Nie Weiru was panicking on the inside but maintained a calm exterior, determined not to let anyone notice something was amiss. She picked up a new pair of chopsticks and refrained from saying anything further.

Even the matter of asking Ye Fan for money had slipped her mind as her thoughts were consumed entirely by the events of years ago when the child was switched.

Ye Fan’s eyes glimmered with a trace of mockery.

At that moment, Ye Li who had been engrossed in her phone looked up after hearing Tang Jin’s name. She turned to Ye Fan with curiosity etched across her face.

“What does Tang Jin look like in real life?” Ye Li asked. “Is she as beautiful as she looks on TV? And what about Duan Qi? What’s their relationship like?”

Ye Li seemed deeply interested in Duan Qi and Tang Jin’s affairs. Deep down, she hoped they would break up.

Ye Fan’s expression remained indifferent, but Nie Weiru clearly didn’t want to discuss Tang Jin. The more Ye Li pressed for details, the more likely it was to provoke her.

Suddenly, Nie Weiru slammed her chopsticks onto the table with a loud clack. Her tone was harsh as she snapped. “What’s there to ask?”

Ye Li froze, taken aback by Nie Weiru’s outburst.

Nie Weiru continued. “Once you’re done eating, go wash the dishes. And stop wasting your time gossiping about these trivial matters.”

Nie Weiru was still fuming so Ye Li didn’t dare say another word. She pursed her lips and lowered her head, focusing on her meal.

The dining table remained silent after that.

Ye Fan, enjoying the rare peace, finished her meal quickly and left without paying them any further attention.

As soon as she stepped out of Nie Weiru’s house, Ye Fan headed straight home, eager to see her baby as soon as possible.

The sky was gradually darkening when she arrived. However, Dudu wasn’t home yet—Aunt Li had taken the child out to play.

Alone in the living room, Ye Fan felt the emptiness of the house without her baby.

The sudden silence was unsettling, a stark contrast to the warmth and liveliness Dudu brought.

Even though they’d only been apart for a short while, she already missed her baby.

Just as Ye Fan was about to stand up and head to her room, she heard the soft click of the front door unlocking.

The door swung open, and Aunt Li walked in carrying Dudu in her arms.

Aunt Li set Dudu down on the floor.

The moment Dudu saw Ye Fan, his eyes lit up, and he toddled over with excitement.

“Mommy! Mommy!”

The sound of Dudu’s little slippers pattering against the floor echoed as he ran toward her.

Ye Fan’s heart melted as she stepped forward just in time to catch him in her arms.

“Thank you, Aunt Li.” Ye Fan said with genuine gratitude.

She felt fortunate to have someone help care for Dudu. Without Aunt Li, balancing both work and raising her child would have been overwhelming.

Aunt Li smiled warmly. “Dudu is such a good boy, he hardly gives me any trouble.”

“I’ll take him for a bath.” Aunt Li offered. Dudu had been playing outside for a while and was now covered in sweat.

“There’s no need.” Ye Fan replied. “You should take a shower and rest. I’ll bathe Dudu myself.”

Ye Fan picked up Dudu in her arms.

Aunt Li nodded. “Alright then.”

Carrying Dudu, Ye Fan headed to the bedroom and prepared his baby-sized bath bucket, carefully mixing warm water.

She had researched online and knew that the water temperature for a baby’s bath shouldn’t be too high.

After testing and adjusting it several times, she was finally satisfied.

Dudu sat quietly nearby on his little chair, waiting patiently.

“All done! Time for your bath, baby.”

Ye Fan said with a gentle smile, playfully pinching Dudu’s chubby chin, soft and squishy under her fingers.

At her words, Dudu obediently raised his arms making it easier for Ye Fan to take off his clothes.

Laughing softly, Ye Fan began undressing him. Halfway through, a playful thought crossed her mind.

She deliberately left Dudu’s shirt stuck over his head, feigning a helpless expression.

“Oh no! The shirt is stuck. What should we do?”

Dudu blinked his big eyes, mirroring her troubled look. “What should we do?” he echoed.

Ye Fan suppressed a laugh. “How about this—if baby gives Mommy a kiss, Mommy will help. Deal?”

Dudu immediately leaned forward and planted several loud, smacking kisses on her cheek.

Satisfied, Ye Fan stopped teasing him and quickly pulled the shirt off, freeing him. She then gently placed her little boy into the bath.

With such an adorable son, how could she resist having a bit of fun?

Still, mindful of Dudu’s health, Ye Fan didn’t let the bath drag on for too long. She sped up her movements and, in just a few minutes, had a freshly washed and fragrant Dudu wrapped in a towel and lying on his little bed.

She dressed him in his cartoon-themed pajamas and gently patted his round tummy.

Having spent time playing outside, Dudu was already tired and like most children, he needed plenty of sleep. Exhausted, he could barely keep his eyes open.

Ye Fan turned off the overhead light, leaving only the soft glow of the bedside lamp to illuminate the room.

Ye Fan sat by the little bed, softly humming a lullaby. Her voice was clear and soothing, as calm and serene as the night itself.

Seeing his mom staying by his side, Dudu felt completely at ease. He closed his eyes, his little face peaceful and content. As he drifted off to sleep, he instinctively put his fingers in his mouth, smacking his lips gently.

Although Dudu had weaned off his pacifier, he still occasionally put his fingers in his mouth.

Ye Fan sighed softly and gently removed his fingers from his mouth, careful not to disturb him. Leaving the bedside lamp on, she picked up her pajamas and quietly headed to the bathroom outside the room.

…

When Ye Fan arrived on set, she was soon called for her final body double scene.

Before filming began, Tang Jin had communicated with the crew that she would not perform any intimate scenes herself. Naturally, this bed scene fell to Ye Fan.

This was the only bed scene in the entire drama. The story depicted a pair of spies falling in love, blurring the line between acting and reality.

After confessing their feelings, this scene marked a major turning point in the series.

In the next mission, the male lead was captured by the Japanese, enduring brutal torture making his fate uncertain.

The director’s instructions were straightforward: the bed scene needed to be romantic and aesthetically beautiful.

The room was elegantly furnished, bathed in a dim, dreamy glow. The soft lighting cast a gentle, almost ethereal shimmer over everything, imbuing the atmosphere with a delicate sense of intimacy.

On the large bed, Ye Fan was shrouded by He Han’s shadow, the air thick with tension and unspoken intimacy.

At the director’s cue, the bed scene began.

He Han extended his hand, his warm palm gently resting on Ye Fan’s face.

Ye Fan was dressed in a sleek silk cheongsam, the cool breeze seeping through the collar and sleeves. Her body stiffened as uncertainty took over; she wasn’t sure how to proceed.

Noticing her rigidity, He Han paused and signaled the director to halt the scene temporarily.

“Ye Fan.” He Han called out, his voice calm and composed, devoid of emotion as he uttered her name.

Ye Fan froze in surprise. She was just a lowly body double, yet He Han knew her name.

As a seasoned actor and award-winning star, He Han’s emotional intelligence was famously high. Ye Fan had overheard from crew members that He Han made a habit of remembering the names of everyone he worked with.

Softening his tone, He Han reassured her. “Don’t be nervous.”

He appreciated her professionalism. In fact, it was He Han himself who had recommended her for the previous role as a dancer.

The director also noticed Ye Fan’s unease and walked over to offer some guidance. “Ye Fan, you need to find the right mindset for filming. Don’t stay so tense.”

The director had high hopes for her. The dancer role she had previously portrayed had garnered significant attention online, and he could tell this rookie actor had the potential for a bright future.

As the director spoke, He Han leaned casually against the wall by the bed, his gaze fixed steadily on Ye Fan.

“He Han’s also filming a bed scene with someone for the first time,” the director joked, trying to lighten the mood. “If he’s not nervous, why should you be?”

Ye Fan nodded earnestly. “I’ll do my best, Director.”

Taking a deep breath, she tried to relax and get into character.

When He Han saw her determined expression, as if she were heading into battle, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. The icy demeanor on his face softened slightly.

He Han watched her closely for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Am I really that intimidating?

The entire crew waited patiently as Ye Fan worked to calm herself and recapture the state of mind the director had described, striving for her best performance.

After a moment, He Han’s deep voice broke the silence. “When do we start?”

Ye Fan paused briefly before replying with a calm expression. “Now.”

With the microphones, cameras, and lighting all in position, the bed scene resumed.

Both Ye Fan and He Han sat on the bed. He Han’s body subtly obscured her face from the camera, and with carefully angled shots, it was impossible to tell that Ye Fan was a stand-in.

“Madam,” He Han’s voice, low and magnetic, resonated through the stillness of the room.

Ye Fan lowered her head, her gaze falling to the floor as she remained silent. They were a fake couple, and in a place with no one else around, he shouldn’t be calling her that.

He Han’s eyes traveled over her face, lingering on each feature, as if committing them to memory.

As he continued to look at her, he spoke again. “According to our marriage certificate, we were married in the twenty-sixth year* of the Republic of China.”

(*1937)

Then, with a sudden chuckle, he added. “Why not consummate the marriage tonight?”

Ye Fan still didn’t respond, but a faint smile curved her lips.

When He Han saw Ye Fan’s smile, he momentarily lost focus. He slowly leaned in, drawing closer to her.

His lips came nearer and nearer to hers, the warmth of his breath brushing against her skin. There was only half an inch of space between them, but he still hadn’t kissed her.

One of his hands gently cupped Ye Fan’s neck, giving the impression that he was about to kiss her earnestly.

His fingers moved downwards, lightly brushing over the buttons of her cheongsam.

Noticing the stiffness in Ye Fan’s body, He Han leaned in close, his lips hovering just beside hers, and whispered. “Relax.”

Gradually, Ye Fan found her footing again.

The cheongsam was unbuttoned, revealing a delicate undergarment, light and thin against her skin.

In the dim glow of the room, their eyes met…

=^_^=