He Siyu’s eyes flickered slightly as he looked ahead, suppressing the faint curve of his lips. "Mm, when?"
"Next Saturday, for Grandpa’s birthday banquet."
"Alright." He Siyu smirked, then seemed to remember something and turned to glance at her. "But showing up on your grandfather’s birthday is practically giving the Nan family face. Are you really okay with that?"
Sang Ning’s gaze cooled. Her grandfather’s banquet would undoubtedly be a grand affair. Having He Siyu attend such an occasion would only elevate the Nan family’s status.
How could she not see through their little scheme?
No sooner had they kicked her out of the company than they were eager to use her to drag He Siyu into boosting their reputation.
Did they really think she was that easy to manipulate?
Sang Ning’s lips curled, though her eyes held no warmth. "I’ll go. But whether it’s about giving them face or making them lose it—that’s up to me."
He Siyu was in high spirits. Whatever she planned didn’t matter; once they stepped into the Nan household, their relationship would be out in the open.
Legitimate and undisputed.
On the drive back to Palm Beach, Sang Ning followed her usual routine of showering the moment she got home.
Surprisingly, He Siyu didn’t pester her this time.
"You go ahead and shower first. I’ll wash up after you," he said casually.
Sang Ning blinked. Since when had he become so… normal? It felt oddly unfamiliar.
"Hurry up. I’ll cut some fruit for you to eat afterward." He took her bag and placed it in the bedroom with an easy motion.
Watching his relaxed figure, Sang Ning couldn’t help but feel a sense of domestic comfort settling between them.
She smiled and headed straight for the bathroom.
Once inside, she closed the door and instinctively reached to lock it—then paused. Maybe there was no need to guard against him so much anymore.
He’d been behaving himself lately.
She turned on the shower, casually pinned up her hair, and shed her clothes.
He Siyu waited until the sound of running water filled the bathroom before picking up his phone and dialing her number.
Her ringtone echoed through the room. He casually retrieved her phone from her bag, his mood lifting as he glanced at the caller ID.
The screen cheerfully displayed: [Three-Sugar Cake]
The smile in his eyes froze.
Still just three sugars?!
How long had it been?
This heartless little—
He ended the call, dropped the phone, and strode toward the bathroom.
Sang Ning noticed a shadow approaching the frosted glass door and assumed he was hurrying her. "I still need to wash my hair. I’ll eat the fruit later," she called out.
The next second, the door swung open.
She stiffened, caught off guard as he stepped inside.
The moment he entered, his gaze locked onto her—naked under the shower spray, water cascading down her fair skin, tracing every alluring curve before vanishing.
The simmering darkness in his eyes deepened instantly.
"What are you—" This was the first time he’d seen her so blatantly under bright lights, and her ears burned crimson.
With a thud, he shut the door behind him.
"……"
In two strides, he was under the shower’s stream, letting the water soak his white dress shirt. His arms encircled her as he leaned down to kiss her cheek, his voice rough. "On second thought, showering together saves time."
Sang Ning gritted her teeth. "Get. Out."
He sealed her lips with his own.
Every inch of him was on fire. Leaving was out of the question—now or ever.
"Mmph—"
She stumbled back, her spine hitting the cold tiles with a jolt. But he followed instantly, one large hand gripping her waist and pulling her flush against his scorching chest, away from the wall and into his relentless embrace.
His white shirt and black slacks were drenched, the once-formal attire now a chaotic testament to his wild abandon.
His burning hands roamed freely over her bare skin as his kiss left her breathless and weak-kneed. Her fingers clutched his soaked shirt, her glassy eyes hazy with desire, cheeks flushed.
One hand gripped her thigh, fingers digging into soft flesh as his dark eyes pinned her in place, his heated breath mingling with hers.
"How many sugars am I?"
Her breathing was ragged, her dazed gaze flickering. "I… don’t know."
A warning edge entered his voice. "Mm? How many?"
"One!" she snapped defiantly.
His grip on her waist tightened. "Try again."
She bit her lip, a whimper escaping. "Three."
"Only three?"
"F-five…"
Still unsatisfied, his desire-darkened eyes bore into her like a frenzied beast. "Final answer."
Her face burned scarlet as she finally surrendered. "Ten…"
He captured her lips again, his murmurs tender yet laced with threat. "Change it back. Now."
"You… bastard…"
3 a.m.
She finally pushed him away, rolling onto her side with a weak huff. Her fair skin was littered with marks, her disheveled hair fanned across the pillow as she tried to steady her breathing.
He moved closer from behind, and she instinctively tensed—but he simply wrapped an arm around her waist and turned her to face him.
Bracing for another round, she raised a hand to ward him off.
Instead, he took her wrist, unlocked her phone, and pulled up his contact.
Deleting [Three-Sugar Cake], he typed a new name: [Strawberry Cake]
