He Siyu frowned, pulling her out of his embrace and looking at her seriously. "What exactly happened? Didn’t I tell you to let me know if anything was wrong?"
Sang Ning pursed her lips. "Grandfather said there was a minor issue with the project handover, blaming me for not paying close attention when signing the documents."
"That’s all?"
"Mm. He just called me into his study and scolded me."
She took his hand. "It’s nothing serious. If it were something I couldn’t handle, I’d tell you."
He Siyu studied her clear eyes, which showed little sign of distress, and finally relaxed slightly. His voice deepened. "Your grandfather sure makes a fuss over small things. Just let his scolding go in one ear and out the other. But if there’s anything else, you have to tell me."
She nodded. "Mm. Let’s go eat."
He Siyu led her into a restaurant.
It was almost one o’clock. Sang Ning was actually quite hungry, but she had no appetite and only picked at her food.
He Siyu wasn’t hungry either. An inexplicable unease gnawed at him, though he couldn’t pinpoint why.
His fingers slipped into his coat pocket, brushing lightly against a small velvet box.
He looked up at her. "Tonight, let’s go—"
Sang Ning glanced at her phone. "I might have something to do tonight."
"What is it?"
"I need to go back early and double-check the project handover details."
His brow furrowed. "Does your family have no one else to handle this? Why does everything fall on you?"
She smiled. "Just this once. Besides, after this, the family will probably reward me."
She squeezed his hand. "How about the day after tomorrow?"
She had plans with Ji Yan tomorrow. Though the day after was a Monday, she likely wouldn’t be working for the next few days.
He gave a slight nod. "Fine, the day after."
---
"She met with He Siyu?!" Nan Zhenming was almost incredulous.
Uncle Zheng showed him the photos taken with his phone. "Look, Mr. Nan. I followed her and saw the young miss hugging him."
Nan Zhenming stared at the photo. Though Nan Sangning’s face wasn’t clear, He Siyu’s was unmistakable!
Nan Sangning had actually gotten close to He Siyu?!
She really had some tricks up her sleeve!
No wonder she had been so confident about uncovering the truth within two days—she had someone backing her.
If He Siyu stepped in, Greer would likely bend to his influence and reveal the truth. Then, Nan Zhenming would be finished!
His face paled.
Uncle Zheng chuckled awkwardly. "Isn’t it good that the young miss has connected with He Siyu? The Nan Family could avoid so many detours."
Nan Zhenming gritted his teeth. "If she really had a solid connection, she wouldn’t be sneaking around. What status does the He Family hold? Would they even glance at the Nan Family? He Siyu probably has no intention of marrying her."
Otherwise, it would have been made public long ago.
Everyone in their circles knew the He Family planned to ally with the Lin Family through marriage.
But even if He Siyu didn’t plan to marry her, judging from the photo, his concerned expression suggested he wouldn’t stand by idly.
She was probably already crying in his arms about her grievances. For He Siyu, investigating this matter would be no challenge.
After all, Greer wouldn’t risk offending He Siyu by hiding the truth.
Nan Zhenming broke into a cold sweat. No—if He Siyu intervened, Greer might sell him out in an instant.
He had to act before He Siyu did.
Nan Zhenming rushed out in a panic.
Just as he stepped out of the Nan residence, he collided with someone.
"Ah—sorry, Mr. Nan! My apologies!" Lin Yuan hurriedly bowed.
Nan Zhenming glared at him. "Who are you?"
"I’m Lin Yuan. Manager Nan asked me to deliver some documents. It’s my first time here, and I got lost. I didn’t mean to bump into you—so sorry!" Lin Yuan picked up the fallen file and kept apologizing.
Nan Zhenming had no time to waste on this nobody. With a cold snort, he got into his car and drove off.
Lin Yuan stood still, watching Nan Zhenming’s car disappear, then pulled out his phone and made a call.
---
Sang Ning’s phone rang on the table. She answered. "Hello?"
Lin Yuan: "Mr. Nan has left. I’ll follow him."
"Good. I’ll be there later."
She hung up and turned to He Siyu. "I need to go home now."
"I’ll take you."
"No need. I’ve called a car."
Sang Ning grabbed her bag and left.
He Siyu watched her hurried departure, his brow creasing.
---
Qingfengrun was an upscale teahouse with a Japanese-style layout, featuring private rooms and a serene, aromatic ambiance.
Nan Zhenming sat inside, restless, too agitated to savor the tea. He kept checking his watch.
After half an hour, the sliding door finally opened, and a middle-aged man in a suit walked in.
Nan Zhenming immediately stood to greet him. "General Manager Ge."
General Manager Ge looked displeased. "What’s so urgent? Our business concluded cleanly—there was no need to meet privately again."
Nan Zhenming gestured for him to sit before speaking cautiously. "Our deal was indeed settled, but General Manager Ge, you must remember our agreement—this stays between us. No one else can know."
"Do I look like I have nothing better to do?"
"Of course not. I’m just being cautious," Nan Zhenming said carefully. "My father’s also investigating this, and it seems… he’s even sought help from the He Family."
General Manager Ge’s expression shifted. "The He Family?"
Nan Zhenming forced a laugh. "My daughter is a guest of Old Madam He. The old lady enjoys her pipa performances, so there’s a slight connection. I’m worried that if the He Family steps in, General Manager Ge, you’d have to withstand the pressure."
General Manager Ge smirked. "No wonder you rushed to see me—you’re here to buy my silence. Mr. Nan, the He Family isn’t someone I can afford to offend. If they really intervene, I’d have no choice but to speak the truth."
Nan Zhenming’s alarm bells rang. His grip on the teacup tightened. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Name your price, General Manager Ge. As long as you keep quiet, I’ll pay whatever you ask."
General Manager Ge dipped a finger in tea and wrote a number on the table.
"The risk of crossing the He Family is high. The price for my silence can’t be low, or it wouldn’t be worth the gamble."
Nan Zhenming’s face twisted, but he swallowed his fury and nodded. "Fine!"
General Manager Ge smiled shrewdly. "Mr. Nan is decisive. Rest assured, the Nan Family’s core secrets were leaked by your daughter—you’re completely innocent. I’ll clean up thoroughly. No matter who investigates, they’ll find nothing amiss."
Nan Zhenming finally exhaled in relief. "Thank you, General Manager Ge."
Just then, the door slid open slightly. A server entered and whispered, "Mr. Nan, your daughter is here. She says she needs to see you."
Nan Zhenming’s face darkened. "How did she find this place?"
General Manager Ge stood abruptly. "I’ll take my leave."
After he left, Nan Zhenming, uncertain of Nan Sangning’s intentions, told the server, "Let her in."
Three minutes later, the door opened again. Nan Sangning walked in.
"What are you doing here?" Nan Zhenming glared at her.
Sang Ning sat across from him, smiling. "What are you doing here, Dad?"
"Do I need to report to you when I meet with clients?"
Sang Ning casually picked up a small round teacup and poured herself some tea. "Is it really a client, or General Manager Ge from Grace Corporation?"
Nan Zhenming's expression changed abruptly—how did she know?
The teahouse had two exits; General Manager Ge couldn't have crossed paths with her when leaving.
"What nonsense are you spouting?! I’ve never had any dealings with Grace Corporation!"
Sang Ning took out her phone and tapped the screen. A recording began to play.
"General Manager Ge, name your price. As long as you keep quiet, the amount is yours to decide."
"The risk of offending the He Family is no small matter. If you want me to stay silent, the price can’t be low either. Otherwise, why would I take such a risk?"
...
Nan Zhenming’s face froze in shock. He immediately snatched the phone from Nan Sangning’s hand. "You—you planted a bug?!"
Sang Ning let him take it. After all, the recording was synced online—it wasn’t just stored on her phone.
She remained seated calmly, watching him with steady eyes. "I didn’t bug this place. I put one on you, Dad."
Nan Zhenming frantically patted his pockets and finally found a tiny listening device tucked inside his suit jacket.
He looked up sharply and saw Lin Yuan standing nearby—he had followed Nan Sangning inside.
Then it hit him—Lin Yuan must have slipped it into his pocket when they bumped into each other at the Nan residence!
He was only realizing now that his own daughter had outmaneuvered him.
Nan Zhenming slammed his hand on the table in fury. "You have some nerve! Do you even know that unauthorized surveillance is illegal?"
"The law?" Sang Ning blinked in mock surprise. "We’re family. Isn’t it a bit cold to bring up the law between us?"
"You—!"
She smiled faintly. "Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t take this recording to the police. You’re my father, after all. I still care about our relationship. At most, I’ll just present it to Grandfather and let him decide."
Nan Zhenming flushed with rage. "Nan Sangning! What the hell do you want?!"
She didn’t bother with pretense, meeting his gaze directly. "I want management rights over Precision Manufacturing and 10% of the company’s shares."
"Over my dead body!" he spat.
Precision Manufacturing was his strongest foothold in the company, and his total stake in Nan Group was only 20%!
She leisurely traced the rim of her teacup with her fingertip. "If Grandfather finds out you colluded with Grace Corporation and sold company secrets, you’d probably be disowned, wouldn’t you?"
"Of course, Grandfather might not have the heart to send his own son to prison. But… you certainly wouldn’t be allowed to keep a single share."
Nan Zhenming’s face darkened further.
"After all, Grandfather has more than just you as a son," she added, lips curving. "There’s Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Aunt. Losing one traitorous heir wouldn’t be much of a loss—he has plenty of other children to entrust with the family’s future."
Nan Zhenming trembled with fury. "You—you think you’ll be spared if I’m disinherited?! You’re my daughter! The old man would kick out our entire family!"
"Then so be it." A spark of excitement flashed in her eyes.
"Originally, it would’ve been just me getting thrown out. Now, at least Mom, Dad, and my siblings can keep me company. We’ll still be together as a family."
Seeing the fearless gleam in her gaze, a thread of dread crept into Nan Zhenming’s heart. "Y-you can’t be serious."
Sang Ning’s smile faded. Her calm eyes sharpened like a blade. "You started this game, Dad."
