The next morning at ten o'clock, Sang Ning arrived at the company right on time.
"These are the matters to be discussed in this morning's meeting," Xu Yan handed her a folder.
Sang Ning skimmed through it briefly and pointed at two items. "We'll discuss these two today. The rest aren't urgent and can be postponed."
"Understood. Your schedule after eleven has been cleared, and I’ve already confirmed the meeting time with the Chen family."
"Good. We’ll head to the Chen family right after the meeting." Sang Ning nodded.
She glanced at her wristwatch and pressed a hand to her forehead. "The meeting is about to start. Go and get me—"
"A cup of milk tea?" Xu Yan interjected helpfully.
She looked up, her eyes still heavy with drowsiness. "Get me coffee."
Xu Yan: ?
"...Yes."
By eleven, the morning meeting had concluded. After drinking half her coffee, Sang Ning was fully awake.
She left the company and took a car directly to Wanghaichao Restaurant.
The Nan and Chen families had arranged to meet there for lunch.
Though framed as a family gathering, it was really a negotiation.
At half past eleven, Sang Ning arrived at the restaurant. A server opened the private dining room door, and she stepped inside to find both the Chen and Nan families already seated.
The patriarch hadn’t shown up—such matters among the younger generation were never his concern.
"Sang Ning, you're here!" Wen Meiling immediately pulled her to sit down, unusually affectionate. "We’ve been waiting for you. We were just about to call, thinking you might not come."
Sang Ning subtly withdrew her hand and smiled. "How could I not come when it concerns Siya? You worry too much, Mom."
Wen Meiling stiffened slightly before forcing another smile. "Yes, I overthought it."
Nan Zhenming remained silent, his expression grim—not that anyone cared if he spoke now.
Chen Guoan spoke first, his tone accusatory. "The Nan family deceived us by passing off a fake heiress as the real deal! This is a betrayal of trust! Now, the Nan family owes us an explanation!"
Mrs. Chen added disdainfully, "No wonder she’s so ill-mannered. Just the other day, she made a huge fuss over a minor misunderstanding when Chen Zheng had too much to drink. She nearly tore the house apart! If the Chen family has to endure such a daughter-in-law, we’ll suffer for generations!"
Nan Siya’s face burned with humiliation, her nails digging into her palms.
Wen Meiling hugged her protectively and retorted, "How is this Siya’s fault? It was clearly Chen Zheng who cheated—"
Chen Zhihan sneered. "A fake like her should be grateful we even let her be Mrs. Chen. How dare she try to control my brother?"
"You—!"
Sang Ning cut in calmly. "It’s true Nan Siya isn’t the Nan family’s biological daughter. But since the marriage has already taken place, I assume the Chen family wouldn’t want this scandal to spread and disgrace both families."
Mrs. Chen glared. "Are you threatening us?"
Sang Ning replied coolly, "Not a threat. The Nan family acknowledges our fault and is willing to compensate. For the joint project with the Chen family, I’m prepared to revise the agreement—Nan will take only 30% of the profits, conceding 20% to Chen. Additionally, we’ll facilitate an introduction between the Chen family and Xinghong to foster further business collaborations."
Chen Guoan and his wife exchanged glances, visibly pleased with the offer.
Ever since the Nan family secured a partnership with the Pei Group, the Chens had been envious. Now, not only was Nan offering a larger share of profits, but they were also willing to broker a deal with the Pei family—an incredibly lucrative opportunity.
Moreover, Nan Siya and Chen Zheng were already married. Arguing over the legitimacy of her status was pointless. If the Nan family abandoned her, the Chens would have no choice but to swallow their grievances.
Chen Zheng eyed Sang Ning suspiciously. "Since when are you so generous?"
He knew full well how strained Sang Ning and Siya’s relationship was. For her to step in and even concede profits?
Unbelievable.
Sang Ning’s voice was icy. "As a junior, I don’t have the authority to decide such matters. But since Mom and Dad treat Siya as their own and insist on supporting her, I can only comply."
Suddenly bolstered, Nan Zhenming straightened up and cleared his throat. "Regardless, Siya was raised in the Nan family—she is a Nan heiress. This matter is settled, and no further discussion is needed!"
Wen Meiling quickly echoed, "Yes, exactly!"
The Chen family, having secured favorable terms, reluctantly accepted.
Sang Ning handed a document to the Chens. "This is the revised contract. Originally, profits were split fifty-fifty. Now it’s seventy-thirty, with Nan taking only thirty percent. Does this satisfy you?"
Chen Guoan scrutinized the contract and huffed. "At least the Nan family knows its place."
Sang Ning glanced at Nan Siya and said coolly, "Now that the Chens have forgiven you, you must behave properly. Stop causing scenes over trivial matters and bringing shame to both families."
Siya bit her lip, her eyes reddening again. "How am I not behaving—?"
It was Chen Zheng who had cheated!
Yet everyone blamed her!
Sang Ning’s tone turned stern. "As a wife, you should be gentle, virtuous, and obedient. Since you’ve married into the Chen family, your duty is to serve your in-laws and submit to your husband. Instead, you stir up chaos over petty issues—where is your sense of propriety? You’re no virtuous woman!"
Nan Siya froze.
Sang Ning’s gaze was a warning. "You’ve disgraced the Nan family. Don’t ever repeat this mistake."
Siya’s face paled, then flushed with anger. How dare Sang Ning lecture her about virtue when she herself had secretly dated a penniless man?!
The Chen family was stunned.
They’d heard rumors that the eldest Nan daughter was rigidly traditional, even memorizing ancient codes of conduct—clearly, the rumors were true.
Chen Zheng couldn’t help but study Sang Ning more closely. A virtuous wife was priceless. If only he’d married her instead.
Chen Zhihan glared at Sang Ning, seething with resentment. What did He Siyu see in such a dull, old-fashioned woman?!
Nan Zhenming and Wen Meiling, long accustomed to Sang Ning’s ways, remained composed.
Nan Zhenming said, "The patriarch values rules above all. This is the Nan family’s way."
The Chens finally snapped out of their daze.
Mrs. Chen coughed lightly. "Very well. Let’s put this behind us. After all, we’re family now—Zheng and Siya should focus on building a harmonious life."
Wen Meiling nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! This matter is closed."
Nan Siya looked tearfully at Chen Zheng, but his mind was elsewhere. He hadn’t expected the conflict to escalate so much—or to be resolved so quickly. How would he explain this to Zhan Yijun?
Siya clenched her fists, nails biting into her flesh.
The tension in the room eased. Sang Ning sat upright, sipping her tea while discreetly observing the others.
Each had their own agenda.
She took another sip, her lips curling into a cold smile.
Over?
Who said it was over?
---
After a hectic week, Saturday arrived.
Tonight was the He family’s annual banquet.
Sang Ning stood by the roadside for five minutes before a pink Maserati pulled up in front of her.
The window rolled down, and Ji Yan raised an eyebrow at her. "Get in."
Sang Ning smiled, opening the door and sliding into the passenger seat.
Ji Yan stepped on the accelerator, driving off without delay.
The interior of Ji Yan's car was lively, unlike the austere simplicity of He Siyu's vehicle. A row of plush teddy bears lined the edge of the front window, and the car was filled with scented air fresheners and ambient lighting. Sang Ning's eyes darted around, taking it all in.
"Is it just you attending the He family's New Year banquet?" Ji Yan asked.
"Yeah. Grandma He invited me personally—it's already an exception for me to go. Bringing along a whole entourage would just be annoying," Sang Ning replied as she fastened her seatbelt, noticing a small teddy bear attached to it. She pinched it curiously.
"What exception? Grandma He likes you—that's why she invited you herself. You're the honored guest," Ji Yan said with a grin, glancing at her briefly before refocusing on the road. "But it’s good you didn’t bring the Nan family along. Why let them freeload?"
Sang Ning squeezed the teddy bear again. "Your car is really nice."
Ji Yan didn’t even turn her head. "You like it? It’s yours."
"..."
Sang Ning swallowed. "I haven’t gotten my driver’s license yet."
"Ah, right. How come you still haven’t learned to drive? It’s such a hassle getting around without one."
Sang Ning poked the bear’s cheek. "I’ve never really had the time. Maybe later."
"You always say 'later.' I wonder when you’ll actually be free, Little President Nan."
Sang Ning smiled, her eyes glinting with calculation. "Soon."
"What’s soon?" Ji Yan asked, turning her head in confusion.
Sang Ning looked ahead at the road. "We’re almost there."
"Oh, we’re here!"
Ji Yan parked in front of the hotel, where a valet hurried over to open their doors. She tossed him the keys without a second thought and pulled Sang Ning inside.
The He family’s New Year banquet had reserved the entire SK Hotel.
After presenting their invitations, they entered the banquet hall, where most of the guests had already arrived.
Ji Yan led Sang Ning through the crowd, heading straight for the center of the room.
Old Madam He sat on the central sofa, flanked by Commander He and her three grandsons. A circle of guests surrounded them, eagerly engaging in conversation.
"It’s rare for Commander He to return. The family is finally reunited for the New Year," someone remarked.
Grandma He smiled. "They’re hardly ever home. We only get to reunite a couple of times a year—but it is the holidays, after all."
Qin Baozhen chuckled. "Well, at least Siyu is here to take care of you!"
"Him?" Grandma He shot a glance at He Siyu, who was lounging on the sofa, eyes fixed on his phone, completely oblivious to the conversation.
She snorted. "I’ve given up on relying on him."
He Siyu frowned slightly, typing another message on his phone: "Almost here yet?"
"Siyu has never dropped the ball when it really matters," Qin Baozhen said, knowing full well that Old Madam He was just venting. Everyone knew the old lady doted on her youngest grandson—of course, she’d speak highly of him.
Just then, a bright voice cut through the chatter. "Grandma He!"
Old Madam He looked up to see Ji Yan pulling Sang Ning toward her with a cheerful grin.
The old lady immediately waved. "Sang Ning, you’re here!"
