He Siyu brought his phone closer, ignoring the noise blaring into his ears, and took another look to confirm.
No mistake—it was Nan Sangning.
So this was what she called a date? Watching a man strip on stage?
His grandmother had praised her as gentle and dignified, a rare girl with the modesty and grace lacking in modern women. Yet here she was, practically drooling over a half-naked man.
He scoffed and turned off his phone.
Gu Xingchen was still spamming the group chat, the screen lighting up incessantly.
He Siyu expressionlessly unlocked his phone again.
Gu Xingchen had already sent eight messages.
[Damn, I’m such an idiot for taking a girl to Shi Mu’s concert to flirt. Her eyes are glued to him—what’s the point of me being here?]
[This is downright indecent! What kind of nonsense is this?]
[Though I gotta admit, it’s kinda hot. Can’t blame her—I’m getting worked up too.]
"..."
Below was another short video.
He Siyu clicked play. The man on stage had changed into a red gauze outfit, a black silk ribbon covering his eyes, dancing seductively to the music.
Nan Sangning sat frozen in her seat, staring at the man, mouth slightly agape as if she might start drooling any second.
He Siyu turned off his phone again, his face unreadable.
He’d always known she had two faces, but he’d underestimated her. Tch.
Why was he even bothering with her? Did he have nothing better to do?
With a dark expression, he tossed his phone aside.
The concert lasted until ten before finally ending.
Even after leaving the venue, Sangning still felt dazed, her head buzzing.
Ji Yan excitedly tugged at her, chattering away, "Wasn’t that amazing? I told you Shi Mu wouldn’t disappoint—he’s this year’s ‘Forbidden Desire’ idol!"
"What’s ‘forbidden desire’?"
"It’s about restraint—not the absence of desire, but the tension of holding back before finally letting go. Get it?" Ji Yan gushed.
Sangning shook her head blankly.
Ji Yan rolled her eyes. "Watch a few more performances, and you’ll understand."
Blushing, Sangning nodded. That made sense.
Ji Yan dropped Sangning off at the Nan Family residence.
"Next time!"
Standing outside the gates, Sangning waved. "See you next time."
Ji Yan drove off without a care.
Sangning rang the doorbell. When Auntie Chen saw it was her, she hurried to open the gate, even waiting at the entrance with a flattering smile. "Welcome back, Miss. The master was just asking about you—wondering if you’d returned."
As the old master grew more attentive toward Sangning, Auntie Chen’s servility had also increased.
Sangning changed her shoes at the entryway. "Where’s Grandfather?"
"In the study."
She headed there. Since she’d visited the He Family today, her grandfather would undoubtedly want a report.
And she had something to discuss with him too.
She knocked three times. "Grandfather."
"Come in."
Pushing the door open, she found Nan Zhenming inside as well, sweating over a chess game with the old man. The moment he saw her, he dropped his pieces in relief, then scowled. "Why are you back so late?"
The old master glared at him. "Sangning was out on important business. What’s with the shouting?"
Nan Zhenming stiffened, humiliated but not daring to retort.
The old man beckoned warmly. "Sangning, come sit. Tell me—did the He Family’s matriarch take a liking to you today?"
Sangning sat on the opposite sofa, smiling. "Grandmother He asked me to play the pipa for her. She praised my skills and invited me back."
The old man’s grin widened. "Then you must continue to impress her."
"She’s very kind. When she found out I didn’t have a car or driver, she arranged for one to take me home."
The old man’s eyes brightened. "It seems the He matriarch holds you in high regard."
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent a car.
But then—
The old man suddenly frowned. "You don’t have a driver?"
Sangning nodded. "I’ve been borrowing Siya’s car. Only when she’s free does Uncle Zhang drive me around."
The old man’s brows furrowed as he shot Nan Zhenming a glare. "Sangning’s been back for so long, and you haven’t even assigned her a car? Making her borrow Siya’s?"
Nan Zhenming hesitated. "I—I thought Meiling would handle it. Such trivial matters slipped my mind."
Of course they had.
No one in the Nan Family had ever considered giving her the treatment befitting the eldest daughter.
The old man snapped, "Utterly disgraceful! If word gets out, people will laugh at the Nan Family for being so stingy that our own heiress doesn’t even have a car!"
Nan Zhenming wiped his forehead. "You’re right, Father. I’ll arrange it immediately."
Sangning spoke up considerately, "It’s fine. I don’t go out much. When I do, it’s either to the He Family or with Miss Ji. Grandmother He takes care of everything, and Miss Ji always pays for me and gives me gifts. I don’t need much."
The old man paused, frowning. "Your parents haven’t given you any allowance?"
Sangning blinked innocently. "Allowance?"
Nan Zhenming broke into a cold sweat. "I—I clearly told Meiling to handle it. How could she forget something so basic?"
Of course, he hadn’t. They’d assumed a country girl like Sangning should be grateful just to live in the Nan Family’s mansion—what could she possibly spend money on?
The old man’s face darkened. He jabbed a finger at Nan Zhenming. "What use are you? Do you want Sangning to be mocked for coming from a family so poor its heiress can’t even afford pocket money?!"
Sangning sat quietly, neither complaining nor blaming anyone. Instead, she soothed the old man gently.
"Grandfather, don’t be upset. Grandmother He and Miss Ji aren’t shallow people. They never judged the Nan Family for this. In fact, Grandmother He said my humility reflects well on our family’s values."
The old man’s expression softened. "A prestigious family like the Hes wouldn’t be petty, but as the Nan Family’s eldest daughter, you deserve dignity. From now on, you’ll have a car, a driver, and a monthly allowance of 800,000. Next time you visit the Hes, bring a gift—it’s only proper."
Nan Zhenming stiffened. 800,000?
Nan Siya only received 500,000 a month. Only Nan Muchen, as the male heir, got 800,000.
Sangning smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Grandfather."
After a pause, she added, "I’ve finished my etiquette lessons, but as the Nan Family’s eldest daughter, I feel the weight of expectations. There’s always more to learn—I don’t want to embarrass the family in the future."
The old man nodded approvingly. "Such diligence is commendable. What else do you wish to study?"
"An MBA."
Sangning smiled. "Business."
She had managed accounts before back at home—shops, farm estates, and the buying and selling of servants. She understood the business model of the Nan family, which, while fundamentally similar to the commercial dealings of the Zhou dynasty, operated very differently in practice. If she didn’t learn this system, how could she uncover the true extent of the Nan family’s wealth? How could she fight for her inheritance?
Was she supposed to wait for the Nan family to hand her scraps?
Nan Zhenming frowned. "This requires an undergraduate degree to study..."
The old patriarch cut him off immediately. "Just pull some strings and let Sangning audit the classes. It’s good that the child has ambition."
More importantly, now that the He Family had taken a rare liking to Nan Sangning, the patriarch naturally wanted to go all out in polishing her image—so that Old Madam He would hold her in even higher regard. If the He Family casually offered the Nans an opportunity, they could skyrocket to success overnight.
After all, in Jing City, a mere stomp from the He Family could send tremors through the city.
Now that Sangning had made a request, the patriarch was more than willing to grant it.
"Thank you, Grandfather," Sangning said with a satisfied smile. Having gotten what she wanted, she took her leave. "I won’t disturb you any further."
"Go on, rest early."
Sangning stood, walked out, and pulled open the door—only to startle two eavesdroppers who scrambled away in panic.
She raised a brow at Nan Siya and Nan Muchen, then stepped out, closing the door behind her, and headed straight to her room.
Just as she reached her door and turned the handle, an infuriated voice hissed behind her:
"Nan Sangning, don’t get too full of yourself! Acting all high and mighty in front of Grandfather—all you want is money, isn’t it?"
Nan Siya had overheard the patriarch’s decision to give Sangning 800,000 a month.
She was stunned. She had always believed herself to be the most pampered princess of the Nan family, while Nan Sangning—this lowly country bumpkin—what right did she have to get more money than her?
Sangning paused, then glanced back casually. "So what if I am?"
Siya had expected her to deny it. After all, begging for money was such a shameful thing—shouldn’t Sangning be too embarrassed to admit it?
Yet she had acknowledged it so effortlessly.
Sangning smirked. "Whether I asked for money or not doesn’t matter. What matters is whether I got it. If you’re unhappy, go ask for some yourself."
Siya gritted her teeth. "I’m not as shameless as you!"
Sangning feigned surprise. "You, a fake, have been living so comfortably in the Nan family—I thought you’d long since abandoned any sense of shame."
Siya flushed with rage. "Who are you calling a fake?! Mom and Dad love me! I’ve always been their daughter! Their love for me is something you’ll never take away!"
Sangning’s lips curled, laced with mockery. She took two steps closer, and only then did Siya see the icy detachment in her eyes.
Her voice was soft, yet every word struck like a blade to the heart:
"Nan Siya, you should understand—the shallow affection you cling to now wasn’t won by you. It was merely what I didn’t bother taking from you."
