In Jing City, there was an inland sea. The last time Sang Ning had been here was when she accompanied He Siyu to a nearby dock for a yacht auction. But this was her first time actually visiting the seaside.
The beach at night was quiet, with only the dim glow of streetlights along the asphalt road faintly illuminating the surroundings. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air.
Sang Ning took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling as if every pore in her body had relaxed. It was incredibly soothing.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
Sang Ning shook her head. The excitement of seeing the ocean for the first time outweighed the chill. She turned to gaze at the sea shrouded in darkness, her eyes bright. "So this is what the sound of waves is really like. It’s nothing like the sound inside a seashell."
She had only ever read about the ocean in geography books before. Her cousin, who had once traveled with his father on business, had seen the sea and brought her back a beautiful seashell, telling her that the sound inside it was the sound of the waves.
He Siyu looked at her. "You’ve never been to the seaside before?"
Sang Ning nodded. "This is my first time."
He frowned. How could she have so many firsts?
Sang Ning turned to him, her eyes sparkling. "I really like it here."
He Siyu glanced at the dark sea, the rocky beach devoid of fine sand, and the chilly sea breeze.
She was far too easily pleased.
"This inland sea isn’t much to look at. We’ll go to the Maldives another time to see the real ocean."
But Sang Ning shook her head. "It’s not just the sea."
"What do you mean?"
"Everything. I love all of it." She stared at the boundless dark sea, her eyes brimming with life and anticipation.
He was momentarily taken aback, then lowered his gaze to look at her.
Suddenly, with a loud "boom," a firework burst into the night sky, illuminating the entire dark sea in a dazzling display of colors.
Sang Ning froze, staring blankly at the fireworks blooming over the water before turning to He Siyu. "This is…"
He Siyu coolly avoided her radiant eyes. "People often set off fireworks by the sea."
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Mhm."
"Then we’re really lucky!"
He responded indifferently. "Yeah."
Sang Ning looked up at the sky. Fireworks shot up one after another without pause, bursting into brilliant displays. Then, a blue firework exploded in the night, its azure flames reflecting across the endless sea.
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly.
She suddenly remembered Ji Yan saying that blue fireworks were expensive and hard to obtain—she had gone to great lengths to get them.
Sang Ning turned to He Siyu.
He was lazily watching the fireworks, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat. Sensing her gaze, he glanced down at her, his voice casual. "What is it?"
Sang Ning blinked. "Nothing."
He suddenly asked, "Are you happy?"
She smiled. "Very."
He let out a soft hum, suppressing the slight curve of his lips. "Good."
Gu Xingchen, unreliable as he usually was, had actually come through this time.
"This is my first time watching fireworks by the sea. It’s so much more beautiful than in the mountains." Sang Ning tilted her head back, watching the fireworks bloom one after another over the water, her lips curving upward.
He chuckled. "Nan Sangning, can’t you aim a little higher? Is this really worth recording as a first?"
Sang Ning replied earnestly, "Every experience is worth treasuring."
Because these were things she couldn’t even dream of in her first eighteen years of life. She cherished them deeply.
He smirked faintly. "Then have you treasured me?"
She paused, her gaze faltering slightly.
The fireworks continued to bloom over the sea, endlessly lighting up the dark night.
Through the dazzling glow, she met his deep, dark eyes, and her heart seemed to tug inexplicably.
---
The next morning, Sang Ning woke up groggily.
Reaching habitually for her phone on the pillow, she saw a message from Ye Qian:
[There’s a product media briefing this afternoon! It’s also Huiyao’s first official announcement of our AI medical project. Don’t forget to come!]
[5 PM, Intercontinental Hotel]
Sang Ning rubbed her sleepy eyes and reread the message before slowly typing a reply: [Got it.]
After a quick wash, she changed into a beige wool coat and headed downstairs.
"Young Mistress, you’re awake? I made bird’s nest porridge for you. Would you like some?" Aunt Chen greeted her warmly.
Sang Ning massaged her temples. "No, thank you. I don’t have much appetite today."
As usual, she walked into the dining room, where the old master was already having breakfast.
"Grandfather," she greeted.
Nan Zhenming gave her a critical look. "What kind of state is this to be in?"
The old master glared at him. "Sang Ning has been working hard for the company. Instead of lecturing her, you should appreciate her efforts."
Nan Zhenming was left speechless and lowered his head.
The old master turned to Sang Ning with a kind expression. "Don’t overwork yourself. If there’s anything you don’t understand about the company, consult the senior staff in each department."
Sang Ning nodded obediently. "I will."
Nan Siya bit her lip, feeling stifled. Nan Sangning’s status in the Nan family was soaring. Rumor had it she had even bought a private residence recently—such extravagance was beyond Nan Siya’s wildest dreams with her meager allowance.
She couldn’t stand seeing Nan Sangning live so comfortably. How she wished she could expose the evidence she had of Sangning reuniting with her ex-boyfriend!
Sang Ning noticed her gaze and swept a cool glance her way, making Nan Siya tense involuntarily.
The old master suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. Siya’s wedding is the day after tomorrow. Make sure you clear your schedule."
"Don’t worry, Grandfather. I’ve already arranged it."
She looked at Nan Siya and smiled. "How could I miss such an important event as Siya’s wedding?"
Though the words sounded warm, Nan Siya inexplicably sensed a hint of threat in them.
She suddenly recalled Nan Sangning’s warning to her before:
"If you ever run into trouble with the Chen Family in the future, don’t come begging for my help."
Sang Ning turned and left.
Nan Siya’s face stiffened. Wen Meiling suddenly asked her, "Siya, you said you had something to tell me earlier. What was it?"
Nan Siya’s lips trembled slightly, but the words stuck in her throat were swallowed back down.
---
At 5 PM, Sang Ning left work and went straight to the Intercontinental Hotel.
Huiyao had reserved the banquet hall on the second floor for the product briefing.
When Sang Ning entered, the hall was already filled with media representatives and executives from various internet companies who had been invited.
Her eyes immediately landed on He Siyu, who was mingling with guests. Dressed in a sharp black suit and a navy-blue tie, he looked uncharacteristically polished. He was the kind of person who naturally stood out in a crowd.
"Sang Ning! You’re here!" Ye Qian waved excitedly at her.
Sang Ning withdrew her gaze and walked over quickly. "Am I late?"
"Not at all! The presentation is about to start!"
Ye Qian was thrilled. "Almost all the big names in the industry are here today! It’s my first time seeing so many legends in person. Only Huiyao could pull this off."
Sang Ning couldn’t help but laugh. "Don’t tell me you went asking for autographs again?"
"I wanted to! But this isn’t the right occasion—can’t embarrass our product. Next time, next time." Ye Qian didn’t seem the least bit disappointed.
She pulled Sang Ning to their seats in the second row, where Zhang Liang and the others were already waiting, dressed in rare suits and ties, looking slightly nervous.
The host took the stage and announced, "Welcome, everyone, to today's product launch. Next, Mr. He from Huiyao will introduce the project."
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and a crowd of reporters immediately surged forward, cameras in hand.
He Siyu stepped onto the stage, took the microphone, and delivered a concise introduction: "Huiyao's AI healthcare product, currently in its prototype phase, will soon enter testing. It is expected to officially launch by March at the latest. This product is one of Huiyao's most highly anticipated flagship projects this year, and we have great expectations for it."
The audience applauded once more.
His gaze swept across the room, landing on Nan Sangning seated below. She, too, was clapping attentively.
How rare—she wasn’t zoning out.
He had assumed she only paid this much attention when watching male celebrities rip their shirts open.
