Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 15

Red marks on her palm, another sweet proof of the young couple’s affection…

Visually, Shen Shuangjing’s hand easily covered Sang Baili’s palm. She slid her fingers between Sang Baili’s, palm to palm, interlocking their fingers.

She had expected Sang Baili’s hand to be cold, but perhaps due to recent internal heat, her palm was surprisingly warm.

Slightly damp with a thin layer of sweat, Sang Baili’s smooth, delicate hand felt like holding a warm jade stone that might slip away at any moment.

Shen Shuangjing tightened her grip, clinging to this source of security.

A steady warmth flowed through their intertwined palms, spreading up their fingertips and melting away the anxiety and restlessness in her chest.

The tangible connection far surpassed words or glances, offering a reliable and steady intimacy that was affectionate without being frivolous.

It was like a silent companionship, a comforting reassurance and encouragement, mirroring the tranquil peace that filled the hospital room.

Through warmth and pressure, she conveyed to the hand she held: I’m right here with you.

Sang Baili’s “human charger” proved highly effective. Shen Shuangjing’s energy bar gradually filled, restoring her to full vitality.

“Charging complete. Requesting return of power source,” Shen Shuangjing said, withdrawing her hand. Her eyes curved into a radiant smile that no one could resist.

Sang Baili lazily extended her hand, her alluring, affectionate gaze flickering as she blinked. “Received. Timely return earns you a bonus: priority access next time. Real-name authentication required. Choose between immediate use or on-demand borrowing.”

“I’m fully charged now. I’ll choose on-demand borrowing for next time.”

Grandma Sang preferred quiet and stayed in a single-person hospital room on the seventh floor.

As they rode the elevator up, they didn’t encounter any other family members. The elevator hummed with mechanical clicks and whirs.

When the doors opened, Sang Baili extended her hand to Shen Shuangjing again. Shen Shuangjing met her fox-like gaze and took her hand.

Their fingers intertwined tightly, seamless and intimate, leaving no space between them.

But this time, it wasn’t about charging. It was a wife holding her wife’s hand.

A lover’s stamp of approval.

Behind them, their shadows stretched and distorted, but their hands remained clasped together, unwavering.

In the single-person hospital room, Grandma Sang sat on the bed listening to a crosstalk performance. Hearing the door open, she slowly raised her head.

Shen Shuangjing glanced at the elderly woman on the bed. Her hair was silver-white, but her spirit remained vigorous, her deep blue eyes bright and free of any trace of illness.

Following Sang Baili’s clear greeting, she called out, “Hello, Grandma.”

The Sang Family was vast, with numerous branches. After Grandma Sang’s sudden collapse and hospitalization, many younger relatives had visited her. The hospital room overflowed with flower baskets, fruit baskets, and nutritional supplements, forcing them to be arranged on the floor.

Among her many grandchildren, Grandma Sang worried most about Sang Baili. Now that Xiao Nan had gotten married and started a family, she hadn’t expected to still feel uneasy.

Grandma Shen’s deeply ingrained beliefs held that few were worthy of her intelligent and independent granddaughter. She had been picky and never found anyone she approved of. To her surprise, Xiao Nan had quietly gotten married and was bringing her wife to meet her.

Grandma Sang felt apprehensive, but she believed her grandchildren had their own paths to follow. She would respect Xiao Nan’s choice and, by extension, respect her partner. Even if she couldn’t accept the person after meeting them, she had already decided to give the family heirloom jade bracelet to Xiao Nan’s wife as a gesture of support.

Even if the person were as ugly as Wuyan or morally reprehensible… Her eyes widened. What a radiant and clever young woman!

The girl stood beside Xiao Nan, half a head taller, carrying a fruit basket in one hand and holding Xiao Nan’s hand affectionately with the other. She smiled warmly as she looked over, a perfect match. This was exactly the kind of partner Grandma Sang had hoped Xiao Nan would find.

Work and education were secondary. Her warm, cheerful, kind, and quiet demeanor—evident at a glance—perfectly complemented Xiao Nan’s single-minded devotion to her work.

Grandma Sang felt half her worries ease, but the other half lingered, uncertain about Shen Shuangjing’s character.

Still, Xiao Nan’s judgment was impeccable. As the most capable member of the family in her career, her taste in partners must be equally exceptional.

“Come sit down,” Grandma Sang said, gesturing to the chairs. “Look at all this fruit! I can’t possibly eat it all. Remember to take some home with you later.”

Sang Baili smiled faintly, tugged Shen Shuangjing’s hand, and glanced down, signaling her to place the fruit basket on the floor. “If you don’t want it, we can save it for when other visitors come.”

“That works too. Have you two eaten yet?”

After a few more pleasantries, Grandma Sang murmured, “Xiao Nan, why don’t you run down to the convenience store and get some snacks? Your sister and Xiao Cai are coming tomorrow, so buy some treats the little one likes.”

Xiao Cai was Sang Baili’s seven-year-old niece, a bright and charming girl with a sweet tongue. The Sang family doted on her, treating her like a precious jewel. They’d give her the stars if she asked, spoiling her beyond measure.

“Alright,” Sang Baili replied.

Grandma Sang held Shen Shuangjing’s hand. “Xiao Jing, you stay here and keep this old woman company for a while.”

Shen Shuangjing smiled and nodded, her voice sincere and earnest. “Of course, Grandma.”

Sang Baili’s expression turned thoughtful as her gaze swept over them, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. “Don’t talk behind my back,” she said. “You can chat about anything else. I’ll be right back.”

Grandma Sang waved her off. “Don’t worry, dear. Don’t you trust your grandma? We’ll just chat about this and that—nothing about you.”

“I trust you, I trust you,” Sang Baili replied hastily before slipping out the door.

As soon as the door closed, Grandma Sang and Shen Shuangjing began chatting about everyday matters. Grandma Sang asked about Shen Shuangjing’s work and family, and Shen Shuangjing answered earnestly, though she glossed over the details of her family relationships.

Their intimate relationship was already a benevolent deception; there was no need to burden Grandma Sang with worries about her family.

Grandma Sang smiled warmly at Shen Shuangjing. “Little Jing, my ears are still sharp. You don’t need to speak so loudly.”

She could hear the girl’s voice straining.

Shen Shuangjing paused, then said apologetically, “My own grandma is a bit hard of hearing due to her age. I’ve gotten used to speaking louder when talking to older people, afraid they won’t hear me otherwise.”

Her voice was soft, unhurried, and gentle as snow falling from a branch.

Grandma Sang nodded understandingly, her expression softening with approval. “Such a good child.”

A person’s character cannot escape the discerning eyes of the older generation.

The more Grandma Sang observed Shen Shuangjing, the more satisfied she became. In her old age, she cherished stability and was deeply troubled by her children’s squabbling over inheritance before her death. She held a particular fondness for young people who were content, uncompetitive, and well-behaved—especially since Shen Shuangjing was Xiao Nan’s own choice of partner.

Grandma Sang removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and slipped it onto Shen Shuangjing’s hand. “A little token from Grandma. It looks beautiful on your fair skin. It’s yours now.”

Before Shen Shuangjing could decline, Grandma Sang added, “Just a cheap trinket, nothing special.”

If Shen Shuangjing hadn’t read the original novel, she might have believed her. However, she didn’t want to reject the elderly woman’s kindness outright. She planned to secretly return the bracelet to Sang Baili later.

“Thank you, Grandma,” she said, her bright, sparkling eyes conveying a thousandfold gratitude.

Grandma Sang clasped Shen Shuangjing’s slender wrist, her admiring gaze shifting from the jade bracelet to the red marks on her palm. She couldn’t help but chuckle, “You two are still in the honeymoon phase, aren’t you?”

Puzzled, Shen Shuangjing followed her gaze to the red marks. Her face flushed as she explained, “Our cat scratched me.”

It had nothing to do with Sang Baili.

Grandma Sang nodded. “Xiao Nan and you got a cat?”

“Yes,” Shen Shuangjing replied. “It’s a Wuyun Treading on Snow, so clever. I named him Wuyun.”

Grandma Sang asked curiously, “Do you have any photos I can see?”

Shen Shuangjing shook her head. “No, I haven’t taken any pictures of Wuyun yet.”

Grandma Sang smiled knowingly. “Don’t worry, you can tell Grandma the truth. I won’t tell anyone. Did Xiao Nan scratch you?”

Shen Shuangjing fell silent, sweat beading on her back.

Sang Baili’s reputation was taking a hit.

Unfortunately, before leaving, she had meticulously removed every cat hair from her clothes, leaving no trace to prove her innocence.