Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The First Confession

After the door closed, Bai Chu slowly opened her eyes. Her head still felt groggy, but the pillow had a pleasant scent that made her feel much more comfortable.

Outside, the city lights were bright, and cars filled the streets. Bai Chu looked at the Yujiang Building in the distance, lost in thought. She pulled the blanket up to her nose and sniffed lightly.

In the twenty-one years since she lost her parents, no one had ever treated her this way. When she was seven, someone told her she was already an adult, but now, at twenty-eight, someone was telling her she was still a child. The bracelet she found beautiful but didn’t buy at the beach turned out to be a gift someone had specifically gotten for her. And after drinking, someone would prepare a hangover cure and take her home… So this is what it feels like to be cared for.

Bai Chu had to admit she was greedy for this feeling. Leaning against Jiang Yisheng tonight, Bai Chu could clearly hear her own heartbeat. But Bai Chu didn’t seem to understand what that heartbeat meant. She didn’t understand why she had done these childish things tonight. She only knew that every action came from her instincts. Her consciousness drifted in and out, and she eventually fell asleep.

Jiang Yisheng lay in the guest room, her eyes wide as saucers, staring at the ceiling without a hint of sleepiness. What should she do? She felt like she liked Bai Chu even more now.

Jiang Yisheng turned over, thinking about the feel of Bai Chu’s waist, and…and what was under the collar of her shirt… Jiang Yisheng suddenly sat up straight, wanting to calm her desires with some righteous energy. So, she stood on the floor barefoot and did a set of tai chi. After climbing back into bed, panting, her mind was still uncontrollably focused on Bai Chu. She pulled the covers over her head, forcing herself to close her eyes and try to think of something else. Suddenly, Jiang Yisheng kicked off the blanket, her hair sticking to her face in a mess.

Maybe she should just lay it all out for Sister Bai Chu tomorrow, Jiang Yisheng thought, her courage swelling. But… would doing this affect Sister Bai Chu’s fate? Oh, well. Jiang Yisheng threw herself back onto the bed and let out a long sigh.

The next morning. Bai Chu opened her eyes to an unfamiliar room and her heart instinctively tightened. A familiar, pleasant scent filled the air, and Bai Chu relaxed, realizing where she was. She rubbed her sore temples.

She quietly twisted the doorknob and looked up, immediately seeing Jiang Yisheng’s bright smile. “Sister Bai Chu, you’re awake,” Jiang Yisheng called softly.

“Mhm,” Bai Chu nodded.

“I made some porridge. Do you want to eat some? I made it myself,” Jiang Yisheng said, her voice rising at the end.

“Yes, thank you, President Jiang,” Bai Chu’s smile was polite and proper, completely different from her drunken state last night.

But Jiang Yisheng didn’t mind. She took Bai Chu’s wrist and was about to lead her downstairs.

“I… haven’t washed up yet,” Bai Chu said, gently pulling back with her other hand.

“Okay, I’ll go with you.” With that, Jiang Yisheng went back to the room with her, led her to the sink, and found a new toothbrush for her. “I don’t have a new tube of toothpaste. Do you mind using mine?” Jiang Yisheng asked.

Bai Chu took the toothbrush and nodded, then took Jiang Yisheng’s toothpaste and squeezed a little out. Jiang Yisheng leaned against the door, a slight smile on her lips, her hands behind her back as she watched Bai Chu. Bai Chu felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze. She didn’t say anything but sped up her movements.

“Sister Bai Chu, how much did you drink last night?” Jiang Yisheng asked.

“I don’t remember,” Bai Chu’s mouth was full of foam, her words muffled.

“Do you always have to drink this much when you’re negotiating a deal?”

Bai Chu spat out the foam in her mouth. “Not all the time.” Suddenly, Bai Chu remembered something. She turned to look at Jiang Yisheng. “I drank too much last night. Did I do anything improper?”

“No, no, not at all. You were very well-behaved. You fell asleep right after drinking the hangover soup,” Jiang Yisheng said, waving her hands. She secretly wished Bai Chu had done more.

After they were both washed up, they went downstairs to the dining table. Bai Chu picked up the steaming bowl of plain porridge and took a sip under Jiang Yisheng’s expectant gaze.

“How is it? How is it?” Jiang Yisheng asked excitedly.

“It’s good,” Bai Chu replied sincerely. After throwing up last night, her stomach was empty, and the warm porridge felt incredibly comforting.

“Then have a little more.” Jiang Yisheng pushed her own bowl in front of Bai Chu.

“I can’t eat that much. One bowl is enough,” Bai Chu shook her head.

“Okay.” Jiang Yisheng could only move her bowl back and drink with Bai Chu.

During the meal, Bai Chu took a napkin to wipe her mouth. “Wipe mine too,” Jiang Yisheng said, leaning in and blinking, waiting for Bai Chu to do it.

Bai Chu froze for a moment, coughed lightly, pulled out another napkin, and handed it to her. Jiang Yisheng deliberately didn’t take it, staying in her close position. Bai Chu had no choice but to reach out.

She looked at Jiang Yisheng’s lips, slowly bringing the napkin closer with her fingers. Jiang Yisheng’s fair skin made her lips appear even redder. The soft touch of her fingers through the napkin felt very gentle. An unfamiliar feeling rose within Bai Chu. She couldn’t quite put a name to it.

“Is Sheng Sheng awake yet?” a voice suddenly called from the entryway.

Bai Chu quickly pulled her hand back and looked toward the sound, her ears slowly turning red.

Yu Mushan, who had just walked into the living room, froze. “Well, you two eat first. I’m going for a walk outside,” Yu Mushan said, turning to leave at the sight of them.

“Mom, where are you going? I cooked some porridge. Come and try it,” Jiang Yisheng said, not feeling awkward at all, and waved to Yu Mushan.

Bai Chu stood up and politely greeted her. “Chairwoman Yu.”

“So President Bai is here too. I was just passing by and thought I’d pick up Sheng Sheng to take her to the company.” Yu Mushan sat to the side, smiling at Bai Chu and Jiang Yisheng. “Please sit down; don’t mind me. You two continue eating.”

Bai Chu sat back down, lowering her head to eat her porridge. Jiang Yisheng served another bowl for Yu Mushan and handed it to her.

“Didn’t my dad come? He’s missing out,” Jiang Yisheng said proudly. “Sister Bai Chu said the porridge I made is delicious. You should try it too.”

“Not only is he missing out on the taste, but also on the sight,” Yu Mushan said, picking up her spoon and giving Jiang Yisheng a meaningful look, raising an eyebrow.

Jiang Yisheng finally understood what Yu Mushan meant and quickly started to explain. “Sister Bai Chu drank too much yesterday, and I didn’t know which building she lived in, so I had to bring her home. Sister Bai Chu slept in my room, and I slept next door.” Jiang Yisheng blurted out a long explanation.

“I am so sorry for the trouble,” Bai Chu said at the right moment.

“There’s no need to be so polite. This is the first time Sheng Sheng has brought a friend home,” Yu Mushan said, looking at Bai Chu. “I can tell that Sheng Sheng likes you a lot.”

“Mom, just try it,” Jiang Yisheng urged, holding the porridge up to Yu Mushan’s face, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Yu Mushan took a sip and said with an exaggerated tone, “Our baby is so amazing! She can make porridge now!”

Jiang Yisheng pressed her lips together and smiled shyly, her eyes crinkling as she looked at Bai Chu.

…

As the Chinese New Year approached, employees at Yujiang Company were busy with their final tasks for the year. According to the official holiday schedule, they would only get New Year’s Eve off, but to accommodate employees who lived far away, Yujiang Company gave a few extra days off. Those who finished their work packed their bags and headed home. Each department also put up festive paper cuttings on their windows, and the company’s main entrance was decorated with impressive red couplets, creating a strong New Year’s atmosphere.

Jiang Yisheng sat in Yu Mushan’s office chair, sending a message to Bai Chu on WeChat: “Sister Bai Chu, when do you get your holiday?”

“On New Year’s Eve.”

“Then where will you celebrate New Year’s?”

“I’m going to the hospital in the evening to take New Year’s Eve dinner to Uncle He.”

Jiang Yisheng gritted her teeth and slammed her fist on the desk, huffing. Yu Mushan, who was on the phone on the sofa, looked at her in confusion.

Jiang Yisheng picked an angry emoji from her sticker pack and sent several of them to Bai Chu, spamming her. Then she held down the voice message button, let out a forceful huff, and sent it.

Bai Chu was in her office, going over the last of the work with her assistant. Her phone buzzed several times. The assistant looked at Bai Chu and stopped his report.

“Keep going,” Bai Chu said, picking up her phone and tapping on her conversation with Jiang Yisheng. A string of angry dog emojis. A slight, almost imperceptible smile flashed in Bai Chu’s eyes. Suddenly, a one-second voice message popped up. Bai Chu unconsciously tapped it, and a sweet, pouty “hmph” once again interrupted the assistant’s report. Bai Chu quickly locked her phone and looked at her assistant with a serious expression.

“Yes, pay attention to a few dates in the second part. Make sure you double-check them…” Bai Chu’s eyes were calm, but the tips of her ears were slightly red.

New Year’s Eve. Bai Chu cooked at home and took the dishes to the hospital. In the hospital room, He Youran and Gao Tingyuan were helping He Dafang change his clothes. He Dafang’s test results had come back. He had moderate thrombosis, and the doctor recommended conservative treatment with regular medication and avoiding too much emotional stress.

“Bai Chu is here,” He Dafang said, seeing Bai Chu first. “What delicious food did you bring?”

Bai Chu set up the table and opened the containers one by one. There was braised pork ribs, sweet and sour carp, corn with shrimp, and a few light vegetable dishes. He Dafang wasn’t supposed to eat anything too oily.

“Good, good, good. After all these years, your aunt and I have finally taught you how to cook,” He Dafang said with a laugh. “Hurry up and eat. I’m starving.”

“Thank you for all your hard work, Chu Chu,” He Youran said, pulling Bai Chu’s hand gratefully.

“It’s nothing,” Bai Chu said with a light smile, naturally pulling her hand away to serve everyone rice.

He Youran turned on the Spring Festival Gala on the TV, and the four of them gathered around the table to eat and watch TV. Gao Tingyuan put two pieces of pork rib on He Dafang and He Youran’s plates, and then put two on her own. She glanced at Bai Chu, about to put some on her plate, too. Bai Chu moved her bowl. “No need, Auntie. I’m on a diet lately.” Gao Tingyuan smoothly put the ribs on He Youran’s plate instead.

After the meal, He Youran and Bai Chu started to clean up the dishes together. He Dafang was picking his teeth with a toothpick and clicked his tongue. “Don’t block my view of the TV.”

Gao Tingyuan pulled He Youran to sit on the bed next to her. “Look at this comedy skit. Isn’t it funny?” He Youran nodded in agreement, but wanted to get up again to help Bai Chu. “Oh, the space is too small. One of you can clean up. Having too many people blocks the TV,” He Dafang said impatiently.

“I’ll do it. You go keep your uncle and aunt company,” Bai Chu said, stacking the bowls and wiping the greasy stains off the table with a wet wipe.

“Thank you for the trouble, Chu Chu,” He Youran said.

“It’s nothing,” Bai Chu shook her head, not minding at all, and focused on her task.

After the table was clean, He Dafang was still sitting with his legs crossed, watching TV. Gao Tingyuan coughed lightly and nudged him. He Dafang held the toothpick in his hand and gestured. “Xiao Chu, stop being busy for a moment and have a seat.”

Bai Chu wiped her hands and sat down on a nearby chair.

“I heard from your aunt that President Jiang Yisheng from Yujiang Company came when I was in the hospital?” He Dafang asked, straightening his newly put-on red sweater.

“Yes,” Bai Chu replied flatly.

“Since you came together, what were you doing before you came?” He Dafang asked in great detail. Bai Chu didn’t want to answer, but she told the truth. “We ate lunch together.”

He Dafang’s mouth stretched into a wide smile, his fleshy cheeks crinkling with wrinkles. “You can have lunch with President Jiang. You must be very close with her.”

“No, we just happened to have lunch together. We’re not very close.”

“That girl, President Jiang, was spoiled rotten since she was a child. She’s famously short-tempered. It’s rare to even have a conversation with her, let alone a meal.” He Dafang glanced at Bai Chu, folded his arms, and leaned back on his pillow. “Or are you just an ungrateful wretch who climbed the social ladder and doesn’t want to deal with our He family anymore?” He Dafang said, pointing at Bai Chu. “Don’t you forget, if it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t even have had food to eat.”

“I will never forget the kindness of you and Auntie,” Bai Chu said, her hands on her knees. “But I’m really not that close with President Jiang.”

“Sigh,” He Dafang said with a sigh. “My brother Bai had a short life and died in that big fire back then…”

“Oh, Dad, why are you talking about that on New Year’s?” He Youran interrupted.

Bai Chu’s hands clenched her pants, her throat tightened, and she gritted her teeth.

“What’s wrong with me mentioning it? It’s the truth, isn’t it? I just want to remind some people to be grateful for what they’ve been given,” He Dafang said in a loud voice, his neck turning red.

“Uncle, I’ve never forgotten your kindness. I’ll do my best to help with your company’s matters,” Bai Chu said earnestly.

“Hmph,” He Dafang snorted. “That’s more like it.”

“Say a little less,” He Youran said, pushing He Dafang.

At that moment, outside the hospital room door, Jiang Yisheng’s face was grim. She was tightly clutching a thermos container, her chest heaving. It had been a long time since Zhang Tao had seen President Jiang with this expression. The previous fear she had of President Jiang resurfaced. Jiang Yisheng looked at Bai Chu’s back through the small window of the hospital room.

That night, she was still worrying about whether her confession would affect Bai Chu’s fate. But now she realized she had been overthinking. Was there any fear of affecting Bai Chu’s fate? What about this pathetic novel’s predetermined fate for Bai Chu that was void of any sweetness? If others wouldn’t treat Bai Chu well, then she, Jiang Yisheng, would cherish her. Jiang Yisheng’s eyes stung, and her throat moved slightly.

Suddenly, He Youran’s phone rang. After a few words, He Youran was about to get dressed and leave. Jiang Yisheng quickly pulled Zhang Tao to a corner to hide.

She saw both He Youran and Bai Chu come out of the hospital room and walk toward the hospital entrance. Jiang Yisheng and Zhang Tao followed them from a short distance.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Chu asked He Youran as they walked.

“An Hao said he needed to see me urgently, and he’s outside the hospital,” He Youran said anxiously, her heart starting to worry. He Youran’s pace quickened, wondering if An Hao was in some kind of trouble.

Bai Chu walked He Youran to the hospital entrance. He Youran immediately saw An Hao and ran toward him. “Chu Chu, wait for me, okay?” He Youran said, turning to Bai Chu.

Bai Chu nodded, pulled her coat tighter, and exhaled slowly. The cold, fresh air of the winter night was perfect for Bai Chu to clear her head. Jiang Yisheng sent Zhang Tao to buy something and stood not far away, watching Bai Chu.

Idiot, you’re waiting just because someone told you to? Jiang Yisheng cursed silently. She looked into the distance, where He Youran was being held in An Hao’s arms, the two of them whispering to each other. Jiang Yisheng squeezed her eyes shut, feeling like she was about to get br3ast lumps from being so angry.

Five or six minutes passed. Zhang Tao had returned, and He Youran still wasn’t finished. Jiang Yisheng took the item and couldn’t take it anymore. She was about to walk straight to Bai Chu.

Just then, He Youran came jogging back, a broad smile on her face. “Chu Chu, you must be cold. Let’s go back and watch TV.” He Youran was about to pull Bai Chu back to the hospital room.

“No, it’s too late. I should be getting back now,” Bai Chu said, looking down at the time.

“You’re right. Then you drive safely. Let me know when you get home,” He Youran said with a smile. “I thought he came for something urgent, but it turns out he just came to wish me a Happy New Year.” He Youran shyly lowered her head.

Bai Chu smiled. “It’s best that there’s nothing wrong. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”

Jiang Yisheng, standing to the side, was so angry she felt like she was going to spit up bl00d. This was Bai Chu. If it were anyone else, she’d want to punch them… Zhang Tao stared blankly at President Jiang, who was gesturing wildly next to her. She pulled her coat tighter, feeling a little scared.

Bai Chu watched He Youran go back into the hospital building and turned to walk toward her car. As soon as she turned, a large bouquet of red roses appeared in front of her. Bai Chu instinctively took a step back.

Then, a bright, beautiful face emerged from behind the flowers, her eyes crinkling as she looked at Bai Chu. “Sister Bai Chu, Happy New Year.”

Bai Chu’s heart skipped a beat. She looked into Jiang Yisheng’s eyes. In the cold winter night, she was like a sun, standing there and radiating warmth that penetrated Bai Chu’s heart little by little.

Bai Chu was slow to react emotionally. She didn’t understand why she wanted to be close to Jiang Yisheng when she was drunk, but she understood what red roses meant.

“You…” Bai Chu looked at the roses, hesitating to reach out and take them. It was strange. She had just been angry for this silly person, but the moment she saw her, all her anger vanished, replaced by an overflowing sense of affection.

Jiang Yisheng swallowed, her breathing quickened, and her heart seemed to leap into her throat. This was her first time confessing, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

“I…” Jiang Yisheng adjusted her breathing, as if she had made a huge decision. She looked up at Bai Chu. “N-friend doesn’t mean a great friend.”

“It means girlfriend.”

Jiang Yisheng’s voice was slightly trembling, and her eyes were full of caution. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

These words were like a sudden clap of thunder in Bai Chu’s heart. She was a little flustered, and a hint of panic showed in her eyes. Jiang Yisheng held the flowers, her nose red from the cold, looking at her with an expression full of anticipation.

“President Jiang,” Bai Chu said, her brows slightly furrowed, not knowing what to say. It was already a great surprise for her to become friends with Jiang Yisheng. She had never thought about developing this kind of relationship with her.

She… Bai Chu suddenly thought of something. She looked up sharply, her gaze questioning. “Don’t you like An Hao?”

“I’m not the Jiang Yisheng who likes An Hao. I’m the Jiang Yisheng who likes Bai Chu.”

“What?” Bai Chu didn’t understand what Jiang Yisheng meant. But no matter what, she couldn’t take these flowers.

“President Jiang, I can’t accept these flowers.” Bai Chu took a step back.

Jiang Yisheng had already anticipated this reaction from Bai Chu, but she wasn’t in a hurry. As long as she was in this world, she would continue to like Bai Chu. “If you don’t want the flowers, can you at least take the dumplings?” Jiang Yisheng said, pulling out a thermos container from behind the flowers, still smiling brightly.

Bai Chu still didn’t say anything.

“I’m freezing. Can we talk in the car?” Jiang Yisheng said softly, her voice taking on a slightly whiny tone.

Bai Chu quickly unlocked the car and led Jiang Yisheng to it. “Wait, Taozi might be freezing, too,” Jiang Yisheng said, standing by the car door and waving to Zhang Tao in the distance. “Taozi!”

Zhang Tao jogged over. Jiang Yisheng handed her the flowers. “Take these home for me. I want to keep them.”

“Okay.”

“You don’t have to wait for me. You and Zhang Ge can go home now. Sister Bai Chu will take me back,” Jiang Yisheng said, deliberately glancing at Bai Chu as she spoke.

Bai Chu no longer had the energy to decipher Jiang Yisheng’s little thoughts. Her mind was filled with the straightforward words Jiang Yisheng had just said.

The two of them got into the car. Bai Chu immediately turned on the heat. Jiang Yisheng, who was shivering from the cold, huddled up, still holding the thermos container.

“I actually just came to bring you dumplings today. The confession was just because I suddenly couldn’t hold it in anymore. I wanted to express how much I like you. Don’t feel pressured, and don’t overthink it,” Jiang Yisheng said, looking at Bai Chu seriously.

Bai Chu nodded, avoiding Jiang Yisheng’s gaze.

“Okay, now hurry up and try the dumplings.” Jiang Yisheng opened the thermos bag and unscrewed the lid of the container. The dumplings inside were still steaming hot. “I didn’t know what kind of filling you like, so I made three kinds: three fresh fillings, beef, and celery.”

“I didn’t add any green onion or ginger, either,” Jiang Yisheng added.

Bai Chu softly hummed again. Jiang Yisheng handed Bai Chu a pair of chopsticks and held up the container for her to eat from. Bai Chu picked up a dumpling, and Jiang Yisheng reminded her, “Be careful. There’s a coin inside. Don’t chip your tooth.”

“A coin?” Bai Chu asked, confused.

“Yes. On New Year’s Eve, you put a coin in one of the dumplings. The person who eats it will have good luck for the entire year,” Jiang Yisheng explained excitedly. “But all the dumplings I brought you have a coin inside.”

“I hope you have good luck every single year.”

Bai Chu’s teeth gently bit into the tender dumpling, and she nodded, swallowing. “Thank you.”

She slowly put the dumpling in her mouth and bit down gently. Sure enough, there was a coin inside. Before she could react, a napkin unfolded by her lips. “You can spit it out here.”

Bai Chu felt a little embarrassed and tried to take it herself, but Jiang Yisheng gently moved the napkin away. Bai Chu had no choice but to lower her head, gently take the coin in her mouth, and spit it out onto the napkin Jiang Yisheng was holding.