He Siyu's expression darkened gradually, his words almost gritted out one by one: "Nan Sangning."
She lowered her gaze, staring at the diamond ring in her hand, her fingertips lightly brushing over it before finally placing it back on the rose-petal-covered dining table.
"Sorry."
He grabbed her wrist, his dark eyes swirling like an unfathomable vortex as he stared at her intently. "Did you ever think about having a future with me?"
She pressed her lips together, falling into silence.
Time seemed to freeze, the atmosphere tense and unyielding.
He practically spat the words through clenched teeth: "Nan Sangning, are you playing with me?"
She lifted her eyes to meet his. "I never thought of it that way."
She had taken this relationship seriously.
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Fine. You’re really something."
Her lips remained tightly sealed, unable to respond, and she only tried to tug her wrist free.
But he suddenly tightened his grip.
She looked up, meeting his stormy gaze.
"Nan Sangning, think carefully. If you break up with me, don’t expect to come back."
She paused for a moment, then finally spoke softly, "I know."
She knew—he might seem casual and carefree, but he was prideful to the core.
He was the golden boy, always the center of attention, never one to lower himself, and certainly wouldn’t allow a woman who gave up on him to return.
Her mother had once told her, Yangyang, you’re too clever. That’s both a blessing and a curse.
At the time, she hadn’t understood what that meant. She had thought that being able to read people, to always have everything under control, was an excellent thing.
But now, she finally grasped the truth in those words.
Seeing things too clearly meant facing more pain than others.
A hint of red tinged his eyes, his grip on her wrist trembling slightly as he forced a smirk. "Fine."
He released her.
Her wrist hung in the air for three seconds before she lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes, and turned to leave.
He Siyu stood rooted in place, staring at her retreating figure—unyielding, never looking back.
Nan Sangning stepped out of the restaurant, hailed a cab, and headed home.
She knew what she wanted. This decision had been made long ago, and she had reflected on it three times over. She hadn’t made a single misstep.
Then she felt something wet slide down her cheek. Puzzled, she raised a hand, her fingertips brushing against the cool dampness.
She looked down in surprise—a single tear glistened on her finger.
---
The next morning, at ten o’clock.
An Audi A8 pulled up in front of Nan Corporation. Nan Sangning stepped out and strode into the building.
Dressed in a khaki trench coat and brown block-heeled ankle boots, her wavy hair cascading down her back, she walked briskly, the hem of her coat fluttering sharply behind her.
Outside the conference room, someone was already waiting. Seeing her, they immediately bowed slightly. "Young Miss Nan."
She gave a small nod.
They opened the doors for her. Inside the spacious conference room, the long table was already filled with people, all turning to look at her.
Under their collective gaze, Nan Sangning walked from the far end of the table to the head, pulling out the chair to the right and sitting down.
Nan Zhenming sat across from her, his expression visibly displeased.
The doors opened again, and the family patriarch entered.
Everyone stood. "Chairman."
The old man took his seat at the head of the table, his voice authoritative. "Sit."
The room settled.
He spoke solemnly. "Today’s shareholder meeting is to announce one thing—starting now, my granddaughter Nan Sangning will officially take over Precision Manufacturing and hold a ten percent stake in Nan Corporation, joining the board of directors."
Applause broke out in the room, along with congratulatory remarks. "Congratulations, Young Miss Nan."
She smiled politely.
Some even praised Nan Zhenming. "Truly, a tiger father doesn’t produce a dog of a daughter! With such an outstanding girl, she’ll surely shoulder great responsibilities!"
"Yes, congratulations, President Nan."
Nan Zhenming forced a strained smile. "Thank you."
Nan Wenyue, seated at the far end with only a three percent stake and little influence on the board, was stunned.
She had never imagined Nan Zhenming would favor this daughter so much—voluntarily giving up ten percent of his shares!
She had once thought Nan Sangning would eventually be kicked out of the family. But now, it seemed like she was being groomed as the successor!
The old man looked at Nan Sangning. "With power comes responsibility. Sangning, don’t disappoint my expectations."
She nodded. "Don’t worry, Grandfather. I won’t."
---
That weekend, Ji Yan invited her over.
She had been to the Ji residence before. As Ji Yan’s friend, Mrs. Ji always treated her warmly, welcoming her visits.
"Ugh, missed again!" Ji Yan was fuming.
Barely resisting the urge to strangle Nan Sangning, she gritted her teeth. "What’s wrong with you? How do you mess up serving pizza into the trash? That was my hard work!"
Nan Sangning set down the game controller, lips pressed together. "Sorry. I misread."
Ji Yan narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You’re off today. You never make mistakes like this. It’s like you’re..."
Like her soul wasn’t here.
Nan Sangning replied calmly, "Is that so? Maybe I didn’t sleep well last night."
"Oh! You were too excited yesterday and couldn’t sleep, right?" Ji Yan huffed. "Fine, let’s not play this anymore. It’s too mentally taxing when you’re already tired."
Just then, the door opened, and Mrs. Ji entered with a tray of tea and desserts. "Care for some afternoon tea?"
Ji Yan immediately nodded. "Yes! I’m starving!"
Mrs. Ji set the tray down, and Ji Yan pulled Nan Sangning over to eat.
"Thank you, Mrs. Ji," Nan Sangning said.
Mrs. Ji smiled. "Yan’er mentioned you like strawberry cake, so I asked the housekeeper to make one. See if it suits your taste?"
Nan Sangning paused briefly before picking up a fork and taking a bite. The sweet cream melted on her tongue.
She smiled. "It’s delicious."
Ji Yan stuffed a forkful of chocolate cake into her mouth. "I’m telling you, our housekeeper’s cakes are better than store-bought ones. If you like it, I’ll have her make another for you to take home."
Nan Sangning shook her head. "No need to trouble her. This is enough."
"It’s no trouble at all."
As they chatted, Mrs. Ji suddenly spoke up. "Yan’er, about the marriage discussion we had last time—have you thought it over?"
Ji Yan’s face instantly soured. "No way!"
Nan Sangning blinked in surprise.
Mrs. Ji placed three folders on the table. "These are the candidates. Pick one."
Ji Yan was livid. "What kind of choices are these? One’s old, one’s fat, and the other is Gu Xingchen! Mom, you’re my biological mother—how could you do this to me?!"
Nan Sangning was stunned.
Mrs. Ji frowned, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Mr. Qi is only thirty-five and has already officially taken over the family business—his family owns a gold mine. As for the younger son of the Wu family, sure, he’s a bit plump, but he has excellent character, and the Wu family runs a bank in the U.S. And Gu Xingchen—you know his family background, and the two of you grew up together. You’re already familiar with him!"
Ji Yan covered her ears, "I don’t want to hear it! I refuse all of them!"
Mrs. Ji snorted, "You think you have a choice? Do you think I’m happy about this? If it weren’t for your restless personality, which Old Madam He finds unappealing, we could’ve at least secured one of the three He sons for you."
Ji Yan: "..."
"Mom, you’re insulting me now!"
"I’m just stating facts."
Mrs. Ji then turned to Nan Sangning, "Sangning, you should talk some sense into her. Tell her not to be so stubborn."
Nan Sangning choked on a bite of cake, stiffly nodding, "Alright."
Only then did Mrs. Ji stand up and leave.
Ji Yan was still distraught, "Agh! I must’ve been adopted! They’re really throwing me into a pit of fire!"
Nan Sangning patted her back soothingly, "Calm down first."
"How can I calm down? If you were the one being forced into marriage, what would you do?!"
Nan Sangning glanced at the three profiles on the table, her eyes sweeping over each photo one by one.
She furrowed her brows, lost in thought for three full minutes before looking back at Ji Yan and answering earnestly, "I’d choose Gu Xingchen."
Ji Yan: "???"
"How can you even pick one?! You’re supposed to resist! Nan Sangning, where’s your rebellious spirit?!" Ji Yan exclaimed, agitated.
Nan Sangning replied sincerely, "As long as the green hills remain, there’ll never be a shortage of firewood."
Ji Yan: "..."
"You promised you’d take care of me!"
"With your spending habits, supporting you right now would be a bit difficult for me."
"..."
Nan Sangning patted her hand, "How about you get married first, and once I can afford to take care of you, you can divorce him."
"Nan Sangning, you liar!"
Nan Sangning said seriously, "As the ancients said, a real man knows when to yield and when to stand firm."
Ji Yan fumed, "Yield my foot! I’d rather die than choose that scoundrel Gu Xingchen! I’d rather pick—"
Her finger hovered over the first photo, trembling slightly at the sight of the rugged face.
"I’d rather pick—"
She pointed at the second photo, staring at the plump, cheerful face, and suddenly found it hard to breathe.
She really was going to die.
---
Three days later, Nan Sangning received an invitation from the Ji family.
It was for Ji Yan and Gu Xingchen’s engagement banquet.
Since it was just an engagement and the collaboration between the two families was already underway, the date was set for just a week later.
Nan Sangning went about her usual routine, commuting between work and home, buried under a mountain of tasks as she adjusted to her new position. The workload was overwhelming, leaving her dizzy with exhaustion.
Only occasionally, when leaving the office, would she instinctively glance at the cars parked along the street, searching for that familiar Land Rover.
Then she’d remember—they had already broken up.
A week later.
Nan Sangning took half a day off to attend Ji Yan’s engagement banquet.
The event was held at the Langfan Hotel, and given the union of the Ji and Gu families, the occasion was grand.
After presenting her invitation, Nan Sangning stepped inside the banquet hall, already bustling with guests.
"Nan Sangning!" Ji Yan waved at her, rushing over to grab her hand. "You’re finally here! I’ve been waiting to take photos with you!"
"What photos?"
"Memorial ones! For the engagement."
Ji Yan pulled Nan Sangning toward a floral arch where the photographer was waiting.
Nan Sangning couldn’t help but admire Ji Yan’s resilience—she always found a way to have fun, and nothing could upset her for more than thirty minutes, not even her engagement to Gu Xingchen.
Just as Ji Yan was about to drag Nan Sangning over for the photos, they bumped into a group of people.
Gu Xingchen turned around, "Oh, Miss Nan is here?"
Nan Sangning greeted him politely, "Mr. Gu."
Then she lifted her gaze, meeting the dark, intense stare of the man standing beside Gu Xingchen.
Her expression faltered for a split second before she smiled again, "Mr. He."
---
(Thank you to "Ain't Eating If I Don't Want To" and "Nearly Perfect Oberstein" for the generous gifts! I always see them so late—my deepest bows!)
