Remember to bring your old baby along.

When she returned home, Ji Shen was standing on the balcony in the living room. A cigarette rested between his fingers as he exhaled clouds of smoke. The man’s profile was handsome, and the act of smoking lent him an effortless masculine charm. As soon as he saw Wen Shuang come in, he immediately stubbed out the cigarette.

There had been a time before when, as he smoked, Wen Shuang couldn’t help herself and coughed several times. He knew she wasn’t used to secondhand smoke, so whenever Wen Shuang was home, he made a point to rein in his craving for nicotine.

“Why are you back so late today?” Ji Shen had been working overtime and assumed Wen Shuang was already home, so he hadn’t gone to pick her up. To his surprise, the house was empty when he arrived.

Wen Shuang explained that the troupe had rehearsals in the afternoon, which delayed her. “You’ve worked hard, Shuang.”

The house was cold, so Ji Shen planned to take Wen Shuang out for dinner. “It’s fine, I’ll cook,” Wen Shuang said, rolling up her sleeves and heading to the kitchen.

Ji Shen caught her arm. “No need. You’ve been dancing all day—it’s exhausting work. You come home and cook as well? You’re not a hired housekeeper; there’s no need for this.”

Wen Shuang had already donned her new teddy bear apron, swiftly tying her hair into a high bun that revealed her white, smooth neck. “Restaurants aren’t always clean, but home-cooked meals are reliable. Shen, go rest in the living room. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

She took ingredients from the fridge and prepared a few simple dishes. Seeing her determination, Ji Shen didn’t insist further. In truth, he’d missed her cooking during his recent business trips.

Her cooking was different from the refined fare of five-star hotels—it was warm and homely. You might grow tired of luxury, but never of a home-cooked meal.

Wen Shuang had been watching her weight lately, so she ate very little. Ji Shen, on the other hand, cleaned his plate, finishing all four dishes and the soup.

“Shen, is it really that delicious?” Wen Shuang was delighted by his praise.

Ji Shen smiled, “It’s delicious, and very homely.”

He’d always eaten exquisite meals at banquets, old family estates, or clan gatherings—never had he tasted the warmth of Wen Shuang’s home cooking. Now, his stomach had been spoiled by her. He craved it after just a few days without.

Wen Shuang’s eyes sparkled. “Maybe I shouldn’t dance tomorrow. I could just open a restaurant.”

“Teacher Wen,” Ji Shen set down his chopsticks, “I’m rather possessive. You should cook just for me.”

Wen Shuang paused.

Did Ji Shen mean… they would have a long future together? She didn’t dare dwell on it and got up to clear the dishes.

Ji Shen stopped her. “Shuang, just leave them in the sink. Auntie will come to clean in the morning.”

“But…”

“No buts. A woman’s hands are for manicures, arranging flowers, or dancing—not for washing dishes.” Ji Shen always understood the women around him.

His mother, since he could remember, was the epitome of someone whose hands never touched spring water. He had never seen her in the kitchen, and those hands were always carefully maintained at great expense.

Ji Shen gently held Wen Shuang’s pale fingertips; he wanted to cherish her, not let her become his maid.

Wen Shuang smiled, “Officer Ji is truly considerate of women.”

Back when she was with Qin You, he would repeatedly hint that a woman, once married, should know how to handle household chores. Even if they hired help, being able to cook and clean was essential—a good woman needed to be both capable in the living room and the kitchen, responsible for bearing and raising children.

She’d argued with Qin You many times over this. Why should women be confined to the home? Was housework and childbearing inherently a woman’s duty?

Qin You had tried to placate her several times, but Wen Shuang knew it was only superficial; his chauvinism hadn’t changed. Yet, foolishly, she enrolled in cooking classes for his sake.

Luckily, she was talented; the more she cooked, the more she enjoyed it herself.

Before meeting Ji Shen, she’d assumed all men thought this way.

Ji Shen was different.

She was surprised.

“I’m not considerate to other women,” Ji Shen said, lifting Wen Shuang into his arms. “I only pamper mine.”

He carried her into the bedroom, and they went about what had become their nightly ritual…

Xia Anran was originally supposed to rest for half a month. However, afraid her ballet would be overtaken by Wen Shuang, she returned a week early. Hearing all the rumors about Wen Shuang in the troupe, she couldn’t stop grinning.

Even when Director Su assigned Xia Anran as the lead in He Luo’s ballet, she didn’t cause a scene. Instead, she grew close to He Luo, walking arm-in-arm like twin sisters.

The two continued to spread rumors, insisting that during university Wen Shuang relied on men for everything, implying all her awards were earned in bed.

Yao Qianqian was furious. “Unbelievable! Xia Anran and He Luo are too much. Today they persuaded the dean to host a banquet on Saturday, commanding everyone to attend—those with male partners must bring them! Shuang, they’re clearly trying to humiliate you.”

Wen Shuang knew perfectly well. She’d seen the dean’s group message: bring your partner if you have one.

Xia Anran even invited their old university classmates, saying it would be lively.

“They don’t want a party—they have ulterior motives! Shuang, just ask for leave and skip it. I bet you’ll be their target if you go,” Yao Qianqian advised.

Wen Shuang didn’t want to go either. Not because she was afraid, but she didn’t want to waste her time and energy on irrelevant people. She’d rather spend it honing her dance.

The next moment, Xia Anran tagged everyone in the group: “Saturday at six, no absences allowed! Anyone who doesn’t show up will be fined five thousand!”

Yao Qianqian said, “See? She’s deliberately targeting you!”

Everyone quickly replied in succession.

“Got it, we’ll be there. Our goal is to empty the dean’s wallet!”

“Who would miss a dean’s treat? We’ll definitely come!”

“Of course we’ll come—if you don’t, you must be guilty!”

…

Wen Shuang ignored them.

As she changed to leave, Xia Anran blocked her at the door, lips curled in a smug smile. “Wen Shuang, remember to bring your old baby on Saturday. Whether he’s a mule or a horse, bring him out so we can all see!”

Wen Shuang: “Move.”

“Oh, don’t get so angry.” Knowing Wen Shuang was dating a greasy CEO, Xia Anran was delighted. “I’ll bring Brother Qin too. We won’t leave until we see each other!”