Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 18

“But I can’t swim.”

Shen Shuangjing felt a pang of frustration at the villainous remark, desperately trying to awaken the other woman’s conscience, which was usually present but occasionally vanished.

“I’ll teach you.”

Sang Baili showed an abnormal obsession with pulling Shen Shuangjing into the water, displaying an almost unsettling persistence.

“I know every swimming stroke.”

There was no need to go out; the villa had a private outdoor pool with a constant temperature and regular cleaning, ready for a swim at any time.

Poverty had limited Shen Shuangjing’s imagination. Even though Sang Baili claimed it wouldn’t be cold even in winter, Shen Shuangjing still felt that spring would be a better time to swim.

After all, as long as Sang Baili didn’t drag her into the water, she wouldn’t just randomly fall into ponds or rivers while walking around.

No need to practice yet.

“Autumn and winter are too cold,” she explained. “If I don’t have work, it’s better to stay home and sleep.”

The only thing that could motivate her to brave the cold months was her burning passion for money.

Like the new variety show Meng Manli had secured for her.

The variety show, titled “Working Within Work,” was a star-studded experience program co-produced by Jing Satellite TV and other regional networks. Its premise was to have celebrities experience various ordinary people’s jobs, showcasing a different side of their lives to the public.

The show was entirely unscripted and broadcast live, pioneering a new genre in variety television. For several consecutive years, it was voted the most popular domestic variety show of the year.

For the latest episode, the production team invited Xu Quanneng, the top star of AA Entertainment, as a guest. AA Entertainment, however, insisted on a “buy one, get one free” deal, demanding an additional spot to promote a newcomer alongside their established star. Amidst the fierce negotiations among agents, Meng Manli fought her way through the competition and secured the opportunity.

Before filming began, Shen Shuangjing familiarized herself with the episode’s production schedule.

The entire show would be broadcast live, with an edited version airing on television and streaming platforms the following day.

Six guests would participate in total: three regular cast members and three guest stars. They would travel to a rural area about 100 kilometers outside Jing City and work together at a restaurant for a day.

As a guest star, Shen Shuangjing’s filming time was limited to just one and a half days. However, considering the long journey, the total time required, including travel, would be three days.

Meng Manli personally escorted Shen Shuangjing to the set, showering her with detailed instructions along the way. “There are no special requirements,” she said. “This variety show is just to get your face out there and familiarize the audience with you. The guests they’ve invited this season all have good reputations. Just be yourself—act naturally, as you would in everyday life. No need for a persona or any acting.”

Shen Shuangjing nodded in agreement. By the time they arrived at the studio, it was already afternoon. The crew and cameras were in position. The moment she stepped out of the car, her every move was framed by the cameras.

As the first guest to arrive, she was immediately approached by a jib camera that swept down her face from above. The live stream chat erupted with activity.

Wow, such gorgeous eyelashes! A perfectly sculpted nose, such a beautiful lip shape, and a delicate, pointed chin!

Finally! I’ve already finished lunch and am having afternoon tea while waiting for this to start.

Guess the celebrity by their features! I can’t figure it out. Photographer, you owe me a chicken leg! We need a wider shot!

The camera zoomed out, revealing her full figure. The chat went silent for a split second before exploding like water droplets hitting a hot oil pan.

What a stunning face! But… who are you, beauty?

Beauty, who are you?

Beauty, WHO ARE YOU???

Stop arguing, everyone! Make way, she’s my wife. I came on my tricycle to take her home.

A dense stream of comments scrolled across the screen, too fast to read. Assuming they were all greetings, Shen Shuangjing gave a slight bow and smiled.

“Hello everyone, my name is Shen Shuangjing. I’m currently an obscure, eighteenth-tier actress in the entertainment industry—so obscure, in fact, that you won’t find me listed anywhere.”

Quick-fingered netizens swiftly dug up her past roles in several unremarkable dramas. Her performances had been mediocre, and under heavy makeup, her current pure and radiant beauty—like the moon emerging from behind the clouds, bathed in soft moonlight—was unrecognizable.

Even just standing there, she was a breathtaking sight, capable of captivating countless “face-obsessed” fans.

Her Weibo account was also discovered, and her follower count skyrocketed exponentially. Within moments of the broadcast starting, it had already surpassed five digits and was still climbing rapidly.

Before long, all the guests had arrived. After introductions, a staff member brought out a chalkboard to explain the rules.

The board listed ten jobs available at the hotel for the day. Each guest chose one job, and six of these were randomly selected for the lottery pool. The guests then took turns drawing from the pool, and the job they drew would be their assigned task for the next two days.

The random selection meant that the job a guest chose on the blackboard might not be the one they drew; someone else could end up with it.

Shen Shuangjing was the third to choose, selecting dishwasher.

Xu Quanneng glanced at his Junior Sister, who showed no desire to stand out, and raised his phoenix-shaped eyes with a wild grin. “If you’re going to pick, choose something interesting. The ordinary ones are too boring.”

He pointed to “Cleaning the Pigsty” on the blackboard. “I’ll take this one. I live for the thrill.”

It was indeed thrilling. The atmosphere surged to a new level of excitement as the guests eagerly anticipated the spectacle, speculating which lucky soul would earn the honor of tackling this grueling, physically demanding task that would test their sense of smell to its limits.

Once the final guest had made their selection, the lottery pool was prepared.

Shen Shuangjing drew “Waitress.” Xu Quanneng, standing behind her, drew his own slip and his face turned as dark as charcoal.

Qinqin, a regular guest, burst into laughter. “Karma’s a b1tch! What goes around comes around. Now I can relax—the jobs I hate are gone, and I can handle the rest!”

The remaining guests, who hadn’t yet drawn, exchanged relieved smiles, offering thinly veiled amusement as consolation.

“Cleaning the Pigsty” had been drawn by Xu Quanneng himself.

Shen Shuangjing consoled him, “You may have lost your joy, but you’ve gained everyone’s attention.”

Xu Quanneng: “……”

Did the audience really care about her becoming a laughingstock?

Thank you, but no thanks. It’s not exactly flattering, and I don’t want it.

Amidst the screen flooded with “hahaha” laughter in the live comments, Xu Quanneng’s resentment grew. She turned to Shen Shuangjing and said, “Junior Sister, how about I let you have this opportunity? It’s a perfect chance to gain wider recognition. Afterward, I’ll even promote your image as hardworking and resilient online.”

She practically flung the abacus beads at Shen Shuangjing’s face.

Shen Shuangjing smiled, her almond-shaped eyes as clear as a fawn’s. “Senior Sister, I’d love to help, but the show’s rules strictly prohibit swapping tasks.”

She paused, feeling she had mastered Sang Baili’s artful, roundabout malice, and suppressed a laugh as she added, “Besides, I think the audience would much rather see you doing this job.”

A nobody like her cleaning pigsties wouldn’t be interesting. Only a celebrity like Xu Quanneng, who trends every few days, could draw attention.

Hahaha, Junior Sister, you’re speaking my mind! I want to see the germaphobic heiress humbled while feeding pigs!

+10086

You’re all so mean! I want to see two beauties cleaning pigsties together. Can we arrange that?

Xu Quanneng’s resistance proved futile. He grumbled resentfully, “Junior Sister, I’ll remember this.”

Shen Shuangjing seized the opportunity to promote herself. “Thank you, Senior Sister. If you have any suitable roles in the future, please consider me. I’m highly adaptable and my acting range isn’t limited to human characters.”

Xu Quanneng snorted. “Is AA Entertainment so broke they can’t even afford resources for their artists? Boss, are you listening? Hurry up and find some work for your talent. If this gets out, the gossip blogs will say we’re mistreating our artists.”

Xu Quanneng had been with the company since its founding. His relationship with the boss was more like that of close friends than employer-employee. He often made outrageous remarks and engaged in playful banter with her, even dragging her into trending topics on Weibo.

Unsurprisingly, his complaint on behalf of his junior sister once again earned them a trending topic, this time at no cost.

Shen Shuangjing smiled serenely, refusing to take the bait and pretending not to hear.

Humans naturally form closer bonds with those they’re familiar with. When the relationship with the boss reaches a certain level of intimacy, the usual boundaries of professional conduct tend to blur.

It was somewhat similar to her relationship with Sang Baili, though their arrangement was a clandestine employment agreement, making it impossible to publicize on Weibo.

The production team granted the guests five minutes to contact their families. For the next eight hours, their phones would be confiscated, cutting off all external communication as they immersed themselves in their work.

Shen Shuangjing’s phone contacts were pitifully few. Since transmigrating, her only close acquaintances—besides her manager, Grandma Sang, and Wuyun—seemed to be Sang Baili.

Shen Shuangjing didn’t subscribe to the “the more friends, the better” mentality. Her subconscious reaction wasn’t, “I know so few people; I have no one to contact.”

Instead, she naturally planned to reach out to Sang Baili.

There was no particular reason.

It had become as routine as brushing her teeth. They messaged each other daily.

Most often, Shen Shuangjing would send Sang Baili the day’s menu, asking if it sounded good. Sang Baili would reply with emojis or inform Shen Shuangjing about overtime, telling her not to wait up.

If they skipped a day, it felt strangely disruptive to their established routine.

Moreover, this was the first time Shen Shuangjing wouldn’t be returning home since moving in with Sang Baili. Even when President Sang was swamped with work, she always made it back at night.

Shen Shuangjing glanced at the time.

It wasn’t yet quitting time.

She didn’t expect the busy President Sang to find time to check her WeChat, but since she wouldn’t be home tonight, she might as well report her absence to her boss while she had a moment.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have any other time to check her phone.

After a moment’s thought, Shen Shuangjing decided against calling and sent a message instead:

Big Whale Eats Little Whale: Have you eaten?

As she was about to send a second message, her phone vibrated, and a new notification popped up:

AAA Beautiful Boss: At 3 PM, are you asking about lunch or dinner?

Shen Shuangjing couldn’t decide how to reply. She typed a line, then deleted it, the “typing…” indicator remaining at the top of the WeChat screen.

Just seconds later, Sang Baili’s call came through.

Shen Shuangjing glanced around at the other guests, all busy with their own calls. No one seemed to notice her, so she selfishly answered.

“Hello, Sister?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Sang Baili was likely in her office; the silence on the other end was so profound it almost echoed.

Time was limited. Shen Shuangjing should have reminded Sang Baili to eat on time, but the question she most wanted to ask slipped out:

“Are you on your phone? How did you reply so quickly?”

As if finding her question pointless, a soft chuckle drifted across the line, like a gentle spring breeze fluttering into Shen Shuangjing’s heart.

“I don’t use my phone during work hours, but I set a special notification sound for you.”

Shen Shuangjing’s ear pressed against the phone felt warm, her heart pounding like a deer being chased.

Though no one was watching, she lowered her head in embarrassment, a smile flickering in her eyes as she struggled to maintain composure. Suppressing her laughter was a real effort. “You always think of everything so thoroughly, Sister,” she managed to say.

Sang Baili’s voice was languid. “You’re no slouch yourself, AAA Personnel Employee.”

Shen Shuangjing’s curiosity piqued. “You actually saved me as that?”

A couple’s nickname, huh?

Sang Baili’s voice held a teasing lilt. “Guess?”

Shen Shuangjing shook her head, then remembered Sang Baili couldn’t see her and added, “I can’t guess.”

“If you’re curious, come back and see for yourself,” Sang Baili replied.

Shen Shuangjing pursed her lips, suspecting Sang Baili was deliberately teasing her. No sense of contract ethics, leaving her boss to spend the night alone.

“I can’t make it back today.”

“There aren’t any suitable flights tonight anyway. But I’ll show you another time, even after today.”

At this, Shen Shuangjing’s lips curved into a small smile.

“Okay.”

A sudden silence fell, a few seconds of unspoken anticipation as both women instinctively wondered about the other’s expression.

Sang Baili broke the silence first, returning to the original question.

“Aren’t you filming a variety show? Why are you suddenly asking if I’ve eaten?”