"Mm..."
Sang Ning froze for a moment. He had already pried open her lips, his hand sliding up from her chin to cradle her cheek, deepening the kiss.
Sang Ning turned her head away, finally catching her breath. "Someone might see us!"
"The car windows have tinted film," he murmured before chasing her lips again.
Only then did Sang Ning relent, letting him kiss her.
Was it her imagination, or did He Siyu carry a faint scent of cream? Kissing him felt like savoring a sweet strawberry cake.
She loved cake.
But too much of it could be overwhelming.
Five minutes later, Sang Ning pushed him away, exasperated. "I need to go back."
He opened his eyes reluctantly, his gaze dark and voice husky. "Then I'll pick you up after work tomorrow."
"I don’t even know when I’ll be off tomorrow."
She had just rotated to the technical department for her internship, and there was so much to learn. She wasn’t sure how late she’d have to stay.
His brow furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure in his tone as he scoffed. "No matter how late, I’ll wait."
Sang Ning curved her lips. "Oh."
"Then I’m leaving." She pulled the car door open and stepped out.
Assistant Yan was waiting outside, holding out a gift bag with both hands. "Miss Nan, Mid-Autumn Festival gifts."
These were items someone had sent earlier, casually left in He Siyu’s car—now conveniently repurposed.
Sang Ning nodded, accepted the bag, and walked away with it in hand.
He Siyu remained in the car, watching her retreating figure, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.
Sang Ning paused mid-step, then carefully pulled out a compact mirror to check her lips, reapplying her lipstick before continuing forward.
The Nan family car was parked nearby, with Old Master Nan deliberately waiting.
"Grandfather." Sang Ning handed him the gift bag. "These are Mid-Autumn Festival gifts from Grandma He."
Old Master Nan was so delighted he could hardly close his mouth. "Grandma He is truly thoughtful, sending us gifts for the festival. We must reciprocate with something equally grand."
Sang Ning nodded. "You’re right, Grandfather."
"Let’s go home now."
"Alright."
Just as she was about to head to the car behind, she turned and saw Pei Songhan.
He had been seeing off guests and was momentarily stunned when their eyes met. Then, he forced a smile. "Miss Nan."
Sang Ning greeted him politely. "Young President Pei."
He pressed his lips together, hesitating for two seconds before speaking. "Take care."
Sang Ning gave a slight nod and walked to the rear car, opening the door to get in.
Old Master Nan also exchanged polite farewells with Pei Songhan, who handled the interaction with practiced ease.
Only after the Nan family car had disappeared from sight did Pei Songhan remain standing there, his usually calm eyes now tinged with emptiness.
President Pei and Madam Pei had just finished seeing off other guests and approached.
President Pei asked, "Has Siyu left yet?"
Pei Songhan snapped out of his thoughts. "Probably."
He hadn’t paid attention—only recalling that He Siyu had left early.
President Pei frowned. "What do you mean, ‘probably’? Didn’t you personally see him off?"
Pei Songhan pressed his lips together. "He wouldn’t mind such formalities."
President Pei’s tone turned stern. "Whether he minds or not is his business. You must ensure you’ve done your part! Don’t take your childhood friendship for granted and slack off. Our Pei family still relies on the He Family."
"I understand, Father," he replied flatly.
He had heard these words since childhood, long accustomed to them. The concept of "propriety" seemed etched into his bones—never once had he overstepped.
"Enough. Songhan is about to get married, yet you still scold him like this. Has he ever failed in his duties?" Madam Pei interjected.
"Once you marry Jiani, have a child as soon as possible. That will set our minds at ease. The alliance between the Zhu Family and the Pei family ensures mutual benefit and stability," President Pei said.
Pei Songhan’s hand clenched slightly at his side before he suddenly looked up at them. "Father, is this marriage absolutely necessary? The Pei and Zhu families are already cooperating without marital ties—"
President Pei’s expression darkened instantly. "What nonsense are you spouting?! This engagement was settled two years ago! A marital alliance is on an entirely different level from ordinary cooperation. Only through marriage do families truly become one!"
Madam Pei also chided him. "Songhan, how could you say such a thing? Apologize to your father at once!"
Pei Songhan pressed his lips tightly together and said nothing more.
President Pei pointed at him angrily. "You think you’ve grown wings and can defy us now? Let me make this clear—don’t you dare entertain any absurd ideas! The path we’ve laid for you is the best there is. What more could you possibly want? Reflect on your behavior!"
With that, he stormed off in a rage.
Madam Pei’s face remained stern. "Songhan, you are the heir of the Pei family. The future of this household rests on your shoulders. You must understand your responsibilities and act with maturity, not impulsiveness."
Pei Songhan’s hand clenched and unclenched at his side before he replied evenly, "Yes."
---
On Tuesday, Sang Ning officially began her internship in the technical department. Of course, she wasn’t expected to master assembling parts herself, but she needed to understand the entire production process and technical aspects.
This proved challenging for her. Unlike the scheming and power plays she was used to, this was purely technical knowledge.
The unfamiliar machinery and data from the Zhou Dynasty era flooded her mind, leaving her dizzy.
But time was limited, and she couldn’t afford to slack off. She studied diligently, working late until ten o’clock before finally leaving the company.
The office wasn’t in a bustling district, and at this hour, the streets were quiet, illuminated only by the dim glow of streetlights stretching shadows long across the pavement.
As she stepped out, her eyes landed on the familiar Range Rover parked by the roadside. Clutching her folder, she walked toward it.
She opened the car door to find He Siyu leaning back in the driver’s seat, eyes closed as if asleep.
She climbed in quietly, shutting the door behind her, debating whether to wake him.
Her gaze lingered on his handsome face, pausing for a moment.
Perhaps it was because his eyes were closed, concealing their usual sharpness, that he seemed softer—unusually docile.
She studied him carefully, her eyes tracing his dark lashes, the straight bridge of his nose, his slightly thin lips.
Far more agreeable than usual.
Unable to resist, she leaned in and pressed a light kiss to the corner of his mouth.
His lashes fluttered slightly before his eyes opened, clear and alert as they fixed on her.
Sang Ning pulled back, putting distance between them as if nothing had happened, her tone composed. "Why were you asleep just now?"
But He Siyu had no intention of letting it go. He looked at her, his gaze unreadable. "You stole a kiss?"
Sang Ning blinked. "I saw you were asleep and was about to wake you."
"Oh? Then why kiss me?"
She deadpanned. "I’m hungry. Let’s go eat."
"Do you want food, or do you want me?"
"..."
Her eyebrow twitched. "He Siyu!"
He smirked, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Nan Sang Ning, you really do like me that much, huh?"
