After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 18

Servants were still tidying up the living room when Butler Li spotted Sheng Yunjin. He was about to step forward to greet her when Zhang Lanyou, who had appeared unnoticed behind him, called out.

“Who is that?”

Glancing toward Sheng Yunjin and Si Mu, who had already entered the elevator at the corner, Butler Li turned back to Zhang Lanyou—who hadn’t left his room all night and only emerged after the banquet ended—and replied with a gentle smile, “She must be the young miss’s friend.”

With a displeased expression, Zhang Lanyou glared at him. “I meant her identity.”

“The young miss’s friend. I’m not entirely sure.”

His expression unchanged, Butler Li smiled politely before giving a slight bow and walking away.

Left behind, the young man stood there, his face dark with anger.

Zhang Lanyou surveyed his surroundings—the vast Sheng family estate, where servants methodically cleaned every corner.

Just because Sheng Yunjin had returned home, Sheng Ming Zhao had thrown a grand banquet, inviting countless elites from high society to celebrate her.

And what about him? He was Sheng Ming Zhao’s child too, yet he wasn’t even worthy of a formal banquet to announce his status.

If they looked down on him so much, why even keep him in the Sheng family?

He hated Sheng Ming Zhao. And he hated Sheng Yunjin even more.

His mother had long told him that in prestigious families like the Sheng household, there could only be one heir.

So, for everything that had happened, he blamed Sheng Yunjin.

It was all because of her—she had stolen everything that should have rightfully belonged to Zhang Lanyou.

One day, he would take it all back with his own hands.

…

Arriving on the third floor, Si Mu quietly followed behind Sheng Yunjin, letting herself be led into a bedroom.

The door clicked shut behind them, and Sheng Yunjin kicked off her high heels.

Her fair, delicate toes, painted with a soft shade of nail polish, lightly touched the plush carpet. She closed her eyes in contentment.

Si Mu averted her gaze slightly, then bent down to straighten the fallen heels.

She had a mild case of perfectionism.

Sheng Yunjin, who had been holding her hand, turned and noticed the gesture. Her cheeks inexplicably flushed as she stole a glance at Si Mu before obediently picking up her heels and carrying them into the walk-in closet.

“These are all newly delivered clothes. I haven’t worn any of them yet.”

After neatly placing the heels on the shoe rack, Sheng Yunjin turned back to Si Mu with a smile.

Having witnessed her actions the entire time, Si Mu felt a soft warmth in her chest. “Does Miss Sheng want me to pick an outfit?”

Nodding, Sheng Yunjin casually grabbed a fitted camisole and shorts, then pulled out a lightweight trench coat.

“The evening gown is too long—it’s inconvenient to move in.”

Her gaze then lingered expectantly on Si Mu, silently urging her to choose something as well.

Looking at Sheng Yunjin’s selections, Si Mu paused before stepping forward to pick out an outfit of her own.

A black sleeveless top and loose-fitting jeans—a simple yet elegant combination.

Nothing particularly special, except that the colors happened to match the camisole and shorts Sheng Yunjin had chosen.

Sheng Yunjin didn’t seem to notice. Seeing that Si Mu had made her selection, she turned around without hesitation and began unzipping the back of her evening gown.

Si Mu’s brow twitched involuntarily at the sight. She quickly turned away, clutching her clothes, and muttered, “I’ll change in the bathroom,” before hurrying out.

The footsteps behind her gradually faded away. Sheng Yunjin paused while unzipping her dress, her slightly lowered gaze flickering before she continued changing clothes as if nothing had happened.

…

In the car on the way back, Sheng Yunjin and Si Mu sat side by side in the backseat.

Perhaps due to drinking too much, Sheng Yunjin closed her eyes as soon as she got in the car, leaning lazily against the seat to rest.

Her arm, resting at her side, inevitably brushed against Si Mu’s in the cramped space of the car.

The warmth of their skin meeting the slight coolness sent Sheng Yunjin’s heartbeat racing uncontrollably, even with her eyes closed.

In just one short evening, she had already lost count of how many times her heart had betrayed her like this.

It seemed Lin Xiaoyu was right—something was definitely off about her.

Sheng Yunjin mused silently to herself.

…

The driver was still waiting to depart. Si Mu glanced at Sheng Yunjin’s half-lidded eyes and asked softly, “Where does Miss Sheng live?”

Turning her head slightly toward Si Mu, Sheng Yunjin’s intoxicated, alluring gaze seemed even more captivating in the dim light of the night.

Si Mu’s fingers curled slightly at her side.

Completely unaware of the effect she was having, Sheng Yunjin continued to gaze at Si Mu, her drunken smile making her look like a cunning little fox.

“Wherever President Si lives, I live.”

Stunned by the reply, Si Mu lowered her eyes and met Sheng Yunjin’s gaze seriously.

Tilting her head slightly, Sheng Yunjin didn’t shy away—her shimmering, liquid eyes brimming with a softness that made one want to drown in them.

The first to yield, Si Mu let out a helpless chuckle before instructing the driver to head to her usual residence as planned.

…

The partition between the seats slowly rose.

In the dimly lit space, Si Mu looked down at their arms pressed together, her eyes gentle.

Beside her, Sheng Yunjin—who was likely genuinely drunk—rested uneasily, her head shifting restlessly against the seatback. Her eyes remained lazily half-closed, but her lips murmured faint complaints.

Si Mu wondered just how much alcohol she had consumed to be this disoriented in such a short time.

Yet her hands moved gently, supporting Sheng Yunjin’s slightly drooping head as she leaned closer, tentatively letting her rest against her shoulder.

The warmth of Sheng Yunjin’s breath against her neck sent a flush creeping up Si Mu’s cheeks, her mind unwittingly recalling certain scenes from her dreams.

…

The car pulled into the residential complex.

Si Mu stepped out first, intending to circle around and help Sheng Yunjin, only to find her already standing obediently on the other side, waiting.

They entered the elevator side by side. Si Mu studied Sheng Yunjin’s now-clear expression, unsure whether she had sobered up.

Pressing the button for the 35th floor, Si Mu turned to Sheng Yunjin, about to ask if she was feeling unwell, when she saw her reach out and press another button.

34th floor.

Precise, practiced, without a hint of hesitation.

Raising an eyebrow, Si Mu narrowed her eyes at Sheng Yunjin, who stood perfectly straight, and a suspicion formed in her mind.

Lifting her fingers, Si Mu gently tilted Sheng Yunjin’s chin up with two fingers.

“Miss Sheng, are you really drunk?”

Her gaze flitting away, Sheng Yunjin—who had been pretending the entire time—let out an awkward laugh.

Her delicate cheeks looked slightly comical pinched between Si Mu’s fingers.

“You caught me…”

Now everything was clear. With a light hum, Si Mu released her hand and turned away, no longer looking at her.

Only the lingering sensation of softness remained on her fingertips.

Sheng Yunjin bit her lower lip and stole a glance at Si Mu before poking the back of her hand, which hung at her side.

“I was just teasing you…”

“I won’t do it again…”

Her voice carried a pitiful, fragile grievance, and Si Mu glanced at her sideways. Anyone who didn’t know better would think she had bullied her.

Sheng Yunjin, who hadn’t expected to actually make her angry, was on the verge of tears. She swore she had only been joking with Si Mu.

She had just been curious—she wanted to see what kind of reaction Si Mu would have upon learning they were neighbors living one floor apart.

The elevator stopped on the 34th floor. Without looking at her, Si Mu reminded her coolly, “Miss Sheng, you’re home.”

Sheng Yunjin didn’t move. She felt that if she stepped out now, Si Mu would only grow angrier with her.

Stealing a cautious look at Si Mu’s expression, she pressed the button to close the elevator doors again.

Si Mu shot her a sidelong glance but said nothing.

When they reached the 35th floor, Si Mu stepped out first, with Sheng Yunjin trailing behind her like a lost puppy, hastily explaining.

“I was wrong, President Si, I really know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have played that joke on you…”

The usually domineering young lady didn’t even realize why she cared so much about Si Mu’s opinion—she only knew she had to make things right.

Si Mu stood in front of her door, her thumb already pressed against the fingerprint lock.

When she lowered her eyes, her long lashes veiled the emotions in her gaze, making it impossible to discern her true thoughts.

Si Mu wasn’t actually angry. She just…

Felt embarrassed.

Sheng Yunjin hadn’t been drunk, yet Si Mu had openly stared at her in the car, making no effort to hide her private desires…

Closing her eyes briefly, Si Mu bit her lip helplessly.

She didn’t turn to face Sheng Yunjin, only speaking softly, “I’m not angry. It’s late, Miss Sheng. You should go rest.”

Her voice, naturally cool and detached, sounded even more distant in the empty hallway, striking Sheng Yunjin’s already unsettled ears like a rejection.

For the first time in her life, Sheng Yunjin was so anxious she nearly cried, a fine layer of sweat breaking out on her back.

She reached out to stop Si Mu from entering, her voice small and pleading.

“I really know I was wrong, Si Mu. You’re so good to me—you took care of me in the car, even let me lean on you to sleep, and I repaid you by lying to you. I’m the worst…”

Her sweet, delicate voice continued listing her own crimes as if offending Si Mu was some unforgivable sin.

Si Mu’s heart softened completely, without any resistance. She was certain now—she was doomed to be hopelessly entangled with this girl named Sheng Yunjin for the rest of her life.

Sighing inwardly, torn between amusement and exasperation, Si Mu finally turned around and spoke gently.

“Alright, alright, I’m really not angry.”

If she didn’t stop her now, Sheng Yunjin might just exile herself to the ends of the earth out of guilt.

Studying Si Mu’s expression carefully, Sheng Yunjin obediently fell silent.

“When did you find out I live above you?”

Si Mu asked curiously.

She had been living here for over a year now, but had never seen Sheng Yunjin before.

Licking her lips, Sheng Yunjin answered vaguely, “A few days ago.”

In truth, she’d known for about half a month—ever since that one sentence she’d accidentally overheard from upstairs that night.

But she didn’t dare tell Si Mu the truth now.

She was afraid of being seen as a lunatic.