He seemed to notice her gaze and turned to look at her, his left arm still resting on the railing as he slightly lowered his head, his eyes fixed on her.
Sang Ning disliked the feeling of being looked down upon. She averted her gaze, no longer meeting his eyes, and stared straight ahead as she followed the waiter’s guidance up the stairs.
Sang Ning ascended the outdoor staircase to the second-floor platform.
He Siyu remained leaning against the railing, his gaze lingering on her, clearly waiting for her to come up.
Sang Ning approached slowly and greeted him politely, "Mr. He."
He Siyu glanced at her, his lips curling slightly. Every time they met, she put on this same pretentious politeness—who knew how many times she’d cursed him in her heart.
With a lazy, equally polite tone, he responded, "Miss Sang."
Sang Ning’s brows furrowed slightly. Was it her imagination, or was he mocking her?
"Is this the Miss Sang you mentioned, the one who’s an expert in appraising antiques?" The woman beside him spoke up with a smile.
Sang Ning turned to look. The woman was scrutinizing her with an air of innate arrogance.
He Siyu glanced at Sang Ning and introduced, "This is Lin Shuyan, of the Lin Family Bank."
Sang Ning blinked. No wonder she carried herself with such pride—she certainly had the capital to back it up.
"Miss Lin, nice to meet you," Sang Ning greeted courteously.
Lin Shuyan smiled back, "Miss Sang."
Her response was somewhat perfunctory. She had already looked into Sang Ning’s background—the Sang family’s nouveau riche status was beneath her notice, and she’d heard that Sang Ning had only recently been brought back from the countryside.
She couldn’t understand why Siyu would bother elevating a woman like this.
Lin Shuyan turned to He Siyu, her smile brightening. "I just returned from abroad. Gu Xingchen said you’d be throwing me a welcome-back dinner. Aren’t you going to treat me to a meal?"
"If Gu Xingchen said it, let him treat you."
"That won’t do. I rarely come back—you should at least take me out once."
"You come back eight times a year. It’s unnecessary."
Lin Shuyan feigned annoyance. "He Siyu, can’t you say something nice for once?"
He Siyu straightened up and looked at Sang Ning. "Let’s go. The auction is about to start."
Sang Ning nodded and followed him.
Lin Shuyan’s smile stiffened slightly as she watched He Siyu walk away with that woman, an inexplicable irritation rising in her chest.
Inside the cabin was a grand antique appraisal exhibition. Many artifacts were displayed openly on tables, some even without glass casings—visitors were free to examine them at will.
After all, everyone on this ship could afford to pay for any damages.
The hall was livelier than the deck outside. Sang Ning raised her voice slightly to be heard. "What piece would you like me to appraise for you this time, Mr. He?"
He Siyu kept one hand in his trouser pocket, his gait relaxed as he tilted his head slightly. "Follow me."
He led her to the innermost display, where a massive painting was exhibited.
Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, a work by the Zhou Dynasty painter Su Nian.
At the last small-scale auction, Sang Ning had seen this painting—unfortunately, it had been a fake.
But this one…
He Siyu turned to her. "Well?"
Sang Ning shook her head. "Not the original."
Given the painting’s fame, countless imitations existed, some even dating back to the Zhou Dynasty itself. While these replicas were still ancient artifacts, they were far from the genuine article.
Disappointment flickered in He Siyu’s eyes. "Then never mind."
"Why did you want this painting, Mr. He?"
"A gift."
Sang Ning was surprised. She had assumed a man as proud as him wouldn’t stoop to currying favor through gifts.
He Siyu lifted his chin slightly. "Let’s browse around a bit more."
"Alright."
Sang Ning was meticulous in her work—after all, she was being paid. She stayed by He Siyu’s side, patiently appraising each artifact for him.
He Siyu rarely saw her so attentive and accommodating. So this was why she always seemed displeased when they met—she hadn’t been paid enough before.
This transaction left both parties satisfied.
"Hey, did you upset Shuyan again? I just saw her outside, and she didn’t look happy," Gu Xingchen said with a grin as he approached He Siyu.
He Siyu was examining a bronze sword and didn’t even lift his eyes. "Did I?"
He’d annoyed plenty of people—it wasn’t exactly news.
"I’m throwing a welcome-back party for Shuyan tonight. You coming?"
"Busy."
"You don’t have plans tonight."
He Siyu glanced at Sang Ning beside him, only to find her gone.
Frowning, he scanned the room until he spotted her across the hall, staring intently at a pink tourmaline eighteen-bead bracelet on another display.
He strode over. "See something you like?"
Sang Ning straightened up, tearing her gaze away from the eight-figure bracelet. "Just looking."
He Siyu glanced at the piece. "Do you like it?"
Though she couldn’t afford it, Sang Ning was too proud to admit it. "It’s alright."
Gu Xingchen knew He Siyu never changed his mind once it was made, so he didn’t press further. Instead, he headed outside to the deck to find Lin Shuyan.
"He’s busy tonight. How about I book a private room at Wanghaichao for your welcome dinner?"
Lin Shuyan’s expression tightened. "He doesn’t have plans tonight."
"Who knows? Either way, he’s not free."
Lin Shuyan thought of the woman accompanying him earlier, her face darkening.
An hour later, the banquet downstairs was about to begin.
As they descended to the first floor, someone stopped He Siyu to chat. Sang Ning, ever self-sufficient, went ahead to grab some food.
"Miss Sang."
She turned to see Lin Shuyan standing before her.
Sang Ning greeted her politely. "Is there something you need, Miss Lin?"
Lin Shuyan’s smile carried a hint of disdain. "This must be your first time at an event like this, isn’t it?"
Given the Sang family’s standing, they wouldn’t normally be invited onto this ship. If not for He Siyu, she wouldn’t even be standing here talking to her.
"It is my first time."
"Following Siyu around must have broadened your horizons, hasn’t it?"
Sang Ning could tell this young mistress saw her as a rival, so she replied tactfully, "Mr. He hired me to appraise antiques. I’m just doing my job."
Lin Shuyan scoffed. "Save your act for the men. There’s no need to play innocent with me."
She had grown up in Ziteng Lane alongside He Siyu—she knew him better than anyone. Others might not see it, but she could tell at a glance that he treated this woman differently.
Sang Ning: "..."
Sang Ning smiled. "So, Miss Lin, what exactly is it that you want from me?"
"Let me make this clear—you’re not even fit to tie the He family’s shoelaces. Keep your delusions in check."
"Are you saying you are fit, then?"
Lin Shuyan lifted her chin. "Of course. Don’t think just because Siyu is being nice to you now that you can entertain any foolish hopes. Even in the same city, you and I live in different worlds. Even if he’s momentarily intrigued, it’s nothing more than a passing fancy."
Sang Ning nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right. Mr. He and Miss Lin are a perfect match. Even if he’s momentarily interested in me, he’ll still end up marrying you in the end."
Lin Shuyan smirked coldly. "Glad you understand."
Although their families had not officially arranged an engagement, she was the designated future granddaughter-in-law of the He family. Over the years, no matter how many women surrounded He Siyu, they were all fleeting clouds—his wife would undoubtedly be her in the end.
Sang Ning smiled. "Since Miss Lin knows she’s destined to be the lawful wife, why resort to the underhanded tricks of a concubine?"
Lin Shuyan: ???
"What did you say?!" Lin Shuyan’s expression instantly darkened.
Sang Ning’s tone turned icy. "Miss Lin, you come from a noble family—how can you lack even the most basic dignity expected of a proper lady? If you had the ability, you’d make him willingly stay devoted to you alone. If you don’t, you should stay at home quietly, turning a blind eye instead of lowering yourself to confront other women."
Lin Shuyan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
What was this wild girl saying?!
"A proper wife should be gentle, virtuous, and magnanimous to maintain harmony in the household. But with your petty jealousy—unable to control your man yet still stooping to confront other women—you’ve lost all grace."
Lin Shuyan stood frozen, her face flushing crimson. "You… you…"
Sang Ning lifted her chin, her gaze imperious. "Take this advice to heart, Miss Lin. Don’t embarrass yourself like this again."
Nearby, He Siyu and Gu Xingchen, who had just arrived, stood rooted in place.
Gu Xingchen gasped, his eyes bulging like saucers. "Good heavens, what feudal relic crawled out of the mountains to lecture us?"
