Even during the Zhou Dynasty, it was customary for men to marry only after reaching the age of twenty, though some might wed at sixteen or seventeen. However, they would only dare to have children after taking a proper wife.
Who would have the audacity to father an illegitimate child before marriage? Such a scandal would bring disgrace upon the entire family.
"That child is studying abroad and rarely makes public appearances. Even the He Family probably finds it embarrassing—I didn’t see him at Old Madam He’s birthday banquet last time."
The Ji Family and the He Family are relatively close, yet even Ji Yan has barely seen the child.
"Well, it doesn’t seem to have affected the He Family much. Since they don’t bring it up, no one dares to ask."
If it were any other family, people might find a way to pry, but this is the He Family—who would dare gossip?
Sang Ning shook her head. "Having an illegitimate child ruins one’s reputation. Even if no one mentions it, everyone knows. At the very least, it’ll make marriage prospects difficult."
Ji Yan wagged a finger. "Impossible! You have no idea how many women in Jing City are lining up, eager to become stepmothers."
"What?"
Ji Yan smirked. "You met Lin Shuyan yesterday, didn’t you? She’s been incredibly attentive to that child. The He and Lin Families are old friends, so they interact often. I heard she even sends him birthday gifts every year."
Sang Ning was baffled. "There are really women clamoring to be stepmothers?"
She had seen Lin Shuyan yesterday—so proud and aloof. She would’ve never guessed the woman would be willing to take on such a role.
In the Zhou Dynasty, an illegitimate child would have barred a man from marrying a respectable girl of equal standing. The only solution would be to hastily wed someone of lower status to cover up the scandal.
Ji Yan scoffed. "What’s the big deal? Have you forgotten who the father is? That’s He Siyu’s son. Just the name ‘He Siyu’ is enough—being a stepmother is nothing. There’d be women fighting to be step-grandmothers if they could!"
Sang Ning: "..."
Truly, morals have decayed.
"By the way, did you run into that child today?" Ji Yan asked curiously.
"I’m not sure if it was him."
"He should be studying abroad, so he shouldn’t even be in the country. Did he skip school? I heard the kid’s quite rebellious."
Sang Ning fell silent. With a background like his—an outcast, an absent mother, and a notoriously unreliable father—rebellion was hardly surprising.
---
Glory Holdings.
He Siyu’s patience had run out. "So you don’t want to go home, and you don’t want to return to school. What exactly do you want?"
He Yun’an sat slumped on the sofa, head bowed, his expression hidden beneath a mess of unkempt hair.
"President He."
Assistant Yan knocked and entered.
"I’ve confirmed with the school—he was suspended for group fighting. Two other students were severely injured, and the incident caused quite a stir. The school only refrained from involving the police out of respect for the He Family."
"Why did he fight?" He Siyu demanded.
He Yun’an remained silent.
He Siyu’s voice turned icy. "If you don’t explain, I’ll have you packed onto a private jet and sent back immediately. Worst case, you’ll just transfer schools."
Mercy was not in He Siyu’s nature.
He Yun’an jerked his head up, panic flashing in his eyes. Meeting He Siyu’s cold gaze, his defiance crumbled. He lowered his head again, voice muffled.
"They called me a bastard."
He Siyu’s eyes darkened, a dangerous glint surfacing.
"I won’t go back. I’d rather die."
He Yun’an kept his head down. "Why can’t I stay in Jing City? I don’t want to go back to Australia, Uncle."
After a pause, He Siyu spoke coldly. "Get up. I’ll have someone take you to Wenxi Villa."
He Yun’an looked up, rebellious yet hopeful.
"Not happy?"
He Yun’an immediately grabbed his backpack and stood.
Wenxi Villa was He Siyu’s private residence.
He Siyu turned to Assistant Yan. "Notify the driver to take him there."
"Yes, sir."
Assistant Yan gestured politely. "Young Master, this way."
He Yun’an followed without hesitation.
Once alone, He Siyu yanked off his tie and slumped into his chair, massaging his temples in frustration.
Two minutes later, Assistant Yan returned.
"President He, the young master has been sent off."
He hesitated before tentatively adding, "Regarding his unauthorized return… should we inform the old madam and the general?"
He Siyu waved a dismissive hand. "Not yet."
Otherwise, it would only invite more trouble.
"Understood."
He Siyu lowered his hand, his gaze sharp. "What about the two boys he fought with?"
"They were hospitalized but have since recovered. They should be discharged in a couple of days. I’ll arrange compensation to settle the matter quietly."
He Siyu’s voice was frosty. "Double the amount."
"Sir?"
"Once they’re discharged, have someone beat them up again."
Assistant Yan: "..."
He swallowed. "Yes, sir."
Then, remembering something, he produced a wristwatch and placed it on the desk. "Miss Nan came by earlier. You were in a meeting, so she left this with me to pass along."
He Siyu stared at the watch, the tension in his brow easing slightly.
He picked it up and scoffed. "She just didn’t want to wait."
Always so eloquent, yet ruthlessly pragmatic.
She preached virtue but would never tolerate the slightest disadvantage.
Assistant Yan broke into a cold sweat, assuming He Siyu was angry—until he noticed the man casually slipping the watch onto his wrist, lips quirking upward.
Assistant Yan: ???
"Get back to work," He Siyu said, his tone lighter.
Assistant Yan hurriedly complied. "Yes, sir."
As he closed the door behind him, he stole a glance back—only to see He Siyu admiring the watch on his wrist with unmistakable satisfaction.
The same watch he’d worn for half a year suddenly seemed precious.
Possessed by a ghost or something?
Assistant Yan shut the door firmly.
---
After lunch, Sang Ning and Ji Yan strolled around the CBD before heading home in the afternoon.
The Nan household was unusually lively, brimming with rare cheer.
"I knew this project would succeed!" The old master beamed.
"Of course! Thanks to the Chen Family’s connections, we secured this opportunity. With the urban development project wrapped up, everything’s fallen into place."
Wen Meiling hugged Nan Siya’s shoulders. "We owe it all to this marriage alliance. The Chen Family wouldn’t have trusted us otherwise."
Nan Siya blushed. "Brother Zheng said our families are one—of course they’d trust us."
As Sang Ning changed her shoes and entered, the old master beckoned her over. "Perfect timing, Sang Ning. There’s something I’d like to discuss."
"Grandfather." She approached.
Nan Zhenming smiled. "The joint urban project with the Chen Family has concluded successfully. We’re hosting a celebration banquet soon. The Chens have even proposed another excellent collaboration."
Sang Ning smiled politely. "Congratulations, Father."
After the Nan Family and the Chen Family arranged the marriage alliance, the two families became closely tied in business, with their most significant collaboration being the urban construction project. Now that the project has been successfully completed, it’s a win-win situation for both families—a truly positive outcome.
After all, the Nan Family had recently suffered losses in two other projects and was in a rather difficult position. The success of their joint venture with the Chen Family helped offset some of those losses.
But what did any of this have to do with her?
The old patriarch looked at Sang Ning thoughtfully before speaking, "This time, the Chen Family has proposed an opportunity for us to bid on a project from the Du Family."
The Du Family?
Wen Meiling smiled warmly and added, "This is also a good thing. The youngest son of the Du Family isn’t engaged yet, and your mother has been thinking of introducing you to potential suitors. The Du Family holds considerable prestige in Jing City, no less than the Chen Family. Since the Chen Family is willing to facilitate an introduction, you can meet and get to know each other."
The old man nodded in agreement. "Du Yao has already seen your photo and profile, and he’s quite satisfied. He suggested meeting tomorrow. Skip your afternoon classes and go have dinner with him. Who knows? This might turn into another excellent match."
And the Nan Family could secure this major project in the process.
A hint of coldness seeped into Sang Ning’s smile. If this marriage prospect was truly so desirable, why would it fall into her lap?
Her gaze swept over Nan Siya, who showed not a trace of resentment. Instead, she wore a sweet smile, her eyes brimming with apparent goodwill—yet betraying a faint glimmer of schadenfreude.
