After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 40

No sooner had Sheng Yunjin left than Zhang Lanyou eagerly rushed downstairs.

He was determined to find the Taoist priest and discuss their next steps in dealing with Sheng Yunjin.

…

After having the driver take him to the suburban villa, Zhang Lanyou stepped out of the car and hurried inside, his steps quick with excitement.

Upon entering the first floor of the villa, he glanced around but found no sign of the priest.

Calling out a few times, Zhang Lanyou grew puzzled and searched upstairs.

Yet, there was still no one.

Returning to the living room on the first floor, he pulled out his phone to make a call—only to spot the priest’s phone lying on the nearby sofa.

Frowning deeply, he felt a surge of irritation.

This priest had been eating his food and living under his roof, yet dared to wander off without even informing him.

Sitting down on the sofa, Zhang Lanyou resolved to teach the priest a proper lesson when he returned.

He instinctively placed himself in the dominant position, arrogantly assuming the priest was dependent on him.

But he overlooked one crucial fact—he was just an ordinary person, while the priest was anything but.

…

After sitting restlessly in the living room for only a short while, Zhang Lanyou couldn’t stay still any longer.

He was, after all, just a thirteen-year-old boy—his patience had its limits.

…

With a dark expression, he strode toward the exit when suddenly, his gaze froze.

His steps quickened as he approached the center of the living room. Staring at the bloodstains on the floor, his face abruptly paled.

……

During lunch, Sheng Yunjin opened the dessert box she had brought and encouraged Si Mu to try some.

“The housekeeper made these specially. Have a taste.”

Si Mu picked up a small piece and took a bite.

Lifting her eyes to meet Sheng Yunjin’s expectant gaze, she didn’t speak—instead, she silently finished the remaining half, as if conveying through action that it was delicious.

Sheng Yunjin smiled faintly and deliberately asked, “Does it suit your taste?”

Si Mu nodded, then took a sip of water from the glass on the table.

Chuckling, Sheng Yunjin leaned in slightly, her slender fingers gently brushing against Si Mu’s brow.

“But I can see you’re nearly frowning from how sweet it is.”

Recognizing the teasing in her eyes, Si Mu gave a helpless smile.

“It is a little sweet.”

Her usual diet leaned toward lighter flavors, and she rarely indulged in desserts—too much sugar made her feel overwhelmed.

But since these treats had been brought by Sheng Yunjin with care, Si Mu wasn’t the type to spoil the mood. Even if they weren’t to her taste, she wouldn’t say anything to dampen her girlfriend’s spirits.

The desserts had been made by the housekeeper following standard recipes.

Originally, Sheng Yunjin had planned to eat these at the Sheng residence and later prepare a less sugary batch herself to bring back for Si Mu.

But unexpected complications had arisen, making her unwilling to stay any longer—so she had no choice but to let Si Mu try the fully sweetened version first.

What Sheng Yunjin hadn’t anticipated was that Si Mu would tell such a small white lie for her sake.

Though it wasn’t anything extraordinary, watching Si Mu insist it was delicious despite her slight frown—

Sheng Yunjin found it utterly endearing.

When it came to her girlfriend, her emotions were always straightforward and fervent.

So, when Si Mu reached out and clasped her fingers in her palm, Sheng Yunjin couldn’t resist—she leaned in and kissed her.

Her kiss came unexpectedly. Si Mu’s lips were slightly pursed in surprise before instinctively parting to let her in.

One hand still held Sheng Yunjin’s fingers, while Si Mu’s lashes fluttered violently, gradually losing herself to the increasingly lingering kiss.

Pressed back against the sofa, Si Mu wrapped her arms around that slender waist, soft whimpers escaping her nose without thought.

Sheng Yunjin had initially been sitting beside her, but as the kiss deepened, she grew bolder, inching closer with each passing moment.

By the time their noses brushed, and their breaths mingled in quiet pants, she realized she had somehow ended up straddling Si Mu’s lap.

Her already flushed cheeks burned hotter as belated shyness crept in. Biting her lower lip, she made to slide off—

Only for the arms around her waist to tighten. Si Mu lifted her gaze, the rims of her eyes-tinged red, those usually deep eyes now filled with nothing but Sheng Yunjin’s reflection at this proximity.

She didn’t speak, yet Sheng Yunjin somehow understood.

It was always like this—when one of them grew shy, the other inexplicably gained boldness.

Her injured hand was still cradled protectively in Si Mu’s grasp. Glancing down at it, she slowly draped her right arm over Si Mu’s shoulder.

She wore a simple white round-neck blouse today, paired with fitted jeans, her thick high ponytail swaying slightly—giving off the vibe of a pure college girl.

The cuffs of her blouse were rolled up, revealing slender, pale wrists.

That milky-smooth skin contrasted starkly against the black velvet of Si Mu’s undershirt, the striking duality making Si Mu’s breath hitch when she caught sight of it from the corner of her eye.

Sheng Yunjin, of course, noticed every reaction.

A sly smile curled her lips as she leaned in again, her voice a sultry murmur.

“Shall we continue?”

Though spoken softly, the words carried an undeniable allure to Si Mu’s ears—especially under the teasing gaze of those peach-blossom eyes, making her feel deliberately seduced.

Her lips still tinged red, the lingering sensation of their kiss humming on her skin, Si Mu pressed them together briefly before answering not with words but action.

As her lips were captured and gently sucked, Sheng Yunjin smiled in satisfaction, her eyes closing as her arm around Si Mu’s shoulder tightened.

Her fingers suddenly brushed against something cool. Peeking through her lashes, she realized it was the jade hairpin securing Si Mu’s updo.

A warmth spread through her chest as her fingertips traced slow, teasing circles along the nape of Si Mu’s neck.

Silky strands cascaded into her palm as she carefully freed the pin, a smug little quirk to her brow at her small victory.

Then her lip was lightly nipped. Blinking in surprise, she met Si Mu’s faintly dissatisfied gaze.

“You’re distracted.”

Her voice was cool but roughened, though Sheng Yunjin only caught the hint of displeasure.

In apology, she nuzzled Si Mu’s jaw before setting the hairpin aside under that watchful stare.

The long, slightly disheveled locks softened Si Mu’s usual ethereal aloofness, her breaths still uneven, the corners of her eyes hazy with desire.

Sheng Yunjin decided to do something to appease her slightly sulky girlfriend.

Slowly lowering her head, she hooked a finger around the high collar encircling Si Mu’s slender neck. Under Si Mu’s gaze, her warm lips gently pressed against the graceful curve of her swan-like neck.

In the next moment, Sheng Yunjin successfully noticed Si Mu’s slightly quickened breath.

Another scorching, tender kiss followed as Sheng Yunjin used her lips to nudge the high collar downward, then lightly sucked on the fair skin beneath.

Si Mu tilted her head back slightly, her arms wrapped around Sheng Yunjin’s waist trembling uncontrollably.

As if sensing Si Mu’s tension, Sheng Yunjin soothingly covered the back of her hand, their fingers intertwining.

Their soft bodies pressed so close that Si Mu could feel Sheng Yunjin’s heartbeat—just like her own, pounding fiercely.

…

At some point, the office door had closed and even locked automatically.

Sheng Yunjin held Si Mu close, burying her face in the crook of her neck to steady her breathing. Inhaling Si Mu’s faint, delicate fragrance, she tightened her embrace.

Si Mu shifted her legs slightly, her ears burning red. The shirt at Sheng Yunjin’s waist was already wrinkled from her grip, and Si Mu averted her gaze after a brief glance.

“We can go to the lounge,” she suddenly spoke, her voice composed yet slightly hoarse.

Sheng Yunjin, who had been staring absently at the faint red marks on Si Mu’s neck, blinked in surprise.

Then, blushing, she stood and lifted Si Mu into her arms, carrying her straight to the lounge.

Startled by the sudden movement, Si Mu let out a soft gasp. The hem of her black dress swayed naturally as she wrapped her arms around Sheng Yunjin’s shoulders, her flush spreading down to her neck.

…

When placed on the bed, Si Mu instinctively grabbed Sheng Yunjin’s wrist as she turned to leave.

“What are you doing?” Sheng Yunjin asked, her cheeks-tinged pink, her tone shy and awkward.

“…Going to wash my hands…”

Si Mu glanced at Sheng Yunjin’s slender, fair fingers before looking away, hastily explaining.

“I meant, come here and rest.”

“Huh?”

Sheng Yunjin looked up at her with disappointment, her peach-blossom eyes drooping slightly, appearing both pitiful and endearing.

Pretending not to understand the implication in her gaze, Si Mu pulled her back onto the bed.

“Let’s take a nap, then go on a date this afternoon, okay?”

Gently squeezing Sheng Yunjin’s soft palm, Si Mu turned to look at her, speaking softly.

Sheng Yunjin gave her a sulky glance before resting her head on Si Mu’s shoulder.

“Where are we going?”

Hearing her lack of enthusiasm, Si Mu bit her lower lip and soothingly stroked Sheng Yunjin’s cheek.

She wouldn’t tell Sheng Yunjin that she had originally intended otherwise—but when Sheng Yunjin lifted her, she suddenly remembered her injured hand.

That was why she changed her mind at the last moment.

Still unaware, Sheng Yunjin hugged her, nuzzling restlessly against her neck.

Amused by her childishness, Si Mu comforted her, “Where would you like to go?”

Sheng Yunjin shook her head, propping her chin on one hand as she lay on the bed, gazing at her.

“Can’t we just stay in bed the whole time?”

She had initially planned several date ideas, but after their earlier intimacy, all she could think about was clinging to Si Mu.

Si Mu’s face flushed—she wasn’t keen on answering that question.

Turning to pick up her phone, Si Mu unlocked the screen and changed the subject, “Want to go see a movie?”

Sheng Yunjin wasn’t upset by this obvious diversion. Instead, she secretly smiled, pressing her lips together.

She leaned closer to Si Mu, their heads touching as they both looked at the latest movie listings on the phone.

“How about this one? Teacher Chen mentioned the lead actor won some awards.”

Following her finger to the movie title, Si Mu nodded in agreement and casually purchased two tickets for the afternoon show.

“Anything else you’d like to do after the movie?” Si Mu turned and asked softly.

Yawning lazily, Sheng Yunjin rested her head on Si Mu’s shoulder and voiced something she’d been thinking about for a long time.

“Let’s go shopping. We don’t have any couple items yet.”

As she spoke, Sheng Yunjin looked up, originally intending to show the ring on her left hand but realizing it was bandaged, she gave up.

“Like couple rings, necklaces, or earrings…”

Si Mu smiled, pressing her lips together, and agreed to each suggestion.

“Okay.”