After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 33

The study door was knocked, and Sheng Mingzhao rubbed his temples before responding in a deep voice, “Come in.”

Steward Li entered, placing a freshly brewed cup of hot tea in front of Sheng Mingzhao before speaking respectfully, “Chairman Sheng, we’ve just discovered that the property management of Liuhanting Court has already been sued. Should we continue our own investigation?”

How could Sheng Mingzhao sit idly by after his daughter nearly suffered an accident due to an elevator malfunction?

With a hint of surprise in his expression, Sheng Mingzhao asked, “Did Yun Jin hire a lawyer to handle this?”

Steward Li shook his head, cautiously observing Sheng Mingzhao’s reaction.

“Although the official client is the young miss, the actual contact person is Miss Si Mu.”

Sheng Mingzhao fell silent for a long moment before sighing. “Which legal team did they hire?”

Steward Li promptly replied, “Attorney Zhang from Hecheng took the case. Because he was aware of the young miss’s identity, he disclosed this information to us.”

Hecheng Law Firm had long-standing cooperation with Mingsheng Group. Hiring them for such a lawsuit was practically overkill.

Lowering his gaze to the tea leaves floating in the porcelain cup, Sheng Mingzhao remained silent for a while.

It seemed Si Mu truly cared deeply for his daughter.

…

Following Si Mu into her office, Sheng Yunjin blinked in surprise at the takeout boxes covering nearly half the desk.

Meanwhile, Si Mu was staring at the pitifully thin takeout bag in Sheng Yunjin’s hand.

Knowing that Sheng Yunjin would be coming down to have lunch with her, Si Mu had specifically instructed her secretary to order extra dishes. But…

The current situation wasn’t quite what she had envisioned.

Sitting on the sofa, Sheng Yunjin mournfully unpacked her meager portion of chicken br3ast salad.

Lin Xiaoyu had claimed it was specially customized for her at a Western restaurant, all to help Sheng Yunjin maintain her figure.

She had been enduring this nearly identical salad lunch for half a month now.

Si Mu sat beside her, frowning unconsciously at the sight of Sheng Yunjin’s lunch.

“Is this what you eat every day?”

Sheng Yunjin nodded, then quickly added, as if afraid Si Mu would worry about her nutrition, “It’s quite balanced—protein and vitamins, just no carbs.”

Her eyes darted longingly to the array of fragrant, flavorful dishes on the table, making her own words sound even more pitiful.

Si Mu sighed helplessly. She recognized this as a standard weight-loss salad—healthy, clean, and minimal.

“Is this a company requirement?”

Aside from that, Si Mu couldn’t think of any other reason Sheng Yunjin would subject herself to this.

Nodding obediently again, Sheng Yunjin tattled, “Lin Xiaoyu said I have to maintain my figure, so this is the only lunch I’m allowed to eat at the company!”

Truthfully, it was because Lin Xiaoyu knew Sheng Yunjin too well. Without this rule, Sheng Yunjin would likely continue eating as freely as before.

Though Lin Xiaoyu didn’t mind, Sheng Yunjin’s agent was deeply concerned.

The agent dreamed of becoming a top-tier agent by propelling Sheng Yunjin to stardom, so she imposed strict demands on every detail.

Of course, her authority only extended within the company. Once Sheng Yunjin stepped outside, she ate exactly as she pleased.

Given her daily exercise routine, there was no need to worry about gaining weight at all.

Si Mu wasn’t aware of these intricacies, and upon hearing this, she instinctively felt a pang of sympathy for Sheng Yunjin.

Her gaze lingered on her for a moment before Si Mu spoke, “Your figure is already perfect. You shouldn’t need to resort to such methods to lose fat…”

Hearing this, Sheng Yunjin’s lips curled up involuntarily before she leaned in closer, her eyes crinkling with delight.

“My figure is perfect?”

Si Mu couldn’t handle her being this close, yet she couldn’t bring herself to push her away.

“…Mhm.”

Being complimented by her girlfriend felt undeniably different. Sheng Yunjin was so happy she could practically feel bubbles of joy rising in her chest—even the neglected salad on the side suddenly seemed more appealing.

Si Mu nudged a few meat dishes toward her. “Eating more beef or fish shouldn’t be a problem.”

Battling her lashes playfully, Sheng Yunjin looked at her, her voice soft and carrying a hint of coquettishness.

“Feed me.”

Si Mu’s hand paused instinctively, her ears burning hot.

Pressing her lips together, she picked up a piece of beef and, under Sheng Yunjin’s expectant, smiling gaze, brought it to her lips.

Sheng Yunjin bit down, her eyes brimming with unrestrained amusement.

“You’re the best, Xiao Mu.”

Si Mu’s gaze flickered to her rosy lips before she averted her eyes, her ears still flushed as she murmured a quiet acknowledgment.

…

After lunch, Sheng Yunjin sipped leisurely on a cup of tea. Si Mu glanced at her before suggesting gently, “Do you want to take a nap?”

It was barely past one in the afternoon. Remembering how early Sheng Yunjin had woken up that morning and the morning classes she’d attended, Si Mu thought a short rest would do her good.

Sheng Yunjin blinked. “Sure.”

With a small smile, Si Mu led her into the inner restroom.

Sheng Yunjin had been here once before, though last time, she’d rushed in just to shower. This time, she was going to lie down and sleep.

An inexplicable happiness bubbled up inside her as she sat on the edge of the bed. But just as Si Mu finished drawing the curtains, she turned to leave.

Sheng Yunjin abruptly sat up and caught her wrist. “Aren’t you going to rest too?”

Si Mu nodded. She wasn’t in the habit of napping—usually, she’d just have a cup of coffee after lunch and return to work.

Frowning, Sheng Yunjin glanced at the desk outside. “Is the work urgent?”

Hesitating, Si Mu could already guess what Sheng Yunjin was thinking.

“…Not particularly.”

Without another word, Sheng Yunjin wrapped her arms around Si Mu’s and pulled her back, shutting the door behind them.

“Then nap with me.”

The soft press of Sheng Yunjin’s body against her arm sent Si Mu’s thoughts into disarray. Not daring to move, she could only let herself be guided further inside.

The two of them lay side by side on the single bed, their arms pressed so close there was barely any space between them.

A thin blanket draped over their waists, Sheng Yunjin stared at the dim ceiling for a while before she couldn’t resist turning onto her side to face Si Mu.

The rustling sounds were especially noticeable in the quiet, dim room. They were so close that even with her eyes closed, Si Mu could feel the warmth of Sheng Yunjin’s breath against her skin.

Her fingers curled slightly under the blanket. Si Mu turned as well, and the moment she opened her eyes, she met Sheng Yunjin’s gaze.

With a sweet smile, Sheng Yunjin inched even closer.

She leaned close to Si Mu’s ear and whispered softly, “I want to hold you while we sleep.”

Her heartbeat spiraled out of control again. Si Mu felt she could barely maintain her usual composed expression.

Without speaking, Si Mu gazed at her before moving forward on her own, resting her head lightly against Sheng Yunjin’s shoulder. Instantly, the familiar fragrance she knew so well filled her senses.

Sheng Yunjin’s slender, soft fingers draped loosely around Si Mu’s waist as she held her, content and joyful.

The warmth of Sheng Yunjin’s palm against her waist made Si Mu feel as if that patch of skin was burning. She closed her eyes briefly, suppressing the turmoil within, then pressed her lips together and nestled closer into Sheng Yunjin’s embrace.

…

When Sheng Yunjin woke up, Si Mu was still asleep.

She glanced at her phone beside her—1:40 a.m.

Setting the phone aside, Sheng Yunjin looked down at Si Mu in her arms.

Si Mu hadn’t shifted in her sleep, her head resting on Sheng Yunjin’s shoulder, one hand loosely clutching the front of Sheng Yunjin’s clothes.

Smiling silently, Sheng Yunjin lifted a hand, tracing Si Mu’s features in the air with her fingertips.

Asleep, Si Mu’s demeanor softened further, her lips slightly pursed, looking utterly kissable.

Sheng Yunjin gazed at her before leaning in without hesitation to plant a light peck.

Like a kitten that had successfully stolen a treat, Sheng Yunjin curled her lips upward, feeling she could never get enough of looking at her girlfriend.

“…Sheng Yunjin… Sheng Yunjin…”

Suddenly, Si Mu’s brows furrowed, her grip on Sheng Yunjin’s clothes tightening as she murmured her name urgently under her breath.

Sheng Yunjin took her hand, soothing her gently.

Perhaps comforted by the response, Si Mu gradually relaxed, her breathing steadying.

Holding her close, Sheng Yunjin’s expression darkened with guilt and heartache.

She could guess what Si Mu was dreaming about.

What had happened that morning had truly shaken Si Mu.

When the accident occurred, Sheng Yunjin had indeed panicked momentarily, but knowing she could save herself, her fear had quickly dissipated.

But not for Si Mu.

When the elevator plummeted downward, the despair and devastation Si Mu must have felt waiting outside was all too real.

Sheng Yunjin couldn’t bear to imagine how terrified and hopeless Si Mu had been during those moments from the 15th floor to the basement.

…

Tightening her arm around Si Mu’s waist, Sheng Yunjin leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“I won’t make you worry about me like that again. I promise.”

…

Seeing that class time was approaching, Sheng Yunjin slipped out of bed quietly and left the office alone.

Passing by the secretary’s office outside, she paused, then turned and walked in.

Secretary Sun knew Sheng Yunjin was friends with their CEO, so she smiled instinctively upon seeing her. “Is there something you need, Miss Sheng?”

Sheng Yunjin shook her head. “Does Si Mu have any important meetings scheduled for this afternoon?”

Secretary Sun blinked, then checked the schedule. “No, she handled all the urgent matters this morning.”

Nodding, Sheng Yunjin grinned. “Then don’t disturb her this afternoon. Let her rest properly.”

Secretary Sun nodded automatically, only realizing the implication of Sheng Yunjin’s words after she had walked away.

Rest properly…

So, President Si is actually resting now?

No wonder she didn’t ask for coffee after lunch today…

No surprise Secretary Sun was shocked—the word “rest” had never been associated with Si Mu before.

Even after finishing the day’s managerial decisions, Si Mu never idled around. She usually spent her time sketching designs, since aside from being the CEO, she was also JM’s chief designer.

Secretary Sun felt like things had been getting increasingly surreal lately.

The workaholic President Si was actually starting to change…

This was truly something to celebrate. Otherwise, if the boss worked too hard, the employees under her would still feel immense pressure.

…

When Zhang Lanyou saw the unfamiliar call on his phone, his first instinct was to hang up.

But unexpectedly, the caller persisted relentlessly, dialing over and over again.

With a trace of impatience in his expression, Zhang Lanyou finally answered.

“Hello, are you the son of Ms. Zhang Xiang?”

Hearing that name, Zhang Lanyou instinctively glanced at the driver in front.

Raising the partition between them, he furrowed his brows and spoke in an extremely low voice.

“Who are you?”

The call abruptly ended. Just as Zhang Lanyou stared at his phone, about to call back, a familiar voice suddenly echoed through the car.

“Young Master Zhang, I was hired by your mother to assist you.”

His eyes darted around in panic, his face tense with fear.

“Now, please come pick me up at the airport. I’ll be waiting here for you.”

The next moment, the voice vanished.

Zhang Lanyou’s hands trembled as he lowered the partition, then grabbed the driver’s collar with a vicious expression.

“What the hell was that just now? Was it you playing tricks?”

The driver caught off guard by the sudden aggression, lost control of the car, swerving sharply on the road.

After barely steadying the wheel, the driver, though bewildered, suppressed his irritation.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Zhang Lanyou glared at him for a long moment before snarling,

“To the airport!”