Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 12

The moment Sang Baili’s vision cleared, her pupils constricted sharply, and her mind trembled violently. The dream, like an ice cube melting rapidly, dissolved into nothingness. She opened her eyes to a cream-white ceiling, her heart pounding fiercely as if still trapped in the sweat-drenched dream.

Her underwear, pajamas, and nightgown were soaked through, and damp strands of hair clung miserably to her neck.

To put it bluntly, she looked like a drowned chicken, dripping wet and utterly disheveled.

The room was eerily silent, the blackout curtains pooling on the spotless floor.

There were no lingering breaths, no faint sounds of water, no seductive whispers.

Sang Baili sat motionless on the bed for a long time, letting her body and mind, still flushed with lingering arousal, gradually cool down.

She rarely had dreams of a sexual nature, perhaps once every few years. This time, not only had she dreamt of such a thing, but she had boldly dreamt of a young man several years her junior.

Sinful.

But why?

She wasn’t particularly interested in romance or lust, nor did she crave s3x in her daily life. By process of elimination, the only explanation was the video she had carelessly watched before bed.

She couldn’t help but mentally curse Fang Han again for being such a corrupting influence.

How does she even have time to watch these things with her busy nightlife?

Perhaps it was because she had too much free time during the day.

I suggest all idle rich kids find a job.

But she probably wouldn’t dream about it again, right? How to describe it… dreaming about Shen Shuangjing still felt a bit embarrassing and shameful.

She had never harbored any inappropriate desires for Shen Shuangjing, nor had she ever coveted her body. Yet this dream had indelibly etched the image of Shen Shuangjing locked in a passionate kiss with her into her mind, occasionally stimulating her thoughts.

Unless I get a new brain, I’ll never forget it.

She picked up the water glass from her nightstand and took a few sips before heading to the bathroom for a cold shower.

Afterward, she changed into a light, sleeveless nightgown.

With the windows closed, the house wasn’t as cold as outside. For Sang Baili, who had just experienced a feverish dream, the sleeveless nightgown was perfect.

She glanced at the wall clock—it was past 2 a.m.—and took her glass to the living room for a refill.

The villa faced south, optimizing sunlight and ventilation. Both the master bedroom and the guest room were on the sunny side, so reaching the living room inevitably meant passing Shen Shuangjing’s guest room.

Back to the present.

Sang Baili, holding her glass, said slowly, “I felt too hot.”

Shen Shuangjing: “Huh? Hot? I thought it was fine.”

She was wearing pure cotton long sleeves and pants, her dark hair like a cloud, looking both innocent and well-behaved.

Sang Baili didn’t dwell on other thoughts, but she couldn’t help envying Sang Baili’s cold-resistant constitution. She wondered if the other woman’s body felt as warm as a furnace.

Shen Shuangjing said, “Since you’re still awake, would you like to come in and see the gift I prepared for Grandma?”

“Sure,” Sang Baili replied.

I won’t be able to sleep for a while anyway.

This was Sang Baili’s first time entering the guest bedroom since Shen Shuangjing had moved in over a month ago.

Shen Shuangjing had added many new, romantic-style furnishings and decorations. Some even appeared to be handmade.

A new aromatherapy candle sat on the table, its rotating stand featuring snowflake patterns beneath the fan blades on the support rod. As the scented air rose from the burning candle, the stand automatically spun.

It was dreamy and romantic, reminding Sang Baili of the fiery sunset clouds she had seen that afternoon.

The same beauty and tranquility were hidden within Shen Shuangjing’s room.

Shen Shuangjing picked up a carved walnut and showed it to Sang Baili. “In ancient times, walnuts symbolized warding off evil and ensuring peace. So I carved one myself as a gift for Grandma.”

“It was so difficult! My eyes nearly went blurry from the carving. Luckily, I got it right on the first try. It was really tough.”

She looked quite pleased with herself, shaking her head playfully like a puppy who had just performed a clever trick and was waiting for its owner’s praise.

Sang Baili glanced behind her, half-expecting to see a snow-white tail wagging furiously.

But something else was weighing on her mind, demanding her full attention.

Her gaze settled on the delicate walnut held in Shen Shuangjing’s hand. Her wrist was as pale as frost, and her fingers were as slender and elegant as jade fan ribs—but they were too thin, far too thin.

These were the hands that, in her dream, had effortlessly pinned her down, trapping her in Shen Shuangjing’s embrace, forcing her to tilt her head back and endure her increasingly deep, wet kisses.

Sang Baili felt little guilt recalling the erotic dream in Shen Shuangjing’s presence. Yet a secret heat and excitement stirred within her, a private restlessness only she could sense.

Her face remained as calm as a still well, but her heart churned like a tempest.

An adult’s rationality lies in restraint. She told herself that dreams don’t dictate reality.

In real life, even when she and Shen Shuangjing were this close, they hadn’t kissed.

The lingering palpitations were merely inconsequential aftereffects of a dream, nothing to dwell on.

Sang Baili flexed her hand, which hung at her side. Though equally slender, it seemed a size smaller than Shen Shuangjing’s.

So, does she really have abs?

Shen Shuangjing asked, “Do you like it?”

Sang Baili’s dark blue eyes remained as calm as a still lake, her head bowed, making it impossible to read her expression.

After a brief pause, she shifted her gaze, her voice soft and slightly husky. “It’s beautiful. Grandma will love it.”

As if injected with a shot of adrenaline, Shen Shuangjing’s smile bloomed like honey, her voice bright with delight. “I’ll make one for you too!”

Sang Baili’s gaze drifted down to Shen Shuangjing’s round, pale toes. “No need. Didn’t you say you were going to carve even the eyes? That sounds like too much work.”

“It’s fine,” Shen Shuangjing insisted. “Making two or three won’t ruin my eyes. Besides, practice makes perfect. The second one will be much faster.”

She relished spending her time on crafts, cooking, decorating her room, and trying new things she’d never attempted before.

Sang Baili gave her a long, thoughtful look. “Alright, take your time. I’m not in a hurry.”

“Got it~” Shen Shuangjing replied cheerfully.

Sang Baili smiled and casually asked, “How did you get that cut on your hand?”

Shen Shuangjing glanced at the healing wound on her fingertip, which would close completely if she didn’t go to the hospital soon. How did she even notice that?!

My sister has sharp eyes.

“I accidentally cut myself while carving, but it’s almost healed.”

Sang Baili pointed. “I’m not asking about the cut on your fingertip. I’m talking about this scratch on the web of your hand.”

A thin, red scratch.

Shen Shuangjing thought for a moment. “Oh, that’s probably from the little stray cat a couple of days ago.”

Sang Baili gave her an ambiguous look. “A stray cat?”

Realizing her words could be misinterpreted, Shen Shuangjing clarified, “Not what you’re thinking.”

Sang Baili let out a soft “Oh,” a ripple of amusement in her eyes. “What am I thinking?”

“It’s a real stray cat, about five months old, lives in the neighborhood. Have you seen it around?”

Sang Baili shook her head.

“Tomorrow when you get off work, I’ll take you to see it,” Shen Shuangjing said. “It’s so well-behaved.”

“More well-behaved than you?” Sang Baili teased.

Shen Shuangjing’s eyes narrowed into slits, her tone modest. “Well, not that well-behaved, but it’s a little cuter.”

Sang Baili showed no interest in kittens. “I might have to work late.”

Shen Shuangjing looked disappointed. “Then another time. I’ll go see it myself tomorrow.”

Sang Baili changed her mind. “Let’s go together. I’ll try to get back early.”

“I’ll wait for you,” Shen Shuangjing replied.

I knew it, she thought. No one can resist the charm of a fluffy creature.

With their plans settled, Sang Baili stood up. “Get some rest. Staying up late isn’t good for your health.”

“It’s fine. I’ve already adjusted my body clock. Sleeping at two every day isn’t staying up late anymore—it’s just my regular schedule. The only downside is being sleepy during the day, but I’m adapting well.”

“?”

The corner of Sang Baili’s beautiful eye twitched. She couldn’t bring herself to praise Shen Shuangjing. This must be the young generation’s way of achieving mental victories, she thought, feeling a pang of generational disconnect.

She glanced at her reflection in the phone’s front-facing camera. I’m still young too, she reminded herself, a stunning beauty with skin meticulously maintained to a porcelain white.

Sang Baili had work tomorrow. Her company treated all employees equally—even the President would have their pay docked for tardiness. “I should get going,” she said.

Shen Shuangjing stood up and walked her to the door, but Sang Baili paused at the threshold.

Turning back to Shen Shuangjing, she asked, “May I ask you a question?”

So formal?

Shen Shuangjing winked playfully. “Of course! Two questions if you like.”

Sang Baili: “Do you have abs?”

Shen Shuangjing: “???”

She asked, “Are you asking about a WeChat alt account or actual abs?”

Sang Baili: “Abs. The kind you get from working out.”

Shen Shuangjing: “……”

This was beyond her area of expertise.

Should she say yes or no?

What would happen if she said yes? What if she said no?

Instinctively covering her stomach, Shen Shuangjing touched it lightly, her earlobes flushing faintly. “Yeah, I do,” she mumbled, feigning nonchalance. “Why?”

The results of her recent exercise and weight loss efforts were just starting to show.

They were barely visible—still a one-month-old baby of an ab line.

Sang Baili: “It’s nothing.”

Woman, you’re acting strange.

Shen Shuangjing narrowed her eyes. “I suspect you’re teasing me.”

Sang Baili’s voice was languid. “Are you sure you want to know?”

Shen Shuangjing felt her heart racing. Answering “yes” felt like opening Pandora’s Box.

Sang Baili’s eyes were deep and dark, as if they could draw her in.

Shen Shuangjing: “Never mind.”

Curiosity killed the cat.

She decided to quit while she was ahead.

Sang Baili smiled. “Let’s eat something light these next few days. It’s easy to get overheated in autumn.”

Shen Shuangjing agreed. After Sang Baili left, she suddenly realized that Sang Baili’s late-night wardrobe change might not have been so simple after all.

And using autumn’s tendency to cause overheating as an excuse?

Hmm, hmm, hmm.

Autumn does make it easy to get overheated.

And my sister has quite a lot of energy.

As an adult, I understand.

Heh heh.