Chapter 3: The Counterpart of the Slacker Heroine
Xuanxuan licked her lips, watching Jiang Sui open her mouth awkwardly yet stubbornly, “I’ve finished eating. Is there any more?”
Jiang Sui glanced at Xuanxuan, who had even sipped the soup clean, “No, children shouldn’t eat too much or it’s hard to digest. If you like it, I’ll make it for you again next time.”
Lu Xuanxuan was a spoiled little girl, not bad at heart, just indulged. The original owner of this body hadn’t treated her well either, so the two were always at odds.
Jiang Sui liked Lu Ye, but Lu Ye was aloof and indifferent to women. Since their marriage, he hadn’t touched her, and she barely ever saw him. So Jiang Sui tried to win over Xuanxuan, but Xuanxuan’s pampered temperament meant she never showed Jiang Sui any courtesy, and Jiang Sui herself had a temper. So the two were perpetually incompatible.
In the live variety show, the original Jiang Sui intended to establish herself as a strict mother, hoping to gain fans. But things backfired, and she became a foil for Bai Xixue’s lackadaisical parenting, worsening her relationship with Xuanxuan.
Xuanxuan snorted, puffing up proudly, “Don’t think you can win me over just because your noodles are good.”
“Oh? I thought you were complimenting my noodles to win me over,” Jiang Sui replied.
Xuanxuan exploded, “I was not!”
Jiang Sui answered lazily, “Mm, mm, mm…”
Xuanxuan glared at her, teeth gritted in frustration.
Hmph, just wait! When her father came home, she’d complain! She’d make sure this annoying woman was kicked out of the Lu family!
The live stream comments:
“These two are hilarious together, I’m dying of laughter…”
“Xuan baby pouting is so adorable, Auntie wants a big kiss! MUA!”
“Never thought Jiang Sui could be so warm to her daughter. I take back what I said about her being cruel.”
“Look at Xuan baby, she finished all her soup. Just how delicious is this tomato and egg noodles?”
“Is Jiang Sui really such a good cook? Maybe she and Xuanxuan are acting together?”
“Why don’t you try acting? People with dark hearts see darkness everywhere.”
After the meal, Jiang Sui received a card from the staff, notifying her that the director wanted everyone to gather outside for a new task.
She looked out the window at the sun. The show was filmed at a resort, and in the height of summer, the ultraviolet rays were fierce.
Jiang Sui pulled out some sunscreen, just as Lu Xuanxuan was about to run outside, she caught her and dragged her back.
“Where do you think you’re going?” she said, applying sunscreen to her own hands and then rubbing it carefully onto Xuanxuan.
“Leave me alone!” Xuanxuan protested, trying to push her away, “I don’t want it!”
But Jiang Sui held her firmly, quickly covering all the exposed skin with sunscreen.
Children’s skin was delicate, and the southern sun was strong; if Xuanxuan didn’t use sunscreen, she’d probably end up sunburned and peeling.
“All done, let’s go.” Jiang Sui took Xuanxuan’s hand and headed outside.
Xuanxuan tried to shake her hand free, but Jiang Sui’s grip was tight. She couldn’t break away.
She glared angrily at Jiang Sui’s back.
Just then, a comment floated through the live stream:
“Did I see that right? Just now Jiang Sui seemed to use a grappling move?”
But since there weren’t many viewers in Jiang Sui’s stream yet, it didn’t draw much attention.
After a while, someone else commented:
“I think so. I’m a student at the police academy, and that little move of Jiang Sui’s was a grappling technique we’re learning. Though she was much gentler.”
“???”
“???”
By the time Jiang Sui and Lu Xuanxuan arrived at the gathering point, almost everyone had arrived except for Bai Xixue and her son.
“Why aren’t they here yet?” a staff member frowned.
“Bai Xixue always liked to arrive late when working in the drama crew. It’s her usual habit. Let’s wait a bit longer.”
Jiang Sui glanced at the speaker. The woman’s name was Xu Manman, an active actress in third- and fourth-tier circles. Her persona was the typical ‘green tea’ type.
She was also the stepping stone for Bai Xixue’s meteoric rise.