She glared at the group of reporters. "If even a single photo you took today gets leaked, I will sue you until you're bankrupt."
The reporters awkwardly put away their cameras.
Sang Ning picked up her phone and dialed Xu Yan’s number.
"Young Miss Nan."
"Bring people up here immediately and deal with these media reporters on the third floor. Not a single photo they took is allowed to leave this place."
"Ah? Understood."
Soon, Xu Yan arrived with security, checking each reporter’s camera and demanding they delete the photos—otherwise, they wouldn’t be allowed to leave.
They weren’t public figures. Taking unauthorized private photos was illegal.
Sang Ning stood by the door, watching them handle the deletions, but her frown remained.
Today’s incident was strange. Targeting her was one thing, but who would dare scheme against Pei Songhan?
Nan Siya? Impossible.
Even the Du Family wouldn’t provoke Pei Songhan so casually.
The mastermind behind this was still unknown—it could be aimed at her or at Pei Songhan.
But whoever it was, they likely had significant influence.
With such powerful backing, would this really be so easy to resolve?
---
Qimu Club, an upscale venue in the southern suburbs of Jing City.
Tonight, Gu Xingchen was hosting a dinner to thank He Siyu for letting him bypass the usual process and directly invest in the AI medical project.
"He Siyu’s been oddly agreeable lately, huh? Not only did he let Gu Xingchen invest without a fuss, but he even agreed to come to this thank-you dinner?" Meng Lai found it hard to believe.
The investment itself wasn’t a big deal—as longtime friends, He Siyu was usually lenient when asked for favors.
But for the notoriously busy He Siyu to attend a dinner like this? That was truly something.
Gu Xingchen smirked. "He’s in a great mood lately. If any of you have requests, now’s the time—strike while the iron’s hot."
He Siyu shot him a glance but sipped his wine calmly, looking completely at ease.
Meng Lai and Zhong Shu exchanged stunned glances. Was he possessed or something?
"Come on, let’s all toast!" The lively atmosphere at the table was rare, and everyone was in high spirits.
He Siyu raised his glass and clinked it with theirs.
Suddenly, the private room door slid open, and Lin Shuyan walked in.
He Siyu’s brow furrowed slightly. Gu Xingchen blinked in surprise but quickly put on a welcoming smile. "Oh, what brings you here?"
Lin Shuyan smiled. "I saw your post and knew you guys were gathering here again. Thought I’d join the fun."
Gu Xingchen scratched his head awkwardly. "Ahaha, yeah, sure."
He glanced at He Siyu’s expression. Rumor had it that He Siyu and Lin Shuyan had been on bad terms lately—nothing stayed secret in their circle, though no one knew why.
In this situation, wasn’t Lin Shuyan just setting herself up for humiliation?
Yet Lin Shuyan took the initiative to speak to He Siyu, her tone conciliatory. "Siyu, I was wrong last time. I acted too impulsively."
He Siyu remained cold.
Seeing her humble herself, the others quickly chimed in to mediate. "We’ve all grown up together—no need to hold grudges, right? Shuyan, why do you always manage to upset He Siyu?"
They’d seen this scenario countless times. Lin Shuyan had always tagged along with them, their families being old friends.
But girls could be a bit spoiled, and He Siyu had never indulged anyone—his temper was too foul for that.
So Lin Shuyan would often end up in tears, only to come back later and apologize. Everyone would smooth things over, and that would be that.
This time, they followed the same script.
Lin Shuyan picked up her glass and raised it to He Siyu. "Let this be my apology. Whatever decision you made before, I accept it. But at least we’re still friends, right?"
The air froze for three seconds. She held her glass aloft, but the man across from her didn’t move.
The lively room fell silent.
Everyone instinctively checked He Siyu’s expression, sensing that this time was different.
Lin Shuyan’s lips trembled as she kept her glass raised, her face growing stiff as the seconds ticked by.
He Siyu stared at her coldly. "I’m not interested."
Lin Shuyan paled.
The room plunged into dead silence.
This was the first time He Siyu had outright rejected her. Clearly, Lin Shuyan had crossed a line this time.
The tension stretched for another three seconds before Gu Xingchen tried to lighten the mood. "Alright, alright, He Siyu’s probably still upset. Maybe next time?"
Lin Shuyan’s expression darkened, her eyes reddening as she stared at He Siyu, unable to believe he was truly cutting ties with her.
All because of that bitch Nan Sangning!
Just then, the TV blared with breaking news.
"Hot off the press! The heiress of the Nan Group and the Pei Family’s successor are secretly dating! At today’s joint project celebration, the two were caught sharing a private moment. No wonder their collaboration has been so close—wedding bells may soon ring!"
The entire room whipped around to look at the screen.
A blown-up photo showed Nan Sangning and Pei Songhan alone together, caught by the cameras.
He Siyu’s grip on his glass tightened abruptly, his face darkening.
Meng Lai choked on his wine, coughing violently.
"Holy shit! What the hell? Pei Songhan and Nan Sangning?!" Gu Xingchen nearly leapt from his seat.
"No fucking way! No wonder Pei Songhan suddenly wanted to call off his engagement! But how is it Nan Sangning? We’ve been together all this time, and he never mentioned her!" Zhong Shu exploded.
Lin Shuyan sneered at He Siyu. "Nan Sangning really knows how to play the game. Acting all innocent while sneaking around with Pei Songhan behind your back."
He Siyu stood and strode for the door. "I have to go."
"Huh?"
Still reeling from the shock of Nan Sangning and Pei Songhan, no one paid much attention to He Siyu’s abrupt exit.
Lin Shuyan chased after him.
"Siyu, can’t you see? That Nan Sangning is nothing but a two-faced seductress. She’s been stringing you along while sleeping with Pei Songhan! All she cares about is power—how do you think she secured so many big deals after taking over the Nan Group? Who knows how many men she’s—"
He Siyu spun around, his expression terrifying.
Lin Shuyan immediately shut her mouth, fear creeping up her spine.
"Don’t think I won’t make you regret this," he said icily.
Lin Shuyan froze, her face ghostly pale, barely daring to breathe. "I—I just worry about you..."
He Siyu didn’t waste time arguing. He turned and stormed off.
Lin Shuyan stood rooted in place, her eyes burning with hatred.
Even after Nan Sangning’s disgraceful behavior, he still went after that slut?!
---
"Young Miss Nan, look at the news!" Xu Yan rushed over, shoving his phone at Sang Ning.
Sang Ning held her phone, staring at the enlarged photo in the news and the sensational headline, her expression growing increasingly grim.
Someone had already leaked the photo ahead of time.
Only ten minutes had passed since the picture was taken, yet the news had already broken—clearly, the other party had been prepared.
Her phone suddenly rang. When she checked the caller ID, her heart clenched tightly.
