He Yun'an finally saw a glimmer of hope and quickly said, "It's true! If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself. Look, we even resemble each other a little. If she’s complimenting me like this, she probably thinks you’re handsome too."
Perhaps because He Siyu had spent the most time raising He Yun'an, the boy had grown up to share an uncanny resemblance with him—their features bore a faint similarity if one looked closely.
He Siyu arched an eyebrow. She had indeed called him good-looking before.
Noticing the tension easing, He Yun'an mustered the courage to offer some advice.
"Uncle, you heard her too. She said she’s about to start her internship rotation at her family’s company and will be too busy to see you. Are you really just going to wait around? What if she meets some guy at work and suddenly starts dating?"
He Siyu’s brow furrowed slightly.
He Yun'an pressed on, earnest: "So we can’t just sit back and do nothing! You have to take the initiative! Otherwise, before you know it, she’ll be married with kids."
Assistant Yan nearly choked, clamping a hand over his mouth to stifle a cough.
He Siyu shot He Yun'an a frosty look. "Since when did you become such an expert on love, kid?"
"Of course I am! Love doesn’t follow rules like 'first come, first served'!"
That’s how it always played out in dramas!
Though He Yun'an was partly motivated by self-preservation, he genuinely wanted to help his uncle. After all, He Siyu was the closest person to him.
He refused to let his uncle turn into some tragic second male lead from a soap opera.
He Siyu narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
He Yun'an cautiously asked, "Uncle, are we going home now?"
He Siyu gave him a sidelong glance and wordlessly pulled open the car door to get in.
Relieved that his uncle had dropped the threat of shipping him back to Australia, He Yun'an beamed and eagerly climbed into the car after him.
Once settled, He Yun'an couldn’t resist pushing his luck. "Uncle, you’ve known her for a while now, right? Why aren’t you two together yet? Does she… not like you?"
He Siyu replied flatly, "I can still throw you on a plane right now."
"I’m just looking out for you," He Yun'an said, leaning closer. "Last time I saw her, she even scolded me."
He Siyu glanced at him. "Scolded you about what?"
"She told me to be more polite. Said even though I’m good-looking, I shouldn’t abuse my charm."
"…"
He Siyu was now seriously questioning the credibility of this brat’s words.
He Yun'an nodded solemnly. "Uncle, I think… she probably likes men who are gentler."
---
"No way!" Ji Yan was practically in disbelief. "If that kid isn’t He Siyu’s, then whose is he? He Yida’s or He Er’s?!"
Sang Ning took a sip of her boba tea, chewing on the chewy pearls. "Probably? The kid did call him 'uncle,' after all."
Ji Yan looked devastated. "I can’t even imagine He Yida or He Er doing something so reckless!"
"Maybe it’s just not public knowledge. Don’t go spreading this around," Sang Ning warned before taking another sip.
"Obviously! I’d like to live a few more years, thanks."
Ji Yan squinted suspiciously. "Then whose child could it be?"
Sang Ning wasn’t particularly interested. Either way, it wasn’t hers.
---
On Monday, Sang Ning officially started her internship at Nan Corporation.
Following the chairman’s instructions, she began her rotation in the precision manufacturing division, starting with the sales department.
She entered the company under the name "Sang Ning," omitting the "Nan" surname. Only the department manager knew her true identity, allowing her to interact normally with her colleagues.
Manager Wang personally gave her a tour of the department and explained the basics.
"Our department mainly handles project bidding. Precision manufacturing is the backbone of Nan Corporation—our parts and equipment are used across various industries. When other companies put out requests, we compete to secure those contracts."
Sang Ning nodded attentively. "So we’re competing against other companies?"
"Exactly. Even though we’re in sales, we need a solid understanding of our products. Otherwise, clients won’t trust us. After your rotation, you’ll have a thorough grasp of our precision manufacturing operations."
Sang Ning smiled. "Got it. Thank you, Manager Wang."
"Don’t mention it," Manager Wang chuckled. "Feel free to come to me with any questions."
The chairman had personally arranged her internship, so Manager Wang had no choice but to treat her like royalty.
He didn’t expect her to contribute much, but keeping her happy was crucial—otherwise, a single complaint from her would land him in hot water.
Sang Ning said politely, "Manager Wang, just call me Sang Ning from now on."
"Of course, of course."
Relieved that she seemed easygoing, Manager Wang relaxed slightly.
"By the way, there’s a bidding session today. Why don’t you tag along? You won’t participate, but observing the process will give you a good idea of how it works."
Sang Ning’s eyes lit up. "Sure!"
Manager Wang promptly assigned her to a team of six heading out for the bid. After introductions, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
At 10 a.m., they set off.
"Xiao Sang, today’s just for observation. Don’t speak out of turn during the meeting. If you have questions, save them for afterward. Understood?" Team Leader Lin reminded her.
Sang Ning nodded. "Understood."
When they arrived, Sang Ning looked up at the sign—Xinghong Trade.
"Xiao Sang, keep up!" A girl around her age tugged her along.
Sang Ning hurried after the group. Since the bidding was a formal affair, everyone wore suits. It was her first time in a blazer and skirt, and she felt oddly out of place.
Inside the conference room, five companies were already present.
The Nan Corporation team took their seats on the left, with Sang Ning sitting slightly behind, observing the proceedings.
At the front of the room sat Xinghong Trade’s evaluators.
Each company took turns presenting their proposals, showcasing their products and capabilities to win a manufacturing project.
Sang Ning found the competitive bidding process fascinating. In her past life, merchants had been suppressed, and lucrative trades were monopolized by powerful families—never had she seen such a fair, large-scale competition.
Just as the third company finished presenting and Nan Corporation was about to take the floor, the conference room door swung open.
The evaluators immediately stood.
"Young Master Pei, you’re here."
Pei Songhan gestured for them to sit. "Just observing."
Once everyone settled, the bidding resumed.
Team Leader Lin frowned. "Why is Young Master Pei here today of all days?"
Only then did Sang Ning realize—Xinghong Trade was part of the Pei family’s business?
"Never mind. Let’s proceed with the presentation."
Team Leader Lin stood up with his team and walked to the front to begin their presentation.
As they moved, Pei Songhan’s gaze followed them, and his eyes happened to land on Sang Ning sitting in the back.
He paused for a moment, glancing down at the bidding list—this was the Nan Group.
A knowing smile crossed his lips.
By noon, all seven bidding presentations had concluded.
“That concludes today’s session. We’ll notify everyone of the results as soon as possible,” the announcement came.
With that, everyone began dispersing.
“Xiao Sang, let’s head back first and grab lunch somewhere,” Team Leader Lin called out.
Sang Ning nodded, but then her phone buzzed. She checked it—a message from Pei Songhan.
[Wait for me.]
She pressed her lips together before turning to her team leader. “I’m meeting a friend here for lunch. I’ll return to the company a bit later.”
“Sure, just be back before two. Don’t be late.”
“Got it.”
The crowd soon thinned out.
Sang Ning waited outside the conference room, and before long, Pei Songhan emerged, documents in hand.
“Mr. Pei,” she greeted politely.
Pei Songhan smiled. “You’re interning at the Nan Group now?”
“Yes. My grandfather said I should gain some experience.”
She returned the courtesy. “Are you working at Xinghong Trade now, Mr. Pei?”
“Not exactly. It’s one of the Pei family’s businesses. I just returned from abroad, so I’m making rounds to inspect them. Didn’t expect to run into you here.”
Pei Songhan thought for a moment before asking, “Did you resolve the issue with your younger sister?”
Sang Ning nodded. “It’s been handled. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Pei.”
He couldn’t help but notice how deliberately she enunciated each “Mr. Pei,” as if ensuring he heard it clearly.
Pei Songhan chuckled. “Glad to hear it.”
Suddenly, a commotion rose from outside. Sang Ning turned to look—employees were lining up to receive gifts, and those who had already gotten theirs were walking away happily, carrying gift boxes and delicate rabbit-shaped lanterns.
The lanterns were exquisitely crafted, almost lifelike in their charm.
“It’s almost Mid-Autumn Festival. They’re handing out holiday gifts,” Pei Songhan explained, noticing her gaze lingering on the rabbit lanterns. “Do you like them, Miss Nan? I can have someone fetch one for you.”
Sang Ning stared at the lantern, memories flooding back. One Mid-Autumn Festival, Pei Songhan had given her a rabbit lantern too.
Their chances to meet had always been rare—usually during holidays when he personally delivered gifts on behalf of the Pei family.
He always brought two sets: one, an extravagant formal gift from the Pei family to the Xie family, and another, a private one, just for her.
The Xie family had strict rules, but since they were engaged, her mother allowed them to exchange a few words under the watchful eyes of the servants during these visits.
Last Mid-Autumn Festival, he had arrived in high spirits, pulling out an exquisitely crafted rabbit lantern like a magician.
“I made this myself,” he had said, grinning. “Do you like it?”
