He turned to look at her: "Get in the car first. Aren’t you afraid of the cold?"
Sang Ning pressed her lips together slightly and opened the car door.
The warmth inside the car was overwhelming, instantly driving away the chill that had clung to her.
He drove off without another word.
Sang Ning asked politely, "What’s the issue this time?"
His hands gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed ahead as he replied coolly, "You haven’t been to the studio."
"I’ve been busy with my family’s company lately, but Ye Qian has been sending me daily updates on the project."
"Busy with what?"
"Handling some trouble."
His fingers tightened slightly around the wheel. He had guessed that things at her company might be chaotic—after all, she had just taken over, was inexperienced, and was younger than most in charge. There were bound to be adjustments.
"Managing alright?" he asked.
"It’s fine."
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her tone was light, betraying no extra emotion.
He relaxed a little. It seemed she had things under control.
The car stopped. Sang Ning looked outside—another restaurant.
She turned to him. "I’ve already had dinner. I’m not hungry right now."
His expression remained indifferent. "I’m hungry."
With that, he pushed open the door and stepped out.
"……"
Sang Ning stayed in the car, watching as he walked around the front, his black coat fluttering in the wind, his face unreadable.
He reached the passenger side, met her gaze, and pulled open the door. "Do I need to carry you in?"
"...No."
He stepped back coldly, letting her exit. She closed the door behind her and turned, only to see him already striding inside.
She paused, blinking at his tall, retreating figure.
It was a Japanese restaurant. Sang Ning followed and took the seat across from him.
She ordered a few dishes at random, and the waiter retreated with the menu.
He Siyu took a sip of water, his tone indifferent. "Xinghong is now under Pei Songhan’s management. Since you’ve taken over precision manufacturing, how’s working with him?"
Sang Ning nodded. "Young Master Pei is easy to talk to."
His fingers tightened around the glass as he shot her a sidelong glance, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? So I’m not easy to talk to?"
She met his gaze, her tone sincere. "You really aren’t as easygoing as he is."
"……"
He took another sip of water, forcing down the irritation rising in his chest.
"Then why didn’t you ask him for help?"
"I didn’t."
"Why not?"
She shook her head. "I don’t like owing people favors."
In business, trading favors was common—just mutual benefit. But Pei Songhan’s favors? She knew she couldn’t repay them.
The words "other people" slipped into his ears, and the gloom in He Siyu’s expression lightened unexpectedly.
He loosened his grip on the glass, his tone casual. "Oh."
Soon, the waiter returned with their food.
He Siyu, for once, had a decent appetite. Sang Ning ate some sashimi and tempura shrimp—the taste wasn’t bad.
After the meal, he drove her home as usual.
The car stopped at the intersection near the Nan residence.
"Don’t forget tomorrow’s meeting," he said coolly.
Sang Ning hesitated. "I might not make it tomorrow. There’s something urgent at the company."
His brow furrowed slightly.
"Could you ask Assistant Yan to send me the meeting notes?" Her tone was earnest.
His eyebrow arched. Was she asking him for a favor?
His expression softened, his voice lazy. "Oh. Fine."
Sang Ning glanced at him, surprised. Since when was he so agreeable?
She had expected his usual sarcastic remarks.
"Thank you, then. I’ll head in now."
She opened the door, waved at him out of habit, and turned toward home.
As she walked down the path to the Nan residence, her hand on the door handle, she paused abruptly and looked back—only to meet his deep, dark gaze.
He hadn’t expected her to turn around. His eyes flicked away stiffly, his face cold as he looked elsewhere.
She turned back, pushed open the gate, and stepped inside.
He Siyu watched until the gate closed behind her, then pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Mr. He," Assistant Yan answered promptly.
"Find out what’s going on inside Nan Corporation."
"Understood."
---
The next day, Sang Ning arrived at work at nine as usual.
By eleven, the old master had suddenly appeared at the company.
Sang Ning rushed to greet him. "Grandfather, what brings you here?"
Nan Zhenming hurried over as well. "Father, is something wrong?"
The old man threw a folder at him. "How dare you ask!"
Nan Zhenming was stunned. "W-what did I do?"
"You know exactly what you’ve done!" the old man snapped.
Nan Zhenming froze, guilt flashing across his face. He wasn’t sure what had been uncovered, but he had plenty of secrets.
He bent to pick up the folder, flipping it open—and his face paled instantly.
"Who dares use shadow contracts to collude with outsiders and embezzle company funds?"
Nan Wenyue, who had entered with the old man, sneered. "Stop pretending, Eldest Brother. This was your doing, wasn’t it?"
Nan Zhenming slammed the table. "How dare you accuse me!"
Nan Zhenxing’s voice was icy. "The evidence is undeniable. You instructed Manager Wen to handle these shadow contracts, and the embezzled funds ended up in your pocket."
"You’re lying! Nan Zhenxing! After all I’ve done for you, you dare slander me?" Nan Zhenming was livid.
"Eldest Brother, just because you’ve treated me well doesn’t mean I’ll turn a blind eye to you harming the Nan family’s interests. How did you secure that big order from Hao Yong? If I’m not mistaken, they even transferred a private sum to you as thanks!"
Nan Zhenming’s face stiffened. "Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!"
Sang Ning interjected calmly, "I don’t believe Father would do such a thing. Why not check his bank records? If there’s no large transfer from Hao Yong recently, that should clear things up."
The old man’s sharp eyes bore into Nan Zhenming.
Nan Zhenming’s unease was unmistakable. "No! Why should I be investigated? I’m innocent!"
Sang Ning sighed. "But the evidence is here. If you don’t prove your innocence, how can Grandfather believe you?"
Nan Zhenming exploded. "Shut your mouth!"
The old man slammed the table. "You still dare to shout? You disgrace!"
Nan Zhenming shrank back, stammering, "Father, believe me! I didn’t do this! I secured the Hao Yong deal because of my friendship with General Manager Wang! If you don’t believe me, call him here—"
Just then, an assistant entered. "General Manager Wang is here."
Sang Ning’s eyes flickered in surprise.
Nan Zhenming seized the lifeline. "Quick, bring him in!"
The assistant looked to the old man, who nodded grimly. "Let him in."
Moments later, the conference room door opened, and General Manager Wang walked in.
"Ah, Chairman Nan! What an honor!" He hurried to shake the old man’s hand.
Old Master Nan said sternly, "General Manager Wang, what brings you here today?"
Nan Zhenming looked at him eagerly, as if he were gazing at his lifeline.
General Manager Wang frowned. "I came regarding a matter. Recently, we signed a deal with your company, but I discovered that some employees colluded with your people behind the scenes, deceiving both sides for personal profit."
The moment these words were spoken, the entire meeting room fell into dead silence.
Even Sang Ning was momentarily stunned.
Old Master Nan's hand gripping his cane trembled as he glared at Nan Zhenming. "You disgrace! You utter disgrace!"
Nan Zhenming's face turned deathly pale. He felt more wronged than Dou E. "Dad! I truly had no idea about any of this!"
The old man could no longer contain his fury and slapped him across the face. "You worthless fool! I actually thought you had turned over a new leaf, that you were finally capable. But instead, you’ve become even more lawless!"
Nan Zhenming glared at General Manager Wang in frustration. "You... how could you—"
General Manager Wang interjected calmly, "This time, it was our company’s oversight. I’ve already dealt with those who engaged in the underhanded dealings. However, the contract has already been signed, so our collaboration will proceed as planned. But as for your family affairs, I won’t interfere."
Old Master Nan nodded with a dark expression. "Sang Ning, see General Manager Wang out."
With outsiders present, he couldn’t properly discipline this disgraceful son!
Sang Ning quickly nodded. "Yes."
She then escorted General Manager Wang out.
As they walked out of the Nan Corporation building, Sang Ning tentatively asked, "General Manager Wang, why did you come today?"
General Manager Wang smiled somewhat eagerly and lowered his voice. "Third Young Master He gave me a heads-up."
Sang Ning froze for a moment.
"I won’t linger any longer. If Young Master Nan ever needs anything in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out," General Manager Wang said politely before leaving.
Sang Ning stood there, taking a while to collect herself.
Today was destined to be a turbulent day for the Nan Corporation. The old man flew into a rage, publicly stripping Nan Zhenming of all his positions and ordering him to go home and stay there, never to interfere in the company’s affairs again!
While soothing the old man’s temper, Sang Ning also had to oversee Nan Zhenming’s handover of duties, leaving her swamped with work.
By eight o’clock, she had finally cleaned up the mess.
As she stepped out of the company, she felt a refreshing sense of relief.
Unsurprisingly, she spotted the familiar Bentley parked outside.
She walked over, opened the door, and greeted politely, "President He."
He glanced at her indifferently, offering no reply.
She got into the car. "General Manager Wang visited the Nan Corporation today."
"Oh."
"Did you ask him to come?"
He remained silent for two seconds before his ink-black eyes locked onto hers. "Are you unhappy about it?"
