After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 42

The moment these words were spoken, the shop assistant’s gaze toward the two women shifted noticeably.

A contract?

Could these two beauties possibly be… that kind of relationship?

Sidelong glances filled with gossip swept over Si Mu and Sheng Yunjin, the assistant’s expression turning meaningful.

…

Si Mu felt heat rising to her face. She pursed her lips uncomfortably, first casting a cool glance to the side. The assistant, catching her look, quickly pretended not to have heard anything, offering an awkward smile before retreating elsewhere.

Sheng Yunjin still had her arm wrapped around Si Mu’s, and seeing this, she lowered her eyes, barely suppressing the smile tugging at her lips.

Si Mu was at a loss. Watching Sheng Yunjin’s act, it seemed she was thoroughly immersed in the little drama she had concocted.

She parted her lips, hesitating for a moment, but still couldn’t figure out how to respond.

Fortunately, Sheng Yunjin had no shortage of inner theatrics. When Si Mu remained silent, she seamlessly picked up the thread.

“…President Si, we agreed when we signed the contract—once the three-year term was up, you’d let me go.”

“I know you’ve been good to me, but… but I really don’t like you.”

At this, Si Mu instinctively tightened her lips. Her fingers, entwined with Sheng Yunjin’s, exerted a subtle pressure.

“You must have misread. The contract is permanent.”

Her voice was icy and unyielding, brooking no argument.

With that, Si Mu led her to the sofa in the store and sat down, beckoning the assistant who had been lingering nearby.

“I’d like to see your selection of couple’s rings.”

The sales associate inwardly nodded in understanding.

So, her guess had been right after all.

Glancing at Si Mu’s indifferent expression and Sheng Yunjin’s delicate, almost resistant demeanor, she couldn’t help but marvel at the scene.

Both women were dressed in luxury brands, especially Si Mu—her wristwatch alone was worth over a million.

In contrast, while Sheng Yunjin’s outfit was tasteful, the only jewelry she wore was a simple necklace around her neck, one without any discernible brand.

The assistant quietly categorized it as some no-name trinket.

With this comparison and the earlier conversation, she became even more convinced that Sheng Yunjin was Si Mu’s kept lover.

…

Bringing out several popular pairs of rings, the assistant skillfully began her pitch.

Sheng Yunjin, still inwardly amused by Si Mu’s earlier response, stayed in character, playing the part of a pure, resilient ingénue.

She seemed to be suppressing the sorrow and resentment of being deceived yet still denied her freedom, her eyes pitifully reddening as she stubbornly refused to even glance at the rings.

“…I won’t wear them.”

Despite her words, in the unseen space between their hands, her fingertips traced slow, teasing circles against Si Mu’s palm.

A flirtation—or perhaps just idle playfulness.

The heat in Si Mu’s ears refused to fade, the tickling sensation in her palm nearly breaking her composed facade.

She lowered her gaze to the rings, then glanced at Sheng Yunjin’s injured left hand.

After a pause, she relented. “We’ll buy the rings once your hand heals. For today, let’s look at something else.”

“How about bracelets?”

Sheng Yunjin, as if sulking, turned her face away deliberately, refusing to even acknowledge Si Mu, too upset to speak.

The shop assistant, quick to read the situation, promptly brought over several pairs of couple bracelets, though her gaze toward Sheng Yunjin carried a hint of unspoken words.

With a sugar daddy this wealthy, young, beautiful, and seemingly devoted…

Sigh, who knows what this little miss is so dissatisfied about.

Si Mu lowered her eyes, carefully examining the bracelets. After a long moment, she selected one and turned to Sheng Yunjin.

“Do you like this one?”

Her voice remained tender and doting. Sheng Yunjin, who had been acting out her sulky act, couldn’t help but glance over at the sound.

Her eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Si Mu, still refusing to speak—as if unwilling to relent.

The corners of Si Mu’s lips curled imperceptibly. She lifted Sheng Yunjin’s wrist and fastened the bracelet around it.

The minimalist yet unique diamond bracelet rested elegantly on her slender wrist, the vibrant crimson gemstone at its center dazzlingly bright, accentuating the flawless porcelain of Sheng Yunjin’s skin.

Si Mu’s delicate fingertips lingered on her wrist, her thumb lightly stroking the skin beneath the gemstone.

Though the little mistress seemed displeased, the shop assistant was thoroughly impressed.

She eyed the matching bracelet still in the box, hesitating over how to bring it up.

With an ordinary couple, this would be the moment for sweet, intimate gestures—helping each other try on the jewelry.

But with these two…

Stealing another glance at the little mistress’s beautiful yet stormy expression, she decided it was best to stay quiet for now.

Si Mu, however, seemed oblivious—or perhaps, as the sugar daddy, she had full confidence in her ability to handle her little lover.

“Help me put it on.”

She rested her wrist on Sheng Yunjin’s lap, her tone gentle yet leaving no room for refusal.

Sheng Yunjin shot her a “frosty” glare, lips pressed tight, as if she were on the verge of bolting from Si Mu’s side any second.

With a slight arch of her brow, Si Mu leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

In the next instant, the shop assistant watched as the little mistress’s expression transformed from stormy to sunny.

One moment, she had looked ready to flee like a runaway bride—the next, she was the picture of an attentive girlfriend.

Love shone unmistakably in her eyes as Sheng Yunjin, beaming, fastened the matching bracelet onto Si Mu’s wrist.

But she wasn’t done. Leaning against Si Mu’s shoulder, she happily clasped their hands together, the identical bracelets now adorning both wrists.

The crimson and emerald gems complemented each other, creating a harmony that was both striking and intimate.

The shop assistant decided this was the most bewildering couple she had ever encountered.

Weren’t they just unhappy? A moment ago, the little mistress had seemed ready to resist to the death…

How had they shifted to this sickeningly sweet display so quickly?!

It had to be an act!

With an inward sigh, the assistant studied Si Mu, convinced she was the one being played.

The little mistress’s mood swings were whiplash-inducing, yet Si Mu pretended not to notice—even seemed to revel in it.

Tsk, tsk, tsk…

The two went on to select three more pairs of couple earrings, and throughout the process, Sheng Yunjin seemed like an entirely different person.

Sweet nothings flowed effortlessly from her lips, and she couldn’t resist showering Si Mu with affectionate little touches.

She had her sugar daddy utterly charmed, laughing nonstop, clearly ready to splurge on her without hesitation.

Even after the pair had left the store, the assistant found herself staring after their retreating figures, strangely captivated.

She was utterly curious—what words had the sugar daddy spoken to keep his young lover so firmly under control?

…

Sitting idly in the suburban villa until evening, Zhang Lanyou still hadn’t seen any sign of the Taoist priest.

His gaze remained fixed on the pool of bl00d on the floor, his mind racing through countless speculations.

…

By the time he returned to the Sheng residence, dinner time had long passed.

Only the housekeepers were cleaning the living room. Seeing him return, one approached and asked, “Would you like dinner served?”

Glancing around, Zhang Lanyou curled his lips. “Where’s my father?”

“Chairman Sheng is resting in his room,” the servant replied.

“Did he say anything?”

He’d been out all day, even missing dinner, without contacting Sheng Mingzhao or anyone else.

Shaking her head, the servant whispered, “Chairman Sheng said nothing.”

With a self-deprecating smile, Zhang Lanyou couldn’t help wondering—if he’d died outside, would Sheng Mingzhao even have cared?

…

Alone in the vast dining room, the spacious table laden with dishes.

Since Zhang Lanyou hadn’t returned, Butler Li had arranged to keep dinner ready for him.

The exquisitely prepared dishes were delicious as always, yet Zhang Lanyou found them hard to swallow.

He suddenly missed his old home.

The three of them living together in that warm house, with his mother cooking dinner every night. Though his father had a terrible temper, drank heavily, and would often beat his mother when drunk…

But he’d been good to Zhang Lanyou—playing soccer together at the neighborhood court, cuddling on the couch playing video games after meals while his mother cut fruit for them, quietly watching TV nearby.

That warm family atmosphere was gone forever.

…

Finishing dinner alone, Zhang Lanyou sat in the living room, staring blankly as servants cleared the table.

When had everything started changing?

That day when he came home from school to find his father dead drunk.

His fists mercilessly pounding his mother’s body as she wailed. Clutching his schoolbag, Zhang Lanyou had lowered his head and hurried to his room.

That was his father’s flaw.

Too fond of drinking. Once drunk, he’d go mad, hitting people indiscriminately.

The first time he witnessed his father beating his mother, Zhang Lanyou had tried to intervene—only to be easily shoved to the ground, slapped across the face.

After that, he never dared stand up again.

Afraid his father might accidentally kill him.

Ears covered in his room, Zhang Lanyou pretended to read while constantly checking the wall clock.

Usually his father’s madness lasted half an hour.

He just needed to wait patiently.

But this time was different.

Chaotic footsteps echoed in the living room, followed by his father’s furious shouts.

Then, within moments, silence returned.

Trembling, Zhang Lanyou opened his door to find strangers in black suits filling their home.

His father lay motionless on the floor, while his bruised mother stood weeping at the center.

In her hand—a white sheet of paper.

Later, Zhang Lanyou learned.

It was a paternity test.

His and Sheng Mingzhao’s.

…

On the way home, Sheng Yunjin’s face shone with radiant joy.

She glanced sideways at Si Mu, who was focused on driving, her voice melodious and alluring.

“President Si, don’t forget to keep your promise~”

Hearing her address him like that again, Si Mu let out a helpless chuckle.

“Mm. I won’t forget.”

His eyes softening with indulgence, Si Mu cast a glance at Sheng Yunjin.

Recalling the words he had spoken in the shop earlier—just to stop her from teasing him further—he pursed his lips slightly, feeling a little self-conscious.

It was just living together, that’s all.

Sheng Yunjin’s hand was injured, and this was simply for her convenience in taking care of her.

That’s what Si Mu told himself, rationalizing the unspoken desires lurking in his heart.

…

By the time the two arrived home, Si Mu’s younger sister, Si Ying, had just been dropped off by the driver.

Watching as Sheng Yunjin followed Si Mu through the door once again, a faint shadow flickered in Si Ying’s eyes.

Si Mu glanced at her and asked, “Have you had dinner yet?”

A glimmer of light appeared in her gaze as Si Ying nodded, though her voice remained soft.

“Yes, I ate with Grandpa.”

A faint smile touched her lips, but the next moment, her expression froze.

Biting her lip, she stared intently at the bracelet on Si Mu’s wrist.

Her eyes darted between Sheng Yunjin and Si Mu’s hands before she fell silent, her fingers tightening slightly at her sides.

Standing beside Si Mu, Sheng Yunjin keenly noticed her reaction.

With a quiet hum, Si Mu said, “If you’re tired, you can rest early.”

Then, after a glance at Sheng Yunjin, he turned and headed toward the bedroom.

Obediently trailing after her girlfriend, Sheng Yunjin looked back—only to meet Si Ying’s lingering gaze before she could look away.