Mr. Wen, are you planning to make a sacrifice?

Wen Shuang was still wrapped in a white bath towel, which she hurriedly pulled higher around herself. She was a dancer by training, her neck slender, the line of her shoulders and nape graceful as a swan, perfectly embodying the currently popular “right-angled shoulders.” Her collarbones were exquisite, forming delicate butterfly wings. Every inch of her body was flawless.

Lowering her head, her lashes trembled slightly. “I just finished my shower and came out for a drink of water. I didn’t expect Officer Ji to return so suddenly. I’ll be more careful next time!”

Ji Shen’s gaze felt as if it could see straight through her, hot and intense, impossible to ignore. “You’ve just recovered from a fever, and you come out with your hair still wet? Aren’t you afraid you’ll end up bedridden again, Miss Wen?”

Wen Shuang replied obediently, “I’ll dry it right away.”

Ji Shen took off his police jacket. “I’ll help you.”

Standing before the large mirror in the bathroom, the man’s tall figure completely enveloped her petite form. He gathered a section of her chestnut waves in his hand. “Is your hair color natural, Miss Wen?”

“It is,” Wen Shuang’s eyes curved in a smile. “The big waves are natural too. But when I was in school, the discipline teachers often singled me out, accusing me of being vain, dyeing and perming my hair. Once, the dean dragged me onto the stage at an assembly and criticized me in front of the whole school.”

Ji Shen raised an eyebrow. “How pitiful.”

“But I wasn’t about to let him scold me for nothing,” she said, a playful glint in her eyes. “I grabbed his microphone and told him if he didn’t believe my hair was natural, he could take me to the hospital and check!”

An image formed in Ji Shen’s mind—of a teenage girl in a blue-and-white school uniform, standing defiantly on stage, trading barbs with her teacher.

He smiled at the mental picture. “And then?”

“He was frightened by my attitude and tone. Once he realized my hair was really naturally curly, he apologized to me in front of everyone.” As she recalled this, Wen Shuang’s eyes shone with pride and satisfaction.

Unable to resist, Ji Shen reached out and patted her head. “My Shuangshuang, you’re amazing.”

It was the first time he’d ever called her by that intimate nickname—until now, he’d always addressed her as “Miss Wen.” His deep voice was laced with a tenderness that couldn’t be dispelled.

Wen Shuang felt her heart melt, half of it going soft at his words.

Ji Shen began to dry her hair. Her thick, long locks weren’t easy to handle, but he wielded the hairdryer with remarkable patience. Now and then, a curl would flutter across her cheek, making her itch, but she didn’t reach up to brush it aside.

She was afraid that if she raised her eyes, she would meet the burning gaze of the man reflected in the mirror.

She smelled wonderful.

Ji Shen couldn’t quite put his finger on the scent, but it was something that made him linger, reluctant to leave.

Silky strands slipped through his fingers.

“Miss Wen, has my nephew ever dried your hair for you like this?”

Wen Shuang frowned instinctively. “No! Even when we were dating, we always kept our distance. We were never like this.”

At most, there had been a few fleeting kisses. No wonder Qin You had found her dull and tasteless, seeking out other women to sate his desires during their relationship. The thought of it turned her stomach.

Satisfied with her answer, Ji Shen continued to play with her hair. “I’ve found a few crucial pieces of evidence in your father’s case these past days. Officer Li didn’t have the necessary clearance before and couldn’t uncover them. Your father was set up by his secretary—he himself committed no crime.”

“Officer Ji!” Wen Shuang’s head shot up, her voice trembling with excitement. “I knew that if you took over, you’d find the truth for my father!”

She grabbed his sleeve, her beautiful eyes shining with gratitude. Who could say how deeply she felt it? For two long months, all she’d hoped for was Wen Fanhai’s name to be cleared.

“In about two more weeks, once all the evidence is fully investigated, your father will be released from the detention center. You won’t need to hire another lawyer. Your father is innocent.”

As Ji Shen had investigated, he’d felt a surge of relief that he’d taken over the case; otherwise, Wen Fanhai might have suffered injustice for nothing. That wasn’t why he’d become a police officer in the first place.

In the process, he’d also unearthed a lot of shady dealings within the Qin family business, which would be a headache to handle. But he didn’t intend to tell Wen Shuang about that—no need to burden her any further.

Overcome with joy, Wen Shuang threw her arms around Ji Shen, kissing him several times. “Officer Ji, thank you so much! I don’t know how to repay you. Thank you for bringing justice to my father!”

“There’s no need to thank me. Helping people find the truth is what a police officer should do,” Ji Shen replied offhandedly, picking up the hairdryer again. “So you don’t have to worry about Qin You threatening you anymore.”

He guessed that, after those photos were sent out, his dear nephew was probably getting a good thrashing from the Xia family parents right about now.

Tears of gratitude welled in Wen Shuang’s eyes. Recently, she’d nearly been crushed by the weight of these troubles. Just the day before yesterday, before Ji Shen returned, she’d been at her wit’s end, nearly giving in to Qin You’s demands.

But the moment Ji Shen appeared, he resolved everything for her. She clung to him tightly, her whole being radiating heartfelt thanks.

She even began to undo her clothes, offering herself to him.

Ji Shen gently pushed her away, his tone unhurried. “Miss Wen, don’t rush. Your hair’s not dry yet. Just recovered from a fever and you want to catch a chill again?”

At last, Ji Shen finished drying her hair. She went back to her room and changed into her most alluring, fiery lace nightgown, then knocked on his door.

He’d helped her so much, day and night—it was only right to reciprocate.

Ji Shen’s gaze was deep and inscrutable. “Miss Wen, are you offering yourself to me?”

Biting her lip, Wen Shuang slid her arms around his neck like entwining vines, her passion as bold and unrestrained as ever. “It’s a lonely night, Officer Ji. Aren’t you longing for something too?”

Her pale, slender leg brushed against his thigh.

Ji Shen truly did want her. For days now, her exquisite figure had haunted his dreams.

He gripped her wrist. “Miss Wen, I’m a bit tired from work lately. Could you bear with it a little longer?”

Wen Shuang was momentarily stunned.

“Goodnight. I hope you have sweet dreams tonight.”

She returned to her room and put on a normal set of pajamas.

His eyes had been filled with desire—so why hadn’t he touched her? Was it out of concern for her recovering health?

Wen Shuang’s heart warmed at the thought.

She slept more soundly and peacefully that night than she had in a long time.

The next morning, she was awakened by Qin You’s call.

“Wen Shuang, why didn’t you reply to my message yesterday? If you don’t come to the hotel tonight, I guarantee your father will never get out of prison!”

Qin You hadn’t forgotten about Wen Shuang. Having just failed in business, he desperately needed a woman to vent his frustration.

Wen Shuang replied coldly, “Over my dead body! I’d rather die than sleep with you. Give up already!”

“Wen Shuang, how dare you! Don’t you care about your father’s life?” Qin You hadn’t expected her to be so defiant even now. “Get over here and please me, and maybe I’ll show your family some mercy.”

“Qin You, my father will be acquitted and released in half a month. As for you, for framing him—just wait for the Qin Group’s complete downfall!”