Nanny Zhao said excitedly, "Come in quickly! The old madam has been waiting!"
He Siyu pressed his thin lips together, tightened his grip on her hand, and strode inside without hesitation.
"Third Young Master and Miss Sang are here!" Nanny Zhao hurried in to announce.
The old madam happily set aside her newspaper. "Sang Ning is here! Come, sit."
He Siyu led Sang Ning into the living room, where they saw the old madam and Commander He seated in the center of the main sofa. He Jinxing and He Xingzhou were also present, sitting on the left side.
The moment they entered, all eyes turned to Sang Ning. He Wanjun’s sharp gaze scrutinized her with suspicion.
Sang Ning greeted politely, "Grandma He."
"Come, sit, sit!" the old madam warmly urged, gesturing for her to take a seat.
He Siyu pulled Sang Ning down onto the sofa on the right.
Sang Ning sat primly, her posture demure and obedient, while He Siyu lounged lazily beside her, his expression faintly stormy. The two of them together created an oddly discordant atmosphere.
The old madam chuckled and introduced, "Sang Ning, this is A-Yu’s father—you may call him Uncle He. These two are his elder brothers. You saw them at the New Year’s banquet, but you didn’t get a chance to greet them then."
At the banquet, Sang Ning had attended as the old madam’s guest. The He family was accustomed to the old madam’s fondness for young girls, and He Wanjun, always busy, had never paid much attention to such trivial matters.
Sang Ning gave a slight nod, meeting He Wanjun’s piercing gaze calmly. "Uncle He."
He Wanjun narrowed his eyes. This girl had composure—most juniors feared him, either avoiding eye contact or outright shrinking under his scrutiny.
She was no pushover.
The atmosphere grew tense. He Jinxing and He Xingzhou, seated nearby, held their breaths.
He Wanjun’s tone remained stern. "The news about you and He Siyu yesterday was all over the papers. The He family has always maintained a low profile. We do not tolerate appearing in tabloids. Such flamboyant behavior violates our rules, and I will not allow it."
He Siyu’s expression darkened. "If you don’t like it, take it up with the reporters. Why come after us?"
"You—!"
Sang Ning spoke serenely, "Uncle He is right."
The room fell silent in surprise.
Sitting upright, she continued solemnly, "A family with deep-rooted traditions must uphold strict discipline."
The air grew heavier. The previously noisy room was now deathly still.
He Siyu tilted his chin up slightly. "Exactly."
He Jinxing suddenly bent over, coughing violently as if choking on his own saliva. He Xingzhou sat stiffly, momentarily stunned.
A flicker of astonishment passed through He Wanjun’s eyes.
Sang Ning went on composedly, "A distinguished family like the He’s must act with discretion. Making headlines is indeed improper. Regardless of the reason, this was our oversight, and we should resolve it ourselves."
He Wanjun eyed her skeptically. "And how do you plan to resolve it?"
Her voice remained steady. "Identify the mastermind behind it and make an example of them."
Her tone was soft and measured, yet her words were decisive and ruthless.
He Wanjun froze.
He Jinxing and He Xingzhou exchanged glances, unconsciously holding their breaths. An inexplicable pressure seemed to weigh on them.
The old madam nodded cheerfully. "That’s the way! Teach them not to provoke you again!"
He Siyu turned to her, a faint smirk on his lips. "Grandma, you can trust Sang Ning to handle it."
"Good, good! As long as you have a plan. Now, let’s eat!" the old madam urged warmly.
He Siyu took Sang Ning’s hand and led her to the dining room.
He Wanjun remained grim-faced. The old madam patted his arm. "Enough. Let’s eat. You’re hardly home these days—must you keep scowling?"
He Wanjun snorted and followed. He Jinxing and He Xingzhou trailed behind, the former discreetly wiping sweat from his brow.
The old madam took her seat at the head of the table, while the others arranged themselves along the sides.
Sang Ning sat beside He Siyu.
The table was laden with an extravagant spread, yet the atmosphere remained tense.
Only after the old madam and He Wanjun picked up their chopsticks did Sang Ning begin eating.
"Sang Ning, here’s the clear-soup meatballs you love. It’s been so long since you visited—see if Nanny Zhao’s skills have dulled," the old madam said affectionately.
He Siyu smoothly ladled a bowl for her.
He Jinxing and He Xingzhou shot their brother a complicated look. In twenty-eight years, he had never so much as poured them a glass of water.
Sang Ning nodded gently. "Thank you, Grandma He. Thank you, Nanny Zhao."
"Try it!"
She took a small bite, then looked up, her dimples appearing as she smiled. "The taste hasn’t changed at all. Still delicious."
The old madam’s heart melted. "Eat as much as you like!"
Sang Ning continued quietly.
The old madam then chided playfully, "You two, why didn’t you tell the family you were together? Even hid it from me!"
He Siyu replied lazily, "You know now, don’t you?"
"Fine, fine! This is good too!" The old madam was too pleased to mind. "Now, about the marriage—"
He Wanjun cut in, eyeing the pair across the table. "They’ve only just started dating. It’s too early to discuss marriage."
He needed time to investigate further. The old madam, being elderly, could be easily deceived, and He Siyu was too reckless for his liking.
He Siyu’s brow furrowed.
A soft clink sounded as Sang Ning set down her spoon. She spoke with dignified composure, "Uncle He is right. Marriage is a serious matter—it shouldn’t be rushed. We won’t act carelessly."
He Wanjun stiffened. Faced with her poised response, he unconsciously placed his chopsticks down and straightened slightly.
He Jinxing and He Xingzhou stared blankly at the sudden shift in decorum and reluctantly followed suit.
