Nan Zhenming and Wen Meiling couldn't help but swallow hard, sitting up even straighter.
Old Master Nan forced a smile: "Sang Ning has always been a sensible child."
Old Madam He nodded repeatedly, her face full of satisfaction: "Indeed, few young people these days are as composed and proper as Sang Ning."
Nan Zhenming's expression tightened. No one could match her composure—she could strike a silent, unexpected blow without warning.
Ever since Sang Ning returned to the Nan family nearly a year ago, he had suffered countless hidden losses at her hands!
"That's right. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have entrusted Nan Corporation to her management. Our entire family holds her in high regard," Nan Zhenming said with a strained smile.
He Wanjun nodded slightly upon hearing this. The fact that the Nan family allowed a younger generation member to take charge not only spoke volumes about Sang Ning’s capabilities but also reflected the Nan family’s progressive values—quite commendable indeed.
Old Madam He turned to He Wanjun: "What do you think?"
He Wanjun cleared his throat: "You decide."
He Xingzhou and He Jinxing exchanged surprised glances, first at He Wanjun, then even more incredulously at the Nan family.
They had been worried upon returning—this marriage had been arranged unilaterally by He Siyu, and He Wanjun had always held grievances against the Nan family. They had expected a stormy confrontation during this meeting.
Instead, the Nan family conducted themselves with impeccable decorum, He Wanjun raised no objections, and the harmony between the two families was almost unbelievable.
Old Madam He chuckled and beckoned to Sang Ning: "Sang Ning, come here."
Sang Ning nodded lightly, stood up, and walked around the round table to Grandma He’s side.
"Grandma He."
The old woman took her hand, patting it affectionately: "Though the wedding date was set hastily, the He Family takes this marriage very seriously. I won’t let you suffer any grievances."
As she spoke, she slipped a flawless, almost translucent jade bracelet onto Sang Ning’s wrist.
"This bracelet is a family heirloom. Consider it my betrothal gift to you."
The cool, smooth jade encircled her slender wrist. Her lashes fluttered slightly as she smiled softly: "Thank you, Grandma He."
"We’ll soon be family—no need for formalities. Once you and A-Yu are married, as long as you live well, I’ll be at ease," Grandma He said, patting her hand again.
Sang Ning nodded gently: "Of course."
He Siyu’s lips curved slightly.
Beside him, He Jinxing lowered his voice: "Did you… prep the Nan family beforehand?"
He Jinxing remembered the Nan family’s recent flamboyant and ostentatious behavior. Following He Wanjun’s orders, he had investigated their background—they were essentially nouveau riche with little substance.
He hadn’t even dared to report the full truth, fearing He Wanjun’s anger.
Yet today, the Nan family seemed like an entirely different clan.
He strongly suspected He Siyu had "disciplined" them ahead of time.
He Siyu took a sip of water casually: "Why would I? I only visited the Nan family for the first time two days ago."
He Jinxing frowned: "Really? Then the Nan family’s transformation is… remarkable."
He Siyu replied offhandedly: "Sang Ning probably handled it. Her standing in the family has risen steadily since she returned last year."
"You mean Miss Nan?" He Jinxing glanced at Sang Ning, who was speaking demurely with Grandma He, his skepticism deepening.
How could such a traditional, well-mannered girl "handle" her family?
He Siyu twisted the ring on his left ring finger absently: "Marriage is a significant matter. Naturally, she’d take it seriously."
He Jinxing’s gaze finally landed on the ring. Stunned, he asked: "Where’d you get that?"
The wedding hadn’t even taken place yet!
He Siyu answered lazily: "She gave it to me."
He Jinxing and He Xingzhou: ???
—
The meeting between the two families concluded harmoniously, and the wedding plans were smoothly finalized.
Over the weekend, Ji Yan accompanied Sang Ning to look at wedding dresses.
"Your wedding date is so rushed—less than a month. Will the dress even be ready in time?" Ji Yan fretted.
Sang Ning shook her head: "He Siyu said it’s fine."
She wasn’t sure how long a wedding dress typically took to make.
"I’m worried you won’t get a top designer on such short notice. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event—you can’t just wing it!" Ji Yan huffed.
Even in her own arranged marriage with Gu Xingchen, she had spent ages meticulously selecting her dress.
After all, the Gu and Ji families were now deeply intertwined in business, making divorce highly unlikely.
Sang Ning handed her a business card: "He Siyu already secured a designer."
Ji Yan scoffed, taking the card: "Some last-minute hire probably isn’t even qualified—"
Then her eyes nearly bulged out of her head: "Holy—Mu Chuan?!"
Sang Ning blinked: "You know him?"
Ji Yan’s excitement was palpable: "He’s Mu Chuan! A world-class designer! Oh my god, is he really making your dress?! I couldn’t even get an appointment with him!"
Sang Ning nodded: "Oh…"
Ji Yan clicked her tongue: "Your fiancé’s got connections."
Sang Ning: "…"
As if she didn’t already know.
Sang Ning’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen.
Strawberry Cake: [Just finished work. Be there in an hour.]
He’d had an unexpected matter at the company that morning.
She looked at Ji Yan, who was driving, then typed back: [No need. Ji Yan’s with me.]
Strawberry Cake: [Who are you marrying?]
Sang Ning: "…"
She frowned. Why did he always pick fights with her?
"We’re here!" Ji Yan parked and hopped out eagerly.
Sang Ning quickly tucked her phone away and followed.
The studio was a standalone building—surprisingly serene amidst the bustling, high-value CBD district.
No signage marked the entrance. Inside, the receptionist greeted them politely: "Hello, do you have an appointment?"
Sang Ning nodded: "Yes. I’m Nan Sang Ning."
The receptionist’s eyes lit up as she ushered them in: "Please come in. Mu Chuan has been expecting you."
They were seated in a VIP lounge, where tea and pastries were served.
Ji Yan whispered excitedly: "Seriously, Mu Chuan’s haute couture is hard enough to buy, but custom pieces? Nearly impossible. His schedule is packed—I heard he was in Milan days ago. Did he fly back just for your dress?"
Sang Ning remained indifferent. She wasn’t particularly impressed by exclusivity—having grown up wearing hand-embroidered dresses made by the finest artisans in Yanjing, modern custom designs held little novelty for her.
Footsteps descended the spiral staircase. Moments later, two figures appeared.
Sang Ning was surprised: "Miss Zhu?"
Zhu Jiani smiled as she walked down with Mu Chuan: "Miss Nan, welcome. I’m Mu Chuan’s student. Since he rarely returns home, I came to pay my respects."
Ji Yan gasped: "Oh right! I forgot—Jiani-jie is an amazing designer too!"
Sang Ning naturally knew that Zhu Jiani also had her own brand studio—she had even gifted her a dress once, a very beautiful one.
Mu Chuan smiled and said, "Since everyone here is acquainted, why not chat for a while? Jiani, could you help note down Miss Nan's preferences? I’ll go prepare some samples for her to choose from."
"Of course," Zhu Jiani agreed, then turned to Ji Yan. "Xiao Yan, why don’t you go help Teacher Mu Chuan find the samples? His brand’s summer dress designs are already finalized this year, and you could take the chance to pick one out for yourself first."
Mu Chuan’s brand releases limited-edition designs that are notoriously hard to secure, so this was clearly giving Ji Yan special treatment.
Ji Yan stood up excitedly. "Great!"
Mu Chuan smiled. "This way, Miss Ji."
Ji Yan eagerly followed him out, leaving the VIP lounge quiet once more.
"Jiani-jie, I really loved the dress you gave me," Sang Ning said sincerely.
Zhu Jiani took a seat across from them and smiled. "I’m glad to hear that. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding."
Sang Ning curved her lips. "Thank you."
Zhu Jiani paused, her smile tinged with wistfulness. "But I have to admit, I was a little surprised. I thought you and Pei Songhan might end up together."
Sang Ning pressed her lips slightly, her tone calm and frank. "Young President Pei and I have never interacted beyond business matters."
"I know," Zhu Jiani said softly. "A woman as exceptional as you, Miss Nan, could have any man she wants."
Sang Ning shook her head. "When it comes to matters of the heart, logic doesn’t always apply. You’re no less remarkable than I am, Zhu Jiani. You deserve a wonderful life too—one not held back by anyone."
Zhu Jiani froze for a moment, her fingers curling slightly against the table.
For just that instant, she felt as if those clear, glass-like eyes had seen right through her.
Then she exhaled, her smile turning serene. "I let go the moment I called off the engagement. I just wonder if some people have done the same."
Sang Ning hesitated briefly.
Zhu Jiani stood. "I won’t overstay. I’ll come to congratulate you properly on your wedding day."
Sang Ning nodded. "Alright."
After Zhu Jiani left, Sang Ning finally withdrew her gaze, taking a sip of water. Her expression was calm once more.
Other people’s affairs didn’t concern her much. Whether they moved on or not had nothing to do with her—she disliked being weighed down by trivial matters.
