Let’s see if you’re still alive.

When the name was mentioned, Tang Yan was startled. “Yes, now that you say it, it’s very likely her! That wretch acted so close to you as your roommate, but behind your back she stole your man! Now she’s engaged to Qin You, and he’s still tangled up with you. She must be jealous and wants to ruin you!”

Wen Shuang would never forget the day she returned to the apartment and stumbled upon the two of them, entwined in passion on the bed.

Qin You, naked, rolled off the bed, his eyes tinged red from desire.

Xia Anran pointed to the crimson blood on the sheets, flaunting, “Wen Shuang, look, Qin You took my virginity. We’re already a done deal.”

Wen Shuang trembled all over, demanding, “How long have you two been sneaking around behind my back?”

Xia Anran lifted her pretty brows, “Several months. Qin You said you wouldn’t even let him kiss you, so he prefers someone open and passionate like me, isn’t that right, Brother Qin?”

Qin You wrapped his arm around Xia Anran’s waist. “That’s right, Wen Shuang. Three years with you, and you wouldn’t even let me touch you. I’ve been sick of it for ages. We’re breaking up!”

Wen Shuang slapped him.

...

Wen Shuang suspected that her inability to find work with any dance troupe these days was inevitably connected to Xia Anran.

The Xia family was one of the four great families in the Imperial Capital—wealthy, powerful, and it would be all too easy to blacklist a mere dancer like herself.

Otherwise, someone as proud as Qin You wouldn’t cling so desperately to Xia Anran for her family’s influence.

“But didn’t Officer Ji promise to investigate your case thoroughly? If Xia Anran is behind it, he’ll definitely find out!” Tang Yan comforted her, patting her shoulder.

Wen Shuang gave a bitter smile. “Let’s hope.”

“This time Officer Ji saved you. Are you two any closer now?”

At this, Wen Shuang shook her head, her gaze dim. “Last time he learned about my history with Qin You, he threw me out of his house. I think he hates me now, probably sees me as someone who’d do anything for money.”

Tang Yan began peeling an apple for her. “So what’s your plan? You can’t drag out your father’s case any longer. Has your stepmother or stepsister thought of anything?”

Wen Shuang sneered, “Them? They’d never come up with a plan. They’ve had it too easy all these years, living off my father. When trouble arises, all they know how to do is cry, or dump everything on me and expect me to fix it. I’m not made of iron.”

Tang Yan frowned. “Your stepmother, honestly, didn’t even visit you while you were hospitalized.”

Wen Shuang replied, “Better she doesn’t come. If she did, I’d lose half my life.”

—

In the afternoon, Aunt Chun and Wen Yao arrived.

Empty-handed, they looked less like visitors and more like they’d come to check if she was still alive.

“Sister, you have time to lie in a hospital bed but not to sort out Dad’s affairs?” Wen Yao was decked out in designer labels, dripping with jewels, nothing like a daughter from a bankrupt family.

Wen Shuang, hooked up to an IV, gave them no warmth. “Why are you here? Didn’t I say I have nothing to do with you two anymore?”

“Wen Shuang! You unfilial girl! Now that your father’s in trouble you’re cutting us off? If your dad knew, he’d beat you!” Aunt Chun jabbed her finger at Wen Shuang’s nose, cursing. “The house is out of money thanks to those debt collectors. Send over twenty thousand for me and Yao Yao to spend. Yao Yao needs living expenses for school, and I need to eat!”

Apparently, they’d come to collect debts—showing no concern for her kidnapping.

Wen Shuang turned her face away. “I have no money.”

“You liar! If you had no money, how could you stay in such a luxurious VIP ward?” Aunt Chun clearly didn’t believe her. “Wen Shuang, I don’t want to make a scene in the hospital. Hand over the money or I’ll report you!”

Wen Yao fiddled with her carefully manicured nails, blowing on them. “Mom, stop wasting words. Just grab her bank card. Dad surely slipped her plenty of cash before.”

Wen Shuang couldn’t restrain her fury. “Don’t you two have any shame? Aren’t you perfectly able-bodied? Can’t you earn your own money? Get out now, don’t disturb my rest!”

Aunt Chun reached to yank Wen Shuang’s blanket. “So you dare curse me now, you little brat!”

“Stop!”

Qin You appeared at the doorway, stopping Aunt Chun’s attempt.

The moment Aunt Chun saw Qin You, her fierce expression melted into a pleasant smile. “Young Master Qin, you’re here, please sit.”

Wen Yao’s eyes lit up as she softly called him Brother Qin.

They seemed to instantly forget it was Qin You who’d brought their family to ruin, shamelessly eager to curry favor.

Qin You ignored them, walking straight to Wen Shuang’s side. “How are you?”

Wen Shuang kept her eyes closed; everyone in the room disgusted her.

She replied coldly, “I’m fine. I’d be better if you all left.”

“Shuang Shuang, how can you speak like that? Young Master Qin is concerned about you!” Aunt Chun chided. “Young Master Qin, our Shuang Shuang has a bit of a temper, please don’t mind her. We’ve been persuading her to follow you. How wonderful that would be—handsome and considerate, her future would be filled with wealth and honor. Isn’t that right, Shuang Shuang?”

“If you like Qin You so much, you should go with him!” Wen Shuang retorted, unable to hold back. “Besides, have you two forgotten who actually ruined our family?”

Aunt Chun became frantic. “Wen Shuang, how can you say such things?”

Wen Yao was about to curse, but seeing Qin You’s icy gaze, the insults died miserably at her lips. “Sister, Mom’s only concerned for you, yet you treat her like this!”

“You keep calling him Brother Qin—why don’t you go with him?” Wen Shuang’s gaze was sharp as a blade. “Oh, I forgot, you just don’t have what it takes.”

Wen Yao was furious. “You—!”

“Enough, all of you leave. I need to speak to Wen Shuang alone.”

Aunt Chun quickly dragged Wen Yao downstairs.

Qin You tugged at her blanket. “What’s really going on? Who kidnapped you?”

Wen Shuang pulled away. “Stop pretending. You know exactly what happened!”

“I truly don’t know!”

“It’s either you or Xia Anran.”

“Anran?” Qin You was stunned, then quickly denied it. “Impossible. Anran is so innocent and sweet, she’d never come up with such a vicious scheme. You must have offended someone else before. Wen Shuang, think carefully—don’t drag Anran into this just because you’re in trouble!”

Wen Shuang flung his hand away. “Just because you’re blind doesn’t mean everyone else is. I know exactly what kind of manipulative woman Xia Anran is! Only someone as blind as you would mistake what she really is.”

Qin You reached to grab her again, but Wen Shuang resisted.

In the midst of their struggle, footsteps sounded outside the door.

A cool, clear voice, like shattered jade, rang out. “Am I interrupting?”