Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Training

Bai Chu was tickled by her and reached out to grab the back of Jiang Yisheng’s collar, pulling her away.

Jiang Yisheng grinned at her.

“Let’s go,” Bai Chu picked up the keys and walked toward the entryway.

Suddenly, she remembered something.

“Wait a minute.”

Bai Chu turned back to the kitchen.

Jiang Yisheng put on her shoes and obediently waited on the mat for her.

Not long after, Bai Chu came out holding the thermal lunchbox from the night before, with a ziplock bag of coins in her other hand.

Jiang Yisheng took the lunchbox and asked, “You ate it all?”

“Mhm.” Bai Chu handed over the coins and bent down to change her shoes. “Had it for breakfast.”

Jiang Yisheng smiled in satisfaction, cradling the lunchbox as she waited for her.

On the way home, Jiang Yisheng hugged her pink stuffed animal, contentedly sitting in the passenger seat while listening to the playlist in Bai Chu’s car.

At a red light, Bai Chu steadily brought the car to a stop.

“Bai Chu-jie, are you hungry?” Jiang Yisheng asked.

Bai Chu had eaten quite a lot for lunch and wasn’t hungry.

She shook her head.

“You’re hungry?” she asked, looking at her.

“I guess.” Jiang Yisheng lowered her head and bit her lip. Whether she was hungry or not wasn’t the point—she mainly wanted to ask if Bai Chu was willing to come home with her for dinner.

When the light turned green, Bai Chu released the brake and smoothly accelerated.

Before long, when Jiang Yisheng looked up again, the car had already stopped in front of her home.

Bai Chu pulled the handbrake and turned to look at Jiang Yisheng.

Meeting Bai Chu’s gaze, Jiang Yisheng softly asked, “Want to come in for dinner?”

Bai Chu rested one hand on the steering wheel, sat up a little straighter, glanced toward the yard, then looked back at Jiang Yisheng.

“No, I’ll eat at home.”

“That’s fine too.” Jiang Yisheng unfastened her seatbelt, placed the pink stuffed toy on Bai Chu’s lap, and opened the car door. “Be sure to report to me when you get home.”

“Mm.” Bai Chu nodded.

After running a few steps, Jiang Yisheng turned around and waved at her.

Bai Chu’s hand rested on the steering wheel, her eyes following her all the way until she disappeared into the house.

When Jiang Yisheng got home, her parents’ guests had already left.

Yu Mushan and Jiang Hang were playing chess. Seeing her come in, they immediately stood up and glanced behind her.

Once they confirmed she was alone, they sat back down.

Jiang Yisheng scratched her head, understanding what they were thinking. “Bai Chu-jie’s a little shy, she went home for dinner.”

Jiang Hang chuckled and shook his head, placing a chess piece down before heading toward the kitchen. “Let our daughter keep you company, I’ll cook dinner.”

“Shengsheng, come.” Yu Mushan beckoned her over. “Finish this game with me.”

Jiang Yisheng stiffened and slowly walked over to her side, looking down at the board.

It was Go. She didn’t know how to play.

Crap. In the novel, Jiang Yisheng was a talented heiress skilled in everything, but she was completely clueless. If she sat down, she’d blow her cover instantly.

“Mom, I learned a few cooking tips from Bai Chu-jie today. I’ll go help Dad in the kitchen.” She quickly found an excuse to escape.

“This child.” Yu Mushan shook her head and continued the game alone.

Bai Chu didn’t go straight home. She turned into a supermarket to buy some vegetables and daily essentials.

She pushed her cart back and forth through the slipper section, finally picking up a pair of yellow bear-themed fleece slippers.

She curled her lips slightly. These little bears reminded her of Jiang Yisheng.

She slipped her hand into the shoe to feel the inside—soft but firm, just right.

Slippers shouldn’t be too soft; bad for the legs.

She placed them into her cart and headed to checkout.

As she turned a corner with her cart, she suddenly made eye contact with a man.

“Uncle Qiu?” Bai Chu blinked and called out after recognizing him.

“You’re…” The man stared at her for a few seconds. “Are you Bai Chu?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

Qiu Zhonghua, her father Bai Renzhi’s close friend.

“You’ve grown so much?” Qiu Zhonghua looked her up and down. “You look so much like your dad.”

Bai Chu smiled softly.

“I’ve been trying to find you for years. How have you been all these years?” The man’s gaze held the warmth of an elder seeing a child grown.

“Pretty good.”

“Didn’t expect that after so many years, we’d run into each other by chance.” Qiu Zhonghua shook his head and chuckled, finding it a bit ironic.

“I searched for you for a long time back then, but couldn’t find you. Later, I heard someone say you were taken in by one of your dad’s colleagues.”

Qiu Zhonghua had been Bai Renzhi’s college classmate, but didn’t know his later colleagues.

“Yes, Uncle He’s family treated me well,” Bai Chu replied.

A flash of guilt crossed Qiu Zhonghua’s eyes. He pulled out his phone. “Can I add you on WeChat? It’ll be easier to stay in touch.”

“Of course.” Bai Chu quickly took out her phone and added him.

“Lao Qiu, let’s go!” a woman’s voice called from ahead.

Qiu Zhonghua waved toward the voice, looking a little embarrassed as he turned back to Bai Chu.

“You go ahead, Uncle Qiu,” Bai Chu said, ending the conversation graciously.

Looking down at his contact info, her gaze flickered. Over the years, she had been trying to track down her father’s old friends, hoping to uncover some clues.

Qiu Zhonghua had been one of her father’s closest friends. She wanted to find a chance to talk to him in depth.

After checking out and returning home, Bai Chu placed the slippers in the shoe cabinet and sent a message to Jiang Yisheng letting her know she was back.

She carried the groceries to the fridge and started sorting them.

When she closed the fridge, she caught sight of the leftover cucumber dish from lunch and thought of Jiang Yisheng’s stubborn insistence on making a garlic-free version.

She couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile.

…

After the New Year, local government departments organized a two-month training program to improve the leadership qualities and professional abilities of key personnel in various business districts. The host location: Yujiang Corporation.

“This training’s a great opportunity for all companies to learn from one another. It’ll also let us see how other companies operate,” said the deputy general manager of Renyuan Company during the morning meeting.

“There are only two spots.” He took a sip of water and glanced at Bai Chu.

Seeing her show no intention of speaking, the deputy sighed inwardly. “Anyone want to volunteer?”

“I’ll go,” Bai Chu looked up and said calmly.

The deputy’s eyes widened. He quickly put down his water cup. “Great! Settled then!”

Afraid she’d change her mind.

“Pick whoever you want to bring. No need to run it by us,” he added with a wave of his hand.

…

“President Jiang, time to get up,” Zhang Tao knocked on Jiang Yisheng’s door.

“You can just come in.” Jiang Yisheng was sprawled across the bed, completely unwilling to move.

Zhang Tao opened the door to find her not even on the pillow, lying sideways across the bed, half-covered, with one small foot sticking out.

Standing by the bed, Zhang Tao called softly, “President Jiang, time for work.”

Jiang Yisheng rolled under the blanket and peeked up, her hair a messy bird’s nest and eyes half-shut. “It’s too cruel to go to the office in this cold.”

With that, she flopped face-first into the bed again.

“There’s nothing urgent today, but the company is hosting a training, and people are reporting in today,” Zhang Tao said with a grin.

“Mmm~” Jiang Yisheng grunted lazily.

“President Bai is attending too.”

“Huh?” Jiang Yisheng opened her eyes, her brain taking a moment to catch up—then she sprang upright.

“If you’re cold, I’ll tell the driver not to wait,” Zhang Tao said cheekily.

“Cold? No way.” Jiang Yisheng threw off the blanket. “I’m burning up—go get the car, I need fresh air.”

Zhang Tao suppressed a laugh. “Yes, President Jiang.”

In Yujiang Corporation’s lobby, it was bustling with people waiting to check in.

“Those who need hotel accommodation, please line up here. Others, please line up to the sides,” the front desk staff called out.

Bai Chu stood in the side queue with Renyuan’s new employee, Xie Xin, who was currently rotating through her department.

“President Bai, Yujiang is huge. This lobby is at least three times the size of ours,” Xie Xin marveled as she looked around.

Bai Chu glanced at her. “Hold onto the documents.”

“Yes, President Bai.” Xie Xin quickly retracted her gaze.

After facial and fingerprint registration, they received temporary badges and signed the necessary forms.

“President Bai, President Xie, good morning. I’m your guide, Ren Jia,” a staff member greeted politely. “Your workstations are on the ninth floor. Shall I show you there now?”

“Thank you,” Bai Chu nodded politely.

Ren Jia pressed the elevator button and held the door open for them.

“Did you come straight from your company?” she asked politely in the elevator.

“Yes. But just call her President Bai. I’m not really a ‘President’,” Xie Xin waved her hands modestly.

“You’re too humble. Only top-tier talents are sent to this training. The title is well-deserved.”

“Okay…” Xie Xin flushed a little, but she was clearly pleased.

“These are your desks,” Ren Jia said. “You can fill out the procurement forms now, and later I’ll show you around.”

“Procurement forms?” Xie Xin asked.

“You’ll be here two months. Besides basic office supplies, you can request personal items—neck pillows, footrests, massagers, anything. If you want specific brands, write that in the notes.”

“Wow, that’s amazing.” Xie Xin was once again impressed.

“You can also tell me your dietary preferences. We’ll adjust the refreshments accordingly.”

“I like coconut water—can that be arranged?” Xie Xin asked cautiously.

“Of course. It’ll be in the snack bar tomorrow.” Ren Jia noted it down in her notebook.

“What about you, President Bai?”

“I’m fine with anything—”

“Other than scallions, ginger, garlic, and always two packets of sugar in your coffee, do you have any other dietary needs?” Ren Jia cut in, then quickly apologized. “Sorry for interrupting. Please go on.”

Bai Chu paused, then looked down awkwardly. “No, that’s all.”

Ren Jia glanced at the word “open flame prohibited (confidential)” highlighted in her internal memo.

“Got it.”

After completing the forms, Ren Jia took them on a tour of the shared facilities.

“Third floor: gym, pool, sports hall, and entertainment room. The entertainment room has a mini-theater, video games, and a KTV.

“Fifth floor: library, equipped with intranet computers. Access varies based on clearance.

“Eighth floor: cafeteria. Swipe your card for meals. You can take a second helping of fruit back to your desk.

“Ninth floor: main office for the training group. Tea room, meeting rooms, massage/rest areas are all open for use.

“Other floors are private executive areas—your cards won’t access them.

“This afternoon, Chairman Yu and Vice Chair Jiang will host a welcome ceremony. We hope you enjoy your time at Yujiang.”

Ren Jia bowed slightly. “If you need anything, I’m at the front desk on the first floor.”

“Thank you very much,” Bai Chu smiled politely.

“You’re too kind.”

After the tour, Xie Xin was in awe. “Feels like you could live here forever.”

Back at their desks, Xie Xin whispered, “President Bai, do you know Yujiang’s GM, Jiang Yisheng?”

Bai Chu glanced at her. “Why?”

“I heard she’s super strict—she can make people cry with just a look,” Xie Xin sighed. “Yujiang’s amazing, but I bet the work pressure is insane. What if she yells at me?”

“She won’t,” Bai Chu replied lightly. “Just focus, learn well, and don’t gossip.”

“Okay.” Xie Xin agreed, though she still looked nervous.

“Bai Chu-jie!” a cheerful, excited voice came from the elevator.

Everyone looked toward the sound.

When they saw who it was, chairs scraped and clothes rustled as everyone stood up, causing Jiang Yisheng to slow down awkwardly.

“So many people…” she said with a forced smile, whispering to Zhang Tao.

“Each company sent two employees. The whole ninth floor is nearly full,” Zhang Tao replied.

“Being stared at like this is too much. Tell them to sit.”

“It’s not official training yet, everyone can relax a bit,” Zhang Tao announced on her behalf.

Chairs creaked again as everyone sat back down.

Xie Xin followed Bai Chu and sat down, whispering, “Who’s that?”

Bai Chu looked at Jiang Yisheng. “Yujiang Corporation’s general manager—Jiang Yisheng.”

Xie Xin immediately shot up from her seat, her expression panicked.