Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Did You Lie to Me or Not?

Jiang Yisheng nodded and leaned on Yu Mushan’s shoulder, gazing out the window.

She couldn’t help but think how ridiculous she was—other people who transmigrated into books couldn’t wait to return, yet she was being threatened by the system for wanting to stay.

But if she left, what would happen to Bai Chu? Would her fate go back to following the original plot?

Jiang Yisheng sniffled. No, she had to change Bai Chu’s destiny before she left.

If they were destined to be separated someday, then Jiang Yisheng wanted their time together to at least mean something.

…

The next morning, Jiang Yisheng arrived early at the company and sat on the sofa on the ninth floor.

The employees who came in for training froze when they saw the general manager, falling silent as they quietly went to their desks.

Jiang Yisheng kept checking the time. It was still thirty minutes before 9:30.

Yujiang Company’s workday started at 9:30.

When she looked up, she locked eyes with He Youran, who had just entered.

He Youran’s face was blank. After glancing away, she walked straight past without a word.

Jiang Yisheng sighed silently in her heart. Sorry, female lead… I really had no choice.

She continued waiting.

At exactly 9:28, Xie Xin came running in and managed to clock in with one minute to spare.

“Phew~” Xie Xin wiped her sweat. “Still early by a minute—amazing.”

She muttered to herself proudly.

Just as she was about to head inside, she suddenly saw Jiang Yisheng sitting on the sofa.

Her whole body jolted. Why did I have to run into the GM while cutting it so close…

She quickly lowered her head and tried to sneak past quietly.

But after only one step, Jiang Yisheng called out.

“Xie Xin,” she stood up.

Xie Xin swallowed hard and quickly turned to face her.

“I’m sorry, GM Jiang! I promise I’ll come earlier tomorrow…” she apologized immediately.

“Where’s Bai Chu?” Jiang Yisheng cut her off.

“Ah… President Bai said she wasn’t feeling well and took a sick day,” Xie Xin replied in a low voice.

“She’s not feeling well?” Jiang Yisheng’s brows immediately furrowed. “What’s wrong? Is she hurt?”

Xie Xin shook her head. “That I don’t know, GM Jiang.”

Jiang Yisheng quickly grabbed her phone and rushed out while dialing Bai Chu’s number.

“We’re sorry, the number you’ve dialed is not answering.”

Jiang Yisheng immediately brought Zhang Tao and headed straight to Bai Chu’s place.

When they got to the neighborhood, the security guards refused to let the car in no matter what. Jiang Yisheng had no choice but to get out and hide nearby.

She planned to sneak in by tailing someone who lived there.

After waiting a long while under Bai Chu’s building, someone finally came, but their elevator card only went up to the third floor, while Bai Chu lived on the twelfth.

Jiang Yisheng had to take the stairs all the way up.

By the time she reached Bai Chu’s door, sweat was dripping down her face.

She struggled to control her rapid breathing and raised her hand to knock, afraid the sound of her own breath would drown out any reply from inside.

No response.

She knocked again.

Still nothing.

She tried calling again—still no answer.

Jiang Yisheng drooped her head, stepped back, leaned against the wall, and slowly slid down to a crouch.

She looked down at her reflection in the floor tiles. A single tear dropped—plop.

Who knew how long had passed when footsteps approached. She looked up and saw Bai Chu’s assistant, Lü Mu.

She was carrying food.

Lü Mu looked down at the crouching Jiang Yisheng. “Good morning, GM Jiang.”

Jiang Yisheng immediately tried to stand using the wall for support, but her legs had gone completely numb from crouching. As soon as she got up, they gave out and she stumbled forward.

Lü Mu quickly reached out to steady her by the elbow, but a flash of pain shot through her foot.

Jiang Yisheng hurriedly steadied herself and stepped back. Her legs were still tingling from her toes to her thighs.

“I’m so sorry—did I hurt you? Do you want to get it checked out?” she asked while bending to check Lü Mu’s foot.

Lü Mu took a deep breath. “It’s alright, GM Jiang.”

“Really?” Jiang Yisheng looked at her apologetically, unsure.

Lü Mu nodded and stepped forward to enter the password.

“You have the code to Bai Chu-jie’s place?” Jiang Yisheng asked in surprise.

“Mm,” Lü Mu nodded again. “I sometimes bring her things. She said it’d be easier if I knew the code.”

Jiang Yisheng didn’t say anything more and quietly followed her in.

As the door opened, Lü Mu turned around to glance at her.

Jiang Yisheng immediately turned her head like a guilty kid caught doing something wrong and stared off to the side.

“GM Jiang, can you help me bring this meal inside?” Lü Mu asked.

Jiang Yisheng was instantly overjoyed and nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, of course!”

Lü Mu handed her the lunchbox and stepped aside to let her pass.

Jiang Yisheng looked at her with deep gratitude. No need for words—I’ll repay you someday.

Lü Mu gave a knowing nod and headed for the elevator.

She walked with a slight limp. Seeing this, Jiang Yisheng’s expression shifted from determined to sheepish. She lowered her gaze—I’ll repay her double someday.

She entered the apartment and quietly shut the door behind her. After changing her shoes, she tiptoed further inside.

The living room curtains were drawn, leaving the room dim. Jiang Yisheng glanced around and finally fixated on the closed bedroom door.

Standing in front of it, her heart suddenly began to race. Her breath and pulse pounded in her ears.

She exhaled slowly, raised her hand, and knocked gently twice.

No response.

She carefully turned the doorknob, trying to make no sound.

The bedroom was just as dark, but warmer than the living room and scented faintly with Bai Chu’s familiar fragrance.

Her eyes fell on the faint outline of someone lying under the covers. Her heart clenched.

She placed the meal box on the nearby table and gently closed the bedroom door, afraid the cool air from outside might get in.

“Why is it you?” Bai Chu’s voice came from behind her, slightly hoarse.

Jiang Yisheng turned around to look.

Bai Chu lay in bed, looking visibly thinner than just a day ago. Her expression remained cool and distant.

Jiang Yisheng stood at the door with her hands folded, speaking softly: “I… I accidentally stepped on Lü Mu’s foot. I think it was pretty bad.”

Bai Chu frowned slightly, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead.

“You really are…” her tone carried a hint of helplessness.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Jiang Yisheng asked with concern.

Bai Chu didn’t respond and slowly closed her eyes.

“Do you want something to eat?” Jiang Yisheng tried again.

Still no answer.

Seeing that she was being ignored, Jiang Yisheng lowered her head and went silent.

“Don’t just stand there. Sit somewhere,” Bai Chu said after a while.

“Oh.” Jiang Yisheng finally sat on the small sofa nearby.

She looked at Bai Chu, who remained in the same position, arm covering her face. Jiang Yisheng couldn’t see her expression.

“I’m sorry,” she said, hands neatly placed on her knees, wiping the sweat from her palms onto her pants. “I don’t know how to explain what happened yesterday, but I swear it wasn’t my intention. I know you’re angry, and I don’t know what to do to make it right.”

“I waited for you at the office this morning, but you didn’t come. Xie Xin said you weren’t feeling well, and you didn’t pick up my calls, so I came here. But the guard wouldn’t let me in…”

“I snuck in behind someone and waited at your door until your assistant showed up. That’s how I got in,” she mumbled.

No response.

She looked up and saw Bai Chu had shifted slightly, a small frown now visible on her face.

“Are you feeling really bad?” She stood and walked to the bed, noticing that Bai Chu had bundled herself tightly under the covers—she must be cold.

She reached out and pressed the back of her hand to Bai Chu’s forehead. It was burning.

“You’re burning up,” Jiang Yisheng said anxiously. “Is there any fever medicine in the house?”

She looked around in panic.

Just as she was about to pull her hand back, a warm hand gripped her wrist tightly.

The next second, she was pulled down. Instinctively, she supported herself on the bed with her free hand. Their faces were only centimeters apart.

She could feel the heat of Bai Chu’s breath.

Jiang Yisheng stared in shock, but she couldn’t help being captivated by Bai Chu’s beautiful face. She couldn’t look away.

“Jiang Yisheng,” Bai Chu said, gripping her wrist tightly and furrowing her brows. Her voice was probing, her gaze intense. “Did you lie to me or not?”

Jiang Yisheng’s eyes flickered. Her gaze drifted to Bai Chu’s furrowed brows, then down her elegant nose, and finally rested on her lips.

She held her breath and leaned in a little. Only one centimeter separated them now.

She looked into Bai Chu’s eyes.

Bai Chu still stared at her, brows furrowed.

Jiang Yisheng’s gaze returned to her lips. She swallowed, inching even closer.

Just as their lips were about to touch, she shifted slightly upward and instead placed a soft kiss on the tip of Bai Chu’s nose.

She didn’t overstep. It was just a gentle peck—light as a feather.

Bai Chu’s hand clenched briefly, eyes dropping to Jiang Yisheng’s long lashes.

Jiang Yisheng’s eyes were closed, her lashes trembling slightly, her kiss careful and gentle.

The entire time Jiang Yisheng kissed her, Bai Chu just watched, without the slightest hint of resistance.

Eventually, Jiang Yisheng opened her eyes and slowly pulled back.

She looked at Bai Chu with quiet seriousness. “My feelings for you have always been real.”

Bai Chu stared into her eyes. In the depths of that warm brown gaze, she saw only her own reflection.

Gradually, she let go of Jiang Yisheng’s wrist, pulled the blanket over herself, and turned away.

Jiang Yisheng looked at her back, thinking she still didn’t believe her. Her heart sank, her eyes dimmed.

“I’ll go find you some medicine,” she said, slowly getting up and walking toward the door. “You need to eat something before taking it.”

She picked up the lunchbox.

“I’ll open this for you. You should try to eat a little…”

“I don’t want that,” Bai Chu cut her off.

Jiang Yisheng froze. “Okay…”

“Didn’t you say you were a great cook? Why not let me try something you made?”

In that moment, Jiang Yisheng’s eyes lit up with joy as she looked at her.