After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 51

The two assistants sat idly in the hotel lobby, playing mobile games while waiting for the cleaning service to arrive.

Unexpectedly, the first to return was Sheng Yunjin.

Xiao Feng noticed her first and quickly put away her phone, pulling Xiao Nan up beside her.

“Yunjin, why are you back so soon?”

Sheng Yunjin was replying to a newly received email, her head lowered. Xiao Nan, standing beside her, instinctively glanced at the screen.

It was all in English—dense and packed—and she could only barely recognize a few words.

Xiao Feng noticed her gaze and immediately tugged at her clothes from behind, giving her a disapproving look to stop her.

Sheng Yunjin glanced at her and responded indifferently, “Go pack up. We’re switching hotels.”

Xiao Nan also realized her earlier action had been inappropriate and lowered her head guiltily.

The three headed toward the elevator. Without asking further questions, Xiao Feng took out her phone and began searching for hotels.

The highest-rated and most expensive hotel in Nan City was the star-rated one they had previously booked.

Since it wasn’t peak travel season, there were still available rooms.

“Should we book the same suite as before?”

Absorbed in replying to messages, Sheng Yunjin nodded casually.

…

Back in the room, Sheng Yunjin made a call on the small balcony. Through the glass door, the two inside could faintly hear her voice.

As she packed, Xiao Nan cast an envious glance at Sheng Yunjin’s back.

Even in a simple hoodie and sweatpants, how did Sheng Yunjin manage to look so effortlessly elegant?

“Otherwise, why would she be the star and not us?”

Xiao Feng’s calm voice snapped Xiao Nan out of her thoughts—she hadn’t realized she’d spoken aloud.

There wasn’t much to pack. Sheng Yunjin had already folded her worn clothes into storage bags, so they only needed to gather the skincare products and place them back in the suitcase.

Remembering something, Xiao Feng warned her, “Be more careful next time. Don’t look at things you shouldn’t.”

Knowing what she meant, Xiao Nan nodded repeatedly. “I know, I didn’t mean to—it was just a reflex…”

As she spoke, she glanced toward the balcony again—just in time to meet Sheng Yunjin’s gaze as she turned around.

Her cool eyes held no particular emotion, just a light, indifferent sweep.

Combined with the natural air of confidence and ease in her demeanor, anyone who met her gaze couldn’t help but feel a twinge of inadequacy.

Startled, Xiao Nan instinctively wanted to lower her head, but Sheng Yunjin had already turned away, her gaze shifting casually.

Relieved, Xiao Nan couldn’t resist stealing another glance.

Still on the phone, Sheng Yunjin stood with effortless grace, looking both beautiful and relaxed.

Xiao Nan noticed her arm lift slightly, as if she meant to lean on the balcony railing—but then she quickly withdrew it.

Though only her profile was visible, Xiao Nan caught the fleeting, unreadable expression on her face.

Pressing her lips together, Xiao Nan couldn’t help but chuckle quietly.

She’d bet anything that Sheng Yunjin had just found the railing too dirty to touch.

While she was secretly watching Sheng Yunjin, Xiao Feng had already finished organizing the suitcase and placed it against the wall.

Following Xiao Nan’s gaze toward Sheng Yunjin on the balcony, Xiao Feng suddenly spoke up, “Can you understand what language she’s speaking?”

Xiao Nan shook her head. “No, it didn’t sound like English.”

“It’s German. One of my college roommates majored in it,” Xiao Feng replied.

Blinking, Xiao Nan murmured in awe, “German? She knows that many languages?”

As if struck by another thought, she continued, half to herself, “But I guess it’s not that surprising. People like her, who come from wealthy families, probably traveled abroad as kids. Knowing multiple languages isn’t unusual for them.”

Xiao Feng chuckled and nodded. “That’s true. But it doesn’t change the fact that she’s impressive.”

She had once seen the video résumé the agency compiled for Sheng Yunjin.

Classical dance, modern dance, piano, violin, drums… She seemed proficient in so many instruments.

While it was undeniable that her privileged background played a role, the fact remained—she had mastered them all.

…

Hearing her praise Sheng Yunjin, Xiao Nan looked utterly shocked.

She glanced toward the balcony first, making sure Sheng Yunjin wasn’t paying attention to them, then whispered, “You’re not seeing her through rose-tinted glasses now, are you?”

“Don’t forget, Zhang Haochen got his contract terminated because of her!”

Xiao Feng pursed her lips slightly, discomfort flickering across her face, before replying in a hushed tone, “I called Sister Li last night and asked about it…”

The matter had been weighing on her. If Sheng Yunjin really was that kind of person, she’d rather quit this job.

“Zhang Haochen brought it on himself… Do you really think he’d have been sued into jail just for badmouthing Sheng Yunjin a few times?”

Sister Li was Sheng Yunjin’s manager and the one who had recommended the two of them to Lin Xiaoyu as assistants.

“J—jail?!”

Xiao Nan nearly lost control of her voice, but Xiao Feng quickly covered her mouth.

…

By the time Sheng Yunjin finished her call and returned to the room, she immediately noticed the change in her assistants’ expressions when they looked at her.

“Why are you staring? Have you packed your own things yet?”

She glanced at the already packed suitcase and spoke coolly.

Hearing her, the two assistants laughed awkwardly. “N—no, we’ll go pack now!”

With a hum, Sheng Yunjin pulled her suitcase toward the door. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

Her senses had sharpened significantly lately—sometimes involuntarily—and she couldn’t help but overhear nearby whispers.

That, of course, included the hushed conversation the two assistants had just had behind her back.

…

Since the incident with Zhang Haochen wasn’t exactly something to be proud of, Lin Xiaoyu had dropped the matter after terminating his contract.

But the rest of the company remained in the dark. The only thing known was that Zhang Haochen had bragged to a few close colleagues about badmouthing Sheng Yunjin.

At the time, he thought making it public would deter Lin Xiaoyu and Sheng Yunjin from openly retaliating.

Back then, Lin Xiaoyu hadn’t done anything to him, and Zhang Haochen assumed his plan had worked.

Now that Zhang Haochen had been inexplicably terminated and his role recast, the company employees naturally suspected Sheng Yunjin was behind it.

Though they privately held unfavorable opinions of her, they still greeted her with smiles when they saw her in person.

Sheng Yunjin was well aware of this but didn’t care.

Such a trivial matter wasn’t worth having Lin Xiaoyu hold a press conference to clarify.

So when the two assistants were discussing it earlier, though she overheard a few distracted remarks, she paid them no mind.

Whether their opinions of her changed or not made little difference to Sheng Yunjin—as long as they did their jobs properly, that was enough.

However, there was one thing she did mind.

Did that little brat Xiao Nan just laugh at her?!

…

Arriving at the new hotel by car, Sheng Yunjin’s mood instantly lifted at the sight of the spacious, well-lit environment.

Chen Yan had her own mess to deal with, so Sheng Yunjin saw no reason to keep obeying her.

It was just a play—why should Chen Yan dictate where she stayed?

With defiance flaring up, Sheng Yunjin couldn’t bear suffering in that filthy, rundown hotel any longer.

Might as well just switch hotels.

…

The emails and calls she had just replied to were related to companies abroad that Sheng Yunjin had invested in.

She had many investments, and every month there were always some official matters requiring her attention.

After spending the entire morning replying to emails on her laptop, she finally wrapped up her work.

Stretching, she got up to grab a bite at the restaurant downstairs.

Xiao Feng happened to be heading out as well and, spotting Sheng Yunjin, quickly followed.

“Yunjin-jie, did something happen with Teacher Chen Yan?”

She had thought it over in her room and concluded the issue must lie with Chen Yan.

Yesterday, Sheng Yunjin had been cooperative—though her face had shown utter disdain for the hotel’s conditions, she hadn’t insisted on changing locations.

Yet today, she had returned shortly after the gathering and immediately switched hotels.

All things considered, this definitely wasn’t Sheng Yunjin’s fault.

At least, that’s what Xiao Feng believed.

Glancing at her, Sheng Yunjin nodded casually.

“Yeah, there’s a problem—the female lead hasn’t been finalized.”

Xiao Feng’s heart skipped a beat. Had she misheard?

This wasn’t just a problem anymore…

This was about the lead role being undecided…

This was practically a disaster!

Instinctively pulling out her phone, Xiao Feng looked at Sheng Yunjin with earnest concern.

“Did Chen Yan back out last minute? If she did, that’s a breach of contract! We can contact Sister Li to handle this!”

Amused by her serious, righteous expression, Sheng Yunjin chuckled. “No need to call her yet. There’s still a whole day left, isn’t there?”

“Just keep an eye on your phone. If Chen Yan doesn’t give a proper response by today, then you can contact the agency—and book our return flights while you’re at it.”

Sheng Yunjin felt she had been more than accommodating, yet Chen Yan had pulled this stunt…

Xiao Feng, watching her cold smirk from the side, gulped involuntarily.

No wonder Sister Li had such high hopes for her as a rising star…

Even her angry face was mesmerizing…

…

“…Sheng…Yunjin?”

A hesitant female voice suddenly called from behind. Sheng Yunjin paused, while Xiao Feng, sitting across from her, was the first to react.

“Yunjin-jie, it’s…Xu Ziqiu.”

With that, she glanced at Sheng Yunjin’s expression.

Currently in the company, only Xu Ziqiu’s level of importance could rival Sheng Yunjin’s. She had heard that President Lin was already preparing a second leading role drama for Xu Ziqiu.

Yet, as another key talent under cultivation, Sheng Yunjin’s first project had now hit a snag halfway through…

Xu Ziqiu, who had just returned from the set, only confirmed it was really Sheng Yunjin when she turned her head.

Even without makeup, her face remained radiantly beautiful. Sitting upright with perfect posture, it was likely a habit instilled in her since childhood.

So despite the distance, Xu Ziqiu recognized her immediately.

Taking a seat beside her, Xu Ziqiu glanced at the girl sitting across from Sheng Yunjin.

Xiao Feng instinctively greeted her, “Sister Ziqiu.”

Nodding, Xu Ziqiu scanned the surroundings, her voice tinged with hesitation, “Do you have work here?”

Truth be told, she and Sheng Yunjin rarely interacted. Apart from that chance encounter in the stairwell, they hadn’t spoken since.

But she had heard about Zhang Haochen’s incident from her manager recently, especially the part where Sheng Yunjin had him sent to the police station. The news had left Xu Ziqiu utterly shocked.

She never imagined Zhang Haochen would dare to harass Sheng Yunjin with a hidden camera.

…

Nodding, Sheng Yunjin set down her juice and smiled faintly.

“Sort of. But I might be out of a job by tomorrow.”

Xu Ziqiu sensed deeper meaning behind her words, but since Sheng Yunjin didn’t elaborate, it was better not to pry.

“Are you filming here?”

Sheng Yunjin knew that Lin Xiaoyu’s first drama had started shooting a few days ago, but she hadn’t realized the location was also in Nancheng.

Hearing this, Xu Ziqiu replied, “Yes, we’ve been filming here these past few days.”

Then, as if struck by a thought, she studied Sheng Yunjin for a moment before hesitantly asking,

“If you’re free, would you be interested in making a guest appearance in our drama?”

Raising a brow, Sheng Yunjin looked intrigued. Propping her chin on her hand, she asked, “What made you think of me?”