Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: A Life of Peace and Joy

The two of them finally made it up the hill, though stumbling along the way. Bai Chu set down the tribute items and turned to check on Jiang Yisheng.

Jiang Yisheng dusted the mud off her knees, still holding the offerings, and walked straight ahead. “We just follow this path, right?”

Bai Chu looked at her slender figure and quickly picked up the rest of the items to catch up.

The sun was now high in the sky. The mountain air carried the refreshing scent of dew and earth. Jiang Yisheng felt invigorated and strode ahead with energy.

As they reached a bend, the path narrowed, and the surrounding bushes kept snagging at their clothes.

“Keep your hands up a bit so you don’t get scratched,” Bai Chu reminded her from behind.

“Don’t worry,” Jiang Yisheng replied without concern, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

At the end of the trail, there was another slope. Jiang Yisheng used the trees on either side of the path for support, lowering her head and turning her body slightly to pass through the messy branches.

Once she stood firmly again, she looked up—and saw two stone tombstones.

A solemn feeling and deep respect immediately rose in Jiang Yisheng’s heart.

She placed the paper ingots and offerings on the open ground and began clearing the weeds in front of the gravestones with practiced ease.

Bai Chu rushed over and grabbed her hand. “Let me do it—you’ll hurt your hands.”

“Don’t treat me like a child. I’m your girlfriend,” Jiang Yisheng suddenly looked up, eyes more serious than ever.

Bai Chu was taken aback by the look in her eyes and slowly let go.

Jiang Yisheng cleared one side while Bai Chu took care of the other.

Soon, all the weeds were gone. Bai Chu arranged the offerings and paper ingots neatly in front of the gravestones, gazing at the names engraved on them.

She lit the paper money with a lighter. The firelight danced in her pupils as she swallowed thickly, struggling to breathe.

Taking two steps back, she knelt down.

Jiang Yisheng followed and knelt beside her.

Bai Chu bit her lip, looking through the smoke and flames at her parents.

“Mom, Dad, we’ve come to see you,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Hello Uncle, Auntie. My name is Jiang Yisheng. I’m Bai Chu’s girlfriend,” Jiang Yisheng’s eyes were red, but her signature smile remained.

“Please rest assured—I’ll take good care of Bai Chu. I hope you can bless her, so that she lives a smooth, peaceful, and joyful life.”

After finishing, Jiang Yisheng bowed deeply to the gravestones.

Bai Chu turned her head to look at her. Tears spilled from her eyes without warning.

She turned back to her parents, smiled through the tears, and gave them three resounding kowtows.

Perhaps, Jiang Yisheng was the person her parents had sent to love her.

Though she no longer had close family in this world, at this moment—she had someone she loved with all her heart.

The car ride back was quiet. Jiang Yisheng looked sideways at Bai Chu.

She had probably only celebrated seven birthdays in her entire life. After turning seven, every birthday had become a day of mourning instead of celebration.

Jiang Yisheng bit down on the inside of her cheek, eyes full of aching sympathy.

Once home, they took warm showers and changed into clean pajamas.

Jiang Yisheng finished first. She went into the kitchen, reheated the breakfast Bai Chu had prepared earlier, and cooked some noodles, adding two poached eggs.

By the time Bai Chu came out with her hair dried, Jiang Yisheng had just finished plating the noodles.

“Come try your girlfriend’s special noodles,” Jiang Yisheng said, placing the chopsticks and spoon in the bowl and gently guiding Bai Chu to sit at the table.

Bai Chu obediently picked up a strand of noodles and tasted it.

The warmth and savory flavor lingered between her lips and teeth. She looked at Jiang Yisheng in pleasant surprise.

“How did you make this?” she asked earnestly, her eyes full of curiosity.

“It’s a secret,” Jiang Yisheng replied proudly, eating the breakfast Bai Chu had made for her earlier.

It was only ten in the morning when they finished eating. Jiang Yisheng yawned and pulled Bai Chu back into the bedroom to nap.

Neither had slept well the night before. After visiting her parents, Bai Chu finally felt some peace. Holding Jiang Yisheng in her arms, drowsiness gradually crept in.

“How did you know I was going to visit my parents today?” Bai Chu mumbled sleepily.

“I knew today was your birthday,” Jiang Yisheng replied, her hand gently cupping Bai Chu’s face. She tilted her head and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Bai Chu didn’t open her eyes. She just hugged Jiang Yisheng tighter.

They drifted into a dreamless sleep.

When they woke up again, the setting sun cast a warm glow on the curtains—a scene of peace and comfort.

Jiang Yisheng knew Bai Chu was awake, but she could feel her hand slowly growing colder.

Was it because nighttime always brought back painful memories?

“I’m hungry. Let’s go out and get something nice to eat,” Jiang Yisheng said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze under the blanket.

“Okay,” Bai Chu agreed.

They didn’t drive. Instead, they strolled hand-in-hand to a nearby food street.

Jiang Yisheng hooked her arm through Bai Chu’s and looked around at the vibrant stalls.

“I want to try this one,” she said, pointing at a rice noodle stall.

“Then let’s eat it,” Bai Chu said, immediately pulling out her phone to pay.

“Ooh, and this too,” Jiang Yisheng pointed at grilled cold noodles.

“Get it.”

“….”

Jiang Yisheng bought a ton of food, and the two of them found a spot to sit down and eat while enjoying the night view.

The weather was getting warmer, and the evenings more lively.

Their table was piled with snacks. Often, Jiang Yisheng would take a bite of something, then hand it to Bai Chu so they could share.

As they ate, they looked down and noticed a small white dog sitting nearby, tongue out, smiling at them.

Jiang Yisheng tore a piece of meat from her skewer and tossed it onto the ground.

The dog gobbled it up immediately, then licked its nose and stared up at Jiang Yisheng with wide, round eyes full of anticipation.

Jiang Yisheng loved dogs. She gave it all the remaining meat.

The dog ate quietly, and Jiang Yisheng smiled as she watched.

When the dog lowered its head, she noticed it wasn’t entirely white—there was a patch of yellow fur around its neck.

As she looked closer, her brow furrowed. That yellow patch… looked oddly familiar.

A few seconds later, it hit her.

When she was a child, she had rescued a stray dog with the same yellow tuft on its back.

She had wanted to keep it, but her aunt absolutely refused. Left with no choice, she had to let it go back to wandering the streets.

She had named that dog Mao Mao.

Tentatively, she called out, “Mao Mao?”

The dog’s ears perked up instantly, and it tilted its head toward her.

Jiang Yisheng was stunned. She called again, “Mao Mao… is it really you?”

The dog stepped closer and nudged her hand with its nose, rubbing against her palm.

“You know this dog?” Bai Chu asked curiously.

“She looks just like a stray I picked up when I was little,” Jiang Yisheng said, reaching to pet it again—but the dog suddenly turned and ran off.

It ran a few steps, then turned back to glance at Jiang Yisheng.

They locked eyes. Something bittersweet surged in Jiang Yisheng’s chest.

A few seconds later, the dog turned back around and disappeared into the crowd.

Taking with it that familiar patch of yellow fur—never to be seen again.