Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Lollipop

He Youran was working on a document on her laptop in the living room. Just as He Dafang was about to call her, he saw her deeply focused and instead called out to Bai Chu, who was busy in the kitchen.

“Bai Chu.”

Hearing him, Bai Chu turned down the heat on the stove, washed her hands, and walked into the living room.

“Yes, Uncle?” she asked politely.

“Go downstairs and buy me a pack of cigarettes,” He Dafang said, pulling out the last cigarette from his pack and tossing the empty box aside.

Bai Chu didn’t object—she simply nodded.

She put on a light jacket and headed downstairs. The moment she stepped out of the building, she took a deep breath of fresh air, exhaled slowly, and walked forward with her hands in her pockets.

There was a small convenience store inside the community, just a few steps away.

Bai Chu directly bought two cartons of He Dafang’s favorite brand of cigarettes and went to the counter to pay.

At that moment, a little girl came in, holding five yuan in her hand. She looked up and softly said to the shopkeeper, “Auntie, I want to buy a bottle of white vinegar.”

The shopkeeper came out from behind the counter to get it for her.

The girl stared at the lollipops on the counter and swallowed.

Following her gaze, Bai Chu picked up a few lollipops and handed them to the little girl.

The girl looked at the lollipops in Bai Chu’s hand, her gaze lingering for a few seconds, hesitation flashing in her eyes.

She looked up at Bai Chu, her eyes curious but wary.

Bai Chu gave her a slight nod, encouraging her to take them.

But the girl looked down and shook her head. “Thank you, Auntie.”

She took the white vinegar from the shopkeeper, placed her five yuan on the counter, and turned to leave.

Watching her tiny figure walk away, Bai Chu let out a soft sigh and turned back to the shopkeeper. “Just these. How much?”

When Bai Chu returned with two cartons of cigarettes, He Dafang’s face lit up.

“You kid, I only asked for one pack. Why’d you get so much?” he said, but his hands were quick to snatch them up.

After dinner, Bai Chu and He Youran went to the kitchen to do the dishes.

Gao Tingyuan came over with a bowl. “Youran, go out for a bit. I want to have a word with Bai Chu.”

He Youran looked at Bai Chu, who gave her a reassuring look.

Only then did He Youran wipe her hands and leave the kitchen.

“Chu Chu, you mentioned earlier you don’t have a job anymore. But I heard you still have some savings,” Gao Tingyuan said, leaning on the counter and watching Bai Chu wash the dishes.

“Didn’t you promise your uncle before that you’d help him restart his company? Isn’t it about time? When you have time, sit down with him and talk it over. Working for others only makes them rich. It’s time to help your own family make money.”

Bai Chu rinsed the soap off the plate and set it aside.

“I know. But if we want to restart that kind of work, I’ll need to research the market. It’s not something that can be rushed.”

“Oh please, who cares what kind of work it is—as long as it makes money,” Gao Tingyuan said, curling her lips dismissively.

“I understand,” Bai Chu responded mildly, placing the clean dish on the rack.

After doing the dishes, she sat briefly on the sofa out of politeness, finally waiting out the visit.

She went downstairs, pulled a lollipop from her pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.

With both hands in her pockets and the lollipop between her lips, she walked toward the community gate.

Just as she stepped outside, she noticed a car parked on the side of the road—it looked familiar. The moment she glanced over, the black car flashed its hazard lights.

Bai Chu broke into a smile and quickened her pace.

Before she even got close, Jiang Yisheng had already jumped out of the car, unable to wait any longer.

“Chu Chu!” she called out, running toward her.

Bai Chu opened her arms and caught her steadily. Her eyes crinkled with joy as she reached up and ruffled Jiang Yisheng’s hair.

“Why did you take so long? I missed you,” Jiang Yisheng pouted, wrapping her arms around Bai Chu’s waist.

Bai Chu took another lollipop from her pocket and held it out to her.

Jiang Yisheng glanced at it, then her eyes sparkled mischievously. “I don’t want that one. I want the one you’re eating.”

Before Bai Chu could react, Jiang Yisheng stood on tiptoe, rested her chin on Bai Chu’s chest, and looked up expectantly at the lollipop in her mouth.

A bit embarrassed, Bai Chu glanced toward the car.

But Jiang Yisheng didn’t care at all—she simply reached up, gently pulled the lollipop from Bai Chu’s mouth, and quickly popped it into her own.

“So sweet,” she mumbled.

Bai Chu’s face flushed. She took Jiang Yisheng’s hand and led her back to the car.

“When did you get here?” Bai Chu asked gently, stroking her cheek.

“Around six,” Jiang Yisheng answered vaguely while playing with Bai Chu’s hand.

“Six? But didn’t you just drop me off at five thirty?” Bai Chu looked down at her.

Jiang Yisheng scratched her head and tried to change the subject. “Um, do you have any other flavors?”

“You didn’t leave, did you?” Bai Chu pinched her hand and made her look up.

Knowing she couldn’t hide it, Jiang Yisheng grinned sheepishly. “I didn’t feel like going home, so I just took a nap in the car.”

Bai Chu tapped her on the forehead with her finger. “Silly girl.”

“Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?” Bai Chu nuzzled the top of her head affectionately.

“I want your noodles,” Jiang Yisheng said in a soft, syrupy voice, lightly scratching the palm of Bai Chu’s hand.

“Alright.”

…

Lately, Bai Chu had been studying the theoretical field her father, Bai Renzhi, once specialized in.

The more she learned, the more she realized how brilliant he had truly been.

She would often study all day. In the morning, she’d drop Jiang Yisheng off at work, then return home to read research papers and materials until it was time to pick her up again in the evening.

One day, Jiang Yisheng messaged her saying she’d be working late.

Bai Chu told her to message her half an hour in advance, and she turned up the volume on her phone, afraid she might miss it while immersed in reading.

At Yujiang Corporation.

Jiang Yisheng sat on the couch, munching on an apple while looking at a contract.

She didn’t understand much, but Yu Mushan insisted she read it. Usually, five minutes in, she’d fall asleep.

“Don’t doze off—we’re expecting guests soon,” Yu Mushan said, glancing at her.

Jiang Yisheng yawned and blinked her sleepy eyes.

“Who’s coming?” she asked, stretching. “Should I make myself scarce…”

“Sit still. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning,” Yu Mushan said, calling her bluff.

Jiang Yisheng pouted and flopped back down on the sofa.

Before long, Yu Mushan’s assistant knocked and entered. “Director Yu, Mr. Chen and his daughter have arrived.”

“Let them in,” Yu Mushan said, capping her pen and looking up.

“Old classmate, hard at work as usual?” Chen Qing’an entered with a smile, glancing toward Yu Mushan.

“Hello, Auntie Shan,” said his daughter, Chen Shuzhi, dressed very formally in a white blouse with her hair neatly tied back—looking calm and elegant.

If Jiang Yisheng hadn’t already seen her other side at the KTV, she might’ve been fooled.

Zhang Tao had investigated and found that the one who hurt Bai Chu at the KTV was Chen Shuzhi. Before Jiang Yisheng could confront her, she had come knocking herself.

Jiang Yisheng immediately pulled out her phone and messaged Bai Chu, saying she’d be home late.

“Uncle Chen, long time no see,” Jiang Yisheng spoke first.

Chen Qing’an then looked toward the sofa. “Oh, little President Jiang is here too.”

“Hello, big sister,” Chen Shuzhi gave an innocent smile.

“But it hasn’t been that long since I saw your sister,” Jiang Yisheng said, glancing meaningfully at her.

Chen Shuzhi stiffened slightly, clearly rattled.

“Did we meet at some conference?” she asked cautiously.

“Was it a conference? Hmm… I can’t quite remember,” Jiang Yisheng feigned contemplation.

“Come sit,” Yu Mushan got up and gestured them to the sofa. “Yisheng, go get tea for Uncle and your sister.”

“Okay.” Jiang Yisheng gave one last look at Chen Shuzhi before heading to the teapot.

“Old classmate, we’ve been working together for a while now, and both companies are seeing good returns. How about we extend the contract to make things more stable for both sides?” Chen Qing’an said directly.

Yu Mushan took a sip of tea and set her cup down slowly.

“Old classmate, you know Yujiang has many partners. I had to push past several friends to sign with you.”

Chen Qing’an nodded quickly. “Yes, yes, I know it wasn’t easy for you. But since the contract is already signed, just for a year—it’s hard for me to manage on my end.”

“Oh! I remember now,” Jiang Yisheng suddenly clapped her forehead and spoke up. “Last time I saw your sister—it was at the KTV.”

Chen Shuzhi’s body trembled, her face stunned.

Chen Qing’an laughed nervously. “You must be joking, Yisheng. Shuzhi never goes to places like that. Must be a mistake.”

“How could I be mistaken, Uncle?” Jiang Yisheng smiled politely, but her gaze grew cold.

“If it was just a passing glance, maybe. But your sister almost tricked my sister into going with her. There’s no way I’d forget that.”

Her icy stare locked onto Chen Shuzhi like a dagger.

“What do you mean?” Chen Qing’an’s smile froze.

“Uncle, my mother pushed past a lot of resistance to work with your company. And you turn around and act two-faced—sitting at the table smiling while bullying my sister behind our backs? That’s pretty disheartening,” Jiang Yisheng said, arms crossed, staring at the now pale-faced father and daughter.

“What’s going on?” Chen Qing’an turned to his daughter.

Chen Shuzhi was panicking, hands clenched on her knees, voice trembling. “I don’t understand what Jiang-jie means. I’m always at home or at work. I’ve never been to a place like that.”

Jiang Yisheng let out a cold laugh, looking down at her hands. “Uncle, maybe you should take your daughter home and let her refresh her memory. We’ll talk again when she does.”

The message to leave was crystal clear.

Chen Qing’an, sensing it was pointless to continue, said a few quick goodbyes and left with his daughter.

Yu Mushan smiled and turned to Jiang Yisheng. “That’s it? You let them go just like that?”

“Mum, you knew about this too?” Jiang Yisheng leaned in closer, surprised.

“If I didn’t know, why do you think I insisted you stay and wait for them?” Yu Mushan replied, sipping her tea with a smile in her eyes.