He Siyu looked at her solemn little face. If he hadn’t seen her staring unblinkingly at a man tearing his shirt earlier, he might have believed she was genuinely chaste and virtuous.
Sang Ning turned around and happened to meet He Siyu’s gaze. She tilted her head slightly before stepping forward and greeting him politely, “Mr. He.”
Lin Shuyan suddenly spotted He Siyu and Gu Xingchen, and her expression darkened further. She felt humiliated, as if a nobody had just made her lose face.
She stormed over. “What kind of appraiser did you hire? She clearly knows nothing and just spouts nonsense.”
He Siyu slid his hands into his pockets, his tone indifferent. “What nonsense did she say?”
Lin Shuyan stiffened—was he actually taking Nan Sangning’s side?
“Siyu…”
When He Siyu lifted his eyes to look at her again, there was a chill in his gaze. “My affairs are none of your concern.”
Lin Shuyan froze on the spot, her face cracking with disbelief.
They had grown up together, shared years of friendship, and yet he called her an “outsider.”
Gu Xingchen quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Who dares interfere with He Siyu’s business? Even your father can’t control you—I’d like to live a few more years, thank you. Shuyan, you too. Miss Nan is He Siyu’s guest—you should show some courtesy.”
Lin Shuyan pressed her lips tightly together, her fingers digging into her palms.
He Siyu had no interest in lingering. He glanced at Sang Ning. “Let’s go.”
Sang Ning looked down at the small plate of cake she had just picked up, frowned slightly, then set it aside and followed He Siyu as he walked away.
Lin Shuyan glared furiously at Nan Sangning’s retreating figure, her expression twisted with anger.
Gu Xingchen sighed. “Why provoke He Siyu? You know his temper—he’s fiercely protective. If you mess with someone under his wing, do you really think he’ll spare you any face?”
They had all grown up together—who didn’t know each other’s personalities?
When He Siyu truly lost his temper, he wouldn’t spare anyone’s feelings. Even Lin Shuyan had been reduced to tears by him multiple times as a child, and he hadn’t bothered to comfort her once.
Their current cordial relationship was partly due to their shared history, and partly because Lin Shuyan had learned how to avoid angering him.
Of course, Lin Shuyan knew He Siyu was protective and hated others meddling in his affairs, but…
“Since when did that wild girl Nan Sangning become someone under his wing?!” she seethed through gritted teeth.
Gu Xingchen paused. Well, that was a good point.
“You’d better not provoke Nan Sangning either. She might look sweet and docile, but that girl is no pushover. She’s freakishly strong—at Old Madam He’s birthday banquet, she once slapped her younger siblings so hard they couldn’t even get up.”
He glanced at Lin Shuyan with lingering dread. “If you push her too far next time and end up getting beaten, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Lin Shuyan: “…”
After this analysis, Gu Xingchen suddenly found himself wondering—if Nan Sangning and He Siyu ever clashed, who would come out on top?
By now, the yacht had docked. He Siyu descended the stairs at a leisurely pace, while Sang Ning followed behind. She still wasn’t used to high heels, so today she wore a pair of flats.
Once off the yacht, He Siyu suddenly paused and glanced back at her. “Did that monk master of yours in the mountains also teach you women’s virtues?”
Sang Ning remained unfazed. “It’s the Nan family’s fine tradition. The Nans have always been a family of propriety—gentleness and obedience are a woman’s duty, as is being a devoted wife, tolerant and virtuous.”
Not like she was fighting to be some playboy’s lawful wife anyway. Whoever wanted that role could suffer—she didn’t care.
He Siyu studied her, unable to tell if she was mocking the Nan family or him.
“You’ve learned well, then.”
Sang Ning smiled. “Thank you for the compliment, Mr. He.”
She pretended not to hear the sarcasm in his tone.
A valet brought He Siyu’s car around—a black Cayenne.
“You changed cars again?” Sang Ning asked.
“Hm? Just picked one from the garage.”
She almost asked how many cars he had in there, but swallowed the question. Better not invite humiliation—her envy was strong enough as it was.
The valet opened the door and stepped aside. “President He.”
He Siyu got in. Sang Ning scanned the area—this wasn’t exactly taxi-friendly—so she slid into the passenger seat.
“Please drop me off at the CBD.”
He Siyu rested a hand on the steering wheel, his tone lazy. “Not going home again?”
Sang Ning frowned. What did he mean, “again”?
Of course she couldn’t let He Siyu take her home. If the Nan family found out she was associating with him, her grandfather and father would seize the opportunity to scheme, and she’d be in deep trouble.
“I haven’t had dinner yet. I’ll grab something in the area before heading back,” she said dismissively.
He Siyu arched a brow. Did she want to have dinner with him?
A smirk tugged at his lips. “Fine.”
Sang Ning shot him a puzzled look. Since when did she need his permission to eat?
Instead of heading to the CBD, He Siyu drove to a private restaurant in the city.
He parked. “We’re here.”
Sang Ning blinked at the quiet courtyard outside. Had he just kidnapped her?
He Siyu was already out of the car, peering back at her. “Planning to stay in there till New Year’s?”
Sang Ning: “…”
She stepped out. “Why did you bring me here?”
“To eat.”
He was already walking inside.
It took Sang Ning a moment to process—when had she agreed to dine with him?
“Miss, right this way,” a server greeted warmly.
Sang Ning pursed her lips and followed.
The courtyard’s exterior was unassuming, but inside, it was a hidden gem—classically styled with bridges, flowing water, and pavilions, evoking the grandeur of an ancient estate.
Sang Ning glanced around curiously, impressed by the meticulous details.
They were led to a private room where the table was set by a large moon-shaped window, intricately carved, offering a view of the courtyard and the soothing sound of a spring.
Most of her irritation faded.
He Siyu pulled out a chair. “Order whatever you want.”
Sang Ning flipped through the menu and picked a few signature dishes.
“Thank you for the hospitality, President He,” she said with a small smile.
He Siyu sipped his tea, then looked up to see her eyes crinkled in genuine delight.
No sarcasm for once.
Was she really this easy to please?
“You helped me today. A meal is the least I can do,” he said casually.
“Not exactly help—you did pay me,” she pointed out matter-of-factly.
“Right.”
He’d almost forgotten.
Soon, the dishes arrived—four courses and a soup, all exquisitely presented.
Sang Ning picked up her chopsticks and began eating at a leisurely pace. The flavors were novel, and since she was hungry, she sampled each one.
He Siyu wasn’t particularly hungry. He lifted his gaze to watch her eat—slow, deliberate bites, every movement refined and graceful, like a well-bred lady from an aristocratic family.
The thought struck him out of nowhere, and he immediately felt ridiculous for even considering it.
She ate with quiet focus, rarely speaking. In fact, she seemed to approach everything with the same level of seriousness.
Sang Ning suddenly looked up at him. "Why are you staring at me?"
He Siyu replied lazily, "What else am I supposed to look at? Is there anyone else in this room?"
Sang Ning frowned. What kind of nonsense logic was that? And yet, it was annoyingly hard to refute.
Whatever.
She went back to her meal.
The corner of He Siyu’s lips curled slightly. Maybe he did have a bit of an appetite after all.
By the time the meal ended, it had been an unexpectedly pleasant affair for both of them.
"Let’s go. I’ll take you back," He Siyu said, standing up.
Sang Ning shook her head. "No need. I’ll take a cab."
"Hm?"
"It wouldn’t be good if my family saw." She phrased it carefully, a subtle reminder.
"Am I some kind of disgrace?"
Sang Ning: "..."
She took a deep breath. "I just don’t want unnecessary trouble."
He Siyu glanced at her, seeming to catch her underlying meaning, but didn’t press further.
"Then I’ll have the server call you a taxi."
"Okay." Sang Ning nodded.
"I’ll head out first."
"Take care, President He."
He Siyu paused mid-step, then turned back to her and extended his hand. "Pleasure doing business today."
Sang Ning froze, staring at the well-defined fingers held out before her, unmoving.
He Siyu raised a brow. "A handshake isn’t against the rules of feminine virtue, is it?"
Sang Ning: "..."
She did remember learning about handshakes in etiquette class. But she had never actually shaken hands with a man before...
Still, she didn’t want to seem unsophisticated. Summoning her resolve, she reached out and clasped his large hand.
The moment her fingertips brushed against his warm palm, she instinctively flinched, her heart pounding wildly. She tried to pull back, but he suddenly tightened his grip, giving her no chance to retreat.
His hand was so much bigger than hers, enveloping it completely when he closed his fingers—almost like a deliberate confinement.
She lifted her eyes and met his lazy, amused gaze. "Until next time."
He released her and walked away.
Sang Ning stood rooted in place, staring stiffly at her right hand, now faintly reddened from his grip. A single thought flashed through her mind: She was tainted.
Three minutes later, a server knocked and entered. "Miss Nan, your taxi is ready."
Sang Ning shoved away the chaotic thoughts, picked up her bag, and stood. "Alright."
The server guided her out, but before they reached the door, another staff member hurried after her. "Miss Nan!"
"What is it?"
The server handed her a wristwatch. "President He left this in the restroom."
Sang Ning frowned. How careless could he be?
"Please take it with you, Miss Nan."
With no choice, she accepted the watch and quickly left.
Only after getting into the taxi did she call He Siyu.
"Hello." His voice was low.
"You left your watch at the restaurant. I have it."
"Mm. Bring it to me when you have time."
"..."
Since when did he get so comfortable ordering her around?
"Your payment has been transferred to your account," he added.
Sang Ning pressed her lips together, her tone noticeably more polite. "Then I’ll bring it to you tomorrow."
"Good. Deliver it to Huiyao."
"Understood."
She took a deep breath and hung up.
Fine. For the sake of the payment, she’d tolerate him this once.
Nan Residence.
The moment Sang Ning returned, Wen Meiling asked, "Where were you today? You’re back so late."
"I was studying with a classmate."
Wen Meiling knew Sang Ning was diligent in her studies, and though it stirred some mixed feelings, her tone softened. "Don’t overwork yourself. Your grandfather doesn’t expect you to handle company matters."
Sang Ning smiled. "Of course. Why would a girl like me need to worry about such things? I just want to broaden my horizons so I won’t embarrass the family in the future."
Wen Meiling was pleased. "That’s right. I’ll also keep an eye out for good matches. When the time comes, we’ll arrange a proper marriage for you."
If Sang Ning lacked knowledge in certain areas, it really would affect her prospects in matchmaking.
"Don’t worry, Mother."
Though this daughter had grown up in the countryside, she was unexpectedly well-mannered—neither spoiled nor willful, just sensible. Yet for some reason, Wen Meiling couldn’t shake off a vague unease.
Sang Ning went upstairs to her room and, as usual, undressed for a bath.
Her mood was light. Today had brought her plenty of praise—proof that her eighteen years of lessons in feminine virtue hadn’t been wasted.
Cheerfully, she picked up her phone and opened Weibo, where numerous mentions awaited her.
"Shi Mu posted!"
She tapped into Shi Mu’s page and saw the comments flooded with hearts and adoration.
Holding her phone with both hands, she earnestly typed out a comment like the other fans: "You’re so handsome, gege! Love you! ❤️❤️❤️"
