Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Happy New Year

It was a fifty-cent coin.

Bai Chu looked at it under the car’s interior light.

“Ten cents is a little too small, and one yuan is a bit too big. I was afraid they would get ruined while cooking,” Jiang Yisheng explained.

A tear slid down Bai Chu’s cheek without warning. Bai Chu quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand.

“Did you cook them yourself?” Bai Chu quickly changed the subject to cover her emotions, but the sob in her voice wasn’t completely hidden.

“Yes,” Jiang Yisheng nodded. She placed the paper with the coin to the side, pulled out a new, clean tissue, and gently wiped away the tear stains from Bai Chu’s cheek as she spoke. “Actually, I can do everything.” She didn’t need to ask about the tears; she just needed to quietly wipe them away.

Bai Chu ate a few more dumplings in a row, and Jiang Yisheng held up a tissue the whole time to catch the coins.

“I’m full,” Bai Chu said softly, putting down her chopsticks.

Jiang Yisheng helped her separate the dumplings and coins into the containers. “Don’t waste them! If you can’t eat them all, you can have them tomorrow.”

Bai Chu nodded. “Aren’t you spending New Year’s Eve with your parents?”

“They originally didn’t want me to come out, but when I said I was bringing you dumplings, they let me go.” Jiang Yisheng rested her hand on her chin, tilting her head to look at Bai Chu.

Bai Chu avoided her gaze. “Please buckle up.”

The car pulled out of the hospital and onto the main road. On New Year’s Eve, there were very few other cars around. The smooth road was illuminated only by the streetlights passing over their car.

“Are you going back to the home by the river?” Bai Chu asked.

“No, to my parents’ house, on Yingsheng Road,” Jiang Yisheng said, giving the location.

The rest of the drive was quiet. Jiang Yisheng propped her elbow on the car window, rested her chin in her palm, and stared blankly out at the scenery.

Bai Chu glanced at her and then turned her gaze back to the road. A moment later, soft music began to play, and Jiang Yisheng slowly came back to herself.

“It’s a festive occasion, let’s play a happier song.” The music piqued Jiang Yisheng’s interest, and she started selecting songs on the screen.

Bai Chu’s hand on the steering wheel shifted slightly. She could feel that Jiang Yisheng was not happy tonight. Was it because of her rejection just now? She glanced over again. The streetlights flickered on and off, casting light on Jiang Yisheng. Her eyes reflected the blue light of the screen, her expression was serious, and her brows were slightly furrowed.

Bai Chu looked away, feeling a heaviness in her heart.

Suddenly, a cheerful, upbeat song with a drumbeat came from the speakers. Jiang Yisheng leaned back in her seat, contentedly tapping her fingers on her knee to the rhythm. She looked out the window, wondering if her confession tonight had been too impulsive. But she just felt so much for Bai Chu. She wanted Bai Chu to know that there was someone in this world who cared about her. She knew that Sister Bai Chu didn’t feel that way about her, so she was worried that her sudden confession would be a burden.

The two were lost in their own thoughts until they arrived at Jiang Yisheng’s parents’ house. From a distance, they could see the entire house decorated with lanterns and festive lights, full of the spirit of the New Year.

Bai Chu parked the car at the entrance and got out to see Jiang Yisheng off.

“Do you want to come in for a bit?” Jiang Yisheng asked, looking up at Bai Chu.

“President Jiang,” Bai Chu began.

Jiang Yisheng said nothing, waiting quietly for Bai Chu to continue.

“I’ve never thought about romance. I…” Bai Chu’s expression was troubled.

“Sister Bai Chu,” Jiang Yisheng said, standing in the glowing red light of the yard, her expression soft as she looked at her. “I was just worrying that my sudden confession would be a burden for you.”

“I just wanted to tell you that you are truly wonderful, and I like you very much. I care about you, regardless of whether you feel the same way about me.”

Jiang Yisheng took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Bai Chu. “Happy New Year. May you be happy every single day.”

Bai Chu quietly hummed in agreement. “Happy New Year.”

Jiang Yisheng only hugged her for a moment before letting go. She asked again, “Are you sure you don’t want to come in?”

Bai Chu shook her head.

“Okay. I’ll miss you. Don’t forget to send me a WeChat message when you get home,” Jiang Yisheng said, waving to Bai Chu as she turned around to leave, looking back at her every few steps.

Bai Chu watched Jiang Yisheng’s departing figure, feeling a sudden emptiness in her heart. She got back in the car, placed the pink doll on her lap, and slowly drove toward her home with the song Jiang Yisheng had chosen playing.

When Jiang Yisheng got home, Yu Mushan and Jiang Hang were nestled on the sofa watching the Spring Festival Gala.

“Look who’s back,” Yu Mushan said teasingly.

“Of course, it’s our lovesick little girl,” Jiang Hang chimed in.

Jiang Yisheng smiled helplessly, took off her coat, and sat down next to Yu Mushan.

Yu Mushan keenly noticed Jiang Yisheng’s mood. “What’s wrong? Why are you unhappy?”

Jiang Hang immediately turned down the TV volume, sat up straight, and looked at Jiang Yisheng.

Jiang Yisheng suddenly pouted and said with a shaky voice, “I just think this world is so unfair.”

“Why do you say that?” Yu Mushan reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind Jiang Yisheng’s ear.

“Why do some people work so hard, but they’re still so sad?” Jiang Yisheng’s nose was red, and her eyes were filled with tears.

Yu Mushan gently wiped the tears from the corners of Jiang Yisheng’s eyes with her fingertips. “Life has many helpless moments. But Mom believes that as long as you’re alive, there’s nothing you can’t get through.”

Yu Mushan gently hugged Jiang Yisheng, patting her back slowly with her palm, feeling the little girl’s quiet sobs in her arms. Jiang Yisheng cried in Yu Mushan’s arms for a long time. Yu Mushan patiently comforted her, cherishing her as if she were a priceless treasure.

When Jiang Yisheng was done crying, she looked up at Yu Mushan. “How wonderful it would be if you were my mom forever,” Jiang Yisheng thought to herself.

Yu Mushan chuckled softly. “You’ve cried so much you look like a little kitten.”

Jiang Yisheng broke into a smile, wiping the tears from her chin with the back of her hand. Yu Mushan let her lie in her lap, her chin resting on the top of Jiang Yisheng’s head. “Mom also went through a period like that, just like you said. No matter how hard I tried, things wouldn’t get better.”

“What did you do then?” Jiang Yisheng looked up, her eyes wide and watery, looking at her mother.

Yu Mushan lightly kissed Jiang Yisheng’s forehead. “I thought to myself, could things be any worse than death? So I gritted my teeth and persevered. And as I persevered, things actually started to change. See? It’s a good thing Mom persevered back then. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to hold my baby now.” The love in Yu Mushan’s eyes was so thick it could not be contained. “Sheng Sheng, as long as there is life, there is hope. How do you know that a turning point won’t arrive in the next minute?”

Jiang Yisheng nodded and slowly closed her eyes. Another tear slid from the corner of her eye, landing on Yu Mushan’s sleeve…

That night, Jiang Yisheng had a dream. In her dream, she returned to the real world, and not only her, but Bai Chu, Yu Mushan, Jiang Hang, and Zhang Tao all came back with her. She happily brought them to her rental apartment, cooked hotpot for everyone, and as they were eating happily, they all disappeared, leaving her all alone. Jiang Yisheng searched for a long time but couldn’t find any of them. She was so anxious she started to cry.

Suddenly, a gentle voice sounded above her head.

“Don’t be afraid, Mom is here.”

Jiang Yisheng opened her eyes groggily. Yu Mushan was lying next to her, wiping her tears.

“Mom,” Jiang Yisheng called out. “Will you always be by my side?” She held her hand and asked like a child.

“As long as Mom is in this world, I will never leave you,” Yu Mushan answered very seriously.

Jiang Yisheng reached out and hugged her, resting her head on her shoulder. “Mom, Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year, baby,” Yu Mushan squeezed her hand. “Do you want to get up and see what delicious food Dad made this morning?”

“Okay.”

Jiang Yisheng and Yu Mushan walked to the first-floor dining room and saw Jiang Hang in the kitchen, tossing a wok and talking on the phone at the same time.

“Why are you talking about work on New Year’s Day? Okay, let’s discuss whatever it is after the holiday. Don’t call me again. I’m cooking for my wife and daughter.” Jiang Hang put the phone aside and hummed softly.

“Dad,” Jiang Yisheng called from the doorway.

Jiang Hang immediately turned around. “Why are you up so early? I thought you’d sleep in a bit longer, so I timed the cooking just right.” As he spoke, his hand holding the ladle moved faster. “Don’t rush. It’ll be ready in about fifteen minutes. Go watch some TV with your mom on the sofa.”

“Okay, Happy New Year, Dad,” Jiang Yisheng said, skipping out of the kitchen.

“If you and your mom are happy, then your dad is happy,” Jiang Hang said, his eyes crinkling with laughter as he looked at Jiang Yisheng’s retreating figure.

Jiang Yisheng lay down in Yu Mushan’s lap and opened WeChat. There was indeed a message from Bai Chu.

“I’m home. Happy New Year.” It was sent exactly at midnight.

“Ooh, young people are so romantic. A midnight New Year’s greeting,” Yu Mushan said, peeking at Jiang Yisheng’s phone.

“Oh, Mom,” Jiang Yisheng said shyly, covering the screen with her hand.

“How was it last night? Did President Bai eat your dumplings?” Yu Mushan asked.

“Of course she did. She had to eat the dumplings I made with my own hands,” Jiang Yisheng said proudly.

“Good thing your dad and I were clever and snatched two beforehand. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gotten any,” Yu Mushan pouted.

“Oh, if you want me to, I’ll make them for you every day,” Jiang Yisheng said, cuddling up to Yu Mushan.

“It takes you all afternoon to make one batch of dumplings. If you made them every day, wouldn’t President Jiang have to live on the cutting board?” Jiang Hang said, bringing the last dish out of the kitchen and teasing her. “Alright, everyone, wash your hands and come eat.” Jiang Hang placed the bowls and chopsticks on the dining table and untied his apron.

“Some people will be coming over for New Year’s greetings later today. If you find it too noisy, you can go back to your room or go out to play,” Yu Mushan said, putting a chicken wing on Jiang Yisheng’s plate.

“Who’s coming?” Jiang Yisheng asked curiously, her mouth full.

“That uncle whose wig you knocked off the other day,” Jiang Hang still remembered the incident.

“Then… I think I’ll just avoid him,” Jiang Yisheng said, quickly lowering her head.

“Hahaha,” Jiang Hang laughed heartily.

“Speaking of which, that uncle was your dad’s college classmate. They used to be as close as can be,” Yu Mushan said. “But for some reason, for a while, he suddenly stopped talking to your dad.”

“That old man. If I hadn’t arranged a meeting and invited him, he would have forgotten all about me,” Jiang Hang scoffed. “And now he wants to come see me on New Year’s? What was he doing the past few years? When he gets here, I’m going to give him a good scolding.”

At that moment, Jiang Yisheng was already plotting whether she should go find Bai Chu to hang out with.