Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: We Could Be Friends

When Jiang Yisheng arrived downstairs, there was no one looking for her—only Yu Mushan was standing at the entrance, chatting with the security guard on duty.

As Jiang Yisheng walked up, Yu Mushan smiled and gently ruffled her hair. “Why aren’t you upstairs enjoying yourself? What are you doing down here?”

“Peach said someone was downstairs looking for me, so I came to check,” Jiang Yisheng replied.

“There was a business partner earlier, but he came to see your dad. The receptionist probably misheard and thought he was looking for you,” Yu Mushan explained.

“Ohhh, I see.” Jiang Yisheng nodded.

“Shengsheng, can you go to my office and bring the first folder on my desk to the planning department? Tell their team leader I want the materials refined again before the end of the day tomorrow,” Yu Mushan said.

“Okay,” Jiang Yisheng nodded and turned to walk toward the elevator with Zhang Tao.

“Zhang Tao, stay behind and help me with something,” Yu Mushan instructed.

“Yes, Chairman Yu,” Zhang Tao replied, glancing at Jiang Yisheng.

“Come find me upstairs once you’re done. We’re going out for BBQ after work,” Jiang Yisheng yawned sleepily.

“Got it.”

After Jiang Yisheng got on the elevator, Yu Mushan brought Zhang Tao into a small conference room on the first floor and activated the frosted glass for privacy.

“From now on, if anyone unfamiliar comes looking for Shengsheng, do not let them through—whether at the company or anywhere else. No strangers are to approach her,” Yu Mushan said sternly.

“Yes.” Zhang Tao didn’t understand why, but she had no choice but to comply.

“I heard your younger brother caused quite a scene in front of Shengsheng a while ago,” Yu Mushan said, looking at Zhang Tao.

“I’m sorry, Chairman Yu. I’ll handle it,” Zhang Tao lowered her head and placed her hands in front of her.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m not blaming you. But you must take care of it. I understand that it’s complicated because it involves your family. If you need money, you can ask me. But if you can’t resolve it, you’ll have to leave,” Yu Mushan said sharply, her gaze piercing. “I won’t allow any potential danger near my daughter.”

“Yes.”

Zhang Tao understood. Her brother had a strong vengeful streak, and now that he’d gotten in with some powerful people, even if he couldn’t threaten Jiang Yisheng directly, just being her brother could bring unnecessary trouble to her.

On the way home from BBQ that evening, Jiang Yisheng was lazily holding the stuffed animal she had bought a few days ago, gazing out the window at the city nightscape, when she noticed a few snowflakes drifting down from the sky.

“It’s snowing!” she exclaimed in delight.

“It really is. Snow’s a bit late this year,” Zhang Tao said, also looking outside.

“I wonder when Bai Chu-jie will be back,” Jiang Yisheng leaned against the window, fiddling with the stuffed animal’s ears. She hadn’t seen Bai Chu in days and felt an empty void in her heart.

Zhang Tao glanced at her tablet. “Didn’t President Bai return this morning?”

“What did you say?” Jiang Yisheng sat up straight instantly.

“Yeah, she and He Youran even attended an exchange conference this morning,” Zhang Tao said, showing her the event post from the conference organizers.

Looking at the screen, Jiang Yisheng gasped, “Seriously? I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Quick, take me to Bai Chu’s company!” Her voice was full of anticipation and excitement.

The Maybach pulled up in front of Bai Chu’s office building—it was just after 6 p.m.

Jiang Yisheng wasn’t sure whether Bai Chu would be working late, but she had nothing else to do anyway, so she decided to wait.

Luckily, within five or six minutes, Bai Chu walked out of the building.

The moment Jiang Yisheng saw her, she jogged over to greet her.

Bai Chu looked pleasantly surprised to see her—and also noticed her red cheeks and ears from the cold, as well as the snowflakes that had landed on her shoulders.

“President Jiang, what brings you here?”

“Hmph. If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t even know you’re back from your trip,” Jiang Yisheng pouted playfully.

Bai Chu didn’t quite understand why her return required informing Jiang Yisheng, but she could sense her emotions and chose not to comment.

“Look,” Jiang Yisheng suddenly pulled out a pink stuffed animal from behind her back, “I bought this for you. You have to keep it in your car, okay?”

Bai Chu reached out to take it, but before she could touch it, someone called from behind.

“President Bai!”

The two turned around to see a suited man hurrying over. “President Bai, there’s an issue with the proposal earlier. President Leng asked for a quick review.”

Bai Chu looked at Jiang Yisheng, who was now standing there clutching the pink toy, staring at her with wide, watery eyes.

“Have you eaten?” Bai Chu asked.

Having just finished BBQ, Jiang Yisheng shook her head. “Nope.”

Bai Chu pulled out her car keys and handed them over. “Wait for me in the car. I’ll be right back and take you to dinner.”

Jiang Yisheng lit up with joy and took the keys. “Okay, okay!”

She knew which one was Bai Chu’s car and immediately got in the front passenger seat.

The car still smelled nice and fragrant. Jiang Yisheng looked around, trying to find the perfect spot for the stuffed animal—somewhere visible but not obstructive.

Suddenly, she got an idea…

Fifteen minutes later, Bai Chu came downstairs and opened the car door. Inside, Jiang Yisheng was already buckled in and sound asleep, still holding the pink toy.

Bai Chu quietly got into the driver’s seat and gently closed the door, then looked at Jiang Yisheng in the soft glow of the streetlights.

Normally so energetic, Jiang Yisheng looked quiet and delicate when asleep, her skin porcelain smooth—probably soft to the touch.

Shaking her head quickly, Bai Chu forced herself to look away and instead focused on the toy in her hand.

It was a pink fox with big ears and large eyes, adorable—just like Jiang Yisheng.

She reached out and gently tapped the toy’s nose, chuckled softly, then quickly pulled her hand back.

Cough…

“I’m awake,” Jiang Yisheng said, eyes still heavy with sleep but full of delight when she looked over at Bai Chu.

“What do you want to eat?” Bai Chu asked, buckling her seatbelt.

“What do you want to eat?” Jiang Yisheng stretched lazily.

Bai Chu paused—she didn’t really know. She was used to letting He Youran decide for both of them.

Sensing her uncertainty, Jiang Yisheng chimed in, “Let’s go get grilled fish, the one over on Zhongshan Road.”

“Alright.” Bai Chu started the car.

At the restaurant, even though she wasn’t that hungry, Jiang Yisheng couldn’t resist after smelling the food and dug in enthusiastically.

As she ate, she shared stories from the past few days while Bai Chu had been away. Bai Chu listened quietly and even ate more than usual.

“Bai Chu-jie, does Youran know you’re back?” Jiang Yisheng suddenly asked.

Bai Chu nodded.

“Well, since you told her, could you let me know next time too?” Jiang Yisheng said with a direct gaze.

Bai Chu didn’t respond—just looked at her, meeting her sincere eyes.

“I missed you a lot while you were gone. If I’d known you were back earlier, I would’ve come right away,” Jiang Yisheng said bluntly, not just with her eyes but also her words.

“Let’s… let’s eat,” Bai Chu finally gave in, flustered under the intensity of Jiang Yisheng’s gaze.

Suddenly, a QR code was shoved in front of her.

“Scan me!” Jiang Yisheng said without even asking—she was adding her on WeChat.

Looking again at her earnest expression, Bai Chu set down her chopsticks, unlocked her phone, and scanned the code.

The moment the friend request was accepted, Jiang Yisheng beamed. “Finally! I finally have Sister Bai Chu’s WeChat!”

She cradled her phone like it was a treasure.

“I’m going to pin your chat and give you a special nickname,” she grinned.

She started typing rapidly, then paused, glancing up at Bai Chu as her ears reddened. She slowed her typing.

“But I won’t tell you what it is yet. It’s a secret.” Jiang Yisheng giggled and tucked her phone away.

Bai Chu shook her head with a soft smile and took a sip of water.

After dinner, Bai Chu drove Jiang Yisheng home.

“Bai Chu-jie, the day after tomorrow is our company’s annual party. Can you come?” Jiang Yisheng asked eagerly.

“I don’t think I should. It’s an internal event for Yujiang—having outsiders there wouldn’t be appropriate,” Bai Chu replied, clearly declining.

“But you’re my friend! Why can’t you come?” Jiang Yisheng frowned.

“That’s not the kind of event where guests are usually invited.”

Jiang Yisheng pouted and muttered, “You’re not an outsider…”

Bai Chu didn’t respond. It wasn’t something that could be decided just because of a moment of emotion—but she appreciated Jiang Yisheng not seeing her as an outsider.

When they arrived at the gates of Jiang Yisheng’s home, she tried to invite Bai Chu inside.

“It’s late. Next time,” Bai Chu said.

And she meant it—next time really meant next time, not just a brush-off.

Jiang Yisheng didn’t insist. It was getting late. She bent down and placed the pink toy on the passenger seat, even carefully buckling it in.

“When I’m not around, this toy can keep you company. Don’t just toss it somewhere,” she said while patting its head—but the words were clearly meant for Bai Chu.

Bai Chu didn’t respond, but her silence seemed like agreement.

“Go on, drive safe,” Jiang Yisheng said. “Message me when you get home,” she added, stressing the word WeChat like a little boast.

“Alright.” Bai Chu nodded and drove away.

Jiang Yisheng stood in place, waving until the car’s taillights were no longer visible.

The crisp air filled her lungs, and the drifting snowflakes sparkled with reflected light. Even the night seemed brighter.

She jumped up in place with excitement. “Yay!”

The car stopped smoothly at a red light.

Bai Chu glanced sideways at the pink stuffed animal in the passenger seat, her mind replaying Jiang Yisheng’s smile.

She’s actually really sweet, she thought.

Maybe… we really could be friends.

And as the thought crossed her mind, the corners of her mouth curled upward without her realizing it.