I told you to return everything to me!

The two of them tangled together for more than three hours, drenched in sweat. Wen Shuang hadn’t slept well since the latter half of last night, had danced all day, and now was being relentlessly claimed by the man on the bed—she felt utterly spent, as if her very being was about to fall apart.

Ji Shen, still insatiable, pressed kisses to the smooth curve of her back. “Teacher Wen, do you have any strength left? How about one more time?”

He was truly addicted to her, never getting enough, no matter how much he had.

Wen Shuang could only wave her hand in surrender. “Shen, please, have mercy! I have to dance all day again tomorrow.”

Remembering that this was her first taste of such intimacy, Ji Shen finally released his mischievous hands.

“Was it exciting, your first day dancing with the troupe?”

“It really was. It feels like the dream I’ve been looking forward to has finally come true.” At the mention of dance, Wen Shuang’s eyes sparkled. “And on my very first day, Director Su noticed me and let me dance the lead female role!”

“My Shuangshuang is amazing,” Ji Shen replied, though he was not at all surprised. The last time Wen Shuang had danced for him, he’d known she was destined for great things in the world of dance.

“Did anyone bully you?”

Wen Shuang lifted her chin with pride. “No one would dare bully me!”

“You’re wonderful, my Shuangshuang.”

There was a captivating blend of innocence and allure about her; her beauty carried a purity that left Ji Shen utterly enthralled.

He was so enamored, in fact, that he didn’t let her go for an entire week. Even on nights when he worked late into the small hours, his first act upon returning home was to wake the sleeping beauty in his bed.

And so Wen Shuang grew used to waking halfway through the night to the sensation of a warm body pressing over her. At first, she would startle, but soon it became a familiar routine.

Ji Shen was vigorous, relentless—several rounds each night, each lasting at least an hour, leaving her powerless to resist. By morning, her legs were weak and trembling.

One afternoon, Tang Yan bumped into her. “Shuangshuang, you’re positively glowing these days—like a ripened peach! Officer Ji must be doing a fine job in bed.”

Wen Shuang bit her lip and flashed a bewitching smile. “He’s very good. I’m enjoying it immensely.”

...

Ji Shen’s grandmother called to ask if he had finally won her over.

A faint smile touched Ji Shen’s lips. “Don’t worry, Grandmother. I’ve already succeeded.”

He was, in fact, nurturing her delicately at home, like a prized rose.

“You did it! That’s wonderful!” His grandmother sounded as delighted as if she herself had won a prize. “Well, you must bring her to see me when you have a chance. I really like Shuangshuang—she’s beautiful, well-mannered, a truly good child!”

Ji Shen replied, “Not just yet. My mother is home.”

Madam Ji and the old lady had always disagreed on these matters. The former insisted he marry someone from a renowned family; the latter cared only for character and obedience. Their differing views meant the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had never been harmonious.

His grandmother grew indignant. “Why should you care about her? I’ve told her countless times, our family’s status is secure enough—we don’t need to consolidate with some arranged marriage. But your mother loves to compare notes with her society friends, always making things difficult for you. Pay her no mind! My birthday’s next month—just bring Shuangshuang to the celebration!”

She was decisive, brooking no argument.

Ji Shen chuckled, replying with a respectful, “As you wish.”

He was, indeed, very fond of Wen Shuang.

She was delicate, but not spoiled; alluring, but never wanton—exactly to his taste.

But... marriage was still far too soon. Their relationship hadn’t reached that point, and who could say if it ever would?

Since joining the dance troupe, Wen Shuang’s performance had only grown more outstanding. She was a born dancer, lighting up the stage—among a crowd, all eyes were drawn to her. Her beauty was striking, her movements exquisite, her technique superb.

Her performance in “Wang Zhaojun Rides Beyond the Frontier” was a resounding success, earning unprecedented acclaim. Tickets for every show sold out instantly!

Her name quickly became renowned. Everyone in the dance world knew that a new star had risen at the provincial theatre: Wen Shuang, the prodigy, who, after three months of silence post-graduation, had returned with a vengeance.

Director Su assigned her the lead roles in “Gathering Vetch” and “The White-Haired Girl.” He even wanted to give her the starring role in “Copper Sparrow Branch,” but Wen Shuang declined, saying she couldn’t take on so many productions at once.

In truth, she could have managed, but “Copper Sparrow Branch” was currently led by Yao Qianqian, who had always treated Wen Shuang with genuine warmth. She didn’t want to take something from her friend; instead, she recommended Yao Qianqian for the leading role in her own production.

Yao Qianqian was deeply touched when she learned of this. “Shuangshuang! Life is always better with you by my side.”

Wen Shuang replied, “You’re my benefactor. If I don’t treat you well, who will?”

...

After some time spent recovering, Xia Anran finally returned to the theatre, her emotions fully settled. She had imagined her comeback would be met with excitement and a warm welcome.

Yet, as she entered the rehearsal hall and saw the dance drama being staged, she froze.

The woman at the center of the stage moved with breathtaking grace, her sleeves streaming as she spun and leapt—a vision of elegance.

It was Wen Shuang!

How could she be here in the dance troupe? Hadn’t Xia Anran already dealt with her...?

Fury threatened to make Xia Anran explode.

When the dance ended, she stormed backstage. “Wen Shuang, what are you doing here? Who let you in?”

Wen Shuang was facing the mirror, calmly removing her makeup.

“Of course the director let me in. I didn’t just appear out of thin air, did I?”

“The director? There’s no way he would let you in!” Xia Anran had already bribed the director before, but after her own incident, he had brought Wen Shuang in anyway.

Back in university, Xia Anran was always a step behind Wen Shuang. When Wen Shuang danced “A Touch of Rouge,” she performed “Yearning Thoughts”—water sleeves versus a fan. Even at the Peach and Plum Cup, she couldn’t surpass Wen Shuang, managing only an Excellence Award.

So she stole Wen Shuang’s man; when Qin You abandoned Wen Shuang for her, she felt supremely vindicated—finally, she’d bested her rival at something.

Upon graduation, she entered the province’s most prestigious theatre, used her connections to edge Wen Shuang out, and became the leading lady for three months. She was just one step away from the principal’s position when Wen Shuang reappeared!

And Wen Shuang was still Qin You’s ex-girlfriend, a constant threat to her standing.

How could Xia Anran, freshly released from prison, not be furious?

“Wen Shuang, ‘Wang Zhaojun Rides Beyond the Frontier’ is my dance drama! Give it back to me immediately!”

“I’ve already performed it three times. The audience knows my face now, and it was Director Su who assigned it to me. If you’re not satisfied, take it up with him. Don’t come to me looking for a fight!”

Face to face, Wen Shuang was not the least bit intimidated by Xia Anran.

Xia Anran, who had always had her way in the theatre, had never suffered such humiliation. She snapped, and with a sweep of her arm, sent Wen Shuang’s cosmetics crashing to the floor.

“I said, give it back to me!”