Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 26

“Doraemon grants wishes, not the Snail Maiden.”

But Shen Shuangjing could see Sang Baili’s unwavering obsession with eating Little Whale, as if she would pester her about it all day if she didn’t get it.

Unable to make whale-shaped glutinous rice cakes, Shen Shuangjing squeezed out little whale patterns on the hot-water sugar pancakes she made that evening, using condensed milk sauce. This was her way of indirectly fulfilling Sang Baili’s long-cherished wish.

“Eat as many as you want,” Shen Shuangjing declared generously.

If I can’t stop her, I’ll join in.

She could keep drawing whales until her sister couldn’t stomach another bite.

After tasting them, Sang Baili declared that the whale-shaped sugar pancakes were a hundred times better than the lychee glutinous rice cakes.

At noon the following day, Work Within Work aired on time.

Before the broadcast, Shen Shuangjing logged onto Weibo and, in response to the production team’s request, quickly posted a promotional message:

“I’m ready! @WorkWithinWork”

She included a photo of her TV screen showing a commercial break.

After posting, she made a simple yogurt bowl. Just as she finished, the commercials ended and the show began.

Although most fans had watched the live broadcast in full, the Tuesday episode was essentially an unnecessary rerun for them. However, the production team’s editing was witty and refined, creating an exceptionally high-quality condensed version. A significant portion of viewers still tuned in to watch these highlights, treating them like “electronic snacks” to enjoy while eating.

Shen Shuangjing watched the two-hour variety show with satisfaction. When she opened her phone afterward, the screen was still on her Weibo homepage.

Everything seemed normal, but her follower count had astonishingly surpassed 100,000 in just two hours.

The influence of a nationally popular variety show was undeniable.

Checking the Trending Search, she found five of the top ten entries related to the show. Quickly scanning through them, she noticed two hashtags specifically mentioning her:

#WorkWithinWork: Self-Defense Skills You Must Learn#

This hashtag had trended after the show’s live broadcast suddenly cut out two days earlier, sparking numerous conspiracy theories. Today’s episode featured Shen Shuangjing’s full footage of catching a thief, effectively debunking the marketing accounts that had been spreading dark speculations about the production team to gain attention.

To emphasize the importance of self-defense and awareness, the production team had Shen Shuangjing record a supplementary instructional video. With the staff’s assistance, she shared several effective self-defense techniques.

Shen Shuangjing wasted no time, explaining key details and core principles of each movement. Her fluid, graceful actions were both beautiful and powerful. As she raised her arms, the hem of her shirt lifted slightly, revealing glimpses of her abdomen and the subtle, flowing lines of her muscles.

She didn’t promote self-defense as a panacea, but rather emphasized that its purpose was to help people protect themselves better. Therefore, against overwhelming force, avoiding reckless confrontation was also a form of self-preservation.

At the end of the video, the production team’s voiceover asked Shen Shuangjing to summarize her advice. On screen, she blinked, smiled at the camera, and said solemnly, “I hope everyone cultivates the awareness to protect themselves. Prepare for the worst and you’ll have nothing to fear.”

Shen Shuangjing’s real-life takedown of the thief, like something straight out of a wish-fulfillment novel, went viral. Viewers were particularly interested in the self-defense techniques she demonstrated, resulting in substantial video shares and comments.

Practical instruction! This absolutely can’t be left to gather dust in my bookmarks!

The final summary is crucial. Learning self-defense from this video is great, but remember not to become overconfident. Protecting yourself is what matters most.

Little Whale’s stunning looks paired with her badass moves have turned me into a fan! I want to learn some self-defense techniques. Any recommendations for beginners—Taekwondo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

This sparked a nationwide surge in interest in self-defense techniques, with official channels and universities releasing instructional videos to promote basic defensive skills. Schools even began incorporating specialized self-defense training into physical education classes, combining instruction with practical drills. Meanwhile, many bloggers seized on the trend, actively educating the public about theft laws and the legal boundaries of self-defense.

Shen Shuangjing, thanks to her viral and positive instructional videos, gained recognition among netizens, leaving them with an impression of righteousness and optimism. This earned her her first wave of public goodwill.

However, all this came after the initial buzz had simmered and amplified. Right now, Shen Shuangjing was staring at the second trending search related to her, utterly perplexed:

#ShenShuangjing’s Money-Loving Gaze Can’t Be Hidden#

She asked herself honestly: she did love money, but the show hadn’t even given out any cash prizes. How had she been exposed?

After watching the video posted by a marketing account, Shen Shuangjing’s confusion cleared.

In the clip, the production team announced the end of filming and the start of the trophy presentation. Xu Quanneng whispered to Shen Shuangjing that the trophy was made of solid gold. Caught completely off guard, Shen Shuangjing’s almond-shaped eyes instantly lit up, brimming with radiant light.

I watched it frame by frame—no editing! The sudden glow is real! This is the moment Xiao Jing’s eyes were at their widest during the entire show!

To the commenter above, Shen Shuangjing (eyes wide open version): Am I not being polite?

The production team needs to get her a solid gold trophy ASAP. Look how much she’s drooling over it like a flashlight!

The world is a cruel place. You’re all just making memes, but I’m the only one who feels sorry for Little Whale for a second before frantically screenshotting her expressions for reaction images. Her eyes gradually lighting up is too adorable! doge smile.jpg

Shen Shuangjing sighed mournfully. “……”

Fake fans, all of you! Is no one going to speak up for me, the one Xu Quanneng tricked?

A troll even went to Shen Shuangjing’s Weibo and posted a photo of their own solid gold trophy, asking if she had gotten hers yet, two days later.

After a few seconds of thought, Shen Shuangjing found a photo of herself, photoshopped a solid gold trophy into her hand, and replied with the image:  Why wouldn’t I have one? Gold prices fluctuate, but digital versions never go out of style.

The troll was speechless. Suddenly, their trophy didn’t seem so impressive anymore.

“What are you laughing at?”

Sang Baili entered the room and saw Shen Shuangjing staring at her phone, laughing heartily. Her long lashes fluttered like fans, and her pink lips curved into a smile.

The aroma of porridge from the rice cooker filled the air, mingling with the warm yellow light to create an enticing atmosphere.

For a moment, she felt a sense of disorientation. In the biting cold of late autumn, the warmth of a cozy room where she could rest, and the thought of someone waiting for her to come home for dinner, seemed to make the endless waves of depression and sorrow recede like a tide.

“You’re back! We’re having grilled meat wraps tonight,” Shen Shuangjing said, looking up and pointing at her phone. “I’m watching those shameless netizens lose their minds.”

Sang Baili leaned down, her chestnut-brown hair cascading in feminine waves, the sweet scent of oranges enveloping Shen Shuangjing like a comforting embrace.

Shen Shuangjing inhaled deeply, the orange fragrance from her sister’s skin reminding her of summer’s sparkling citrus soda, adding a unique flavor to an otherwise ordinary day.

Her gaze drifted across the room, pausing sharply when it landed on Sang Baili’s profile. Her eyes narrowed, suddenly sharp. “Sister, who hit you? What’s that red mark on your face?”

“A mosquito,” Sang Baili replied.

“A mosquito can leave a palm-shaped mark?” Shen Shuangjing retorted angrily, rising to her feet. Her sweet voice now laced with fury, she demanded, “Tell me who it was, and I’ll help you get revenge.”

Sang Baili leaned back against the sofa, her elbow resting on the backrest, pondering how to broach the subject. Finally, she sighed softly. “My mother.”

Shen Shuangjing froze, her fingers clenching tightly. “Even if she’s your mother, she has no right to use violence against you. Has she always treated you like this?”

Sang Baili lowered her lashes and rubbed her temples. “No, this time it was my fault for not dodging in time.”

Shen Shuangjing looked at the stark red mark on Sang Baili’s snow-white cheek, her heart aching. The more she looked, the more distressed she felt. “Such a beautiful face… how could she be so…” cruel.

The word was too harsh; she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She refused to believe her sister’s mother was truly malicious, preferring to think there was some misunderstanding she didn’t know about.

Sang Baili raised her glass and took a sip of water, the graceful curve of her jaw and neck accentuated by the movement.

“I found the person who drugged me,” she said. “I reported them to the police, but they went to my mother’s lover’s son. My mother asked me to drop the matter for her sake. When I refused, she came to my office to argue. When she couldn’t win, she slapped me in a fit of anger.”

Her voice carried a sharp, icy edge, as if all affection for her mother had long been exhausted. Yet the lingering inflection in her tone hinted at complex, unspoken emotions.

Any words of comfort would have sounded hollow.

“I’ll get you an ice pack,” Shen Shuangjing said.

A moment later, she returned with an ice pack and gestured for Sang Baili to sit on the sofa.

Wrapping the ice pack in a soft, thin towel, Shen Shuangjing gently pressed it against Sang Baili’s cheek. “Does it hurt?” she asked.

Sang Baili wanted to say she was fine, but seeing Shen Shuangjing’s furrowed brow and worried expression, she moved her lips and admitted, “It hurts.”

Shen Shuangjing retorted angrily, “Jiejie should insure her face for billions! That way, Auntie won’t dare lay a hand on you again. Every inch of you is a priceless gift from heaven. Even losing a single strand of your hair deserves compensation!”

Sang Baili scoffed inwardly. Her mother cared far less about her than others did. But she had long since abandoned any expectations from her.

“That might work,” she said. “The only things she values more than her pride are her money. Next time she tries to slap me, I’ll warn her that if she can’t afford the consequences, I’ll sue her.”

Shen Shuangjing took Sang Baili’s hand, torn between asking why Sang Baili wasn’t among the things her mother valued most.

But she understood that not all parents loved their children unconditionally. Some pursued what they deemed more important, completely neglecting or disregarding their parental responsibilities.

After applying the ice pack for about fifteen minutes, Shen Shuangjing removed it. “Does it feel any better now?”

Sang Baili paused to assess the sensation, then nodded earnestly. “Yes, thank you, Xiao Jing.”

Shen Shuangjing recalled how, at the orphanage, whenever a child was injured, the Old Dean would blow on their wounds to “blow away the pain.”

“Let me blow on it again,” Shen Shuangjing said. “Blow on it, and it’ll stop hurting completely.”

Her fingers, pale and delicate, pressed against Sang Baili’s shoulder as she leaned closer. Her soft, rosy lips pursed into a gentle “o” as she blew softly, her breath tickling Sang Baili’s cheek.

Sang Baili’s gaze drifted past Shen Shuangjing’s distinct eyelashes, lowered slightly, and caught sight of the alluring view revealed by the girl’s open pajama collar.

The beauty mark between Shen Shuangjing’s collarbones was captivating—a pure, full, and tempting blossom. The shadows of her collarbones, like gentle mountain ridges, partially concealed lingering red marks—indelible imprints left by Sang Baili herself.

A delicate blush crept up Sang Baili’s ears. Though her strength hadn’t fully returned, the memory of that night lingered, not unpleasant at all. The process had been quite comfortable, and the feeling of being forcefully possessed was strangely addictive.

Her nose felt warm.

“Sister, you’re having a nosebleed!” Shen Shuangjing exclaimed anxiously, quickly pulling out a tissue to stem the flow. The bl00d bloomed like a crimson flower.

How pathetic, Sang Baili thought.

She slowly closed her eyes. “I’ve been feeling a bit overheated lately.”

Perhaps I should listen to the doctor and exercise more?

Shen Shuangjing didn’t believe her.

It must be internal injuries from Auntie’s slap.

Her beautiful face filled with concern. “Sister, raise your right arm and lean against me.”