After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 48

When the plane landed in Nancheng, Sheng Yunjin sent Si Mu a message—a smiling selfie.

Two assistants accompanied her, both arranged by Lin Xiaoyu. They were around Sheng Yunjin’s age, fresh graduates this year.

Assistant Xiaofeng was communicating with the pre-arranged driver, while the other assistant, Xiaonan, who was pushing the luggage, confirmed the accommodation details with Sheng Yunjin.

Chen Yan had only provided them with the hotel address, leaving the room bookings to them.

Most of the troupe members were either locals or had lived in Nancheng for years, so they had their own places. Sheng Yunjin was the only new addition.

Chen Yan was stubborn, insisting that the hotel be near the training compound—less than 200 meters away.

She even explicitly stated that Sheng Yunjin had to stay there.

As if afraid Sheng Yunjin might slip out of her sight.

…

“Yunjin-jie, is this king-size room okay?” Assistant Xiaonan asked cautiously, showing Sheng Yunjin the photos of the room on her phone.

They had originally booked a suite at a star-rated hotel yesterday. Lin Xiaoyu had specifically instructed them to arrange the best accommodations—food, lodging, and transportation—without worrying about costs.

Sheng Yunjin wasn’t short on money, and there was no need to skimp.

Moreover, the assistants’ salaries would be paid from Sheng Yunjin’s private account, so her preferences took priority.

When booking the suite, Sheng Yunjin had even asked them to reserve rooms next to hers for easier communication.

The two assistants had been thrilled—getting to stay in the same luxurious suite as their boss during a business trip, all expenses covered.

Rumors about Sheng Yunjin being a privileged rich kid had already spread within Qingguo, especially after Zhang Haochen’s abrupt termination.

Employees who didn’t know the truth had exaggerated Sheng Yunjin’s temper, warning others not to cross her.

But after spending time with her, the two assistants felt slightly relieved. At least so far, Sheng Yunjin hadn’t lost her temper with them.

And she was quite generous.

Though, perhaps it was just because she didn’t care about small expenses.

…

Glancing at the phone, Sheng Yunjin swiped through the room photos. It looked clean enough.

She nodded casually. “It’s fine.”

She wanted to see what Chen Yan was up to, forcing her into such a remote location.

The training site was an old courtyard deep in an alley. Sheng Yunjin had looked it up—there were hardly any residents around.

She had no idea how Chen Yan had found such a place.

“By the way, remember to buy new bedding and other daily essentials later,” Sheng Yunjin said while replying to Si Mu’s messages.

Staying in such a secluded, no-name hotel, she couldn’t bring herself to sleep directly on their beds.

Assistant Xiaonan nodded quickly and started searching for nearby shopping malls.

…

Si Mu didn’t seem too busy at the moment, exchanging several messages with Sheng Yunjin.

Seeing the photo of the half-empty biscuit box Si Mu sent, Sheng Yunjin’s brows lifted slightly, her good mood impossible to hide.

As she boarded the car, her two assistants noticed her smiling at her phone and exchanged a knowing glance before pretending to casually look out the window.

So far, the young mistress seemed quite easy to get along with.

…

At lunchtime, Zhao Yuanqi came looking for Si Mu.

She deliberately knocked on the door, afraid she might walk in on something intimate.

A calm voice came from inside the office, “Come in.”

Raising an eyebrow, Zhao Yuanqi pushed the door open.

Si Mu sat upright at her desk, her gaze fixed on the documents in front of her, still engrossed in work.

Unlike what she had imagined, Sheng Yunqing was nowhere to be seen today.

Her eyes flicked toward the closed door of the side lounge, and Zhao Yuanqi asked curiously, “Why didn’t the young mistress come to have lunch with you today?”

Pausing slightly as she turned a page, Si Mu replied, “She’s out of town.”

“Ohhh,” Zhao Yuanqi drew out the syllable deliberately.

“No wonder you’ve turned into a workaholic the moment she left.”

Though Si Mu refused to admit it, who was Zhao Yuanqi? A veteran in romance, sharp-eyed—just one look at how Sheng Yunqing and Si Mu had been interacting lately told her everything.

These two were definitely dating.

Si Mu ignored her and changed the subject. “What do you need?”

Seeing her evasion, Zhao Yuanqi shrugged. “Nothing much. Just that my new girlfriend’s throwing a tantrum, so I’m skipping work this afternoon to go coax her.”

Si Mu pressed her lips together but couldn’t help looking up at her.

“I thought you didn’t do relationships?”

As far as Si Mu knew, Zhao Yuanqi had only had casual partners since college—never a serious lover.

Twirling a lock of her curly hair around her finger, Zhao Yuanqi grinned shamelessly. “Well, I’ve been a bit inspired by you two lately, so I figured I’d get myself a girlfriend too.”

The tips of Si Mu’s ears turned slightly red—she knew Zhao Yuanqi was referring to her and Sheng Yunqing.

“As long as you’re happy.”

The lack of denial confirmed Zhao Yuanqi’s suspicions.

Leaning over the desk, Zhao Yuanqi propped her chin on her hand and smirked teasingly.

“So… have you two done it yet?”

“Can the young mistress satisfy you?”

Si Mu nearly lost her composure at the bold question. She shot Zhao Yuanqi a warning glare.

When Si Mu remained silent, Zhao Yuanqi scoffed in disappointment.

“You finally have a happy love life—what’s wrong with sharing a little?”

Pursing her lips, Si Mu replied coldly, “I don’t like discussing these things.”

Familiar with her personality, Zhao Yuanqi didn’t push further, instead admiring her freshly done nails and musing to herself.

“I think the young mistress looks pretty energetic. Last time, I even caught a glimpse of her abs—that tiny waist of hers…”

Si Mu’s expression darkened completely. This was exactly why she hadn’t wanted to tell Zhao Yuanqi about her relationship with Sheng Yunqing in the first place.

Zhao Yuanqi’s attitude toward romance was something Si Mu couldn’t approve of.

Too casual.

Before Si Mu had started dating, Zhao Yuanqi had repeatedly tried to set her up.

At first, she would even brag shamelessly about her own flings, but after Si Mu warned her, she toned it down—at least, she didn’t bring it up as often around Si Mu.

But now that she’d guessed Si Mu and Sheng Yunqing were together, Zhao Yuanqi’s nosy tendencies had resurfaced in full force.

Of course, the flirtatious banter was now out in the open without restraint.

“When did you see that?”

Si Mu closed the file in front of her with a darkened expression. Zhao Yuanqi’s interruption had completely shattered her focus on work.

As if finally catching Si Mu in her trap, Zhao Yuanqi’s smile deepened. “Just a few days ago. I was bored and wandered upstairs, just in time to see your beloved Miss Sheng practicing dance.”

Si Mu knew exactly which day she was referring to—the day Chen Yan had asked Sheng Yunjin to perform a classical dance segment. Finding her outerwear cumbersome, Sheng Yunjin had removed it, leaving only a cropped tank top underneath. Si Mu still had photos from that moment saved on her phone.

Seeing that she might have genuinely irritated Si Mu, Zhao Yuanqi wisely stopped there. Discussing someone’s girlfriend right in front of them was indeed something most people couldn’t tolerate—well, except for Zhao Yuanqi, who had always been emotionally detached when it came to relationships.

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Si Mu began ushering her out. “Aren’t you supposed to be appeasing your girlfriend? Why are you still here?”

Meeting Si Mu’s icy gaze, Zhao Yuanqi remained unfazed and chuckled nonchalantly. “No rush. Let her stew a bit longer.”

Frowning slightly, Si Mu couldn’t comprehend her reasoning. “Stew?”

Nodding, Zhao Yuanqi leaned against the desk, her tone casual. “Yeah, that’s the downside of dating someone younger—big temper and immaturity. It’s not like I don’t have work. Am I supposed to spend every day babysitting her?”

Noticing Si Mu lowering her eyes as if deep in thought, Zhao Yuanqi assumed her relationship with Sheng Yunjin was similar. “Mine is two years older than your Miss Sheng and still in grad school. I thought she’d be more mature…”

Si Mu pressed her lips together, curious. “What happened?”

Zhao Yuanqi knew she was asking about her girlfriend. “She’s so impatient, wears every emotion on her sleeve—it’s exhausting. And honestly, I feel like her nanny.” At this point, as if venting her frustration, she rolled her eyes. “Back home, I never lifted a finger, but now I have to wait on her hand and foot!”

Si Mu didn’t entirely understand but could somewhat grasp Zhao Yuanqi’s frustration. Taking a sip of her coffee, she remarked calmly, “Isn’t it normal for couples to show their true selves to each other?”

Zhao Yuanqi paused before realizing Si Mu was referring to her complaint about emotional transparency.

After a moment, Si Mu continued, “Taking care of each other comes naturally when love runs deep. If only one person is making the effort, or if you feel your sacrifices aren’t worth it, then maybe you’re just not compatible.”

Nodding along, Zhao Yuanqi grinned. “You’re right. I’ll break up with her after a while longer!”

As for that conclusion…

Si Mu fell silent, sensing it was best not to respond.

Having finished discussing herself, Zhao Yuanqi turned the conversation back to Si Mu. “You sound so experienced—seems like you’ve got it all figured out.”

Come to think of it, the age gap between Sheng Yunjin and Si Mu was even larger than hers. Didn’t Si Mu ever find it tiring?

Curious, Zhao Yuanqi asked, “Is Miss Sheng pretty immature too?”

Immature?

Si Mu recalled her memories of time spent with Sheng Yunjin.

What superpowers…

And pretending to be her sugar daddy in public…

Occasionally acting cute…

“Hmm, it is a bit childish.”

As she said this, Si Mu unconsciously curved her lips into a smile.

Zhao Yuanqi eyed her suspiciously, finding it inexplicable.

If it’s childish, then it’s childish—why is Si Mu smiling…

“That pampered young lady—does she have a temper too?”

Driven by gossipy curiosity, Zhao Yuanqi pressed on.

A temper…

Si Mu blinked, recalling Sheng Yunjin losing her temper…

It was probably that time when she had rejected her advances, stripped her naked, and pinned her in the bathtub…

Nodding, Si Mu replied, “She does have a bit of a temper.”

“Then, is it exhausting taking care of her?”

Taking care of her…

Si Mu thought back, but all that came to mind were scenes of Sheng Yunjin taking care of her.

When she was sick, it was Sheng Yunjin who nursed her.

At mealtimes, it was Sheng Yunjin who looked after her.

Sometimes when she woke up, Sheng Yunjin would even prepare her clothes.

Even this morning…

She had no idea what time Sheng Yunjin had gotten up to bake so many cookies…

The tenderness in her eyes was unmistakable as Si Mu shook her head.

“No, she’s the one who takes care of me.”