Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: One of the Family

In the morning, Bai Chu opened her eyes and glanced at her phone. It was 9:30 AM.

She blinked again in disbelief and stared at the number on the screen, eyes widening.

She had never slept in this late before.

Panicked, she quickly pulled Jiang Yisheng out of bed. It was their first official overnight stay at her partner’s parents’ home, and she was worried that not waking up early would leave a bad impression on Yu Mushan and Jiang Hang.

The two of them rushed through their morning routine and went downstairs, only to find the house completely silent.

The bedroom doors of Yu Mushan and Jiang Hang were still closed—they clearly hadn’t gotten up yet.

Jiang Yisheng yawned and leaned against Bai Chu.

“Woman, you’re in luck. Today’s breakfast is on me,” she said, lifting a hand to teasingly tilt Bai Chu’s chin.

Bai Chu didn’t dodge—she smiled and looked down at her fondly.

“I’ll help you,” Bai Chu wrapped her arms around Jiang Yisheng from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder and whispering softly into her ear.

The two of them chatted and laughed in the kitchen for an hour. Like clockwork, just as the last dish was being plated, Yu Mushan and Jiang Hang walked out of their room.

Yu Mushan rubbed her eyes, thinking she must be seeing things.

“Didn’t I tell you two to sleep in?” she asked while coming downstairs.

“You even cooked?” Jiang Hang looked at the full table and felt a bit guilty.

They had assumed Jiang Yisheng and Bai Chu would sleep in just like them. Who makes the guest—their daughter’s partner—wake up early and prepare breakfast?

He worried this might make Bai Chu feel mistreated.

“Come taste our masterpiece,” Jiang Yisheng stood by the table in an apron, looking smug and clearly fishing for compliments.

Naturally, Jiang Hang wouldn’t let his daughter’s enthusiasm go unrewarded. He immediately gave her a thumbs-up. “Excellent! I can already tell it’s delicious without even trying it!”

Jiang Yisheng beamed and tilted her chin proudly.

Yu Mushan walked over to Bai Chu and gently took her hand, explaining, “I originally wanted you two to sleep in so we could make you breakfast. Who knew you’d wake up before us?”

Bai Chu smiled and gave her hand a light squeeze. “Yisheng did most of the cooking. I was just helping. But next time, I’ll make something for you and Uncle to try.”

“I’m starving. Let’s eat!” Jiang Yisheng interjected impatiently, staring longingly at the food.

Bai Chu looked at her fondly and reached over to untie her apron.

The four of them sat down and shared a meal that felt incredibly natural.

As if Bai Chu had always been a part of the family.

…

Later, Gao Tingyuan messaged Bai Chu, asking her to visit the He family sometime soon.

At the time, Jiang Yisheng and Bai Chu were nestled together in the window seat, basking in the sunlight. As Bai Chu checked her phone, Jiang Yisheng peeked up at the screen with her.

“I don’t like her,” Jiang Yisheng said, twirling a strand of Bai Chu’s hair and nuzzling into her neck.

Bai Chu reached up to rub the top of her head, then pressed her lips together and simply replied “Okay” to the message.

She put her phone down, kissed Jiang Yisheng’s forehead, and softly asked, “Why don’t you like her?”

Jiang Yisheng thought for a moment and said, “I don’t think she treats you well.”

“But she raised me,” Bai Chu lowered her gaze.

Jiang Yisheng sat up in Bai Chu’s arms and looked at her.

She could see the conflict in Bai Chu’s eyes.

Of course Bai Chu wasn’t clueless—after all these years, she knew how Gao Tingyuan and He Dafang had used her. But the kindness they’d once shown her when she was little made it hard for her to completely turn away from them.

That contradiction often made her question herself—afraid that distancing herself might make her seem ungrateful.

Jiang Yisheng gently cupped Bai Chu’s cheek and kissed the tip of her nose.

Bai Chu closed her eyes, feeling the soft, warm touch of her lips.

“So, when are you going?” Jiang Yisheng whispered sweetly into her ear, reaching out to lightly play with her soft earlobe.

It tickled. Bai Chu caught her hand and placed it against her cheek, rubbing against it gently.

“When do you want me to go?” Bai Chu asked in return.

Jiang Yisheng rolled her eyes, secretly thrilled but pretending not to get it. “How would I know when you should go?”

Of course, Bai Chu could see the smugness behind her act and chuckled, playing along. “I can’t go without President Jiang’s approval.”

That sentence hit Jiang Yisheng like a thunderclap.

She didn’t expect Bai Chu to say something so sweet.

Her face turned red in an instant, lips curling in delight, unable to hide her joy any longer.

“Alright then! Tonight. The sooner you go, the sooner you come back,” she waved her hand grandly as if issuing an official approval.

Seeing her so happy, Bai Chu’s heart melted.

She leaned down and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

It was meant to be a quick peck, but Jiang Yisheng immediately hooked her neck and pulled her in close…

…

At the He household.

Bai Chu entered carrying a few gifts. He Youran pulled her to the sofa for a chat.

He Dafang was off to the side, lying on a chair in a tank top, smoking a cigarette.

“I heard you quit your job?” He Dafang exhaled a smoke ring, asking casually.

“Yes,” Bai Chu nodded.

“No job—how are you gonna earn money? Isn’t everyone talking about being an ‘independent woman’ these days? How can you be independent without work?” He Dafang tilted his head and glanced at her.

“I still have some savings. Enough to support the household,” Bai Chu replied, knowing exactly what he meant—the 50,000 yuan he took from her every month.

Hearing that, He Dafang didn’t say more. He scratched his leg with a long, bent toenail and continued smoking.

“I’ll go help Auntie,” Bai Chu stood up, rolled up her sleeves, and headed for the kitchen.

Gao Tingyuan was cooking. Bai Chu washed the vegetables that had been soaking in water and placed them on the cutting board, chopping them skillfully.

“It’s been a while since you’ve come home for a meal,” Gao Tingyuan said while flipping food in the pan.

“I’ve been a bit busy lately,” Bai Chu replied curtly.

“It’s good for young people to be busy. Not like us old folks. We worked too hard when we were young, raising two kids. Now that we’re old, all the health issues are catching up with us.” Gao Tingyuan sighed.

Bai Chu’s hand paused mid-chop. Her brows furrowed slightly but quickly returned to normal. “When there’s time, I’ll take you and Uncle for a full medical checkup.”

“No need. That’s just a waste of money,” Gao Tingyuan said as she dumped the cooked dish onto a plate and took the pan to the sink to wash.

“This Sunday then. I’ll make an appointment. Just don’t eat anything beforehand,” Bai Chu said, chopping faster. She neatly separated the sliced vegetables, cleaned the cutting board and knife.

“Well… alright then,” Gao Tingyuan replied, sounding very reluctant.