After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 25

“How are you feeling now? Any discomfort left?”

Although she had received IV fluids and taken medication, Sheng Yunjin was still somewhat worried.

Si Mu shook her head, “I’m fine now.”

As she spoke, she started to get up.

Sheng Yunjin instinctively moved to support her, but Si Mu subtly avoided her touch.

Pausing for a moment, Sheng Yunjin didn’t dwell on it and simply continued to follow closely behind her.

Seeing her head straight for the entrance to leave, Sheng Yunjin finally grew anxious.

“You’re leaving just like that?”

Blocking Si Mu’s path, Sheng Yunjin frowned at her.

Pressing her lips together, Si Mu didn’t raise her eyes and only murmured, “I have a meeting this afternoon…”

Falling silent, Sheng Yunjin watched her slender, fragile figure and said nothing for a moment.

“Then… at least have something to eat before you go. I made some congee.”

Si Mu instinctively wanted to refuse, but when she met Sheng Yunjin’s hopeful gaze, the words died on her lips.

…

The two sat facing each other at the dining table. Sheng Yunjin pushed the congee and side dishes closer to Si Mu.

Speaking gently and considerately, “You’re still sick, so you should stick to something light for now.”

Si Mu took small sips of the warm, soft rice porridge, her heart aching unbearably at the words.

She wanted to ask Sheng Yunjin—do you treat everyone with such care and tenderness?

Perhaps because her illness had left her without an appetite, or perhaps because her mood was too low, Si Mu only managed half a bowl before stopping.

Sheng Yunjin, who had been sitting across from her the whole time, instinctively frowned when she saw how little she had eaten.

Recalling how light Si Mu had felt when she carried her earlier, and how stubbornly she had insisted on going to work despite her high fever, Sheng Yunjin felt she really didn’t know how to take care of herself.

“Thank you. I’ll be going now.”

Rising from her seat, Si Mu thanked Sheng Yunjin again before turning to leave.

Sheng Yunjin stood where she was, watching her retreating figure, biting her lip.

Right now, she thought Si Mu had the makings of a heartbreaker.

Even if she didn’t remember the dazed kiss from earlier, why was she being so hot and cold now that she was sober?

Just last night, she had been smiling so tenderly at her!

Pouting in frustration, Sheng Yunjin impulsively kicked the chair beside her in irritation, only to immediately crumple in pain, clutching her foot.

…

Returning to her own home first, Si Mu paused in the entryway for a moment before slowly making her way to the bathroom.

It wasn’t until she undressed that she noticed two buttons at her collar were undone.

Her fingers stilled on the buttons, then she gave a self-deprecating smile.

Even if it was Sheng Yunjin who had undone them, it wasn’t as if she would read anything into it.

After showering and changing into fresh clothes, Si Mu steadied her emotions and resumed her usual composed, aloof demeanor.

…

Picking up her bag to leave, Si Mu had just stepped into the elevator when it stopped at the familiar 34th floor.

Moments later, Sheng Yunjin appeared, now in a completely different outfit.

Gone were the delicate dress and high heels from the morning—she now wore a simple white T-shirt and denim shorts, paired with slip-on sandals, her straight legs fair and slender.

With a cheerful smile, she greeted Si Mu, “What a coincidence~”

Doing her best to keep her expression neutral, Si Mu gave a slight nod.

The elevator descended in silence, neither of them speaking.

Si Mu stared fixedly at the changing numbers on the elevator display, completely unaware that Sheng Yunjin standing slightly behind her was gazing at her openly without any attempt to conceal it.

When they reached the underground parking garage, Si Mu walked ahead first, the crisp sound of her high heels echoing sharply in the empty space.

Yet, the only footsteps Si Mu could truly focus on were the faint ones of Sheng Yunjin behind her.

She couldn’t tell if it was just her imagination, but Si Mu had the distinct feeling that Sheng Yunjin was following her…

Then she shook her head inwardly, chiding herself for being absurd.

Unlocking her car, Si Mu lowered her eyes to fasten her seatbelt, thinking that she should spend more time at the office lately and put in extra hours.

With the new project about to launch, throwing herself into work might leave her with less time to dwell on Sheng Yunjin.

A loud thud—

The sound of a car door closing.

Si Mu snapped out of her thoughts in surprise, turning to see Sheng Yunjin, who had somehow slipped into the passenger seat beside her.

“You…”

With practiced ease, Sheng Yunjin buckled her seatbelt before turning to flash her a radiant smile. “You don’t mind giving me a ride, do you, Xiao Mu?”

Si Mu opened her mouth, then steeled herself and replied, “We’re not going the same way.”

JM Studio and Mingsheng Group were located in completely opposite directions.

After speaking, Si Mu deliberately averted her gaze—she didn’t want to see the disappointment in Sheng Yunjin’s eyes.

She was afraid she might soften.

Sheng Yunjin studied her aloof profile before letting out a melodramatic sigh.

“Ah… but I accidentally hurt my foot just now, so I can’t drive myself… sigh…”

Instinctively furrowing her brows in concern, Si Mu turned to look at her. “Where did you hurt it? Is it serious?”

Her eyes dropped to Sheng Yunjin’s feet, taking in her shoes, and Si Mu immediately regretted her earlier coldness—along with the self-reproach gnawing at her heart.

Sheng Yunjin hadn’t done anything wrong. It was Si Mu who was foolishly yearning for something impossible.

What right did she have to treat Sheng Yunjin so distantly?

Noticing her concern, Sheng Yunjin secretly curled her lips upward before murmuring, “I bumped it against a chair.”

“Does it hurt badly? Did you put any ointment on it?”

Si Mu’s frown deepened as she started the car. “Did you injure the bone? Let’s go to the hospital first.”

Sheng Yunjin had only wanted her to show a little care, but seeing how alarmed Si Mu seemed, she quickly reached out to stop her. “No, no, it’s fine—I already applied medicine at home.”

Under Si Mu’s anxious gaze, Sheng Yunjin bit her lip. “Really, there’s no need for the hospital. Just drop me off at the company.”

Si Mu studied her for a long moment, her eyes lingering on Sheng Yunjin’s foot before she finally relented with a nod. “Alright.”

“But if you feel any discomfort, tell me immediately.”

Her voice had softened without her realizing it. Sheng Yunjin kept her face turned toward her, nodding obediently in response.

Then, as if remembering something, Sheng Yunjin added, “You don’t need to take me all the way to Mingsheng Group—just drop me off at your company’s building.”

When Si Mu looked puzzled, Sheng Yunjin grinned and explained, “The company I just joined is in the same building as yours.”

This was something Sheng Yunjin had only just discovered herself.

After Si Mu left, Sheng Yunjin had sent Lin Xiaoyu another message, saying she’d head to the company soon for her training session.

Then Lin Xiaoyu told her about the matter.

Though she wasn’t sure why Lin Xiaoyu had shared this with her, Sheng Yunjin was quite pleased.

This was practically a ready-made excuse to hitch a ride.

…

On the way, noticing that Si Mu remained focused on driving without saying a word, Sheng Yunjin took the initiative to speak up.

“Aren’t you curious? About the company I just joined.”

What was up with Si Mu? Even if she had a crush, she didn’t have to be this low-key about it.

A little dissatisfied, Sheng Yunjin grumbled inwardly.

Si Mu curved her lips slightly and played along. “Very curious. What position did you take?”

Just as Sheng Yunjin was about to answer, a mischievous urge struck her.

“Not telling. Stay curious.”

Si Mu wasn’t the least bit annoyed by her teasing. The faint fondness and amusement in her eyes, however, betrayed her lighthearted mood.

“Alright. Will you tell me tonight, then?”

“Tonight?”

Si Mu glanced at her briefly before stating matter-of-factly, “Your foot is injured. You’ll take my car again this evening—I’ll drive you home.”

Her striking peach-blossom eyes curved uncontrollably. Sheng Yunjin lifted a hand to cover her radiant smile, turning her face toward the window as if to admire the view—though in truth, she just didn’t want Si Mu to see her secretly grinning.

“Fine. I’ll tell you tonight.”

…

When they arrived, Si Mu stopped Sheng Yunjin before she could get out.

“Wait a moment.”

With that, she stepped out first, circled around the car, and reached the passenger side.

“Let me see how bad it is.”

Sheng Yunjin was momentarily confused. “See what?”

Only then did she follow Si Mu’s gaze to her injured foot.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, though she couldn’t quite name the emotion stirring in her chest. “It’s really not serious.”

Si Mu didn’t budge, her voice gentle but firm. “I’ll believe it after I see for myself.”

Fine.

Feeling a little embarrassed, Sheng Yunjin gingerly slipped her right foot out of her shoe.

Her toes were wrapped tightly in bandages.

Honestly, it was almost laughable. Sheng Yunjin hadn’t expected her kick to land so hard—only when she looked down later did she realize her toe was bleeding.

Luckily, it was just a surface wound. She’d disinfected it, applied ointment, and wrapped it in gauze herself.

Even through the bandages, Si Mu couldn’t make out much. Still uneasy, she asked, “Are you sure nothing’s broken?”

Nodding, Sheng Yunjin reassured her. “Absolutely. I can tell.”

Then, with lightning speed, she slipped her shoe back on.

Si Mu chuckled helplessly before helping her out of the car. “Alright, walk slowly.”

Half-held in Si Mu’s arms, Sheng Yunjin found the sensation oddly delightful. Breathing in Si Mu’s faint fragrance, she felt almost lightheaded.

They entered the lobby together, and Si Mu guided her into the elevator. “Which floor is your company on?”

Sheng Yunjin snapped out of her daze. “47th.”

Si Mu nodded and pressed the button.

“I’m on the 39th. If you need anything, come find me.”

After a pause, she added, “Message me when you’re done for the day. I’ll come up to get you.”

Obediently nodding, Sheng Yunjin smiled. “Okay.”

As Si Mu stepped out of the elevator, Sheng Yunjin instinctively caught her wrist.

“You’re still recovering. Don’t overwork yourself.”

Si Mu gazed at her focused eyes and smiled, “Alright.”

…

The two parted ways at the elevator, with Sheng Yunjin alone heading up to the 47th floor.

The injury on her foot didn’t actually hinder Sheng Yunjin’s walking, but with Si Mu around, she had instinctively wanted to play up her vulnerability in front of her.

Now at the company, despite her casual attire, Sheng Yunjin held her head high and carried herself with impeccable poise.

The receptionist noticed Sheng Yunjin and, seeing her simple yet elegant appearance coupled with her striking beauty and demeanor, assumed she was another candidate for an interview.

News of Qingguo Entertainment’s restructuring had been making rounds in the industry, with rumors that the new CEO not only had strong backing but was also making bold moves.

This had attracted many aspiring students from film academies, frequently coming in for auditions.

Taking in Sheng Yunjin’s looks, the receptionist marveled inwardly—this girl was even more beautiful than many of the signed artists in the company. She guessed Sheng Yunjin might just make the cut.

“Hello, miss, are you here for an interview?”

Sheng Yunjin was texting Lin Xiaoyu and replied absentmindedly, “No, I’m here to see Lin… your CEO.”

She caught herself just in time, and when she said “CEO,” she couldn’t help but smile.

There was a sense of pride in her heart, like watching a daughter come into her own.

The receptionist was about to ask if she had an appointment when, unexpectedly, the CEO appeared right then.

Lin Xiaoyu, dressed in professional attire, took one look at Sheng Yunjin’s outfit and couldn’t help but twitch her lips.

“You’re way too casual—showing up in slippers?”

Sheng Yunjin walked toward her slowly. “What can I do? My toe’s injured. Can’t wear heels.”

The two walked side by side into the office, leaving the receptionist still staring wistfully at Sheng Yunjin’s retreating figure.

Seeing how familiar they were with each other, the receptionist realized her mistake—Sheng Yunjin wasn’t here for an interview but was simply Lin Xiaoyu’s friend. She sighed in disappointment.

She had hoped to see this beautiful girl around the company, but that hope was dashed just as quickly.