His dark eyes locked onto her: "I'm a man of principles."
Sang Ning: "..."
"He Siyu, have you no shame?"
He pretended not to hear, changing the subject: "The bathwater's getting cold. Let's take a bath first."
Her face remained impassive. "Get out."
"Yangyang," he murmured, stepping closer, his voice softening.
His warm breath brushed against her ear, instantly turning the tips of her ears pink.
Her mind warred for three seconds before reason prevailed—if she gave in to temptation tonight, she’d lose at least half her sleep again.
She still hadn’t recovered from yesterday’s exhaustion.
Taking a deep breath, she glared at him. "Leave the bathroom, or leave my house. Your choice."
He Siyu: "..."
He rubbed his nose. "Fine, I’ll wait outside."
Sang Ning stared blankly—how effortlessly he switched between advances and retreats.
He glanced at her once more, confirming her resolve, then finally pulled open the bathroom door and stepped out.
Sang Ning exhaled in relief and began undressing, only to pause mid-motion. She turned and locked the door.
Now assured, she slipped into the bath.
The moment He Siyu stepped out, he heard the sharp click of the lock behind him.
She actually locked it?
Who did she think she was guarding against?
Frowning, he tugged on his loungewear.
An hour later, Sang Ning emerged, her hair loosely pinned up, damp strands clinging to her neck. The steam had flushed her cheeks a delicate pink.
He sat on the sofa, laptop on his knees, and glanced up as she entered. His gaze lingered on her face for three seconds before he snapped back, voice gentle. "Done?"
"Yeah. Why haven’t you showered?"
There were two bathrooms—hers in the master bedroom, and another outside.
"Later." Closing the laptop, he approached and took her hand, leaning in slightly. The sweet scent of oranges clung to her, mingling with lingering warmth.
"Did you order food?" she asked abruptly.
"Not yet. Hungry?" He dipped his head, inhaling near her cheek.
"No, but you skipped dinner."
"Oh, I had some bread. Not hungry now." What was there to eat alone?
"Then go shower and sleep." She pulled her hand free.
His lips curved faintly. "Mm."
He strode straight into the bathroom she’d just used, steps light.
Sang Ning shot him a puzzled look—what was he so pleased about?
Too tired to dwell on it, she collapsed onto the bed, burrowing under the covers. Her eyelids weighed like lead, and within minutes, she was deep asleep.
Ten minutes later, He Siyu finished a quick rinse and stepped out.
Pushing the door open, he found her already lost to slumber, her breaths even and soft.
She’d fallen asleep that fast?
His brow twitched. Jaw tight, he lifted the covers and slid in beside her. She didn’t stir, dead to the world.
Pulling her into his arms, he studied her peaceful face—her exhales feathered against his nose, her skin porcelain-soft.
She’d conked out in the ten minutes he’d showered?
Then she nuzzled deeper into his embrace, nestling against his collarbone with a contented sigh.
He stiffened momentarily, holding his breath until she settled, then cautiously tightened his arm around her waist.
Her head rested over his heart, her pulse a quiet rhythm against him. Unbothered by the noise, she clung like a spoiled kitten seeking comfort.
His lips quirked. Drawing her closer, he kissed her forehead, his chest swelling with an unfamiliar, overwhelming fullness.
—
Night deepened, yet the Chen Family’s villa blazed with light.
The moment Chen Zheng stepped inside, he spotted Nan Siya on the sofa, her eyes swollen and red.
His frown deepened. "Why aren’t you asleep?"
Nan Siya glared through tear-streaked lashes. "Where were you?"
"Business at the company."
"You were with Zhan Yijun, weren’t you?"
Chen Zheng’s voice sharpened. "Siya, must you always jump to conclusions? I told you it was a work dinner! Why drag Yijun into this? I’ve had enough of your baseless accusations!"
Furious, Nan Siya thrust her phone forward. "I saw! Don’t lie!"
The screen displayed a damning photo—Chen Zheng and Zhan Yijun locked in a kiss, bathed in dim bar lighting.
Chen Zheng paled. "Where—who took this? Are you spying on me?"
Nan Siya’s red-rimmed eyes bore into him. "You didn’t come home last night. Did you sleep with her?"
His expression flickered, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"Siya, listen—I was drunk, I wasn’t thinking—"
She hurled her phone to the floor. "So you did! You swore you’d love me forever! You swore she was just a friend!"
"Calm down!"
"How?!" she shrieked. "That bitch Zhan Yijun—I’ll leak this video! Let the world see what a homewrecker she is!"
Chen Zheng’s face darkened. "Nan Siya! Do you want to humiliate both the Chen and Zhan families?!"
"Did you think of humiliation when you cheated?!"
Footsteps descended the stairs. "What’s this noise?"
Chen Guoan and Mrs. Chen appeared in night robes, faces stern.
Nan Siya sobbed. "Mom, Dad—Chen Zheng cheated! He slept with Zhan Yijun!"
The elder Chens froze.
"Ridiculous!" Chen Guoan thundered. "Zhan Yijun is engaged! Have you lost your mind?"
Chen Zheng scrambled to explain. "Dad, it was a drunken mistake. Nothing more."
"Better be!" Chen Guoan turned to Nan Siya, voice icy. "And you—hiring someone to stalk him? What if this video leaks? The scandal would ruin both families!"
Nan Siya trembled. "But I didn’t—"
Chen Zhihan sauntered downstairs, arms crossed. "Nan Siya, you wormed your way into the Chen Family by clinging to my brother. You should be grateful we let you in, yet here you are, throwing tantrums? The Nan Family isn’t fit to lick our shoes!"
Her hatred for the Nans ran bone-deep. With her forced marriage to Du Yao a month away—no escape in sight—how could she not loathe Nan Siya?
Tears streamed down Nan Siya’s face as she looked pleadingly at her in-laws, but the Chens only scowled.
After the Du Family debacle, the Chens had suffered losses in their dealings with the Nans—losses they hadn’t forgotten.
Ever since Sang Ning took over power, she had become even more unyielding toward the Chen Family, refusing to concede even the slightest benefit. Coincidentally, the Nan Family had recently secured ties with the Pei Family through the Xinghong deal, and now they stood firm with newfound confidence. The Chen Family had no choice but to swallow their pride.
But the resentment they suppressed had to be vented on someone!
Mrs. Chen’s tone was icy. "Enough! Causing such a ruckus in the middle of the night—must you turn a trivial matter into a huge scene? Is this how the Nan Family raises their daughters?"
Nan Siya’s face turned deathly pale as she suddenly realized she was utterly isolated in the Chen household.
Instinctively, she stiffly turned to Chen Zheng, only to find impatience written all over his face. The last traces of guilt he might have felt had completely vanished after receiving his parents’ leniency.
Furious, Nan Siya stomped her foot before bursting into tears and running out of the Chen residence.
Chen Zheng frowned.
"Don’t bother with her!" Chen Zhihan sneered. "At most, she’ll run back to the Nan Family to complain. Do you really think the Nan Family would dare expose the Zhan family?"
The Chen Family couldn’t afford to provoke the Zhan family—and the Nan Family was even less capable of doing so!
This was a matter the Nan Family wouldn’t dare reveal!
Mrs. Chen said gravely, "But Siya is too impulsive. She even dared to hire someone to stalk and secretly photograph Chen Zheng. I’m worried she might do something irrational."
Chen Zhihan’s eyes gleamed with malice. "What’s there to fear? At worst, we’ll dig up more of her dirty secrets. If she dares to investigate my brother, let’s see if the Nan Family can withstand being scrutinized!"
---
The next morning, Sang Ning woke up refreshed, having slept unusually well.
He Siyu drove her to the office first, casually slipping a bottle of warm milk into her bag. "What time are you off work tonight? I’ll pick you up."
"Today should—"
Before she could finish, her phone rang. She glanced down—it was Wen Meiling calling.
Unsurprised, she answered immediately. "Hello?"
Wen Meiling’s voice carried urgency. "Sang Ning, come back to the family home tonight. Something’s happened."
Sang Ning replied calmly, "Alright."
After hanging up, she turned to He Siyu. "I’m going back to the Nan residence tonight."
He Siyu’s brow furrowed. "Why?"
"Nan Siya must have made a scene at home about Chen Zheng’s affair with Zhan Yijun."
His eyebrow arched slightly. "Are you going back to comfort her?"
Sang Ning blinked. "I’m going back to watch the drama."
