Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 2

“Sister, shall we get married together?”…

The marriage registration hall was formal, solemn, and dignified, yet the festive red decorations created a warm and romantic atmosphere.

“Hello, what service can I assist you with?”

A smiling staff member greeted them as they entered.

After confirming they were there to register their marriage, the staff member guided them to a self-service kiosk to draw a number. Even on a weekday, couples streamed in to register, their faces glowing with anticipation for a blissful future. Their whispered conversations were filled with sweet nothings, a stark contrast to the silent, waiting spouses in Area B, who were there to file for divorce.

Shen Shuangjing glanced around, then opened her phone’s map app and marked this location as the place to file for divorce in a year.

After waiting about half an hour, their number flashed on the LCD screen. Shen Shuangjing handed the registration number to the staff member behind the glass partition.

The staff member verified the number and printed two exam papers, stating matter-of-factly, “Eighty points is passing. After passing, proceed to the registration office in the back for photos and certificate issuance.”

Shen Shuangjing initially thought it was the declaration they had to recite during the marriage registration. But upon closer inspection, she realized it was a test paper filled with questions. Skimming through it, she couldn’t understand a single line. Her gaze returned to the top, and she read aloud the bolded title: “Marriage Exam Questions… Do you really have to take a test to get married?”

Sang Baili was stumped. Her pale fingers pinched the test paper as she crossed her arms, her previously confident demeanor now wavering. “I’m not entirely sure.”

Lifting her slightly curled lashes, she looked at Shen Shuangjing. “This is my first marriage too.”

Shen Shuangjing stammered, “I thought all you needed was nine yuan and your ID card. I have both of those.”

Her gaze was cautious as she exchanged a nervous look with Sang Baili.

The staff member’s fingers continued to tap the keyboard, but like radar, they picked up on the women’s hushed conversation. “No whispering!”

Shen Shuangjing: “……”

So it wasn’t just a test, but a closed-book exam.

Noticing their continued hesitation, the staff member paused their record-keeping and turned around, inwardly sighing. Another pair of impulsive young lovers rushing into marriage without any preparation, relying solely on their passion.

“Being young is wonderful,” the clerk said, pulling out a promotional booklet. She patiently explained to the two clueless newlyweds, “Since the year before last, all couples registering for marriage must pass an exam. Whether you’re a same-s3x or opposite-s3x couple, the questions are drawn from the same pool, covering marriage law, anti-domestic violence law, and basic family knowledge. If you’re not prepared, I recommend downloading the ‘Marriage Speedrun 2000’ app, mastering the material, and coming back next time. That way, you won’t waste your time.”

Shen Shuangjing knew her limitations. Back in school, she’d always guessed on exams, never once getting lucky. To answer correctly, she needed to study and understand the material thoroughly, leaving no room for chance.

Licking her dry lips, she asked hesitantly, “Are you in a hurry to get married?”

Marriage was optional. It was merely a formality to make their union seem more legitimate, to deceive prying eyes. Even without a marriage certificate, no one would dare question Sang Baili’s status.

Looking into those slightly round, innocent eyes, Sang Baili understood the unspoken meaning in Shen Shuangjing’s words. “No rush,” she replied.

Shen Shuangjing said weakly, “Taking the exam now is a bit… sudden.”

Her childish words made Sang Baili glance at her again, a soft smile playing on her lips. “We’ll come back after we’ve studied properly,” she murmured.

Shen Shuangjing nodded vigorously, setting down the exam paper as if relieved of a great burden. Under the sympathetic gazes of the other couples, she walked out of the hall side-by-side with Sang Baili. “When should we come back?” she asked.

Sang Baili considered for a moment. “Five days? Will that be enough?”

Shen Shuangjing: “……”

Five days.

Two thousand questions.

It would be tough, but it was a million dollars.

A person should risk everything for a million dollars at least once in their life.

“It’ll be enough,” Shen Shuangjing said.

Sang Baili nodded. “Remember to bring your luggage then.”

“Okay.”

Sang Baili glanced at her. “Do you know where we’re going this time?”

Sang Baili had strikingly beautiful fox-like eyes, their corners upturned in a bewitching arc, as delicate as if painted by hand. But one couldn’t look too closely, lest their gaze be ensnared by those alluring, love-laden eyes, impossible to tear away.

Shen Shuangjing grinned, winking mischievously. “Article 11 of the agreement: Cohabitation.”

“Mm, you remember well.”

Back in her original body’s cramped rental apartment, Shen Shuangjing downloaded a practice test app when a call came through.

The caller ID read “Sister Manli.”

Her original body’s agent.

“Hello, Sister Manli?”

Meng Manli said, “Hey, Shuangjing! A pie just fell from the sky!”

Shen Shuangjing paused, almost asking, How did you know I’m about to get a million yuan?

But she quickly realized Meng Manli was likely referring to a work opportunity.

Curious, Shen Shuangjing asked, “Sister Manli, what kind of pie?”

Meng Manli replied, “They’re secretly casting for Night of the Murder Chase. A friend of a friend is the director’s high school classmate, and they asked if I had anyone to recommend. You were the first person who came to mind.”

While some might offer such praise as mere flattery, Meng Manli’s sincerity was genuine.

In the original novel, even after the original body’s reputation had been thoroughly tarnished, Meng Manli remained one of the few who stubbornly stuck by her side.

Meng Manli remembered the original body’s forgotten dreams. Believing they shared the same aspirations, she always wanted to give a chance to that girl whose eyes had once sparkled with the dream of becoming an actress.

Unfortunately, the original owner not only failed to cherish this rare workplace friendship but also tried to drag Meng Manli down with her after the video of her stealing from the Sang Family went viral. When Meng Manli refused to lie for her, the original owner erupted into a hysterical argument, venting all her pent-up resentment and blaming Meng Manli for her lack of success.

She accused Meng Manli of not prioritizing her, failing to secure blockbuster resources, and allowing her burning passion to wither into envy and mediocrity.

But the original owner conveniently forgot that she had only been in the industry for two or three years. Without Meng Manli’s connections, she would never have secured any opportunities. It was her own lack of talent that caused her to squander them.

As her manager, Meng Manli never abandoned her, even after her reputation was ruined, showing remarkable loyalty and integrity.

Shen Shuangjing didn’t dwell on this history. After severing ties with the original owner, Meng Manli quickly rose to become a true “golden manager,” nurturing one Best Actress after another, becoming a highly sought-after figure in the industry.

Though she hadn’t heard of Night of the Murder Chase, Shen Shuangjing trusted Meng Manli’s judgment. “Thank you, Sister Manli. What do I need to do?”

Meng Manli said, “Record two twenty-second videos and send them to me. One should be a front-facing shot, and the other a profile view. This is for the audition. Make sure the video is clear and shows your upper body. And remember, no beauty filters!”

Shen Shuangjing agreed immediately. After a few more instructions from Meng Manli, she hung up, opened her phone’s camera, and nearly dropped the device in shock at the sight of her own unconventional appearance.

After a few seconds to compose herself, she looked again at the palm-sized screen.

The person on the screen had long, voluminous black hair styled into a messy, spiky ‘pouf.’ Thick, dark bangs partially obscured her eyes, and her tightly pursed lips gave her an air of brooding, sinister awkwardness. Her eyes were framed by heavy black eyeliner, and fluorescent white butterfly-shaped eyeshadow adorned her lids. A brow piercing glinted on her left eyebrow.

Creative, yes, but hardly human-like.

She looked like she’d stepped straight out of a shamate novel.

Her brow furrowed into a tight knot, causing the brow piercing to jut out slightly, its edges lifting faintly. Sensing something amiss, Shen Shuangjing pinched the piercing between her long fingers and twisted it off.

It was just a sticker.

Unable to endure another second, she rushed to the sink and scrubbed off the garish makeup, revealing her clean, pretty face. She breathed a sigh of relief.

But before she could fully calm down, the realization that she had been wearing this ghastly getup when she registered her marriage with Sang Baili flooded her with shame, making her want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

What exactly did Sang Baili see in the original owner of this body?!

Was she some kind of evil-repelling charm?

Shen Shuangjing sighed, grabbed her wallet, and headed downstairs to the salon for a straightening and haircut.

Following her instructions, the stylist added her own flair, trimming Shen Shuangjing’s waist-length hair to collarbone length and thinning her bangs to just past her eyebrows, revealing her ink-wash painting-like features: clean, arched brows, almond-shaped eyes, and a smooth, full forehead.

The stylist stared at the reflection in the mirror, amazed by the transformation.

Though only hair had been cut, the cold, aloof aura seemed to have vanished along with it. The previously unremarkable face now stood out vividly, etching itself into memory.

Her makeup-free face radiated vitality and charm, beautiful as a dream—like a white camellia bud about to bloom, exuding a fresh, vibrant energy that was impossible to forget.

Shen Shuangjing was thrilled with her new look. After the haircut, she returned to her rented room, recorded a video, and sent it to Meng Manli.

Moments later, Meng Manli replied:

Meng Manli: Why did you ditch your “spiritual little sister” look?

Shen Shuangjing: This is the new trend I’m chasing. Simplicity is the ultimate truth.

Meng Manli: This trend is quite extreme, spanning two opposite ends.

Shen Shuangjing: There are no extreme trends, only my relentless pursuit of the latest ones. Would a video be okay?

Meng Manli: Absolutely! You look like a beautiful girl straight out of a manga. Keep up with the new trends—this look suits you perfectly.

Shen Shuangjing: Puppy salutes and says, “Yes, ma’am!” .jpg

After days of relentless studying, the day arrived for their scheduled marriage registration. Shen Shuangjing slipped into a white dress, fastened a rose gold pendant necklace, and applied light makeup before heading out.

The entrance to the Civil Affairs Bureau was bustling with people as usual.

Arriving early, Shen Shuangjing stood beneath a poplar tree, waiting for Sang Baili.

Nearby, a divorcing couple was locked in a heated argument, their voices rising above the crowd. Even the staff couldn’t calm them down. After watching the drama unfold for a while, Shen Shuangjing turned to see a girl in a baseball cap setting up a flower stall near the entrance.

Her gaze lingered on the fiery red roses for a few seconds, catching the girl’s attention. The girl called out, “Beautiful lady, why not buy a bouquet of roses for your loved one?”

Shen Shuangjing smiled politely. “No, thank you.”

“Does she not like roses?” the girl asked.

“No,” Shen Shuangjing replied.

Undeterred, the girl said, “No problem! You can still browse. We have more than just roses—other flowers with unique meanings of love. What kind does your partner usually like? If you don’t mind, I can help you choose a bouquet she’ll adore!”

Shen Shuangjing answered truthfully, “I don’t know what she likes.”

The girl smiled and picked up a bouquet of roses. “Then I still recommend roses. No one dislikes roses, and even if someone does, they can never resist a bouquet from their beloved. Besides, the language of these roses is ‘passionate love.’ And roses would look perfect in wedding registration photos, don’t you think?”

Sales champions don’t always convince you, but they always make you spend money.

By the time Shen Shuangjing snapped out of her daze, she was already holding a bouquet of red roses wrapped in black gold-flecked paper. The roses were so vibrant, they felt almost burning hot in her arms, like flames.

Standing back in the shade of the tree, Shen Shuangjing recalled Sang Baili’s radiant and alluring face.

Undoubtedly, these fiery red roses suited her perfectly. Even the heavens and earth seemed to pale in comparison to that beautiful face, and the roses themselves seemed to dim slightly in her presence.

But the question remained:

She still didn’t know if Sang Baili would like them.

Moments later, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled up in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

A woman in a black dress and crimson lipstick stepped out, her every movement exuding effortless elegance.

Her gaze swept over Shen Shuangjing, who stood beneath the tree. Before Shen Shuangjing could even offer a smile, the woman withdrew her gaze and glided past on high heels.

Shen Shuangjing: “?”

As if carrying a breeze, Shen Shuangjing caught a faint, fruity fragrance woven into the air.

Hidden beneath the scent of Grasse tuberose was a delicate, sweet orange note, with a lingering base of refined freesia that filled her senses, making her cheeks flush involuntarily.

Stunned for a moment, Shen Shuangjing hurried after her, grasping that slender, cool-white wrist.

Caught off guard, Sang Baili froze mid-step and turned, her chestnut hair nearly brushing the other woman’s cheek.

The woman holding her wrist had a delicate, hibiscus-like face and an elegant bearing.

She wore a frost-colored long dress cinched at the waist with an antique bronze belt, a black backpack slung obediently over her shoulder, and the ends of her silky hair draped over her beautifully straight collarbones.

Her skin was as translucent and delicate as freshly peeled lychee, almost translucent and seemingly fragile enough to burst with a touch. Her deer-like eyes were pointed at the corners and round in the middle, with narrow double eyelids and luminous, clear pupils. The focused, smiling expression in her eyes as she gazed at Sang Baili felt strangely familiar.

“You…” Sang Baili’s eyes flickered with surprise, a sudden realization dawning in her mind, causing her beautiful pupils to tremble slightly.

Shen Shuangjing’s eyes curved into crescents, her smiling gaze sparkling like stars.

“Sister, shall we get married together?”