Officer Ji, are you not up to the task?

When Aunt Chun hurried over, Wen Yao was still sprawled in disarray on the staircase, unable to get up.
“Yaoyao! Who hit you?!”
Aunt Chun anxiously helped her precious child to her feet.
Through her tears, Wen Yao wailed, “Mom, take me to the hospital, my face hurts so much!”
Her face was what she cherished the most since childhood—she would rely on it to make a living as a star one day!
Her fair cheeks were swollen, even streaked with traces of blood, a testament to how hard Mrs. Qin had struck her.
Aunt Chun hurried Wen Yao to the hospital.
She had been loudly demanding justice, but the moment she heard Mrs. Qin was the one who had struck, she instantly deflated like a punctured ball. The Qin family was far too powerful; how could she compete?
Besides, Mrs. Qin had her reasons for disciplining Wen Yao.
Wen Yao had first tried to seduce Qin You, nearly ruining the engagement with the Xia family.
If word got out that their daughter had tried to seduce a man already engaged, their reputation would be utterly ruined!
Mother and daughter had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.
Wen Yao clutched her face. “Mom, Dad must never find out about this—otherwise, he’ll never love me again!”
“I know!” Wen Fanhai was a woman of deeply traditional values and would never tolerate the slightest stain on her daughter’s name. Aunt Chun choked up. “It’s just such a shame for my precious girl, such a lovely face gone to waste.”

...

The weekend arrived.
Wen Shuang received two tickets from her college roommate, Yao Qianqian.
It was for the dance drama “Bronze Sparrow’s Bough,” in which Yao Qianqian played the lead.
Wen Shuang took Tang Yan along to watch.
On stage, Yao Qianqian’s Da Qiao was lifted high above, drifting ever farther from the male lead below. The silk ribbons between their hands snapped with the growing distance. The beauty drifted away, leaving the man clutching the torn sleeve in agony.
The music’s poignant swell moved many in the audience to tears.
Tang Yan, never one for the arts, could only stifle a yawn. “Wen Shuang, she’s so skinny—like a bag of bones, not an ounce of grace. If you were up there, you’d look so much better!”
Wen Shuang smiled. “Yan Yan, you always know how to flatter me.”
“I’m not even flattering you. I’m just telling the truth!” Tang Yan remembered attending Wen Shuang’s graduation performance in their senior year—her “Goddess of the Luo River,” with those flowing sleeves, was simply breathtaking.
That was the day she learned what it meant to behold a fairy descended from the heavens!
“But Shuang Shuang, wasn’t your dream to join a dance troupe after graduation?” Tang Yan’s tone was tinged with regret. “Even though teaching dance is a job too, I still think you shine brightest on stage.”

She could tell Wen Shuang’s heart was burning with longing as she watched the performance.
Tang Yan’s words struck a deep chord.
Her greatest dream had always been to become an outstanding dancer, but after graduation, none of the auditions at dance troupes worked out, and in desperation, she turned to teaching.
Watching Yao Qianqian dance so gracefully on stage tonight, she couldn’t help but feel a stab of envy.
She waited for Yao Qianqian after the show.
“Shuang Shuang, thank you so much for coming to support me~”
It was Yao Qianqian who had once recommended her for a commercial tour job. Back in university, they’d gotten along well.
“You were wonderful, Qianqian,” Wen Shuang praised sincerely.
“Oh, my moves are nothing compared to yours.” In fact, if Xia Anran hadn’t run into trouble, the principal role in “Bronze Sparrow’s Bough” wouldn’t have gone to her.
Yao Qianqian suddenly asked, “Shuang Shuang, are you interested in joining our dance troupe?”
Wen Shuang was taken aback, but quickly replied, “Of course I’m interested! But I’ve auditioned before…and didn’t make it.”
Yao Qianqian knew the inside story. After Wen Shuang’s previous audition, the judges had all praised her highly, but then Xia Anran had spoken privately with the director, and Wen Shuang was rejected.
Without further ado, she led Wen Shuang to meet the newly appointed deputy director.
“Director An, this is my friend Wen Shuang—she was the star of the classical dance department at Peking University!”
Yao Qianqian heaped praise upon Wen Shuang, and though her words sounded extravagant, every bit was true.
During her time at Peking University, Wen Shuang was truly outstanding.
The deputy director’s eyes lit up at the sight of Wen Shuang’s physique.
What a perfect build!
Tall, slender frame, long arms and legs, and an exquisitely delicate face.
She had Wen Shuang demonstrate a few moves on the spot. Wen Shuang’s mid-air splits, reverse kicks, and twenty consecutive spins were executed with ease and grace.
The deputy director made a decisive call: “Come to the troupe for a second audition at three o’clock the day after tomorrow.”
This meant Wen Shuang had passed the preliminary round.
Wen Shuang was stunned and overjoyed—she’d only come to watch the performance, and now she was leaving with an unexpected opportunity.
Tang Yan was even more excited, grabbing Yao Qianqian’s hands and declaring her a true friend!
She insisted on treating her to dinner.
Yao Qianqian laughed, “It was nothing, really. But don’t rush. Wait until Shuang Shuang officially passes the final audition—then treat me to a meal!”

Tang Yan said, “With our Shuang Shuang, unless there’s some shady dealing behind the scenes, she’s sure to pass the final audition!”
Wen Shuang was as elated as a bird, bustling about the house, cleaning with infectious cheer.
Ji Shen came home from work to the gentle sound of singing.
“Miss Wen, you seem to be in a great mood today.”
Wen Shuang shared her good news about passing the dance troupe’s preliminary audition.
“That’s amazing, Shuang Shuang,” Ji Shen praised warmly. “This calls for a celebration—let’s have a big dinner tonight.”
Wen Shuang beamed. “Let’s wait until I pass the final round, then you can treat me. I want to eat at that Sichuan hotpot place we went to last time!”
She hadn’t indulged in anything spicy for ages to maintain her figure.
A gentle smile reached Ji Shen’s eyes. “No problem.”
In her good mood, Wen Shuang prepared an especially delicious meal that evening.
Ji Shen could see how much she loved dance. With her looks and talent, it seemed a waste for her to be teaching only young children at a training center.
After dinner, as she cleared the dishes,
Ji Shen wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Shuang Shuang, since you’re in such a good mood today, shouldn’t I get a reward too?”
“A reward for what?”
Ever since that trip to the seaside, she’d noticed Ji Shen seemed to have lost his drive, and had given up teasing him.
But now he seemed inspired again.
Ji Shen pressed kisses along her long, pale neck, one after another.
“Reward me with your beauty, Miss Wen.”
He pinned her to the sofa, and they began to kiss.
Ji Shen’s kisses were as wild and intense as he was; before long, Wen Shuang was left breathless, her body trembling involuntarily.
She couldn’t help but arch toward him.
But still, Ji Shen didn’t take the final step.
At last, Wen Shuang couldn’t hold back any longer. “Officer Ji, are you…not up to it?”