Gu Xingchen: "..."
He Siyu strolled lazily into the banquet hall.
Gu Xingchen gritted his teeth so hard they might shatter.
Sang Ning and Ji Yan had already taken their seats, but the banquet hadn’t yet begun.
"You and Dr. Sheng?!" Sang Ning was utterly baffled. "How could the two of you have ever been together?"
Ji Yan took a sip from her wine glass. "What’s so strange about that? You and He Siyu managed to date."
"..."
Sang Ning found herself at a loss for words.
"Sheng Nian was top of his class at Yubei High School—smart, good-looking, polite, and refined. But I heard he was hard to chase. Plenty of girls confessed to him and got nowhere. I didn’t believe it, so I decided to try my luck."
Sang Ning blinked. "And then?"
Ji Yan lifted her chin proudly. "I got him! Impressive, right?"
Sang Ning: "...Yeah, that’s... impressive."
"So why did you break up?" Sang Ning pressed.
Ji Yan thought for a moment. "How did we break up again?"
Sang Ning: "..."
"Oh, right. After high school, I went abroad to study. Then, for some reason, he stopped contacting me as much, and we just... drifted apart."
Ji Yan spoke like a seasoned expert. "You wouldn’t understand. Long-distance relationships never last."
Sang Ning nodded, half-convinced.
It sounded reasonable, but something still felt off.
Just then, He Siyu and Gu Xingchen approached.
The moment Ji Yan spotted Gu Xingchen, her expression darkened, and she let out a cold snort.
Gu Xingchen felt the suffocating weight in his chest grow heavier.
He took a seat beside her. "Come with me to toast the guests later."
Tonight’s post-launch banquet was packed with industry leaders in the internet sector. The Gu family had recently ventured into this field, with investments like the AI healthcare project being one of their key moves.
Naturally, an event like this was all about networking and expanding connections.
"Do it yourself," Ji Yan snapped.
Gu Xingchen clenched his jaw. "Ji Yan, didn’t we agree to keep up appearances in public?"
"And who was the one who started with the attitude first?"
Gu Xingchen stiffened, his temple throbbing.
She had the nerve to say that?!
His gaze suddenly landed on Sheng Nian nearby, holding a glass and chatting with someone.
The medical data for the Huiyi product came primarily from Huaji Hospital, and as Huaji’s representative, Sheng Nian was not only attending but also serving as the medical consultant. Many guests were seeking him out for insights.
Gu Xingchen’s eyes darkened. He took a deep breath and softened his tone. "Fine, my bad earlier. But this is a major event. Can you at least give me some face?"
Ji Yan gave him a strange look.
Was she hearing things? Gu Xingchen actually apologizing?
Arguing with him was second nature to her, so his sudden surrender felt oddly unsettling.
But Ji Yan wasn’t one to break the rules. When they got engaged, they’d agreed—this was a marriage of convenience, but appearances had to be maintained.
In public, they had to play the loving couple.
She huffed. "Fine."
Gu Xingchen stood and offered his arm. Ji Yan looped hers through his, and they moved into the crowd together.
Sang Ning watched their retreating figures.
Gu Xingchen was laughing and toasting with guests, while Ji Yan stood gracefully at his side, arm in arm.
Unexpectedly, they looked... well-matched.
A thought struck Sang Ning, and she glanced in another direction.
Dr. Sheng’s gaze lingered where hers had just been, his expression unreadable.
Sang Ning blinked.
She might have just stumbled upon something big.
"What are you looking at?"
A low voice sounded by her ear, and she quickly averted her eyes. "Nothing."
He Siyu glanced at Sheng Nian, then back at her. "You’re awfully invested in other people’s business."
She frowned. Since when was she invested?
She shrugged. "I was just envying Ji Yan a little."
He Siyu’s gaze cooled. "What’s there to envy?"
"Her high school experience."
"..."
The question "You never went to high school?" nearly slipped out, but he swallowed it back.
He pressed his lips together. "What’s so great about high school?"
"It was freedom."
That kind of bold, unrestrained youth was something she’d never dared to dream of.
Then she smiled again, bright and warm. "But I love my life now too."
The sudden brilliance in her eyes seemed to catch him off guard. "Love what?"
Her sparkling gaze held his. "Everything."
For a moment, he was stunned.
But in her eyes, there was only him.
"President He." Someone approached to toast.
Sang Ning tried to pull her hand free, but He Siyu tightened his grip instead, standing and raising his glass politely to the elderly man.
"Congratulations, President He. The beta version of Huiyi has been very well-received. Looks like Huiyao has another big move this year," the man said warmly.
"Thank you for the kind words."
General Manager Wang glanced at Sang Ning. "And this is...?"
"Nan Sang Ning," He Siyu paused, then added, "My girlfriend."
General Manager Wang blinked.
Just a girlfriend? With the way they carried themselves, he’d assumed He Siyu had gotten married without telling anyone.
He quickly greeted her. "Miss Nan."
Sang Ning nodded politely. "Hello."
—
By ten, the banquet had ended.
Sang Ning bid Ji Yan farewell. "Let’s meet up again soon."
"How soon? Not another month, I hope?" Ji Yan grumbled.
"No, my work should ease up soon."
Ji Yan brightened. "Then let’s go skiing at Cloud Peak Mountain next week! Didn’t you say you wanted to learn?"
Sang Ning nodded. "Sure! I’ll check my schedule, but if I’m free, we’ll go."
"It’s a deal!"
"Are you two done? Or are you planning to stand here chatting till next year?" Gu Xingchen stood by the car door, expressionless.
Ji Yan glared. "I’ll talk as long as I want! Why do you always have to butt in?"
Sang Ning hurried to mediate. "You should head back. I’ll go too."
Ji Yan huffed but finally relented, heading for the car. "See you next week!"
"Mm, bye."
After one last glare at Gu Xingchen, Ji Yan climbed in. Gu Xingchen exchanged a brief nod with He Siyu before following and shutting the door. The Rolls-Royce disappeared into the night.
He Siyu was still surrounded by a few business partners exchanging pleasantries. When he saw Sang Ning was free, he excused himself and walked over, taking her hand.
"Let’s go."
Uncle Zheng had already pulled the car up to the entrance. They got into the backseat, and the Maybach glided smoothly away.
Back home, Sang Ning headed straight for the shower as usual.
"I’m going to wash up first." She tossed her bag to He Siyu without a second thought.
He caught it. "Mm."
Sang Ning stepped into the bathroom, then hesitated.
After a moment, she locked the door.
He Siyu paused outside, hearing the unmistakable click of the lock.
"..."
Was she guarding against thieves—or him?!
He walked into the room with a sullen expression, went to the walk-in closet to put her bag away, and was about to leave when he suddenly paused. Turning back, he pulled open a drawer beside the wardrobe and took out a small dark blue velvet box that lay quietly inside.
His thumb brushed over the box, his gaze deepening.
Half an hour later, Sang Ning stepped out of the bathroom.
He Siyu was sitting on the living room sofa, a plate of her favorite sliced fruit and a glass of milk placed on the coffee table, while the TV played the melodramatic series she loved.
He looked up at her, his tone gentle. "Done showering?"
Sang Ning hesitated for a moment, sensing something oddly out of place about the scene.
"Yeah..."
She walked over, and he pulled her down beside him, wrapping his arms around her soft, fragrant body. He nuzzled her cheek, inhaling her scent with a hint of greed.
Afraid he might get carried away again, she quickly pushed him back. "I haven’t dried my hair yet!"
She had just washed her hair, which was now bundled up in a pale pink hair towel, making her look like a fluffy peach.
For once, he didn’t insist. Letting her push him away, he stood up. "I’ll dry it for you."
Sang Ning eyed his retreating figure suspiciously. He was acting strange today—unusually agreeable.
But past experiences had taught her not to believe he simply wanted a quiet, ordinary life with her.
Who knew what mischief he was plotting now?
He Siyu returned with the hairdryer, unwrapped the towel from her hair, and began drying it with practiced ease.
Sang Ning decided not to overthink his motives. Curling up on the sofa, she grabbed the fruit platter and nibbled on the slices while watching TV.
He glanced down at her—she was quietly eating, her cheeks slightly puffed, eyes fixed on the screen, completely at ease.
Clearly, she was in a good mood.
"Sang Ning," he suddenly spoke.
"Hmm?" She didn’t look up, still focused on the show, responding absentmindedly.
"Is your work at the company wrapped up?"
"Pretty much. Just tying up loose ends this week, then everything will be back on track."
At this, Sang Ning visibly brightened, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"I see."
His throat moved slightly as his fingers combed through her silky hair, the hairdryer humming in the background.
After another half-minute pause, he spoke again. "What do you think about Ji Yan and Gu Xingchen now?"
Sang Ning finally turned to look at him, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
He met her gaze, his dark eyes unreadable. "They got married."
Sang Ning frowned slightly. "I don’t think it’s going well."
His hand holding the hairdryer stilled. "Why not?"
