Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 13

At 8:00 AM, Night of the Murder Chase officially announced its female lead, and the hashtag swiftly claimed the top spot on trending searches.

#NightOfTheMurderChase – Best Actress Jiang Mei Joins the Cast#

#High-Profile Announcement – Jiang Mei as Female Lead Meets Overwhelming Expectations#

Within hours, the hashtag’s views surpassed several million.

Someone asked under the official Weibo account when the second and third female leads would be announced. The official account replied, “We’ll choose an auspicious day.”

The comments below flooded with replies like, “Already looking forward to it! Don’t disappoint us!”

Shen Shuangjing was also scrolling through Weibo at the time, browsing the trending topics for a while before clicking into her own profile.

Her Weibo account was newly registered. Following Meng Manli’s instructions, she had posted a few daily updates and selfies. After her agency and Meng Manli followed her, her account gained several thousand followers.

She wasn’t sure if some of them were fake followers bought by the agency, but the comments were plentiful, falling into roughly three categories.

First, the “face-value” crowd:

momo(Sui Ji Ying Bian): Weibo, where you can discover your new internet wife anytime, anywhere! @Zhen Guimi Bang Wo Kan Liang Dao

Second, fans of her agency’s seniors:

Did AA Entertainment go bankrupt today? I followed from AA’s official Weibo account. Is this Xu Quanneng’s new junior sister? Followed! Looking forward to your work~

The third type: those who stumbled upon her account by accident.

Extra spicy snail noodles, please! Did you make the dish in the third photo yourself? It looks delicious! Can you share the recipe?

Shen Shuangjing replied with the ingredients and instructions for the crispy rice dish she had made.

Can you share the link for the aromatherapy diffuser in the bottom right corner of your selfie in the first photo?

Shen Shuangjing replied with keywords to search for.

Someone else asked where she had bought the peach basket in the photos.

Shen Shuangjing zoomed in on the image and noticed the walnut bracelet she had accidentally included in the shot yesterday.

 Self-carved,  she replied.

The other person responded quickly:  Are you selling it?

A business opportunity!

But after a moment of calm reflection, Shen Shuangjing researched market prices. Without factoring in her time, the average profit margin for a peach basket was only about seven or eight yuan. After shipping costs, the profit would shrink to just two or three yuan—hardly worth the effort. She could set a higher price for the handmade craftsmanship, but buyers might not be willing to pay extra.

There wasn’t a significant competitive advantage.

Considering the time spent, it couldn’t even be called profitable.

Shen Shuangjing regretfully and reluctantly abandoned this money-making venture.

Since childhood, she had loved money. During summer and winter vacations, she would help others with their homework or set up a stall at the neighborhood entrance to sell socks for extra cash.

Now that she was an adult, she couldn’t remain stagnant, clinging to the small earnings of her student days. Her focus naturally shifted to jobs that could bring her greater financial rewards.

Meanwhile, in another luxurious villa within the same neighborhood, Zhaolu glared at the script for Night of the Murder Chase before letting out a cold laugh.

Without hesitation, she smashed the glass cup against the floor. Still unsatisfied, she threw the script under her feet and stomped on it forcefully, venting her frustration.

The glass shattered on impact, sending shards flying. One piece grazed her manager’s face, tearing away a chunk of flesh. Bl00d streamed down his cheek, a cold, glaring crimson.

“What do we do now?” Zhaolu demanded impatiently.

The manager calmly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it against the bleeding side of his face. “There’s more to Night of the Murder Chase than just the lead role.”

Zhaolu’s face darkened. “Are you insane? I’m not going to play second fiddle to Jiang Mei.”

“Aren’t you interested in the female lead’s savior?” the manager asked. “The role may be small, but the character is beloved. In the original novel, she moved countless readers to tears, and fans even petitioned for her revival in the second part. She has her own dedicated fan community on Weibo. Playing her would be a guaranteed win.”

“Who is it?” Zhaolu asked.

Having not even glanced at the script, the manager swallowed his frustration and said, “The third female lead. Her screen time is limited, and you wouldn’t have to interact with Jiang Mei every day. If you play her well, you could become a sensation.”

“More famous than Jiang Mei?”

The manager paused for a moment.

Impossible.

Jiang Mei was at the peak of her career, a Best Actress whose award record left rising stars in awe. No matter how much money Zhaolu’s powerful backers poured into her, she could never surpass Jiang Mei’s talent and achievements.

But the manager knew how to flatter her ego, even if it meant lying through his teeth.

“Perhaps,” he said.

The allure of fame was too strong—especially the prospect of outshining Jiang Mei, who had snatched the lead role.

“I want this role!” Zhaolu declared urgently.

“I’ve already checked,” the manager said. “The audition for the third female lead just ended, and the director has already cast a newcomer…”

Zhaolu cut him off. “I’m not afraid of some newcomer! Tell my cousin to invest another five million. This role is mine.”

The agent’s expression softened with satisfaction. “I’ll handle the negotiations.”

Zhaolu might be a bit dim, but the powerful backers behind her were willing to pay handsomely. Even with a forced push, they could still manufacture some fame for her.

Shen Shuangjing remained completely unaware of the others’ coveting of her third female lead role.

She was squatting by her doorstep, feeding a cat.

The sleek, glossy black cat had four white paws, a pattern known as “Black Cloud Treading on Snow” in Huaguo Garden Cat breeds.

Shen Shuangjing had named him Wuyun. After feeding him a few times, Wuyun began frequenting her place. Out of every five times she went out, she’d encounter him three times, and the other two times she’d see him charming others for food.

He was a little scoundrel, making his home wherever he pleased.

But Wuyun didn’t freeload. Every meal came with a price: Shen Shuangjing’s petting and affection.

Stroking Wuyun’s back, Shen Shuangjing’s lips curled into a playful smile. “Wuyun, want a permanent meal ticket?”

Wuyun: “Meow, meow, meow.”

Shen Shuangjing: “Mommy’s got a plan for you. In a bit, a stunningly beautiful woman will walk by. Roll around on the ground and charm her with your cuteness. Capture her heart, got it?”

Wuyun responded with two enthusiastic “Meows,” clearly understanding.

Shen Shuangjing nodded in agreement. “Your feline fortune rests on your own paws now. Mommy can only help you this far.”

The crisp click of high heels on the marble floor grew louder as they approached. Shen Shuangjing looked up to see a pair of red-soled stilettos enter her field of vision.

Her gaze traveled upward, meeting Sang Baili’s bewitching eyes. Dressed in a velvet gown paired with a black silk blouse, Sang Baili glided forward with graceful poise. “Good evening,” she greeted.

Shen Shuangjing’s smile radiated warmth, her pale lips parting slightly. “Wuyun and I both wish you a good evening.”

Under the soft lighting, the small red mole on the tip of her nose was strikingly beautiful.

Sang Baili leaned down, her gaze fixed on the kitten, who barely reached Shen Shuangjing’s ankle. “Is this Wuyun?”

Shen Shuangjing nodded. “That’s right. Wuyun, say hello to your sister.”

Wuyun, who had been so lively moments before, now buried his head in his food, ignoring the humans entirely.

Shen Shuangjing: “……”

She lifted the treat just out of Wuyun’s reach. “Wuyun~”

Unable to reach the treat, Wuyun anxiously raised his head, his eyes meeting Sang Baili’s, who stood on the other side of him.

Shen Shuangjing’s dark eyes sparkled as she fed Wuyun a bite of the treat, coaxing him gently, “Wuyun, show your sister your special trick—roll over and be cute.”

Sang Baili smiled politely, without expectation. Her social skills were impeccable, like a warm, gentle rain, but her heart often remained unmoved, detached like an observer.

She didn’t particularly care for animals. While cats and dogs were often considered therapeutic companions for humans, she believed animals possessed only emotions, not genuine feelings.

Human emotions were already incomprehensible enough; how could she possibly entrust her feelings to a small animal?

But when she met Shen Shuangjing’s innocent, worldly eyes, which shimmered with the anticipation of “a rolling kitten would be absolutely adorable,” her heart inexplicably softened. Sang Baili said, “Wuyun, hello.”

The woman and the cat locked eyes, engaging in a three-second staring contest.

After those three seconds, Wuyun let out a plaintive meow and buried his head between Shen Shuangjing’s shoes, stubbornly refusing to emerge like an ostrich.

Seeing the kitten’s pathetic display, Shen Shuangjing teased, “Are you trying to deceive yourself, cat?”

Sang Baili chuckled, her tone light. “It seems he doesn’t like me.”

Cats are sensitive creatures; how could they fail to sense whether someone genuinely wanted to befriend them?

Shen Shuangjing pursed her lips, scooped Wuyun into her arms, and said, “He’s probably just shy. We need to give Wuyun some time to adjust to meeting such a beautiful woman.”

Holding Wuyun’s front paw, Shen Shuangjing waved it at Sang Baili. “Hello, beautiful lady! It’s nice to meet you. My name is Wuyun~”

Her voice, like an electric current, traveled down from Sang Baili’s eardrums straight to her heart.

From Sang Baili’s perspective, Shen Shuangjing’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes shimmered with soft, fragmented light, inadvertently radiating an innocent charm that was impossible to ignore.

Sang Baili paused, then stroked Wuyun’s head. “Remember, your name is Wuyun.”

Wuyun didn’t flinch away, meowing softly twice.

Shen Shuangjing tilted her chin slightly, her profile graceful and resolute. “Wuyun hisses at anyone else who tries to touch her, so she must really like you.”

Wuyun, cradled in Shen Shuangjing’s arms, its fate held in her grasp, remained silent.

Sang Baili saw through Wuyun’s forced compliance. She suspected it wasn’t that Wuyun liked her so much, but rather that Shen Shuangjing liked her very much.

Shen Shuangjing had poured her heart into pleasing Sang Baili, using her rare sincerity to chip away at her frozen heart, creating a crack through which warmth flowed, allowing her to glimpse a sliver of human kindness.

Shen Shuangjing probably didn’t realize it herself, but when her expression was particularly focused, and a radiant smile suddenly bloomed on her lips, she drew people’s gazes like a magnet.

In that spring-like radiance, Sang Baili’s inner turmoil vanished, her gaze softening like the depths of the sea.

Wuyun burrowed deeper into Shen Shuangjing’s arms. As if waking from a dream, Sang Baili’s lips curved into a smile. “If you like him, then keep him.”

Shen Shuangjing had been waiting for this. “I do! I’ll take good care of him.”

Wuyun: “Meow meow meow.”

Shen Shuangjing: “Wuyun says thank you, Mommy.”

“Mommy?” Sang Baili asked. “What does Wuyun call you?”

“Mama,” Shen Shuangjing replied.

The dim light lent a sensual undertone to her voice.

Sang Baili readily accepted the explanation. “Ah, Mama and Mommy. So Wuyun is…?”

Shen Shuangjing shot a disapproving glance at Wuyun, who had hidden upon seeing his wealthy Mommy. Her cheeks flushed a delicate cherry blossom pink. “Just our good-for-nothing daughter.”

The “good-for-nothing daughter” stepped on her mother’s abdomen, drawing Mommy’s attention.

Memories of the previous night resurfaced.

Sang Baili’s fingertips extended toward the hem of Shen Shuangjing’s pale yellow hoodie, then abruptly retracted.

What are you thinking, Sang Baili?

What do you want to do?

Noticing her gaze, Shen Shuangjing nudged Wuyun closer to Sang Baili. “Don’t be shy. Go ahead and pet him.”

Misunderstanding her intentions, Sang Baili gave Wuyun a token pat.

His fur felt as smooth as satin.

Yet, inexplicably, her mind flashed to the sharply defined abs she had glimpsed in her dream.

Her thoughts were becoming unlike herself, yet she didn’t resist as her consciousness sank deeper, wondering about the difference in texture between those abs and the cat’s fur.

Seeing Sang Baili’s hesitant touch, Shen Shuangjing’s misunderstanding deepened.

As Sang Baili’s thoughts drifted, she heard Shen Shuangjing’s voice.

“Don’t be reserved. It’s normal to feel awkward at first. Just keep petting him, and you’ll get used to it.”

Sang Baili’s gaze lingered on the small patch of abdomen visible beneath the hoodie, the girl’s soft words echoing in her ears.

For a fleeting moment, she thought Shen Shuangjing might be right. Perhaps if she just touched it, her curiosity would finally be satisfied.