Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 41

But the hotel doesn’t have any spare rooms…

Steaming water vapor condensed into droplets on the frosted glass, coalescing into rivulets. Beads of water dripped from Shen Shuangjing’s damp hair, tracing paths down her neck to pool in the hollow of her collarbone.

She blinked, her once-bright eyes now veiled with a layer of moisture. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and the blurriness gradually cleared.

Looking down, she saw her bare feet planted on the non-slip mat. Beside her lay an overturned basin, a bottle of shampoo, and a bar of soap.

The milky-white shampoo had spilled across the floor, creating a chaotic mess.

Washing my hair with one hand is too difficult, she thought, bending to pick up the scattered items.

As she bent, the bathrobe slid up her arm, revealing her long, straight, and pale legs. The curve of her body tightened the muscles in her legs, making them appear taut as a fully drawn bowstring.

Sang Baili’s gaze flickered, lingering momentarily in appreciation of the aesthetic beauty.

After placing the basin on the vanity, Shen Shuangjing felt Sang Baili’s hand reach behind her ear.

“Don’t move.”

Sang Baili reached out and gently rubbed away a bit of white shampoo foam lingering in Shen Shuangjing’s hair, her fingertip slowly massaging it into her scalp.

Shen Shuangjing’s earlobe tingled slightly, as if Sang Baili’s fingertip had brushed against it.

Her cheeks flushed with a heat-induced blush. Shen Shuangjing rubbed her ear with the back of her hand and quickly asked, “Is there more?”

Sang Baili turned her around to examine her hair more closely.

The milky-white foam hadn’t been completely rinsed out. Though the same color as Shen Shuangjing’s skin, it only served to highlight the warm, jade-like translucence of her complexion.

“Quite a bit still.”

Shen Shuangjing’s vision momentarily darkened. So all that washing had been for nothing.

“I have to wash it all over again.”

Seeing her crestfallen expression, Sang Baili’s lips curved into a smile. Her voice, smooth as honeyed silk, remained calm and reassuring. “What are you worried about? I’m here.”

“But aren’t you supposed to be doing the dishes?”

“That can wait.”

The light streamed down, illuminating strands of fine hair that slipped through Sang Baili’s fingers like dark, flowing clouds, occasionally revealing Shen Shuangjing’s still-flushed earlobes.

Sang Baili’s fingertips occasionally brushed against Shen Shuangjing’s scalp, sending shivers of pleasant numbness through her. Shen Shuangjing’s lashes, shimmering in the light, fluttered like the restless wings of a butterfly before a storm.

Just minutes earlier, Shen Shuangjing had praised Sang Baili for her excellent shampooing skills—painless and perfectly balanced. She now realized she had spoken too soon.

Sang Baili’s hair-drying technique was equally impressive, rivaling that of a seasoned hairstylist with thirty years of experience.

She’s just so naturally gifted, Shen Shuangjing thought drowsily, her eyes heavy with sleep. She sat on the edge of the bed, the snow-white sheets behind her.

For a moment, the only sound in the bedroom was the hum of the hairdryer, warm and comforting.

Though neither spoke, Shen Shuangjing didn’t feel any awkwardness. In her eyes, two people who had to strain to find things to say were clearly not close enough.

Sitting beside Sang Baili, she felt equally at ease whether they were chatting or simply enjoying the silence.

“I think someone’s knocking,” Shen Shuangjing said, tilting her head to listen and gently gripping Sang Baili’s forearm.

“I’ll go see who it is.”

The hum of the hairdryer stopped.

Shen Shuangjing got out of bed, pushed open the living room door, and peered through the crack. She saw her agent, who had come to deliver the contract.

The last variety show had been a huge success, with soaring ratings and a boost in Shen Shuangjing’s popularity—a win-win situation that prompted the production team to extend a second invitation.

The narrow doorway framed Shen Shuangjing’s figure, blocking any view of the room’s interior. Yet, as her agent’s gaze swept past Shen Shuangjing’s slender shoulders, she sensed something amiss.

Had Shen Shuangjing been neglecting her weight management and indulging in junk food?

Or was she playing the typical showbiz game, secretly bringing a colleague back to her place?

Both possibilities seemed unlikely, but Meng Manli wasn’t one to take chances.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” she asked.

Shen Shuangjing met her gaze silently, her fingers twitching in the shadows, the pearlescent sheen of her nails glinting faintly.

She pushed the door open. “Of course.”

Meng Manli glanced around the living room, her eyes sweeping over the immaculate furniture. “I thought you might be hiding someone,” she said with a smile.

Shen Shuangjing coughed, cleared her throat, and offered a sheepish smile.

Since explaining would be complicated, she instinctively chose to conceal the truth.

Meng Manli gave her a few words of encouragement about filming well, then left without lingering.

Returning to the bedroom, Shen Shuangjing pressed the contract under a jade paperweight. “Sister Manli came to deliver the contract.”

“I know.”

The bedroom door wasn’t fully closed, and Sang Baili had overheard their conversation.

As Meng Manli’s footsteps approached the bedroom, Sang Baili felt a strange, inexplicable thrill, almost as if she wanted to be discovered.

Maybe it’s better if she finds out now, she thought secretly.

After all, Meng Manli was one of the few people who knew the truth about their contractual marriage. There was no need for her to hide.

As for the idea of contractual wives spending time together to build rapport, that was perfectly normal.

However, the footsteps stopped just a few steps from the doorway and then faded away.

Sang Baili’s right index finger twisted around the hairdryer’s power cord, a hint of regret in her eyes. She called Shen Shuangjing over.

“My hair isn’t dry yet.”

Shen Shuangjing sat down, the moonlight filtering through the sheer curtains danced like shattered silver on her shoulders.

The hairdryer maintained the perfect distance from her hair.

As the warm air swept across the back of her neck, she instinctively hunched her shoulders, only to bump into something soft behind her.

Her eyes widened momentarily as she realized what it was. The tips of her ears flushed slightly as she subtly scooted forward a notch, keeping her gaze fixed downward, trying to appear completely innocent.

She hadn’t meant to do it.

She listened for any reaction behind her, but Sang Baili remained silent, her hand stroking Shen Shuangjing’s long hair with even greater tenderness.

Relieved, Shen Shuangjing missed the unreadable emotion that flickered in Sang Baili’s eyes as she watched her from behind.

“Oh, right,” Shen Shuangjing said, tilting her head slightly. “Since we’re both out, did Wuyun get dinner?”

Sang Baili continued drying her hair. “The assistant stopped by tonight.”

She picked up her phone, found a photo, and showed Shen Shuangjing the screen, which displayed a fluffy Huaguo Garden Cat.

“I’ve been taking pictures of him these past few days. Want to see them?”

“I want to see!”

Shen Shuangjing flipped through the photos repeatedly, reluctant to put down her phone, a smile playing on her lips. “You’ve taken such good care of him.”

Sang Baili’s lips curved slightly. Of course.

Wuyun had been particularly mischievous lately, acting every bit the pampered feline overlord. He refused to cooperate for photos and even scratched her several times. It took her ages to capture just a few decent shots.

But seeing how happy Shen Shuangjing was, she resolved to take more next time.

Sang Baili’s voice drifted through the warm breeze. “He’s been quite naughty lately, scratching anyone who comes near. Tonight, when my assistant went to feed him, he scratched her twice.”

Shen Shuangjing: “?”

Rebellious phase?

“Wuyun has had all his vaccinations,” she said, “but if your assistant is worried, she can get a booster shot at the clinic.”

Sang Baili replied, “She’s quite cautious and went immediately.”

“How much was it?” Shen Shuangjing asked. “I’ll reimburse you.”

“Two thousand nine hundred yuan.”

Shen Shuangjing: “……”

It was time to rename Wuyun “Little Gold-Swallowing Beast.”

Suppressing a wince, Shen Shuangjing said, “Sister, I’ll cover it. I’ll transfer the money to you later.”

Sang Baili’s eyes flickered as she looked at her. “Just half is fine.”

After all, they were raising him together.

Understanding her meaning, Shen Shuangjing said solemnly, though her heart ached, “When we get back, don’t stop me from disciplining him.”

Sang Baili countered, “He’s not that naughty…”

Shen Shuangjing declared firmly, “No, I absolutely must train her to do nothing but sleep and eat, and eat and sleep. A lazy little cat who can’t muster even a shred of effort or cunning.”

Sang Baili replied, “…Alright.”

As the hairdryer’s hum faded, Shen Shuangjing felt a lingering sense of satisfaction. If only she could keep blowing forever, never stopping.

She shook her head like a wet dog shaking off water, then casually tied her hair into a low ponytail with a hair tie.

She smoothed the collar of her still-damp bathrobe, where the lingering warmth of the hairdryer seemed to linger.

Turning to face Sang Baili, she was about to say something when a knock interrupted her.

“Who is it?” she called out.

A female voice answered from outside, “Teacher Shen, I’m the assistant from the film crew. The director sent me to deliver the revised script and discuss a few details with you.”

Shen Shuangjing turned to Sang Baili, her expression troubled. “Will you wait here for me?”

The entire film crew was staying at this hotel, and with so many eyes around, gossip would inevitably spread if staff saw Sang Baili in her room.

Sang Baili lowered her gaze slightly. “I won’t go out.”

It took half an hour to see off the director’s assistant. When Shen Shuangjing returned to the bedroom, she found Sang Baili already dressed in a navy wool coat, her fingers hooking an ear loop behind her luminous ear, concealing her striking features.

“Are you leaving already?” Shen Shuangjing asked.

“Mm-hmm,” Sang Baili replied. “I just came to check on you. I’m glad you’re okay.”

Shen Shuangjing suddenly felt deeply embarrassed and guilty.

Sang Baili had come all the way to see her, yet she couldn’t dedicate her full attention to her.

Moreover, because the hotel was crowded and full of prying eyes, they couldn’t stay in the same room for too long.

She nodded slowly, urging, “Then please drive carefully.”

“I will,” Sang Baili said, squeezing her fingers before releasing them. “It’s cold out. Don’t bother seeing me off.”

Shen Shuangjing watched as Sang Baili closed the door and left.

Back in the bedroom, the room returned to its usual quiet.

But now, because Sang Baili had been there, the silence suddenly felt unbearable.

After flipping through a few pages of the contract, Shen Shuangjing felt a sudden urge. She drew back the curtains and gazed out the window.

The streetlights stretched the woman’s slender shadow into an elongated silhouette, like a solitary crescent moon.

A couple walked past, hand in hand, while she stood alone by the roadside.

Shen Shuangjing suddenly felt a pang of loneliness for that figure. She picked up her rose tea and took a sip.

The tea was cold and bitter.

It had gone cold too quickly, making it unpalatable.

As she had always suspected, she still couldn’t bring herself to love this season.

The tea cooled too fast.

The days grew dark too early.

Even after enduring thousands of winters, she still couldn’t get used to it, resisting it and feeling down.

Exhaling a sigh, Shen Shuangjing grabbed a random coat and ran outside.

“Sister!”

Sang Baili thought she had misheard and turned around to see a girl jogging toward her.

“Why did you come out?”

Her voice held a mix of surprise, barely concealed delight, and concern.

“Has the car not arrived yet?”

Instead of answering, Shen Shuangjing glanced at the roadside. Her breath condensed into a misty cloud that dissipated near her lips.

“It hasn’t arrived yet,” Sang Baili replied. “The driver said there’s a minor mechanical issue.”

In the dim light, Sang Baili gazed at Shen Shuangjing. The streetlamp illuminated the girl’s face, its glow like a fallen star sinking into a deep pool, settling in Shen Shuangjing’s eyes and making them shine like precious gems.

Sang Baili seemed to guess why Shen Shuangjing had come to find her. Her heart began to race faster, drowning in an irresistible wave of warmth.

“It’s getting late,” Shen Shuangjing said. “Should we leave tomorrow instead?”

Sang Baili’s voice was soft as water. “But the hotel doesn’t have any spare rooms.”

Shen Shuangjing’s soft lips parted without hesitation. “Stay at my place.”