Wen Shuang, just look at yourself—what have you become!

Ever since Aunt Chun and Wen Yao heard that Wen Fanhai was about to be released, the mother and daughter visited the detention center every few days. The two of them were shrewd, always dressing plainly and without makeup when they went, making themselves appear especially haggard. Tearfully, they explained each time that their previous absence was because they’d been busy outside, pulling strings for his case, unable to spare the time to visit. Wen Fanhai reassured them repeatedly that it was all right. Now, he felt that being reunited with his family was the greatest happiness he could hope for.

Wen Yao sobbed, “Dad, this is wonderful! At last, you’re getting out. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you!” Aunt Chun dabbed at her eyes too.

“What about Xiaoshuang? Why hasn’t she come today?” Wen Shuang had, until recently, visited at least once a week.

Aunt Chun hesitated, “Xiaoshuang is on holiday these days. She just posted some beautiful photos by the sea this morning!” Wen Yao chimed in, “Dad, ever since you were taken away, big sister has been having the time of her life. She moved out right after you got arrested. Mom and I begged her to come home, but she refused and said that now the Wen family is broke, she’ll cut all ties with us!” At this, the two women broke down in tears.

Wen Fanhai was shocked. “That can’t be. Xiaoshuang isn’t that kind of person!”

Aunt Chun, eyes red, said, “Ah Hai, I know she’s your own daughter, and you won’t believe us. I shouldn’t be saying these things, but she’s gone too far lately! Never mind, you wouldn’t believe anything we say anyway. Yao Yao, let’s not talk any more about it.”

Wen Fanhai frowned. He had watched Wen Shuang grow up, and after all those visits, he didn’t believe she was as they described. Still, his wife and daughter were crying bitterly before him, and he was at a loss.

After returning from the seaside, Ji Shen threw himself into his busy work and told her that Wen Fanhai’s case had been settled—he would be released in two days. Wen Shuang was deeply grateful to him and became even gentler and more affectionate, keeping the apartment in perfect order and preparing different dishes for Ji Shen every day. She was also getting ready for Wen Fanhai’s release, taking time to pick out a whole new outfit for him, inside and out. According to tradition, after being released, one must change all their clothes and use water-soaked pomelo leaves to brush the body three times, to dispel bad luck and mark a new beginning.

“Tomorrow, your father will likely be released around three in the afternoon,” Ji Shen reminded her.

Wen Shuang nodded eagerly, saying everything was prepared. “Officer Ji, I won’t be home for dinner tomorrow. My father’s just getting out—I need to spend more time with him.”

Ji Shen understood, “Of course. You and your father should catch up.”

Wen Shuang then hesitated, “Now that my father’s out, Officer Ji, should I... move out of your apartment?”

“No,” Ji Shen refused at once, “You’re staying here, Ms. Wen.”

She had already owed him so much kindness, which she could never fully repay. Besides, this was his only request, so she agreed. When the time came, she would simply tell Wen Fanhai she was sharing with a friend.

The next day, she arrived at the detention center at half past two, only to find that the mother and daughter had arrived even earlier, laden with packages. Only after three months did Wen Shuang see their true colors—vain and selfish, never truly concerned about Wen Fanhai’s ordeal, only lamenting their own lack of spending money. Wen Yao had even climbed into Qin You’s bed! Wen Shuang loathed them, and pretended not to see them.

But Wen Yao, ever tactless, sidled up, “Sister, I saw your beach trip photos the other day. Looks like fun. Was it with some greasy old tycoon in his fifties or sixties again?”

Wen Shuang didn’t even lift her eyelids.

“You’re not denying it, so I must be right!” Wen Yao snickered. “I hear those old tycoons play a lot of dirty games, always frequenting seedy places. You’d better get checked at the hospital, Sister—wouldn’t want to catch something nasty.”

Wen Shuang’s temper flared. She raised a hand, “Wen Yao, if you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll slap you right here!”

Suddenly, Wen Yao became meek. Wen Shuang looked up—it was because Wen Fanhai had just come out.

The three of them rushed over. Wen Fanhai greeted the mother and daughter warmly, but when he saw Wen Shuang, his attitude grew noticeably colder. “You’re here. What were you about to do to your sister just now?”

Wen Shuang’s red lips curled up. “Yao Yao had a fly on her face, I was just about to swat it for her.”

Wen Yao fumed but still clung to Wen Fanhai’s arm, calling him “Dad” sweetly.

Wen Shuang took out the clothes she’d prepared for Wen Fanhai, but he only accepted Aunt Chun’s offering, leaving Wen Shuang’s hand awkwardly suspended in mid-air.

Once dressed, Wen Fanhai asked, “Xiaoshuang, your Aunt Chun tells me you’ve already moved out?”

Wen Shuang knew at once the mother and daughter had been slandering her behind her back—otherwise, Wen Fanhai’s attitude wouldn’t have changed so drastically.

She simply set down the pomelo leaves. “Yes, I moved out nearly three months ago.”

“Why did you move out? Even if the Wen family is bankrupt and I’ve been in prison, you’re still a Wen by blood!” Wen Fanhai, having been thoroughly influenced by Aunt Chun’s weeping tales these past days, demanded, “Come home at once!”

Wen Shuang remembered Ji Shen’s request. “I’ve already agreed to share a place with a friend, and I can’t move back.”

Wen Fanhai frowned, about to say more, but Aunt Chun interjected magnanimously, “Let it go, Ah Hai! Xiaoshuang is grown up now; she has her own life. As elders, we must give young people space and not interfere too much. She’s a smart girl—she won’t go astray.”

Knowing that Wen Fanhai was deeply traditional, Aunt Chun’s words only made him more displeased.

Wen Shuang shot Aunt Chun a cold glare.

Wen Yao happily slipped her arm through Wen Fanhai’s, affectionately calling him dad, and his face immediately lit up. Suddenly, Wen Yao’s gaze fixed on something. “Sister, is that a mosquito bite on your neck?”

Wen Fanhai immediately looked over, his expression darkening. Only then did Wen Shuang recall that Ji Shen had left a mark on her neck the night before in a moment of passion, and she’d forgotten to conceal it before leaving!

She quickly raised her hand to cover it.

But Wen Fanhai was a man—he knew well enough what such a mark meant, especially after Aunt Chun’s constant hints that Wen Shuang was involved with some sleazy tycoon for money. All the indignities he’d suffered in prison, combined with this disappointment in his daughter, erupted at once. “Wen Shuang, look at yourself! What have you become?”

All the joy she’d felt at her father’s release vanished in an instant, like a bucket of cold water poured over her head.

Stunned, Wen Shuang took two steps back. “Dad, what did I do wrong?”