After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 14

Knock, knock, knock.

A light tapping sounded at the office door. Si Mu’s gaze remained fixed on the computer screen as she responded indifferently, “Come in.”

The door opened, and Zhao Yuanqi peeked in first. Seeing that Si Mu was working, she didn’t disturb her and quietly took a seat on the nearby sofa to wait.

About fifteen minutes later, after reviewing the documents on her computer, Si Mu finally looked up at Zhao Yuanqi. “What is it?”

It was office hours. If it were business-related, Zhao Yuanqi would have spoken up immediately upon entering, rather than waiting patiently like this.

As she asked, Si Mu stood up and took a sip of the coffee on her desk. The bitter yet rich flavor lingered in her mouth, clearing some of the fatigue from a morning of work.

Zhao Yuanqi leaned lazily against the sofa back and replied, “Mingsheng Group is hosting a banquet the night after tomorrow to celebrate the chairman’s daughter’s return from abroad.”

She handed the invitation in her hand to Si Mu with a smile. “Here, I received this last night. Aren’t we looking for partners right now? This is a perfect opportunity.”

Zhao Yuanqi came from a well-connected family, though her older sister currently held the reins, leaving her free to pursue her interests. That was why she had teamed up with Si Mu to start their own venture.

Si Mu took the invitation, her fingers brushing along its edge without opening it immediately.

JM’s reputation had been firmly established over the past two years, and Si Mu intended to capitalize on that momentum to expand their market further—not just in jewelry but also by exploring collaborations with fashion brands.

This was also why Si Mu had been working late so often recently. Expanding the market wasn’t as simple as it sounded. She had been researching relevant information and screening potential fashion companies for partnerships.

The timing of Mingsheng Group’s banquet couldn’t have been better. The purpose of the event didn’t matter to Si Mu; what mattered was the presence of numerous high-level executives from various companies—an ideal opportunity to network.

Seeing her deep in thought, Zhao Yuanqi shared what she knew. “I’ve never actually met Chairman Sheng of Mingsheng, but my sister has interacted with him a few times due to business dealings. I hear he’s quite stern, the kind who commands respect without even trying.”

“And, according to rumors, he was quite the playboy in his youth, with a constant stream of mistresses. I suspect his daughter went abroad to get away from all that.”

Si Mu set down her cup, her expression unchanged. “Their family affairs are none of our concern.”

With that, she opened the invitation to check the banquet’s specific time and location.

Zhao Yuanqi shrugged helplessly, having expected this reaction.

“Well, I’ll leave the invitation with you. I’ll be going with my sister, by the way.”

With her task completed, Zhao Yuanqi turned to leave.

“Wait!”

Si Mu’s lips parted slightly in surprise as she read the name on the invitation.

Sheng Yunjin.

She was the daughter of Mingsheng Group’s chairman.

Zhao Yuanqi turned back, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Trying to rein in her excitement, Si Mu’s gaze flickered slightly. “Have you ever met this Miss Sheng before?”

Resting her chin on her hand, Zhao Yuanqi thought for a moment before shaking her head. “I can’t remember clearly. Maybe I’ve seen her before? But I heard she went abroad right after middle school. Counting the years, it’s been seven or eight years now. Even if I had met her, I probably forgot.”

Silently nodding, Si Mu replied softly, “I see.”

After Zhao Yuanqi left, Si Mu stared fixedly at the invitation in her hand, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions.

She suddenly felt uncertain.

If Sheng Yunqing was only fourteen or fifteen seven years ago, was the person in her dreams really Sheng Yunqing?

…

The day of the banquet arrived.

Sheng Yunqing stayed in her third-floor bedroom, eyes closed in feigned sleep, allowing the makeup artist and stylist to work on her face.

This banquet was precisely the reason Sheng Mingzhao had summoned her home that day.

She was growing increasingly annoyed with that old man, Sheng Mingzhao—bringing his illegitimate son into the household while simultaneously throwing a grand celebration for his daughter’s return.

Though reluctant to admit it, Sheng Yunqing had to concede that Sheng Mingzhao had her cornered with this move.

While she claimed no interest in inheriting the company, there was one thing she and Lin Xiaoyu agreed on: she could choose not to take it, but no one else could snatch it away.

Now that Sheng Mingzhao was openly raising his illegitimate son by his side—though not in daily sight—just the thought of it made Sheng Yunqing uncomfortable.

So, when Sheng Mingzhao proposed hosting a banquet to celebrate her return, she didn’t refuse outright. Instead, she first glanced at Zhang Lanyou sitting across from her.

A child who dared to slap his own mother without hesitation—Sheng Yunqing figured that if she ever slipped up and fell into his hands, there’d be nothing left of her.

Since they despised each other, Sheng Yunqing was determined to put this brat in his place.

Thus, she agreed—and, unsurprisingly, caught the momentary twist of fury on the boy’s face.

Sheng Yunqing smiled. Being the villain really was more satisfying.

…

The banquet commenced as scheduled at the Sheng family’s private estate.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Sheng Yunqing descended the staircase step by step before stopping gracefully beside Sheng Mingzhao.

She wore a black haute couture gown, its hem adorned with understated yet luxurious golden patterns and scattered diamonds. The sweetheart neckline and cinched waist accentuated her exquisite figure.

The sapphire necklace around her fair neck complemented the deep blue of the earrings peeking through her hair. Paired with the arrogance in her eyes and the lazy smile on her lips, she exuded an aura of nobility and icy allure.

Standing in a corner of the hall, Si Mu’s deep gaze remained fixed on her, her own eyes shimmering with an unnoticed brilliance.

There was no mistaking it—this version of Sheng Yunqing was nearly identical to the one in her dreams: just as domineering, radiant, and bold.

And just as capable of making Si Mu’s heart race.

…

After playing her part in Sheng Mingzhao’s little charade and dutifully meeting a few company executives by his side, Sheng Yunqing dropped her smile and lazily retreated to a corner with a small cake, nibbling absentmindedly.

Lin Xiaoyu, meanwhile, was already mingling effortlessly with the crowd, networking for her company’s growth, leaving Sheng Yunqing to idly observe the passing guests to pass the time.

During that time, a few young men and women around her age came to strike up conversations with Sheng Yunjin. After exchanging polite smiles and pleasantries with them, Sheng Yunjin excused herself to the restroom to slip away.

Rounding a corner, she was about to continue further inside when she spotted Si Mu standing not far away—the very person she had been concocting excuses to see but hadn’t managed to meet yet.

Her footsteps instinctively paused as she stood rooted in place, her eyes suddenly brightening.

In the distance, Si Mu wore a white off-shoulder gown, the soft, form-fitting fabric draping elegantly over her slender frame, accentuating her graceful poise.

She seemed to be deep in conversation with a man across from her, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her expression focused and serious.

Sheng Yunjin pressed her lips together, then casually picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray. Pretending nonchalance, she slowly approached, stopping by the window just a few steps away from Si Mu.