[34] Nowhere to Turn

After finishing the phone call, Wen Shuang felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss. She tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. Earlier, Lawyer Lin had told her that after the trial, her father’s sentence could be reduced by at least ten years. She still held out hope for that, but then Qin You produced new evidence, declaring that the sentence would be at least thirty-five years!

By then, her father would be well into his eighties before he could come home.

With sleepless eyes, Wen Shuang called Ji Shen early in the morning, her eyes red-rimmed. But the man didn’t answer. She called again and again, but Ji Shen remained unresponsive. He was probably on duty and unable to check his phone.

She went to inform Lawyer Lin. She told him the other party had targeted evidence—a recording—and asked what would happen if it was brought out in court. Lawyer Lin listened, his brow furrowed deeply. He told her the case would be much harder now; with such incriminating evidence, Wen Fanhai would get at least thirty years in prison, possibly longer if the other side was well prepared.

He advised her, “Miss Wen… If you have any means to privately obtain that evidence, your father might have a chance at life.”

The difference between ten and thirty years was enormous.

Wen Shuang was left dazed. She had already spent so much effort asking Ji Shen and his colleagues for help, but even Officer Li had found nothing. She placed her hope in the lawyer, but now even Lawyer Lin had given up.

On the phone, Qin You had made bold promises: as long as she agreed to be his mistress, he would withdraw all evidence and let Wen Fanhai go free. Compared to what the law offered her, Wen Shuang was lost in confusion. Qin You’s disgusting face made her want to vomit up her New Year’s dinner, yet the image of Wen Fanhai’s graying hair haunted her.

As she hesitated, Officer Li suddenly called, his voice urgent: “Miss Wen! Your father is about to confess to the crime!”

“What?!” Wen Shuang was stunned.

“He hasn’t officially confessed yet. I thought I should let you know in advance.” Since Ji Shen was handling the case but was currently away, Officer Li decided to hold things back for now and alert Wen Shuang.

She immediately asked, “Has anyone visited this morning?”

Officer Li paused. “Yes. The secretary from the Wen Corporation.”

Wen Shuang hurriedly took a taxi to the detention center, using Officer Li’s connections to see Wen Fanhai.

Father and daughter sat separated by a glass partition, speaking over the phone. Wen Shuang’s eyes were red as she pleaded, “Dad, I know you would never do this. Who is forcing you to confess?”

Wen Fanhai’s face was etched with bitterness. “No one is forcing me. Xiao Shuang, I’m confessing of my own accord.”

“I don’t believe you! You’re not that kind of person!” Wen Shuang’s emotions surged. “Did someone threaten you this morning?”

He hadn’t expected her to guess so quickly. That morning, the former secretary had come to threaten him: if he didn’t take the blame, his wife and daughter would be at the mercy of ruthless men.

He thought of the three vulnerable women at home…

Wen Fanhai seemed to age ten years in an instant. “Xiao Shuang, no one forced me. I’m doing this willingly. Don’t get involved! You’re a young girl—don’t keep coming to the detention center, it’s not good for you. Go home and take care of your mother and sister. I’m sorry I failed you.”

He turned away.

Wen Shuang’s eyes filled with tears. Her instincts screamed that Qin You had sent someone to threaten her father; otherwise, his attitude wouldn’t have changed so suddenly.

She wandered out of the detention center in a daze.

To her surprise, Aunt Chun had also come. She rushed inside, stayed for more than ten minutes, and then ran out, grabbing Wen Shuang hysterically, demanding, “Wen Shuang! Do you have any conscience left?”

Wen Shuang broke free from her grip.

Aunt Chun wailed, “Your father is confessing to a crime he didn’t commit—all for you! And yet you stand here, untouched! Don’t you have a heart?”

Having seen Wen Fanhai, she could tell he was obviously being coerced. He had even told her to take care of herself, and that if she couldn’t bear it, she could remarry.

How could Aunt Chun accept this?

If Wen Fanhai were released, she and Yao Yao wouldn’t have to keep living such a tight, impoverished life. But now, with Wen Fanhai facing over thirty years in prison, what would become of her future? She had been with Wen Fanhai for his money, and after giving birth to Wen Yao, she had enjoyed a life of luxury for years. Now, with Wen Fanhai in prison, she was aging and penniless—who would want her?

The force of Aunt Chun’s shaking nearly knocked Wen Shuang off her feet.

“Let go of me!”

“Wen Shuang, you heartless child! You know Qin You is doing all this to get you, and yet you still refuse! Think of how good your father has been to you all these years. Every business trip, wherever he went, he always brought you treats and gifts—sometimes he didn’t even care so much for Yao Yao!” Aunt Chun, faced with a bitter future, grew even more agitated.

“Please, I’m begging you, just agree to Qin You. Your reputation is already ruined, you’ve lost your job—besides Qin You, who else would want you? If you go with him, your father will be released, and the Wen family can finally breathe again. As for Yao Yao, if you don’t want her involved with Qin You, I’ll make her cut ties immediately!”

Aunt Chun was desperate.

She clung to Wen Shuang, shaking her madly. “Wen Shuang, do it for your father—just say yes!”

After leaving the detention center, Wen Shuang wandered aimlessly through the city, like a walking corpse.

Reason and emotion clashed violently within her. Aunt Chun’s hysterical pleas echoed in her ears, alternating with her father’s haggard face and Qin You’s sinister threats. Her stomach churned with nausea.

She wandered like this for nearly three hours.

Ji Shen’s phone still didn’t connect.

There were only five hours left before Qin You’s ultimatum.

Just then, Qin You called. “Wen Shuang, have you made up your mind? If you’re ready, come to the Rose Hotel. I’ve already found someone to clear your father’s name. If you come, your father will be acquitted tomorrow. If not, you went to the detention center today—you know the consequences.”

Wen Shuang gritted her teeth and hung up.

Qin You wasn’t angry at her refusal. He lounged on the hotel’s king-sized bed, playing with his phone. He knew Wen Shuang’s character; she was stubborn and aloof, but when it came to her loved ones, she would always bow her head—eventually surrendering to him completely.

Wen Shuang sat quietly on a bench for a long time, recalling every memory she had with Wen Fanhai—the warm scarf in the snow, roasted chestnuts in autumn, princess dresses she’d adored as a little girl.

Tears streamed down her face.

At last, she stood and hailed a taxi.

“Hello, driver. Please take me to the Rose Hotel.”