After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 38

Sheng Yunjin’s return to the Sheng family today was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Originally, she had planned to go on a date with Si Mu—just spending time together, doing anything would have been fine.

Otherwise, their daily routines consisted of nothing but work and classes. Aside from sharing meals, they hardly did anything else together.

Sheng Yunjin felt that couples should do things couples are supposed to do.

However, Si Mu had already made plans to visit family in the hospital today, and of course, Sheng Yunjin wouldn’t object. So, she decided to make an impromptu trip home instead.

Her return was sudden, and she hadn’t notified anyone in advance.

Thus, as soon as her car passed through the gates of the Sheng residence, Butler Li received word from the security guards that the young miss had returned.

Butler Li froze for a moment before quickly heading upstairs to inform Sheng Mingzhao with delight.

Since the last banquet, Sheng Yunjin hadn’t returned home even once. Though Sheng Mingzhao hadn’t voiced his displeasure outright, Butler Li, who knew him well, could still sense his resentment and dissatisfaction.

In the past, when Sheng Yunjin was studying abroad and rarely came home, Sheng Mingzhao never made any fuss. He would simply instruct people to ensure her safety, indifferent to whether she returned or not.

But in recent years—perhaps due to his advancing age or the gradual decline in his health—the usually stern and aloof Sheng Mingzhao had begun to soften somewhat.

For Sheng Yunjin, the heir who both satisfied him greatly yet remained particularly disobedient, his feelings were a mix of pride and discontent.

Now, upon hearing that Sheng Yunjin had returned, Sheng Mingzhao, who had been changing clothes in his bedroom, paused before waving his hand and instructing the servants to fetch him a set of casual homewear instead.

He had originally planned to play golf with an old friend today, but since Sheng Yunjin had made the rare effort to come home, Sheng Mingzhao decided to cancel the appointment.

Golf could be played any day, but his wayward daughter wasn’t someone he could see whenever he pleased.

…

When he descended the stairs, Sheng Mingzhao scanned the living room before Butler Li quietly directed his attention to the tearoom in the side hall, where Sheng Yunjin was seated.

She sat with her back to the entrance, her slender figure bathed in sunlight.

Her thick black hair was casually tied into a high ponytail, the ends slightly curled, falling lazily against her back.

Standing a few steps behind her, Sheng Mingzhao had initially intended to speak, but seeing her preparing tea, he held his tongue for the moment.

…

Truthfully, Sheng Yunjin hadn’t returned home for any particular reason. She simply wanted to chat with Sheng Mingzhao and stay for lunch.

After sitting in the living room for a while, she caught up with a few of the maids who had watched her grow up, taking the opportunity to ask about Sheng Mingzhao’s health.

Delighted by her rare visit, the maids barely exchanged a few words before eagerly rushing into the kitchen, insisting on preparing some of Sheng Yunjin’s favorite desserts.

She didn’t come home often, and with no one to take care of her while living alone, her face had noticeably thinned.

Sheng Yunjin found their concern both touching and amusing. Just because she didn’t return home didn’t mean she wasn’t eating—how could she have lost that much weight?

Still, knowing it came from a place of care, she simply smiled and let them fuss, eventually wandering off to the tearoom in the side hall by herself.

Just in time to brew some tea, it’ll pair perfectly with the desserts later.

…

Sitting quietly at the tea table, Sheng Yunjin leisurely brewed a pot of fine tea from Sheng Mingzhao’s collection.

Noticing footsteps behind her, she calmly poured two cups of tea, then lowered her head to take a small sip on her own.

Sheng Mingzhao sat down across from her, his gaze falling on the porcelain cup she had pushed toward him.

“Why did you decide to come home today?”

Sheng Yunjin answered truthfully, “I didn’t originally plan to.”

She left her words half-spoken, but Sheng Mingzhao understood.

Coming home hadn’t been her intention.

With a resigned sigh, Sheng Mingzhao said, “Can’t you just talk to me properly?”

Sheng Yunjin lifted her lips slightly. “I’ve always been speaking properly.”

Sheng Mingzhao rubbed his temples and said firmly, “If you have grievances, say them outright. Don’t speak to me with that sarcastic tone.”

The smile on her face faded instantly. Sheng Yunjin replied coolly, “Yesterday, Xiao Yu told me you had someone contact her, wanting to invest in her company?”

Sheng Mingzhao didn’t deny it. “That’s right.”

The porcelain cup was set down on the table with a crisp clink.

“I’ve told you not to interfere in my career. Don’t you understand?”

Sheng Yunjin was exasperated. With just a casual investment from Sheng Mingzhao, the amount on the contract could practically buy Qingguo Entertainment outright.

The contract had been delivered to Lin Xiaoyu’s office in the morning, and by lunchtime, Lin Xiaoyu had already told Sheng Yunjin about it.

She was terrified, wondering if Sheng Mingzhao had taken a dislike to her—otherwise, why would he suddenly want to invest such a huge sum?

If this contract were signed, would the company even remain hers?

By the next day, it would probably bear the Sheng name instead.

Sheng Mingzhao sensed her anger and said calmly, “I didn’t stop you from entering the entertainment industry. You said you wanted to come back only after achieving success, and I agreed.”

“I’m just investing some money specifically to promote you—to tailor scripts for you, assemble the best team. With your talent, I believe you could win awards very quickly.”

He spoke as if it were the most natural thing, but to Sheng Yunjin, his words only fueled her frustration.

Sheng Mingzhao made it sound like he was praising and helping her, but in essence, this was nothing more than a trivial business matter to him.

He didn’t care about any of it. Everything was just a means to make Sheng Yunjin win awards as quickly as possible so she could leave the industry and return home.

Sheng Yunjin met his gaze, barely restraining her anger.

“Do you really have to be in such a hurry? The company will arrange projects for me, Xiao Yu will support me wholeheartedly, and I’ll make my own choices. There’s no need for you to go to such lengths.”

Pausing, she lowered her eyes, her voice subdued, as if resigned to a reluctant compromise.

“Maybe you look down on Qingguo, on this small company. But it’s something Xiao Yu built with her own hands. It’s an important part of her career. You shouldn’t treat her—treat us—as if we’re just pieces on a board for you to move around as you please.”

Her downcast lashes made it difficult for Sheng Mingzhao to read her expression.

But from her words, he knew she was truly serious about this so-called career—something he couldn’t bring himself to value at all.

His expression remained grave as Sheng Mingzhao fell silent.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. “What about Si Mu? Are you serious about her too?”

Sheng Yunjin’s fingers tightened around the rim of her cup.

She raised her head and met his gaze.

“I like her, and I cherish her deeply.”

Without shifting his gaze for even a second, Sheng Mingzhao stared at her before finally speaking slowly, “You really do resemble my younger self.”

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as Sheng Yunqin curled the corner of her lips. “I’m nothing like you.”

The nostalgia in his eyes was unmistakable, and Sheng Yunqin knew exactly what he was reminiscing about—his deceased wife, her long-departed mother. Whenever she saw that look in Sheng Mingzhao’s eyes, she found it bitterly ironic. She wasn’t even sure if his so-called deep affection was genuine.

Ignoring her rebuttal, Sheng Mingzhao picked up the teapot from the table and slowly refilled both their cups.

“I can stop interfering with your work matters,” he said. “But you need to understand—being with a woman means you won’t have children.”

A faint, mocking smile tugged at Sheng Yunqin’s lips as she frowned. “So what?”

Sheng Mingzhao couldn’t tell if she truly didn’t understand or was pretending not to. Still, he replied calmly, “Without children, who will inherit Mingsheng Group after you?”

Truthfully, he didn’t care whom Sheng Yunqin loved—whether it was a man or a woman made no difference to him. In his eyes, she was a capable heir, one he had raised himself, and that was enough.

But in turn, she, too, needed a worthy successor to take over Mingsheng Group after her.

The impatience in her expression seemed barely contained as Sheng Yunqin sneered, “Anyone listening would think you’re passing down a throne.”

Sheng Mingzhao’s stern gaze remained fixed on her, unfazed by her sarcasm. “You may think of it that way,” he said.

Mingsheng Group, built through generations of the Sheng family’s efforts, had long become an unshakable empire by Sheng Mingzhao’s time.

Her smile widened, though not a trace of warmth reached her eyes.

“Then don’t worry so much,” Sheng Yunqin said coolly. “Even thrones can be seized by those capable enough to rebel.”

Bang.

The sound of porcelain shattering against the table rang out.

Bl00d trickled down her palm, dripping onto the water-stained, shard-littered surface.

Sheng Mingzhao’s expression darkened as he stared at her left hand, now shielding her cheek, its palm marred by a bleeding wound.

Then, he averted his gaze. “I never want to hear such treasonous words again.”

With that, he stood and left.

Leaving Sheng Yunqin sitting silently in place.

…

Her gaze dropped to the wound on her left palm. With an indifferent flick, she shook off the bl00d.

Lowering her eyes, she studied the faint glow of a spell lingering at her right fingertips, her lips curling into a faint smile.

The peeping rat has been caught.

…

At the same time, in a villa on the outskirts of the capital.

A man in Taoist robes let out a pained howl before clutching his left eye.

Beneath his bloodied palm, his eye socket gushed crimson, the liquid streaming down unceasingly.

He screamed in agony, the foreign sensation in his hand only intensifying his dread.

Staggering from the pain, he stumbled into the bathroom.

Trembling, he peeled his bl00d-soaked hand away from his eye.

In the mirror’s reflection, he saw it clearly—a shard of porcelain, etched with dark patterns, embedded deep in his left eye.

In an instant, his legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground, his already gaunt face turning deathly pale.

…

On the table, broken porcelain pieces and tea stains were being cleaned up by the servants. The family doctor disinfected Sheng Yunjin’s left palm, applied medicine, and wrapped it layer by layer with gauze.

Housekeeper Li standing nearby wore an expression of pity. Looking at the long wound on Sheng Yunjin’s palm, she sighed softly, “Chairman Sheng was too impulsive, ah…”

Hearing this, Sheng Yunjin chuckled, “Uncle Li, I heard that—are you speaking ill of him?”

Housekeeper Li pursed her lips, first glancing toward the upstairs direction before murmuring, “…I’m not wrong though. No matter what, this injury of yours was caused by Chairman Sheng…”

A thought flickered through Sheng Yunjin’s mind, but she remained silent.

Had she not deliberately provoked Sheng Mingzhao, this injury could probably have been avoided.

But if she hadn’t placed herself in danger, how could the lurking rats have been caught so quickly?

After being trapped in the elevator last time, Sheng Yunjin had investigated. The surveillance footage clearly showed the staff operating the elevator according to standard procedures.

Logically speaking, when the elevator reached the 15th floor, the doors should have opened normally.

Yet unexpectedly, against all expectations, the elevator had plunged downward uncontrollably again.

At the time, she’d been focused on using magic to survive. But recalling it now, Sheng Yunjin inexplicably felt something was amiss.

As if someone in the shadows was targeting her.

This sensation didn’t originate from her heart or mind, but existed beyond her five senses, in some nebulous space.

That incident hadn’t given Sheng Yunjin any leads.

But this time, ever since stepping into the Sheng residence, she’d detected that prying gaze lingering around her fate.

Having discovered it, of course she couldn’t let it go.

…

Her palm now bandaged, Sheng Yunjin experimentally flexed her fingers a few times, only to have the family doctor lightly smack her arm.

“Stop moving around. If the wound reopens, it’ll start bleeding again.”

Nodding obediently, Sheng Yunjin turned to Housekeeper Li as if suddenly remembering something. “Where’s Zhang Lanyou? Not home today?”

Shaking his head, Housekeeper Li replied, “In his bedroom upstairs. He’s been there ever since breakfast.”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “Probably reviewing his studies. His schoolwork must be intense recently—every afternoon after school he stays to study before coming home.”

Hearing this, Sheng Yunjin glanced upstairs, smiled faintly, and said nothing.