"Hmm?" His expression remained composed, as if he were listening to a report in a boardroom.
"You shameless man!"
He suddenly tugged her hand, pulling her toward him. She stumbled forward, one hand braced against the center console before crashing into his chest.
She looked up, meeting his dark, unfathomable gaze. "My reputation is already ruined because of you. What use do I have for shame now?"
Her lashes fluttered slightly, her eyes widening in disbelief. How could he say that so matter-of-factly?
"Now the whole world thinks I'm heartless and fickle, that I played with your feelings and abandoned you. Even my grandmother scolds me. Soon, even stray dogs on the street will bark at me."
She couldn’t take it anymore. "Your reputation wasn’t exactly stellar to begin with!"
His dark eyes cooled, a wounded look in them as if accusing her of betrayal. "After all I’ve suffered for you, this is how you treat me? Did a dog eat your conscience?"
Sang Ning: "..."
He stared at her, enunciating each word. "Nan Sangning, you have to take responsibility for me."
---
The golden hues of dusk filtered through the white curtains, casting a dim glow across the room.
Sang Ning sank into the plush down comforter, breathless from his kisses. Her torn dress lay discarded on the floor, his scorching hands roaming freely over her skin. A shiver ran through her, but she still wrapped her arms around his neck in response.
Suddenly, he stopped. Putting just an inch of distance between them, he opened his darkened eyes, locking onto hers, his voice rough. "Yangyang, get on top."
Her lashes trembled, her dazed eyes widening slightly. "No!" she refused without hesitation.
He leaned in, brushing his lips against the corner of her mouth, murmuring, "Yangyang."
"Not happening!" Her cheeks burned crimson as she turned her face away.
He kissed her cheek, coaxing gently. "Just once, and then I’ll let you go. Okay?"
Her fingers tightened around his shirt, hesitating.
Cupping her face with one hand, he turned her back to meet his lowered gaze.
His lust-darkened eyes held hers as he softened his voice. "Didn’t you promise to make it up to me?"
After three seconds of internal struggle, she finally relented. "Fine. Just once."
"Good."
He flipped onto his back, hands gripping her slender waist as he lifted her onto him.
The fading sunlight bathed her in a golden halo, breathtakingly beautiful.
His throat bobbed as he watched her, fingers digging into the soft flesh of her waist, veins bulging along his arms, his entire body taut with restraint.
It wasn’t until the room was completely dark that the sounds of their passion finally subsided.
Sang Ning lay sprawled across the pillows, bare and disheveled, her hair tangled around her as she struggled to steady her breathing.
She twitched her fingers, reaching for her phone to check the time.
The next second, a scorching body pressed against her, his large hand covering hers as his familiar whisper brushed her ear. "Yangyang."
Her lashes fluttered as she snapped her eyes open, her voice still soft and sweet. "He Siyu!"
"Hmm?" He nipped at her earlobe.
"You said just once!"
"I did. Once on top." His lips trailed over her cheek, stopping at the corner of her mouth. "This time, we can do it the other way."
Her eyes widened. How could he say something so shameless with a straight face?!
This man’s audacity kept shattering her expectations.
He captured her lips. "Yangyang, you promised to make it up to me."
"You bastard— Mmph!"
---
At eight the next morning, a phone vibrated. He Siyu opened his eyes and silenced the alarm.
Glancing down at Sang Ning, still deep in sleep, her dark lashes resting like delicate fans against her cheeks, he found her peaceful and serene, her breathing slow and undisturbed.
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek before slipping out of bed.
After washing up and dressing, he left the house half an hour later.
By nine, he arrived at Huiyao.
"President He."
Employees bowed slightly as he passed, a routine he was long accustomed to.
This time, however, their eyes held thinly veiled curiosity.
Only when the elevator doors closed, shutting out the noise, did the whispers erupt in full force.
"Did you hear? President He and Miss Nan broke up!"
"Oh my god! They barely lasted a month, didn’t they?"
"Exactly! Rumor has it Miss Nan begged him to stay, but he wouldn’t even take her calls. Completely ruthless."
"How heartless! Just a while ago, their relationship announcement was so grand. I thought President He had finally found true love, but he got bored so fast!"
"Beware of men like this—all sweet and doting one moment, then cold and indifferent the next!"
"Ugh, what a scumbag!"
With a soft ding, the elevator reached the top floor.
He Siyu stepped out, one hand in his pocket, his expression relaxed.
Even the secretaries, who had been whispering conspiratorially at their desks before scattering at the sight of him, escaped his reprimand. He strode into his office, still in high spirits.
Fang Han was already waiting inside, eyeing him with disbelief. "Are you supposed to be heartbroken or in love right now?"
He Siyu ignored him, merely smirking as he took his seat.
Fang Han clicked his tongue. "Did you find a new fling already? I never pegged you for this kind of guy."
His gaze chilled. "None of your damn business."
"Who am I to meddle? I’m just here to deliver documents and check in on you."
Since when did a vice president personally deliver files? He was clearly here for gossip.
He Siyu didn’t call him out, though, flipping through the folder with unusual patience before signing and handing it back.
Fang Han took it but couldn’t resist adding, "But don’t you think you’re being a little too harsh? Poor Miss Nan."
He Siyu shot him a frosty look, and Fang Han bolted before he could blink.
With a cold scoff, He Siyu took a sip of tea, his mood still unshaken.
Assistant Yan knocked and entered. "President He, Chairman Nan is here to see you."
He Siyu arched a brow. "Nan Zhenming?"
"Yes. He insisted it was urgent and pleaded with the receptionist for a long time. They called me, so I thought—"
"Send him up."
"Yes."
Ten minutes later, Nan Zhenming was ushered into the office.
He Siyu leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping the desk with deliberate calm, his tone indifferent. "What’s so urgent, Chairman Nan?"
Nan Zhenming broke into a cold sweat under that icy stare.
Wiping his forehead, he blurted, "President He, I wouldn’t disturb you if it weren’t critical. Nan Corporation’s funding chain is collapsing. Sang Ning is so worried she can’t even sleep."
He Siyu’s brow lifted slightly.
Nan Zhenming was still trying to make his case: "The Nan family is at a critical juncture of survival. I wouldn’t have come to beg you if we weren’t truly desperate. Sang Ning is too proud to lower herself and ask for your help."
He Siyu seemed lost in thought—she really was prideful.
Nan Zhenming pressed on anxiously, "I know Sang Ning offended you, and that’s why you broke up. But please, for the sake of your past relationship, help her just this once! Just once! At least let the Nan family get through this crisis."
A faint, mocking smile tugged at He Siyu’s lips. "Help her—or help the Nan family?"
Nan Zhenming’s eyes flickered with guilt. "Helping the Nan family is helping her! Surely you don’t want to see the family go bankrupt and her end up homeless? After all, she was once your woman. No matter what, you should—"
He Siyu’s fingers, which had been lightly tapping the desk, stilled. He lifted his gaze, his tone casual. "Wouldn’t that be just fine?"
