Sang Ning paused for a moment: "Next time, find a coach and learn properly before trying again. I don’t like things that are beyond my control."
She looked up at him, her voice calm: "It’s too dangerous."
Any sudden deviation from the plan meant danger.
She was accustomed to caution, desiring only a life of certainty—wealth and assets securely in her grasp were her true sense of security.
He smirked slightly: "Am I dangerous?"
"The choices you’re forcing me to make are dangerous."
Her mother had spent her entire life in restrained dignity, suffocating in silent sorrow.
She refused to follow her mother’s path, entrusting her fate to a husband, her joys and sorrows dependent on his conscience.
She wanted power and wealth, tangible and firmly in her own hands.
He Siyu’s gaze flickered, his lips tightening: "Is it danger, or just not worth it?"
Sang Ning pressed her lips together, falling silent.
Perhaps it was both. Nothing was worth abandoning her fight for the family fortune.
The room plunged into dead silence.
"Sang Ning, are you alright?"
Ye Qian and Zhang Liang had arrived.
Sang Ning turned to them and shook her head: "It’s nothing. Just a bruise on my calf. The doctor said it’ll heal in a couple of days with proper care."
"You scared me! That guy earlier was practically blind, charging straight into you," Ye Qian blurted out before suddenly noticing He Siyu standing there, his expression unreadable. She quickly toned it down: "General Manager He."
Zhang Liang also greeted him: "General Manager He."
He Siyu gave a slight nod. Seeing no reason to linger, he glanced at Sang Ning before turning to leave.
Once He Siyu was gone, Ye Qian gasped dramatically: "Oh my god, General Manager He carried you up here! I almost thought I was hallucinating!"
Even the usually quiet Zhang Liang couldn’t resist asking: "You and General Manager He…?"
Sang Ning smiled faintly: "I didn’t expect it either. Turns out General Manager He has a kind heart."
They nodded blankly: "Oh…"
Who would’ve guessed?
A doctor wheeled over a chair: "Use this to get back to your room."
"Thank you, Doctor."
"Don’t mention it. Your friend asked me to bring it."
"…"
With her leg injured, soaking in the hot springs that evening was out of the question. Stuck in her room with nothing to do, Sang Ning finished reading the proposal for the AI medical project.
The cutting-edge technology was challenging, but after nearly half a year in this era, she was gradually adapting and beginning to grasp its nuances.
By noon on Sunday, after lunch, the group headed back to the city.
Ye Qian helped Sang Ning out of the hotel and into the company car. He Siyu boarded as well, sitting in the same row, but the journey remained wordless.
Whether it was her imagination or not, Ye Qian felt the return trip’s silence was even heavier than before.
Back in the city, the car stopped in front of Huiyao’s headquarters.
Their team had already relocated to Huiyao Tower. Ye Qian and Zhang Liang still had documents to hand over, but with her injury, Sang Ning couldn’t follow them around.
"I’ll head home first. Sorry for the trouble."
Ye Qian helped her out: "Should I take you back?"
"No need. My driver’s already here. You go ahead with your work."
Leaning on Ye Qian, Sang Ning turned to He Siyu and bid a polite farewell: "General Manager He, I’ll take my leave now."
He Siyu remained expressionless, offering no reply.
Ye Qian guided Sang Ning into the waiting Audi.
He Siyu watched as she limped away, got into the car, and never looked back.
His lips pressed into a thin line, his hand at his side clenching slightly.
---
Sang Ning’s leg injury made movement difficult, so she took Monday off to rest at home.
With her absent, Nan Zhenming temporarily took charge of Precision Manufacturing.
Early that morning, Nan Zhenming paid a visit to Xinghong.
"Young Master Pei, President Nan of Nan Group is here," the assistant announced.
Pei Songhan paused while reviewing documents and looked up: "Let him in."
"Yes."
Nan Zhenming entered, and Pei Songhan stood to shake his hand: "To what do I owe the pleasure, President Nan?"
Nan Zhenming smiled warmly: "Our production team has officially started manufacturing the parts for Xinghong today. I thought I’d bring the detailed specifications for your review."
He handed over the documents. Pei Songhan accepted them casually and gestured for him to take a seat.
"You’re too kind, President Nan. Nan Group’s sincerity is evident. There was no need for the trouble."
Pei Songhan skimmed through the file—nothing unusual. All specifications matched what had been agreed upon with Sang Ning. Nan Group wouldn’t dare cut corners.
"Young Master Nan has already confirmed these with me," Pei Songhan said, setting the papers aside.
Nan Zhenming chuckled, sipping his tea: "Ah, I see. Sang Ning is a meticulous child."
A faint smile touched Pei Songhan’s lips: "Young Master Nan is indeed thorough."
"Our family patriarch often says she’s such an outstanding talent—it’ll be hard to let her go when she marries."
Pei Songhan’s expression flickered briefly, but he maintained his smile: "That depends on fate."
Noticing Pei Songhan’s interest, Nan Zhenming seized the opportunity: "To secure Xinghong’s order, Nan Group took a significant loss—practically selling at cost. The new production line and equipment alone cost tens of millions. It’ll take a while to recoup the investment."
Pei Songhan hesitated. When Sang Ning had negotiated the deal, she’d conceded all profits, even funding a new production line. At the time, he hadn’t held back—business was business.
Nan Zhenming sighed: "Sang Ning’s been worried about this. I was thinking, if we could secure a major contract with Hao Yong, we might recover faster. I heard you’re acquainted with General Manager Li of Hao Yong. Would you be willing to put in a word for us?"
Pei Songhan’s brow furrowed slightly. So that was the play.
Meeting Nan Zhenming’s hopeful gaze, he held back a refusal—after all, this was Sang Ning’s father.
"I’ll ask for you."
Nan Zhenming brightened instantly: "Thank you, Young Master Pei!"
---
By Tuesday, Sang Ning could walk normally again and returned to work.
As soon as she entered the company, she ran into Nan Wenyue and Nan Zhenxing.
Sang Ning greeted them politely: "Aunt, Uncle."
Nan Wenyue sneered: "I don’t deserve such courtesy from Young Master Nan."
Sang Ning smiled: "We’re still family by blood. Why say such things?"
Nan Wenyue found the words bitterly ironic.
Still seething over how Sang Ning had outmaneuvered her before, she couldn’t let it go.
And now, this girl kept climbing higher, standing above her—it was unbearable.
Nan Wenyue hissed through gritted teeth: "Don’t think your current success will last. The patriarch is pragmatic—he pulled your father down. How long do you think you’ll keep that seat?"
Her eyes gleamed with malice: "You’re just a puppet. Useful now, but the moment you’re not, you’ll be tossed aside. I’ll be waiting to see your downfall!"
Sang Ning arched a delicate brow, her lips curving slightly. "Then you just wait. Don't worry—you won't have to wait long."
Nan Wenyue's eyes flickered, an inexplicable unease creeping into her heart. "What do you mean by that?"
Even Nan Zhenxing, who had remained silent until now, furrowed his brows, scrutinizing his niece as if trying to discern the reason behind her words.
But Sang Ning said nothing more. She simply turned and stepped into the elevator.
When she returned to her office, she found Lin Yuan already waiting for her.
"Assistant General Manager Nan."
"What is it?"
"Yesterday, General Manager Nan personally visited Xinghong."
Sang Ning's gaze snapped up, her eyes turning cold. "Is that so?"
