His breath hitched, and in an instant, his heart pounded like thunder.
Unable to hold back any longer, he cupped her face and kissed her fiercely.
She didn’t push him away this time. Instead, her arms wrapped around his lean waist, her fingertips brushing against his bare, scorching skin.
He lifted her by the waist, carried her into the master bedroom, and pinned her onto the bed, his lips crashing onto hers as his hands tugged at her dress.
She was already breathless, tilting her head to evade his kiss, so he trailed his lips along her cheek to her earlobe.
"Ning Ning," he murmured in a low, rough voice, his heated breath fanning over the hollow of her neck, thick with restrained desire.
"Yangyang," she suddenly spoke.
"What?"
He lifted his head slightly, his eyes dark with hunger.
Sinking into the soft pillow, she met his gaze. "My childhood name—Yangyang."
He nipped at her earlobe, whispering, "Yangyang."
His hands roamed boldly over her body, his burning palms igniting unfamiliar sensations that sent tremors through her.
His knee pressed between her legs, and his grip on her waist tightened, fingers digging into the soft flesh.
Her body tensed, her nails leaving faint red marks on his arm.
As the night deepened, the room filled with the sounds of unrestrained gasps and moans.
The next day, 10 a.m.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, spilling across the plush bed.
Sang Ning lay curled in the dark gray sheets, her lashes casting delicate shadows over her cheeks. The flush from last night had faded, leaving her skin porcelain-pale. Her long hair fanned messily over the pillow, and her bare shoulders peeked out from the covers, marked with faint bruises.
He Siyu watched her sleeping face, unblinking, realizing how soft and docile she looked in slumber—utterly unlike her usual self.
Unable to resist, he kissed her forehead, then her cheek, then her lips.
He wanted her again.
Her lashes fluttered as she drowsily opened her eyes to find his face inches from hers.
Seeing her awake, he pulled back slightly. "You're up?"
Her voice was hoarse. "Mhm."
Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, barely able to stay open.
He leaned in to kiss her again, his hands already wandering, but she suddenly pushed him away.
"What’s wrong?" His expression was uncharacteristically innocent, almost boyish.
She glared at him flatly. "Get lost."
"..."
He pulled her into his arms, coaxing softly, "Yangyang."
Her throat burned. "Water."
Reluctantly, he got up, grabbed a glass from the nightstand, and held it to her lips.
Sang Ning propped herself up on shaky arms, sipping slowly until the glass was empty.
"More?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No."
Her throat felt better now.
He hugged her. "Sleep a little longer."
"I have things to do today."
There were stock transfers and company matters to handle—tedious but important.
He kissed her cheek. "I’ll drive you."
She turned her head slightly. "Then get out first."
"Out where?" He didn’t let go.
Her ears flushed pink. "Out. I need to get dressed."
She wasn’t wearing a single stitch!
"It’s fine. I’ll stay." He nuzzled her ear.
She glared. "He Siyu!"
Amused by the faint blush on her cheeks, he smirked. "Fine."
He threw off the covers and strode out—completely naked.
Sang Ning: "..."
Only after the door closed did she get up, her bare feet hitting the floor. The moment she stood, her legs gave out, and she collapsed back onto the bed.
An hour later, Sang Ning was finally ready. She had showered and changed into fresh clothes—a new set his assistant had delivered, since he’d ruined her dress last night.
He Siyu drove her back to the company.
When they neared the intersection, Sang Ning asked him to stop.
"I’ll go now." She reached for the door.
But he caught her wrist. "Are you coming back tonight?"
It took her a second to realize he meant his place.
"I can’t. There’s a family dinner tonight."
"Tomorrow?"
"I don’t know how long the handover will take. I might be busy all week."
And it was only Monday.
He Siyu frowned. "Fine."
As she moved to leave, he added, "There’s a banquet in two days. Come with me."
Sang Ning paused. "What banquet?"
He sounded casual. "Just an auction. I want your opinion on something."
She nodded. "Alright."
He leaned in, kissing her lightly. "Go on."
Sang Ning stepped out of the car and headed into the company.
Watching her walk away, he smiled.
—
"You’re late. And you didn’t come home last night—where were you?" Nan Zhenming snapped.
Sang Ning replied coolly, "That’s my business."
He choked on his words.
"The transfer documents are ready. I’ll review them carefully before signing," she said, all professionalism.
She wasn’t his subordinate anymore—no need to explain herself.
Nan Zhenming wasn’t used to this sudden shift in power, his face darkening.
"Don’t think just because you’ve gained a little authority, you can do as you please. This family isn’t yours to rule yet!"
Sang Ning smiled. "Thanks for the reminder, Dad."
A ten percent stake wasn’t enough to run wild—but she’d see for herself what it felt like to hold real power in Nan Corp.
—
The next few days, Sang Ning buried herself in work, preparing for the shareholders’ meeting on Friday.
On Wednesday, she left the office at five and took a car to Yanxi Club—the address He Siyu had given her.
He’d offered to pick her up, but she refused. With her grandfather pressuring her to cut ties with outside relationships, she didn’t want complications.
As she stepped out of the car, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Sang Ning."
She turned to see He Siyu walking toward her, having waited outside.
He was dressed casually today, his coat open as he strode over and took her hand.
"Let’s go in together."
Sang Ning glanced at the unusually quiet club. "Is this really an auction? It doesn’t seem crowded."
These events were usually packed, with guests streaming in and out.
"Yeah," he answered vaguely, leading her inside.
The doorman didn’t ask for an invitation, simply gesturing them in.
She hesitated, then pulled her hand free—only to loop her arm through his instead.
The banquet hall doors swung open, and someone greeted warmly, "Siyu’s here!"
He Siyu smiled politely. "Aunt."
Sang Ning froze.
The room wasn’t full—just twenty or thirty people. And many of them were familiar faces.
Seated in the main sofa, Grandma He looked over and spotted Sang Ning. Her face lit up with delight as she called out, "Sang Ning, you're here! Come, join us."
Lin Shuyan, who had been chatting beside Grandma He, felt her smile stiffen slightly.
Sang Ning paused mid-step, suddenly realizing—this wasn’t an auction house but a private gathering of the He family.
