Everyone at the scene was utterly humiliated.

Qin You was so shocked that he staggered back several steps.

He had once entertained the possibility of a relationship between Wen Shuang and Ji Shen, but the thought lasted only a fleeting second before he firmly dismissed it. He believed that no matter how beautiful Wen Shuang was, she was still his ex-girlfriend; Ji Shen would never be swayed solely by looks.

Yet, against all expectations!

Ji Shen admitted Wen Shuang's place beside him, and even told him to call her "Aunt."

Xia Anran tumbled from her chair, nearly suffering a wardrobe malfunction, and was hastily helped up by two people nearby.

Wen Shuang lifted her head, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Qin You, why aren't you calling me?"

Every gesture she made was graceful and alluring.

With Ji Shen willing to back her, Wen Shuang naturally seized this golden opportunity.

She gazed at the flustered Xia Anran. "You always carry yourself as Qin You's fiancée, so by seniority, you should call me Aunt as well."

This sudden turn of events left everyone utterly dumbfounded!

"Well? Aren't you going to call me?" Ji Shen wrapped his arm around Wen Shuang's shoulders with authority.

Qin You, almost trembling, managed a weak, "...Aunt."

He felt as if his mind had shattered.

His incredulous gaze lingered on the pair.

"And you," Ji Shen fixed his eyes on Xia Anran.

Xia Anran had already experienced Ji Shen's formidable presence in the police interrogation room. "Uncle... Aunt."

Wen Shuang smiled radiantly, "Good girl! Anran, from now on, when you're in front of your Aunt, mind your manners. If you ever make me unhappy, I'll complain to your Uncle."

Ji Shen, ever protective of her in public, declared, "If anyone dares to bully you, I won't let them off!"

Ji Shen was tall, handsome, young, and held immense power.

Qin You and Xia Anran sat there pale-faced, trembling.

Once he sat down, the others in the theater, shocked and awed, hurried over to offer drinks and cigarettes.

Ji Shen waved them off. "Sorry, Shuang can't stand the smell of smoke. Last time I had one, she sulked at me for the whole day."

There was a smile at the corner of his eye. "Of course, I enjoy coaxing her, but I don't want her upset."

Though Ji Shen smoked, Wen Shuang never really minded. She simply disliked the smell; if Ji Shen smoked at home, she would instinctively keep her distance. Eventually, Ji Shen seemed to notice her discomfort and stopped smoking indoors altogether.

Now, with everything laid out in the open, she had been given full respect.

Yao Qianqian chimed in, "Wow! Officer Ji truly dotes on Shuang. Shuang, you are so blessed!"

Ji Shen picked food for Wen Shuang. "I'm the lucky one. Meeting Shuang was my greatest fortune."

At these words, every woman in the room looked on with envy, their eyes tinged with jealousy.

To have such a tall, handsome, distinguished boyfriend who defended her at every turn—Wen Shuang must have saved the galaxy in her past life!

The director and several leaders came over to toast them.

Ji Shen smiled gently. "My Shuang can be temperamental at times. I hope everyone here can be patient with her."

The director laughed. "Shuang is the best in our troupe. With her abilities, she's not far from the next chief. I've had high hopes for her since she joined!"

The director's words were a clear affirmation of Wen Shuang's future position in the troupe.

Several faces turned pale once again.

He Luo gripped her sleeve tightly.

She glanced at Xia Anran, whose complexion was a hundred times worse than her own.

Xia Anran was on the verge of losing her mind!

She had always assumed Wen Shuang was involved with some greasy, overweight man in his fifties or sixties—wealthy, yes, but the kind of vulgar, repulsive middle-aged man one wouldn't even want to look at.

There was no way Wen Shuang could outshine her.

Who could have guessed it was Ji Shen!

The Ji family was several tiers above the Qin family, the foremost of the four great families in the capital, and Ji Shen was its sole heir.

If Wen Shuang truly became his wife, Xia Anran would have no choice but to call Wen Shuang "Aunt."

Xia Anran was nearly maddened by jealousy.

Yet, faced with Ji Shen, she dared not utter a word, digging her nails deep into her palms.

Yao Qianqian refused to let Xia Anran off the hook. "Xia Anran, you spent half a month spreading rumors in the theater that Shuang was involved with a greasy old man, causing her reputation significant harm. Now that Shuang's boyfriend is here, and he's nothing of the sort! Shouldn't you apologize to Shuang?"

"Yes, yes, she was always insinuating things about Wen Shuang. I almost believed it myself!"

"Wen Shuang is stunning—how could she be treated like this?"

Xia Anran bit her lip. "I wasn't the one spreading rumors! I only heard about it when I came back!"

Wen Shuang arched a brow. "But you were the most vocal when it came to mocking me."

In the dance troupe, Xia Anran would mock her three times a day, always loud enough for everyone to hear.

Xia Anran tried desperately to deny it.

Ji Shen commanded, "Apologize."

"Huh? Uncle, I—"

"I said apologize!" Ji Shen set his glass on the table—not heavily, but enough to send a clear threat.

Xia Anran shoved Qin You, hoping he would stand up for her.

But Qin You remained dazed, his gaze fixed on Wen Shuang, filled with regret, unwillingness, and disappointment.

Yao Qianqian laughed again, "Oh dear, Miss Xia, your fiancé is practically mesmerized by Shuang! Aren't you going to do something?"

Qin You snapped back to reality but still didn't speak for Xia Anran.

Xia Anran's flawless makeup was now smudged and caked, yet under Ji Shen's pressure, she reluctantly bowed her head and squeezed out an apology.

"What did you say?" Wen Shuang widened her innocent eyes. "I didn't hear you."

Xia Anran glared at her with hatred.

This damned Wen Shuang was clearly taking the chance to get revenge!

Ji Shen's gaze darkened further.

He idly spun his glass, seeming casual, but his stare was deeply unsettling.

The moment Xia Anran met his eyes, she felt as if she were back in the interrogation room.

"I'm sorry, Wen Shuang! It was me, I misunderstood you. I shouldn't have spread rumors in the troupe and damaged your reputation. It was... my fault!"

That last word, she practically clawed out of her throat.

Wen Shuang looked at her ashen face, finally venting the resentment she'd bottled up for days.

It felt incredibly satisfying!

She curled her lips into a brilliant smile. "Good, I hope you remember not to do it again."

Ji Shen added gravely, "Learn your lesson."

Xia Anran trembled twice, then, humiliated and furious, rushed off to the restroom!

Inside, she sobbed like a child lost without her parents.

She had never suffered such humiliation in her life!

Meanwhile, Qin You remained seated, neither speaking for Xia Anran nor chasing after Wen Shuang.

Ji Shen, displeased with his nephew's infatuated gaze, prompted, "Aren't you going after her?"

"Anran was in the wrong. Chasing her is pointless."

Yao Qianqian sneered, "Qin You, Wen Shuang is your aunt now. Isn't it inappropriate to keep looking at her that way?"

Qin You hurriedly turned his head and went after Xia Anran.

Ji Shen sat at the table, attentive and considerate to Wen Shuang, making everyone envious.

He Luo had a few drinks, found the sight unbearable, and looked away.

At that moment, the doors to the banquet suddenly swung open.

A greasy, wrinkled middle-aged man entered, his eyes lighting up as he spotted He Luo. "Luo Luo, darling, why didn't you invite me to the troupe gathering tonight?"