Sang Ning turned her head and noticed the food was still warm in the insulated cabinet. She paused, looking up at him. "You haven't eaten yet?"
He glanced at her sideways. "Have you?"
Sang Ning hesitated. "There was a barbecue campsite near Sakura Manor."
She had eaten a bit too much greasy food and had been craving ice-cold water on the way back.
His gaze turned colder. "Your life sure is colorful, Nan Sang Ning. How long has it been since we had dinner together?"
She bit her lip. It hadn’t been that long, had it? A week at most.
But seeing his displeased expression, she still rose on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek.
He scowled. "You always use this trick to brush me off..."
She tilted her head up again, this time pressing her lips directly against his.
She had just sipped lemon-infused ice water, her soft lips cool against his.
For a moment, his entire body stiffened. His eyes lowered, taking in her face so close to his. She had dressed up unusually brightly today, wearing a soft peach-toned makeup, her long lashes fluttering shut as she kissed him with surprising earnestness.
His throat bobbed. The hand at his side twitched, as if to pull her closer, but he clenched it into a fist instead.
She was still just placating him!
Sang Ning opened her eyes, puzzled. She could clearly see the dark intensity in his ink-black pupils.
Why wasn’t he easy to coax anymore?
She parted her lips slightly, nipping at his lower lip, her cool tongue brushing against his with a tangy sweetness.
A sharp buzz exploded in his mind. His restraint shattered. In an instant, he pulled her into his arms, crushing his mouth against hers with a hunger that felt almost devouring.
"Mmm—"
Sang Ning was pressed against the refrigerator door, his kiss relentless. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his loungewear, clinging to him like a kitten.
Five minutes later, she turned her face away, breathless. His force had left her lips swollen.
"You should eat dinner first," she panted.
But He Siyu’s lips trailed down to her cheek, his large hand slipping beneath her skirt. "Isn’t that what I’m doing?"
"He Siyu!" She grabbed his wandering hand, her ears burning red.
Why was he always so easily aroused?!
His lips brushed against her earlobe, his murmur low and husky. "Nan Sang Ning, if you’re going to coax someone, at least put in some effort."
"..."
He suddenly bit down on her earlobe, his voice rough. "Did you really think I’d be satisfied with just that?"
---
The next day, Sang Ning didn’t wake until noon.
Her eyelids heavy, she fumbled for her phone and turned it on.
Dozens of messages from Ji Yan immediately popped up.
[Want to catch a movie today? There’s a new thriller out, and Shi Mu’s the lead!]
[Lunch? We could go back to that French place!]
[Where are you?]
[It’s already 11 and you’re still in bed? Nan Sang Ning, have you been overindulging?]
Sang Ning: "..."
She quickly exited the chat, pretending she hadn’t seen that shameless remark.
Then, another notification flashed—a financial news headline:
[Nan Corporation Officially Acquires Chen Corporation]
She pushed herself up in bed, arching a brow.
Seemed like the process was nearly complete.
Which meant the funds had already been fully invested.
A call flashed on her screen: Nan Zhenming.
She took a sip of honey water from the glass on her nightstand before leisurely answering.
Nan Zhenming’s triumphant voice rang out. "Come home today. The family’s celebrating the acquisition—Grandfather’s throwing a banquet."
She smiled faintly. "Oh? Congratulations."
"And stop by the company too." His tone stiffened slightly. "There are still some things you didn’t properly hand over. Come and finalize them."
A trace of mockery flickered in her eyes, but her voice remained calm. "Is this about the ongoing projects?"
"Exactly. With Nan Corporation’s acquisition of Chen Corporation, our partners should feel honored too. By the way, is Third Young Master He available—"
Sang Ning cut him off coldly. "He’s busy."
"Then just you come. There’s a meeting at the company at 2 PM." Nan Zhenming, riding high on his recent success, spoke with newfound authority.
Sang Ning didn’t resist. She didn’t even question why she, a former executive with no current authority in the company, needed to attend a Nan Corporation meeting.
She simply agreed. "Fine."
Nan Zhenming was thrilled. "Perfect!"
As she hung up, her expression darkened.
She knew exactly why Nan Zhenming wanted her there.
Nan Corporation, already unstable internally, had recklessly spent nearly all its liquid assets to acquire Chen Corporation—an overreach that bordered on dangerous.
Now, the money was gone, but Nan Corporation’s major projects were still in shambles. A cash flow crisis was inevitable.
The partners needed reassurance, and who better to placate them than Nan Sang Ning, the He Family’s future daughter-in-law?
Leveraging the He name would keep them in line.
He even wanted He Siyu to lend his presence.
Sang Ning scoffed. Nan Zhenming really treated the He Family like his own personal tool.
She got out of bed and opened the door. Nanny Zhang had already set out lunch. "You’re awake, Miss? I was just about to call you. The master has already left for the company."
Sang Ning nodded. "I’ll eat after washing up. I’m going out this afternoon."
"Will you be back for dinner, Miss?"
Recalling He Siyu’s antics last night, she frowned. "No."
---
2 PM.
Sang Ning arrived at Nan Corporation.
"Miss." Nan Zhenming’s assistant greeted her respectfully.
She pushed open the conference room doors. The room was packed.
Nan Zhenming, seated at the head of the long table, beamed at her with rare warmth. "Sang Ning’s here! Come, take a seat."
He patted the empty chair to his left.
The long table was lined with Nan Corporation’s executives and partners.
The tense atmosphere shifted subtly the moment Nan Sang Ning entered. Eyes darted toward her, gauging her reaction.
Clearly, her status as the He Family’s future bride carried weight.
Sang Ning took her seat. "Since I no longer hold any position in the company, isn’t it inappropriate for me to attend this meeting?"
"Nonsense! You’re a daughter of the Nan Family. Of course you belong here!" Nan Zhenming was unusually generous with his words today.
Sang Ning smiled faintly. "Thank you, Father."
"This meeting is mainly to address our partners. Nan Corporation is moving forward, expanding, growing stronger—but there will always be obstacles. We must overcome them together. Don’t you agree?"
Sang Ning glanced at the partners before answering indifferently. "Naturally."
Nan Zhenming laughed heartily and said, "Moreover, Sang Ning is already recognized by the He Family as their future granddaughter-in-law. Young Master He Siyu is also very invested—last time he returned, he even discussed wedding plans. I believe all of you here should have confidence in the Nan Family and not be too demanding."
The company was already a mess, and now, with the Nan Family's reckless acquisitions draining their cash flow, the situation had worsened even further.
If it weren’t for the He Family’s reputation, these business partners would have torn the Nan Family apart long ago!
The partners glanced at Nan Sang Ning, their tone probing: "Has the marriage really been settled?"
Sang Ning’s eyes flickered briefly before she turned to Nan Zhenming, her expression conflicted. "Dad, there’s something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Nan Zhenming, assuming she was just shy, urged, "These partners are practically family friends—no need to hold back. You can say it right here!"
He was eagerly waiting for Nan Sang Ning to announce that she and He Siyu were on the verge of tying the knot!
Sang Ning’s gaze gradually dimmed as she finally spoke: "Young Master He and I... have broken up."
