The Beauty Emerging from the Changing Room

Qin You spoke with casual indifference. “Wen Shuang, it’s your father who’s suspected of embezzling public funds. I’m simply following the law.”

“My dad would never do that! He’s an honest man!”

“Then save your words for the police. They’re wasted on me,” Qin You sneered.

Wen Shuang had no choice but to lower her stance. “Qin You, what will it take for you to let my father go?”

“Become my lover, and I’ll spare your father’s life.”

Stunned, Wen Shuang’s shock quickly turned to fury. “Qin You! You’re going too far. I’ll never go back to you, especially now that you’re engaged to Miss Xia!”

“Then there’s nothing I can do,” Qin You replied coldly, ending the call without hesitation. “Given the severity of your father’s crime, just wait for his life sentence.”

…

Wen Shuang hadn’t expected Qin You to be so ruthless.

After their breakup, she’d never clung to him, yet he was determined to drive her into a corner.

Aunt Chun, her stepmother, had overheard the entire conversation.

She clutched Wen Shuang’s sleeve. “Shuang, for your father’s sake, why not just agree to Qin You’s request? The Qin family is wealthy. As his lover, you won’t suffer.”

“And if it weren’t for you, Dad wouldn’t have ended up in detention,” Wen Yao, her stepsister, chimed in. “Sister, just agree.”

Wen Shuang looked at the mother and daughter before her in disbelief.

“You want me to be his mistress?”

“What’s so wrong about that? Your father raised you all these years—what’s a little sacrifice?” Aunt Chun’s gaze lingered on the suspicious marks on Wen Shuang’s skin. “Besides, you’re not pure anymore.”

Wen Shuang clenched her fists. “I will never become Qin You’s lover.”

“You’re too selfish, Wen Shuang! Your father raised you for nothing! You shameless ingrate!” Wen Yao shouted in fury.

Wen Shuang’s hand flew up, slapping her across the face.

“Say another word, and I’ll break your mouth.”

She turned and left that suffocating home, the sounds of Wen Yao’s shrieks and Aunt Chun’s curses echoing behind her.

All she felt was exhaustion.

Aunt Chun was her father’s second wife, and Wen Yao her stepsister. The mother and daughter had always played a double game—smiles on the surface, venom beneath.

Now that her father was in trouble, they could no longer hide their ugliness.

If Wen Yao or Aunt Chun had been the ones detained, Wen Shuang would never have lifted a finger to help.

But over the years, her father had always treated her, his eldest daughter, with utmost care.

Wen Shuang’s thoughts drifted to Ji Shen.

Ji Shen was the captain of the city police. If he were willing to investigate, perhaps there was still hope.

But seeing Ji Shen again was no simple matter.

She waited outside the police bureau for three days straight, but never caught sight of him.

With no other option, she turned to her close friend Tang Yan for help. Tang Yan had recently found favor with a wealthy patron, and her connections and access to information were extensive.

Tang Yan told her Ji Shen would be attending a birthday banquet at Sinan Mansion on Saturday.

This gathering was an extravagant affair among the upper class—she might even run into acquaintances.

Once Wen Shuang secured the invitation, she had no time for hesitation.

She chose a blue off-the-shoulder mermaid gown, the fabric hugging her curves and accentuating her waist and hips. Once she put it on, her figure was nothing short of breathtaking.

She was as enchanting as a rose in full bloom.

Tang Yan’s eyes widened in admiration. “Shuang, your figure is absolutely explosive. No man could resist you tonight. Ji Shen is sure to fall for you at first sight!”

But Wen Shuang felt a trace of bitterness in her heart.

How long can a woman rely on beauty alone?

Tang Yan soon left, arm in arm with her wealthy companion, to socialize elsewhere.

Ji Shen had not yet arrived, so Wen Shuang wandered aimlessly through the venue.

A mocking female voice sounded behind her. “Wen Shuang, since your family’s gone bankrupt, what right do you have to be here?”

She turned to see Xia Anran—Qin You’s fiancée and her former university roommate, the very woman who had schemed to steal Qin You away.

Xia Anran wore a pink princess dress, her features sweet and innocent, but her words were sharp as knives.

“Your father’s been detained for embezzlement, hasn’t he? Instead of trying to free him, you’re out here dressed like this, flaunting yourself. No wonder your father raised an ingrate.”

Xia Anran’s face was full of scorn.

Wen Shuang had no desire to quarrel with her.

Just then, a tall, handsome man approached and slipped his arm around Xia Anran’s waist. The intimacy between them stung Wen Shuang’s heart.

Though she and Qin You had already broken up, seeing him with another woman still hurt.

Qin You frowned. “Wen Shuang, are you here to pester me again? My heart belongs only to Anran now. Stop deluding yourself.”

Xia Anran nestled proudly in Qin You’s embrace.

Wen Shuang’s nails dug into her palm.

Qin You’s hypocrisy knew no bounds—just days ago, he’d threatened and coerced her into being his lover, yet now he pretended to be devoted in front of Xia Anran.

Wen Shuang let out a cold laugh. “Qin You, even if every man on earth disappeared, I wouldn’t spare you a glance. You disgust me.”

Qin You’s expression faltered.

Xia Anran snapped, “What right do you have to look down on Brother Qin? He dumped you! Who are you to act so superior? Dressed like this, you’re just here to seduce men!”

A flicker of darkness crossed Qin You’s eyes.

But on the surface, he simply put his arm around Xia Anran’s shoulders. “Don’t bother with women like her. She’s not worth it.”

Wen Shuang’s heart bled with hatred.

How could she have ever fallen for such a hypocritical, heartless man?

…

After several rounds of drinks, Ji Shen entered the hall, dressed in a gradient blue suit and surrounded by a crowd of admirers.

He was tall—imposing in uniform, yet exuding a mature charm in a suit. His entire demeanor was cool and aloof, but the scar at the corner of his eye added a wild allure to his charisma.

The moment he stepped in, all eyes were drawn to him.

The Ji family was the most prestigious among the four great families of the capital, and Ji Shen himself was the youngest captain in the police force.

Countless people sought to connect with him.

Ji Shen remained courteous but detached, maintaining only the most basic politeness.

His friend, Yu Tian, raised a glass in his direction. “Thank you, Officer Ji, for finding the time to attend my birthday banquet. It’s truly an honor.”

Ji Shen’s expression was impassive. “Cut it out.”

Yu Tian’s attention was suddenly drawn to a stunning figure in the corner.

A woman in a mermaid gown, bare-shouldered, curvaceous, with a generous bust and a slender waist.

“Hey, Ji, look at that woman in the blue dress. She’s quite something.”

Ji Shen was in conversation with the president of an electric company. He turned his head casually—only to meet Wen Shuang’s flirtatious, beckoning gaze from afar.

Yu Tian grinned. “That woman’s got her eye on you.”

Ji Shen’s eyes darkened with intrigue, but he turned back. “Mr. Li, your case will have results in three days. There’s nothing more I can tell you now.”

After several rounds of drinks, Ji Shen slipped to the back to change clothes in the dressing room. As he opened the locker, a graceful beauty emerged from within.

“Miss Wen?”

Ji Shen paused abruptly, raising an eyebrow.

Wen Shuang wrapped her arms around his neck like vines. “Officer Ji, I’ve been waiting for you.”

Her pale calves brushed against his tailored trousers.

“Miss Wen, you’re dressed rather daringly tonight.” Many men at the banquet couldn’t keep their eyes off her. Ji Shen’s gaze dropped to her full curves. “You’ve picked quite the hiding spot. Nearly gave me a fright.”

“No wonder your heart is beating so fast, Officer Ji.” Her chest pressed against his firm torso. “If you don’t mind, I can make it up to you.”

With her alluring figure pressed tightly against him, he felt the inevitable reaction of any grown man.

Ji Shen tilted her chin up. “And how will you make it up to me? With your first time?”

A woman who threw herself at him and just happened to fit his tastes—why not give it a try?

Wen Shuang smiled sweetly, temptation in every curve. “Then you must be gentle with me, Officer Ji. I’m… really afraid of pain.”