Outside the Pei Residence was a six-meter-wide staircase. Descending the steps led to a sprawling garden. Sang Ning stepped out of the villa and leaned against the marble railing of the staircase, taking a breath of fresh air.
Inside the villa, the lights blazed brightly, and the atmosphere was lively and noisy. Outside, only a few dim ground lamps glowed, blending seamlessly into the night—harmonious and serene.
Sang Ning waited for two minutes before hearing familiar footsteps approach from behind.
She turned to look at him, blinking. "Why did you come out?"
He Siyu's tone was indifferent. "It was too stuffy inside. Needed some air."
She nodded. "Oh."
Her clear, luminous eyes met his. "But I was waiting for you."
His gaze faltered slightly, the usual coldness in his expression now tinged with deliberate restraint. His voice was stiff. "Waiting for me? You seemed to be having plenty of fun."
Sang Ning glanced at the surveillance camera under the eaves three meters behind He Siyu, confirming they were out of its angle before cautiously reaching out to hook her fingers lightly around his.
His fingertips twitched slightly, but he didn’t pull away, letting her hold his hand.
"This game is actually quite fun. Let’s play together next time," she said.
His expression remained unamused. "I thought we weren’t that close."
Sang Ning hesitated. "I just don’t want people to know yet. We’re all in the same social circle. If our relationship isn’t stable, and it gets out, wouldn’t it be awkward if we broke up later?"
The word "broke up" struck his ears like a sudden intrusion. His face darkened.
"You’re already thinking about breaking up?"
"I said if," Sang Ning corrected. "Besides, my parents and grandpa are here too. You know how my family is—always watching me, eager to exploit any advantage. If they found out about us, they’d pile on the pressure. I don’t want that."
She pressed her lips together. "We’ve just started. I don’t want our relationship tangled up with too many people or interests. I just want to be with you simply."
His gaze lingered on her earnest face, the sharpness in his eyes softening slightly.
The words "I just want to be with you simply" dissolved half the frustration that had been simmering in his chest all evening.
Sang Ning gave his hand a small shake. "Don’t be mad."
How could he stay mad when she was acting like this?
But letting her off so easily would make him seem too easygoing.
He lowered his eyes to hers, his throat bobbing slightly, his dark gaze smoldering. "Then kiss me again."
Sang Ning: "..."
Was kissing all he ever thought about?
She glanced once more at the surveillance camera behind him and frowned. "No, there’s a camera here."
"Who’s going to check the footage?" He bent down, intending to kiss her.
Sang Ning took a step back. "If you kiss me today, we’re not kissing again all week."
He Siyu: "..."
It was only Monday.
He swallowed his irritation, straightened up, and let out a cold humph.
"We should go back inside, or my parents will come looking for me," she said, swinging their joined hands lightly.
"Fine."
Her lips curved, and she finally released his hand before walking straight back into the villa.
His eyes followed her retreating figure. Suppressing the slight upturn of his lips, he followed three steps behind.
When Sang Ning returned to the banquet, Nan Siya had already come back.
"Sang Ning, where did you run off to?" Nan Zhenming chided.
"I was looking for Siya but couldn’t find her."
"Enough, the banquet has started. Take your seat," Grandpa waved dismissively.
"Alright." Sang Ning nodded.
She sat down at the table. The Nan family was seated toward the back, while at the front, President Pei stood beaming as he announced his son’s wedding date.
"The wedding will be held in December. Everyone is welcome to return in two months for a celebratory toast to Songhan and Jiani’s union."
The crowd broke into applause.
Pei Songhan and Zhu Jiani stood side by side—a perfect match, handsome and beautiful, like a pair of jade figurines.
Sang Ning clapped along.
Nan Siya leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper in her ear: "How dare you even dream about the second young master Pei? Look at Miss Zhu’s family background—then look at yours. Pathetic."
Sang Ning picked up her wine glass with an air of indifference. "What’s wrong with my family? Siya, do you look down on the Nans?"
She deliberately raised her voice just enough for Grandpa, seated nearby, to hear.
Grandpa’s expression instantly darkened. He glared over. "Know your place! If you think so little of the Nans, get out!"
Nan Siya paled, her hand trembling so badly she nearly knocked over her glass.
Wen Meiling hurried to mediate. "Siya didn’t mean it that way, Dad. Please don’t take it to heart."
Not wanting to make a scene in public, Grandpa let out a heavy snort and turned away.
Nan Siya shot Sang Ning a look of fear and humiliation, but Sang Ning merely smiled faintly, lifting her wine glass to her lips for an elegant sip.
Pei Songhan stood before the crowd, watching as everyone applauded and offered their blessings. Yet, inexplicably, a thread of weariness crept into his heart.
He had thought he wouldn’t care about an arranged marriage—that it wouldn’t stir any emotion in him, joy or displeasure.
He had assumed he would remain indifferent.
His gaze drifted unconsciously toward the back of the room, where Sang Ning sat, serene and composed, savoring her wine with a small, satisfied smile.
Realizing his lapse, he quickly averted his eyes.
The banquet ended.
Sang Ning followed the Nan family out of the Pei Residence.
Just as she was about to get into the car to go home, a figure hurried over.
"Miss Nan, a moment, please."
Sang Ning turned, surprised. "Assistant Yan? Is something the matter?"
Assistant Yan smiled politely. "Old Madam He prepared a Mid-Autumn Festival gift for you but forgot to send it earlier. When she heard you were attending the Pei family’s banquet tonight, she asked me to deliver it on my way."
Sang Ning froze.
They had already exchanged two rounds of Mid-Autumn gifts. There were more?
Grandpa, however, took the matter very seriously. "Go and receive it properly. Don’t disregard Old Madam He’s kindness."
Before Sang Ning could think of a response, Assistant Yan gestured courteously. "This way, Miss Nan."
Sang Ning: "..."
She forced a smile. "I’ll be right back."
"Go on!" Grandpa urged.
"Alright."
She followed Assistant Yan down the path lined with parked cars until they stopped before a black Maybach.
Sang Ning pulled open the door—and sure enough, He Siyu sat inside.
She frowned. "What are you up to now?"
"Delivering festival gifts."
"What gifts?"
"Get in."
Glancing around at the guests still trickling out of the venue, she didn’t want to risk being seen. She slid into the car and shut the door.
The next second, he leaned in, gripped her chin, and crushed his lips against hers.
