Ji Yan was dumbfounded—since when had this green-tea sister been transformed like this?
Zhan Yijun’s expression also darkened, utterly unable to believe that someone as useless as Nan Siya could actually beg for Nan Sangning’s help?
Weren’t the two of them once sworn enemies?
Only Chen Zheng remained deathly pale, his eyes dull and lifeless, as if shrouded in gloom.
Zhan Yijun turned to Nan Sangning, forcing down the jealousy and resentment in her eyes as she sneered through gritted teeth, “What? Has the Nan family fallen so low that they’d even take in a fake now?”
Sangning’s expression was indifferent. “Given your current situation, Miss Zhan, I doubt you have the luxury to meddle in the Nan family’s affairs.”
“What do you mean?!”
Sangning’s lips curled slightly, her voice deliberately soft. “Do you think Mr. Qi will find out about you and Chen Zheng?”
Zhan Yijun’s face paled in shock.
Sangning watched her, her tone calm but cutting. “If your scandal with Chen Zheng gets exposed, Zhan Yijun, what do you think will happen to you?”
Zhan Yijun’s face gradually lost color, her voice trembling. “You wouldn’t dare…”
Sangning’s gaze sharpened abruptly, cold and unyielding. “What wouldn’t I dare?”
Zhan Yijun’s throat seemed to close up, her face stiff with speechless fury.
Of course. What wouldn’t Nan Sangning dare now? Not only had she taken control of the Nan family, but she also had He Siyu backing her.
Was there anything she wouldn’t do?
Meeting Sangning’s icy stare, Zhan Yijun felt fear creeping through her.
Sangning swirled her wine glass leisurely, her voice light. “If you beg me, I might let it go.”
Zhan Yijun’s face was ashen as she bit out, “I beg you…”
Sangning smirked, her smile cold and mocking, before turning away with Ji Yan in tow.
Left standing alone, Zhan Yijun’s heavily made-up face twisted with barely concealed fury, her entire body trembling with hatred.
She whipped around to glare at Nan Siya.
Nan Siya lifted her chin haughtily, feigning innocence. “What’s wrong? Isn’t today your wedding? Shouldn’t you be happy?”
Zhan Yijun’s nails dug into her palms as she swallowed her rage, turning on Chen Zheng. “Is this what you meant by ‘handled properly’?”
Chen Zheng’s face was ghostly pale. “I—I didn’t—”
“Useless trash!” Zhan Yijun spat before storming off.
Chen Zheng’s expression flickered between green and white, humiliation written all over him.
Nan Siya gently stroked his rigid face, her voice sickly sweet. “Zheng-gege, see? They all look down on you. Only I… only I love you.”
A chill ran down Chen Zheng’s spine, goosebumps rising where she touched him.
He turned to her stiffly, fear flickering in his eyes.
Nan Siya’s sweet smile twisted into something sinister. “You only have me now.”
Chen Zheng’s breath hitched, his entire body recoiling in horror.
---
Ji Yan tugged excitedly at Sangning’s sleeve. “Hey, why didn’t you just expose Zhan Yijun’s scandal outright? We could’ve had an even bigger show today!”
Sangning shook her head. “That kind of spectacle does me no good. What’s the point?”
Ji Yan rubbed her chin. “Fair enough.”
“What’s worse than death is dangling on the edge of it—knowing your disgrace could be exposed at any moment. Once it’s out, at least it’s settled. But leaving them in suspense, waiting for the axe to fall? That’s its own kind of torment.”
Besides, holding onto leverage meant holding another card. What was the harm in that?
Everything should serve her interests.
Ji Yan nodded, impressed. “Ningning, you’re ruthless!”
Sangning smiled faintly, lifting her glass to take a sip.
“Wait, though—when did you and Nan Siya get so close?” Ji Yan suddenly asked.
Sangning glanced at Nan Siya and Chen Zheng in the distance, shaking her head. “We’re not close.”
It was just mutual benefit.
Just like the Nan family—they treated her well now, whether out of fear or hypocrisy, she didn’t care.
All that mattered was that she held the power.
Sangning suddenly remembered something. “Speaking of which, when did you and Gu Xingchen get so friendly?”
When she’d arrived earlier, she’d seen Gu Xingchen wiping spilled wine off Ji Yan’s bag.
It was rare to see them so harmonious.
Ji Yan froze, then bristled. “Who’s friendly with him?!”
Sangning blinked at her sudden outburst. “...Right.”
Ji Yan huffed, crossing her arms. “This is an arranged marriage! Of course we have to keep up appearances in public!”
Sangning eyed her flushed face and nodded. “Makes sense.”
---
The next day was Sunday.
Sangning decided to visit the amusement park.
The Maybach glided smoothly along the road as Sangning studied a detailed guide to the theme park from the passenger seat.
“First, we’ll do Soaring Over the Horizon, then Jungle Expedition, and after that, we’ll take photos with the robots.”
He Siyu, behind the wheel, kept his eyes on the road, expressionless. “Mm.”
He Yun’an, bouncing in the backseat, leaned forward eagerly. “Yes! That’s the perfect route! My classmates said you can even talk to the robots!”
Sangning’s eyes sparkled. “Really?”
Technology had advanced that far already?
“Absolutely! They’re amazing!” He Yun’an thumped the headrest of the driver’s seat in excitement.
The vibrations made He Siyu’s temples throb. His voice was dangerously calm. “He Yun’an. Sit. Back.”
He Yun’an obediently retreated, only to immediately lean over again, this time between the front seats. “And I want to wear a Harry Potter robe!”
Sangning flipped to a page in the guide featuring photos of visitors in wizard robes and nodded. “Me too.”
He Siyu: “...”
When they arrived, He Yun’an bolted into the park like an unleashed puppy.
He Siyu glared at the hyperactive child before turning to Sangning, displeased. “Why did you bring him on our date?”
She was always busy, and they’d barely had any proper time together. Now, on their rare weekend off, she’d dragged them to this noisy amusement park—and brought an even noisier kid along.
Sangning, meanwhile, was gazing around in wonder, her eyes bright. “He Yun’an said he’s never been here before.”
“And that’s my problem? I’ve never been here either.”
Sangning nodded. “Exactly. So I brought you both.”
“...”
He Siyu pressed his lips together, speechless.
“Auntie! Over here! They sell the robes!” He Yun’an waved frantically from a shop entrance.
Sangning immediately tugged He Siyu along.
The shopkeeper greeted them warmly. “Who’d like a robe today?”
He Yun’an jumped. “Me! Me!”
“Of course!” The shopkeeper handed him a child-sized set.
Sangning browsed the selection before picking one out happily. “I’ll take one too.”
She glanced at He Siyu. “Do you want one?”
He Siyu eyed the childish costume, his frown deepening. “No.”
The shopkeeper grinned. “We have matching couples’ sets, sir.”
Sangning’s eyes lit up. She grabbed his hand, swinging it playfully. “Come on, let’s match!”
