Nan Siya was utterly stunned. What did Nan Sangning just say?
She actually agreed directly?
Wasn’t she going to fight for her boyfriend and resist her family?
Nan Siya had assumed Nan Sangning would defy all odds to marry her boyfriend, even if it meant tearing the family apart and causing a huge scene.
Perhaps her boyfriend was too much of an embarrassment, and even Nan Sangning found him unworthy.
What a snob.
Nan Siya’s gaze grew increasingly venomous. She had spent over twenty years in the Nan family, yet she had never been granted shares, let alone any real authority in the company.
How could Nan Sangning, who had only returned a few months ago, gain everything? Their father was clearly biased!
The matter had been settled. Nan Zhenming had his assistant prepare the share transfer agreement, and Sangning signed it, securing her 10% stake.
Nan Zhenming glared at her darkly. "Now you’re satisfied, aren’t you? Playing the obedient, well-mannered granddaughter in front of your grandfather—who knew you had such ambition?"
Sangning gently traced her fingertip over the document, a faint smile curling her lips. "If ambition is something you can have, why can’t I?"
Nan Zhenming choked on his words.
As he looked at this daughter of his, she felt more unfamiliar—and more intimidating—than ever.
With a cold snort, Nan Zhenming stood up. "The old man is convening a shareholders’ meeting in two days. Don’t forget to attend."
Then he left without another word.
Sangning tapped her fingers lightly against the share transfer agreement, leaning back in her chair as she murmured, "Shareholders’ meeting..."
In Nan Corporation, aside from her grandfather, she and Nan Zhenming now held the largest stakes.
The tides of the Nan family were about to shift.
"Cheers!"
Ji Yan excitedly raised her glass and clinked it against Sangning’s. "Sangning, you’re amazing! Congratulations to our new major shareholder!"
Sangning smiled and took a sip.
It was craft beer—decent, but not as sweet as a cocktail.
The bar’s music thundered around them. Ji Yan slung an arm around Sangning’s neck and shouted over the noise, "I’m counting on you now! My family’s already arranging a marriage for me. If I don’t like the match, I’m running away—and you’ll have to take me in!"
Sangning tilted her chin up. "I’ll take care of you!"
"Ahhh! You sound like such a domineering CEO!" Ji Yan giggled, feigning shyness.
Sangning frowned. "What’s a domineering CEO?"
"You know, a ‘tyrant boss’ kind of guy." Ji Yan was used to explaining these things to her.
"What’s a ‘tyrant boss’?"
"..."
Ji Yan tapped her chin, struggling for an answer, before suddenly brightening. "Like He Siyu!"
Sangning: "..."
Ji Yan nodded seriously. "Honestly, you’re way cooler than him now."
Sangning: "..."
That didn’t sound like a compliment.
"Anyway! To our bright future—cheers again!" Ji Yan raised her glass.
Sangning happily clinked hers against it. "To our bright future!"
Ji Yan was ecstatic and drank heavily, but her tolerance was poor. After just two beers, she was already slumped over.
Sangning was fine—though alcohol made her face flush easily, she didn’t get drunk quickly.
She was just a little lightheaded.
Her phone suddenly rang.
She answered casually. "Hello?"
There was a pause on the other end.
"Where are you?"
Sangning leaned into the couch, her voice cheerful. "At a bar."
"Address."
"Sunset Bar."
The call ended abruptly.
Sangning blinked. He sounded upset?
Ji Yan pawed at her. "Let’s have another—"
Sangning grabbed her hand. "No more. You’re done. Let’s go home."
"Who says I can’t handle it? I’m totally fine!"
Sangning knew she was far from fine. She pulled Ji Yan up and guided her through the crowd, out of the bar.
Her family’s driver was waiting in the car outside. Sangning helped Ji Yan in and watched the car drive off.
Glancing at the time, she sat on a bench outside the bar.
Ten minutes later, a Bentley screeched to a halt by the curb.
He Siyu stepped out, his long black coat billowing in the night wind as he strode toward her.
Sangning sat there, staring blankly at him. For a moment, he looked like the Black Death God coming to claim a soul.
Was this what a "domineering CEO" was?
She wasn’t nearly this terrifying.
"What are you doing here?" He Siyu’s voice was sharp as he stopped in front of her, his expression stormy.
Sangning, still a little hazy, took a second to respond. "Ji Yan was celebrating my success."
"Quite the place you picked." His tone was icy.
The moment He Siyu got out of the car, he’d noticed men passing by, their eyes lingering on her. A single cold glare from him sent them scurrying away.
"Why are you sitting out here?"
She looked up at him, earnest. "Waiting for you."
He paused. The anger coiled in his chest suddenly dissipated.
His voice was stiff. "You didn’t even know I was coming."
She smiled. "I knew you would."
His breath hitched, his heart skipping a beat.
Truthfully, seeing her sitting there obediently, waiting for him, had already melted his anger.
He took her hand and pulled her up. "Let’s go."
Sangning’s steps were unsteady, so she leaned against his arm. He wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her as they walked.
He opened the car door, and Sangning slid into the passenger seat. He Siyu circled the car and got in on the driver’s side.
As he drove off, his voice was stern. "Don’t come to places like this again. It’s full of shady people."
She leaned back, eyes closed. "Mm."
He glanced at her. She was oddly well-behaved when drunk.
The corner of his mouth lifted as he reached over and took her hand.
"Nan Sangning."
"Hm?"
"You remember our date tomorrow, right?"
Sangning’s head lolled against the seat. "Can’t. Still have some share transfer paperwork."
He Siyu turned to her, surprised. "Share transfer? You got the shares?"
She opened her eyes, a sly glint in her hazy gaze. "I did."
He Siyu was stunned. Knowing the Nan family, they weren’t usually this generous.
He squeezed her hand, smiling. "No wonder you’re in such a good mood."
Sangning’s eyes drifted shut again.
He didn’t disturb her further, scanning the streets until he spotted a pharmacy. He pulled over.
"Wait here. I’ll get you something for the hangover."
He didn’t want her going home like this and getting scolded.
He stepped out of the car.
Hearing the door close, Sangning drowsily opened her eyes, watching his figure disappear around the front of the car.
She was thirsty and wanted water. Her gaze wandered around the car before she absentmindedly opened the center console.
A small velvet box, deep sapphire blue, caught her eye.
She picked it up. The last time she’d gone jewelry shopping with Ji Yan, the rings had come in boxes like this.
She’d even seen a diamond ring she liked, but Ji Yan said that one was for weddings—something a husband should buy.
Hesitating, she opened the box.
Inside, a dazzling diamond ring sat nestled in the velvet.
Her breath stilled.
The car door opened. Sangning quickly placed the box back.
He Siyu slid into the driver’s seat, handing her a bottle of water and some pills. "Take these. They’ll help with the hangover."
Sangning took it slowly, murmuring, "Oh."
"The doctor said the medicine takes about half an hour to kick in. I’ll walk around with you outside until then before taking you home."
Sangning lifted her gaze to him. Under the dim glow of the streetlights, his features looked refined, almost softened by the hazy light, lending him an unexpected tenderness.
He Siyu fastened his seatbelt, ready to leave, but paused when he noticed her lingering stare. Turning to her, he asked, "What’s wrong?"
Leaning back in her seat, Sangning met his eyes—her quiet gaze shimmering like polished glass. "I don’t want to go home tonight."
