The threatening messages increased.
Five, ten, sometimes fifteen a day. Different numbers each time. Some were pleading.
"I miss you. Come home."
Some were angry.
"You're making a mistake. I always get what's mine."
Some were threatening.
"You think you're safe? You're not. No one can protect you from me."
Wanyin documented every single one. Screenshot, timestamp, save.
The folder was getting thick.
Then the messages changed tactics.
"Your father's treatment costs 50,000 yuan a month. I've been paying it. What happens if I stop?"
Her blood ran cold. She called her mother immediately.
"Is it true? Does he pay for Dad's treatment?"
Her mother was quiet for a long time. "Yes. He's been paying since you... since you got together. We couldn't afford it otherwise."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you had enough to deal with. Wanyin, your father needs this treatment. Without it—"
"I'll figure something out."
"With what money? You work at a bookstore!"
"I said I'll figure it out!"
She hung up and immediately called Sister Mei.
"He's threatening to cut off my father's medical payments. What do I do?"
"Nothing. Let him cut it off."
"My father could die!"
"Or it's another manipulation. Wanyin, has he actually stopped payment or is he just threatening to?"
"I don't know."
"Then verify first before you panic. And even if he does cut it off, there are programs, charities. We'll find another way. Don't let him use your family as leverage."
But the fear was eating at her. Her father, sick and needing treatment. Treatment she couldn't afford.
That night she barely slept. By morning she'd made a decision.
She called Meilin.
"The medical payments for my father. Can you help?"
"What kind of help?"
"Shen Jingwei pays for expensive cancer treatment. If he cuts it off—"
"I'll take care of it. Through a private fund, anonymous. Your father will never know the source."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I need you focused on taking him down, not worried about medical bills. Consider it an investment."
Two days later, her mother called.
"Someone paid your father's medical bills for the next six months. In full. A charitable foundation. Did you...?"
"I don't know anything about it," Wanyin lied. "Maybe they help families in need."
"It's a miracle."
It was Meilin. And now Wanyin owed her.
But it also meant Shen Jingwei had lost his leverage.
His next message confirmed he knew.
"I see you found a new benefactor. How long until they get tired of you too?"
She didn't respond. Just screenshot and saved.
The man in the dark jacket stopped appearing. But Wanyin didn't relax. If anything, his absence made her more nervous.
What was Shen Jingwei planning?
She got her answer a week later.
Mrs. Zhou called her at the shelter, voice tight with concern.
"Liu Yin, you need to come to the bookstore. Now."
"What happened?"
"Just come."
When Wanyin arrived, she saw why.
The front window was smashed. Glass everywhere. Spray painted on the wall inside: "SHE'S MINE."
Her legs went weak.
Mrs. Zhou put an arm around her. "The police are coming. We'll file a report."
"This is my fault. He's targeting you because of me."
"He's targeting me because he's an asshole. Don't you dare blame yourself."
The police took statements, photographed evidence, filed reports. They said they'd patrol more regularly.
But Wanyin knew it wouldn't matter. Shen Jingwei was escalating. Moving from threats to action.
That night at the shelter, Sister Mei called another meeting.
"This is getting dangerous. He's willing to destroy property now. Next time it might be violence."
"What are our options?" Xiao Ling asked.
"We move Wanyin. Different city, different shelter. Start completely fresh."
"No," Wanyin said. "No more running."
"Then what?"
"We end this. Now. We take everything we have - the texts, the vandalism, Meilin's evidence - and we file a restraining order. We go to court. We make this public."
"That's risky. He has lawyers."
"So what? We have the truth."
Sister Mei looked at her for a long moment. "You're sure about this? Once we go public, there's no taking it back. He'll fight dirty."
"Let him fight. I'm done being scared."
They filed the restraining order the next morning.
By afternoon, Shen Jingwei had violated it.
He showed up at the bookstore, walked right past the broken window, and demanded to see Wanyin.
"She's not here," Mrs. Zhou lied. Wanyin was hiding in the back room.
"I know she is. Wanyin! Stop hiding!"
Mrs. Zhou called the police. They arrived in eight minutes.
Shen Jingwei was arrested for violating the restraining order.
He made bail three hours later.
But the arrest was on record now. One more piece of evidence. One more crack in his perfect façade.
That night, Wanyin's phone buzzed with a message from Meilin.
"I'm filing for divorce tomorrow. Thank you for giving me the courage."
Wanyin stared at the message.
Two women against one man.
Maybe they actually had a chance.