A message from Ji Yan popped up.
[You went to the cruise ship auction today?]
Sang Ning blinked and slowly typed: How did you kno—
Before she could finish, several messages flooded in from the other side.
[I heard it from Gu Xingchen.]
[If I’d known you were going, I would’ve gone too! Why didn’t you tell me?!]
[I heard you even put Lin Shuyan in her place. Bold! That’s my girl!]
[I just ran into her—her face was priceless, hahaha.]
[Hey, why aren’t you saying anything?]
Sang Ning: ……
She slowly deleted the half-typed words and started over: General Manager He asked me to help appraise some antiques. I forgot to mention it…
[Ah, I’m heading out to party. Talk later, bye!]
Sang Ning: ……
Again, she deleted her draft and typed a single word.
[Okay.]
An instant reply: [Are you brushing me off?]
Sang Ning: ……
She continued typing: I’m just slow at…
[Fine, I know you type at a snail’s pace. No idea what you’re even busy with.]
[Seriously, I’m off to party. Next time I’ll drag you along. Bye!]
Sang Ning: ……
Her fingers tightened around her phone, her porcelain face stiff with silent frustration.
—
The next day was still the weekend. Sang Ning slept in, waking naturally at ten.
Barefoot, she stepped onto the plush wool rug, slid open the glass door to her balcony, and let the sunlight wash over her face. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, she smiled in satisfaction.
Another beautiful day.
After a quick freshening up, she got ready to head out.
She changed into a simple white hoodie and trousers, tucked He Siyu’s wristwatch into her bag, and headed downstairs.
It was the weekend, so most of the Nan family was home—even Nan Zhenming, who rarely took breaks, was there. It seemed the company’s mess had been mostly cleaned up.
"Are you going out, sis?" Nan Siya initiated the conversation as Sang Ning reached the living room.
Sang Ning arched a brow, turning to see Nan Siya’s earnest expression, her eyes devoid of the resentment from before.
"It’s the weekend, and Mom and Dad are both home. Why not stay for lunch?" Nan Siya’s tone was sweet, her demeanor obedient.
The open hostility she’d once shown had vanished entirely. Despite not having gotten justice for being kicked into the pond, she acted as if it had never happened.
Had she grown up?
Sang Ning couldn’t be bothered to play along. "I already made plans for lunch with a friend."
Nan Siya’s eyes turned timid. "Are you still mad at me? Is that why you won’t stay? I was wrong before—I shouldn’t have doubted you. I regret it. You’re my sister, and I just want us to get along."
Sang Ning smirked. She wasn’t regretful—she was scared.
Scared that pushing further would make their parents resent her.
Nan Siya’s sudden change of heart likely came from realizing that the love she’d taken for granted wasn’t as unconditional as she’d thought.
Wen Meiling, seeing Nan Siya’s cautious demeanor, felt a pang in her heart. She stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Nan Siya, and scolded Sang Ning. "Your sister is trying to make amends. Don’t hold a grudge—she was the one who got hurt."
Nan Siya lowered her head, staying silent.
Nan Zhenming chimed in, reproachful. "As the older sister, you should be more forgiving. Look how mature Siya is."
Nan Muchen snorted. "She’s only this bold because she knows our sister is too soft-hearted."
Of course, "our sister" only referred to Nan Siya.
Sang Ning: ……
She didn’t say a word.
Nan Siya’s act of humility worked like a charm, melting Nan Zhenming and Wen Meiling’s hearts instantly. The family of four was back to their cozy dynamic.
Expressionless, Sang Ning said, "Grandma He mentioned she liked a pipa piece I played last time. She asked me to bring her the sheet music."
The moment the words left her mouth, Nan Zhenming’s expression shifted. "Why didn’t you say so earlier? Go on, don’t keep Old Madam He waiting!"
Wen Meiling added, "Be polite when you’re there. Make sure she’s happy."
Sang Ning nodded. "Got it."
As she turned to leave, her gaze swept over Nan Siya, catching the slight stiffness in her posture and the barely concealed hatred in her eyes.
But the moment Sang Ning stepped away, she heard Nan Siya’s sugary voice. "Oh, so sis had important business. I misunderstood."
Wen Meiling patted her head affectionately. "It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. You’re always so thoughtful."
Without pausing, Sang Ning walked straight out of the Nan residence.
Her destination: Huiyao.
Huiyao stood at the heart of the city’s most expensive district, two soaring towers with sleek, streamlined designs. Their glass facades gleamed under the sun, sharp and imposing. The characters for "Huiyao" stretched across the buildings in bold, unrestrained calligraphy.
Sang Ning stepped out of the car and tilted her head back, taking in the sight with fresh curiosity.
She pulled out her phone, about to message He Siyu, when a black Cayenne pulled up beside her—the same car He Siyu had driven yesterday.
She paused, assuming he’d arrived for work.
But when the door opened, out stepped a boy around eleven or twelve, dressed in white athletic wear, his hair a messy nest. His youthful face was handsome, but his attitude was all arrogance.
Just like He Siyu.
Noticing her stare, he scowled. "What? Never seen a good-looking guy before?"
Sang Ning: ……
"Just a bit novel."
"Novel how?" The boy frowned, unused to being called "novel."
Novel, indeed—she hadn’t expected to meet someone as self-absorbed as He Siyu.
She smiled. "Novel kind of handsome."
His brows knitted, unsure if that was a compliment or an insult. Before he could ask, the driver rolled down the window. "Young master, maybe we should head back to the estate first? Sir doesn’t know you’re back yet—"
The boy slammed the door shut with a bang. "Shut up! None of your business!"
The car shuddered from the force.
The driver fell silent.
The boy turned back, his glare meeting Sang Ning’s startled gaze.
"What were you saying earlier?" He hadn’t forgotten her odd remark.
Sang Ning frowned. "Kid, you shouldn’t be so rude to your elders. And taking your anger out on someone else’s car isn’t right."
Even in the Zhou Dynasty, where hierarchy was strict, she’d treated the older servants with respect.
Now, in an era of equality, such behavior was even more unacceptable.
Throwing tantrums and damaging property? Unbecoming.
The boy scoffed. "What’s it to you? He’s my family’s driver, and the car’s my dad’s. I’ll do what I want!"
