Du Yao's eyes took two full days to recover after Nan Sangning's pepper spray nearly blinded him. The agony was something he could hardly bear to recall.
He loathed that bitch Nan Sangning with every fiber of his being—yet he still craved her body.
When the Nan family came crawling back, offering another chance, he agreed without hesitation. This time, he chose a hotel as the meeting spot.
If they wanted reconciliation, they’d have to show sincerity. He had no patience left for empty pleasantries. Unless she pleased him in bed, he’d make sure the Nan family suffered.
The moment he stepped into the InterContinental Hotel, a waiter approached him.
"Mr. Du? This is the room key Miss Nan asked me to give you."
Du Yao’s eyes lit up in pleasant surprise.
Had Nan Sangning finally learned her place?
Of course. The Nan family was nothing—how could they dare defy him? After last time, she must have been scolded by her parents. Now, too afraid to resist, she’d obediently handed over the key.
Satisfied, Du Yao took the key and asked, "Is she here yet?"
"Not yet. Miss Nan said she’d arrive in about half an hour—she’s still getting ready."
Du Yao burst into laughter, eagerly heading upstairs with the key.
So she was finally playing nice, even dressing up to please him. Good. Less trouble for him.
Thankfully, he’d accepted the Nan family’s apology. It would’ve been a shame to miss out on such a beauty. But if she failed to satisfy him tonight, he’d call off the engagement.
After all, if she was offering herself up, why refuse?
In high spirits, Du Yao took the elevator up, entered the room, and headed straight for the shower.
Half an hour later, Sangning arrived at the InterContinental.
She had dressed meticulously for the occasion—pearl-white chiffon minidress, five-inch stiletto heels with delicate ankle straps, her hair elegantly pinned up in a princess bun, exposing her slender neck. Her makeup was fresh and dewy, amplifying her natural allure.
She looked every bit the willing sacrifice.
A waiter opened the car door for her. Sangning stepped out and walked slowly into the hotel.
She had only recently gotten used to heels, and this outfit still felt foreign—especially the scandalously short dress.
But Ji Yan had said, No pain, no gain.
If she didn’t commit fully, who would believe she was desperate enough?
In the hotel lobby’s lounge area, Chen Zhihan had been waiting for an hour.
Even though she knew He Siyu had business at the InterContinental today, the hotel was massive—without guidance, she’d never find him.
Her only option was to lie in wait.
Then, she spotted Nan Sangning.
For a second, she thought she’d mistaken someone else. The usually demure woman was dressed like a seductress!
Chen Zhihan clenched her jaw, watching Sangning’s flawless face. This country girl was pulling out all the stops to climb the social ladder.
Dressed like that, she clearly meant to succeed.
If Nan Sangning managed to slip into He Siyu’s bed looking like that, even Chen Zhihan couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t take an interest in her.
No way.
A nobody like her didn’t deserve him.
Sangning crossed the lobby but didn’t head upstairs. Instead, she walked toward a quieter, secluded lounge.
Two minutes later, a waiter approached her.
"Miss Nan, you’re here?"
Sangning glanced at him. "Did you do what I asked?"
"Of course. Payment first."
She handed him a card. "There’s 500,000 in there—your fee."
The waiter smirked and shook his head. "Miss Nan, 500,000 isn’t enough."
Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? We agreed—"
"Tonight’s private banquet was arranged by General Manager Lin for General Manager He. He had another woman lined up for him. I risked offending General Manager Lin to swap her out for you. After this opportunity, who knows how high you’ll climb? 500,000 is an insult."
"How much, then?"
"A million."
Sangning gritted her teeth. "Fine."
The waiter nodded, satisfied. "General Manager He’s already drunk and back in his room. I’ll get your key."
"Hurry up."
As the waiter left, he was intercepted.
"Miss, can I help you?"
Chen Zhihan stared him down. "Give me General Manager He’s room key."
He feigned confusion. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
She slid him a card. "Two million. Double her offer."
His eyes gleamed with greed, though he hesitated. "This… isn’t proper."
Chen Zhihan scoffed. "You’re already taking money to deliver a woman to his room. Who it is doesn’t matter—only how much you profit."
After three seconds of deliberation, he handed over the key. "If General Manager Lin finds out—"
"I’ll take responsibility."
Clutching the key, Chen Zhihan’s heart raced.
She’d barely spoken to He Siyu before. Though she had some ties to the He family through Grandma He, she’d never gotten close to him.
This was her chance to change everything.
The He family was already scouting brides for him. If she played her cards right tonight, she could rise to the top.
Even if marriage wasn’t guaranteed…
He was He Siyu.
Steadying herself, she took the elevator up.
From the lounge, Sangning watched the ascending elevator, a faint smile on her lips.
Different bait for different fish.
So impatient, weren’t they?
Well then—may she get exactly what she wished for.
---
Huiyao.
A tall figure stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. One hand held a phone, the other absently loosened a button at his collar.
The voice on the phone droned on.
"Did you even look at those photos I sent you? You’re ignoring me again, aren’t you? When will you grow up? You’re hopeless! I’m not asking you to marry tomorrow—just pick someone tolerable and meet them—"
His brow twitched with irritation, but his tone remained lazy. "Got it."
On the other end of the line came a cold snort, as if sensing his impatience. The speaker seemed equally unwilling to drag things out and quickly changed the subject: "I haven’t seen Sang Ning in quite a few days. She’s been busy with school, poor thing. It’s such a shame—without her around, that pipa at home just gets played by anyone, and it’s practically ruined."
He Siyu’s lips curved slightly, the impatience in his brow easing considerably. His tone softened as he replied, "I’ll ask her later."
Grandma He snorted. "Oh, so now you care? Your filial piety comes and goes like the tide."
She added sternly, "Then help me ask. That girl might be facing some difficulties since she just got back. You should lend her a hand."
"Fine," He Siyu agreed, unusually compliant.
Grandma He glanced at her phone, wondering if she’d misheard.
He Siyu ended the call and opened WeChat, his fingers—elegant and well-defined—tapping idly on Nan Sangning’s chat window: Grandma’s asking when you’re free…
Suddenly, Assistant Yan barged in without knocking, his expression urgent. "General Manager He."
He Siyu’s brow furrowed slightly, displeased by the interruption. "What is it?"
"I just received word—the Nan family arranged another meeting between Miss Nan and Du Yao at the Intercontinental Hotel as an apology to the Du family."
He Siyu’s expression darkened instantly. "She went?"
Assistant Yan swallowed hard. "Sh-she’s already there."
