Sang Ning returned home to find Wen Meiling in the living room downstairs. Seeing her come in alone, Wen Meiling asked, "Why are you back by yourself? Where's Siya?"
"Siya said she wanted to ride home with Chen Zheng," Sang Ning replied as she changed into slippers, feeling much more comfortable.
At the mention of Chen Zheng, Wen Meiling's expression stiffened slightly, as if she were uneasy.
This marriage arrangement had been settled two years ago when the Chen Family and the Nan Family reached a business collaboration. It was decided that the youngest son of the Chen Family would marry the Nan Family's heiress.
For the Nan Family, this marriage was already a step up—after all, the Chen Family had deep roots in Jing City and connections with several powerful elite families. If not for Chen Corporation's recent financial troubles, which required the Nan Family's investment, the Chens might not have even glanced their way.
At the time, Nan Siya, as Wen Meiling's only daughter, naturally secured this advantageous engagement.
But everyone in the Nan Family knew the truth—Nan Siya had taken what should have been Sang Ning's betrothal.
Wen Meiling spoke with a hint of guilt, "Sang Ning, the Chen Family's engagement has already been given to Siya. Chen Zheng and Siya have a good relationship now. Don’t dwell on it. I’ll find you someone even better in the future."
She was afraid Sang Ning would resent it.
But Sang Ning replied casually, "They do seem happy together. I’m in no rush to marry. We’ll see later."
She hadn’t even secured her share of the family assets yet—why rush into marriage?
Besides, these days, traditions weren’t as strict. There was no harm in her younger sister marrying first. In fact, the sooner Nan Siya left the household, the better—one less competitor.
Not that Nan Siya posed much of a threat anyway.
Wen Meiling was moved by Sang Ning’s mature attitude. "Sang Ning, you’ve always been such a sensible child."
Sang Ning smiled faintly. "I am the older sister, after all. Of course, I wouldn’t fight my younger siblings over anything."
Reassured, Wen Meiling nodded. "Good girl."
Sang Ning went upstairs to her room and, as usual, drew herself a bath.
Slipping out of her dress, she stepped barefoot into the tub, sighing as the warmth relaxed every pore in her body.
Her phone buzzed twice. She picked it up and saw two notifications at the top of the screen.
Tapping the screen, the messages popped up.
Ji Yan: [As thanks, I’m taking you to a concert tomorrow.]
[Do you like Shi Mu?]
Sang Ning had only recently learned how to use a smartphone from her tutor, who had also taught her pinyin typing—though she was still slow at it.
She painstakingly tapped out a reply with her slender finger: [Who’s Shi Mu?]
Ji Yan: [???]
[This year’s hottest superstar!]
[His concerts are insane—you won’t be disappointed.]
[I scored two front-row VVIP tickets. You’ll have the best view.]
[OK? OK?]
The messages came in rapid succession, almost too fast for Sang Ning to read.
Though she had no idea who Shi Mu was, she wasn’t about to turn down new experiences in this era.
Carefully, she typed: [Okay.]
Ji Yan replied instantly: [OKK!]
[It’s settled then!]
[Tomorrow at 2 PM, meet me at Taikoo Li.]
Sang Ning: [OKK]
Setting her phone aside, Sang Ning scooped up some bubbles and draped them over herself, sinking deeper into the tub with contentment.
After half an hour, she finally stepped out, dried herself with a towel, and slipped into a nightgown.
Her routine was strict—even though it was only 10 PM, her body clock told her it was time to sleep.
Just as she was about to climb into bed, a knock sounded at her door.
Aunt Chen’s voice came through: "Miss, Madam requests your presence downstairs. She says it’s urgent."
Sang Ning frowned but got up anyway.
Being summoned late at night was never a good sign.
Sure enough, the moment she descended, she saw Nan Siya sobbing pitifully in Wen Meiling’s arms.
"I don’t know why Sister would do this! If she’s jealous that Zheng-ge loves me, she could’ve just said so! As her younger sister, I’d be willing to step aside for her. But why did she have to publicly slander Zheng-ge at the party and humiliate me?"
Tears streamed down Nan Siya’s face as Wen Meiling comforted her.
The moment Wen Meiling spotted Sang Ning, her expression darkened. "Did you really spread lies about Chen Zheng in public?!"
Sang Ning met Nan Siya’s gaze, her tone indifferent. "Whether it’s a lie or not, Siya knows better than I do, doesn’t she?"
Nan Siya stiffened. Under Sang Ning’s calm, penetrating gaze, her unease was laid bare—as if Sang Ning could see right through her.
As Chen Zheng’s fiancée, she knew him better than anyone. And yes, Chen Zheng’s behavior toward Zhan Yijun had been… overly protective, bordering on inappropriate.
But she refused to believe it. To her, Chen Zheng was the best match she could ever hope for—a fiancé she’d secured only by virtue of being the Nan Family’s true heiress.
She couldn’t give him up. So she couldn’t accept any truth that painted him in a bad light.
Her eyes burned with hatred as she glared at the one who’d shattered her fairytale. "I know exactly what’s in your heart! You’re jealous that Zheng-ge loves me, so you tried to ruin my reputation by lying about him!"
Wen Meiling scolded furiously, "I asked you before if you cared, and you said you didn’t! But look at you—scheming behind our backs! How could I have raised such a deceitful daughter?"
Nan Zhenming joined in, his voice sharp. "So young, yet already so manipulative! Lying comes so easily to you. It’s clear no one raised you properly in the countryside—look what you’ve become!"
Nan Siya sniffled against Wen Meiling’s shoulder, shooting Sang Ning a triumphant look.
No matter how much Sang Ning won outside, it didn’t matter—Zheng-ge, their parents, everyone was on her side now. They all loved her.
Sang Ning would never be loved by anyone!
She desperately wanted to see Sang Ning break down—to cry, to argue, to plead. Only Sang Ning’s pain could soothe her bitterness.
But Sang Ning stood there unmoved, her lips curling into a faint, mocking smile.
"Fine," she said lightly. "Let’s say I lied."
If Nan Siya wanted to swallow the lie, who was she to stop her?
Her dismissive tone only infuriated Nan Siya further. She hated how Sang Ning never seemed to care!
Nan Zhenming, however, took her attitude as defiance. "Is that any way to speak to your parents?!"
"What’s all this noise?!"
Grandpa’s stern voice cut through as he descended the stairs.
Nan Siya immediately wiped her tears, while Wen Meiling continued comforting her. Nan Zhenming seized the chance to complain.
"Father, Sang Ning’s behavior is getting out of hand! She’s spreading vicious rumors, tarnishing the Chen Family’s name and embarrassing ours! She needs to be disciplined—"
"Shut your mouth!" Grandpa snapped.
Nan Zhenming froze, stunned.
Grandpa had always cared deeply about the family's reputation and was especially wary of offending the Chen Family. Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, he was still shielding Sang Ning?
Grandpa looked at Sang Ning with a hint of affection in his eyes. "I just heard you performed exceptionally well at tonight's auction banquet. You even helped the He Family appraise a treasure, bringing honor to the Nan Family."
Nan Zhenming and Wen Meiling froze in disbelief. "What?"
Grandpa smiled warmly. "The He Family just called. Old Madam He was very fond of the pipa you helped her select. Hearing that you also understand pipa music, she has specially invited you to visit the He Family tomorrow."
