Unlike the noisy private room next door, this place was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Sang Ning could clearly hear his heavy breathing and the sound of their lips and tongues entwining.
Her cheeks warmed slightly, tinged with a faint blush, her breath uneven from the kiss, her body growing weak.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against his chest, then loosened his grip slightly to look down at her. His dark, inscrutable eyes locked onto hers. "Why did you come out?"
Her hands clutched his coat, her voice still breathless as she lifted her gaze, her misty eyes meeting his. "I missed you."
Her soft words slipped into his ears, and his throat bobbed. The inexplicable anger coiled in his chest dissipated instantly.
Unable to resist, he lowered his head to kiss the corner of her lips. "How much?"
She parted her lips slightly, her warm, soft mouth brushing against his. "So much."
He could hold back no longer, capturing her lips in another fierce kiss.
Five minutes later, she finally pushed him away, gasping for breath. "I have to go back."
She had been gone too long already.
His dark eyes were shadowed with restraint. "When are you coming home?"
She hadn’t returned in a week.
She thought for a moment. "Probably after the tenth."
The Nan Family had too many New Year obligations. As a family-run business, and with Nan Sangning now managing Nan Corporation, she had no choice but to personally handle these social obligations.
His brows furrowed slightly. She hooked her fingers with his and gave them a gentle shake. "Wait for me to come home, okay?"
His gaze flickered before he looked away, his tone slightly stiff. "Mm."
Her lips curved as she tilted her head to press a quick kiss to his cheek. "I’ll go back first, then."
With that, she swiftly pulled open the private room door and left.
He remained standing there, his eyes deep and unreadable. She sure ran fast!
A half-hearted attempt to placate him, and then she was gone. Heartless little thing.
---
The first New Year she spent here finally came to a lively end.
On the eighth day of the lunar new year, Sang Ning returned to work.
"Little Nan, Chen Corporation has decided not to cooperate with us," Xu Yan reported gravely.
Sang Ning raised a brow slightly. "Is that so?"
"Should we try to negotiate again?"
She tapped her pen lightly against the desk. "I suppose I should pay them a visit."
Xu Yan was taken aback. What did she mean by should?
"Prepare the car. I’ll go to Chen Corporation myself."
"Yes."
When Sang Ning arrived at Chen Corporation and asked to see Manager Wu, the receptionist immediately brushed her off.
"Little Nan, I’m terribly sorry, but Manager Wu is too busy to meet with external guests."
Sang Ning’s tone was pleading. "Could you let me see Manager Wu just once more? I’m here to discuss cooperation."
"That really isn’t possible—"
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Chen Zheng strode out, looking triumphant as soon as he spotted Nan Sangning.
"What are you doing here?"
Sang Ning frowned. "Why are you here?"
"Of course, I’m here to discuss cooperation." Chen Zheng waved the contract in his hand. "Manager Wu has already signed with Chen Corporation. You might as well give up."
Sang Ning was stunned. "How could you—"
Chen Zheng felt vindicated. "What? Between the Chen Family and the Nan Family, who do you think Manager Wu would choose? You lucked into landing two big deals—did you really think you were untouchable? Consider this a lesson. Learn it well."
Sang Ning’s voice turned icy. "Chen Zheng, you’re despicable."
Chen Zheng smirked. "The winner takes all. What’s the point of cursing now? The Chen Family is in a league the Nans can’t even dream of."
With that, he brushed past her and left.
Sang Ning watched Chen Zheng’s retreating figure, her expression gradually turning indifferent, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Winner takes all? Who was teaching whom a lesson remained to be seen.
Back at the company, she instructed Xu Yan, "Keep a close eye on the Chen Family’s movements."
"Yes." Xu Yan hesitated. "What about Chen Corporation? Should we still—"
"Leave it."
"But Director Nan just found out about the lost deal. He seems furious and has demanded you return immediately."
Sang Ning’s brows knitted slightly, a trace of irritation flashing in her eyes. She replied coldly, "Tell him I’m busy."
Xu Yan was stunned. He never expected Little Nan to dare defy the old master.
"Yes."
Sang Ning’s phone suddenly buzzed incessantly. She pulled it out to check.
Ji Yan had sent her twenty messages.
[My wedding date is set! I’m going to die!]
[Oh my god, I’m really marrying Gu Xingchen!]
[Is it too late to run away from home? I’m coming to you! You have to take responsibility for me!]
Sang Ning skimmed through them quickly before typing back: [When’s the wedding?]
The reply came instantly: [The fifth of next month]
Sang Ning blinked. That was rushed.
Likely, both families were worried the two would cause trouble and wanted to get it over with quickly.
Sang Ning typed: [I’ll be there to toast you.]
Ji Yan: [???]
[Nan Sangning, you’re abandoning me for your boyfriend?!]
[You traitor!]
Sang Ning: [Then throw out all your Hermès bags and come live with me. I’ll take care of you.]
Silence.
Then, a call came in—[Third Young Master He.]
She answered. "Hello?"
"Chen Corporation snatched the deal from Nan Corporation. Is your family giving you trouble?" He Siyu’s deep voice came through.
Sang Ning blinked. "How did you know?"
He paused, then repeated, voice firm, "Is your family giving you trouble?"
He knew Nan Sangning’s situation well. A mistake like this would be unacceptable in Director Nan’s eyes—especially with her parents watching her every move, waiting for her to slip up.
Right now, he feared the entire Nan Family might turn against her.
"Not yet," she said.
"I’ll handle it—"
"No need." Her tone was light. "It’ll be resolved soon."
He seemed to catch her implication, his voice softening. "Then what now? Once this gets out, will your family let it slide?"
She’d probably face another round of scolding.
Suddenly, she said, "That’s why I don’t want to go back to the Nan Family."
"Oh?" He raised a brow. "Since when did you grow a backbone? Weren’t you always the most obedient to your grandfather?"
Sang Ning’s voice turned playful. "Don’t I have you?"
He fell silent for three seconds, his grip on the phone tightening as he suppressed a smile. "When are you coming back to Palm Bay?"
"Tonight."
"I’ll be waiting."
Her lips curved, her clear, glass-like eyes glimmering.
---
Sang Ning left the Nan Family outright. Director Nan called multiple times to reprimand her, but she brushed him off each time.
Furious that Nan Sangning had become disobedient, Director Nan had no choice but to swallow his anger—after all, she was now the backbone of the company, with achievements too significant to dismiss her over this.
Half a month passed without major repercussions from the Nan Family, but then the Chen Family came knocking.
Chen Zheng stormed into Nan Corporation.
Sang Ning was still in a meeting when Xu Yan entered and whispered, "Young Master Chen is here, waiting in the reception room."
Sang Ning smiled faintly. "Let him wait."
"Yes."
An hour later, Sang Ning finished the meeting and opened the reception room door.
Chen Zheng slammed the table and stood. "Nan Sangning! What the hell happened with Chen Corporation?! Why did they suddenly vanish overnight?!"
Sang Ning feigned surprise. "Did they?"
"Stop pretending with me! I first heard about LunJia Company from you! Aren’t you connected to that Manager Wu? Didn’t you say the Pei family introduced him..."
Sang Ning shook her head with a faint smile. "Young Master Chen, I never told you any of that. Manager Wu from LunJia Company and I have no personal relationship."
Chen Zheng froze. Indeed, Nan Sangning had never mentioned LunJia Company to him—he had stolen that information.
His face flushed red with fury. "You scheming bitch set me up! I poured most of my assets into that project, only to find out it was a shell company! Manager Wu has already fled abroad!"
Sang Ning sighed in mock sympathy. "Is that so? How unfortunate. Perhaps you should seek international assistance, Young Master Chen. There’s nothing I can do to recover your investment."
"This was clearly your doing!"
Her smile vanished, her gaze turning icy. "Young Master Chen, you’d better have proof before making accusations."
Chen Zheng stiffened. Proof? He had stolen the information in secret—how could he have evidence?
Sang Ning’s voice was cold. "You once said it yourself—the victors write history. Consider this a lesson."
"You—!"
Without another word, she turned to Xu Yan. "Call security."
"Yes."
Security rushed in and dragged Chen Zheng out as he screamed, "Nan Sangning! You vile woman! I won’t let you get away with this!"
He was thrown out of Nan Corporation.
"Brother!" Chen Zhihan rushed over in a panic, helping him up. "What happened?"
Chen Zheng was seething. "That bitch Nan Sangning set a trap and drained most of the Chen Family’s liquidity! If we can’t recover the funds, the Chen Family—the Chen Family—!"
Their entire financial chain was at risk of collapsing.
Chen Zhihan paled, her teeth clenched in hatred. "She dared to scheme against the Chen Family?! Third Young Master He must be backing her!"
Chen Zheng’s expression darkened. "What?"
