Do they really think she spends all her time working for the Nan Corporation without pay?
He Siyu noticed the obvious mischief in her eyes and raised a brow, smirking. "Fair point."
There was no way she’d let herself suffer.
She wouldn’t even drink bitter coffee.
He turned the steering wheel and drove off. "Consider it a break then. The AI medical project has a test version out now—you should check it out when you have time."
Sang Ning hadn’t visited Huiyao in a while. The AI medical project had been in full swing, with the team working overtime to push progress rapidly. But between her hectic schedule at the Nan Corporation, she hadn’t had the bandwidth to oversee it.
Not that it mattered—He Siyu was keeping an eye on things.
Sang Ning picked up a cup of strawberry boba milk tea from the console, pierced the seal with a straw, took a sip, and nodded. "Alright, I’ll go next week."
Today was already Saturday.
Casually, he added, "How about visiting Grandma tomorrow?"
His grip on the wheel tightened slightly as he kept his eyes on the road. "She wants to see you."
Sang Ning took another sip of her tea and nodded. "Sure."
He glanced at her, his tone lighter now. "Sweet?"
Hugging the drink, she nodded contentedly. "Very."
It was still her favorite strawberry boba.
The corner of his lips lifted. "Good."
An hour later, they arrived at Luyuan Villa, the venue for Ji Yan and Gu Xingchen’s wedding.
The ceremony was grand—after all, it was a union between the Ji and Gu Families, so the scale was naturally extravagant.
He Siyu parked at the banquet hall entrance, and they stepped out together. A valet took the keys to park the car while He Siyu clasped Sang Ning’s hand and led her inside.
"Well, if it isn’t Third Young Master He!" Gu Xingchen, dressed uncharacteristically sharp for once, was greeting guests at the door. Spotting He Siyu, he immediately called out.
Mr. and Mrs. Gu also turned with warm smiles. "Siyu, you’re here."
He Siyu acknowledged them with a nod, pulling Sang Ning closer. "My girlfriend, Nan Sangning."
The couple’s eyes flickered with surprise at the sight of He Siyu holding Nan Sangning’s hand. Yesterday’s headlines had made waves, so they were aware—but young love was often fleeting, and marriages in their circles were usually arranged by families.
Today’s event, however, wasn’t some casual gathering. With half the elite in attendance for the Ji-Gu alliance, He Siyu’s presence represented the He Family. Bringing Nan Sangning here publicly spoke volumes about her significance.
Uncertain of the He Family’s stance but not daring to slight her, Mr. and Mrs. Gu greeted politely, "Miss Nan."
Sang Ning returned the courtesy. "Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu."
Mrs. Gu smiled. "Are you two the only ones representing the He Family today?"
He Siyu’s lips curved faintly. "My father and brother haven’t returned yet. Grandma isn’t well enough for noisy events, so she specifically asked me to bring Sang Ning."
Mr. Gu nodded eagerly. "Of course, please come in."
Behind them, Gu Xingchen muttered to Zhong Shu and the others, "I can’t stand Third He—he’s like a peacock in mating season, flaunting his girlfriend everywhere."
"Cut him some slack. The man’s a dried-up old tree finally blooming."
As He Siyu passed by with Sang Ning, Gu Xingchen straightened up instantly. "Third Young Master He, right this way!"
One look at Gu Xingchen’s shifty eyes told He Siyu he’d been talking nonsense, but he was in too good a mood to care. With a cool glance, he led Sang Ning forward.
"Where’s Xiao Yan?" Sang Ning asked.
Gu Xingchen caught up, grinning. "She’s in the dressing room. Said you should head straight there when you arrived."
Sang Ning paused. "Then I’ll go see her."
He Siyu released her hand. "Alright."
As she walked toward the dressing room, He Siyu’s gaze lingered.
Gu Xingchen clicked his tongue. "Eyes front, man. How long have you been dating and you still can’t get enough?"
He Siyu shot him a frosty look. "None of your business."
Glancing around, Gu Xingchen lowered his voice. "But seriously, you’re making such a public move—did you clear it with your dad?"
It wasn’t an idle concern. The Nan Family’s status paled next to the He Family’s, and the Hes were notoriously strict about tradition. Ten years ago, He Xingzhou had been ruthlessly separated from his lover, his child kept out of the public eye to this day.
Grandma He might like Sang Ning, but that didn’t mean she’d approve of her as a daughter-in-law.
He Siyu took a sip of wine from a passing tray, indifferent. "What’s there to discuss?"
"If you don’t at least give him a heads-up, what if—"
"He’s never happy with anything I do. How much trouble haven’t I caused already? One more won’t matter."
"Fine, fine, my bad for worrying. Who can control the great Third Young Master He anyway?"
Gu Xingchen sighed dramatically. "Unlike us poor souls, stuck with arranged marriages."
He Siyu scoffed. "Arranged? Weren’t you the one eyeing Ji Yan for years?"
Gu Xingchen’s eyes bulged. "When did I ever—! If my family hadn’t forced me, I’d never marry her!"
With a cold laugh, He Siyu took another sip and ignored him.
Dressing Room.
Ji Yan sat in her wedding gown, the white silk studded with delicate diamonds, her hair elegantly coiled beneath a meter-long veil.
Sang Ning studied her radiant reflection in the mirror. "Xiao Yan, you’re stunning today."
Ji Yan yawned. "Five hours in the makeup chair. If I didn’t look good, I’d murder the artist."
Sang Ning frowned. "Don’t say such unlucky things."
Ji Yan rolled her eyes. "Oh please, Ningning, don’t be superstitious. The real bad luck is me marrying Gu Xingchen."
Sang Ning: "..."
"Anyway—what’s going on with you and He Siyu? Huiyao’s official announcement yesterday was huge! What did your family say?" Ji Yan gripped her hands urgently.
"I resigned."
"What?!" Ji Yan nearly shot out of her seat.
"They never intended for me to inherit the family business. Now that they have an excuse to push me toward the He Family, they’ll gladly strip my authority." Sang Ning’s tone was calm.
"Those bastards! How can you just take this?!" Ji Yan sprang up.
Sang Ning tugged her back down. "Relax. I’ve had plans for this."
Ji Yan exhaled sharply. "You’d better not let them screw you over. After all you’ve done for the Nan Corporation!"
Suddenly remembering, Ji Yan grabbed her again. "Wait—what’s the He Family’s stance?"
Sang Ning answered plainly, "Grandma He invited me over tomorrow."
"That's true, Grandma He likes you, so it should be fine. But I'm not sure about Commander He..." Ji Yan frowned, lowering her voice. "Commander He isn't someone to be trifled with."
The ceremony was about to begin.
As the guests began taking their seats, Gu Xingchen patted He Siyu's shoulder. "I’ll go get ready. You should take your seat now." Then he quickly walked away.
He Siyu glanced toward the dressing room, noticing Sang Ning hadn’t come out yet, and started heading in that direction.
Suddenly, his phone rang. He pulled it out and saw the caller ID: He Wanjun.
He answered immediately. "Dad."
A reprimanding voice came through. "What kind of mess have you gotten into now?! Was yesterday’s news true?"
"Yes."
"You even dared to issue a public statement announcing it? If you want to date someone, keep it private. Making it known to the whole world—what about future marriage arrangements—"
He Siyu cut him off coldly. "If there’s ever a marriage, it’ll be with Nan Sangning. No need for your concern, Dad."
He Wanjun snapped, "What kind of background does the Nan family have? The daughter of some nouveau riche, and not long ago, she was entangled with Pei Songhan. Now she’s suddenly with you? You actually want to marry a woman like that?"
A dark fury simmered in He Siyu’s eyes. "That’s none of your business."
He Wanjun was livid. "Let me make this clear—the He Family will never allow a woman like her into our household! If you dare act recklessly, you’re no longer my son!"
He Siyu replied indifferently, "Fine by me."
