"Sang Ning, this proposal was your idea, and Young President Pei thinks highly of you. Come, toast him with a drink," Team Leader Lin called out.
Sang Ning put down her phone and was about to reach for a glass when Pei Songhan raised his hand slightly. "No need. It’s not good for women to drink too much, and you all still have work in the afternoon."
Sang Ning smiled. "Thank you, Young President Pei."
Manager Wang quickly flattered, "Young President Pei is so considerate. No wonder everyone at Xinghong says they’d love to work under him."
Pei Songhan gave a faint smile. "You’re too kind, Manager Wang."
Wang Qi pulled Sang Ning aside to whisper, "You have to admit, men like Young President Pei are rare—gentlemanly and refined. Not like those lecherous old men who can’t wait to get women drunk at the dinner table."
Sang Ning lowered her head to continue peeling her crab. "What’s so special about that? A man from a wealthy family like his has seen it all. People with real sophistication care more about their reputation."
Those who wear their lust on their sleeves are nothing more than half-baked fools—greedy and stupid.
"But Young President Pei is also good-looking and incredibly capable. Xinghong is just one of the Pei family’s many businesses. He’ll probably be the heir to the entire empire," Wang Qi added, then sighed. "Though I heard he’s already engaged. His fiancée must be the luckiest woman alive—marrying a man like him is like winning the cosmic lottery."
Sang Ning didn’t even look up. "If anything, Young President Pei is the one who won the cosmic lottery, born into a family where he can rightfully inherit such a vast fortune."
"Uh… that’s a fair point too."
Once the dinner ended, Team Leader Lin and the team returned to the office. After signing the contract, the follow-up work was handed over to the technical and production departments, though some details still needed coordination between them.
They took three taxis back to the company.
Pei Songhan walked out surrounded by Manager Wang and several Xinghong executives. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they went their separate ways.
Standing on the steps, Pei Songhan watched from a distance as Nan Sangning got into a taxi with two colleagues and left without looking back.
He took out his phone, opened WeChat, and hovered his thumb over her chat window. He hesitated, as if wanting to say something but unsure what.
Suddenly, his phone rang. He pressed his lips together and answered.
"Dad."
"Come home for dinner tonight. Jianyi is coming over too. Your wedding is approaching, so both families should gather to discuss the arrangements."
His lips thinned slightly, but his voice remained calm. "Alright."
—
At 5 p.m., Sang Ning left work and headed straight home.
The Nan family was having a gathering that evening.
Uncle Zhang came to pick her up, but as soon as they reached the gate, he hit the brakes.
Sang Ning was about to ask why he hadn’t driven in when she looked up and saw the quarreling couple at the entrance through the car window.
"Why are you even here? Go take care of Zhan Yijun instead! Since you clearly care more about her, it’s obvious I mean nothing to you!" Nan Siya turned away, her eyes red.
Chen Zheng grabbed her hand. "Siya, can you stop being so unreasonable? Yijun hurt her hand—I was just helping her as a friend. If there were anything between us, would I have told you so openly? We’re just friends, nothing more!"
Nan Siya sniffled. "Then why did you hang up on me for her? Why did you ignore me for a whole week? Tell me, who matters more to you—her or me?"
Chen Zheng scowled. "Why must you always be so childish? Do you even understand the Zhan family’s status? The Chen family relies on them. Everything I’m doing is for our future!"
Nan Siya’s tears fell. "But do you know how much I’ve suffered these past few days? You just abandoned me without a word. Do you even love me anymore?"
Chen Zheng wiped her tears tenderly. "Siya, don’t overthink it. If I didn’t love you, why would I marry you? You’re the princess of my heart. I swear, you’re the only one I love."
Nan Siya’s lashes fluttered, her teary eyes softening with emotion. "Brother Zheng…"
Chen Zheng pulled her into an embrace, gently stroking her hair.
"You’re just too naive, too easily fooled. I’ve warned you before—Nan Sangning is a scheming woman. All she does is drive a wedge between us. She’s jealous that you have my love, so she’s doing everything she can to ruin us."
Nan Siya clenched her fists, seething. "I won’t let her succeed!"
BANG—the car door slammed shut.
Chen Zheng and Nan Siya jumped, turning to see Nan Sangning walking toward them with an icy expression.
Chen Zheng immediately shielded Nan Siya, glaring at Nan Sangning. "What do you want now?!"
Sang Ning’s gaze was frosty. "First of all, this is my house."
Chen Zheng stiffened, realizing his own rudeness, his face turning rigid.
"Second…"
Sang Ning smirked at him. "A man who has to grovel at another woman’s feet to secure his family’s future shouldn’t bother playing the hero."
Chen Zheng’s face twisted with fury, alternating between green and white. "You—!"
Sang Ning then turned to Nan Siya, her lips curling coldly. "If you think I’d envy you for having Chen Zheng, think again. He’s not worth it."
Nan Siya flushed crimson at the blatant disdain in Nan Sangning’s eyes, her rage nearly blinding her.
How dare she look down on Brother Zheng!
Sang Ning walked past them and into the Nan residence without another glance.
Chen Zheng gnashed his teeth, wishing he could tear that smug look off Nan Sangning’s face.
But remembering this was the Nan family home—and that Nan Sangning was still the eldest daughter—he swallowed his fury.
"That shrew will never find a husband," he muttered bitterly.
The Nan family gathering was lively, and Grandpa was in high spirits.
"I just received word that our Nan Group secured Xinghong Trading’s big contract—thanks to Sang Ning."
Grandpa nodded approvingly at Sangning.
"Manager Wang told me you performed exceptionally well. If not for your proposal, we wouldn’t have won this bid. I was worried you’d struggle adjusting to the company so soon, but you’ve proven yourself. I knew I wasn’t wrong about you!"
Sang Ning smiled. "It’s all thanks to your guidance, Grandpa."
"We’ve been eyeing Xinghong’s contract for a long time. After all, it’s part of the Pei family’s empire. Getting a foothold with them is a major step up for us!"
Grandpa was thrilled. "You’ve accomplished something huge in such a short time. Your father tried everything to land this deal but never succeeded."
Nan Zhenming’s expression darkened, his head bowing in frustration.
Sang Ning remained humble. "It was a team effort."
Grandpa nodded. "Spend another month rotating through different departments. Once you’re familiar with the precision manufacturing project, I’ll let you lead your own team."
It would be a loss for the Nan Group not to utilize Sang Ning's talents.
Sang Ning curved her lips into a smile. "Thank you, Grandpa."
Nan Siya's expression darkened. She had been in the company for half a year, yet she was still stuck in an insignificant administrative role with no real authority.
How long had Nan Sangning been there, and Grandpa was already planning to let her lead a team?!
Nan Zhenming's face also clouded over. Initially, he hadn’t taken Nan Sangning’s entry into the company seriously—after all, she had only audited classes at Jing University for two months, and he assumed she wouldn’t make waves.
But who could have guessed that in just half a month, she would secure the Xinghong deal?
For the first time, Nan Zhenming felt a sense of crisis. He had hoped his daughter would be competent enough not to embarrass him, but she was too competent, making him look inadequate in comparison.
A shadow of resentment flickered in Nan Zhenming’s eyes.
Today’s family dinner had been a perfect success.
At least, Sang Ning thought so. Whether the others felt the same didn’t matter.
That night, after her shower, Sang Ning’s phone buzzed relentlessly with messages from Ji Yan.
[Girl, you’re seriously amazing! I thought you were just playing around, but you’re for real?!]
[When you inherit the Nan Group, remember to spoil me.]
[We’ll throw a party and hire Shi Mu to perform—your treat.]
Sang Ning: "…"
[Let’s go out Saturday! I’ll celebrate your win! How about a party?]
Sang Ning: [I have—]
[What else do you have to do? Didn’t you already sign the deal?]
Sang Ning paused for five seconds before slowly typing: [Just a small thing.]
—
Saturday, 6:00 PM.
Sang Ning stepped into the car, heading for the Riverside Gallery.
