Beware, or I will throw you out of the house.

Xiao Zhang’s question was nothing short of courageous. It was obvious to the naked eye that Captain Ji’s mood was growing darker by the minute.

Seeing that Ji didn’t respond, Xiao Zhang ventured, “Captain Ji, don’t tell me you really had a fight with your wife?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ji Shen kicked him, hard. “Get lost!”

The kick was forceful. Xiao Zhang was sent sprawling to the ground with a cry.

Someone nearby gave Xiao Zhang a punch as well. “Mind your own business. Haven’t you noticed the gloomy cloud hanging over Captain Ji these days? If you annoy him too much, he’ll dump you out in the wild, and you won’t even have time to cry!”

Xiao Zhang finally shut up, sulking, and dared not ask anything more.

After all, when Captain Ji was in a foul mood, he truly was terrifying.

While Ji Shen was shrouded in stormy gloom, Wen Shuang was faring no better.

Lately, every time she danced with the troupe, she would drift off unconsciously—either her emotions failed to engage, or she made mistakes in the movements.

Director Su was a perfectionist; no matter who made a mistake, he would scold them. That afternoon, Wen Shuang was rebuked several times.

He warned her that if she kept it up, she’d be replaced.

Wen Shuang apologized profusely, promising to quickly adjust herself.

She used to naively believe she could separate work from her feelings, but now she realized that whenever her emotions were troubled, her work would inevitably be affected for a time.

Yao Qianqian could tell something was off as well. After rehearsal, she came over to comfort Wen Shuang, saying Director Su was always like that and she shouldn't take it to heart.

Wen Shuang gave a faint smile. “I’m fine. I know Director Su means well, I wouldn’t be so tactless.”

“But Shuangshuang, what’s been going on lately? You seem so distracted.”

“Nothing…” Wen Shuang didn’t like to talk about her personal matters with outsiders, so she simply said, “I’ll get myself together soon, don’t worry.”

She only confided her true feelings to Tang Yan.

Yao Qianqian, a college classmate who now danced with her in the same theatre, was just a colleague she got along with a bit better—there was still a measure of guardedness.

He Suosuo, meanwhile, had been visiting the Ji family daily, trying to win the favor of Mrs. Ji. She massaged Mrs. Ji’s shoulders and legs, served tea and water, and was more dutiful than she ever had been with her own mother.

Mrs. Ji was quite pleased with He Suosuo. Though He Suosuo wasn’t a beauty, her family background was impressive, and the two families had been friends for years.

Moreover, He Suosuo was sweet-tongued, calling her “Auntie” at every turn. Whenever Mrs. Ji called Ji Shen, she couldn’t help but mention He Suosuo, praising her filial devotion.

Ji Shen now felt irritated at the mere mention of her name. If not for He Suosuo, he and Wen Shuang wouldn’t have quarreled and fallen into a cold war.

“If you like her so much, why not make her your goddaughter? That’s your choice, I won’t interfere,” he said.

“Why would I make her my goddaughter for no reason?” Mrs. Ji retorted, her eyes wide. “She’d make a much better daughter-in-law!”

“I have no such fortune,” Ji Shen replied coolly. “If you really want He Suosuo for a daughter-in-law, perhaps you and Dad should consider having another son.”

Mrs. Ji was so angry she cursed him for being unfilial.

Ji Shen hung up after stating he would never like He Suosuo.

Mrs. Ji hurriedly swallowed her heart medicine, pounding her chest in frustration. “Damn it, Shen must have been bewitched by that little dancing vixen! Suosuo is such a good girl and he doesn’t want her—he must be blind!”

The housemaid massaging her murmured under her breath.

If anyone’s blind, it's you, Madam.

Though He Suosuo appeared dutiful in front of Mrs. Ji, serving tea and water, she treated the maids rudely behind her back, showing two faces. The maid did not believe He Suosuo would make a good daughter-in-law.

…

That weekend, Wen Shuang returned home.

After the big blow-up last time, Wen Fanhai and Aunt Chun had not divorced.

Aunt Chun cried and made a scene at home, insisting she had worked hard for years even if not achieving much, and spent her days wailing with Wen Yao.

Wen Fanhai, driven to headaches by their noise, decided not to divorce.

However, he had given warning: if they continued their ways, not only would he divorce them, but they would not see a single penny.

This time, when Wen Shuang came home, the whole family was extraordinarily warm to her, craning their necks to see if anyone was behind her.

Last time, the man beside her, Ji Shen, was so handsome he took their breath away!

They were hoping he’d appear again.

Wen Shuang said blandly, “Stop looking. He didn’t come. It’s just me.”

Wen Yao, still infatuated with that tall, upright man, asked, “Why didn’t brother-in-law come this time, sister?”

“He’s busy, away on business, no time,” Wen Shuang replied coolly whenever Ji Shen was mentioned.

At dinner, Aunt Chun and Wen Yao fawned over Wen Shuang, showing nothing of their previous accusatory aggression, asking after Ji Shen repeatedly.

Now, whenever Wen Shuang thought of that man, she felt angry, unwilling to say much.

After the meal, she followed Wen Fanhai to the study.

He asked, “Shuangshuang, did you have a fight with Officer Ji?”

Wen Shuang was surprised he’d noticed, but she nodded silently and told Wen Fanhai not to have too high hopes for Ji Shen, that he would not become his son-in-law.

Wen Fanhai patted her shoulder. “Shuangshuang, though I wish you could marry the best man in the world, you are, in my heart, worth the best. But I won’t force you. If you and Officer Ji aren’t happy together, breaking up is fine. I just want you to be the happiest child in the world.”

Wen Shuang was moved. At last, some of the pent-up grievances that weighed on her were released.

She leaned on Wen Fanhai’s shoulder, touched, and called him “Dad.”

Wen Yao saw her to the door.

Recently, she had worked her way into dating a rich heir from her university. Ever since meeting Ji Shen, Wen Yao had secretly wanted to compete with Wen Shuang—whatever Wen Shuang had, she believed she deserved as well, and she wasn’t inferior in any way.

“Sister, you must have fought with Officer Ji this time,” Wen Yao said, opening the door with a hint of mockery on her face. “I told you, men like Officer Ji, from such a prominent family with an excellent career, are just playing with you. You’re nothing to him.”

Wen Shuang looked up with a cold laugh. “If I’m nothing, what are you? My shameless little sister?”

Wen Yao replied with pride, “I’m definitely better than you! Just wait, Wen Shuang—my future life will be much better than yours.”

“Then I advise you and your mother to behave yourselves. If not, I’ll have you out of the Wen family before you ever get to live well,” Wen Shuang said, lowering her voice, her aura flaring so much that Wen Yao involuntarily stepped back two paces.

“I mean what I say!”