She looked up at him, and the dark desire in his eyes was now tinged with a chilling coolness.
Her phone kept ringing insistently—Pei Songhan was calling, and it must be something urgent. She couldn’t ignore it.
Pushing him away gently, she answered the call, her tone polite yet distant. "Young Master Pei."
Pei Songhan’s anxious voice came through the phone. "Are you alright?"
Sang Ning felt the gaze above her grow even colder. She turned slightly, her eyes resting on a nearby pen holder. "I’m fine. Was there something you needed, Young Master Pei?"
Pei Songhan, unusually agitated, replied, "I couldn’t reach you these past few days. I was afraid my family might blame you for what happened..."
"I understand. Though it was a misunderstanding, it did cause trouble for the Pei Family. If the opportunity arises, I’ll personally apologize." Her voice was calm.
"How is this your fault? You’re the victim here. My family knows the whole story now—they don’t hold anything against you."
The online narrative had shifted dramatically in the past two days, and Pei Songhan suspected someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. No one knew better than him that he and Lin Shuyan had no conflict.
Lin Shuyan had always harbored feelings for He Siyu. If she had orchestrated this scheme, it was undoubtedly aimed at Sang Ning.
But he hadn’t explained this to his family. He’d rather they blamed him for stirring trouble than see her become the target of public scrutiny.
In this storm, the best outcome was for her to fade into the background as an innocent victim.
"Is that so? That’s good," she nodded.
"I was just worried about you. That day... I was careless and fell into a trap, letting you get framed. I regret not protecting you better."
Sang Ning sensed the icy aura radiating from the man beside her. She reached out and took his hand.
He Siyu glanced down as her soft fingers intertwined with his. His lips pressed together slightly, but he let her hold his hand.
Sang Ning pursed her lips. "What’s done is done. I don’t want to dwell on it. Was there another reason for your call today, Young Master Pei?"
Pei Songhan paused, sensing her detachment. After a brief silence, he spoke again, his voice tinged with melancholy.
"The Pei Family is hosting a banquet tonight to formally clear up this matter. I’d like to invite you. Will you come?"
Sang Ning thought for a moment before answering. "Of course. Now that the truth is out, we should put an end to this farce openly."
The Pei and Nan families were business partners. Attending this banquet was necessary—avoiding it would only make her seem guilty.
Besides, she’d taken a loss on the Pei Family’s project! Now that the job was done, she had to restore her reputation.
Pei Songhan exhaled in relief. "Good. I’ll be waiting."
Hanging up, Sang Ning turned to meet He Siyu’s dark gaze.
"You’re going to the Pei Family’s banquet?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered firmly. "Are you coming?"
He leaned in, his eyes locked onto hers. "Do you want me to?"
She tilted her head up, brushing her lips against the corner of his mouth. "He Siyu, you’re so hard to please."
His throat moved slightly, the warmth of her touch sending a shiver through him.
Restraining himself, he gripped her arms and pulled back just an inch, his gaze unwavering. "Do you want me to go?"
Meeting his eyes, she replied, "I want you there."
His expression flickered before he captured her lips in a deep kiss, murmuring huskily, "Then I’ll go with you."
The banquet was held at Mingshan Club, a private event with a special purpose. The Pei Family had also invited a few trusted media outlets.
The scandal had raged for three days, with public opinion shifting repeatedly. Regardless of the Pei Family’s losses, the rumors had to be put to rest.
"Sang Ning! You’re here!" Ji Yan had been waiting at the entrance and immediately pulled her aside.
"Why are you here?" Sang Ning asked.
"Of course I came! How could I let you face the Pei Family alone? What if they bully you?"
Sang Ning laughed. "They won’t. The fact that they invited me to clarify things means they bear no ill will."
Of course they didn’t—she was the real victim. What reason did they have to resent her?
"I still don’t trust them! You handled this whole mess alone without even asking for my help!" Ji Yan pouted.
Sang Ning squeezed her hand playfully. "Next time, I promise I’ll call you."
Ji Yan brightened. "Fine, then."
He Siyu, standing behind them, frowned as he watched Sang Ning swing Ji Yan’s hand with practiced ease. Why did she act like this with everyone?
Ji Yan suddenly noticed his presence and turned, startled. "Young Master He is here too?"
He Siyu replied coolly, "Mn."
Ji Yan glanced at Sang Ning in confusion. "Did you come together?"
Sang Ning shook her head. "We ran into each other at the entrance."
"Oh." Ji Yan nodded, then frowned. Why did that sound familiar?
"Let’s head in," Sang Ning said.
Ji Yan agreed eagerly. "Let’s go!"
As they entered the banquet hall, the Pei Family greeted Sang Ning warmly. "Miss Nan, you’ve arrived."
Sang Ning nodded politely. "Mr. Pei, Mrs. Pei, Young Master Pei."
Pei Songhan’s smile stiffened slightly when he noticed He Siyu following behind Sang Ning. "Young Miss Nan."
Sang Ning addressed Mr. and Mrs. Pei sincerely. "This misunderstanding has caused significant losses for the Pei Family. I feel deeply remorseful. Today, I’m here not only to clarify the situation but also to apologize."
Mrs. Pei, pleased by her courtesy, nodded. "This wasn’t your fault. You were dragged into this and bore undeserved criticism. I heard you handled the Xinghong project exceptionally well."
"That was my duty," Sang Ning smiled.
"The reporters will conduct a brief interview later to fully clear the air and protect your reputation."
Mrs. Pei was a woman of propriety, and Sang Ning matched her grace. "Thank you."
Pei Songhan lowered his gaze, masking the gloom in his eyes.
After tonight’s clarification, they would truly be free of this mess.
Mr. and Mrs. Pei, reassured by Sang Ning’s composure and tact, excused themselves to let the younger generation settle matters.
Nearby, Gu Xingchen whispered to He Siyu, "Don’t you think Pei Songhan seems off?"
He Siyu glanced at Pei Songhan indifferently. "No."
"Really? He looks upset. Do you think he and Sang Ning actually—"
He Siyu shot him a frosty glare. "Nonsense. Watch your mouth."
Gu Xingchen choked. Why was he so defensive? Was Pei Songhan worth it?
Just then, a stir rippled through the crowd as someone announced, "Miss Lin is here."
Everyone's expression darkened—how dare Lin Shuyan show up here?!
Lin Shuyan walked in with stiff steps, her face still pale with poorly concealed distress. When her reddened eyes landed on Sang Ning, they burned with unmistakable hatred.
Pei Songhan's voice was icy. "I don’t recall sending an invitation to the Lin Family."
Lin Shuyan dug her nails into her palm, forcing a strained smile. "My parents sent me to clear up the misunderstanding."
With the situation escalating so severely, the Lin Family couldn’t afford to openly antagonize the Pei Family. Lin Yunfei had ordered her to personally apologize at the Pei residence.
Lin Yunfei had pointed at her nose and snarled, "If you bring the Pei Family’s wrath down on us, I’ll disown you! As if you were never my daughter!"
She had never endured such humiliation in her life, yet today, she had no choice.
Pei Songhan remained indifferent. "There is no misunderstanding here."
"Songhan, I truly didn’t mean to," Lin Shuyan pleaded, ignoring the onlookers. "This was all my fault. I never expected things to spiral like this, to cost the Pei Family so much. It was unintentional. Can’t you forgive me, just this once, for the sake of our childhood bond…?"
For the first time, Pei Songhan stood firm. "Lin Shuyan, you know exactly whether it was intentional or not. You caused this mess—now face the consequences."
Lin Shuyan paled. She never imagined that Pei Songhan, always the most reasonable, would suddenly become so unyielding.
Gritting her teeth, she hissed, "You’re only doing this for Sang Ning’s sake—"
