Officer Ji was only toying with you.

At Wen Shuang’s sudden question, Ji Shen was rendered speechless. Only after a long while did he finally speak, his tone heavy. “Shuangshuang, when you were having your surgery, I happened to be tied up with official business, so…”

Wen Shuang gazed into his deep eyes and nodded.

Being a police officer was a calling that had seeped into Ji Shen’s very bones over the years. Whenever something happened, he would always rush to the scene without hesitation.

She knew she didn’t have the right to compare herself to the needs of the public.

She smiled. “It’s all right. A police officer serves the people, after all. It’s only natural.”

Though she expressed her understanding, her attitude remained cool and distant.

The doctor arrived, announcing that Wen Shuang’s operation had been a great success. As long as she worked diligently at her rehabilitation for the next two months, and barring any unexpected setbacks, she could return to the stage, dancing with the same skill as at her peak!

For the first time in a long while, Wen Shuang felt true joy.

The doctor praised her. “Miss Wen, your strength of will is extraordinary—far beyond what ordinary people can endure. We all admire you!” Previously, no one had ever managed to endure the full course of this procedure, which was why all the previous attempts had failed.

Wen Shuang was the first. And for such a delicate woman, it was even more remarkable.

“I should thank all of you specialists for performing such a careful operation. Without you, I’d never have recovered,” Wen Shuang said, her gratitude sincere.

The days that followed were filled with rehabilitation.

When she first got out of bed and tried to put her toes to the floor, Wen Shuang finally understood how the little mermaid must have felt in those old tales—how excruciating it was to walk on land after losing her tail.

It was truly like walking on knives.

She managed to stand for a second before collapsing, but a pair of strong hands caught her just in time.

“Slowly now, Shuangshuang.”

“Officer Ji, let go of me. I can walk by myself now,” Wen Shuang said coolly.

“I believe you can. But right now, you’ve just gotten out of bed and need to get used to it first,” Ji Shen replied, ignoring her indifference as his hand supported her slender waist. “Let’s take it slow.”

Wen Shuang tried to break free, but his strength was too great, and she only ended up exhausting herself.

With no other choice, she let Ji Shen support her.

She had to admit that having someone to lean on was much easier than struggling along on her own.

Every step, though, still felt like treading on knives—painful beyond words.

After just ten minutes, Wen Shuang was drenched in sweat.

Ji Shen’s brow furrowed with concern. “Shuangshuang, why don’t we stop for today? It’s only your first day. The doctor said you should take it slow.”

But Wen Shuang refused. She brushed off his hand. “I’ll do it myself.”

Ji Shen frowned but steadied her once again.

He was helpless in the face of this stubborn, angry woman.

So Wen Shuang practiced for over forty minutes, until her whole body was soaked with sweat and she was too exhausted from the pain to go on. Only then did she finally stop.

Ji Shen came forward and gently massaged her calf.

Wen Shuang pulled away. “Go and take care of your work, or get some rest. I can manage perfectly well on my own.”

She didn’t deny that Ji Shen had been nothing but good to her lately, but missing her operation had truly wounded her heart.

Ji Shen, however, did not leave. He knew that if he walked away now, things between them would truly be over.

So, without another word, he continued to knead her leg.

His hands were strong and sure, soothing the ache in her calf.

When he finished, Ji Shen scooped Wen Shuang up in his arms.

“Hey—! What are you doing?” Wen Shuang felt herself suddenly lifted, her protest immediate. “Ji Shen, put me down!”

“Shuangshuang, you’re drenched in sweat. Isn’t it uncomfortable? Let me give you a bath.”

Ji Shen’s grip was steady and safe, as always.

Wen Shuang struggled. “I don’t want you to do it. Go away!”

“Don’t say one thing when you mean another.”

“I am not being contrary! Ji Shen, leave. I don’t want to see you. I’ll call Yan Yan to come in!”

“You mean Tang Yan? She’s busy right now. I saw her go on a date with her boyfriend this morning,” Ji Shen said, the corners of his mouth quirking up as he carried Wen Shuang into the bathroom. “What are you so shy about? Is there any part of your body I haven’t seen? When you were unconscious, I was the one who cleaned you up.”

Wen Shuang bit her lip. “You scoundrel! Who gave you permission to touch me?”

“Do you want to call the police?”

This was a top-of-the-line private hospital suite; the bathroom was enormous, with a huge bathtub. The water was already at the perfect temperature. Ji Shen undressed her and gently lowered her into the bath.

“The police are right here.”

Wen Shuang was speechless.

This man was truly shameless.

The hot water enveloped her entire body.

Since the accident, she’d almost forgotten the pleasure of this comfort—soothing every muscle, right down to her toes.

Ji Shen began to lather her with bubbles.

“Do you want your hair washed?”

At this point, Wen Shuang couldn’t be bothered to resist anymore. She might as well enjoy it.

“Yes.”

Her hair was long. Ji Shen brushed it smooth first, then wet it and began to gently massage her scalp. She had to admit, his touch was soothing—so much so that Wen Shuang nearly dozed off.

She sat naked, enveloped in steam, her bare shoulders gleaming pale and smooth.

Ji Shen’s eyes grew darker, his gaze more intense.

But, knowing she was still recovering, he forced himself to rein in his desire.

“Does that feel good, Shuangshuang?”

Though it truly did, Wen Shuang replied nonchalantly, “It’s all right—good enough, I suppose.”

“All right, I’ll make sure to improve next time, Miss Wen.”

Ji Shen finally dried her off with a towel. With every inch he touched, his eyes grew darker still. Wen Shuang knew that look well—she was half afraid he’d lose control and let his desire get the better of him. But in the end, he restrained himself.

He turned off the lights.

Bent down, pressed a gentle kiss to her.

Whispered goodnight at her side.

And did nothing more.

Wen Shuang breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn’t help feeling, ridiculously, that something was missing.

Enough!

No more overthinking. She might as well just go to sleep.

Wen Fanhai soon noticed the rift between Wen Shuang and Ji Shen, and tried to counsel his daughter.

“All right, Officer Ji is still a policeman, after all. It was wrong of him not to be there for your surgery, emotionally speaking. But rationally, as a public servant, his duty is to the people. And besides, it’s not as if he’s treated you badly—except for that one time, he’s been at your side ever since your accident, and since your surgery he’s put off all his work to be with you practically every day. Shuangshuang, I think it’s time for you to let this go.”

Wen Shuang considered and found some truth in her father’s words.

After all, Ji Shen had been performing his duty, not attending to personal matters.

She decided to forgive him.

After Wen Fanhai left, Wen Yao suddenly came in. “Sister, you seem to be recovering well.”

“Thanks for your kind words—I am doing quite well.”

“Sister, I remember how terrified you looked when you went in for surgery—I thought you might not make it. Good thing you pulled through. But sister, do you want to know why Officer Ji wasn’t with you that day?” Wen Yao arched an eyebrow.

Wen Shuang replied coolly, “I already know. He was busy with work.”

“Oh? So we’re calling meeting your first love official business now?” Wen Yao said, and with that, she thrust a photograph in front of Wen Shuang’s eyes.