He deliberately dirtied her clothes!

The atmosphere at the table suddenly grew stiff.

The adults present all looked a little unnatural.

At last, Old Lady Ji coughed once. "All right, it's all in the past. Why bring him up for no reason? As long as the two of them are living in peace now, isn't that wonderful?"

With a loving smile, she夹了一只大鸡腿给温孀. "Shuangshuang, you're too thin. Eat more!"

Wen Shuang smiled softly. "Thank you, Grandma."

"You silly child, from now on we're all family. Why are you still being so polite?"

As Ning Su ate, her gaze kept drifting toward Wen Shuang.

This child really was too much like her when she was young.

After dinner, the group moved to the ballroom. In a little while, the dance was about to begin.

Ji Shen had originally planned to enter with Wen Shuang, but then he received an urgent call from the police bureau. It seemed to involve a serious case, not suitable for discussion in front of others.

Wen Shuang thoughtfully said, "It's fine. Go take the call first. I can wander outside for a while by myself."

Ji Shen kissed her. "Don't go far. I'll come find you once I finish the call."

Wen Shuang spent the whole evening at the mansion, enduring a tangled mix of tension, embarrassment, emotion, and flattered disbelief.

She needed time alone to process everything and calm down.

The Ji family residence was vast.

She wandered without direction, yet did not dare go too far, afraid Ji Shen would not be able to find her when he came looking.

After what had happened at the table, she actually had quite a lot she wanted to ask Ji Shen.

She wanted to know whether that Miss Jiang had once had some connection with him. Otherwise, why would the adults speak of her with such guarded reluctance? And she had never once seen Ji Shen look so uneasy.

"Wen Shuang, so you were hiding here!"

He Suosuo had originally intended to go out looking for Ji Shen, but instead she saw Wen Shuang in the pavilion in the back garden. Instantly, anger surged in her chest. "Don't think just because Grandma likes you, you can enter the Ji family. Aunt Ji will absolutely never agree!"

Wen Shuang lowered her head and brushed at her skirt. "So what if she doesn't like me? Grandma Ji said I don't need to care what other people think."

"Brother Shen is only playing with you!"

He Suosuo said furiously, "From the way you look, you probably don't even know Jiang Ning, do you? Jiang Ning is Madam Ning's daughter. She's a top international film star, on a completely different level from a dance actress like you. She was Brother Shen's first love too. They dated for a full four years! Their feelings were deep beyond words. If they hadn't broken up back then, it would never be your turn to stand beside Brother Shen now."

So they really had dated.

Seeing the faint start of surprise on Wen Shuang's face, He Suosuo said smugly, "So I advise you not to keep dreaming! In Brother Shen's heart, it's always been Jiang Ning all these years. He only reluctantly stayed with you because your eyes look a little like hers. Do you know how far he once went for Jiang Ning? That's something you, Wen Shuang, will never compare to."

"And so what?" Wen Shuang steadied herself and said calmly, "Even if they once had a love that was etched into the bones, it was still in the past. He Suosuo, the only reason you're saying all this is to make me give up. But even without Jiang Ning, Ji Shen still wouldn't look at you. That's the difference between you and me."

After saying that, Wen Shuang turned and left.

He Suosuo stood where she was, stomping in fury.

She shouted after her, "Wen Shuang, just wait until Jiang Ning comes back. I'll see how you come to ruin!"

He Suosuo's words did leave some trace in Wen Shuang's heart.

To say it didn't sting would definitely be a lie.

After all, Jiang Ning had once possessed Ji Shen's purest years.

The ivory tower of university life—what a beautiful time that had been.

First love is always the feeling of spring, and she found it hard to imagine what depths of devotion a man like Ji Shen could have shown Jiang Ning in those days.

She planned to ask Ji Shen properly once he returned.

"Shuangshuang!"

Qin You appeared again at some point.

He stared at Wen Shuang with near-obsession.

After their breakup, she had grown more and more beautiful each time he saw her, and more and more indifferent, more and more distant.

In how many midnight dreams had he longed for the past, wishing to return to it?

Wen Shuang immediately wanted to leave without another word.

Simply breathing the same air as Qin You made her feel sick.

But Qin You grabbed her. "Since you came here today, are you planning to marry into the Ji family in the future?"

Wen Shuang said coldly, "My affairs are none of your business!"

"Wen Shuang, my aunt will absolutely not agree. You should give up on this idea as soon as possible."

Wen Shuang struggled hard to break free.

"Qin You, if you keep laying hands on me, be careful I slap you!"

"Come back to my side, okay? Shuangshuang, I really miss you!" As he spoke, Qin You started touching her again. Wen Shuang could not hold back and slapped him across the face.

Qin You froze. "Wen Shuang, I'm doing this for your own good! You think my uncle's heart is so clean? He has Jiang Ning! Now only I—my heart belongs wholly to you!"

"If you're going to say something this disgusting, go tell Xia Anran. Don't come here making me sick."

Wen Shuang only felt that everyone she had run into outside tonight was either one lunatic or another.

By the time Ji Shen finished his call and saw Qin You still harassing Wen Shuang, he said sharply, "I see you haven't suffered enough before."

Seeing Ji Shen arrive, Qin You immediately lost his nerve and left unwillingly.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Wen Shuang shook her head.

"Then why do you look so troubled?"

Wen Shuang was troubled, because only tonight had she learned of Jiang Ning's existence, and she seemed to be an indelible memory in Ji Shen's heart.

They all said she looked like Jiang Ning...

Did she really?

She hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping.

Ji Shen seemed to see what she wanted to ask and simply drew her into his arms. "Come on, let's go to the ballroom. Grandma and the others have been waiting for us for a long time."

Wen Shuang was an excellent dancer.

Ji Shen took her hand and spun with her across the ballroom.

Her skirt was wide, and each turn unfurled in brilliant, dazzling circles.

The two of them matched like a prince and princess from a castle.

They were greeted by thunderous applause.

It was the most pleasing couple anyone present had seen in years.

But just as Wen Shuang stepped down, Xia Anran accidentally spilled wine onto her skirt.

Red wine quickly soaked through a large patch of the hem.

"Oh no, I'm sorry! I didn't hold my glass steady just now!" Xia Anran feigned innocence. In truth, she had simply disliked the dress and deliberately spilled it.

Wen Shuang frowned.

This gown had just been given to her by Ning Su, and she treasured it dearly. Yet now it had been stained. Besides, it would be very rude to keep wearing something so dirty, but she hadn't brought a spare!

"Miss Wen, I happened to bring two gowns with me today. Would you like to try them on?" Ning Su came over elegantly, like a savior.

Wen Shuang was naturally willing. At the same time, she felt deeply apologetic for accidentally ruining such an expensive gown.

"This isn't your fault!" Ning Su's gaze turned to Xia Anran, her tone suddenly cooling. "Miss Xia, this gown of mine costs eighty million. Please compensate me immediately!"

Author's note:

Thank you all for your support!

Forgive my cheekiness, but I hope dear readers will rate the story, leave more comments, and tap the update reminder. Kisses to all my darlings! Thank you, everyone!