He Siyu was about to enter when, whether drawn by the sound of the music or noticing her gaze, he suddenly looked up and met her serene, glass-like eyes.
His steps faltered, pausing mid-motion.
Yet she casually averted her gaze, returning her attention to the strings beneath her fingertips, as if their brief exchange had been nothing more than an accidental glance.
He Siyu lowered his head and stepped inside, making his way up to the second floor.
There, he found Old Madam He and Sang Ning seated on the balcony, enjoying tea under the sun. Sang Ning, as before, cradled a pipa in her arms, her fingers dancing lightly over the strings.
As the last notes of her melody faded, Sang Ning rested her slender fingers on the strings, then lifted her head with a sweet, lingering smile.
Old Madam He clapped enthusiastically. "Wonderful! 'Spring Snow' has always been my favorite, but most renditions feel rigid. Only your playing captures the true essence of spring’s revival. Who would have thought someone as composed as you could bring such lightness to the tune?"
She gazed at Sang Ning’s youthful face with fondness. "Ah, the energy of youth."
Sang Ning responded with a shy smile.
He Siyu approached, and only then did Old Madam He notice his presence. She turned in surprise. "What brings you back?"
Sang Ning also glanced over, her expression one of mild curiosity.
"Just retrieving something," He Siyu replied casually, though his eyes lingered on Sang Ning’s face.
Her sweet smile hadn’t yet faded, and her usually calm eyes sparkled with a bright, lively glow—still alight from the praise she’d received.
"What exactly did you forget?" Old Madam He pressed.
Sang Ning shifted her gaze back to the old woman, and He Siyu felt an inexplicable pang of disappointment as her radiant eyes left him. His attention followed hers to Old Madam He.
"Some documents. Left them here last time."
"You could’ve sent Little Yan for them. No need to come yourself," Old Madam He remarked with a chuckle.
"I was passing by anyway."
With that, he turned toward his room, his steps unhurried.
"Since you’re here, stay for lunch. It’s almost noon, and home-cooked meals are always better than eating out. Besides, Sang Ning’s here too."
It was nearly eleven, and lunchtime was approaching.
"Hmm," he acknowledged lazily.
Old Madam He brightened at the rare liveliness in the house and stood. "I’ll check the kitchen and have them prepare your favorite phoenix-tail shrimp."
Once she left, Sang Ning glanced briefly in the direction of He Siyu’s room before lowering her eyes and carefully packing away her pipa.
Three minutes later, He Siyu emerged, a file folder in hand.
His gaze drifted to the balcony, where Sang Ning still sat, the pipa now resting across her lap as she gently polished its sandalwood body with a silk cloth.
The sunlight accentuated her fair skin, casting a soft glow that enhanced her gentle demeanor. Her dark lashes fluttered faintly like delicate wings, adding to the serene beauty of the moment.
For the first time, He Siyu felt a sense of tranquil contentment.
She seemed to sense his stare and looked up, her clear eyes meeting his.
"Mr. He," she greeted politely, her smile courteous.
It was the same as before—yet somehow different.
He couldn’t pinpoint why, but it unsettled him.
"What brings you to visit Grandmother today?" His tone was cool.
"It’s Saturday. No classes, and nothing urgent at home, so I thought I’d see Old Madam He." Her voice remained even, carrying its usual sincerity.
He smirked faintly. "Is that so? Have you settled things with Du Yao?"
Sang Ning nodded. "Yes. The Sang and Du families have reconciled. The Dus even invited us to collaborate on their new project."
Her lips curved happily. "And I don’t have to marry Du Yao anymore."
The sudden brightness in her eyes caught him off guard. He looked away, his voice indifferent. "You seem thrilled."
"Of course. I never liked him."
"Then who do you like? That actor?" he scoffed.
But Sang Ning shook her head. "That was just admiration."
Besides, that man required payment.
He Siyu snorted but didn’t reply, though Sang Ning noticed the faint easing of his expression.
Was he really this easy to placate?
Then she ventured, "By the way, I just realized I missed some calls from you. I’m still getting used to smartphones, so I only saw them today. Was it an accident?"
His brow twitched at the reminder of his humiliating ordeal at the Intercontinental Hotel.
"Probably. I don’t remember."
Sang Ning nodded in agreement. "That’s what I thought."
She hesitated before adding, "I also owe you an apology for what happened last time. I did lead Chen Zhihan to believe that room was yours."
He Siyu narrowed his eyes. What was this? Suddenly, she was being honest with him?
Hadn’t she spun her lies effortlessly before?
Sang Ning met his gaze earnestly. "Old Madam He has been so kind to me, and you’ve looked out for me too. I don’t want to deceive you."
Her clear eyes held unwavering sincerity, as if to say: I might lie to the world, but never to you.
