fragrant aroma filled the air.

Inside was the famous bamboo-flower wine chicken.

Chu Qian’s eyes lit up instantly. She stared at the chicken lying in the box and swallowed hard, nearly drooling. “How did you buy this?! I heard Yun Shuo’s Private Kitchen is hard to reserve and very expensive…”

“I know Song Shuo.”

“!!!!”

Chu Qian froze. This time she was staring not at the chicken but at Zhan Se.

“You and him…”

Zhan Se looked into her eyes and said, “That chicken congee you mocked as worthless the other day was made by Song Shuo.”

Chu Qian’s face collapsed.

She twisted her fingers nervously and muttered, “I only said that to annoy you. I never said the congee was bad…”

Zhan Se raised her brows but did not respond. She took out the chicken, sliced it, and placed a portion before Chu Qian. Watching her practically drool over it, her lips curved faintly. “About this afternoon… I am sorry.”

“Huh?”

Chu Qian looked at the girl in surprise.

She never expected Zhan Se to order bamboo-flower wine chicken as an apology.

Something in her heart felt strange.

She wrinkled her nose and muttered, “Actually, I was also wrong. I should not have forced you to eat with Qin Ru if you disliked her so much…”

“I neither dislike nor like her.” Zhan Se sat down, cut herself a piece of chicken, then looked up at Chu Qian and suddenly asked, “Do you like her?”

Chu Qian froze, recalling Qin Ru’s angelic personality. She was about to nod when Zhan Se added, “Like, in a romantic way.”

“No, no, no! You misunderstood!”

Her head shook like a drum.

“I told you before, I would never like a little girl. I only see her as a younger sister, just a child. But Qin Ru is not simple. I hope you can be friends with her so that you do not end up with another rival at school.”

Chu Qian spoke sincerely.

This time it was Zhan Se’s turn to pause.

She had not expected Chu Qian to notice Qin Ru’s complexity. And if Chu Qian approached Qin Ru, was it because… of her?

That strange feeling rose in her chest again.

She took a bite of chicken and said calmly, “I will handle my own matters. You do not need to interfere.” After a pause, realizing her tone sounded harsh, she added, “If you want more friends, do not mind me. Do as you please.”

“…”

Chu Qian blinked at her. Somehow the girl’s words carried hidden meaning.

After thinking for a while without figuring it out, she stopped trying and focused on savoring the dish she had long dreamed of.

Chu Qian ate while jotting down notes on paper, recording the flavors she detected. She even worked out possible methods of preparation.

Before long, the paper was filled.

Across the table, Zhan Se watched her take notes so seriously.

When it came to food, Chu Qian was always earnest. She truly had a gift for it. Zhan Se tapped her finger lightly on the table, lost in thought.

They took nearly an hour to finish the chicken. Zhan Se, still suffering from stomach problems, did not dare eat much. Most of it ended up in Chu Qian’s stomach, leaving her satisfied.

That chicken was worth thousands.

It was the king of chickens.

Even its tail was more precious than ordinary chicken.

After the meal, Chu Qian received a handwritten signature from Song Shuo himself. She was so happy she nearly cried.

Zhan Se rubbed her temples at the sight of this woman acting so shamelessly. She tapped the table. “Enough. Stop swooning. If you want to meet him, I can take you this weekend. But for now, let us get to business.”

“Really! I can really see him this weekend!” Chu Qian’s eyes lit up as she grabbed Zhan Se’s arm.

Zhan Se glanced at the hand clutching her sleeve, then nodded. “Yes.”

She did not push it away.

“Bring all the car keys from that row and follow me to the garage.”

“What are we going to the garage for?”

“To practice driving.”

“Then why take so many keys?!”

Chu Qian was confused.

Zhan Se gave her a long look but said nothing.

Ten minutes later, Chu Qian understood why she had asked for all the keys.

Looking at the row of cars with smashed front ends, Chu Qian glanced at Zhan Se awkwardly.

Her guilt was so heavy she nearly buried her head in the ground.

She seriously suspected she had been some kind of money-eating beast in her past life, to be this destructive.

Zhan Se, however, was unconcerned. She looked at a black BMW X7 and said, “Alright, this one then. It seems you only handle this car well. Take it to work tomorrow.”

She tossed the BMW’s key to Chu Qian and took away the rest.

Chu Qian stood speechless.

For some reason, this kind of Zhan Se felt so cool…