Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Even at Twenty-Eight, You’re Still a Kid

After the meal, Jiang Yisheng offered to take Xu Hui back to her office, but Xu Hui quickly declined, “No need, my assistant will come pick me up. You two go ahead.”

“Alright then,” Jiang Yisheng said sincerely, “Feel free to reach out anytime, President Xu.”

It was her way of making up for the earlier misunderstanding.

The Japanese restaurant was inside a mall. As they left, Jiang Yisheng tugged on Bai Chu, wanting to walk around a bit more.

“Is work busy for you today?” They strolled side by side, and Jiang Yisheng would occasionally lean slightly into Bai Chu, pretending it was just accidental contact while walking.

Bai Chu’s scent would drift over from time to time, making her heart flutter.

“It’s alright,” Bai Chu replied.

“Today’s my birthday… Can you spend it with me?” Jiang Yisheng clasped her hands behind her back and asked shyly, tilting her head.

Bai Chu turned to meet her gaze and gave a genuine smile. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you,” Jiang Yisheng’s cheeks flushed pink.

“How do you want to celebrate?” Bai Chu glanced at the time on her watch. “I have to head back to the office by three in the afternoon. Is that okay?”

There were still nearly five hours left. Jiang Yisheng was already more than satisfied.

“Then let’s go pick out a gift for me first,” she said, pulling on Bai Chu’s sleeve and leading her into a gift shop.

There weren’t many customers at this hour. Wherever Jiang Yisheng went, Bai Chu followed close behind.

Suddenly, Bai Chu stopped in front of a music box.

Jiang Yisheng looked at it. The box was framed in wood with glass panels, and inside was a ballerina in a frilly dress. She leaned back gracefully, chin lifted, looking toward her outstretched hand.

“Press it,” Jiang Yisheng urged.

Bai Chu didn’t respond or reach out.

So Jiang Yisheng grabbed her index finger and pressed it against the button.

The music began. Lights came on inside the box. The ballerina danced in a swirl of falling snow, standing confidently under the spotlight, performing just for her audience.

Bai Chu stared at it intently, watching the snowflakes fall, the ballerina twirl. When the music faded and the lights dimmed, the glow in her eyes dimmed as well.

Then, suddenly, the light lit up again. The ballerina resumed her graceful performance.

Every time Jiang Yisheng pressed the button, Bai Chu would be completely absorbed.

Jiang Yisheng remembered something the novel had described—how Bai Chu had been a top student in elementary school and once received a music box as a reward for getting first place. She treasured it so much she didn’t dare press it too often, worried that repeated plays would shorten its lifespan. She even carried it home in a box to protect it.

But when she got home, He Youran’s mother snatched it away and gave it to the three-year-old He Youran instead.

From then on, Bai Chu could hear the music playing, but she could never see what the ballerina looked like when it danced.

That memory made Jiang Yisheng’s heart ache.

She picked up the music box and handed it to the clerk. “Please wrap this for me.”

Bai Chu snapped out of her daze. “You’ve decided?”

“No,” Jiang Yisheng said, tugging on her sleeve and pulling her deeper into the shop.

She picked out a bunch of items: Barbie dolls, LEGO sets, magical wands—everything little girls loved.

With both arms full, the two clerks helped bring everything to the register.

Just as Bai Chu was about to pay, Jiang Yisheng had already scanned and paid.

“Didn’t we say this would be my gift to you?” Bai Chu asked, confused.

“I’m giving it to you instead.” Jiang Yisheng tiptoed and gently patted Bai Chu’s head, her eyes tender enough to melt.

“Why children’s toys?” Bai Chu’s throat bobbed slightly as she clenched her fists behind her back.

“Because even at twenty-eight, you’re still a kid,” Jiang Yisheng said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Bai Chu chuckled softly and looked down, avoiding her gaze.

Jiang Yisheng held out her hand. “What?”

“Car keys. We can’t carry all this ourselves.” She wiggled her fingers, prompting Bai Chu.

Bai Chu handed over the car keys.

Jiang Yisheng gave them to the front desk clerk. “My friend will come by to pick these up later—please give her the keys too.”

“Of course.”

After sending a message to Zhang Tao, Jiang Yisheng pulled Bai Chu away from the store.

She bought two ice creams—one strawberry, one chocolate.

“Try them,” she said, holding both to Bai Chu’s face.

“I’ll take the strawberry one.” Bai Chu chose hers.

“Try both.” Jiang Yisheng didn’t let go, pushing them closer.

Bai Chu gave in and took a bite from each.

“Which one tastes better?”

“Strawberry,” she answered.

“Here,” Jiang Yisheng handed it to her, then started eating the chocolate one that Bai Chu had already bitten.

Bai Chu felt a bit awkward but said nothing.

Jiang Yisheng tugged on her sleeve again. Since realizing she liked Bai Chu, she’d been afraid to touch her hand too openly.

They passed a young couple walking hand-in-hand, all smiles.

Jiang Yisheng cleared her throat and rubbed her nose awkwardly.

“Did you know President Xu had a girlfriend?” she asked casually.

“Nope,” Bai Chu replied straightforwardly.

Jiang Yisheng was surprised. “So, what do you think of two girls dating?”

“I don’t think anything of it. It has nothing to do with me.”

“Ugh… but what if—what if it’s me?” Jiang Yisheng pointed to herself. “Am I your friend?”

After a pause, Bai Chu nodded. “Yes.”

“If I liked a girl, what would you think?”

Jiang Yisheng’s eyes were filled with nervous hope.

Bai Chu blinked at her. Jiang Yisheng looked expectantly.

After a long moment, Bai Chu replied, “Didn’t you like An Hao?”

Jiang Yisheng was speechless. “I…”

“Hm?” Bai Chu looked confused.

“How did you know I liked… whoever that guy is?” Jiang Yisheng was flustered, forgetting the male lead’s name.

“You said it yourself,” Bai Chu said innocently. “In front of a lot of people.”

“…Oh.”

Jiang Yisheng took a deep breath, grabbed her ice cream, and shoved it toward Bai Chu’s mouth. “Eat more.”

Bai Chu accepted another random bite, a bit bewildered. It seemed like Jiang Yisheng was upset, but she didn’t know why.

Jiang Yisheng stomped ahead angrily. A nearby store had just set off some celebration confetti.

She tripped over the remains and stumbled forward.

Luckily, Bai Chu reacted quickly and caught her by the wrist. Jiang Yisheng didn’t fall, but she did twist her ankle. The ice cream splattered on the floor.

A store clerk rushed over. “I’m so sorry, miss. Are you okay?”

“Are you alright?” Bai Chu looked at her worriedly and bent down to check.

“My ankle hurts,” Jiang Yisheng whimpered.

“I’ll take you to the hospital,” Bai Chu said, frowning. She squatted. “Hop on.”

“I… I’m heavy,” Jiang Yisheng hesitated.

“It’s fine. Get on.”

“Okay…” Jiang Yisheng climbed onto her back, arms around her shoulders.

Bai Chu hooked her arms under her knees and carried her toward the elevator.

Jiang Yisheng pressed her cheek to Bai Chu’s hair, breathing in her scent, wanting to be as close as possible.

Her heart was pounding. Everything else faded. All she could feel was Bai Chu’s warmth and touch.

“President Jiang.”

“Jiang Yisheng.”

“Huh?” She blinked back to reality.

“Call your assistant. She has the car keys.”

Jiang Yisheng hadn’t heard a word—she was still thinking about how Bai Chu had called her full name so gently.

“President Jiang?”

“Y-Yeah, calling now!”

Zhang Tao nearly passed out from panic when she got the call. Bai Chu didn’t drive her own car and got in with Jiang Yisheng instead, rushing to the hospital.

At the hospital, Zhang Tao rushed forward to help but was met with a glare.

Instead, Bai Chu helped Jiang Yisheng out of the car.

“No need to carry me, just help me walk,” Jiang Yisheng said, slipping her hand into Bai Chu’s. She still wanted to be close, just less obvious.

Originally, Bai Chu’s other hand was on her shoulder, but Jiang Yisheng quietly moved it to her waist. Bai Chu didn’t notice—her full attention was on shielding Jiang Yisheng from the crowd.

After the check-up, the doctor said it was just a minor sprain—no broken bones. A few days of ointment would do.

Bai Chu finally relaxed.

“My baby!” A pair of urgent footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Yu Mushan and Jiang Hang ran in, panting.

“Let Mama take a look—does it hurt?” Yu Mushan squatted and examined her head to toe.

“I’m okay! The doctor said it’s just a sprain,” Jiang Yisheng scratched her head.

“Thank goodness. You scared me to death.” Yu Mushan’s eyes were full of worry.

“Mom, Dad, you won’t believe it—if it weren’t for Bai Chu, I’d have had a nasty fall. She caught me just in time and even carried me from the mall to the car. Isn’t she amazing?” Jiang Yisheng’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Jiang Hang and Yu Mushan turned to Bai Chu with gratitude. “We can’t thank you enough, President Bai.”

“It was my fault too. I should’ve seen the stuff on the floor,” Bai Chu said, still feeling guilty.

“What does it have to do with you? I was the one who wasn’t careful,” Jiang Yisheng said, tugging on her sleeve.

“Let’s all grab dinner together,” Yu Mushan offered. “We really want to thank you properly.”

“No need. Knowing she’s alright is enough,” Bai Chu replied, glancing at Jiang Yisheng.

Jiang Yisheng tilted her head and looked up at her, voice soft and pleading: “Just a bite? Please?”

“Don’t forget—I have work at three,” Bai Chu said, gently squeezing her wrist.

“Oh… right…” Jiang Yisheng looked down, visibly disappointed.

Yu Mushan and Jiang Hang exchanged glances behind them, clearly stunned by their daughter’s behavior—and very obvious feelings for Bai Chu.