After Becoming the Mother of the Scumbag Stand-In Female Lead - Chapter 56

Watching the two walk hand in hand toward her, Zhao Yuanqi felt a slight pang of envy and silently averted her gaze, turning instead to greet Sheng Yunjin.

“Miss Sheng, long time no see~”

Sheng Yunjin nodded in greeting before speaking softly to Si Mu, “I’ll go change first, and then we can have lunch together, okay?”

It was almost eleven o’clock, and since filming couldn’t continue, Sheng Yunjin naturally wanted to spend the time with Si Mu.

Glancing down at the black equestrian outfit she was wearing, Si Mu nodded gently, her voice tender. “Alright.”

As she tried to let go of Sheng Yunjin’s hand, she found her grip still tight.

“Come with me.”

Her voice was bright and unhesitant, her expression free of any shyness, only deep joy and anticipation shining in her eyes as she looked at Si Mu.

Beside them, Zhao Yuanqi had already turned away, pretending to admire the scenery.

The tips of Si Mu’s ears flushed slightly. She pressed her lips together before nodding softly.

“Okay.”

…

In the dressing room.

Sheng Yunjin pressed Si Mu down onto the small single-seater sofa, straddling her lap as she kissed her with abandon.

Fingers clutching at the fabric around Sheng Yunjin’s waist, Si Mu’s breathing grew rapid and heated, her long lashes fluttering faintly.

Reluctantly nibbling Si Mu’s lips one last time, Sheng Yunjin slowly opened her eyes.

Meeting Si Mu’s gaze, she couldn’t suppress the overwhelming happiness in her heart and let out a soft laugh.

Si Mu’s presence truly made her happy.

Gradually steadying her breathing, Si Mu wrapped an arm around her waist, affection and adoration clear in her expression.

“So happy?”

Sheng Yunjin nodded emphatically, her striking features alight with joy.

Her fingers played with the silk ribbon tied around Si Mu’s neck as her lips curved into a smile.

“We haven’t seen each other in over a month—of course I’m happy~”

The light touch sent a tingling sensation across her skin. Si Mu lowered her gaze, capturing Sheng Yunjin’s restless fingers while her other hand gently smoothed the slightly tousled strands of her hair.

“Change your clothes first. I’ll stay with you these next couple of days.”

…

By the time they left the dressing room, Zhao Yuanqi was nowhere to be seen. According to the secretary, she had already returned to the hotel.

Si Mu glanced at the text message Zhao Yuanqi had sent a few minutes earlier and pursed her lips slightly.

—I’ll take my leave first. Wouldn’t want to be a third wheel. (smirk)

…

Since filming might resume in the afternoon, they kept lunch simple, eating at the club’s restaurant.

The two assistants sat at a table not far from Sheng Yunjin and Si Mu, their inner monologues practically bursting with excitement as they watched the intimate display in front of them.

But with Si Mu’s secretary sitting at the same table, they forced themselves to stay silent.

…

The afternoon shoot went smoothly.

Xu Ziqiu insisted she was fine, but Director Wu, worried about another mishap, adjusted the camera angle slightly, having the coach guide her horse off-screen to ensure the scene was completed without issue.

With that, Sheng Yunjin’s scenes were officially wrapped. After saying goodbye to Director Wu, she eagerly went to change and reunite with Si Mu, who had been waiting for her the entire time.

Though neither Si Mu nor Zhao Yuanqi had revealed their identities, the assistant director had been accompanying them since the morning, so most people could guess they were likely investors or executives of some kind.

Xu Ziqiu took the coat handed to her by her assistant, hesitated for a moment, then walked toward Sheng Yunjin and Si Mu who were already preparing to leave.

The sky had darkened, and the outdoor riding arena’s lights had come on.

Under the play of light and shadow, the figures of the two walking arm in arm ahead appeared even more intimate.

Catching up to them with quick steps, Xu Ziqiu took small breaths to steady herself.

“I haven’t had the chance to thank you for what happened this morning…”

As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Sheng Yunjin’s face, her eyes filled with genuine gratitude.

Sheng Yunjin smiled casually, “No need for thanks, it was nothing really.”

After all, they were colleagues—it wouldn’t have been right to see someone in danger and not help.

Seeing her indifferent attitude, Xu Ziqiu pressed her lips together, determined to find another opportunity to properly thank Sheng Yunjin later.

That incident today had truly frightened her.

And it wasn’t just that—thanks to Sheng Yunjin’s involvement, Zhang Haochen hadn’t been able to bother Xu Ziqiu anymore either.

Shifting her gaze slightly, Xu Ziqiu looked at the silent Si Mu beside them.

She wondered if it was because of her presence that Si Mu’s expression seemed so detached, her cool demeanor creating an air of unapproachability.

“And this is…”

Hesitating with some unspoken thoughts, Xu Ziqiu finally spoke up.

Her eyes discreetly glanced at their linked arms.

Sheng Yunjin’s lips curved, “This is Si Mu, my—”

“Hello, I’m Yunjin’s friend.”

Quickly picking up on Sheng Yunjin’s imminent words, Si Mu smoothly intercepted before she could finish.

As expected, hearing this, Sheng Yunjin turned to give Si Mu an accusing look.

Unaware of their exchange, Xu Ziqiu simply nodded awkwardly, “…Hello, I’m Xu Ziqiu, playing the female lead in this production.”

Acknowledging the introduction, Si Mu gave a slight nod.

Perhaps sensing Si Mu’s disinterest in further conversation, Xu Ziqiu offered an uneasy smile before bidding them farewell and heading toward her waiting assistant.

Glancing at her retreating figure, Sheng Yunjin remained silent as they continued toward the car.

“Why wouldn’t you let me say you’re my girlfriend?”

Her tone held genuine confusion, as if she truly didn’t understand the implications.

Gently squeezing her fingers in reassurance, Si Mu said softly, “You’ve just started acting—it’s better to keep a low profile.”

Sheng Yunjin chuckled, “Are you worried it might affect me?”

Si Mu didn’t respond, though that was indeed her concern.

“Don’t worry, right now I’m practically a nobody in the entertainment industry. No one cares whether I’m dating or not.”

Raising an eyebrow at this, Si Mu teased, “So you’re saying once you become famous and people do care, you won’t date anymore?”

Shaking her head hurriedly, Sheng Yunjin protested anxiously, “Of course not!”

She’d entered the entertainment industry to avoid inheriting the family business, not because she considered it her lifelong career.

Between a dispensable job and her girlfriend, she knew which mattered more.

Seeing the playful smile on Si Mu’s face, Sheng Yunjin didn’t take offense. Instead, she tightened her embrace around Si Mu’s arm, nuzzling affectionately against her shoulder.

Skipping along the pavement, stepping on her own shadow under the streetlights, Sheng Yunjin chuckled softly, “When I get tired of playing around, I’ll terminate my contract with the company. Then I’ll have to rely on President Si to support me~”

Si Mu lowered her gaze and slowly clasped her hand, intertwining their fingers.

“Alright. Just remember to sign a lifelong contract with me then.”

Hearing this, Sheng Yunjin looked up at her, blinking in surprise—she hadn’t expected Si Mu to still remember the joke they made during their role-playing game.

Their eyes met, Si Mu’s gaze steady and tender.

Sheng Yunjin suddenly felt her heartbeat quicken. The “contract” Si Mu mentioned… could it mean…?

“Fine. I’ll only sign with President Si.”

The corners of Si Mu’s lips lifted as she took in Sheng Yunjin’s earnest expression, warmth blooming in her chest.

Leaning in slowly, Si Mu noticed the way Sheng Yunjin instinctively held her breath.

She let out a soft laugh.

Then, just as suddenly, Si Mu pulled back, keeping their hands linked as they continued walking.

“Did you think I was going to kiss you in public?”

Noticing from the corner of her eye that Sheng Yunjin still looked a little dazed, Si Mu arched a brow, her tone teasing and playful—a rare side of her.

Pouting, Sheng Yunjin shot her a glance and huffed, refusing to respond.

Just wait until they got in the car—she’d make Si Mu pay for this!

…

By the time the car arrived at the hotel, Si Mu’s lipstick had been thoroughly kissed off. With a mix of exasperation and affection, she lightly pinched Sheng Yunjin’s ear before stepping out first.

Sheng Yunjin trailed behind, giggling to herself, her expression smug and triumphant.

Xiao Feng and Xiao Nan followed, nudging each other hesitantly until Xiao Feng was finally pushed forward.

“Yunjin-jie… you and President Si…?”

Realizing what she wanted to ask, Sheng Yunjin thought for a moment before crooking a finger at her.

Taking this as confirmation, Xiao Feng eagerly leaned in.

With a smirk, Sheng Yunjin whispered in her ear, deliberately letting out two cold laughs.

“Remember to keep this a secret. Otherwise… you know how close I am with President Lin, right…?”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving behind a bewildered Xiao Feng and a curious Xiao Nan.

“Hey, what did Yunjin-jie say?”

“Did she admit it?”

Watching as Sheng Yunjin jogged ahead to catch up with Si Mu and take her hand, Xiao Feng sighed and shook her head.

“She didn’t say anything. It’s like she was teasing us like kids…”

The “threatening” words and the exaggeratedly dramatic laughs were way too over-the-top.

If she hadn’t seen Sheng Yunjin’s real acting skills before, she might have believed it.

But if Sheng Yunjin really wanted to threaten them into silence, would she have been so blatant about it?

…

Capital City.

Zhang LanYou walked out of the school gates with his backpack, his gaze briefly landing on the solitary figure of Si Ying walking ahead of him before he looked away, uninterested.

The girl had transferred to their class last week, and with just one glance, Zhang LanYou could tell they were the same kind of people.

The kind who didn’t truly belong in this world.

Most of the other students had known each other since childhood, familiar with each other’s family backgrounds, so they naturally grouped together during breaks.

But Zhang LanYou was different. Though Sheng MingZhao had arranged for him to attend this school, the Sheng family hadn’t given him a proper identity.

He enjoyed all of this, yet he didn’t even have an identity he could openly introduce to others.

So in this class, he was reclusive, always observing the social interactions and fun of others with cold detachment, never participating.

And now, there was someone else like him.

Except, Zhang Lanyou could tell that Si Ying was different from him.

If he was voluntarily reclusive out of resentment, then Si Ying was forced into isolation by her own inferiority complex.

Always keeping her head down, timid and awkward—who among those wealthy kids would bother with someone like her?

Zhang Lanyou thought silently.

Even he couldn’t be bothered to talk to someone like that.

Glancing at the car Si Ying got into, he averted his gaze.

Probably another illegitimate child like him, lucky enough to be picked up by some rich man along the way.

Zhang Lanyou smirked self-deprecatingly.