The next day, Sang Ning had a good night's sleep and felt refreshed. In the morning, she went to the company to handle some matters regarding the new collaboration with the Chen family. By 2 p.m., she headed to Huiyao.
Ye Qian had given her an access card, so she could now swipe in and out of Huiyao directly. She went straight to the small conference room on the 24th floor, where Ye Qian and Zhang Liang were already waiting for her.
"You're here!" Ye Qian exclaimed excitedly, pulling her to sit down. "The product presentation last time was a huge success. I heard we secured a massive investment. We’re really going places now."
Sang Ning smiled. "That’s because your product is excellent."
Zhang Liang scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. "It’s not about us at all. It’s all about Huiyao’s reputation."
An hour-long product presentation hardly justified such a hefty investment.
He Siyu’s single remark—"This project will be one of Huiyao’s top priorities this year"—had carried more than enough weight.
Ye Qian leaned in and whispered to Sang Ning, "That’s why it’s good to have strong backing. During the tech expo, the pile of project proposals submitted to Huiyao was taller than a mountain. Getting selected was like winning the lottery. My classmates are all so jealous of us."
"Being chosen by Huiyao is proof of your capabilities," Sang Ning said earnestly.
"Ah, you’re making me blush," Ye Qian said, covering her face in embarrassment.
Zhang Liang just chuckled awkwardly.
Just then, the conference room door opened.
He Siyu walked in.
Ye Qian and Zhang Liang stiffened, immediately standing up straight. "President He!"
Their project was managed by President Fang, who was approachable and treated them kindly as his juniors. Over time, they had grown comfortable with him.
But President He? Every encounter with him left Ye Qian and Zhang Liang feeling immense pressure.
Logically, President Fang should have been the one to attend today. Such a minor matter hardly warranted President He’s presence.
Since the other two had stood up, Sang Ning followed suit and greeted politely, "President He."
He Siyu extended his hand. "Hello."
Ye Qian and Zhang Liang hurriedly shook his hand. "Good afternoon, President He."
He Siyu briefly touched their fingertips before turning to Sang Ning.
Sang Ning hesitated for a second, then offered her hand.
He grasped it firmly, his large hand enveloping hers, holding on for three seconds without letting go.
Sang Ning tried to pull back, but he didn’t release her. She glanced up, shooting him a subtle glare.
The corner of his lips curled slightly, and his thumb brushed "accidentally" over the back of her hand, sending a shiver down her spine.
Finally, he let go and took a seat, casually unbuttoning his suit jacket. "Let’s review the contract first," he said, his tone relaxed.
His demeanor was so natural that no one could find fault with it.
Sang Ning stood frozen for a couple of seconds before stiffly sitting down.
Ye Qian and Zhang Liang were too nervous to notice the brief exchange.
Assistant Yan distributed the contracts.
He Siyu summarized, "Six additional companies have invested in this round, with funding exceeding a hundred million. We’ve decided to allocate 20% of the shares to these investors."
"The remaining 80% will be restructured among Huiyao and the three founders. Huiyao holds 32%, Miss Sang Ning 24%, Zhang Liang 19%, and Ye Qian 5%. Any objections?"
"None!" Ye Qian and Zhang Liang answered in unison.
Sang Ning, who had only invested three million, had no complaints either.
Assistant Yan handed them pens and ink pads. "Please sign the contracts."
The three quickly signed.
He Siyu watched as Sang Ning carefully wrote her name, pressed her thumb into the ink pad, and stamped it beside her signature.
His gaze darkened momentarily before he looked away.
Once the formalities were complete, Assistant Yan collected the contracts for verification. "Do you have any further questions?"
"No," Ye Qian and Zhang Liang replied immediately.
Sang Ning shook her head.
"Then we’ll take our leave," they said, standing to go.
He Siyu nodded.
Just as Zhang Liang opened the door, Assistant Yan suddenly spoke up. "Ah, Miss Sang Ning, could you stay behind for a moment? There’s a collaboration matter regarding the Sang Group we’d like to confirm with you."
Sang Ning blinked. Since when did they have a collaboration?
Ye Qian and Zhang Liang nodded. "We’ll head out first."
Once they left, Assistant Yan politely excused himself. "I’ll go fetch the documents."
He stepped out, closing the door behind him.
The moment Sang Ning turned around, she was pulled into a warm embrace.
One arm wrapped around her waist, the other cupping her face as He Siyu leaned down and kissed her.
"Mmph—"
Her eyes widened, and she pushed against his chest, but he only deepened the kiss, holding her firmly against him, unrestrained.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally loosened his grip, opening his eyes to see her flushed cheeks—whether from embarrassment or anger, he couldn’t tell.
"He Siyu!" she hissed, keeping her voice low to avoid being overheard.
He kissed the corner of her lips, his voice tender. "Hmm?"
She shivered slightly, her fingers trembling against his chest.
"I listened to you. I didn’t tell anyone about us."
The words sounded almost innocent.
Sang Ning’s frustration suddenly dissipated, replaced by a stifled feeling. "That doesn’t mean you can just kiss me whenever you want at the office."
"No one saw."
"What if someone walked in?"
This was a public conference room!
He smirked. "Assistant Yan is standing guard outside. No one’s getting in."
"..."
How thoughtful of him.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Sang Ning startled and shoved him away.
"What is it?" He Siyu frowned.
"President He, President Fang is here," Assistant Yan said cautiously.
He Siyu glanced back at Sang Ning, who had already retreated to the opposite side of the table.
He gave her a cool look. She was certainly vigilant.
"Let him in."
He Siyu took a seat.
Fang Han pushed the door open. "Ah, have you finished signing the new contracts?"
Sang Ning nodded calmly. "Yes, all done. Thank you for your concern, President Fang."
Fang Han smiled. "Good, good."
He Siyu shot him a frosty look. "What do you want?"
"It’s not me. Someone’s looking for you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Shuyan walked in with a smile. "Siyu."
Then she spotted Sang Ning sitting in the room, and her smile froze.
Sang Ning was equally surprised.
He Siyu’s brow furrowed as he glared at Fang Han. "How kind of you to entertain guests on my behalf."
Fang Han stiffened, forcing a laugh. "I just thought since Miss Lin is your childhood friend... I ran into her downstairs and brought her up with me."
The atmosphere in the room turned tense. Sensing trouble, Fang Han quickly made his escape. "Ah, I just remembered I have something urgent to attend to. I’ll get going!"
With that, he bolted.
He Siyu turned to Lin Shuyan, his voice cold. "What do you want?"
His aloofness made her expression stiffen further.
But in front of Sang Ning, she refused to lose face. Today, she had mustered all her courage to approach him for reconciliation.
She forced a smile. "I heard from my dad that your company recently launched an AI project, so I came to ask about investment opportunities..."
He Siyu replied coolly, "This round of funding has already closed."
"Is that so?"
Lin Shuyan turned to Sang Ning, her voice turning icy. "Miss Sang, what are you doing here?"
Sang Ning responded politely, "I'm one of the co-founders of this AI project."
Lin Shuyan stiffened, her grip tightening around her handbag, her face darkening with fury.
So the project He Siyu invested in… was Sang Ning’s?!
Lin Shuyan could barely contain herself, her eyes burning with jealousy as she sneered.
"Miss Sang certainly has her ways. Willing to use any trick for profit, aren’t you? Since marrying into the He family seems hopeless, now you’re clinging to men to fund your schemes with those cheap seductive tactics?"
He Siyu’s expression darkened instantly, his gaze turning stormy.
Sang Ning blinked and looked at him. "Mr. He, aren’t you going to say something?"
