Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 43

The unexpected touch froze both of them momentarily, dredging up memories of intimate moments tinged with desire.

The scene before them bore a subtle resemblance to those past encounters, though those earlier moments had been deeper and more ambiguous.

Sang Baili’s fingers curled inward toward her palm, yet she didn’t withdraw her hand.

Fragments of Shen Shuangjing’s past caresses flashed through her mind, moments that had once driven her to delirious ecstasy. Now, gazing at Shen Shuangjing’s bright, innocent expression, those feverish, chaotic memories felt like a dream—unreal and distant.

Sang Baili’s breath quickened. Seeking confirmation that those memories weren’t merely her imagination, she suggested, “The shoot’s over. Want to unwind?”

Shen Shuangjing instinctively refused, offering a flimsy excuse, “But I haven’t showered…”

“We can shower later,” Sang Baili countered, her bewitching face softening with a hint of seduction. She tentatively rubbed her fingertips across Shen Shuangjing’s lips, a gesture heavy with implication.

Shen Shuangjing swallowed hard, her mind blank under Sang Baili’s gaze, as if bewitched. She bit down on the fingertip lingering at her lips, leaving a lingering, ambiguous mark.

“Hiss—” Sang Baili groaned softly, her brows furrowing into an alluring curve that made Shen Shuangjing’s heart itch. Her voice, laced with a teasing edge, asked, “Are you a puppy?”

Shen Shuangjing licked her lips and leaned closer, interlacing their fingers. “It’s your fault for not giving me a chance to refuse, Jiejie.”

Sang Baili averted her gaze. “You clearly enjoy it too…”

Though she wore no makeup, Sang Baili exuded an aura of untouchable elegance. Yet when she openly expressed her desire, her composed maturity gave way to a captivating allure that made Shen Shuangjing’s heart ache.

Shen Shuangjing refused to admit her own longing, but when Sang Baili pressed for evidence, Shen Shuangjing forcibly shifted her attention with action.

She pressed Sang Baili down onto the bed, her lips and tongue tracing her neck before settling on her collarbone.

Methodically, she ground their bodies together in intimate closeness.

Though they hadn’t done this in a long time, their movements felt practiced, even more skilled than before.

As if the techniques had been etched into her very being.

Sang Baili’s long hair lay scattered across the bed, her amorous eyes shimmering with a lustrous, watery light.

That light drifted, seeping into Shen Shuangjing’s gaze.

She watched Sang Baili’s reactions closely, adjusting her rhythm, and noticed Sang Baili’s gaze lingering on the flash of silver at her neck.

Shen Shuangjing’s lips curved slightly as she pulled out the necklace hidden beneath her collar, the wedding ring hanging from it.

The ring was pristine, meticulously maintained and treasured.

Sang Baili’s fingertips brushed against it, feeling the lingering warmth. Her strength failing, her fingers trembled like wilting magnolias as they drooped.

“I’ve worn it every day except when filming,” Shen Shuangjing murmured, her movements deliberate, her warm breath ghosting across Sang Baili’s ear.

A tingling sensation spread through Sang Baili’s ear, her toes curling and uncurling, pale blue veins visible beneath her thin skin.

Shen Shuangjing always seemed to find her most sensitive spots.

Sang Baili’s eyelashes fluttered. They were engaged in the most intimate act, yet Shen Shuangjing’s shirt remained immaculate, without a speck of dust, while Sang Baili’s apricot-colored robe lay crumpled and discarded nearby, a source of acute embarrassment.

Was Shen Shuangjing’s stamina even humanly possible?

No.

She might not be human at all, or perhaps not from this world.

Sang Baili recalled her suspicions about Shen Shuangjing’s handwriting.

When there were too many doubts, nothing could truly be doubted. Refusing to believe the suspicions were true was merely an escape from reality.

Where had this woman come from?

Beyond Earth?

Beyond the Milky Way?

Was her body structure identical to a human’s?

Would she ever leave this place and return home?

A slight pain at her fingertip brought Sang Baili back to her senses. Shen Shuangjing was gently gnawing on her finger with her teeth.

“Sister, you were daydreaming,” the girl said, her voice tinged with displeasure.

A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes. Sang Baili suddenly realized she hadn’t been raising a puppy, but a young wolf skilled at concealing its true nature.

The young wolf, having seized its prey, no longer hid its sharp claws. Now fully aggressive, it had taken the initiative.

“I’m sorry, I…” Sang Baili stammered, but her words quickly trailed off.

Her eyes, once filled with affection, glazed over again, this time with a sweet, blissful joy.

Shen Shuangjing’s body radiated youthful warmth, saturated with Sang Baili’s scent.

Though she possessed self-control, having temptation placed directly in her mouth was like asking Eve to guard the forbidden fruit—nearly impossible to resist.

Reason crumbled.

She surrendered completely, immersing herself in the moment.

Rain lashed against lotus leaves, their stems swaying, ripples spreading across the water.

Until their souls were drenched in each other’s essence.

The storm abruptly ceased.

A few days later, the production team of Night of the Murder Chase called to invite Shen Shuangjing to their year-end gathering.

Since it wasn’t mandatory—just a casual get-together organized by the director for fun—Shen Shuangjing said she’d consider it.

The staff member informed her that the gathering would feature a lavish dinner and a raffle where every attendee would receive a prize. The grand prize was an auspicious cash red envelope containing 18,888.88 yuan.

Without hesitation, Shen Shuangjing changed her answer to a firm “I’ll be there on time. Make sure my name is entered in the raffle.”

The gathering had a dress code: everyone was required to wear New Chinese-style clothing.

Having never worn such attire before, Shen Shuangjing prepared to go shopping.

Before leaving, she glanced in the mirror. She looked different from how she had appeared on set just a few weeks ago.

It wasn’t just about no longer needing to maintain a strict weight.

Sang Baili, like the most vibrant bloom in a garden of flowers, had embraced, shared intimacy, and entwined with her. Now, Shen Shuangjing seemed to carry the fragrance of maturity on her skin.

New Chinese-style clothing was all the rage this year, with many designer brands releasing their latest collections. Shen Shuangjing didn’t find anything she immediately liked. After trying on countless outfits in the mall, she finally settled on a black dress with ink-wash gray sleeves, swiping her card to take it home.

By the time Shen Shuangjing returned, the sky was completely dark, the moon a silver stream across the heavens.

From a distance, she spotted Sang Baili waiting by the door.

She quickened her pace, intending to jump out and startle Sang Baili before she could be seen. But as she drew closer, she noticed something was wrong.

The corners of Sang Baili’s eyes were rimmed with red, as if she were on the verge of tears.

“Where have you been?” Sang Baili asked, her expression a mix of anger and fear.

“I went to buy a dress for the year-end party. I thought I’d be back in an hour, but I couldn’t find anything I liked, so I ended up taking longer,” Shen Shuangjing explained, shaking the shopping bag in her hand. “What’s wrong? Were you looking for me?”

Sang Baili bit her lip until it turned white. “You didn’t answer your phone,” she said. “I thought…”

I thought you had disappeared. Returned to your own world.

Sang Baili didn’t understand why she was so afraid of Shen Shuangjing vanishing, but she refused to even consider the possibility.

Shen Shuangjing had been about to laugh it off, saying her phone had died, but the raw pain and panic in Sang Baili’s eyes left her speechless.

She stared at Sang Baili for a moment, then whispered, “You were worried about me?”

Sang Baili, realizing her reaction had been excessive, said dejectedly, “Of course I’d worry about you. If Wuyun went missing one day, you’d be worried too, wouldn’t you?”

Shen Shuangjing thought for a moment. If Wuyun disappeared, she would be frantic with worry.

“But I’m not a kitten,” Shen Shuangjing explained. “Kittens don’t know how to find their way home, but I do.”

Sang Baili still looked at her with a pained expression, a hint of loss in her eyes. “You’re right. I lost my composure.”

Forcing down her turbulent emotions, Sang Baili managed a calm smile. “You won’t get lost.”

As she walked ahead, Shen Shuangjing was inexplicably reminded of the figure she had seen from the window that day.

Sometimes, when owners frantically search for their lost pets, it’s not because the animals would be unable to survive on their own, but because the owners, driven by love and attachment, can’t bear to lose a member of their family.

She and Sang Baili weren’t family in the traditional sense, but through a written agreement, they had forged a twisted, unnatural intimacy.

Shen Shuangjing suddenly said, “Next time, I’ll make sure my phone is fully charged before I leave.”

Sang Baili turned around, a slow smile curving her lips. “Mm-hmm.”

She added, “When I couldn’t reach you, my palms were drenched in cold sweat.”

Shen Shuangjing nodded in agreement. “Thank goodness it was just a misunderstanding.”

Sang Baili gazed at her intently. “But I’m still a bit shaken. Can we hold hands as we walk?”

Shen Shuangjing took her hand, her voice cheerful. “Let’s go, Sis. I’ll take you home.”

The hand in her palm was soft and smooth, like a mangosteen pudding, making her want to squeeze it.

The grip tightened slightly.

Shen Shuangjing: ? I was just thinking about it. How did I actually do it?

She squeezed again, then realized it was Sang Baili who was squeezing her hand.

Confused but remembering Sang Baili’s fright earlier, she said nothing, choosing to be understanding.

As they walked, Shen Shuangjing’s cheeks grew warm. She couldn’t help but ask, “Sis, why are you squeezing my hand so much?”

She was starting to go from embarrassed to numb.

Sang Baili replied, “Just checking to make sure you’re real, not a hallucination.”

Shen Shuangjing: “……”

How did such a beautiful woman become so insecure?

She gripped Sang Baili’s hand, leaned down slightly, and touched the top of her own dark hair to Sang Baili’s. Then she moved down, pinched her own cheek, and patted her shoulder.

Finally, she gave Sang Baili a tight hug, wrapping her arms around the woman’s waist and resting her chin on Sang Baili’s shoulder.

“A genuine, living person, no doubt about it.”