Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 23

The rainy night was dark and disorienting, the umbrella shuddering in the wind as slender, steady fingers gripped the handle.

Shen Shuangjing’s eyes sparkled with vitality, her smile the only light in the shadowy world.

Sang Baili’s gaze was drawn to her dimpled cheeks.

Who could refuse someone who came to pick them up on a rainy day?

A warmth bloomed in Sang Baili’s heart, an indescribable feeling. She hung the chestnut pastry on Shen Shuangjing’s outstretched finger and stepped out of the car.

The outdoor temperature plummeted, a bone-chilling cold that couldn’t extinguish the fever burning within her. The heat spread like wildfire through her body, growing more intense with each passing moment, an unbearable restlessness.

Shen Shuangjing lifted the chestnut pastry, squinting at the sky-blue packaging in the dim light. “Fuxinxiang? Is this a snack?”

Sang Baili’s expression remained composed, but her voice, hoarse as a wheezing organ, betrayed her condition.

“Fuxinxiang,” she corrected. “I heard you weren’t getting any snacks on set. You were so pitiful, you had to eat two bowls of rice with your ribs.”

“I didn’t even know I could eat two bowls,” Shen Shuangjing sighed.

The rain drowned out the unusual rasp in Sang Baili’s voice. Laughing, she said, “But there were snacks! Who told you that nonsense?”

As she spoke, her gaze swept across the room, settling on Sang Baili’s cheeks, flushed like the dawn sky. Her smile slowly faded, replaced by a stunned expression.

Sang Baili possessed an innate allure, her beauty as radiant as the moon and as vibrant as the morning mist. Her skin, now tinged with a cherry-blossom hue, glowed with an ethereal brilliance in the night, her soft, dark lashes radiating a captivating, almost edible charm, drawing others to her like moths to a flame.

Still breathtakingly beautiful, but flushed an unnatural crimson.

Shen Shuangjing’s heart skipped a beat, her hand tightening slightly.

After a few moments, she reached out to touch Sang Baili’s forehead. It was so hot it felt like it could fry an egg. “Sister, do you have a fever?”

Sang Baili’s lashes lowered slightly, concealing the icy chill in her eyes. Her tone remained nonchalant. “Probably ate something bad. Or maybe the wine was tainted.”

Since leaving the house, she had consumed nothing but the food and drinks at the banquet. The most likely culprit was the wine Zhaolu had handed her.

Regardless of who was responsible—whether intentional or accidental—she knew her gold-medal assistant wouldn’t let her down. The banquet organizers would provide a reasonable explanation and resolution.

Shen Shuangjing switched the umbrella to her other hand, tilting it further toward Sang Baili. Without hesitation, she said, “Let’s get you back quickly. I’ll call a doctor.”

The courtyard gate was some distance from the villa. Sang Baili walked on the other side of the umbrella, her wet footprints on the concrete pavement vanishing almost as soon as the rain washed them away.

Rainwater streamed down the umbrella’s surface, cascading to the ground like a beaded curtain.

Sang Baili’s voice carried a hint of resistance. “Don’t call a doctor. Just make me some hangover soup.”

Shen Shuangjing replied, “You can’t ignore your health. Hangover soup only addresses the alcohol; it won’t solve any other problems.”

“This isn’t an illness,” Sang Baili insisted.

Shen Shuangjing had no experience with this. She only remembered scenes from TV dramas where a doctor’s injection brought immediate relief.

“If we don’t call a doctor, can you handle this yourself?” she asked.

“…I can.”

Fine.

Taking a cold bath was another trope often used in movies and TV shows.

Watching Sang Baili stumble across the flat path, Shen Shuangjing looped her arm through Sang Baili’s elbow, pulling her closer. “Lean on me.”

Their elbows brushed together. Under the drug’s influence, Sang Baili’s arm instinctively pressed closer, clinging tightly.

Shen Shuangjing realized Sang Baili was indeed much weaker than before, unsteady on her feet like a pliable lump of dough.

Her fox-like eyes, with their upturned corners and alluring gaze, were veiled in a hazy, seductive sheen, like those of a tipsy little fox—captivating and bewitching.

I don’t want anyone else to see my sister like this.

The thought suddenly flashed through Shen Shuangjing’s mind.

Sang Baili said, “Shen Xiaojing, you’re not being feudal anymore.”

Shen Shuangjing nearly thought her inner thoughts had been overheard, tensing up. She didn’t bother correcting Sang Baili’s nickname, replying guiltily, “When have I ever been feudal?”

Each word suppressed a burning spark. Sang Baili still found the time to tease her, saying, “When you said we couldn’t have physical contact.”

“……”

Shen Shuangjing: “That’s called female virtue.”

At the doorway, Shen Shuangjing folded her umbrella and placed it on the rack. She noticed Sang Baili still walking forward, oblivious, about to bump straight into the door.

With lightning reflexes, Shen Shuangjing grabbed her arm. The momentum of the pull spun Sang Baili halfway around. After steadying herself, Shen Shuangjing stood before her, one hand braced against the wall, forming a perfect kabedon pose.

Half of Shen Shuangjing’s body was soaked from the rain, her hair dripping wet. Under the eaves’ dim light, the stark contrast between her ink-black hair and porcelain-white skin was even more striking.

Her voice was gentle, like a kindergarten teacher patiently reminding children to wash their hands before meals.

“Jiejie, you’re drunk. You can’t bump into the door like that. I haven’t opened it yet.”

Sang Baili: “I’m not drunk.”

Shen Shuangjing glanced down at the hand resting on her lower abdomen.

No.

She must be drunk.

A sober Sang Baili would never brazenly touch her like this; at most, she’d just tease with her words.

Sang Baili followed her gaze to her own hand. The palm felt cool from the rain, yet the sensation was exquisite.

She didn’t want to move it, wanting to keep it pressed there forever.

Her lashes fluttered upward, the corners of her eyes stained a decadent, crimson red, like crushed rouge.

The desire burning in her dark blue eyes was intense and breathtaking.

“What should I do?” she murmured. “It seems Shen Xiaojing’s virtuous restraint has suffered another loss.”

“……”

Such feigned concern.

This was a historic blunder in the Best Actress’s career. Let’s hope she forgets this embarrassing episode when she sobers up tomorrow.

Shen Shuangjing blinked and sighed. “…Thank you for the reminder. Should we let go now?”

Sang Baili reluctantly released her grip. Before Shen Shuangjing could fully register the subtle emptiness in her heart, her earlobe burned.

Leaning against the door, Sang Baili gently stroked the soft flesh of Shen Shuangjing’s earlobe. Her voice, warm and laced with alcohol, murmured, “Shen Xiaojing, would you mind losing a few more times?”

Her desire was insatiable, her reason long since consumed by the flames of lust. She had forgotten all restraint, rationality, and shame, wanting to take more, to take everything.

Instead of imagining and guessing at the texture and temperature of the skin beneath the thin fabric, she longed to feel it directly.

Since that absurd dream, she had endured too long. The spiked wine acted as a catalyst, unleashing an overwhelming desire that had been suppressed for too long.

She craved genuine touch, fingers interlaced tightly, an embrace so forceful it threatened to crush her, and even more.

She was like a dying fish, gasping for breath, craving a single drop of water with an almost addictive intensity—a drop that would fill her hollow flesh, satiate her body and soul, and leave her trembling with fulfillment.

No longer did she recoil from desire and s3x as if they were venomous snakes. She openly envied the torrential rain that night, which could fall freely on the girl’s dark hair, shoulders, and lips without restraint.

Shen Shuangjing’s throat felt parched. Sang Baili’s eyes and brows radiated an irresistible allure, her sensuality heightened by alcohol or drugs, exuding a decadent allure.

Just watching her made Shen Shuangjing’s face flush with heat.

An unspeakable change stirred within her. Shen Shuangjing turned away, her rounded, powdered earlobe slipping from between Sang Baili’s fingers.

When she spoke, her voice was both husky and soft.

“No.”

“Why not?”

Sang Baili stared at Shen Shuangjing’s earlobe, silently licking the tip of her tooth. A fiery darkness surged in her eyes, and her bl00d flowed faster.

Shen Shuangjing said, “Cuddling is a separate price.”

Sang Baili smiled seductively, her eyes as alluring as silk. She tapped her phone a few times and handed it to Shen Shuangjing. “Is this enough?”

Shen Shuangjing’s eyelashes fluttered. “Sister, you’re drunk. I’ll go make you some hangover soup.”

Sang Baili’s crimson lips curved into a half-smile as she held up two fingers. “How many?”

“?”

Had the questioner and answerer gotten their roles mixed up?

Shen Shuangjing answered truthfully, “Two.”

“Correct.”

Shen Shuangjing: “…Thank you?”

Sang Baili’s beautiful eyes flickered, and a decadent smile slid across her lips. “I know exactly what I’m saying.”

She added casually, “Another five hundred thousand.”

She stepped closer, her delicate arms wrapping around Shen Shuangjing’s neck. Her sultry, curvaceous body pressed softly against Shen Shuangjing’s, like a fox pendant clinging to her. “Will Shen Xiaojing please help me?”

In the cramped space, there was nowhere for her eyes to escape. Without any buffer or mental preparation, Shen Shuangjing’s gaze could only land on those narrow, spring-water-like eyes.

Their gazes locked, Shen Shuangjing’s mind went blank, feeling the subtle, simmering ambiguity ferment and envelop her.

The night was deep, and the torrential rain had trapped the entire city, trapping her thoughts and her heart.

Her heart pounded like a drum, her primal instincts warring with her rationality, making it impossible to decisively refuse.

Unable to distinguish right from wrong, she kept wondering: if she said she couldn’t, would her sister find someone else?

She knew her sister’s wealth could easily grant her anything, yet the thought of her turning to someone else made her strangely uneasy.

Sang Baili remained silent, gazing up at her with a directness that revealed a hint of helplessness and vulnerability in her eyes.

She was waiting for Shen Shuangjing’s answer.

This was far more unsettling to Shen Shuangjing than any coercion, bribery, or forced transaction.

Even if this gradual approach was part of Sang Baili’s plan, Shen Shuangjing’s affection stirred involuntarily.

My sister needs me, she thought.

Just helping out.

Fair price, fair trade.

Shen Shuangjing felt her face burning hotter than Sang Baili’s. She kept telling herself it was just a simple favor—she couldn’t bear to see her beautiful boss taking a cold bath or suffering any longer.

She heard her own voice.

“Teach me, Sister.”

The door opened and closed.

In the more intimate space, neither bothered with the lights.

In the darkness, they could only make out each other’s silhouettes—stimulating, secretive, and liberating.

“Didn’t you want me to teach you?” a languid, coquettish voice purred.

Something fell to the floor.

“Teach me something else, Sister,” Shen Shuangjing said. “I can still take off the dress myself.”

Besides, she had personally tied the long sash and zipped up the dress. Undoing it was second nature.

Though pulling down the zipper had been a little difficult, because Sang Baili’s boneless-soft hands had been wandering over her body, lingering with a touch that refused to leave.

Shen Shuangjing let out a muffled groan and pressed down on the hand circling her abs.

Sang Baili’s voice turned husky. “Is that not allowed?”

Shen Shuangjing shook her head. “No… Sister can touch me anywhere she wants.”

She just… hadn’t adjusted yet.

The temperature in the room continued to rise.

The sounds of conversation gradually faded as the patient teacher and student focused intently on teaching, exploring, and analyzing difficult problems.

No one remembered how the “battleground” had shifted to the bed, but the storm outside had long since subsided. The first rays of dawn peeked through the window, revealing the diligent student who had been studying tirelessly for hours, showing a natural aptitude for teaching.

Silvery tears streamed from Sang Baili’s eyes, tracing paths down her temples.

Lying on her back, her face flushed crimson, she seemed to have melted into a pool of water, her body trembling lightly, her swan-like neck arched in a delicate curve.

Shen Shuangjing’s cheeks were flushed with satisfaction, her long fingers still carrying Sang Baili’s warmth as she brushed aside the stray strands of hair clinging to her neck. Her fingertips wiped away the tears on Sang Baili’s face, tracing a path down her cheek to caress her lips.

Though Sang Baili had repeatedly bitten her lips, swallowing the lipstick, their color remained as vibrant as roses, a lingering blush of spring.

Unable to bear Shen Shuangjing’s teasing, Sang Baili’s toes curled inward, and tears reflexively welled up again. Her weary, painted eyes pleaded, “No, I don’t want any more…”

Her legs went completely weak, and she had no desire to recall the subsequent times Shen Shuangjing had held her and satisfied her.

Did I study well?

Yes.

Too well.

Completely graduated. The teacher has requested never to see this student return to campus.

Shen Shuangjing’s gaze burned, her breath quickening. The contrast between the tearful beauty and her usual self was too striking, stirring a primal desire within her.

Now that she was an outstanding graduate, she knew how to submit a perfect paper that would please her teacher.

However, she couldn’t bear to torment her sister any further.

After all, through her relentless persistence, the teacher had already given her extra one-on-one instruction on two additional problems.

If she pushed any further, her sister would undoubtedly grow angry.

She took a tissue and wiped away Sang Baili’s tears, then wiped the dampness from her own hands. “Do you want more hangover soup?”

Sang Baili didn’t even have the strength to sit up, her beautiful eyes flickering. “Proper hangover soup?”

Shen Shuangjing: “……”

Sometimes, wanting to study a little longer really wasn’t her fault.