He Siyu’s expression was indifferent. "Is that so?"
Pei Songhan smiled. "How have you been lately?"
"Fine."
"Hey, now that the engagement’s called off, we should at least celebrate! Come on, let’s have a drink!" Meng Lai raised his glass enthusiastically.
Someone handed Pei Songhan a drink as well.
Pei Songhan lifted his glass, and He Siyu clinked his against it before downing the contents in one go.
---
Half an hour later, the engagement ceremony officially began.
Ji Yan walked arm-in-arm with Gu Xingchen onto the stage, and under the gaze of the guests, they exchanged rings in a harmonious atmosphere.
The crowd erupted into applause, and Sang Ning joined in.
Once the ceremony ended, Ji Yan, still smiling, linked arms with Gu Xingchen as they descended the stage—only to immediately pull away the moment they stepped down.
Gu Xingchen: "..."
"What’s your problem? Are you treating me like the plague?!" Gu Xingchen snapped.
Ji Yan scoffed. "What else did you expect? Should I have clung to you?"
"You think I care?! If it weren’t for my parents forcing me, I wouldn’t even be engaged to you!"
"You think I wanted this?!" Ji Yan retorted coldly. "Let’s make one thing clear—from now on, we stay out of each other’s way."
Gu Xingchen sneered. "Obviously!"
With matching icy glares, the two turned and walked off in opposite directions.
Ji Yan returned to the dressing room, where Sang Ning was already waiting.
The makeup artist hurriedly adjusted Ji Yan’s look and helped her change into another gown.
Sang Ning studied her friend’s expression. "Did you argue with Gu Xingchen again?"
"He started it!"
Sang Ning sat beside her. "Can’t you two just stop? You’re engaged now. Shouldn’t you focus on making things work?"
"Who said anything about making things work? We’ve already agreed—engagement or marriage, we’ll live our own lives separately!"
Sang Ning blinked. "Well… if that’s how you want it."
Ji Yan grumbled, "What choice do I have? My mom said if I dare pull a Pei Songhan and break off the engagement, she’ll sell all my Hermès bags."
Sang Ning: "..."
She swallowed. "That is brutal."
---
"Hey, Siyu, where’d you run off to?"
Gu Xingchen pushed open the glass door to the balcony and found He Siyu leaning against the railing, a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers.
He Siyu glanced at him coolly. "Needed some air."
"Damn, you quit years ago. Why’d you start again?" Gu Xingchen was genuinely shocked.
Back when He Siyu first started his business, stress had him chain-smoking. But once Huiyao stabilized and flourished, he’d kicked the habit.
He despised dependency—on anything. Control was his mantra, even over himself.
"None of your business."
He brought the cigarette to his lips, his features shadowed by the swirling smoke, his eyes dark and brooding.
"I’m the one getting forced into marriage, and yet you’re the one acting all gloomy?"
He Siyu shot him a sidelong glance. "Forced, huh?"
Gu Xingchen bristled. "Obviously! You think I want to marry Ji Yan?!"
He Siyu let out a cold laugh before stubbing out the cigarette in an ashtray.
"Hey, I’m asking about you. Why deflect? Seriously, what’s wrong? You’re off," Gu Xingchen pressed.
"Nothing." His tone was flat.
"Family trouble? Nah, who in your family could pressure you? Business? Huiyao’s stocks are still rising."
Gu Xingchen rubbed his chin, analyzing, then suddenly looked up. "Wait—don’t tell me you actually got dumped?"
He Siyu’s voice turned lethal. "Gu Xingchen, don’t think your engagement day makes you untouchable."
Gu Xingchen froze. After twenty-plus years of friendship, He Siyu’s defensiveness was all the confirmation he needed.
Holy shit. He’d just stumbled onto the scandal of the century.
What kind of legendary woman could pull this off?!
He Siyu strode back inside, and Gu Xingchen hurried after him, smirking. "You really should work on that temper. Not exactly a turn-on for women."
He Siyu stopped dead, his knuckles whitening as he glared.
Gu Xingchen backpedaled at warp speed. "Just saying! A heartbroken woman’s easiest to win back. You sulking here while some other guy swoops in? Next thing you know, she’s moved on. Then where’ll you be?"
With that, he bolted.
He Siyu’s temple twitched, his expression stormier than ever.
His gaze swept the crowd, landing on Nan Sangning as she emerged from the dressing room with Ji Yan, chatting without a care.
His eyes darkened.
Spotting a fallen sign ahead, he stepped forward.
Ji Yan was animatedly telling Sang Ning, "The wedding’s set for next year—thank god we’ve got time. I’m thinking of traveling soon. Wanna join?"
"Can’t right now. Maybe later," Sang Ning declined.
"Fine, fine, Ms. Busy. I’ll wait!"
Sang Ning smiled. "Then we’ll—ah!"
Her foot caught on something, sending her stumbling forward. She barely managed to brace herself against a figure in front of her.
The faint scent of tobacco hit her, and she frowned.
Looking up, she met a pair of indifferent dark eyes—and froze.
"Sang Ning, you okay?" Ji Yan fretted.
Sang Ning quickly righted herself, releasing He Siyu’s arm, flustered. "I’m fine."
"Why’s this sign here? This hotel’s a mess!" Ji Yan huffed.
Sang Ning tugged her back. "Probably just fell. No harm done."
"Lucky He Siyu was here, or you’d have face-planted!"
Sang Ning stiffened, then forced a polite nod. "Thank you, Mr. He."
He said nothing, his face unreadable.
An inexplicable frustration welled in her chest.
Right now, she’d rather have eaten the floor.
The awkwardness thickened until Ji Yan jumped in. "Mr. He’s too kind to fuss over such a small thing."
Just then, Gu Xingchen and the others approached. "Yo, what’s up?"
Ji Yan pointed at the sign. "Hotel’s slacking. Sang Ning almost tripped!"
Pei Songhan turned to Sang Ning. "You alright?"
She hesitated. "I’m fine."
For some reason, the tension seemed to escalate.
Had enough, she told Ji Yan, "I should head out. Let’s plan another time."
"Sure, whatever."
Pei Songhan added, "I’m leaving too. We can go together."
Sang Ning blinked.
Then a cool voice cut in. "What’s next for you?"
Pei Songhan glanced at He Siyu. "No plans."
"Your father mentioned arranging another match."
"Probably just talk."
"Grandmother said your family’s already scouting candidates—the Lins and Jiangs in Jing City, the Mengs in Shencheng. Though the final choice is yours."
He Siyu’s tone was casual.
