His gaze froze—this was the scene of them watching fireworks on the mountaintop.
Back then, he hadn’t been looking at the fireworks. In his peripheral vision was her slightly upturned face and her dazzling eyes.
He hadn’t known this photo existed, nor that she had deliberately kept it.
He had assumed that during their time on the mountain, she hadn’t paid him any attention.
The ringtone of her phone continued incessantly, the caller ID still flashing. He lowered his eyes, staring at her phone, but made no move to decline the call.
His own phone vibrated—an incoming call.
Setting her phone aside, he slipped it into his coat pocket and answered his call.
Assistant Yan’s voice came through: "President He, I’ve already contacted General Manager Wang of Wenze Hotel. We’re waiting in the lobby now."
He Siyu’s voice was icy. "I’ll be right down."
He headed straight for the elevator.
In the hotel lobby, General Manager Wang was indeed waiting—a middle-aged man of modest height and a well-fed appearance, who greeted He Siyu with excessive enthusiasm, ushering him toward the VIP reception room.
"Young Master He, what brings you here so suddenly? I wasn’t prepared at all. Please, this way."
He Siyu took a seat on the sofa in the VIP room before finally lifting his eyes to meet the man’s. "You don’t know why I’m here?"
General Manager Wang’s smile stiffened. Under the sharpness of He Siyu’s gaze, a flicker of panic crossed his face.
"I—how would I know?"
Assistant Yan interjected, "Just half an hour ago, news broke about Second Young Master Pei and Miss Nan at Wenze Hotel. As the person in charge, General Manager Wang, you can’t possibly be unaware."
Cold sweat broke out on General Manager Wang’s forehead. He never expected this matter would drag He Siyu into it!
"I—I really don’t know! I wasn’t even here today. I rushed over as soon as your assistant contacted me."
He Siyu’s voice was frigid. "Where’s the waiter who spilled the wine?"
General Manager Wang hurriedly replied, "Ah, I just asked about that. It was a temp worker. Since the Nan family was hosting an event here, we were short-staffed, so we hired about ten temporary workers to help. Who knew she’d be so clumsy? The manager scolded her and sent her away on the spot."
The explanation rolled off his tongue smoothly—after all, he’d already fed the same line to Pei Songhan.
He Siyu leaned back into the sofa, crossing his legs. His dark, fathomless eyes bore into the man, radiating a chilling intensity. "Do you think I’m easy to fool?"
General Manager Wang’s hands trembled as he shook his head. "N-no, of course not…"
Everyone in the capital knew of He Siyu’s methods. Who would dare provoke this living nightmare?
If he’d known this mess would bring He Siyu down on him, he wouldn’t have dared even with ten extra lives!
He Siyu’s lips curved slightly, his tone deceptively calm. "I’ll give you one last chance. My patience is wearing thin. If I don’t hear what I want, I can’t guarantee what will happen to you."
General Manager Wang paled and blurted out, "Young Master He, I’ll talk! That temp worker was arranged by Miss Chen—Chen Zhihan! We did hire about ten temps today, and with the banquet so crowded, it was easy for someone to slip through unnoticed."
"And the reporters?" He Siyu demanded coldly.
"Miss Chen also arranged for them to go upstairs. She said Young Master Nan had moved the interview to a smaller meeting room on the upper floor. Since the entire third floor was booked by the Nan family, some reporters were already staying there overnight, so they were allowed up."
He Siyu stared at him, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "A nobody like the Chen family could stir up this much trouble?"
General Manager Wang scrambled to explain, "The Chens are related to the Nans by marriage. Since the Nans were hosting the banquet, it wasn’t unusual for the Chens to handle some arrangements. I didn’t think much of it, Young Master He! I swear, that’s all I know!"
He Siyu held his gaze for three seconds. General Manager Wang wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve.
Finally, He Siyu stood and strode out.
Meanwhile, in the banquet hall—
Sang Ning had just reached the entrance when she ran into the Nan family.
"Grandpa, Mom, Dad," she greeted calmly.
"What have you done?! Getting caught in a private meeting with Second Young Master Pei in a hotel room? Do you realize how much shame you’ve brought upon the Nan family?!" Nan Zhenming roared.
Sang Ning’s cold gaze swept over him. "Today was just a misunderstanding. I’ll handle it."
She knew perfectly well that Nan Zhenming didn’t care about the family’s reputation—he’d simply found a way to suppress her.
After all, Nan Zhenming had used Pei Songhan’s favor to secure the Hao Yong deal. He knew exactly what he’d done.
"How will you handle it?! Now the whole city thinks the Nans are selling off their daughters for profit!"
Sang Ning’s eyes widened slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in her calm, glass-like irises.
As if the Nan family hadn’t done exactly that before.
Nan Zhenming seemed stung by her expression. "What’s that look for?!"
"Enough! There’s no time for this squabbling!" Grandpa snapped.
The old man fixed Sang Ning with a stern gaze. "What really happened today?"
Sang Ning repeated, "I’ll take care of it."
The reason didn’t matter. To Grandpa, only the outcome was important.
"And if you can’t?" Grandpa pressed.
Sang Ning’s voice remained steady. "I’ll accept whatever punishment the family decides."
Grandpa took a deep breath and finally nodded. "Fine. I’ll trust you one more time."
Sang Ning dipped her head. "Then I’ll take my leave. It’s best if I don’t stay for the rest of the banquet."
"Go."
As she turned to leave, Nan Zhenming couldn’t resist muttering, "Dad, how can you just trust her like this? A mere girl causing such a scandal! What if she fails—"
Grandpa cut him off with a glare. "If she fails, so be it. If Second Young Master Pei and Sang Ning end up together, it’s a good thing. A little embarrassment is nothing compared to securing a marriage alliance with the Pei family. Don’t you want the Nan family to thrive?"
Nan Zhenming choked on his words.
Nearby, Nan Siya’s face twisted with fury.
No wonder Sang Ning had always ignored Brother Zheng—she’d set her sights on someone even higher, Second Young Master Pei!
If Sang Ning really married into the Pei family, becoming the young mistress of the Peis, what would that make her, the wife of a mere Chen heir?
Outside the hotel, Sang Ning spotted the black Bentley parked at the curb, a tall figure standing beside it, his black overcoat blending into the night.
She pressed her lips together and stopped in her tracks.
He strode toward her, the hem of his coat fluttering in the cold wind.
When he reached her, his gaze dropped to the exposed sliver of her calves beneath her dress, his brow furrowing. "Aren’t you cold?"
She wore only a white woolen coat over her evening gown. The hotel’s warmth had been sufficient, but outside, winter’s chill lingered.
Here at the entrance, it was neither warm nor freezing.
She didn’t answer.
He reached for her hand, his tone stiff yet cautious. "Get in the car first, alright?"
