Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Why Are You So Restless When You Sleep

“I… I’ll go cook right now.” Jiang Yisheng quickly sealed the lunchbox back up. “You rest for a bit. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

She was just about to close the bedroom door when Bai Chu stopped her. “Don’t close it. Leave it open.”

“Okay.”

Whatever Bai Chu said, Jiang Yisheng obeyed.

She walked to the kitchen, opened the fridge to check what ingredients were available, and tied on an apron as she thought about what dishes she could make.

As her fingers skillfully tied a bow, Jiang Yisheng had already planned out three dishes in her mind.

She took the ingredients out, and while washing the vegetables, she boiled water in the pot—maximizing every second.

She didn’t want Bai Chu to wait too long.

Lying in bed, Bai Chu listened to the sounds of chopping and boiling water from the kitchen, and a sudden sense of warmth and fullness welled up in her heart.

After the age of seven, she had never experienced this again—lying in bed while someone else bustled around the kitchen for her.

She looked toward the kitchen, staring at the light spilling out into the hallway, and unconsciously smiled.

She pulled the blanket higher and slowly closed her eyes, accompanied by the gentle sounds of Jiang Yisheng cooking.

When Jiang Yisheng served the last dish, she checked the time—exactly half an hour had passed.

The dishes were all simple home-cooked meals, light in flavor, perfect with a bowl of porridge.

She plated a little bit of each dish onto a clean plate, carried them with the porridge into the bedroom, and set everything on the bedside table before sitting at the edge of the bed to watch the sleeping Bai Chu.

Perhaps the aroma was too strong—Bai Chu’s empty stomach was awakened.

When she slowly opened her eyes, she was even a little surprised. “I fell asleep?”

Jiang Yisheng chuckled softly. “Do you want to get up? The food’s ready.”

Bai Chu nodded and propped herself up. Jiang Yisheng placed a pillow behind her back.

“I’ll eat at the dining table,” Bai Chu said when she saw the food on the bedside table.

Just as she was about to get up, Jiang Yisheng gently pressed her shoulder down. “It’s cold in the dining room. Just eat here in bed. I won’t make a mess.”

While Bai Chu was still hesitating, a spoonful of warm porridge had already been brought to her lips.

“Here, careful, it’s hot.” Jiang Yisheng’s gaze was gentle, watching the spoon intently.

Bai Chu’s heart softened, and she looked into Jiang Yisheng’s eyes.

Then she slowly opened her mouth.

The warm, slightly sweet porridge entered her mouth. As she swallowed, it slid down to her stomach, leaving a trail of soothing warmth.

Jiang Yisheng then fed her a bite of scrambled egg. “Try this.”

Bai Chu obediently ate again.

“Is it good?” Jiang Yisheng asked.

Bai Chu nodded.

Jiang Yisheng beamed with joy, her heart overflowing with happiness.

So, spoonful by spoonful, she fed Bai Chu, who continued eating obediently.

The room was filled only with the gentle clinking of bowl and spoon, and Jiang Yisheng’s occasional questions—”Is it too hot?” or “Do you like it?”

Warm and comforting.

The porridge was quickly finished. Jiang Yisheng took a tissue and gently wiped Bai Chu’s lips.

“Want another bowl?”

Bai Chu shook her head. She was full.

“Okay, I’ll go wash the dishes. After that, it should be time for your medicine.” Jiang Yisheng took the empty dishes and poured a cup of hot water to cool.

By the time she returned from washing up, the water was just the right temperature. She found some fever medication in the medicine box under the coffee table and gave it to Bai Chu as prescribed.

After taking the medicine, Bai Chu lay back under the covers. Jiang Yisheng remained in the small sofa beside the bed.

She didn’t want to leave.

After lying there for a while, Bai Chu suddenly sat up and looked at her.

Jiang Yisheng tensed. “I want to stay until your fever goes down… and cook dinner before I leave.”

“Aren’t you cold?” Bai Chu glanced at her wearing thin slippers.

Jiang Yisheng wasn’t actually cold, but she darted her eyes around. “Yeah, I am.”

Bai Chu shifted to the side and lifted a corner of the blanket.

Jiang Yisheng couldn’t believe it. Was Bai Chu really inviting her into bed?

Really?

Her brain was racing, but her body stayed frozen.

“Don’t want to come up?” Bai Chu said, preparing to pull the blanket back over herself.

Before she could finish the sentence, Jiang Yisheng had already dashed over, kicked off her slippers, and dove under the blanket.

A cool breeze came in with her.

Bai Chu pulled the blanket up higher and turned her back to her.

Jiang Yisheng’s heart was pounding so hard, she felt like the veins on her forehead were throbbing.

Wrapped tightly in Bai Chu’s warmth and body heat, Jiang Yisheng’s breathing involuntarily quickened.

Hearing the heavy breaths behind her, Bai Chu turned and asked, “Are you hot?”

Jiang Yisheng shook her head like a drum, afraid Bai Chu would kick her out if she said yes.

Bai Chu nodded slightly and turned back around.

Jiang Yisheng didn’t dare move. Bai Chu had just forgiven her—she couldn’t push her luck.

She lay obediently in place and filled the space between them with the blanket so Bai Chu wouldn’t catch another chill.

The warmth and dim lighting made Jiang Yisheng drowsy. Her mind slowly drifted off.

But Bai Chu, hearing the now-even breathing behind her, couldn’t fall asleep.

She sat up softly and grabbed her phone. There were dozens of missed calls from Jiang Yisheng.

She glanced at the peacefully sleeping girl beside her and sighed silently, brushing the bangs from her forehead.

Then she started going through her work messages one by one, carefully checking every document for errors.

Just as she was focused, something landed on her leg—a stray arm.

Bai Chu looked away from the phone and saw that Jiang Yisheng had somehow rolled into her.

She gently moved the arm back under the blanket and returned to her work.

Soon after, Jiang Yisheng, possibly feeling hot, kicked off the blanket and sprawled out like a starfish.

Bai Chu, worried she’d catch a chill, covered her back up—only for Jiang Yisheng to toss the blanket off again.

Bai Chu figured she was probably really hot. She’d let her cool down a bit first.

Returning to her document, Bai Chu looked down again—and her eyes widened. She quickly turned her head.

Jiang Yisheng had pulled up her shirt!

Bai Chu’s face flushed bright red, and her breath hitched.

Why is this girl so restless when she sleeps?!

She didn’t look back, just reached over and pulled the blanket back over her.

But Jiang Yisheng threw it off again.

Bai Chu was helpless. Just a small glance, and… yep…

Suddenly, the front door lock clicked.

Someone was here.

Panic flashed in Bai Chu’s eyes.

The footsteps grew louder. Just before the bedroom door opened, she hurriedly pulled Jiang Yisheng’s shirt down and yanked the blanket over her.

“How are you feeling, Chu Chu?” He Youran pushed open the door and asked.

“My fever’s gone,” Bai Chu answered with a smile.

He Youran frowned slightly. “Really? Your face still looks red.”

“I took medicine earlier. I’m just sweating it out. It’s nothing,” Bai Chu made up an excuse casually.

“Alright. Did you eat? I brought—” He Youran stopped mid-sentence, seemingly hearing something odd.

She looked at Bai Chu in confusion. “What was that noise?”

“What noise?” Bai Chu pulled the blanket tighter, feigning innocence.

“Okay… I’ll be in the dining room. This place has pretty good food—you should try it,” He Youran said and turned to leave.

Bai Chu let out a long breath and lifted the blanket slightly, worried that Jiang Yisheng might overheat.

But just then, Lü Mu appeared at the bedroom door.

“President He, you’re here too. I brought lunch for President Bai,” she said cheerfully.

“I brought lunch for her too,” He Youran replied.

The two chatted at the door.

Suddenly, a loud coughing fit came from inside the bedroom.

Both women rushed in.

They saw a woman lying beside Bai Chu—coughing as she sat up.

He Youran looked closer—it was Jiang Yisheng.

The room fell into a strange, awkward silence, filled only by Jiang Yisheng’s coughing.

As the coughs died down, Jiang Yisheng slowly turned her neck toward Bai Chu, dread in her eyes.

“Since you’re all here, let’s eat together,” Bai Chu said, giving Jiang Yisheng’s shoulder a squeeze. “Come down and eat.”

“…Okay.”

Jiang Yisheng got out of bed with her.

At the door, Bai Chu met He Youran’s gaze.

“You and Jiang Yisheng?” He Youran asked.

“Mm.” Bai Chu nodded gently, saying nothing more, and walked to the kitchen.

Lü Mu followed to help, but Bai Chu stopped her. “Keep President He company for a bit.”

“Jiang Yisheng,” Bai Chu called.

“Come help.”

“Okay.” Jiang Yisheng went over and helped plate the food from the two lunchboxes and set the table.

When the four sat at the table, only Bai Chu was eating.

She placed more food into Jiang Yisheng’s bowl. “Is it not to your taste? Why aren’t you eating?”

Jiang Yisheng pursed her lips, said nothing, and started taking small bites.

When she’d seen He Youran earlier, she suddenly felt like she’d done something shameful. Guilt from the night before washed over her.

Maybe He Youran was still upset with An Hao and had come to Bai Chu for comfort—only to find her here. She must feel awful.

As expected of the female lead. If it had been her, she’d have flipped the table by now.

Jiang Yisheng mused bitterly.

He Youran slowly picked up her chopsticks and began to eat quietly as well.

Bai Chu, as if nothing had happened, casually chatted. “Whose fish is this? It’s really good.”

“A new restaurant on Gongye Road,” He Youran replied.

Jiang Yisheng felt more and more guilty—like she’d not only upset He Youran but also put Bai Chu in a difficult spot.

“President He, about yesterday—” she began, but Bai Chu interrupted by adding more food to her bowl.

“Let’s talk after dinner,” Bai Chu said softly, eyes on her bowl. “You didn’t eat lunch.”

Jiang Yisheng nodded and kept her head down.

But the more she stayed silent, the less she could eat. Her chest felt clogged and heavy.

Just then, she felt her left hand under the table being gently held.

Her heart skipped. She turned to look at Bai Chu.

Bai Chu was eating as usual, calmly, her hand under the table squeezing hers gently.

A silent reassurance.

Jiang Yisheng sniffled softly, gripped her hand back, and took a big bite of food.