My brother-in-law is already quite advanced in age.

Madam Qin’s face suddenly turned ashen. Indeed, her marriage into the Qin family years ago had been far from honorable. Back then, Qin Tianhai was just a penniless young man, but she had fallen for him heedless of the consequences. After an affair with him led to pregnancy, she married him against her parents' repeated objections, determined and undeterred.

This had infuriated the Ji family, who promptly severed all ties with her for years. The matter remained a family secret, whispered about by some but never spoken of to her face. Yet Ji Shen had just exposed it so bluntly, showing her no courtesy.

“Ah Shen, I am your elder sister!” she protested.

“There are no such distinctions at the police station,” Ji Shen replied, unmistakably dismissing her. “If you don’t leave now and continue to cause a scene, I’ll have security escort you out.”

Madam Qin left, her face drained of all color.

Ji Shen worked late into the evening. Upon returning home, he found Wen Shuang still awake, sitting in the living room with a single light burning, waiting for him.

“How did it go?” she asked.

“Sexual harassment, ten days’ detention,” he replied.

“Shen,” Wen Shuang said softly, helping him out of his coat, “I’m sorry to trouble you.”

“Still being so polite with me?” Ji Shen caught her hand, frowning. “Why are your hands so cold?”

“...It’s nothing.”

In truth, Wen Shuang had spent much time on the balcony, deep in thought. She worried that, as Qin You’s ex-girlfriend, Ji Shen might feel uncomfortable. The thought had crossed her mind before, but Ji Shen had always treated her so well that she’d pushed it aside. But Qin You’s words today had unsettled her, making her anxious. After all, she too had approached Ji Shen with ulterior motives in the beginning.

Ji Shen pulled Wen Shuang onto his lap. “Still thinking about that brute?”

“There’s nothing about him worth my thoughts!” Wen Shuang looked up at him. “Shen, I’m just afraid...”

“Afraid of what?”

“I’m afraid what Qin You said today might bother you.”

“So that’s what kept you up half the night,” the man murmured, running a broad hand through her soft hair. “To be honest, at first, I did mind it a little. All men have their pride. But later, when I thought of you, and then when we were together—I realized it doesn’t matter at all.”

“Really?” Wen Shuang’s eyes brightened immediately.

Ji Shen smiled, his lips tinged with playful intimacy. “Your first time was with me. What’s there for me to mind?”

Qin You had merely held the empty title of boyfriend for a few years.

Wen Shuang kissed him passionately.

“So eager?” he teased.

She arched a brow. “What, Officer Ji, is your stamina failing just because you worked overtime?”

A man’s authority in the bedroom was not to be challenged.

Almost instantly, Wen Shuang was pressed beneath him. Ji Shen cupped her face between his hands. “Tonight, I’ll show you just how formidable I am.”

...

To prove his prowess, the man did not hold back that night.

The next day, when Wen Shuang went to her dance class, her technique was noticeably off compared to the day before.

Director Su was notoriously strict about dancing. “Wen Shuang, your back leg didn’t kick up! What’s wrong with you today? You used to be able to do a perfect 180, but today your leg strength is lacking and you let it drop.”

Wen Shuang apologized humbly, saying she’d practiced too long the previous night and strained herself.

In truth, it was because the man had pressed her legs to her shoulders for half the night, leaving her so sore she could barely lift her legs now.

Aunt Chun called several times, urging Wen Shuang to come home for a meal when she had time. Just then, the company gave her two days to rest. Wen Shuang decided to go home for a meal; after all, it had been a long time since her last visit.

After their last argument, she had messaged Wen Fanhai, but he never replied. Even though she knew Aunt Chun and Wen Yao harbored no good intentions, Wen Fanhai was still her father.

Wen Shuang told Ji Shen she planned to visit home that weekend.

Ji Shen was aware of her family situation. He remembered her returning in tears after her birthday, sobbing uncontrollably from the injustice.

“I’ll go with you,” he said.

Wen Shuang was surprised and declined, saying it wasn’t necessary. After all, they were only dating, not engaged to be married.

But Ji Shen would not be swayed. “I said I’ll go, so I’ll go.”

Wen Shuang could do nothing but agree and inform Aunt Chun ahead of time that she would be bringing her boyfriend home for dinner.

When Aunt Chun received the message, she was flabbergasted at home. “Husband! Shuang-shuang says she’s bringing her boyfriend home for dinner this weekend!”

Though Wen Fanhai hadn’t reached out to Wen Shuang, he still worried about her.

“What boyfriend?”

Wen Yao covered her mouth in feigned shock. “Ah? Is my sister bringing that greasy fifty-year-old CEO home? How can you even call that a boyfriend?”

Aunt Chun chimed in, “Besides, I heard the man already has a family.”

Wen Fanhai’s face grew darker. “What sort of conduct is this! Dating an old man and bringing him home—shameless! Tell her not to come back!”

Aunt Chun and Wen Yao exchanged a knowing glance.

“Husband, Yao and I only heard rumors about this CEO. We’re not even sure if he’s married. He might be divorced by now!” Aunt Chun reasoned, thinking that if Wen Shuang was determined to ruin herself, she shouldn’t miss this opportunity to watch. “And besides, Shuang-shuang isn’t stupid—she wouldn’t willingly become a mistress!”

“Yes, my sister is very smart. She wouldn’t be that foolish,” Wen Yao agreed. “Dad, I haven’t seen her in so many days—I miss her. Let her come back.”

Wen Fanhai grunted and retreated to his study.

The weekend arrived.

Ji Shen had a whole van of gifts prepared.

“This is too much!” Wen Shuang exclaimed.

Ji Shen’s display was reminiscent of a groom coming to the bride’s house. Dressed in a blue jacket, one hand in his pocket, the other around Wen Shuang’s waist, he replied, “It’s not much—a small token of respect.”

The last time they’d visited, the password on the door had already been changed. Wen Shuang, not wishing to embarrass herself, simply rang the doorbell.

Three times it rang—no response.

She pressed it a few more times and even knocked, but still there was no answer.

She had already informed them she’d be bringing her boyfriend home for dinner this weekend—clearly, they were trying to make a point.

Ji Shen was displeased, feeling the Wen family was treating their daughter with little regard.

He raised his hand and knocked—bang, bang, bang.

“Oh, sister’s here!” Wen Yao, who had been pretending not to hear, was finally forced to come down—the man’s knocking was shaking the house. “Sister’s boyfriend sure is vigorous, going by his knocking. Still full of energy for his age!”

Aunt Chun came out as well. “Let me see if he’s the real deal or just a pretender.”

Wen Fanhai remained in his study.

Mother and daughter wore the expressions of seasoned spectators. “I’m telling you, your sister brings home such a greasy CEO and her days are numbered. With your father’s temper, he’ll never let her in again.”

Wen Yao snickered, “I can’t imagine what got into her head, daring to bring an old man home.”

Opening the door halfway, Wen Yao called out, “Sister, sorry to keep you waiting, I was in the bathroom!”

Wen Shuang, after being kept outside so long, looked icy. “You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”

Wen Yao kept the door half-closed, still unable to see Ji Shen behind Wen Shuang. “Come in, Sister! Where’s my brother-in-law? I heard he’s nearly sixty, so Mom made chicken soup especially for the old gentleman...”

She swung the door wide open.

In the next moment, the smile froze on her face.