Now they understood why Nan Sangning was so beloved by Grandma He.
Having lived half their lives, they never expected to meet someone even more particular about etiquette than the old lady herself...
He Siyu smirked, reaching under the table to take her small hand resting on her knee, his tone lazily drawn out.
"Don’t worry, Dad. Sangning knows the rules better than anyone."
Grandma He nodded in satisfaction. "Sangning is the one child I have absolutely no concerns about!"
She then shot a glare at He Wanjun before turning to Nan Sangning and He Siyu with earnest advice. "But this marriage can’t be delayed much longer. The He Family hasn’t had a joyous occasion in ages. If this drags on, this old woman might close her eyes for good before ever holding a great-grandchild."
He Siyu’s lips curled into a smile. "Don’t worry, Grandma."
This meal was the most restrained and formal the He Family had ever experienced, yet Nan Sangning seemed entirely at ease, eating delicately with every movement so precise that not a single flaw could be found.
For He Siyu, it was a rare pleasure to enjoy a meal at home so thoroughly.
After dinner, Nan Sangning helped Grandma He brew tea—something the old lady particularly loved her for.
The tea set was arranged on the garden balcony’s tea table. Nan Sangning sat quietly by it, grinding tea leaves with a tea roller, her presence so serene it was almost soundless.
Grandma He and He Wanjun stepped out from the dining room. The old lady gazed at Nan Sangning with admiration. "See? Sangning is such a fine girl—a true lady among ten thousand. You can rest easy. My eyes are sharper than yours, and I won’t tolerate any more sour expressions from you."
With a cold huff, Grandma He returned to the kitchen, instructing Nanny Zhao to prepare a strawberry cake.
He Wanjun frowned deeply, his gaze shifting between the composed Nan Sangning and his carefree youngest son lounging opposite her.
His brows furrowed even tighter, suspicion lacing his voice. "Is this really the girlfriend He Siyu found?"
He Xingzhou didn’t answer—because he wasn’t sure either.
His rebellious younger brother, who had despised rules since childhood, had somehow fallen for a girl more old-fashioned than their father.
The whole thing was so bizarre that he half-wondered if He Siyu had hired a fake just to placate the family.
He Jinxing, sitting nearby, tilted his chin slightly. "Isn’t it obvious?"
They followed his gaze.
He Siyu sat across the tea table, boiling water for her. "You even know how to do this?"
"Mm." She kept her head lowered, strands of hair falling along her cheeks.
He Siyu eyed her. "Another skill taught by your monk master?"
Catching his sarcasm, she ignored him this time.
He Siyu wasn’t pleased. "Nan Sangning, are you even listening to me?"
Still no response.
He reached over, intending to take her hand, but his sleeve brushed against the tea set, knocking over a cup. It rolled across the table with a crisp clatter.
Her brow twitched slightly.
He caught the rolling cup, glancing up to gauge her expression.
She picked it up, set it back in place gently, and resumed grinding the tea leaves.
He tried again, his fingers lightly hooking around hers, his voice softening. "Yangyang."
From the living room, He Jinxing turned back to He Wanjun and He Xingzhou. "See? It’s real."
He had never seen He Siyu act so shamelessly sentimental in his life.
He Wanjun and He Xingzhou exchanged a blank look before turning away.
This must be what they called "one thing conquers another"...
Soon, Nan Sangning finished brewing the tea. Grandma He took a sip and praised her once more.
"Tea brewing is such a tedious task—it truly tests one’s patience. For someone so young, Sangning, you have remarkable composure. You’re always so quiet."
Nan Sangning smiled faintly. "I’m used to it."
Grandma He couldn’t help glancing at He Siyu beside her. He lounged idly, his long fingers toying with the ribbon on her dress.
It was a miracle he had stayed seated this long. In the past, he would’ve bolted long ago—He Siyu had always hated these refined, time-wasting hobbies.
"He Siyu, come with me," He Wanjun said.
He Siyu looked at Nan Sangning, who was sipping her tea quietly. He tugged her ribbon and murmured, "I’ll be right back."
She nodded. "Mm."
Only then did He Siyu rise and follow He Wanjun into the study.
"You needed something, Dad?" His tone was indifferent.
He Wanjun scoffed. "Look at your attitude. It’s a wonder Nan Sangning can stand you."
Now that he’d witnessed Nan Sangning’s impeccable manners, he couldn’t fathom what she saw in his unruly son.
He Siyu arched a brow, his voice lazy. "No need for your concern."
She liked him just fine.
He Wanjun’s voice turned stern. "Since Grandma approves of her, I won’t interfere. But the Nan Family isn’t one to take lightly. Did you know they’ve already started flaunting their connection to the He Family as in-laws?"
He Siyu’s gaze chilled. "Is that so?"
"I’ve looked into the Nan Family—they’re not a modest bunch. The He Family has always kept a low profile, yet before anything’s even settled, they’re already making a spectacle of us." His tone was sharp.
He Siyu’s voice darkened. "I’ll handle it."
"See that you do! If not for Grandma’s sake, I’d never agree to this. If you don’t clean up the Nan Family’s mess, don’t even think about a proper wedding."
For prestigious families like theirs, a marriage certificate meant little. A true union required the elders’ blessing, the full ceremonial rites, and every tradition upheld.
Without that, even if they married in secret, it would never be recognized—only scorned.
He Siyu’s eyes grew colder. "Don’t bother threatening me. Reputation has never mattered to me. This marriage will happen."
"You—!"
He Wanjun’s face flushed with anger. "Get out!"
He Siyu gave a faint acknowledgment and left the study.
Outside, He Xingzhou and He Jinxing were already waiting.
"Why must you always argue? Would it kill you to yield for once?" He Jinxing clicked his tongue.
Yield? He Siyu had never learned the meaning of the word.
He deflected casually. "What brought you two back?"
"With the uproar you’ve caused, Dad rushed home in a fury. Did you expect us to stay away? We barely made it back before the house exploded."
He Jinxing patted his chest dramatically, as if still shaken.
He Xingzhou clapped He Siyu’s shoulder. "Enough. Dad isn’t entirely against this. Just settle what needs settling, and I’ll be waiting for my wedding toast."
He Siyu’s mood lightened, a smirk playing on his lips. "You’ll get it."
Hands in his pockets, he sauntered off.
He Xingzhou watched his retreating figure, his expression complicated. "He’s genuinely serious about this."
"Obviously. When have you ever seen him like this?" He Jinxing chuckled.
He Xingzhou shook his head. "A-Yu’s never been one for rules. Who’d have thought he’d fall for such a rigid girl?"
Might as well have brought home a goddess to worship.
He Jinxing patted his brother’s shoulder, grinning as he lowered his voice. "Everyone meets their match eventually. That brat’s had it too easy all his life—it’s about time he learned some discipline."
He Xingzhou pondered for a moment before nodding. "That makes sense."
He Jinxing couldn't help adding, "But Siyu’s girlfriend is really something. It’s the first time I’ve seen Dad speechless—I almost couldn’t hold back my laughter. If only you had back then—"
The words had barely left his mouth when He Xingzhou’s expression darkened. Realizing he’d stepped on a landmine, He Jinxing swallowed the rest of his sentence. "Never mind."
After dinner, Nan Sangning left the He Family residence with He Siyu.
Grandma He personally saw them off. "Come back often when work isn’t too busy. I’ll have more delicious dishes prepared for you."
Nan Sangning smiled sweetly. "Of course. Thank you, Grandma He."
"Drive safely."
"Mm, goodbye, Grandma He."
Nan Sangning opened the car door and got in, waving once more before they left.
He Siyu drove off without delay.
Nan Sangning’s phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at it—a text from Wen Meiling.
[Wednesday is Grandfather’s birthday. The Nan Family is hosting a banquet. Will you bring He Siyu with you?]
Nan Sangning lowered her gaze, lost in thought for a moment.
By then, He Siyu had already driven out of Wisteria Lane. Noticing her staring at her phone, he glanced at her. "What’s wrong?"
She pressed her lips together and turned off her screen. "Nothing."
His brow furrowed slightly. She was brushing him off again.
Then, abruptly, she looked up at him. "He Siyu."
"Hm?"
Her voice was calm. "Will you come home with me?"
