Chapter 12: Would You Like to Give It a Try with Me?

The beginning of Wen Jin and Sheng Yang’s story originated on a sultry afternoon.

At the time, Wen Jin was twenty years old and had returned to the Sheng household from school due to some matters.

She found Sheng Yang sitting in her room, holding her diary in his hands, his gaze fixed on the densely written words featuring his name. A playful smile played across his refined face.

“Have feelings for me?” he asked.

Wen Jin stood at the door like a caught thief, flustered and at a loss, unable to respond.

Finally, she could only lower her head and apologize, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I won’t do it again—”

Grandpa Sheng had brought her home, yet it was truly wrong of her to harbor such thoughts about Sheng Yang.

But Sheng Yang seemed amused by her words.

Clutching the diary, he stepped closer to Wen Jin, his pale eyes rippling like the waters of an early spring lake, stirring a tingling sensation within her heart.

“Do you want to try with me?” he asked.

Sheng Yang’s eyes were his best disguise and his most effective deception.

When he focused solely on you, it gave the illusion that you were his entire world.

The music on stage suddenly rose, snapping Wen Jin’s wandering thoughts back.

She blinked gently, steadying her emotions.

Wen You’s performance was a classic tale, one told in countless versions.

Frankly, Wen You’s skill was excellent.

But that was all it was—just skill.

Wen Jin lost interest after watching for a while, only clapping along when the audience applauded.

Finally, as the performance ended, she got up to find Sheng Yang but was told he had already gone backstage early.

She had no choice but to go backstage herself.

Just as she arrived, bursts of surprised exclamations echoed from within.

Pink roses nearly covered the entire backstage, and Wen You, still dressed in a princess gown, stood amidst the sea of flowers.

Leaning against the wall on the other side was Sheng Yang. His voice remained light and casual but carried a rare tenderness in Wen Jin’s presence: “Do you like it?”

Wen You gave him a reproachful glance. “Didn’t I say you only needed to watch my performance?”

Sheng Yang casually picked up a flower and chuckled, “A sense of ceremony is still necessary.”

Wen Jin stood quietly at the door, watching them.

Suddenly, she understood what Sheng Yang meant when he said Wen You was different from others.

Wen You needed ceremony, she was valued.

But Wen Jin was not worthy of such things.

She was the one who could be won over with a casual word, so naturally, she didn’t deserve to be treated seriously.

Gathering her thoughts, Wen Jin knocked gently on the door, interrupting the atmosphere inside at an awkward moment.

She looked at Sheng Yang. “I need to talk to you.”

Sheng Yang had promised that if she came to see Wen You’s performance, he would tell her about her father.

Casually holding the flower, his gaze turned to Wen Jin, and the tenderness vanished completely.

“I’m busy.”

Wen Jin looked at him. “You said you’d tell me about my father’s situation if I came today.”

“When did I say that?” Sheng Yang raised an eyebrow, teasingly looking at her.

Wen Jin pursed her lips and said nothing, stubbornly standing her ground.

Sheng Yang’s eyes flickered with sarcasm. “Wen Chaoshen beat up a prison guard.”

Wen Jin’s eyes suddenly widened in disbelief. “That’s impossible—”

“Why impossible?” Sheng Yang stepped out from backstage and faced her.

Having lingered amidst the flowers, he carried a faint floral scent that masked his usual smell.

Disliking the cloying sweetness, Wen Jin instinctively stepped back half a pace.

Noticing her movement, Sheng Yang furrowed his brow.

What he said next was chillingly cruel: “The prison guard he beat was from the Wen family.”

“The reason was because he heard about my engagement to Wen You.”

—

By the time Wen Jin received a call from Qiao Qiao, she was staggering alone, having walked far away.

Her mind kept replaying Sheng Yang’s words.

Her father had attacked a prison guard after hearing about Sheng Yang and Wen You’s marriage.

Didn’t that also mean her father knew about her and Sheng Yang?

Fear gradually etched across her face, and she dared not think further.

It was Qiao Qiao’s voice that broke her chaotic thoughts: “Hey, what’s wrong? You seem distracted.”

Wen Jin realized and answered hoarsely, “Nothing much, I was just heading home.”

“Of course, I know you’re going home, so where are you now? I didn’t see you at the venue.”

Only then did Wen Jin remember that Qiao Qiao had come with her to watch the performance.

After giving her location, Qiao Qiao quickly arrived, exclaiming, “Seriously, girl, you walked two miles?”

Wen Jin remained silent, and Qiao Qiao noticed something was wrong.

Her brow furrowed. “What happened?”

“Qiao Qiao,” Wen Jin grabbed her sleeve, voice low and strained, “can you do me a favor?”

—

Though Qiao Qiao’s family wasn’t as influential as the Sheng family, she had her own network.

Soon, she arranged a meeting for Wen Jin with Wen Chaoshen.

Qiao Qiao reminded her, “You only have ten minutes, make it count.”

Wen Jin nodded and stepped inside.

But when she saw Wen Chaoshen appear before her with handcuffs and a battered face, tears welled up uncontrollably. “Dad.”

Wen Chaoshen looked at her, his once tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxing.

His aged, slack skin bore the marks of time.

He gazed at Wen Jin, his cloudy eyes filled with guilt and pain: “My little Jin, how much have you suffered?”