Shall we go to my place or yours?

A Red Flag L5.

These days, it’s not enough to be wealthy to own one; you need both power and money. By rights, a police officer’s monthly salary is neither enough to starve nor to thrive—a modest living, nothing more. But Ji Shen’s family, the Ji clan, is the wealthiest in the capital. Ji Shen himself is upright and pure, passing every political review without trouble.

So it was no surprise to Wen Shuang that he could afford to drive a Red Flag L5.

She got into the car, feeling much less pressure than before.

Ji Shen drove for a while.

Wen Shuang, worried he might be going out of his way, said, “Officer Ji, you can drop me off wherever’s convenient. I can walk the rest of the way.”

“It’s still quite far to your home. I’m afraid your legs won’t manage, Teacher Wen,” Ji Shen replied, driving unhurriedly.

Wen Shuang sensed a hint of intimacy.

Her red lips curved into a smile. “If Officer Ji is willing, you could come home with me.”

Ji Shen pulled over at a secluded spot by the roadside, beneath towering trees. The car windows were coated with privacy film: those inside could see out, but no one outside would know what happened within.

Ji Shen took a cigarette from his case. “Does Teacher Wen mind second-hand smoke?”

“I don’t mind.”

Ji Shen lit the cigarette and exhaled a plume.

Wen Shuang raised an eyebrow, reaching into his cigarette case and taking one for herself. “May I borrow a light, Officer Ji?”

Ji Shen frowned and snatched the cigarette from her lips. “Young ladies shouldn’t pick up bad habits.”

“But haven’t the news reports said second-hand smoke is even worse for your health?” Wen Shuang pursed her lips, apparently fascinated by the cigarette between his own. “Maybe Officer Ji could let me have a taste?”

Ji Shen arched his brow.

Wen Shuang, taking advantage of his hand, inhaled deeply, only to cough several times.

A low, amused rumble came from the man’s throat. “I told you, smoking doesn’t suit young ladies like you.”

Wen Shuang’s fingers flicked ash; her red lips found his Adam’s apple. “Actually, I just wanted to taste, indirectly, what Officer Ji’s lips are like.”

Ji Shen shivered from her bite.

He immediately stubbed out the cigarette, reclined the seat, and pressed Wen Shuang beneath him, his breath hot against her cheek. “Teacher Wen, you’re playing with fire.”

Wen Shuang hooked his tie, inch by inch, pulling him closer. “What’s wrong, Officer Ji? Can’t take it?”

They were suddenly so close they could hear each other’s breath.

Ji Shen kissed her deeply, holding her head, conquering and claiming. Wen Shuang responded, fingers tangled in his hair, their kiss growing more intense and breathless.

The seat reclined completely.

His hands fumbled at the tiny buttons on her blouse, but in his haste, he couldn’t undo them.

Frustrated, he was about to rip the fabric, but Wen Shuang slapped his hand, reproaching him, “Officer Ji, what’s the rush? If you ruin my clothes, you’ll have to pay for them.”

Ji Shen tore them off anyway.

“I’ll pay, then!”

Soon, the car was filled with languorous sounds.

The woman melted into his arms.

Ji Shen bit her, voice muffled, “Shall we go to your place or mine after this?”

Wen Shuang moaned, unable to endure, “…either is fine.”

The next second, she remembered her father’s graying hair back at the detention center, and couldn’t help herself. “Officer Ji, could you help my father…?”

Ji Shen abruptly stopped.

He lifted his head from her chest, desire gone from his eyes.

“Teacher Wen, it’s quite meaningless to bring that up at a time like this.”

Ji Shen buttoned her blouse again and adjusted the seat.

Wen Shuang’s cheeks flushed. “Officer Ji, I… I didn’t mean to interrupt, I just suddenly remembered.”

Ji Shen pressed the accelerator; the engine roared.

“I’ll take you home.”

Wen Shuang, unwilling to give up, leaned over to kiss his cheek, trying to rekindle his passion. But Ji Shen was unmoved this time, his voice cold. “Teacher Wen, that behavior is liable to cause a car accident.”

Wen Shuang could only retreat, disappointed.

Her hopes evaporated.

She blamed her own impatience, but there really wasn’t much time or opportunity left for her.

Her father had noticeably lost weight in the detention center recently. Years of managing the corporation had taken a toll on his health, and if he didn’t get out soon, who knew how much worse it would become.

Wen Shuang turned to gaze out the side window, tears glimmering in her eyes.

Upon arrival.

Ji Shen parked. “Teacher Wen, I’ll have a colleague take over your case. He’s diligent and trustworthy; you can go to him about your father’s matters in the future.”

Wen Shuang opened her mouth to thank him.

Ji Shen handed her a phone number.

“As for us, let’s not contact each other anymore.”

One sentence sent Wen Shuang’s mood plummeting again.

She understood that after so many entanglements, Ji Shen’s patience had reached its limit.

She nodded. “Thank you, Officer Ji. I promise I’ll disappear from your sight from now on.”

The woman’s slender yet voluptuous figure slowly faded out of view.

Moments ago, the car was filled with passion.

Now, only the cold wind remained.

A surge of restlessness rose in Ji Shen’s chest.

He lit another cigarette.

He could’ve taken Wen Shuang’s case himself, but every time they were about to cross that threshold, she would suddenly ask him to help her father. It left Ji Shen deeply displeased.

He felt used.

Wen Shuang wasn’t after him as a person, but after his power.

He slammed the accelerator and sped away.

—

Wen Yao came home, her body marked with kisses.

Aunt Chun hurried over. “My dear girl, how did it go? Did Qin You promise to let our family off?”

Wen Yao collapsed onto the sofa. “Brother Qin said he’d give our family some breathing room. Tonight, he even said I’m much more interesting than Wen Shuang, that he liked me better.”

“I knew my daughter was the most charming girl in the world! Wen Shuang can’t even compare to you with a single finger!” Aunt Chun beamed. “Did he say when he’ll dump that Xia Anran and marry you?”

Wen Yao replied, “Not yet. But I think it’ll happen soon. Mom, with my charm, you really think I can’t win a man over?”

Qin You’s infatuation with Wen Shuang was just a passing phase. As long as she stayed bold enough, someday he’d only have eyes for her!

“That’s right, my daughter is so outstanding. Ditching Xia Anran will be a matter of minutes,” Aunt Chun rejoiced, already dreaming of the day she’d live in a grand villa in the city.

Wen Yao narrowed her eyes suddenly. “Mom, have those debt collectors been coming around lately?”

“It must be because you’re with Young Master Qin now; things have been much quieter. My girl, you’re wonderful!”

Wen Yao sneered, “Wen Shuang left the family without hesitation so she could sever ties with us. But as the eldest daughter of the Wen family, there’s no way she can avoid those debts! Mom, next time those collectors come, just give them Wen Shuang’s address and number. Let them harass her to death—better yet, finish her off!”

Aunt Chun hesitated. “But if they really kill Wen Shuang, who’ll support us in the future?”

“Mom, I’ve already got Qin You hooked. When I become his mistress, do you really think we’ll ever lack money again?”

Aunt Chun slapped her thigh. “My darling girl, you’re the best!”