Grandma He frowned. Earlier, when that young man had confidently declared they’d marry next year, she’d thought it was settled! But now, a whole month had passed without a single word. Unable to hold back any longer, she had invited Sang Ning over today to subtly probe for updates—only to find out that Sang Ning had genuinely been preoccupied with her internship at the company, with no other thoughts in mind.
What was to be done?
“No matter how busy you are with work, you mustn’t neglect the important matters of life,” Grandma He hinted.
Sang Ning curved her lips into a smile. “Mm, I understand.”
Grandma He chuckled warmly. “It’s kind of you to spare time for an old woman like me despite your busy schedule.”
Sang Ning replied earnestly, “Grandma He has been so good to me. In my heart, you’re as dear as my own grandmother.”
Grandma He patted her hand. “Good child.”
“The third young master is back.”
A servant’s voice carried in from outside.
Sang Ning turned to see He Siyu push open the door and step inside.
Grandma He couldn’t be bothered to ask why her unfilial grandson, absent for half a month, had suddenly returned.
She stood up directly. “You’re back just in time. Trim the plants for me. I’ll go check if lunch is ready.”
“Sure.” He Siyu responded flatly, walking to the small balcony and picking up the shears. He began pruning the plants with exaggerated care.
Sang Ning watched Grandma He leave before lowering her voice and frowning. “Why did you come back?”
“Can’t I return to my own home?”
With a snip, he cut off a rose.
Sang Ning’s pupils constricted. She snatched the shears from his hand.
“You just ruined Grandma He’s flower!”
“Oh. Didn’t see it.”
“…”
No wonder he’d been beaten so often as a child.
Sang Ning took over the pruning herself. “I already told you I was coming to spend time with Grandma He. What if she finds out?”
He turned to her. “And what if she does?”
Sang Ning glared at him, lips pressed tight.
He sighed lazily. “Fine, fine. I get it. Grandma’s old—she won’t notice.”
Sang Ning: “…”
Leaning against the balcony railing, he poked at a rose. “Your internship’s over?”
Sang Ning’s eyes brightened, a smile spreading across her face. “Yes. Grandpa approved my evaluation too. Starting next Monday, I’ll be promoted to manager. He’s letting me lead a team for the bidding project.”
Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, He Siyu’s lips quirked up. “Congratulations on your promotion, Miss Sang.”
Sang Ning lifted her chin slightly, a hint of pride flashing in her gaze.
“Why not bid for Huiyao’s project? I’ll have someone draft a contract for you. Your grandfather might just hand over the entire Precision Manufacturing division to you.”
Sang Ning shot him a glare. “Huiyao’s technical requirements for high-precision components are beyond Nan Corporation’s capabilities. Do you think my grandfather’s a fool?”
The favoritism would be obvious at a glance.
Besides, she didn’t even receive dividends from the Nan family shares yet. Hand them such a lucrative deal for free?
Dream on!
“Then I’ll have a subsidiary—”
Her expression stiffened. “Do you think I can’t secure projects on my own?”
“No.”
His hand slipped through the flowers, gently hooking her finger. “I just don’t want you to work so hard.”
She met his gaze. “If effort brings reward, I don’t consider it hardship.”
He studied her determined eyes, gleaming under the sunlight, and suddenly understood her persistence.
She was never one to endure unnecessary suffering.
She couldn’t even tolerate the bitterness of medicine for three minutes. If she committed to something, it was because she deemed it worthwhile.
Taking control of Nan Corporation was worthwhile. Being with him—was also worthwhile.
His gaze flickered, fingers tightening around hers.
“Sang Ning.”
Grandma He walked in.
Sang Ning immediately withdrew her hand. Facing the balcony plants with their backs to the living room, their small movements went unnoticed.
“Grandma He.” She turned with a smile.
“I heard you like desserts, so I had a cake prepared in advance.” Grandma He placed an exquisite strawberry cake on the table.
Sang Ning’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Grandma He.”
She sat at the round table, taking a bite with her fork. The cake was soft, sweet but not cloying.
“The chef at Grandma He’s home makes better cakes than patisseries.” Sang Ning couldn’t help praising.
“That’s Nanny Zhao’s skill. If you like it, I’ll have her make a larger one for you to take home.”
Sang Ning nodded happily. “Yes, please!”
He Siyu pulled out a chair and sat down. “Where’s mine?”
Grandma He shot him an unimpressed look. “Since when do you like sweets?”
“Who said I don’t?”
With a dismissive snort, Grandma He instructed a servant to bring another serving.
The servant returned with a slice of strawberry cake just as Sang Ning had finished half of hers.
Watching her enjoy it so much, He Siyu couldn’t resist trying a bite.
He forked a piece into his mouth—only to grimace at the overwhelming sweetness.
“What’s so good about this?”
Grandma He glared. “Then don’t eat it!”
With that mouth of his, no wonder he couldn’t win Sang Ning over.
If he weren’t her own grandson, she’d have smacked him long ago.
Sang Ning smiled, politely defusing the tension. “Mr. He probably isn’t used to this flavor.”
He Siyu shot her a cool glance. She switched titles fast enough. Back then, “Pei Songhan” had rolled off her tongue so easily.
Grandma He beamed. “If you like it, I’ll always have some made for you. But don’t eat too much now, or you won’t have room for lunch.”
“I’ll take it home to enjoy.” Sang Ning nodded.
Nanny Zhao, overhearing, swelled with pride. “I’ll go make a fresh one!”
Grandma He sighed inwardly. Granddaughters were truly more considerate.
Then she remembered something. “Oh, the greeting cards you wrote last time—many praised your calligraphy, saying it rivals professional calligraphers. If you have time, could you write two more pieces? I’d like to keep them for gifts.”
Sang Ning smiled. “Of course.”
Grandma He guided her to the writing desk, smoothing out a sheet of rice paper.
“Write whatever you like.”
She then glanced at He Siyu. “You help grind the ink. Such labor is men’s work.”
He Siyu picked up the inkstick, grinding it with practiced ease.
He’d never had interest in these refined hobbies, but his grandparents had forced him to practice for years, hoping to temper his temperament. Needless to say, it hadn’t worked.
Sang Ning dipped her brush into the ink, thanking him politely. “Thank you, Mr. He.”
His fingers paused around the inkstick. A faint, cool smile touched his lips. “You’re welcome.”
She wrote two pieces, this time in running script.
She’d never liked the delicate, restrained “flower-style” calligraphy expected of noblewomen—too rigid, too confining.
Her brushstrokes flowed freely across the paper, bold and unrestrained. He Siyu’s gaze flickered.
Grandma He praised her skill repeatedly.
Half an hour later, lunch was served. After the meal, knowing Grandma He would nap, Sang Ning prepared to leave as usual.
Grandma He immediately called out, “A’Yu, see Sang Ning out.”
He Siyu stood up smoothly. "Let's go."
Sang Ning thanked him politely, "Thank you, Mr. He."
Grandma He saw them off at the door. Sang Ning got into the car, and He Siyu drove away.
Once the Bentley left the courtyard, Sang Ning finally spoke up, "Drop me off at Taikoo Li. I have plans with Ji Yan."
His tone turned chilly. "No more 'Mr. He' now?"
She frowned. Was he really upset over this?
"Then what do you want me to call you? Siyu-gege?"
