Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 39

At first glance, she looked like a fashion model who had stepped straight out of a women’s magazine, every strand of her hair meticulously styled.

A distinct gurgling sound reached her ears. Shen Shuangjing glanced sideways and saw the boy staring in awe, a dazed, infatuated smile spreading across his face.

Even behind her sunglasses, it was easy to imagine her stunning beauty.

“You’re here,” Shen Shuangjing said, her full, almond-shaped eyes curving into crescent moons. “I got you your favorite iced Americano and a box of popcorn.”

Sang Baili inhaled the refreshing, sea salt fragrance that enveloped Shen Shuangjing, feeling instantly refreshed. She smiled. “Great. Let’s go in now.”

“Wait, I left the snacks at the front desk.”

Shen Shuangjing went to retrieve the snacks from the receptionist. Sang Baili stood alone, and seeing no one around, she removed her sunglasses and hung them around her neck. Her gaze inadvertently met the boy’s.

His heart raced. Suddenly confronted with someone as beautiful as a celebrity, he completely forgot about the girl he had been flirting with earlier, his affections instantly shifting.

“If she’s not interested, could I get your contact information?” the boy asked.

How clueless can you be?

Sang Baili frowned, her gaze turning icy. Her eyes and expression radiated cold indifference. “I already have a partner,” she said.

The boy persisted, his tone smooth and flattering. “It’s just to get to know you. Your partner wouldn’t mind. If you don’t want to reply after adding me, you can just ignore my messages.”

Sang Baili let his words pass through her like water. Crossing her arms, she stated bluntly, “No.”

“Why not?”

Shen Shuangjing, having gathered snacks and drinks, approached Sang Baili. When Sang Baili looked up, the icy chill in her eyes instantly melted into the warmth of spring water. She hurried toward Shen Shuangjing.

As she brushed past the boy, he opened his mouth to speak, but Sang Baili glanced at him sideways, and he froze mid-syllable. Under her veiled warning gaze, he swallowed the rest of his words.

Those once-affectionate eyes now held no warmth, conveying the message “Keep Away” with chilling clarity.

Before coming, Shen Shuangjing hadn’t looked up the movie’s synopsis. Knowing the plot in advance would spoil the anticipation, so she decided to experience it like opening a blind box.

The theater was filled with couple’s seats. They casually chose a spot, removed their heavy coats, and set them aside. Soon, all the lights dimmed, and the massive rectangular screen lit up as the movie began.

The opening scene was stark and simple. A woman stood with her back to the camera, humming a tune as she slowly and methodically put on form-fitting plastic gloves. She was in a bathroom, and a crimson liquid flowed freely around her feet, indistinguishable between paint or bl00d.

Suddenly, she turned, a sinister, venomous smile curling her lips. She stopped humming and, in a voice both soft and chillingly ruthless, whispered, “Do you know how to commit the perfect crime?”

A bone-deep chill crept up Shen Shuangjing’s spine. Frowning anxiously, she murmured, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

“What is it?”

“The next scene… it’s going to be terrifying.”

Sang Baili took a bite of popcorn, noticing Shen Shuangjing’s pale face. “This is a horror movie,” she said gently. “Didn’t you know?”

“!!!”

The words struck Shen Shuangjing like a bombshell. She swallowed hard, her translucent soul closing its eyes and drifting upward, quietly dying.

“I thought it was a drama.”

It was all the fault of the promotional stills, which had given her the impression that the film couldn’t possibly be scary. She vowed to personally demand that all horror movie posters include a large warning: “Horror Content. Proceed with Caution.”

“Are you scared?” Sang Baili asked.

Shen Shuangjing shook her head calmly. “Horror elements are just made up to scare the audience. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

I’m already here, she thought.

True to her actor’s creed—that one must explore all genres—Shen Shuangjing steeled herself and continued watching.

But as the plot unfolded, her unease grew. She felt like a pair of eyes was watching her from the pitch-black corners, following her every move.

She whipped around, only to see rows upon rows of dark red couple’s seats stretching behind her.

It’s just my imagination.

Taking a sip of her coffee, Shen Shuangjing found the icy chill only worsened her mood, unable to decide which was more bitter—the drink or her current feelings.

Unconsciously, she had shifted closer to Sang Baili, unaware that Sang Baili’s hand had come to rest beside her, palm upward, in a posture that seemed to invite their fingers to intertwine.

Her mind far from the film, Shen Shuangjing glanced sideways at Sang Baili. Sang Baili remained focused on the screen, her profile striking and beautiful in the dim light. The faint glow from the screen cast a soft, flickering light in her pupils.

Sang Baili’s calm demeanor radiated a sense of security, and Shen Shuangjing couldn’t resist inching closer.

Not because I’m scared, she told herself. Just a little cold.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Shen Shuangjing quickly scooted back to her original seat. Sang Baili tilted her head slightly, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

The soft blue light illuminated Shen Shuangjing’s face, revealing a complex mix of emotions in her eyes. She silenced the phone and slipped it back into her bag.

Though her gaze remained fixed on the screen, Shen Shuangjing’s mind wandered, lost in thought about the unanswered call.

A ghostly skull with empty eye sockets suddenly flashed across the screen, startling Shen Shuangjing. Her pupils contracted sharply, but the next moment, darkness enveloped her vision as a warm palm covered her eyes.

Shen Shuangjing blinked, unable to see anything. She was surprised, but even more so by the illusion of being tenderly cherished.

Sang Baili quickly withdrew her hand.

As Shen Shuangjing blinked, her eyelashes brushed against Sang Baili’s palm, sending a ticklish sensation seeping into her skin. The feeling tugged at her heart, disrupting her breathing.

Sang Baili murmured, “It’s over now. The big boss is dead. There shouldn’t be any more scary scenes.”

True to her word, the remaining plot was predictable and heartwarming: the heroine reunited with her family, the film freezing on their tearful embrace at sunrise.

The overhead lights gradually brightened. Shen Shuangjing sipped her coffee, shook her head, and grumbled, “Finally, it’s over!”

After two hours of squirming in her seat, she bitterly regretted not staying home to sleep.

Sang Baili asked, “What did you think of the movie?”

Shen Shuangjing scratched her cheek. “I didn’t really understand it. But the lead actress’s performance was excellent.” No wonder she’s the Best Actress.

Sang Baili stood up, revealing her graceful figure. She neatly folded her coat over her arm and said, “I agree, the movie was mediocre. Nothing new.”

Shen Shuangjing pointed to the coffee cup on the seat. “Do you want to take your coffee with you?”

Sang Baili politely corrected, “It’s your coffee.”

Shen Shuangjing froze, bewildered. Her coffee? But she had been drinking it—wasn’t it hers?!

Sensing her confusion, Sang Baili gently clarified, “You were drinking mine.”

No way!

Shen Shuangjing picked up the coffee cup and checked the label. It read “218”—the cup she had originally handed to Sang Baili.

The little person inside her mind screamed incessantly. Shen Shuangjing lowered her head, staring at the black tiled floor, wishing she could find a crack to crawl into.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked unreasonably, trying to hide her face behind the coffee cup and scuffing her toes against the tiles.

Sang Baili found her flustered state rather endearing. “I noticed after you’d already taken a sip.”

Shen Shuangjing bit her lip. “Don’t be petty. I’ll buy you another one.”

The credits had finished rolling, and the theater fell silent.

Sang Baili’s gaze drifted downward, settling on the girl’s soft, moist lips. Her eyes darkened.

Under the dim light, the thin lips seemed coated with honey, glistening and exceptionally smooth, as if inviting someone to taste them.

Sang Baili’s tongue pressed silently against the roof of her mouth. A sudden realization struck her like lightning.

Shen Shuangjing had drunk from her coffee, which was essentially an indirect kiss.

Though they had already shared deeper intimacies, they had never actually kissed.

s3x required no emotional connection, existing solely for physical pleasure. But kissing felt like an expression of love, a fusion of physical pleasure and spiritual intimacy.

Sang Baili had always respected this boundary. Even when their eyes locked, gazes lingered, and waves of pleasure threatened to overwhelm her, they had tacitly avoided kissing.

Yet Shen Shuangjing had casually drunk from her coffee without hesitation. Could this mean she liked her?

If so, Shen Shuangjing’s suggestion to watch a good movie made perfect sense.

The dim lighting and suspenseful plot were ideal for creating the “bridge effect,” easily fostering intimate contact.

So, she wasn’t just lusting after my body; she wanted me too.

Sang Baili dazedly rubbed her chin, trying to think rationally.

But Shen Shuangjing might not even be human.

Though she lacked concrete evidence, Sang Baili had spent the entire night pondering this. Based on her extensive knowledge and keen judgment, she had a strong premonition that Shen Shuangjing was a transmigrator.

Before transmigrating, Shen Shuangjing could have been human, a ghost, or even some alien creature with three heads and six arms.

No way, Sang Baili thought numbly. I can’t kiss an alien with three heads and six arms.

Shen Shuangjing scrolled through her phone, selecting an apology gift. “Want milk tea? I’ll treat you to taro boba milk tea.”

Sang Baili tensed up. “No boba!”

Shen Shuangjing nodded. “Alright, then two taro milk teas, self-serve.”

Sang Baili barely managed to pull her thoughts away from the surreal image of kissing an alien. She reached out to stop Shen Shuangjing. “One cup is enough.”

“I’ll have one too,” Shen Shuangjing replied.

Embarrassing myself in front of my sister? I don’t want to live anymore. I might as well just eat myself to death.