Secretly Seducing the Third Female Lead Behind the System’s Back - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Don’t Let the Male Lead Die from a Fall!

Bai Chu was already thoroughly familiar with the contents of the file. It didn’t contain any trade secrets—just some technical terms and regulations—so it didn’t really hold much importance for her.

Still, when the meeting ended, she picked it up with the intent to take it with her.

As she stood up, Bai Chu made sure to find the man she had accidentally offended earlier to apologize.

She had already memorized his name. Approaching him, she said with genuine remorse, “I’m very sorry, President Luo. I offended you earlier, and I sincerely apologize.”

“It’s no big deal,” Luo Kang said with a smile, scratching his head. “Which company are you from?”

“Renyuan Company. I’m Bai Chu,” she introduced herself.

“You’re the Bai Chu?” Luo Kang turned to take a better look at her. “Young and promising.”

“You flatter me, President Luo.” The two exited the meeting room together, just as Yu Mushan and Jiang Hang were surrounded by a crowd of high-ranking company executives.

On the other side, Jiang Yisheng stood alone by the door, waiting anxiously. Why was Bai Chu still not out?

Suddenly, she turned her head and saw Bai Chu approaching with Luo Kang.

“Bai Chu-jie!” Jiang Yisheng ran up excitedly and, noticing Luo Kang beside her, greeted him timidly, “President Luo.”

Jiang Hang had already noticed them from a distance. Seeing Luo Kang come over, he quickly tried to rescue his daughter from the awkwardness.

He motioned with a downward wave of his hand, gesturing for those around him to hold off for a moment.

“Old Luo, I was wondering how your hair could possibly look thicker than mine,” Jiang Hang said bluntly, not avoiding the topic at all.

“You old rascal.” Luo Kang gave him a glare.

Jiang Hang burst into hearty laughter and slung an arm around Luo Kang’s shoulders as they walked off together.

“Bai Chu-jie, did you see the little note I wrote you?” Jiang Yisheng finally had a chance to talk to Bai Chu.

“Nope,” Bai Chu replied as she walked out with the folder.

“What? So I wrote it for nothing? I even rewrote it several times because I hated how messy my handwriting was.” Jiang Yisheng trailed behind her in tiny, quick steps, matching Bai Chu’s direction wherever she turned.

As they waited for the elevator, Bai Chu turned and looked at her impatiently. “President Jiang, how long are you going to keep following me?”

“Didn’t your car break down? I’ll give you a ride home,” Jiang Yisheng said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“No need, I’ll just call a cab.” Bai Chu entered the elevator alone and let the doors close.

Jiang Yisheng didn’t follow her.

Nearby, Zhang Tao was utterly baffled—why was the boss being so nice to Bai Chu?

“President Jiang, your new SIM card is ready,” Zhang Tao said as she walked up. “Would you like me to install it for you?”

“Mm.” Jiang Yisheng was deep in thought as she handed her phone to Zhang Tao.

Just as Zhang Tao took the phone, the screen lit up, revealing the default wallpaper.

She changed the lock screen?! The one with the photo of her and President An?!

Zhang Tao kept her shock to herself and silently swapped out the SIM card, then handed the phone back.

“Save my parents’ and your numbers in it,” Jiang Yisheng instructed, then suddenly asked, “Do you know Bai Chu’s number?”

“I can look it up,” Zhang Tao replied.

“Never mind,” Jiang Yisheng muttered, pressing her lips together.

After the meeting, Jiang Yisheng rode home with her “parents.”

“Shengsheng, have you thought about what you want to eat later?” Jiang Hang asked.

“Anything’s fine,” Jiang Yisheng replied awkwardly from the back seat.

“Got it. My daughter just doesn’t want to choose. Well, Daddy will decide for you—I guarantee both you and your mom will be happy with it,” Jiang Hang said with a grin.

“Make a little more rice. She’s lost weight again,” Yu Mushan added with concern.

“Got it, got it.”

In the car, Jiang Hang and Yu Mushan chatted now and then about work and various topics, keeping the atmosphere light and relaxed.

From the backseat, Jiang Yisheng watched them suspiciously.

Were they really harmonious, or just pretending?

Her parents didn’t live in the city center. Their home wasn’t as luxuriously furnished as her private residence, but it was still a large villa filled with warmth and signs of daily life.

After changing out of his suit, Jiang Hang headed to the garden to pick vegetables for dinner.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yisheng sat on the sofa with Yu Mushan watching TV, clearly tense. Though she wasn’t paying attention to the show, she didn’t dare look anywhere else.

Yu Mushan quietly peeled longans next to her, saying nothing.

Only the crisp cracking of the shells filled the silence, making Jiang Yisheng even more awkward—though she didn’t know how to break it.

Soon, a porcelain bowl appeared before her, filled with glistening longan flesh.

Startled, Jiang Yisheng looked up at Yu Mushan.

“Why are you staring at Mom like that?” Yu Mushan asked gently.

“No—nothing,” Jiang Yisheng quickly averted her eyes and looked down at the bowl again.

Her real parents had died early. She grew up with her aunt, whose family had many children and little money. Growing up, she had been grateful just not to starve.

She picked up a longan and glanced cautiously at Yu Mushan again.

Yu Mushan chuckled and said, “Eat. What’s with you today?”

Jiang Yisheng bit into the fruit—the juice burst out sweet and refreshing.

“It’s delicious,” she said with a bright smile.

“Something bothering you lately? Talk to Mom about it,” Yu Mushan leaned against the backrest and gently propped her elbow up.

“Nope! Nothing at all. I’m eating and sleeping well!” Jiang Yisheng stuffed more longans into her mouth, speaking through the fruit.

Yu Mushan laughed and ruffled her hair. “You sure are talking more.”

They sat on the sofa watching TV. There was some space between them, but Yu Mushan was relaxed, occasionally making comments about the program.

Gradually, Jiang Yisheng relaxed and chatted more freely too.

“Shengsheng, Mushan, come wash your hands for dinner!” Jiang Hang called from the kitchen, wearing a red apron.

After washing her hands, Jiang Yisheng sat at the table. The steaming dishes filled the table with a mouthwatering aroma.

“So, did Daddy’s menu make you happy?” Jiang Hang asked proudly.

“Very!” she said enthusiastically.

They sat down to eat. Jiang Hang and Yu Mushan kept piling food onto her plate.

“Try this tofu—you said it wasn’t spicy enough last time. See how I did this time?” Jiang Hang said.

“It’s great!” Jiang Yisheng’s cheeks puffed with food as she gave a thumbs up.

It really was delicious—something she could never cook herself.

Her “parents” were delighted to see her enjoying the meal and ended up eating a lot more themselves.

After dinner, Jiang Yisheng clutched her stomach, completely stuffed.

“Are you sleeping here tonight or going back to your place?” Yu Mushan asked, gently rubbing her belly.

“I’ll go back to mine,” Jiang Yisheng replied. Though they were nice, she still felt a bit out of place.

“All right. Your dad and I will drive you.” Yu Mushan got up to get dressed.

“No need. I’ll have Taozi take me. You two should rest early,” she said, quickly waving them off.

“Then let Mom know when you get home,” Yu Mushan reminded her again.

In the car, Jiang Yisheng sat in the back, thinking about dinner.

Her eyes wandered before she leaned forward, studying Zhang Tao.

“President Jiang, is there something you need?”

Jiang Yisheng hesitated, unsure how to begin.

Zhang Tao sat upright, waiting.

“Do you think my parents are really in love?” she finally asked.

“Huh?” Zhang Tao blinked, confused.

“I mean… do they just look happy on the outside but actually live separate lives?” she clarified.

Zhang Tao looked like she’d just heard a massive secret. Chairwoman Yu and President Jiang only pretending to be loving? And President Jiang is talking to me about this?!

“I didn’t hear anything, President Jiang.” Zhang Tao sat up straight and stared ahead.

“Oh come on, I’m asking you seriously,” Jiang Yisheng said, lightly patting her shoulder.

“They’ve always had a great relationship. If Chairwoman Yu’s business trip goes over three days, President Jiang insists on joining her. He has a weak stomach, so she always prepares his meds before events and brings him home afterward…”

Damn, Jiang Yisheng thought. The original her really lived a privileged life.

The car gradually entered the city center, hitting rush hour traffic—stop-and-go.

Shops lined the street. Jiang Yisheng leaned against the window, taking in the bustling scenery.

So lively.

She stretched and yawned lazily.

But when she opened her eyes again, a face filled her entire window.

“Holy crap—!” she screamed and bolted upright, completely startled.

The driver and Zhang Tao instantly went on alert. Zhang Tao turned to check, while the driver quietly reached for a baton from the door panel.

“President An?” Zhang Tao squinted, recognizing the man.

“Huh?” Jiang Yisheng was still recovering. “Who’s that?”

Zhang Tao paused, then said, “An Hao.”

Jiang Yisheng’s childhood friend.

“So what? He’s nuts, showing up like this late at night?!” she grumbled, staring out at An Hao, whose face was red and movements unstable.

“He’s drunk?” she asked with distaste.

“Looks like it,” Zhang Tao nodded.

“What happens if we don’t help him?”

“Probably… nothing?” Zhang Tao replied uncertainly.

The driver put the baton back and watched Jiang Yisheng through the rearview mirror, hands steady on the wheel, waiting for her decision.

Jiang Yisheng was about to tell him to drive when she looked again—and saw An Hao had collapsed on the sidewalk.

Seriously?

She sighed heavily and stepped out of the car.

It’s winter! If he freezes to death, the story ends. If the story ends, I get “deported” back to the real world.

And she definitely wasn’t ready to go back.

She went to lift him. “Hey, wake up. Can you call a cab by yourself?”

The driver and Zhang Tao also got out to help.

A drunk man was heavy. The three of them struggled to get An Hao upright, and he slumped entirely onto Jiang Yisheng’s shoulder.

She pinched her nose and grimaced. “You reek of booze. Disgusting and heavy. What a pain.”

Wow, that rhymed, she thought absentmindedly.

“President Jiang, should we put him in the car?” Zhang Tao asked.

“Just get him a cab,” she replied. No way was she sharing the backseat.

“Okay.” Zhang Tao went to hail one.

Jiang Yisheng looked ahead—and her eyes lit up, a smile forming on her face.

“Bai Chu-jie?” she said, thrilled, and took a few quick steps forward—forgetting completely about the man slumped on her shoulder.

Then—thud.

She froze.

Oh no. Please don’t let the male lead die from this fall.

She turned around in panic.