Sang Ning's grip on the folder tightened slightly before loosening as she said in a low voice, "Young President Pei calling off the engagement did catch me off guard, but this wasn't what I asked for."
"I know, Sang Ning. I never meant to pressure you. This was entirely my own choice. I just wanted you to understand my feelings—don’t shut me out."
Even before the engagement was broken off, she had already been subtly distancing herself from him, and he had no intention of humiliating her.
His decision to end the engagement was simply an attempt to start anew. Yet afterward, her attitude toward him remained unchanged—professional and polite, maintaining a veneer of familiarity while keeping him at arm's length.
Sang Ning pressed her lips together. "But Young President Pei, I don’t like being chosen."
Pei Songhan's gaze faltered slightly.
She looked at him, her voice steady. "I’m truly honored by your regard, but I know exactly what I want and what I like. I only pursue what I desire."
When it came to people or matters that didn’t interest her, she refused to waste time on them. Polite detachment was her preferred approach.
He lowered his eyes, masking a flicker of disappointment, and forced a smile. "Right. That’s just like you."
Truthfully, he had already guessed the answer before even asking the question.
Lifting his gaze again, he asked, "Then what is it that you want?"
Sang Ning replied, "What I’m doing right now is exactly what I want."
"You want to become the heir of Nan Corporation?"
Sang Ning smiled faintly but didn’t deny it.
More than that—she wanted to be the one in control of Nan Corporation.
Pei Songhan chuckled softly. "Fine. I’ll wait for the day you succeed."
Sang Ning was momentarily taken aback.
He looked at her earnestly. "Now that I’ve called off the engagement, my family won’t be pushing another arranged marriage on me anytime soon. Sang Ning, I told you all this today because I want you to know—I’m serious."
Her lips parted slightly, but before she could respond, he stood up. "I won’t disturb you any further today. I’ll see you at next week’s meeting."
With that, he pulled open the door and strode out.
Sang Ning frowned slightly.
Xu Yan knocked three times before entering. "Young President Nan, Manager Lin is here."
"Let him in."
Lin Yuan walked in and handed two folders to Sang Ning. "These are records of the underground dealings conducted by Madam Nan and Mr. Nan. These are copies."
Sang Ning took them, flipping through the pages before smiling faintly. "Invite Madam Nan and Mr. Nan here."
"Yes."
Half an hour later, Nan Wenyue and Nan Zhenxing were escorted into the office.
Sang Ning sat waiting in a single-seat sofa. Soon after, Nan Wenyue and Nan Zhenxing entered together.
Sang Ning smiled. "Aunt, Uncle."
Nan Wenyue lifted her chin haughtily. "What do you want with us?"
"If I’ve gone to the trouble of inviting you here, it must be important."
Nan Wenyue felt an inexplicable chill at her smile, while Nan Zhenxing’s eyes sharpened with wariness.
They took their seats on the opposite sofa, but their expressions abruptly changed when their eyes landed on the scattered documents on the table.
Their faces paled. "What is this—?"
Sang Ning casually picked up one of the files. "Recently, there have been reports that Aunt and Uncle have been colluding with outsiders to siphon profits from Nan Corporation. I didn’t believe it at first."
Nan Wenyue immediately jumped to her feet. "What nonsense! I’ve never done such a thing!"
Sang Ning regarded her calmly before tapping a finger on one of the documents. "This is a summary of the company’s accounts over the past five years. A detailed audit revealed numerous discrepancies. So, I had someone look into the deals you two handled during that time. Turns out, you’ve been using dual contracts."
Nan Wenyue and Nan Zhenxing turned ashen, their eyes filled with despair as they collapsed back onto the sofa.
"You—you actually investigated us behind our backs…"
After Sang Ning took over the company, she had seemed lax in her oversight. As a junior and out of respect for the elders, she had been easier to deceive than even Nan Zhenming. They had never taken her seriously.
Nan Wenyue had even mocked privately, "Grandpa must’ve lost his mind, putting a little girl in charge. She’s just begging to be taken advantage of!"
Denied the inheritance, Nan Wenyue and Nan Zhenxing had conspired with outsiders to bleed Nan Corporation dry.
For years, they had profited handsomely through dual contracts. With Grandpa aging and no longer managing the company directly, and Nan Zhenming none the wiser, they had thrived undisturbed.
But if this were exposed…
Nan Wenyue’s face was deathly pale as she glared at Sang Ning. "Well, well. I underestimated you. You’re truly ruthless!"
Sang Ning tilted her head. "Aunt, are you sure you’re directing that at the right person?"
Unable to bear the tension any longer, Nan Wenyue slammed her hand on the table. "You’ve been waiting to destroy us! Why not just dump this evidence in front of everyone at the meeting? Let Grandpa decide our fate—no need for this charade!"
But Sang Ning shook her head lightly. "As you said, I could’ve exposed you publicly. Yet I chose to meet privately. Doesn’t that show my sincerity?"
Nan Wenyue stiffened, while Nan Zhenxing’s expression turned guarded. "What are you getting at?"
"We’re still family. I don’t want to be merciless. If this comes to light, the consequences for you two are obvious. But the accounts must be balanced, and someone must take the blame."
Nan Wenyue and Nan Zhenxing stared at her blankly.
Sang Ning offered a gentle reminder. "My father recently secured a major deal with Hao Yong. General Manager Wang has never had ties with our family before, yet he suddenly granted Father such a huge favor. Doesn’t that seem… suspicious?"
Nan Wenyue froze.
Nan Zhenxing caught on belatedly. "Right! There must be something shady going on!"
Sang Ning left it at that. "Then I’ll leave the rest to you two."
But Nan Wenyue remained wary. "Why help us? Before, you clearly—"
Sang Ning’s tone was indifferent. "Everyone acts in their own interest. If you’re willing, let’s bury the past. I’ll let bygones be bygones, and so should you. Consider this my gift to you."
What harm was there in keeping Nan Wenyue and Nan Zhenxing around?
In a corporation as vast as Nan’s, it was impossible to root out every corrupt element.
Now that she held their secrets, they would have no choice but to obey her.
By using this opportunity to oust Nan Zhenming completely, she would solidify her position as the sole heir while gaining the support of her aunt and uncle—killing two birds with one stone.
Sang Ning smiled. "So, Aunt, Uncle—will you accept my goodwill?"
Their expressions shifted rapidly. After a tense silence, they finally nodded. "Fine."
"Then I’ll leave it to you."
As usual, Sang Ning left work at eight.
In high spirits, she stepped out into the chilly night air, but instead of feeling the cold, she found the breeze oddly refreshing.
She reached for her phone to call Uncle Zhang, but when she looked up, her gaze landed on the Bentley parked by the curb.
She tilted her head slightly.
"General Manager He, is there something you need?" The greeting was as polite and familiar as ever.
He Siyu replied calmly, "Yes."
"What is it?"
"There's an issue with the AI medical project."
"..."
