The Nan residence was brightly lit.
"Miss is back," Aunt Chen called out cautiously.
Sang Ning stepped into the living room, where the entire Nan family was already seated, waiting.
"How dare you show your face here! Look at the mess you’ve dragged the family into again!" Nan Zhenming scolded the moment she entered. "The incident with Pei Songhan had just settled, and now there are rumors that you’re climbing to a higher branch. Such disgraceful talk about the Nan family’s daughter has humiliated us all!"
The old patriarch looked at her and asked sternly, "Is this latest incident true?"
Sang Ning answered calmly, "Yes."
The old man’s eyes suddenly gleamed. "Are you really with Third Young Master He?"
Nan Zhenming scoffed. "If the He family had any interest in our Nan family, they would’ve proposed long ago! Sneaking around in a secret relationship clearly means they don’t take this seriously. Now that the news has blown up, the reports are downright shameful—people will think our Nan family is selling off our daughter!"
The patriarch reprimanded sharply, "If Third Young Master He has taken a liking to Sang Ning, that’s her good fortune! No matter how high the He family’s status, it’s not impossible to strive for it. If this is true, it might not be a bad thing."
"Father, you’re being too naive. The He family’s rules are far stricter than ours. The internet is even saying Sang Ning staged the paparazzi shots herself, trying to force her way into the He family. Do you really think Third Young Master He is someone who can be pressured? If Sang Ning went public without his consent, we’ll be lucky if he doesn’t hold our family accountable!"
The patriarch’s expression darkened at those words.
He Siyu’s methods were well-known to anyone who had heard of his reputation—he was not someone to be trifled with.
The old man turned back to Sang Ning, his face grim. "Did you arrange for those photos to be taken without permission?"
Sang Ning replied evenly, "No."
Nan Zhenming sneered. "And we’re just supposed to take her word for it? The He family won’t be fooled so easily. Who else would’ve leaked this if not her? Anyone with half a brain would figure it out! Sang Ning’s ambitions are too big—she hides everything from the family. You’ve grown too bold."
Nan Zhenming was solely focused on reclaiming control of the company, and this was the perfect opportunity to seize it.
The patriarch’s expression soured further. If this backfired—if they failed to secure Sang Ning’s position in the He family and instead provoked their wrath—the consequences would be disastrous.
"If the He family holds our family accountable, I won’t spare you!" the old man thundered.
Just then, the patriarch’s assistant suddenly spoke up. "Huiyao has released an official statement!"
The old man’s expression shifted. He immediately took the phone, his tense and grave demeanor gradually easing as his aged eyes lit up.
[Huiyao Official: In response to the recent online rumors, we hereby officially announce that Mr. He and Miss Nan are indeed in a relationship.
However, neither Mr. He nor Miss Nan are public figures. The unauthorized photography and dissemination of their private moments constitute a severe violation of their portrait rights and privacy rights. Our company will investigate thoroughly and hold those responsible accountable.
Furthermore, those who have spread malicious rumors and defamed Miss Nan, damaging her reputation, will also face legal action. We will pursue this matter to the fullest extent of the law.]
The comments exploded instantly.
[Holy crap, this is some domineering CEO statement—straight-up a declaration of war!]
[TL;DR: Mr. He’s statement says two things: 1) Miss Nan is my girlfriend, 2) Anyone who messes with her is dead.]
[Mr. He shielding his woman like a boss—now who dares to claim she’s desperate and scheming?]
[They’re just dating, but the haters are already losing their minds. Support Mr. He protecting Miss Nan’s rights!]
[Gotta admit, those photos of them look insanely good together.]
Huiyao’s official account had personally confirmed the relationship and issued a warning, instantly reversing public opinion.
The patriarch looked up at Sang Ning excitedly. "Huiyao actually announced it! It seems Third Young Master He truly values you!"
Nan Zhenming stared at the statement in disbelief. How had Sang Ning managed this?
He had known about Sang Ning’s relationship with He Siyu, but since it had never been made public, he assumed the He family looked down on the Nans.
The gap between their families was too vast—marriage was unlikely.
He had even thought they’d already broken up, given how Sang Ning never mentioned He Siyu again.
Yet now…
The patriarch’s wrinkles deepened with his smile, his expression uncharacteristically benevolent. "This is good, very good! If Third Young Master He cares enough to publicly acknowledge your relationship, marriage might not be out of the question! Sang Ning, you must seize this opportunity. Hold onto him tightly and secure your place in the He family!"
Wen Meiling chimed in happily, "Yes, the He family is one of Jing City’s top elites. If you can marry into it, it’ll be the fortune of eight lifetimes!"
Nan Zhenming seized the moment. "Since Third Young Master He values Sang Ning so much, marriage must be on the table. Right now, Sang Ning’s priority should be him. If she’s too busy with the company and neglects him, ruining this chance, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?"
The old man nodded thoughtfully.
Nan Zhenming pressed on eagerly, "In my opinion, Sang Ning should step down from the company. A’Chen will start university soon—it’s time for him to gain experience. Sang Ning will be married off eventually anyway."
He couldn’t let that girl keep control, or he’d be completely sidelined!
Nan Muchen perked up at this. "Don’t worry, Grandfather. I’ll definitely manage the company well!"
After a moment of consideration, the old man fixed his cloudy eyes on Sang Ning. "Your father makes a fair point. Your most important task now is to secure Third Young Master He and your future in the He family. The company… should be handed over to your father for now."
As long as they secured an alliance with the He family, even if a pig ran the company, the Nans wouldn’t decline.
The He family was a ladder to the heavens!
Besides, he had never intended for Sang Ning to inherit the family business—she was merely a tool to be used.
Everyone turned to Sang Ning.
"Why aren’t you saying anything?"
Only then did they realize she had been silent for a long time.
Sang Ning remained composed. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady. "Grandfather is right. I’m willing to relinquish my position. I’ll submit my resignation tomorrow."
The patriarch’s unease faded, replaced by satisfaction. "Good, good. I knew you were a sensible child."
Sang Ning had never defied him.
Nan Zhenming could hardly contain his glee. After all this, the Nan Group was finally returning to his hands!
And with the He family’s backing, their future would be more prestigious than ever.
He glanced at Sang Ning. Her expression was still eerily calm—so calm it was unsettling.
---
The next morning, Sang Ning went straight to the company, submitted her resignation, and relinquished all managerial authority over the Nan Group.
Then she left for Luyuan Villa to attend Ji Yan’s wedding.
She stepped out of the company and spotted the familiar Bentley gleaming conspicuously by the roadside. Amid the hushed whispers of the surrounding crowd, she walked straight to the car, pulled open the door, and got in.
“You resigned?!” He Siyu asked in a low, tense voice.
“Yes. Grandfather said the company work was too demanding and interfered with dating you.”
“…”
What nonsense?! Strip her of her authority, and then dare to use him as an excuse?!
He knew exactly how much effort she had poured into Nan Corporation. After all the benefits the Nan family had reaped, they just casually kicked her out?!
His brows furrowed tightly. “You agreed?”
She nodded. “I agreed.”
Her composure was unsettling. He narrowed his eyes skeptically. “You really gave up your power?”
“Grandfather personally gave the order. Of course, I had to step back.”
She lifted her gaze, and in those calm, glass-like eyes, a sharp edge suddenly flashed. “But whether they can handle it—that’s another matter entirely.”
