Zhan Yijun stood frozen, her throat seemingly blocked, unable to utter a sound. Her face turned alternately pale and green with distress.
"Sang Ning, come here," Wen Meiling called from a short distance away.
Sang Ning rose to her feet and walked away calmly, right past the group.
"Where's Siya?" Wen Meiling asked anxiously.
Sang Ning shook her head. "I don't know."
"That girl, how could she wander off at an event like this?"
As Wen Meiling anxiously scanned the surroundings, Old Master Nan turned and raised a hand toward Sang Ning. "Sang Ning."
Sang Ning approached.
Old Master Nan smiled warmly as he introduced her. "This is my granddaughter, Sang Ning. She was only recently brought home, so I’m taking her out to see the world."
"Sang Ning, greet President Zhan and Mrs. Zhan. The Zhan family is the largest shareholder in this project," Old Master Nan added.
Sang Ning gave a slight nod, her tone gentle and composed. "President Zhan, Mrs. Zhan."
Mrs. Zhan smiled. "You carry yourself with such grace. I heard you’re also skilled in appraising antiques?"
Sang Ning replied modestly, "I only know a little."
"Don’t be so humble. I heard even Old Madam He is fond of you. Now that I’ve met you, your refined demeanor truly reflects the Nan family’s upbringing."
Whether Mrs. Zhan’s words were mere courtesy or genuine praise, Old Master Nan was thoroughly pleased.
The Nan family’s nouveau riche origins had always been a thorn in his side.
The entire family had been nothing but an embarrassment—until now, with this granddaughter who could finally uphold their dignity.
"She’s always been studious," Old Master Nan said politely.
Just then, Zhan Yijun approached, and Mrs. Zhan beckoned her over.
"Yijun, come meet Sang Ning, the Nan family’s recently recovered granddaughter. Have you two met before?"
Zhan Yijun’s expression remained dark as she sneered, "I don’t live in the mountains—how could I have met her?"
The atmosphere instantly turned tense.
Sang Ning curved her lips into a smile, her tone amiable. "I only returned from the mountains recently and haven’t had many public appearances. I hope Miss Zhan will look out for me in the future."
Though her words were conciliatory, they carried neither subservience nor arrogance, effortlessly dissolving the tension.
Mrs. Zhan nodded approvingly. "Exactly. You young people should get along well. With our families collaborating, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to interact."
The group moved past the awkward moment with forced laughter.
Wen Meiling seized the moment to guide Sang Ning elsewhere.
"Did you offend Miss Zhan somehow?" Wen Meiling asked.
"Miss Zhan just said she’s never met me. Why would you ask that, Mom?"
Wen Meiling frowned. "I just don’t want you making enemies. The Zhan family’s status is far above ours. Don’t cause trouble for the family."
Sang Ning smiled. "Don’t worry, Mom."
Meanwhile, Mrs. Zhan scolded Zhan Yijun under her breath. "What’s with the attitude at an event like this?"
Zhan Yijun glared at Sang Ning’s retreating figure, disdain dripping from her voice. "Why should I bother being polite to some country bumpkin?"
"You call her a country bumpkin, yet she carries herself better than you!" President Zhan snapped.
The Zhan family was supposed to be distinguished—how could they be outshone by the granddaughter of some upstart?
Zhan Yijun fumed. "That Sang Ning is no saint! She’s the one who humiliated me at the auction by exposing my bracelet as a fake!"
Zhan Xuekun frowned.
Zhan Yijun tugged at his sleeve. "Dad, just cut the Nan family out of the project! That little witch Sang Ning is getting too smug. How dare a family like theirs try to climb up to us!"
Zhan Xuekun’s expression darkened. "Do you think this is child’s play? You’ve grown reckless. I’ve ignored your petty squabbles before, but now you think you can dictate business decisions?"
The Nan family’s inclusion in the project wasn’t arbitrary.
Though Wuyou Media was the largest investor, the Du Family had secured the key resources behind it.
With the Du Family’s recent scandals barely contained, they needed to keep the Nan family appeased—hence their stake in the project.
Now that stability had been achieved, Zhan Xuekun wasn’t about to upend it over some teenage grudge.
Zhan Yijun paled, swallowing her protests.
She’d never cared for the family business, but Sang Ning had pushed her too far. She’d wanted to retaliate—only to be scolded instead.
Zhan Xuekun shot her a glare. "Even the upstart’s granddaughter has more poise than you. Embarrassing! If you cause any more trouble, I’m cutting off your cards."
Zhan Yijun clenched her jaw, not daring to argue further.
As Sang Ning settled beside Wen Meiling, a sudden commotion drew her attention.
The Du Family had begun their press conference.
First, President Zhan and the Du Family’s head took the stage to speak. Then, the cameras turned to Chen Zhihan and Du Yao, the celebrated couple.
Chen Zhihan stood beside Du Yao with a forced smile, her teeth nearly grinding as they posed for photos.
Sang Ning smirked. Today hadn’t been a waste—she’d gotten quite the show.
"Siya, where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you, and you didn’t answer your phone," Wen Meiling suddenly stood.
Sang Ning turned to see Nan Siya returning, her eyes red and her expression shattered.
Sang Ning arched a brow. Love troubles, it seemed.
After all their dramatic devotion, she’d thought their bond was unshakable. Yet a minor rift had torn them apart?
Nan Siya kept her head down. "It’s nothing."
Wen Meiling fretted. "Did you go see Chen Zheng? What did he say?"
Nan Siya’s eyes welled up again.
She’d gone to him, only for Chen Zheng to accuse the Nan family of conspiring against the Chen family—and to insist she must have known.
No matter how she pleaded, he refused to believe her, brushing her off with impatience.
Her heart ached, but she couldn’t win him back.
Wen Meiling pulled her close, murmuring comfort.
"If it’s truly hopeless, let’s just call off the engagement. I’ll find you another good match."
"No!" Nan Siya jerked her head up, her voice sharp with desperation.
She bit her lip hard. Without this betrothal, she’d have no place left in the Nan family.
Old Master Nan now favored Sang Ning. Her parents were growing closer to her. Even Nan Muchen had stopped pushing her away.
And what of her? Would she fade into obscurity as the worthless, forgotten fake heiress?
No. She couldn’t lose this engagement—she couldn’t lose Chen Zheng.
"Siya..."
Nan Siya glanced at Wen Meiling, resentment flickering. If her mother hadn’t shifted her affection to Sang Ning, she wouldn’t feel so adrift.
She turned away. "Zheng-ge is just upset right now. We’ll work it out."
Wen Meiling sighed but didn’t press further.
As the banquet concluded, the Nan family took their leave.
The driver pulled up to the entrance of Junyue Hotel. Old Master Nan and the others went ahead first, while Sang Ning and Nan Siya, as usual, took the same car behind.
Sang Ning and Nan Siya got into the car, and Uncle Zhang drove off.
The interior of the car was eerily quiet. Nan Siya was in a foul mood and didn’t speak a word.
Sang Ning wasn’t in the mood for fake sisterly bonding either, so she turned her gaze to the window. A light drizzle had begun, raindrops clinging to the glass before sliding down slowly.
The gardens of Junyue Hotel were quite lovely. Though the sky outside had darkened, the scenery took on a unique charm under the glow of the lights.
Just as Sang Ning was admiring the view, Nan Siya’s icy voice cut through the silence.
“You must be feeling smug, aren’t you?”
“Hmm?” Sang Ning turned to look at her.
Nan Siya’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with hatred as she glared. “Isn’t this exactly what you’ve been waiting for? To see me abandoned by Zheng? Now that he’s misunderstood me, you must be thrilled, right?”
Sang Ning replied with sincerity, “A little, yes.”
Nan Siya: “...”
Clenching her teeth, Nan Siya hissed, “Do you really think you can steal everything that belongs to me? Dream on! You’ll never understand how much Zheng loves me! Don’t even think about taking him from me!”
Sang Ning: ?
The next second, Nan Siya suddenly shouted, “Stop the car!”
Uncle Zhang was startled but immediately hit the brakes.
“Second Young Miss, you—”
Before he could finish, Nan Siya shoved the door open and bolted out, disappearing into the curtain of rain.
Uncle Zhang was frozen in shock.
He frantically glanced back, only to see the eldest young lady looking just as stunned.
