Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 20

Holding her waist tightly, refusing to let go.

Reason still prevailed. The live stream, with its hundreds of thousands of viewers, had abruptly cut to black. Sang Baili wasn’t the only one left wondering what had happened.

She logged onto Weibo and found the hashtag “#WorkingLifeLiveStreamSuspended” trending.

Amidst the online speculation, viewers who had been watching from the start stepped forward to explain the full story.

No one from the production team had broken the law. A guest had caught a thief, someone called the police, and officers arrived to investigate. The suspension wasn’t the fault of the production team but likely due to malicious reporting. Staff members posted that they were applying to have the live stream reinstated.

The good news: Sang Baili had misunderstood.

The bad news: Shen Shuangjing would still be gone for two days.

President Sang briefly lost her best cook, her appetite vanishing with her. Xiao Shen, being a woman of integrity, wouldn’t flee during their agreement. She left Wuyun, her cat, as collateral in Sang Baili’s home, guaranteeing her timely return. Yet during this time, Sang Baili dutifully cleaned Wuyun’s litter box, prepared his meals, brushed his fur, and even installed a running wheel for him.

This wasn’t collateral; it was more like a pampered little cat boss being waited on hand and foot.

The world had turned upside down.

Xiao Shen had mastered the capitalist game.

After answering the police’s questions, Shen Shuangjing withdrew from the scene, as the remaining matters concerning the victims and suspects were no longer her concern. She met the gazes of the other guests who had gathered to watch the spectacle.

Humans are inherently drawn to drama. Even Xu Quanneng, who was cleaning pigsties across the street, heard the police sirens, dropped her rake, and rushed over without even removing her apron.

Xu Quanneng looked at Shen Shuangjing with admiration. “You’ve got a real knack for taking people down.”

Shen Shuangjing smiled. “Want to learn? It’s simple and easy to pick up. Very handy for self-defense.”

Xu Quanneng waved her hand. “No thanks. I still need to finish cleaning the pigsties. Gotta get back to work.”

“I’ll come help you when I’m done here,” Shen Shuangjing offered.

Xu Quanneng pursed her lips, a hint of a smile playing on them. “Thank you, Goddess of Variety Shows.”

Xu Quanneng had initially thought her own self-inflicted misfortune was dramatic enough. But Shen Shuangjing’s capture of the thief was truly divine—a dreamlike feat that radiated positive energy. It was bound to be the highlight of the edited broadcast.

The production team’s ideas aligned perfectly with Xu Quanneng’s, leading them to have Shen Shuangjing demonstrate several self-defense techniques on camera for use in the final edited version.

The two-day shoot took place entirely at the hotel. Shen Shuangjing was so busy she barely had time to breathe, and the time flew by until the recording wrapped up.

After a discussion and vote among the hotel’s veteran staff, three outstanding employees were selected from the six guests.

Shen Shuangjing accepted the “Outstanding Employee” trophy and posed for commemorative photos with the production team.

With filming concluded, it was time to wrap up.

Before leaving, Xu Quanneng called Shen Shuangjing aside in an area away from the cameras.

“There’s a role in my new drama that would be perfect for you,” Xu Quanneng said. “I’ve already had my manager contact yours. We should have it finalized within a few days.”

Over the past few days, Shen Shuangjing had gotten along well with Xu Quanneng. In her eyes, Xu Quanneng showed no airs of seniority, was extremely fastidious yet capable of enduring hardship, and had a good sense of humor—nothing like the pampered heiress persona often mocked online.

“Thank you, Senior Sister,” Shen Shuangjing replied. “I’ll definitely cherish this opportunity.”

Her words were natural and unpretentious, perfectly capturing the attitude Xu Quanneng expected. She maintained a composed and generous demeanor.

Xu Quanneng smiled calmly. “Don’t mention it. This is my way of thanking you for helping me clean the pigsty. Otherwise, after scrubbing for so long, I might have ended up vomiting live on camera.”

Actions speak louder than words. Shen Shuangjing had not only fulfilled her own duties but had also helped Xu Quanneng finish her unfinished tasks. Even if it was just for show, she had earnestly completed a significant portion of the workload. Moreover, one can’t fake unconscious reactions. The subtle details of the past two days had revealed Shen Shuangjing’s impeccable character—a genuinely kind person with both virtue and integrity.

Xu Quanneng’s willingness to give Shen Shuangjing a chance to “act” was also a calculated move. She recognized Shen Shuangjing’s potential and was willing to offer a helping hand while the younger woman was still unknown and without status.

Whether Shen Shuangjing would become a dazzling star or fade into obscurity remained to be seen. But Xu Quanneng’s sharp instincts had never failed her; she had never misjudged a person’s true worth.

When Shen Shuangjing left, she had a 20-inch suitcase. When she returned, she had the same suitcase and a trophy.

Sang Baili was lazily sprawled on the beanbag chair, flipping through a financial magazine. Hearing the door open, she barely lifted her lashes, and the figure she hadn’t seen in days swam into her vision.

Jade-like skin and rosy lips—she looked exactly as Sang Baili remembered. After all, it had only been three days; how much could change?

Yet in those three days, the house had inexplicably grown cold and empty. Sometimes, when Sang Baili rounded the corner of the living room, she would hallucinate Shen Shuangjing sitting there, her eyes crinkling with laughter as she watched TV. But when she focused, all that remained was Wuyun, the lonely cat left behind, meowing at her feet for its four daily meals.

In truth, Shen Shuangjing had only been living with her for a little over a month. Before she moved in, Sang Baili had lived alone for so long, she hadn’t anticipated sharing her space with anyone again.

Now, she found herself accustomed to having someone to chat with during meals, two water glasses on the table, and the occasional glimpse of Shen Shuangjing around the house.

Habits form in twenty-one days. Only if Shen Shuangjing disappeared for another twenty-one consecutive days would Sang Baili truly readjust to life without her.

This brief period of discomfort was perfectly normal.

Sang Baili closed the magazine, her lips curving into a smile. “Back from your trip?”

Shen Shuangjing lugged her suitcase inside, turned to shut the door, and replied with a heavy tone, “Trip? What trip?”

“Before you left, didn’t you say you wanted to see the countryside and get close to nature?” Sang Baili asked.

That was just my fantasy before I went, Shen Shuangjing thought. The reality turned out to be harsh.

“I was working at the hotel every day, just trying to earn money,” Shen Shuangjing said, her voice tinged with bitterness. “I spent my rest time sleeping. I didn’t have the energy to go out and explore.”

She hadn’t meant to sound coquettish, but the way her voice trailed off tickled Sang Baili’s heart like a feather.

Sang Baili’s thick, long lashes fluttered. “Xiao Shen, you’re so capable. How much did you earn?”

She tilted her head back, leaning languidly against the sofa back, like a sleeping beauty ready to drift off at any moment. Her wavy hair cascaded behind the sofa, swaying like churning clouds. The snow-white line of her neck stretched taut, its curve exquisitely graceful.

“Not even enough for one of your lunches, Elder Sister,” Shen Shuangjing replied.

Sang Baili’s lips curled slightly, her crimson lips lush and vibrant, like a flower about to bloom. “I usually eat in the cafeteria,” she said innocently. “It’s free.”

“Well, I didn’t exactly make any money either,” Shen Shuangjing admitted.

She raised a finger and waved it, her starry eyes sparkling. “I went to build my popularity. Once more people see me, I can earn a substantial fee for each variety show appearance, just like Sister Quanneng.”

The unfamiliar name grated on Sang Baili’s ears. Her voice rose slightly as she asked, “Sister Quanneng?”

“She’s our company’s top star,” Shen Shuangjing explained. “I got this variety show opportunity because of her influence.”

A flicker crossed Sang Baili’s cool, clear eyes, her smile a superficial layer that didn’t reach her gaze. Her long fingers unconsciously flipped through the pages of the magazine on her lap.

“How do you know her fee?” she asked gently.

Shen Shuangjing glanced at the movement of Sang Baili’s fingers but dismissed it. “Sister Manli told me. After all, Sister Quanneng is the biggest star among the guests, so it’s natural her fee would be high.”

Sang Baili tossed the magazine casually onto the table. Sensing Shen Shuangjing’s respectful tone toward the senior artist, the subtle discomfort in her heart dissipated. She smiled warmly, her eyes curving into crescents. “Are you two close?”

Shen Shuangjing’s expression turned serious. “We’re not exactly close, but Senior Xu has been very kind to me. She said she also started from obscurity and shared a lot of dos and don’ts about navigating variety shows.”

She was grateful to Xu Quanneng, but that didn’t mean she would confide in him. The entertainment industry was a den of vipers, and friendships were often based on first impressions. She wouldn’t rush into relationships, nor did she expect to find true friends in this world. Her only goal was to act with a clear conscience. If she had to name someone she was truly close to, all the people she’d met on the show combined couldn’t compare to her bond with Sang Baili.

Sang Baili nodded thoughtfully. “You should thank her when you have the chance.” She couldn’t always watch over Shen Shuangjing. If Shen Shuangjing wanted to thrive in the entertainment industry, she needed guidance from experienced insiders to avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

Shen Shuangjing puffed out her chest proudly. “I helped her clean the pigsty! Sister Quanneng said she doesn’t deserve to be called ‘Quanneng’ and wants to give me her name.”

When traveling, she always remembered basic social etiquette and never took others’ kindness for granted.

“……”

Sang Baili, wanting to steer the conversation away from trivial matters, skillfully changed the subject. “I’m more interested in how you’re doing.”

Hearing Sang Baili’s concern, Shen Shuangjing felt a strange warmth in her heart. She turned in a circle before her.

“See if you notice any changes?” she asked.

Sang Baili’s gaze locked onto her, her voice low and sharp. “You’ve lost weight again.”

The hook-like intensity of her gaze carried a familiar heat, making Shen Shuangjing’s cheeks flush crimson. She suddenly felt self-conscious.

Shen Shuangjing shook her head, avoiding eye contact. “That’s not it.”

She raised the trophy high in her hand. The large trophy had been making her arm ache from holding it for so long, but Sang Baili didn’t even glance at it, her eyes fixed on Shen Shuangjing’s face.

Is there something on my face? Shen Shuangjing wondered inwardly. She held the trophy up between them, blocking Sang Baili’s piercing gaze. “Look.”

The Outstanding Employee trophy, custom-made by the production team, didn’t even bear Shen Shuangjing’s name. Yet she cherished it as if it were no mere glass, but a priceless crystal masterpiece, worth more than a thousand gold pieces.

Warm light bathed her smiling face, illuminating the fine, translucent down on her cheeks like a soft, pearly glow.

Sang Baili rested her chin in her hand. “Speaking of which, we have a special display case for trophies at home.”

Behind her, Shen Shuangjing’s tail began to wag furiously, her dark eyes sparkling. She followed Sang Baili to the study.

As the study door swung open, a flood of golden light spilled out, causing Shen Shuangjing’s eyes to flicker involuntarily.

Once her eyes adjusted, she saw a two-meter-tall transparent display case filled with trophies of all shapes and sizes—Sang Baili’s past achievements. These included prestigious awards like the Red Cherry Blossom Best Newcomer Award, the Golden Elephant Best Actress Award, and the 20X5 Outstanding Entrepreneur of China Award, among other high-profile accolades.

Shen Shuangjing first marveled at Sang Baili’s five-times-accelerated life, then shifted her gaze, searching for a suitable place to display her own trophy.

The trophy from the show wasn’t nearly as grand, and placing it in the main display case might lower the overall prestige.

She spotted a small, empty transparent cabinet in the corner. “Could I put my trophy there?” she asked.

Sang Baili glanced at it. “No, I need that space for something else.”

Shen Shuangjing looked at the completely empty desk. “What about the desk?”

Sang Baili smiled, her expression captivating. “That’s my work desk. Do you really want me to see your trophy every time I look up? It’s not a bad idea, actually.”

Shen Shuangjing imagined the scene. What kind of narcissist would put their trophy on someone else’s desk, forcing them to look at it day and night while working?

How utterly absurd.

She shook her head vigorously. “Is there anywhere more suitable?”

Sang Baili tapped the display cabinet in front of her. “Put it here.”

Shen Shuangjing stared at the trophy in her hand, feeling embarrassed on its behalf. She genuinely wondered, “Does it even belong here?”

Isn’t this a bit childish? Like mixing a kindergarten diploma with a pile of university degrees—utterly incongruous.

Sang Baili countered, “Why not? There’s no room anywhere else, and this is the only space left.”

The study wasn’t crowded; there were plenty of empty bookshelves. She’s clearly lying through her teeth, Shen Shuangjing realized. Sang Baili just wanted her trophy displayed alongside the others.

Fine.

Shen Shuangjing thought, forcing herself to accept it. Maybe Sang Baili has OCD and needs all her trophies neatly arranged together.

Sang Baili took the trophy from Shen Shuangjing and placed it on the shelf. As Shen Shuangjing had predicted, it wasn’t displayed in a separate row but rather behind Sang Baili’s own trophies, maintaining the same ten-centimeter spacing as the others.

But the matter wasn’t over. Sang Baili retrieved a damp cloth, stood on tiptoe, and meticulously wiped the “Outstanding Employee” trophy, her movements gentle and slow, as if handling precious white porcelain.

Shen Shuangjing’s mood lightened with each careful stroke, as if her own heart were being polished until it shone brightly. She couldn’t help but smile.

The freshly wiped trophy gleamed with a crystalline sheen, its brightness now blending seamlessly with the others, no longer looking cheap or out of place.

As Sang Baili stepped down, she lost her balance, her body swaying backward.

Shen Shuangjing reached out to steady her, her elbow wrapping around Sang Baili’s lower back. The sudden weight pressed down, and a warm, fragrant scent brushed past her nose.

Sang Baili regained her footing, her face just an inch from Shen Shuangjing’s. Her breath tickled Shen Shuangjing’s ear as she whispered, “Does it belong?”

The breath sent a shiver down Shen Shuangjing’s spine, her mind too distracted to fully process the words. She turned her head slightly and stepped back, creating some distance. “What?”

Sang Baili repeated herself, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Do the trophies look good together?”

Shen Shuangjing nodded. “Yes, they do.”

Seeing Shen Shuangjing’s bewildered expression, Sang Baili couldn’t resist teasing her. “I’ve got my balance now,” she said. “You can let go.”

Only then did Shen Shuangjing realize she had been holding on all this time, her arms wrapped tightly around Sang Baili’s slender waist.

Her thin skin flushed crimson with embarrassment. Her waist is so soft and slender, she thought, but she dared not voice such a rogue’s thought. Instead, she offered a sincere apology.

Sang Baili’s fox-like eyes sparkled with amusement. “It’s fine,” she said, her voice light and carefree.

If not for her desire to see Shen Shuangjing’s flustered, bashful expression, she wouldn’t have minded the little ditz holding on a bit longer.

As they left the study, Sang Baili casually closed the door, but Shen Shuangjing insisted on locking it.

“If Wuyun sneaks in,” Shen Shuangjing explained, “the display case will be in danger.”

Cats love knocking things off tables, and Wuyun was particularly notorious for this. Tragically, he never targeted Sang Baili’s water glass, only Shen Shuangjing’s. She had already hidden her own drinking glass and replaced it with a plastic cup to distract him.

Heaven be praised, Wuyun hadn’t yet developed sentience and was thoroughly entertained by the plastic cup.

Exhausted from their journey, fatigue and hunger washed over Shen Shuangjing. “I’ll make dinner,” she said.

“Just make enough for yourself,” Sang Baili replied. “I’ve already refilled Wuyun’s food bowl. I’m attending a banquet tonight, so I’ll eat there.”

Shen Shuangjing, ever considerate, asked, “Will there be food at the banquet? Should you have something to tide you over?”

“Yes, some of these hotels hire Michelin-starred chefs to create high-end desserts. The flavors are decent. It’s almost time, I’ll go change into a dress.”

Shen Shuangjing nodded, then suddenly called Sang Baili back.

Her voice carried a subtle hint of anticipation as she asked, “Were you waiting for me to come back?”

Sang Baili hesitated. “No.”

“Oh,” Shen Shuangjing replied, feeling foolish for her assumption.

Sang Baili quickly changed her tone. “Well, sort of.”

“Huh?”

“I was waiting for you to return,” Sang Baili explained, “but if you hadn’t arrived before the banquet, I would have left without you.” She was relieved she could say this with a clear conscience, having waited for Shen Shuangjing.

Her smile was as sly as a seductive fox as she twirled the key between her fingers, her eyes holding the moonlight. “Because you were waiting for me to come back too, weren’t you?”

As Shen Shuangjing chopped potatoes, those captivating eyes resurfaced in her mind.

She had always been aware of Sang Baili’s beauty, but she had never lingered on it, merely appreciating it superficially. Business was business; falling in love would be unprofessional.

“Do me a favor.”

Sang Baili appeared, her slender heels clicking softly. Her red lips were perfectly made up, and she lifted the hem of her black, figure-hugging dress as she glided gracefully to a stop before Shen Shuangjing.

Shen Shuangjing steadied the potato on the cutting board with one hand, her eyelids half-lowered. “What kind of help do you need?”

Sang Baili turned, her ivory-colored back, as pale as snow, catching Shen Shuangjing’s eye.