Officer Ji, what more do you want to explain?

At that moment, Wen Shuang had not yet seen Ji Shen and He Suosuo.

It was Tang Yan who nudged her, frowning. “Shuangshuang, look at the entrance— isn’t that Officer Ji? And who’s that woman beside him?!”

Wen Shuang’s gaze sharpened. He Suosuo clung intimately to Ji Shen’s side, and the man didn’t push her away. They looked for all the world like a golden couple, as if carved from jade. He Suosuo’s smile was dazzling. Wen Shuang watched, helpless, as they took their seats. Disappointment, anger, and countless other emotions welled in her heart.

Ji Shen had clearly told her he was busy tonight, which was why he wouldn’t be home for dinner...

For this evening, she had even taken time off work to prepare a sumptuous meal, hoping for a few more moments of tenderness before his upcoming trip. Who could have guessed Ji Shen would be dining with another woman!

From her vantage point, He Suosuo could see Wen Shuang sitting in the corner. She lifted her brows and sent a provocative glance.

Ji Shen hadn’t noticed Wen Shuang—he saw only He Suosuo’s odd behavior.

“Is your eyelid twitching?” he asked.

He Suosuo hooked her arm through his. “Brother Shen, I don’t want to sit outside. Let’s sit inside instead~”

Ji Shen quickly shook off her hand, voice cold. “If you’re here to eat, then eat. No need for unnecessary gestures.”

He Suosuo stuck out her tongue.

Tang Yan was about to rise. “Who’s that shameless little witch glued to Officer Ji? I’ll tear her apart right now!”

Wen Shuang pulled her back. “He Suosuo is a society heiress, and his childhood friend. It would be too ugly to cause a scene.”

“Damn it, he already has a girlfriend, what’s the point of an old childhood friend?” Tang Yan, fiery as ever, cursed aloud. “No way—I can’t swallow this. If I found my boyfriend lying to me and dining with another woman, I’d flip the table right there!”

Wen Shuang’s eyes grew dim. “Maybe... he never truly considered me his girlfriend.”

Perhaps it was all just a game.

“Shuangshuang! How did a relationship turn you into a victim of manipulation? You used to be the confident, radiant beauty!”

Tang Yan couldn’t stand seeing her best friend so crushed. She was ready to go confront them.

But unexpectedly, He Suosuo came over herself.

She sashayed, full of grace. “Wen Shuang, you saw it, didn’t you? Brother Shen didn’t even glance your way as he walked in.”

She took advantage of Ji Shen’s trip to the restroom to approach Wen Shuang and flaunt her triumph.

Tang Yan slammed the table. “What are you anyway, you little vixen? Our Shuangshuang is Officer Ji’s official girlfriend. What are you doing here, causing trouble?”

He Suosuo, haughty, declared, “Wen Shuang, I might as well tell you directly. Brother Shen never saw you as his girlfriend! Guess where we just came from? We left home together. Aunt Ji adores me—she asked Brother Shen to bring me out for good food. I’m the only daughter-in-law she’s chosen. As for you, Wen Shuang, stop dreaming!”

Wen Shuang laughed coldly. “Regardless, as long as Ji Shen and I haven’t broken up, I am still his girlfriend. What you’re doing now is shameless—behaving like a mistress. Interfering in someone else’s relationship, you take pride in what should be disgrace, your skin is so thick not even a drill could break it!”

Tang Yan applauded, “Well said, Shuangshuang! Women like her, if you curse her, she won’t even understand. You need to slap her hard!”

He Suosuo saw Tang Yan gearing up for a fight. She immediately hurled a venomous parting shot: “Wen Shuang, don’t even dream of becoming a phoenix. Brother Shen only finds you novel, you’re just a passing amusement!”

Tang Yan retorted, “Damn it, what are you anyway? I bet he doesn’t even want to play with you!”

Wen Shuang could see Ji Shen returning from the restroom, sitting across from He Suosuo. He Suosuo deliberately rested her hand on his shoulder, glancing toward Wen Shuang. From Wen Shuang’s angle, their posture was unmistakably intimate.

Her fingers unconsciously clenched tighter and tighter.

She sent a message to Ji Shen: [Where are you?]

Ji Shen felt that He Suosuo was particularly odd and annoying tonight. She was always talkative, but tonight she was even worse, chattering about trivial matters and constantly touching his hand.

Ji Shen’s voice was icy. “Miss He, please behave yourself.”

He Suosuo bit her lip. “Brother Shen, I really like you. My parents want us together, too. Why don’t you break up with Wen Shuang and be with me?”

“Don’t even think about it.” Ji Shen rejected her without hesitation. “There’s no possibility between us. If you still harbor feelings for me, I advise you to give up now. I have no interest in you whatsoever!”

The only reason he was dining with He Suosuo was because of Madam Ji and the connections between the Ji and He families.

If he didn’t take He Suosuo out, his mother, so concerned with appearances, would be tormented all night. In the end, it would be his father and himself who’d suffer her complaints.

Ji Shen only wanted to finish the meal quickly—Wen Shuang was still waiting at home.

But He Suosuo ate slowly, constantly asking trivial questions. Compared to her, Ji Shen realized just how considerate Wen Shuang was. At least, whenever he was with Wen Shuang, he felt comfortable, never as restless as he did now.

He felt irritated.

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Ji Shen saw Wen Shuang’s text, then glanced at He Suosuo across from him.

Ji Shen: [I’m having dinner.]

Wen Shuang stared at the scene before her, pressing further: [Where are you having dinner, and with whom?]

Ji Shen rarely received such questions from Wen Shuang when he worked overtime. Her persistent questioning tonight was unusual.

Ji Shen hesitated, then didn’t reply. If he said he was with He Suosuo, Wen Shuang would be upset—better to say nothing.

But the next message appeared.

[So you stood me up to have dinner with He Suosuo!]

Ji Shen was startled, lifting his head.

He Suosuo smiled sweetly. “What’s wrong, Brother Shen? Are you about to agree to see a movie with me?”

Ji Shen turned, and finally saw Wen Shuang’s face—full of disappointment!

He was shaken.

He hadn’t expected Wen Shuang to be sitting just behind them.

He Suosuo followed his gaze and pretended to notice Wen Shuang for the first time. “Oh, Sister Wen Shuang is dining here tonight as well.”

Wen Shuang abruptly stood and left.

Tang Yan chased after her.

Ji Shen hurried after them. He Suosuo was instantly dissatisfied, calling out from behind, “Brother Shen, where are you going? Our dinner isn’t finished yet!”

Ji Shen caught up quickly. “Shuangshuang, please let me explain!”

Wen Shuang stopped as he pulled her back.

She raised her almond-shaped eyes, once full of affection, now icy cold.

“Officer Ji, what is there to explain? Are you going to explain why you stood me up tonight, only to share dinner with your childhood sweetheart?”