Your eldest nephew is the most shameless scoundrel under the heavens.

“Ha! Even if every man in the world were dead, I still wouldn’t come to you!” Wen Shuang spat and hung up the phone with a sharp click.

Qin You hadn’t expected her to still be this tough at this point; after being hung up on, he was so furious he slammed his fist into the wall.

Hearing the commotion, Xia Anran asked, “What’s wrong, Brother Qin? Who upset you?”

Qin You pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s just work. Annoying.”

“You work so hard, Brother Qin.” Xia Anran, dressed in a sheer nightgown, began to massage his shoulders. “My mom said she’s already picked an auspicious date. She wants to hold our wedding next year. What do you think?”

“I’m fine with it.”

For the sake of the Xia family’s wealth and power, how could he possibly object?

Xia Anran smiled coyly. “What about Aunt Qin? Should we set up a meeting so both families can discuss the wedding details?”

Qin You turned, grasping Xia Anran’s hand in return. “My mom can’t wait to have such a considerate and gentle daughter-in-law. She’ll be thrilled! I’ll arrange a time for both families to meet again.”

Xia Anran kissed him, emotion shining in her eyes. “Brother Qin, I’m so happy. Soon, I’ll be your wife.”

Qin You held her in his arms.

Yes.

Soon, he would have a wife—the Xia family was wealthy and influential, and Xia Anran was utterly devoted to him. What a perfect match!

And yet, as he held Xia Anran, he couldn’t stop thinking about that stubborn, sharp-tongued Wen Shuang!

Xia Anran began unbuttoning his shirt, her intentions clear.

“Brother Qin…”

Qin You, still simmering with anger, pressed Xia Anran beneath him with fierce passion.

He closed his eyes and imagined she was Wen Shuang.

Xia Anran moaned softly. “Brother Qin… you’re amazing… I can’t take it anymore!”

“Even if you can’t, you will!”

…

Tonight, Ji Shen had the rare fortune of not working late.

After dinner, he sensed that Wen Shuang was in low spirits—she spoke little and didn’t smile as much.

“What’s got you down?”

At his words, Wen Shuang immediately lifted her gaze and patted her cheeks. “Nothing! I’m fine!”

“Liar.” Ji Shen, experienced in interrogations, was a master at reading people. “Come on, what’s the matter? Tell me, maybe it’ll cheer me up.”

Wen Shuang shot him a glare and started loading the dishes into the dishwasher, arranging them neatly.

When she was done, Ji Shen retrieved a bottle of red wine from the cabinet and slowly decanted it. “Ms. Wen, if you’re in a bad mood, you should have a little wine. It’s the best cure for sorrow.”

“I’m not much of a drinker.”

Ji Shen’s gaze deepened. “Then just drink a little. It’s fine—just enough to lift your spirits.”

He poured a quarter-glass for each of them and handed one to Wen Shuang.

He deliberately dimmed the living room lights. Standing together before the vast floor-to-ceiling window, the two were enveloped in a dreamy, intimate glow.

Wen Shuang gently swirled the wine in her glass.

Looking out at the city’s neon-lit night, thoughts of Wen Fanhai still in detention and Qin You’s hurtful words filled her with melancholy.

She drained her glass in one go.

Ji Shen raised an eyebrow. “Red wine isn’t meant to be drunk like that.”

Wen Shuang pouted, lips flushed. “Tonight, I’ll drink however I want!”

A bit of a temper, then? Clearly, she’d been deeply upset this time.

Ji Shen was happy to indulge her. “Of course, Ms. Wen—whatever you like.”

In truth, Wen Shuang felt a knot of frustration inside and downed several glasses in succession.

Her cheeks soon glowed a ripe peach, softly flushed from the drink.

After an hour, Ji Shen undid the pins in her hair, letting chestnut waves cascade over her waist, releasing a sweet, heady fragrance.

“Ms. Wen, you really can’t hold your liquor. Careful, or you’ll get drunk.”

Wen Shuang was indeed already tipsy.

Ji Shen subtly drew her into his embrace, and she leaned against him, her almond-shaped eyes half-lidded and dreamy. “Officer Ji, I am unhappy.”

“Why?”

“Attorney Lin said my father’s case is tough—he told me to prepare myself.” Her long lashes trembled. “But I really can’t believe it. My father is such an upright man. How could he ever embezzle public funds…”

“Very few people can control themselves when faced with temptation,” Ji Shen replied in a low voice.

Wen Shuang’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Is that so?”

“That includes me.” Ji Shen’s gaze darkened, fixed upon her. “Ever since I met you, Ms. Wen, I’ve found my self-control is nothing like it used to be.”

“I never realized I was so captivating.” Tipsy, Wen Shuang lifted her hand, tracing his brows and eyes. “You’re quite charming yourself, Officer Ji. I’m afraid if I get any closer, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

“Then don’t.” Ji Shen bit down lightly on her pale neck. “I’d be more than happy to be seduced by you, Ms. Wen.”

“But you said before you didn’t like women like me. Don’t you mind that I was once with Qin You?”

Ji Shen paused—he did mind.

“How many times were you together?”

Wen Shuang smiled again. “If I said we were, would you still want me, Officer Ji?”

Ji Shen frowned, genuinely considering it.

He had no obsession with purity—it was normal for things to happen in a relationship. Still, Wen Shuang’s ex was his own nephew.

“It would bother me a little, but not too much.”

Wen Shuang pressed her red lips to her glass and downed another. The chestnut waves tumbling over her chest were almost hypnotic.

“That bastard Qin You—no way I’d give him my first time!”

Ji Shen’s brows shot up in surprise.

Emboldened by the wine, Wen Shuang continued, “Officer Ji, not to speak ill of your nephew, but he’s a world-class, universe-level idiot! He used to chase after me and promised to treat me well for life. But after three years, just when I was about to graduate and introduce him to my family, he cheated on me with my roommate. He even orchestrated the downfall of my family behind my back and reported my father for embezzlement!”

She laughed, but bitterness and sorrow clung to her voice.

“I really regret ever being with such scum. When I caught him in bed, he actually had the nerve to say it was because I wouldn’t sleep with him, so he went to Xia Anran instead.” Her beautiful eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “After we broke up, he kept pestering me to be his mistress. He must be dreaming!”

Ji Shen was deeply shocked.

He hadn’t imagined the truth was like this.

Wen Shuang’s recent suffering had all been because of Qin You!

His brow furrowed. “I won’t let him get away with this.”

“But Officer Ji, he’s your nephew. Could you really bear to punish him?” Wen Shuang’s lips twisted with a hint of mockery. “I don’t even expect my father to be released anymore. I just hope the lawyer can get his sentence reduced, so he doesn’t suffer so much inside.”

Ji Shen pulled Wen Shuang tightly into his arms.

For the first time, he felt how fragile she was, how much she needed comfort and protection.

But Wen Shuang, emboldened by drink, bit down on his Adam’s apple, drawing a muffled groan from him.