Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 45

There were many people in the KTV. After entering, Jiang Yisheng couldn’t find Chen Shuzhi anywhere.

She led Zhang Tao and Brother Zhang from one private room to the next, searching carefully.

Suddenly, a new message from Bai Chu popped up on her phone.

Jiang Yisheng glanced at it—it was yet another emoji.

This time, it was a winking puppy.

Jiang Yisheng couldn’t help but smile.

“President Jiang, should we get more people to help us search?” Zhang Tao asked beside her.

Jiang Yisheng thought for a moment and nodded. “Good idea.”

If Bai Chu was in danger, at least they’d have the numbers on their side—it increased their odds of winning any confrontation.

No more than two minutes after she spoke, four or five bodyguards in uniform appeared behind her.

If she hadn’t recognized two of them from a previous trip, Jiang Yisheng would have thought they were here to go against her.

“That was fast,” she said in surprise to Zhang Tao.

Zhang Tao’s eyes shifted slightly as she replied awkwardly, “They just happened to be nearby… that’s why they got here quickly.”

Jiang Yisheng was too focused on Bai Chu to think much about it and simply nodded as if that made perfect sense.

Their group, imposing in presence, proceeded deeper into the KTV, peeking into each room through the windows.

Not long after, Jiang Yisheng looked up and saw Bai Chu exiting one of the private rooms.

Her eyes lit up with delight, and she hurried forward.

Just as Bai Chu turned around after closing the door, someone appeared in front of her.

She instinctively took a step back, but the moment she saw who it was, her gaze softened, and she lowered her head with a smile. “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Yisheng opened her arms, about to hug her, when she suddenly saw a thin line of bl00d on Bai Chu’s neck.

Her expression immediately turned serious. Her finger hovered just above the wound as she frowned deeply. “What happened?”

Bai Chu clutched her collar, trying to cover it.

Jiang Yisheng looked toward the private room, ready to kick the door down, when she was suddenly embraced by Bai Chu.

She froze for a second before gently lifting her arms to hold Bai Chu in return, her palm stroking her back comfortingly.

For as long as Bai Chu held on, Jiang Yisheng remained silent.

“Let’s go home,” Bai Chu whispered softly into her ear.

“But…”

“I just want to go home,” Bai Chu’s voice was low and tired.

“…Okay.” Jiang Yisheng rubbed her cheek against Bai Chu’s ear, then slowly turned to take her hand and lead her away.

As they walked, Jiang Yisheng glanced down and suddenly noticed bl00d dripping from Bai Chu’s other hand.

Startled, she rushed forward and blocked her path.

Bending down to inspect her right hand, her eyes were filled with horror and worry.

“What happened? Weren’t you just signing a deal? How did it end up like this?” Jiang Yisheng gently cupped Bai Chu’s wrist, her eyes brimming with tears.

Bai Chu’s palm had several cuts, with the deepest still bleeding.

She softly pulled her hand back and hid it behind her.

Jiang Yisheng’s chest heaved, and she clenched her teeth, ready to storm into the room with her people.

But Bai Chu grabbed her wrist with her left hand. “Shengsheng, I want to go home.”

Jiang Yisheng had never heard her speak in that kind of voice—pleading and helpless.

Her eyes reddened as she nodded and turned to tightly grip Bai Chu’s hand, helping her into the car.

Inside, Zhang Tao took out iodine and carefully disinfected the wounds before wrapping them in gauze.

Jiang Yisheng watched painfully from the side, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Bai Chu merely rested her eyes closed against Jiang Yisheng’s shoulder, her brow occasionally furrowing.

She recalled what Chen Shuzhi had said…

…

Inside the room, Chen Shuzhi had discarded her cigarette and slowly approached Bai Chu.

She stared at Bai Chu’s face, about to reach out to touch it.

The next moment, glass shattered as Bai Chu lifted half a broken wine bottle and pointed the jagged end at Chen Shuzhi.

Chen Shuzhi raised her eyebrows, amused.

Before Bai Chu could speak, someone tried to snatch the bottle away.

She swung it, slicing the back of their hand.

But another person moved too fast for her to react. They managed to wrest the bottle from her hand during the struggle, the force of which caused the glass to cut her palm.

Now unarmed, Bai Chu was forced into a corner.

Chen Shuzhi crossed her arms and sneered. She raised two fingers.

A cigarette was immediately placed between them. Someone lit it for her.

As the flame burst forth, Bai Chu visibly flinched, stepping back slightly in fear.

Chen Shuzhi caught the reaction and squinted at her, taking a deep drag before exhaling smoke into her face.

“Scared of fire?” she asked mockingly.

Bai Chu said nothing, her face growing paler.

Chen Shuzhi stared at her lovely features. Then, suddenly, her head tilted in thought.

“Aren’t you Bai Renzhi’s daughter?”

Bai Chu’s head snapped up in shock.

“So you are.” Chen Shuzhi smirked. “Small world.”

“You know my father?” Bai Chu asked.

“Never met him, but I’ve seen pictures,” Chen Shuzhi flicked the ash off her cigarette. “People talk about him all the time. Hard not to know.”

Bai Chu’s fists clenched at her sides.

“What do they say about him?” she asked, her voice low and tight with urgency, stepping forward.

“Don’t move,” someone warned, holding another broken bottle toward her.

“They just say his death was suspicious. Why else would he die just before a promotion?” Chen Shuzhi said nonchalantly.

Bloodshot veins appeared in Bai Chu’s eyes. She pressed forward, the bottle at her throat, her emotions surging. “What are you implying?!”

Chen Shuzhi noticed the bottle scratching her neck and scolded the person holding it. “Put that thing down! You’ll ruin her pretty face—how am I supposed to enjoy her then?”

The person lowered the bottle obediently.

In the next second, Bai Chu snatched it away, flipped it around, and held the jagged edge to her own neck, scanning the room.

“Don’t come any closer.”

Chen Shuzhi raised her hands in mock surrender. She didn’t want anything serious to happen—she had just wanted to mess around.

But Bai Chu’s eyes were wild with fury.

“Tell me how my parents really died!” she shouted.

“I don’t know!” Chen Shuzhi’s voice betrayed panic. “I only heard rumors—I don’t know the truth!”

“Let me out!”

Seeing that she was about to plunge the bottle into her neck, Chen Shuzhi quickly said, “Okay, okay! You can go now!”

Bai Chu slowly backed toward the door, the glass still at her throat, her eyes wary.

Once her back hit the door, she reached for the handle.

If she could just get out, the hallway’s security cameras would ensure her safety.

She slipped out, slamming the door shut behind her and throwing the bottle into the room.

At that moment, she saw Jiang Yisheng…

…

Back in the present, Bai Chu’s right hand had been wrapped in gauze, and a patch covered the wound on her neck.

She said nothing, only closed her eyes again, leaning against Jiang Yisheng in exhaustion.

If not for what had happened today, she might never have known what the company truly intended.

No wonder they suddenly sent Lu Mu away for “training” the other day…

Her head pounded, her brain in a fog.

Jiang Yisheng looked down at Bai Chu’s deeply furrowed brow, biting her lip.

She asked the driver to pull up outside Bai Chu’s apartment. Once the car stopped, she gently took her hand and squeezed it. “We’re home. Want to get out?”

Bai Chu opened her eyes drowsily, looked outside, and slowly nodded.

Jiang Yisheng helped her out of the car and up to the bedroom. She sat her down on the bed.

Bai Chu obediently lay on the pillow, tightly gripping Jiang Yisheng’s hand. Her eyes shone faintly as she silently gazed at her.

Jiang Yisheng understood.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”

She sat beside Bai Chu, looking down and holding her hand, warming it slowly.

Only then did Bai Chu close her eyes again, though she still wouldn’t relax her grip.

She curled into herself, looking small and insecure.

Jiang Yisheng frowned and gently patted the back of her hand. “I’m not going anywhere. How about I get into bed and hold you?”

Bai Chu opened her eyes slowly, a tear falling from the corner.

She nodded.

Only then did Jiang Yisheng slide under the covers and lie beside her.

The moment she lay down, Bai Chu turned and wrapped her arms around her, curling into her embrace.

Jiang Yisheng gently patted her back and whispered, “Tell me what happened, okay?”

“I was so worried about you,” she added.

Bai Chu’s throat bobbed. She looked up at Jiang Yisheng.

Jiang Yisheng looked down, wiping away the tears that wouldn’t stop falling.

“Shengsheng…” Bai Chu’s voice was hoarse, choked with emotion.

“I’m here.” Jiang Yisheng’s voice trembled.

“I miss my mom and dad,” Bai Chu whispered, her eyes reddening, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Jiang Yisheng shut her eyes tightly, pulled her into her arms, and rested her chin against her forehead, gently stroking her hair.

“Uncle and Auntie must miss you too. I’m sure they’ve been watching over you from above.”

“They’d be worried seeing you cry like this. All they ever wanted was for their daughter to be safe and healthy.”

Jiang Yisheng kissed Bai Chu’s forehead and held her tighter.

Bai Chu broke down into sobs, her quiet whimpers turning into trembling cries.

“So no matter what happens, you have to live well,” Jiang Yisheng said, wiping her own tears. “Not just for you, but for them too. They’ll always be watching over you.”

That’s what Jiang Yisheng always believed.

Sometimes she felt her parents were up there, protecting her.

Maybe they were the rooftop that shielded her from rain, or the fallen leaf by her feet in autumn. Every small stroke of good fortune might be a sign that those who love her were still watching.

As long as you need them, they’ll always be there.

Jiang Yisheng kissed the top of Bai Chu’s head again and whispered, “You’ve always been missed and loved. Not just by your parents—but by me too.”

Her voice was soft and gentle, slowly seeping into Bai Chu’s heart.