Ji Shen had actually lied to her!

Xia Anran was utterly furious. Smashing the bag was not enough; she lashed out at Qin You with her fists and feet. Qin You could no longer bear it and roared, "Enough! Stop it!"

Xia Anran was stunned. "Brother Qin, you actually try to placate me for that vile woman Wen Shuang! Are you saying you don’t want to marry me anymore?"

At that moment, Qin You looked at the contorted rage on Xia Anran’s face, at her sharp claws, and thought—where was the gentle, watery look she once wore when she seduced him? It had all been a lie.

Enraged, Xia Anran slapped Qin You. "Speak! If you are a real man, tell me now—do you choose Wen Shuang or me? No, wait, that little tramp isn’t even an option for you anymore, because your uncle has already slept with her. Ha! Who knows how many times she’s been used—such a worthless woman!"

Qin You finally snapped. "Shut up!"

This was the first time since they had been together that Qin You spoke to Xia Anran so harshly.

Xia Anran was dumbstruck. "You—you actually told me to shut up for that tramp!"

Qin You’s left cheek burned from her slap. "Xia Anran, you’ve hit me, you’ve insulted me—what else do you want? If you keep acting like this, we might as well break up!"

With that, he strode off, no longer showing her the gentle care he used to.

Xia Anran was completely panicked. She kept calling after Qin You, but he never looked back—not even once.

It was over.

Her Brother Qin didn’t want her anymore.

When Xia Anran got home, she was like a soul without a body. Her parents asked what was wrong; she shook her head, dazed, and went upstairs alone.

Xia Hanyan saw her in this state and came over to ask. The moment Xia Anran saw her brother, the string in her heart snapped. "Brother, oh, Qin You wants to break up with me because of that vile Wen Shuang! What should I do?"

...

In the end, the breakup didn’t happen.

Xia Hanyan personally went to warn Qin You. With Xia Anran’s admission of her fault, she became obedient to Qin You, never daring to speak ill of Wen Shuang before him again.

But the seed had been planted.

Once the thought of breaking up enters a man’s mind, it grows deeper and deeper, until one day he can no longer endure.

...

Two weeks later.

Ji Shen received orders from his superiors to go on a business trip.

This time, Wen Shuang knew in advance about his trip and specially took leave from the theater. At home, she prepared a sumptuous dinner, hoping to share a beautiful evening with him before his departure.

After these months together, she found her feelings for him deepening. She was certain—she had fallen for Ji Shen.

Wen Shuang decorated the house warmly and beautifully.

Suddenly, the man called, "Sorry, Shuangshuang, something’s happened at home. I’ll be back late; you should eat first."

Though slightly disappointed, Wen Shuang respected his affairs. She gently said it was all right and urged him to tend to his family.

Ji Shen had indeed received a sudden call from home after work. He thought it was his mother stirring trouble again, but the butler called to say that Madam Ji had suddenly taken ill after arguing with Mr. Ji and was feeling worse.

Ji Shen knew his mother was always difficult. He immediately drove home.

He entered quickly, bringing with him the evening breeze. The servants hurried to help him with his shoes and coat.

Ji Shen asked, "How’s my mother?"

Then he looked up.

"Ah Shen, you’re home!"

Madam Ji, who had supposedly been bedridden, sat dazzlingly on the sofa. A petite figure dashed over, "Brother Shen!"

He Suosuo’s smile was radiant.

Ji Shen saw Madam He and Madam Ji sitting together, and immediately understood why his mother had urgently summoned him home.

It was a matchmaking dinner.

She feared he wouldn’t agree to return if she simply asked, so she used her own health as leverage.

Ji Shen ignored He Suosuo’s enthusiasm and walked straight to the living room. "Is this the bedridden state you mentioned on the phone? You seem perfectly energetic to me!"

Madam Ji was embarrassed by Ji Shen’s blunt words.

"Ah Shen, what nonsense are you saying as soon as you walk in?" She called He Suosuo over, "This is your sister Suosuo, and this is Madam He. Don’t you remember how you and Suosuo played together as children? Now she’s back from studying abroad, grown into a beautiful young lady. You two should get to know each other!"

Madam He appraised Ji Shen with satisfaction. "Ah Shen is becoming more and more impressive. Truly the most promising young man in Jinghai! Our Suosuo has adored her Brother Shen since childhood, always calling for him. She’s so happy to be back."

He Suosuo sweetly called him Brother Shen again.

Ji Shen still paid her no heed.

"Have you heard the story of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’? A trick only works once." He said coolly, "Mother, I promise you—even if you’re really hospitalized next time, I’ll still think you’re lying to me."

His words wiped the smile from Madam Ji’s face.

"Ah Shen! What do you mean?"

"You’re smart enough—you should know exactly what I mean."

"In front of Madam Chen, you won’t give me any respect at all?"

Madam Ji was a woman who valued appearances, the leading lady among the families, never losing face to anyone.

Ji Shen was silent.

Madam Chen hurried to smooth things over. "Oh, it’s just mother and son—no grudges overnight! This is all my fault, coming so abruptly!"

"Not abrupt at all. It’s Ah Shen’s lack of manners that embarrassed you."

"Ah Shen is anything but ill-mannered. Even abroad, I heard he’s already captain of the criminal investigation team in Jinghai. In a few years, he’ll surely rise even higher!"

Ji Shen watched the two women exchange polite words, his patience waning.

He turned to leave.

Madam Ji called out, "Ah Shen, you can go—but take your sister Suosuo with you. She hasn’t eaten yet. You young people can dine together. Madam Chen and I have a mahjong game tonight; we won’t intrude and make you feel awkward."

He Suosuo responded instantly, "Yes, Auntie!"

She naturally took Ji Shen’s arm. "Brother Shen, let’s eat together! I want Japanese food!"

Ji Shen frowned, shook off her hand, and remarked about propriety between men and women.

Wen Shuang, who had planned to eat alone at home, received a call from Tang Yan inviting her to dinner. Since Ji Shen wouldn’t be coming home, she agreed.

They went to a Japanese restaurant.

Just as they were settling in and chatting, Ji Shen arrived—accompanied by He Suosuo.