Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: I’m Not Some Rich Girl’s Pastime

“Yisheng, our An Hao will never mistreat you in the future,” An Hao’s mother held Jiang Yisheng’s hand, speaking earnestly.

Jiang Yisheng’s gaze was fixed on Bai Chu, who was lifting another glass of wine. Her brow furrowed deeply.

“Yisheng…” An Hao’s mother was about to continue.

Jiang Yisheng suddenly turned to her. “Auntie, I’m sorry. I don’t like An Hao. There’s no possibility between us.”

“Then today…” An Hao’s mother looked startled.

“Today was a misunderstanding. I already like someone else.” Jiang Yisheng’s tone was serious as she pulled her hand away and walked in Bai Chu’s direction.

Bai Chu’s cheeks were tinged with red. She was chatting lively with someone, lifting her glass again when her wrist was suddenly caught.

She turned to see who it was, her expression immediately turning cold as frost.

“Don’t drink anymore,” Jiang Yisheng said, frowning with concern.

Bai Chu used her other hand to shove Jiang Yisheng’s hand away coldly. “President Jiang really has the time to care about us, huh?”

“What are you talking about?” Jiang Yisheng reached again to take the glass. “Stop drinking. Give it to me.”

Bai Chu stepped back, keeping the glass out of reach.

“Aren’t you overstepping a little, President Jiang?” Her voice was sharp with chill.

At first, the people around them thought it was just friendly teasing. But as the tension grew, someone quickly tried to defuse it. “President Jiang and President An showed up together today—are the wedding bells ringing soon?”

Jiang Yisheng immediately turned her cold gaze on the person.

“Listen carefully. I don’t like An Hao at all. There’s nothing between us,” she said firmly and with finality.

The person froze in place and nodded awkwardly.

When Jiang Yisheng turned back to Bai Chu, Bai Chu had already downed the wine and turned to leave with a glance.

“Bai Chu-jie!” Jiang Yisheng called, chasing after her.

Bai Chu walked fast with long strides, while Jiang Yisheng struggled in heels, jogging clumsily to keep up.

“Bai Chu!” she called again.

But Bai Chu ignored her.

People were watching them. Suddenly, Jiang Yisheng bent down, took off her heels, and ran barefoot in front of Bai Chu, blocking her way.

“Bai Chu,” she said between breaths, “I know you’re angry with me. Some things were out of my control, but my feelings for you are real.”

She tried to explain.

“Heh,” Bai Chu sneered. “Jiang Yisheng, sometimes I really don’t understand you.”

Looking into those brown eyes, Bai Chu recalled the sweet nothings and promises once whispered to her. A wave of humiliation surged in her chest.

“President Jiang, I’m not a rich girl’s pastime.” Her eyes were red as she spoke in a low, heavy voice.

Jiang Yisheng felt her heart twist painfully at those words. She took a step forward, her gaze soft and tear-brimmed. “Bai Chu, you’ve never been just a pastime. I really—”

“Enough, President Jiang.” Bai Chu cut her off.

“I don’t have time to play with you. Go find someone else,” she said before turning and walking away.

But Jiang Yisheng wouldn’t let her go. She ran barefoot after her all the way outside the hotel.

Bai Chu’s assistant was already waiting at the curb. Once in the car, Bai Chu gave a firm order to drive without hesitation.

Jiang Yisheng also jumped into her own car barefoot. “Follow that car.”

The two vehicles sped down the street, one after the other. In the backseat, Bai Chu leaned against the chair with her eyes closed, pale and aching.

“President Bai, you’ve had too much to drink. Should I take you to the hospital?” her assistant turned back, clearly worried.

“No need,” Bai Chu replied, eyes still closed, unwilling to say another word.

Jiang Yisheng’s car successfully followed them into the residential complex. When they arrived at Bai Chu’s building, her assistant was helping her walk.

Jiang Yisheng rushed over barefoot. “Let me help.”

The assistant recognized her and stepped aside.

But as soon as Jiang Yisheng’s hand touched Bai Chu’s arm, it was violently shaken off.

“Don’t touch me,” Bai Chu snapped.

Jiang Yisheng stepped back, biting her lip, not daring to reach out again.

The assistant didn’t understand what was happening but could only continue supporting Bai Chu upstairs.

Jiang Yisheng followed them into the elevator. Bai Chu, overwhelmed with dizziness and ringing ears, forgot to kick her out.

At the apartment door, the assistant offered, “President Bai, let me make you some hangover soup.”

“No. Go home,” Bai Chu said weakly, leaning against the cabinet for support.

After the assistant left, Jiang Yisheng stood barefoot on the cold tiles in a red gown, now stained and rumpled. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her eyes filled with remorse and pleading—hoping Bai Chu would let her in.

Bai Chu turned on the entryway light and bent down to change her shoes.

As she did, the dizziness worsened, and she paused, struggling to keep balance.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw a pair of fluffy yellow bear slippers in front of her.

Bai Chu picked up the slippers and examined them, then let out a scoff and turned toward Jiang Yisheng.

Jiang Yisheng immediately looked up, eyes hopeful for a chance to explain.

But instead, Bai Chu tossed the slippers at her feet and stared at her pale toes, face expressionless. “President Jiang, please leave.”

Then she slammed the door shut.

Jiang Yisheng bent down and looked at the slippers—brand new, the insides not yet worn down.

She remembered clearly that the last time she came here, there were no house slippers.

A thought rose in her mind: were these bought just for her?

But at this moment, whether the answer was yes or no no longer seemed to matter.

She slipped her feet into the slippers. The plush warmth wrapped around her cold feet, gradually dispelling the chill.

She crouched down and hugged her knees, quietly crying.

Soon, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.

“President Jiang, finally found you!” It was Zhang Tao’s voice.

He wrapped her in the coat he’d brought, while Driver Zhang carried a pair of flats in his hand.

“How could you just run off in your dress like that? You scared me to death.” Zhang Tao helped her up, glancing at the bear slippers on her feet.

Jiang Yisheng’s face was streaked with tears, her body shaking with sobs.

Zhang Tao pulled out a tissue, gently wiping her tears. “President Jiang, let’s go home. Director Yu and your mother are waiting for you.”

Jiang Yisheng glanced at the tightly shut door, lowered her gaze, and nodded.

Their footsteps faded.

Inside, Bai Chu finally stood up by the door. As she steadied herself on the doorknob, it unexpectedly turned.

Startled, she quickly yanked it shut.

A loud bang echoed through the hall.

Jiang Yisheng flinched and immediately ran back from the elevator, only to be met again with the closed door. Her eyes dimmed once more.

Zhang Tao caught up, gently resting his hand on her shoulder. “Let’s go, President Jiang.”

She finally left.

Inside, Bai Chu leaned against the cabinet with a heavy sigh. She kicked off her heels and walked barefoot into the apartment.

Too exhausted to even take off her gown, she collapsed on the sofa, rubbing her temples.

The sound of her beaded bracelet caught her attention. She looked down at her wrist, removed the bracelet, and examined it under the hallway light.

She suddenly felt like she was separated from the world by a veil of silk—too many things she didn’t know.

She didn’t know the truth behind that fire years ago, didn’t know who her parents had offended, didn’t know how much truth was in Jiang Yisheng’s so-called love.

She never expected love, but when someone persistently offered her their sincerity, she had begun to hope.

And then that hope was crushed by the same hands.

She felt like an abandoned piece in life’s game—no matter how hard she tried to live, it didn’t matter. She didn’t know what it meant to live for herself.

Night deepened. Her white gown shimmered like moonlight across the couch.

Tonight’s moon was dim, and even the thinnest cloud was enough to obscure its light.

…

Jiang Yisheng was brought back to her parents’ home. After her bath, she still wore those bear slippers.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

She got up to open it.

“Let me see which little darling is craving fruit?” A tray of freshly washed fruit appeared first, followed by the warm face of Yu Mushan.

“Mom.” Jiang Yisheng stepped aside, her voice soft.

Yu Mushan noticed the slippers at once.

“New ones? They’re really cute. This little bear even looks like you,” she teased while biting into an apple.

“Like me?” Jiang Yisheng looked down at the slippers.

“I think so,” Yu Mushan sat on the bed with the fruit plate.

Jiang Yisheng stared at the bear’s face. It really did resemble her a little. So… Bai Chu really bought them just for her?

Yu Mushan glanced at her daughter’s silence and chuckled. “What’s wrong, my little sunshine—run out of batteries today?”

Jiang Yisheng pressed her lips together, then sat beside her mother and gently leaned against her shoulder.

“Mom… do you think I really hurt Bai Chu today?” she murmured.

Yu Mushan fed her a cherry, waiting for her to spit out the pit before offering another.

“I believe in you. I’m sure you had your reasons,” Yu Mushan said calmly.

“Why, Mom?” Tears slid silently down Jiang Yisheng’s face. She hadn’t expected her mother to trust her this much.

“Because I know my daughter isn’t the type to be fickle.” Yu Mushan stroked her head.

Jiang Yisheng swallowed hard and wiped her chin with the back of her hand.

“But will she believe me?”

“Maybe not right now.”

“But you can make her believe again.”

Yu Mushan looked down at her daughter, her eyes gentle. “Love always needs to be proven again and again. And more importantly—it must be expressed again and again.”