I think the widowed girl would make the best granddaughter-in-law for me!

The man's voice was firm and forceful.

Mrs. Ji was nearly beside herself with anger. "A-Shen! Are you out of your mind? With your current status, your looks and talent, marrying into any prominent family would be a perfect match! Yet you insist on being in love with an actress—what can she possibly bring you?"

"I'm not seeking love for status or honor—it's purely for my own happiness." Ji Shen, seeing his mother so obstinate, let his tone grow cold. "I'm old enough now to make my own choices."

"But your choice is wrong! The ones I've arranged for you are right!" Mrs. Ji persisted.

A cold smile curved at Ji Shen's lips. "What makes you so sure you're right?"

He stood, unwilling to continue the conversation.

Yet Mrs. Ji pressed on relentlessly, "I don't care—you're to break up with that dancer at once! Our Ji family will never let such a woman through our doors."

Ji Shen ignored her.

She knew her son had always been stubborn since childhood. If he left now, he might not come home again for ten days or half a month.

She tried a different tactic, conceding a step. "Fine, have your little romance if you must, but don't even think about marriage. Look, you don't like Chen Manli, but now Suo Suo is back. You grew up together—why not give her a chance?"

Ji Shen's brows knit with sharp intuition. "So it was He Suo Suo who told you about this."

Mrs. Ji faltered, then replied, "How I know this is none of your concern. There's no such thing as an airtight wall!"

"So it was her," Ji Shen concluded. As a police officer who'd interrogated countless suspects, he was adept at reading micro-expressions. "I'm not the least bit interested in a gossiping busybody."

"A-Shen, stop being difficult. You're twenty-eight this year, twenty-nine next. A man should be settled by thirty—you ought to be married!"

At these words, a strong yet aged voice resounded from upstairs.

"A-Shen should indeed get married. But I don't like that girl from the He family either. Shuangshuang is still the best!" Grandmother had appeared at some point. "Don't meddle so much. I think A-Shen has excellent taste!"

Mrs. Ji turned, her expression sour, and addressed her mother-in-law.

"Grandmother, why are you still up so late?"

Ji Shen stepped forward to steady the old lady.

"You two were arguing so loudly downstairs, how could I possibly sleep?" Grandmother scolded. Then she turned to Mrs. Ji, saying she was too controlling. At his age, what mattered was his own happiness. Besides, she’d met Wen Shuang and liked her—a far cry from all those social climbers just looking to marry into wealth.

"But her family background..." Mrs. Ji protested.

"So what if her background is lacking? Our Ji family already stands at the pinnacle of the capital. Pin Yun, all these years you've been too fixated on status—it really doesn't matter at all." The old lady smiled at Ji Shen. "I like that Wen Shuang a lot. Keep seeing her, and don't let her suffer. And next month, for my birthday banquet, you must bring her along!"

With Grandmother's word, Ji Shen smiled and agreed, "Of course, I'll bring her for you to meet."

Beside them, Mrs. Ji's face was so dark it was beyond unpleasant—black as the bottom of a pot. Yet in this house, Grandmother always had the final say. Mrs. Ji could not refute her.

"It's late. You work hard enough—go get some rest!"

When Ji Shen returned home, Wen Shuang had already fallen asleep on the sofa, dozing off in a haze.

Women were always like this.

Whenever he worked late, she would curl up in the living room, leaving a light on, waiting for him to return.

The way Wen Shuang slept was pure and inviting, beautiful and serene. Dressed in long-sleeved pajamas, her delicate face was as exquisite as a painted rose, long lashes fluttering slightly.

It awakened the softest part of Ji Shen's heart.

In truth, his relationship with Wen Shuang was simply romantic companionship—he had not considered a future together. But for now, he couldn't be without her.

Afraid she might catch a chill, Ji Shen bent down and lifted her into his arms, carrying her into the bedroom.

Wen Shuang soon woke, inhaling the familiar masculine scent. Her voice, still husky with sleep, murmured, "...Shen, you're back."

"I told you to go to bed first. You didn't have to wait up."

She stuck out her tongue. "I didn't mean to—I just dozed off while waiting for you."

"Silly piglet."

Ji Shen laid her gently on the big bed. "Grandmother's birthday is next month. She wants you to come to the party."

At these words, Wen Shuang instantly shook off her drowsiness. "Really? I can go to Grandmother's birthday celebration?"

"Of course. She told me herself tonight. She likes you very much—she always asks how we're getting along," Ji Shen said, affectionately tweaking her nose. "She’s always so happy when I mention you."

Wen Shuang never expected Grandmother to have such strong affection for her—it left her flustered and overwhelmed.

"I have to think carefully about what to give her as a present..."

"Don't worry, there's still half a month. No need to rush. She said it doesn't have to be expensive—it's the thought that counts!"

Wen Shuang thought to herself, Even if she wanted to give something expensive... she had no money...

Because of this, Wen Shuang was so excited she barely slept all night.

To her, this was a matter of great importance.

Grandmother’s invitation meant she acknowledged Wen Shuang’s status as Ji Shen’s girlfriend. Did this also mean that she and Ji Shen… might one day be more than just boyfriend and girlfriend?

Could there be a future for them?

Wen Shuang began to dream.

The next day.

Mrs. Ji, steeling herself, called Mrs. Chen to clarify matters between Ji Shen and Chen Manli. She was prepared to admit that her son had acted inappropriately. If the Chen family wanted compensation, she would do her best to oblige.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the call connected, Mrs. Chen apologized first. "Mrs. Ji, I actually have something to discuss with you!"

"Let me speak first, I truly am so—"

"My matter is more urgent! Pardon me, Mrs. Ji, but it’s about my daughter Manli. It’s a little embarrassing." Mrs. Chen stammered. Mrs. Ji sensed her tone and immediately held her tongue.

"You see, I always thought she and Ji Shen were dating. But just these past few days, I discovered she’s been completely infatuated by some young man on a motorcycle! After I caught her, she threw a fit at home and said she had no interest in Shen at all. I’m so sorry, Mrs. Ji!"