Mistakenly Married a Substitute Wife, Falling in Love with the Movie Queen - Chapter 48

The guest recreation segment was a special perk prepared by the production team for the guests, so it wasn’t recorded.

The livestream chat exploded with “No! Don’t stop!” messages, but the production team remained unmoved. The screen went black just as the audience’s protests reached their peak.

Bathed in moonlight, Sang Baili walked toward Shen Shuangjing, her beauty radiant and captivating.

Shen Shuangjing subtly glanced around, noticing that no one seemed to notice their gradually decreasing distance.

Perhaps the celebrities and staff in the entertainment industry had honed the art of selective blindness, possessing keen observational skills but knowing better than to ask what they shouldn’t or listen to what they weren’t meant to hear.

Moreover, the production team had, for once, acted generously by renting out the entire amusement park for the staff to enjoy. Everyone was determined to make the most of it, leaving no time for gossip.

Sang Baili held a bag of Reward Coins. “Where should we go?”

“Want to check out the water park?” Jiang Mei, standing beside Shen Shuangjing, spoke first.

Having no other familiar guests besides Shen Shuangjing, she naturally invited her.

After speaking, Jiang Mei heard Sang Baili’s familiar tone and her expression turned surprised. She subtly glanced between Shen Shuangjing and Sang Baili, recalling how Guo Yu had pulled her away during the dance at the gathering.

Suddenly, she felt as if the overhead lights could be switched off; Sang Baili’s presence alone was enough to illuminate the space.

Did Director Guo know all along?

Sang Baili picked up on her words, saying, “Shen Shuangjing can’t swim.”

Jiang Mei’s suspicions solidified. “Then I’ll go myself,” she declared. “This is a rare opportunity, and I’d regret not experiencing the water park.”

Shen Shuangjing waved her off. “We’ll play other attractions together after you’re done.”

“If we happen to meet again, we’ll see,” Jiang Mei replied, her mind set on avoiding being a third wheel as she strode resolutely toward the water park.

Sang Baili turned to Shen Shuangjing. “What do you want to do?”

“I want to go on the Princess’s Grand Tour!” Shen Shuangjing exclaimed excitedly.

The Princess’s Grand Tour was a sightseeing attraction where visitors rode an indoor miniature train through a three-story castle. Inside, they encountered animated magical murals, singing witches, suits of armor that answered questions, and miniature elves who conjured snow.

“Let’s go together,” Sang Baili said.

The train car was cramped, and Shen Shuangjing hesitated for half a second before sitting down.

As expected, the moment she settled in, she found herself pressed against Sang Baili. Their legs were pressed tightly together, and through the thin fabric, Shen Shuangjing could feel the other woman’s warmth.

Shen Shuangjing lifted a hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Despite having shared far more intimate moments before, she suddenly felt awkward.

She patted her chest, as if trying to calm her racing heart.

The castle’s interior was even grander than its exterior suggested. Oil paintings and magical mirrors that played animated cartoons adorned the walls. The arched ceiling, in a European style, was hung with dazzling crystal chandeliers, exuding opulence. The space was filled with lush, simulated tropical flora and fauna, and adorable cartoon fairytale characters interacted within the scene, as if all the world’s innocence and luxury had been poured into this place.

“Look, up ahead is the armor that answers questions!” Shen Shuangjing pointed to the half-human-sized silver armor.

The train would pause here, giving them two minutes to interact with it.

“Armor, armor, answer me: who is the richest person in the world?” Shen Shuangjing asked, demonstrating.

The silver armor, gleaming with a cold light, responded, “I searched for her a thousand times, only to realize she was sitting right in front of me.”

“I heard they made a robot shaped like silver armor, with the openwork patterns actually being heat vents. The answers are actually provided by an AI,” Shen Shuangjing explained excitedly to Sang Baili.

Sang Baili rested her chin in her hand. “That’s quite an interesting answer from the AI,” she remarked.

“Exactly! It’s a people-pleasing AI. The most fascinating thing about it is that it analyzes what the questioner wants to hear, rather than revealing the actual world’s richest person and making me feel bad,” Shen Shuangjing said, her eyes reflecting the colorful lights. “Your turn. Do you have any questions you want to ask?”

Sang Baili shook her head. “No.”

Her lashes lowered, her expression unreadable. “But I have a question for you,” she murmured softly. “I’m just not sure if I should ask it.”

Shen Shuangjing paused, surprised. “You want to ask me instead of the AI?”

Sang Baili glanced sideways, her gaze falling on Shen Shuangjing’s distinctive profile—bright, yet with an innocent, almost careless purity.

“It’s a question about you,” Sang Baili said. “I don’t think AI is omniscient enough to know your personal history.”

Hearing this, Shen Shuangjing lost all interest in interacting with the armor and turned to look at Sang Baili.

“That makes sense. What does Elder Sister want to ask? If I know the answer, I’ll definitely tell you.”

Sang Baili had been so good to her; she wanted to repay her with the finest jade.

I’ll be Elder Sister’s exclusive armor for one minute.

“Really?”

“If I lie, I won’t become rich!” Shen Shuangjing raised three fingers and swore a solemn oath.

Sang Baili met her gaze, her gentle breath carrying a delicate fragrance that brushed past Shen Shuangjing’s neck like the scent of orchids.

“You once saved a child who fell into the water, but you can’t swim. So I want to know, who saved you?”

Sang Baili’s expression remained calm, but her fingers unconsciously dug into her palm, her tense gaze fixed on Shen Shuangjing’s face.

According to her investigation, Shen Shuangjing had never saved a child from drowning. Moreover, no matter how thoroughly she searched, she couldn’t find any record of the rescued child.

Shen Shuangjing’s heart clenched, her breath and bl00d freezing in unison.

Shen Shuangjing lowered her eyelids in silence, her reaction delayed.

She knew she had inadvertently revealed too many flaws.

Clues were everywhere.

Sang Baili had likely suspected her for some time but had never confronted her directly.

What should I do? Shen Shuangjing thought anxiously. Will Sang Baili report me to the research institute and have me captured for experiments?

Her eyes flickered with worry, vigilance, and a complex mix of emptiness.

Her reaction gave Sang Baili the answer.

With no barrier between them, their gazes locked. Regret washed over Sang Baili’s heart.

She said softly, “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. You’re the only person I’ve ever truly trusted.”

She emphasized the word “you.”

The reason she had investigated Shen Shuangjing wasn’t to interrogate or push her away, but to protect and understand her.

She would never use the coercive, manipulative, or psychologically oppressive tactics she employed in business against Shen Shuangjing.

She refused to put any pressure on her, fearing it might disrupt her thoughts and force her to say something against her will.

In her imagination, Sang Baili had envisioned herself letting out a long sigh of relief after finally asking the question that had haunted her for so long. But after uncovering the partially concealed truth, she found herself staring at Shen Shuangjing’s profile—a face etched with distress, confusion, and a desperate struggle. A sudden wave of regret washed over her: Maybe it would have been better to play dumb all along.

Shen Shuangjing couldn’t maintain eye contact with those bewitching eyes. Her body tensed, yet she was trapped in the cramped space with nowhere to escape, unable to even make the slightest movement. Her gaze drifted to the animated scenes projected onto the castle walls, but she was in no mood to appreciate them.

“Give me a little more time,” she murmured.

Before the miniature train came to a halt, she would give Sang Baili an answer—whether she chose to speak or remain silent.

But first, she needed to summon a sliver of courage and honesty.

The train’s circuit was supposed to take twenty minutes, but to Shen Shuangjing, time seemed to have been accelerated.

In an instant, the ride was over.

As the train pulled into the station, Sang Baili disembarked first, while Shen Shuangjing remained seated.

Standing on the shimmering, iridescent platform, Sang Baili tucked her slender hands into the pockets of her coat. Even with not a sliver of her snow-like skin visible, her innate, captivating allure radiated from within.

“Let’s go. Just pretend I didn’t say anything earlier. I’m not curious anymore.”

“But…”

Shen Shuangjing refused to pretend nothing had happened and simply brush it aside.

“No buts.”

Sang Baili possessed a unique composure, the kind only mature women exude. She pulled Shen Shuangjing to her feet, and they walked side by side, maintaining a deliberate distance, yet Shen Shuangjing’s wrist remained firmly clasped in her hand.

Suddenly, the hand holding her wrist withdrew. Shen Shuangjing swiftly turned and gripped Sang Baili’s wrist tightly.

She pulled Sang Baili back, her fingers pressing against the slender bones. Though she couldn’t see Sang Baili’s face, she could feel the rapid, frantic pulse throbbing beneath her fingertips.

So, she’s not the only one with a racing heart, pretending to be calm and composed.

Shen Shuangjing felt a mix of relief, amusement, and a pang of bitterness.

Bitterness for Sang Baili’s cautious consideration of her feelings.

After all, Sang Baili was the one everyone looked up to.

On the ground, their shadows overlapped. Shen Shuangjing abandoned her pretense, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with genuine sincerity. “But I want to tell you,” she said.

Honesty for honesty.

Sang Baili’s willingness to yield had solidified Shen Shuangjing’s resolve to reveal her true identity. She wanted to interact with Sang Baili openly, as herself, rather than continuing to deceive her under someone else’s name.

The woman ahead didn’t turn around, her thick, long curls cascading over her shoulders and chest, glowing under the lamplight.

Shen Shuangjing continued her story.

“I died once.”

“I went into the water to save a little girl, but I was too exhausted to save myself. When I woke up again, you were there, asking me to sign a marriage agreement.”

The silent room felt suffocating.

Unable to bear the tension, Shen Shuangjing’s eyes stung slightly, her voice hoarse. “That’s the truth. If you’re bothered that I’m someone who came back from the dead, or that I kept this from you for so long, I’ll move out tomorrow. Our agreement…”

“No one’s asking you to move out.”

Sang Baili cut her off sharply, turning to face her.

Her expression wasn’t the rejection or distance Shen Shuangjing had expected. Instead, it was raw, heart-wrenching tenderness.

“I told you, I’ll believe you completely. I’ll keep your secret safe, and I’m so glad you trusted me enough to tell me the truth.”

The massive castle blocked out the howling winter wind, and the warmth from the heating system seeped into Shen Shuangjing’s heart.

The heavy stone in Shen Shuangjing’s heart finally settled. Having revealed her true identity, she no longer needed to fear or worry about her secret being exposed, now or in the future.

She released Sang Baili’s wrist, her gaze lingering on the red marks against the pale skin.

…I didn’t even grip that hard.

Feeling guilty, Shen Shuangjing rubbed the tip of her nose and tentatively reached for Sang Baili’s palm, closing her fingers around it.

A deliberate gesture of warmth and affection.

Sang Baili chuckled softly, mirroring her gesture by clasping Shen Shuangjing’s fingertips. “I just feel a little sorry for you.”

Puzzled, Shen Shuangjing looked at her with wide, beautiful eyes.

Sang Baili’s voice deepened, like rich velvet, her pupils reflecting a miniature image of Shen Shuangjing. “If you hadn’t saved those people, you would have had a brilliant and promising future.”

Shen Shuangjing shook her head. That’s not right.

Her lips curved into a smile, her face lighting up, a dimple appearing on her cheek—pure and radiant. “Good people live long and happy lives.”

I have a brilliant and promising future now too.