Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Blown Into the Heart

Bai Chu stared at the bracelet on the screen, momentarily stunned, forgetting to pause the recording.

“This…”

She turned to Jiang Yisheng with a puzzled look.

“It’s for you.” Jiang Yisheng held the bracelet, smiling brightly at her.

Bai Chu didn’t take it. Of course, she recognized the bracelet—it was the one the vendor had been working on earlier that day.

But didn’t the vendor say that the bracelet was made by someone who wanted to give it to someone they really cared about?

“You bought it?” Bai Chu asked.

“No.” Jiang Yisheng shook her head. “I was trying to find you a gift this morning, but none of them felt good enough for you. Then I found a small stall by the beach that makes shell bracelets, so I spent the whole morning collecting shells and sea snails. I even got a tan.”

Jiang Yisheng never hid her feelings. However much she liked someone, that’s how much she would show it.

As she spoke, she extended her other arm to show Bai Chu the spot where her skin had darkened from the sun.

Bai Chu glanced at her arm—there was indeed a slight tan line.

Without giving her time to respond, Jiang Yisheng took back the phone and gently slid the bracelet onto Bai Chu’s wrist.

A cool sensation slid from her fingertips to her wrist. Bai Chu looked down at the bracelet—its shells and snails still reflected a faint glow in the dusk light. When she looked up, the girl’s smile was glowing just as brightly.

“Don’t reject it, okay? I’ll be really sad,” Jiang Yisheng said softly, gently holding Bai Chu’s wrist as she examined it. “It really looks beautiful on you.”

The last rays of sunlight shimmered along the horizon. The crowd grew noisy again, and the sea breeze returned—carrying something intangible, softly blowing into Bai Chu’s heart.

“Thank you,” Bai Chu said in the lightest voice.

“As long as you like it.” Jiang Yisheng scratched her head, a bit shy herself.

“So… when are you heading back to Jiangcheng?” she asked, trying to shift the topic.

“The day after tomorrow.”

“Haven’t seen Miss He around tonight?”

“She’s in a bad mood. Didn’t want to come out.”

“Ohh…” Jiang Yisheng had a rough idea why He Youran wasn’t in the mood—she remembered the plotline. “But sadness is temporary. Things will get better and better.”

Bai Chu nodded.

“It’s getting late, I’ll head back.” Bai Chu stood, brushing the sand off her clothes, and looked down at Jiang Yisheng.

“Okay. I hope I can still see you tomorrow.” Jiang Yisheng leaned back on her arms in the sand and raised her sparkling water to her in a playful toast.

Bai Chu’s lips curved slightly. She turned and walked toward the hotel.

After a few steps, she turned around.

Jiang Yisheng had sprawled out on the beach, swinging her arms playfully through the sand, looking completely relaxed.

Bai Chu stared in that direction for a long while before finally turning back toward the hotel.

Jiang Yisheng pulled out her phone and realized the recording was still running. She stopped it and carefully saved the twenty-minute video.

Lying back, she gazed up at the deep blue sky, thinking about Bai Chu.

If Bai Chu were a real person, what kind of life would she have? Would she still be so unhappy?

Three days later, back in Jiangcheng.

At Lighthouse Restaurant, Jiang Yisheng was having lunch with Zhang Tao.

“This one’s not bad,” she said, pointing at the small ribs on her plate with approval.

“But this dish is kind of dry.”

Suddenly, a man called out, “Sis!” toward their table.

Before Jiang Yisheng could react, Zhang Tao’s face instantly tensed.

“What are you doing here?” Zhang Tao asked in a low voice.

“Eating, duh. I was wondering why you weren’t picking up my calls—turns out you’ve been hanging out at fancy restaurants.” The man’s tone was mocking.

“I’m working,” Zhang Tao said, clearly uncomfortable.

“What kind of job makes that kind of money? So you’re keeping a rich sugar mama now, huh? Sis, I gotta admit, you’ve got skills,” the man said, casting an assessing look at Jiang Yisheng.

“What are you saying?” Zhang Tao quickly apologized to Jiang Yisheng. “I’m sorry, President Jiang. I’ll take care of this.”

She started to walk out, but Jiang Yisheng stopped her. “No need. Let’s talk right here. I want to see what kind of nonsense your little brother can spew.”

“What did you say?” the man snapped and started walking over.

Two bodyguards stepped forward instantly, pushing him back.

“Peachy, is this really your biological brother?” Jiang Yisheng asked.

Zhang Tao nodded.

“Oh, I see. Your family must really value sons over daughters.”

Zhang Tao stayed silent.

“How much do you send home every month?” Jiang Yisheng asked.

“Fifteen thousand,” Zhang Tao replied.

“What the—your salary is only twenty thousand, rent is three thousand, so you live on just two thousand a month?” Jiang Yisheng was shocked.

She turned to the man. “And you spend your sister’s hard-earned money on expensive, gross food like this?”

“So what? I have every right to spend her money,” the man scoffed.

“Every right? You shameless bum. You’ve got no money, no manners, and no shame.”

“She’s the one who’s shameless—earning money that way?” he sneered.

“What way, huh? Don’t judge others based on your own filth. She’s the executive assistant of Yujiang Corporation, hired fair and square. And you? Who the hell are you?” Jiang Yisheng looked him over. “Aren’t you supposed to be in college? You can’t study, can’t earn money, and you’ve got no ambition or decency. Useless loser.”

“You’ve got a filthy mouth!” the man cursed. “You b—”

Smack!
A loud slap rang out.

The man was stunned. His face burned from the impact.

The bodyguards were about to slap him again when a voice cut in.

“Who dares touch my man?”

Jiang Yisheng turned her head.

A woman in stilettos and a fur coat strolled over gracefully.

The man immediately ran behind her, covering his face.

Jiang Yisheng snorted. “No wonder your mouth’s so dirty—you’re mixed up in this kind of business.”

“Sis, look at her! Teach her a lesson,” the man whined.

The woman squinted—she was nearsighted. When she finally recognized who was sitting at the table, she turned and slapped the man again.

“Who’s this?” Jiang Yisheng asked.

“Gao Sheng, President of Muxiang Company,” Zhang Tao replied.

“Is she more powerful than me?” Jiang Yisheng asked bluntly.

Zhang Tao coughed, about to answer softly—

“Of course not, President Jiang. My apologies for interrupting your meal.” Gao Sheng quickly smiled. “We’ll leave now.”

“And him?” Jiang Yisheng gestured at the stunned man.

“If you want him, he’s all yours.” Gao Sheng tried to please her.

“What would I want him for? Have him apologize before leaving,” Jiang Yisheng said coolly.

Gao Sheng glared at the man, who reluctantly muttered, “Sorry.”

Then he turned to leave.

“Stop. That’s your apology?” Jiang Yisheng raised an eyebrow. Her bodyguards immediately blocked the way.

“Be sincere. Call your parents and apologize in front of them,” she said, determined to teach them all a lesson.

“What?” The man glared at her.

Smack!
Another slap from Gao Sheng. “Do as she says. Why so much backtalk?”

Grinding his teeth, the man took out his phone. “What do I even say?”

“Just dial. I’ll talk to them,” Jiang Yisheng glanced at Zhang Tao. “That okay, Peachy?”

Zhang Tao bit her lip and nodded.

This girl… Jiang Yisheng shook her head in exasperation.

The call connected quickly.

“My sweet son, what is it?” came the voice on the other end.

“Repeat after me: tell your mom you’ve realized you were wrong, and you’ll stop using your sister’s money,” Jiang Yisheng instructed.

“Mom, I think I’ve been unfair to my sister. Let’s stop spending her money from now on.”

“What are you saying? If we don’t spend your sister’s money, whose money should we spend? We raised her all these years—she’s supposed to serve the family. Her money is your money,” the woman said nonchalantly.

Jiang Yisheng looked over. Zhang Tao sat there with clenched fists and red eyes, not saying a word.

But Jiang Yisheng had had enough. She snatched the phone.

“You’re a woman too. Haven’t you suffered enough? How could you bear to let your own daughter suffer like this? Aren’t both kids your flesh and bl00d? What kind of mother are you? And by the way, your precious son is busy being some sugar baby for other CEOs. If anyone’s bringing in money, it’s him—why doesn’t he use it to support you for once? Zhang Tao only keeps two thousand for herself every month, and sends the rest to you. How could you not feel even a shred of pity for her?”

Before the other end could react, Jiang Yisheng hung up.

“Get lost.” She waved a hand.

Only then did the bodyguards step aside.

After they left, Zhang Tao’s tears started falling uncontrollably.

Jiang Yisheng handed her a tissue. “Well great, now your tears have fallen into the only good dish here.”

Zhang Tao let out a bitter laugh.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to interfere with your family stuff,” Jiang Yisheng said, unsure if she had overstepped. “I just didn’t want to see you being bullied like that.”

Zhang Tao shook her head. Her voice was hoarse. “Thank you, President Jiang.”

She admitted it—without Jiang Yisheng, she probably never would’ve had the courage to resist. Her whole life, she’d been taught to put her brother first. But as she grew up, she began to realize how wrong that idea had been.

The collision of those two worldviews tore her apart, making her suffer as she kept giving.

“Don’t thank me. I can’t help you,” Jiang Yisheng said, glancing at the dishes. “Let’s go. I’m still hungry. You’re treating me to spicy hotpot.”

“Okay.” Zhang Tao wiped her tears and smiled. She knew what President Jiang meant—she wanted her to be the one to make a choice and draw a line.

Not far away, at another table, Bai Chu and a client had seen everything.

“That President Jiang is as domineering as ever,” the business partner muttered, sipping his tea.

“It’s not our place to judge President Jiang’s methods, but from what I saw, she was standing up for her staff,” Bai Chu replied mildly.

The client glanced at her, immediately backtracking. “Yes, yes, she’s certainly very protective.”

Bai Chu said nothing more. A moment later, she made an excuse and left the meeting. The deal was not finalized.