He frowned, "What matters do you need to handle tomorrow?"
She gave a cold smile. "Just some family affairs."
The next day at six in the afternoon, after work, Sang Ning went straight back to the Nan residence.
As the car pulled into the courtyard, Aunt Chen was already waiting at the door, hurrying forward to greet her. "Miss Sang Ning, Third Young Master He—"
The car door opened, and Sang Ning stepped out.
Aunt Chen froze for a moment. "Miss Sang Ning, you came back alone? The old master was expecting Third Young Master He—"
Sang Ning’s gaze swept over her, and Aunt Chen immediately fell silent.
Sang Ning strode inside.
The living room was lively, with the entire Nan family gathered together—even Nan Siya and Chen Zheng had returned.
When the old master saw Sang Ning enter, he excitedly patted the leather armrest of the sofa. "Sang Ning’s back? Where’s Third Young Master He—?"
He looked behind her but saw no sign of He Siyu.
His expression darkened. "Where is Third Young Master He? Didn’t I tell you to bring him?"
Sang Ning walked in and took a seat on the right-hand sofa, her tone indifferent. "He’s not coming today."
The moment those words left her lips, the expressions of the Nan family shifted.
Wen Meiling quickly scolded, "You foolish child! Why didn’t you tell us Third Young Master He wasn’t coming? You made everyone wait for nothing! Your grandfather even left the hospital early just for today!"
Nan Zhenming also berated her, "The news of your marriage is already spreading everywhere, yet you still haven’t arranged for the He Family to propose! If you don’t care about your reputation, our Nan family still does!"
Chen Zheng snorted. "If I’d known Third Young Master He wasn’t coming, I wouldn’t have bothered either. I have a mountain of work at the company."
Voices rose and fell across the living room, disappointment and reproach pouring from every direction.
Sang Ning sat upright on the sofa and extended a hand. Aunt Chen hastily handed her a cup of tea.
Gradually, everyone noticed Sang Ning’s silence, and the room quieted down.
She took the teacup, lifted the lid with one hand, lightly swept away the tea leaves, then brought it to her lips for a sip.
Her movements were composed and effortless—proper yet imposing in an unspoken way.
She set the cup down on the coffee table with a deliberate clink. The sound made the entire room hold their breath, all eyes turning to her.
Sang Ning lifted her gaze, her calm eyes sweeping over each of them with detachment. "I’ve been busy with company matters lately and haven’t returned home. I thought today would be a good time, especially since everyone’s here. There are certain rules I need to establish upfront."
A brief, suffocating silence fell over the room.
Nan Siya’s eyes widened in shock. What is she saying?! Who does she think she is, laying down rules?!
Nan Zhenming was the first to react, leaping to his feet. "How dare you! What kind of outrageous talk is this?! Do you really think I won’t throw you out of the Nan family?!"
Sang Ning met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "Then you’d better think carefully, Father. Once I walk out that door, there’ll be no place for you in Nan Corporation."
Nan Zhenming’s face twisted—his furious expression instantly turning beet red. "You—!"
The old master barked, "Sang Ning! What do you mean by this?! Are you challenging me?!"
Sang Ning turned to him, her voice steady. "Grandfather, as the elder, you deserve my respect. But you should also understand—now that I hold power in Nan Corporation, the Nan family should naturally be under my leadership. Otherwise, with authority divided and no clear head, how can this family prosper?"
"You—!" The old master choked on his words.
Sang Ning continued coolly, "For the past month, I’ve exhausted myself saving Nan Corporation from collapse. Now that it’s finally stabilizing, I thought I’d at least earned some gratitude from you."
"And you have the nerve to say that?! If you hadn’t hidden your reconciliation with Third Young Master He, the company wouldn’t have—"
Sang Ning held the old master’s cloudy gaze. "But you should also realize—if I were truly heartless, I could’ve abandoned Nan Corporation and watched the Nan family go bankrupt. After all, I’ve already secured the He Family."
The old master’s expression flickered, a trace of panic flashing in his eyes.
If Sang Ning truly washed her hands of this mess, the Nan family would be doomed!
Gritting his teeth, he spat, "Fine. Now that you’ve latched onto the He Family, you think you can throw your weight around, is that it?"
Wen Meiling quickly interjected, "Sang Ning, how can you speak to your grandfather like this? Even if you marry into the He Family, the Nans are still your family! How can you disrespect your elders?"
Sang Ning replied evenly, "Then tell me, Mother—how should I show my filial piety?"
Wen Meiling’s eyes darted before she adopted a coaxing tone. "Once you marry Third Young Master He, you’ll have endless glory as the young madam of the He Family. Why cling to these petty shares at home?"
Sang Ning’s lips curved slightly. "So, Mother, who do you suggest I hand them over to?"
Misreading her tone as softening, Wen Meiling pressed eagerly, "Muchen will graduate high school soon. Shouldn’t the family business go to him eventually?"
Sang Ning arched a brow. "Muchen?"
Nan Muchen immediately straightened, oozing confidence.
Wen Meiling took Sang Ning’s hand, her voice dripping with concern. "I know you were just acting out before, fighting for shares out of spite. But you understand the difference between the Nan and He Families. If Third Young Master He finds out you’re treating your own family so harshly, it won’t reflect well on you."
Her words carried a veiled threat.
No man would want a woman so calculating and cold-hearted. If the He Family heard how Sang Ning was strong-arming her own family, they might reconsider the marriage.
"Sang Ning, we may have wronged you before, and I apologize. Hand over the company, and the Nans will always stand behind you. Once you marry into the He Family, we’ll support you for life!"
Sang Ning withdrew her hand, her calm eyes locking onto Nan Muchen. "Muchen, do you want to inherit the company?"
Nan Muchen puffed up. "It’s mine by right!"
Sang Ning smiled. "Good."
Nan Muchen’s bravado faltered slightly, his gaze flickering uncertainly toward his parents.
Sang Ning spoke evenly. "You’re about to graduate. I nearly forgot—choose a country: the US, UK, or France. You’ll be sent there tomorrow."
Nan Muchen’s face drained of color as he shot up from the sofa. "What?!"
Sang Ning’s gaze turned icy. "And you won’t return without my permission."
"Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Nan Zhenming roared, "Sang Ning! You’d dare exile your own brother?!"
"If you can’t bear to part with him, Father, you’re welcome to join him."
"You—you insolent—!" Nan Zhenming nearly collapsed from rage.
Chen Zheng was stunned. "Have you lost your mind, Sang Ning?!"
Sang Ning shot him a cold look. "Chen Corporation now belongs to the Nans. Out of respect for your status as Nan Siya’s husband, I’ve let you keep managing it. But if you overstep, I won’t hesitate to throw you out."
Chen Zheng felt a lump rise in his throat, nearly choking him.
The old man was so furious he kept slamming the arm of the sofa, shouting, "You—good-for-nothing brat!"
