His woman was truly breathtakingly beautiful!

When Wen Shuang began to dance, she was completely immersed in her performance. In her eyes, there was no audience—only the world she melted into.

The character of Wang Zhaojun she portrayed carried a note of sorrow from the very beginning. At first, she wore only a thin garment, working in the Laundry Bureau, where all the palace maids threw their clothes at her for washing. Because of her innate beauty, she was ostracized by everyone.

Later, when the marriage alliance to the northern frontier was arranged, she alone had not bribed the court painter, and so she was chosen—sent off to the north, alone.

On the day of her departure, Wang Zhaojun wore a crimson robe and cradled a pipa in her arms. In the wind and snow of the northern frontier, she stood before the procession that would send her away. That flash of red was dazzling, yet tinged with sorrow, fluttering wildly in the wind.

As she was about to leave, she looked up and saw wild geese flying overhead, her eyes brimming with tears.

Accompanied by hauntingly beautiful music, some of the more tender-hearted women in the audience below couldn’t help but weep along with her.

A man watched the graceful figure on stage, his gaze never wavering.

President Lin was also in attendance tonight. Last time, he hadn’t managed to intercept Wen Shuang, and the thought still rankled him. He’d said he was determined to win her over tonight.

But unexpectedly, he spotted another man and, taken aback, greeted him, “Young Master Xia.”

Xia Hanyan glanced up. “President Lin, you’re as enthusiastic as ever.”

“Likewise, Young Master Xia, you have an appreciation for the arts too,” Lin replied with a coarse laugh. “It’s hard not to when Miss Wen dances so beautifully. Ever since I saw her last time, I haven’t been able to forget her.”

They were both men—the meaning in their words was perfectly clear.

Xia Hanyan picked up his cup of tea. “What a coincidence. I feel the same way.”

President Lin’s expression darkened.

Xia Hanyan meant to compete with him for her. He’d blocked him last time, and it seemed it would be the same now.

Unwilling to leave empty-handed, President Lin picked another, slightly less dazzling dancer from the performance and sent someone to inquire about her.

Soon, the secretary returned. “Her name is He Luo. She’s available. The price is two hundred thousand for one night.”

“Then her it is!”

Though President Lin agreed readily, his eyes remained fixed on Wen Shuang. The next time an opportunity arose, he swore he would not let this Wen Shuang slip away.

With a body as exquisite as ice and jade on stage, she would certainly be delightful in bed as well!

Two hours passed.

The dance finally came to an end.

Wen Shuang spun gracefully in her red dress as the curtain slowly fell. Many in the audience were still yearning for more.

All the performers came out for the curtain call. The director took the microphone on stage, introducing Wen Shuang as the lead of their production, and the applause thundered.

Coming out of the world of dance and seeing so many people in the audience, Wen Shuang was momentarily stunned.

Though she had performed many times at university, she had never witnessed such a packed house.

Her gaze froze!

In the corner stood a tall, familiar figure with wild, rugged features.

Ji Shen!

Even across the distance, she could spot him in an instant.

She was astonished.

Hadn’t he just told her two nights ago that he couldn’t make it? And now, here he was!

Wen Shuang was dazed.

Even when the director handed her the microphone, she barely reacted. It wasn’t until Yao Qianqian tugged at her sleeve that she snapped back to reality and began to speak, thanking everyone in the audience for coming.

She didn’t forget to express her gratitude to her fellow dancers, the hardworking lighting technicians, and Director Su, who had tirelessly guided them through endless revisions.

Finally, the entire troupe bowed to the audience.

The applause was thunderous.

They had all agreed beforehand to go to a hotel for dinner after the show. But after spotting Ji Shen, Wen Shuang could think of nothing else.

She hurried back to the dressing room, intending to change her clothes.

But as soon as she entered, someone blocked her way.

“Miss Wen.”

That familiar, overwhelming presence swept over her.

Wen Shuang immediately threw herself into his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck. “Didn’t you say you couldn’t come? Why are you here all of a sudden? You gave me such a fright on stage!”

A rush of joy exploded in her mind, leaving her blank.

“I could tell. When the director handed you the microphone, you just stood there, speechless,” Ji Shen said with a smile in his eyes, his large hand tracing her graceful figure. “Shuangshuang, you were stunning tonight. Even more beautiful than I imagined.”

He had finished apprehending a suspect at three in the morning two days ago. After handling all the formalities, he’d immediately driven for seven or eight hours to get back. Along the way, Xiao Zhang kept teasing him, saying Captain Ji was driving like a rocket for the sake of his sister-in-law!

Ji Shen had indeed missed Wen Shuang.

He also remembered his promise to her—to watch her dance.

Since he had the time, he hurried back as fast as he could.

After watching the entire performance, Ji Shen was grateful he had raced back under the stars. Missing such a visual feast would have been a real tragedy.

He had seen Wen Shuang dance before—she had performed for him at home, and he had been mesmerized. But tonight’s production brought him an entirely new experience.

It was a grand, tragic, and breathtaking feast for the senses.

For the first time, Wen Shuang was praised so directly by Ji Shen, and she blushed. “...I still have a lot of room for improvement.”

“In my eyes, you’re already perfect.” The man’s voice was thick with emotion as he held her slender waist, his breath hot and urgent. “Coming back to the dance company was the best choice for you. Here, you can truly shine.”

After days apart, the moment he breathed in her scent, he couldn’t help but touch her.

Wen Shuang let out a soft whimper. “Stop—it’s still the dressing room. If someone comes in, it’ll be terribly awkward!”

“But I can’t help myself.”

Without another word, Ji Shen captured her lips in a deep, lingering kiss.

Outside, other actors began to gather.

Yao Qianqian and Luo Xingwei were looking for Wen Shuang to head to the celebration dinner but couldn’t find her.

They called out from outside.

“Shuangshuang! Where did you go? Time to eat!”

“Wen Shuang, are you changing clothes?” Luo Xingwei knocked on the dressing room door.

Wen Shuang trembled twice in Ji Shen’s arms, her heart pounding with nerves. Ji Shen, however, remained against her shoulder, indulging in her sweetness.

Wen Shuang tried to steady her voice. “...I’m changing, don’t come in!”

“Shuangshuang, hurry up then. Once you’re done, let’s go eat. The director’s treating us tonight!” Yao Qianqian, hearing her voice, hurried over as well.

At that moment, Ji Shen was nipping at Wen Shuang’s neck.

He loved the thrill of being on the edge.

Wen Shuang gasped and tried to push him away, but the man was as immovable as iron.

“You guys... you go ahead. I suddenly feel a bit tired tonight, so I’ll skip dinner!”

Yao Qianqian, being a woman with plenty of experience herself, instantly caught the unusual edge in Wen Shuang’s tone. She immediately dragged Luo Xingwei away.

“All right then, Shuangshuang, you carry on! We’ll go ahead!”