Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: You Should Have Told Me in Advance

After dinner, Lü Mu cleared the dishes in the kitchen. Bai Chu and Jiang Yisheng sat quietly on the sofa, with Bai Chu in the middle.

“Uncle will be discharged soon, right?” Bai Chu asked He Youran.

“Yes, next week,” He Youran nodded.

“Great, I’ll pick them up then.”

The conversation ended abruptly, and the room fell silent. Bai Chu took a steady breath, her eyes briefly lowering before looking back up at He Youran.

“Youran,” she said earnestly. “Jiang  Yisheng doesn’t like An Hao.”

He Youran met her gaze calmly, then looked at Jiang Yisheng, who quickly nodded.

He Youran turned away and asked, “Still have a fever?”

Clearly doubting Bai Chu’s reassurance, she didn’t want to elaborate further.

“No fever anymore,” Bai Chu replied.

Satisfied, He Youran said, “Then I’ll leave first. Call me if anything comes up,” then left Bai  Chu’s home.

Left alone, Bai Chu stared down at the coffee table, lost in thought.

Jiang Yisheng felt immense guilt seeing He Youran’s departing figure—kind even when upset, never rude. The female lead was truly remarkable. Jiang Yisheng’s guilt deepened.

Lü Mu finished cleaning and left. It was just the two of them again; Jiang Yisheng sat obediently by Bai Chu, silent.

Suddenly, Bai Chu stood up, and so did Jiang Yisheng immediately.

“Get your coat on. I’ll take you home.”

“No need,” Jiang  Yisheng hurriedly refused. “I’ll have Zhang  Tao pick me up. It’s cold; don’t catch a chill.”

“No, I’ll send you,” Bai Chu said firmly and went to her bedroom to change.

In the Car

Jiang Yisheng kept her head down, fidgeting with a plush toy’s ears, knowing she’d made things difficult for Bai Chu—but she didn’t know how to fix it. She’d known there might be tension between Bai  Chu and He  Youran, but didn’t want it to happen so soon… especially because of her.

“Why so quiet?” Bai Chu asked as the car stopped at a red light, glancing at Jiang  Yisheng.

“I…” Jiang Yisheng stumbled for words.

Bai Chu waited in silence.

“Have I made things hard for you?” Jiang  Yisheng’s voice quivered, clutching the toy tighter.

The light turned green. Bai  Chu released the brake and eased forward.

“A little,” Bai  Chu admitted.

Guilt washed over Jiang Yisheng—since arriving here, she’d only caused trouble for Bai Chu, never any good.

Bai Chu added softly: “Next time, if something is unavoidable, tell me in advance.”

Jiang Yisheng looked up to meet her gaze. The streetlights flickered over Bai Chu’s face, making her eyes hard to read—until Bai Chu suddenly turned and looked her straight in the eyes: clear, sincere.

Jiang Yisheng’s heart jolted. “Okay,” she breathed, nodding.

Bai Chu switched on the music—a playlist Jiang Yisheng had made herself. Her heart warmed anew.

Arriving at Home

They reached Jiang Yisheng’s courtyard. Bai Chu got out to see her off.

Standing face to face, Jiang Yisheng raised her hand to touch Bai Chu’s forehead.

Bai Chu caught her wrist and gently pulled it down. “You won’t feel anything—it’s cold.”

“What if you catch another cold? Go back to the car,” Jiang Yisheng urged, worried.

Bai Chu nodded and stood there, looking into Jiang Yisheng’s eyes. Unable to resist, Jiang Yisheng, cheeks warming, stood on her tiptoes and kissed Bai Chu’s cheek—careful not to reach her lips.

A soft curve appeared on Bai Chu’s lips, her gaze mellowing.

“I’ll go in now,” Jiang Yisheng said with a blush, then bounded back inside.

Bai Chu reached up to gently touch the spot where Jiang Yisheng had kissed her, feeling the warmth in her chest.

When the Day Came

On the day He Dafang was discharged, Bai Chu had the driver ready downstairs to warm the car. She helped carry their bags.

“My legs are fine,” He Dafang smiled proudly. “I made it up three flights—no problem.”

“Don’t push it,” Gao Tingyuan warned.

He Dafang waved her off, revelling in being home again. Over a hot pot lunch, they cheered and sipped broth.

Gao Tingyuan brought up Bai Chu’s company training. “So you’ve seen the board members of Yujiang?”

“Not really—we’ve been busy with classes,” Bai Chu replied.

He Dafang teased He Youran, “But you two haven’t spoken much lately—are you…?”

He Youran flushed and stiffened.

Gao Tingyuan leaned in more. “Money isn’t everything—but don’t rely on others.”

He Youran’s face darkened. “Mom, I don’t need financial help. I make my own way.”

“You make money? Then why are you sending five thousand a month home?”

He Youran froze. “Five thousand? How?”

Her parents avoided the question, eating silently until He Youran finally stood, tears in her eyes. “Is it Bai Chu sending that money?”

“Five thousand—is that right?” she repeated, more upset.

“My one thousand a month isn’t enough?” she choked out. Her parents had taken six thousand a month and still had the nerve to complain?

Her parents fell silent. A tense hush descended. Eventually, He Youran left the restaurant in tears.

After They Return

Bai Chu quietly informed the driver to follow He Youran’s car home. She sent He Dafang and Gao Tingyuan off, promising they’d soon deliver their luggage.

Gao Tingyuan reassured her: “I know my daughter’s sending money for your uncle’s business. I trust you.”

After they left, Bai Chu headed back to the restaurant’s back table and said softly, “Stop hiding.”

From behind the menu, Jiang Yisheng peeked out, her eyes curved in a smile. “How did you know I was here, Bai Chu?”