He Siyu’s gaze froze, his usually sharp mind seeming to short-circuit for three seconds.
She said she still liked him.
The pounding of his heartbeat instantly roared in his chest, deafening like thunder.
With a soft ding, his stalled mind finally rebooted. Without hesitation, he bent down, cupped her face, and kissed her.
“Mmph…”
Sang Ning staggered back a step from his sudden lunge, but he closed the distance, one arm locking around her waist to pull her flush against him while the other cradled her face, kissing her with unrestrained intensity.
Breathless from the kiss, Sang Ning turned her face away, struggling. “Someone might see…”
“No one can see,” he murmured, voice rough.
He chased her lips again, kissing her like a starving wolf who hadn’t eaten in months, as if he wanted to devour her whole.
Sang Ning’s flickering gaze landed on the floor-to-ceiling glass door leading to the banquet hall—only to find the curtains already drawn.
His kisses were fierce and impatient, leaving her tongue numb. Unable to take it anymore, she turned her head and pushed him away.
He lingered, pressing kisses along her cheek before opening his eyes. His dark pupils were clouded with greed as he rasped, “What’s wrong?”
She braced a hand against his chest, putting some distance between them. Her flushed face had turned even redder, her voice breathless. “You taste like cigarettes.”
He stiffened.
She frowned. “It’s bitter.”
“……”
His eyebrow twitched. She was complaining he tasted bad?
His phone buzzed, and Sang Ning seized the chance to slip free. “You should take that call.”
He answered impatiently. “What?”
On the other end, Assistant Yan hesitated before speaking carefully. “President He, General Manager Li from Mingrui just arrived. He’s interested in discussing the AI medical project with you.”
President He’s expression darkened. “Understood.”
He hung up, and Sang Ning quickly said, “You should go. I’ll head back too.”
She turned to leave, but he caught her wrist and pulled her back, his dark eyes burning into her. “I’ll be done in half an hour. Wait for me in the car.”
She hesitated. “My family’s driver is waiting for me.”
His eyebrow twitched again, his jaw tightening. “Nan Sangning, is this how you act when you want to get back together?”
“……”
She met his gaze. “I have to go home tonight.”
He Siyu: “……”
She added, “And no more kissing.”
It was too bitter—worse than coffee.
He nearly laughed in disbelief. She was disgusted by him?
Gritting his teeth, he said, “Fine.”
Assistant Yan seemed to be growing anxious, knocking lightly on the glass door.
He finally released her hand and strode out.
“President He, General Manager Li is here. His assistant just asked for you,” Assistant Yan hurried to explain.
He Siyu walked out with a stormy expression. “I know.”
Assistant Yan took a deep breath and followed.
Sang Ning remained on the balcony, reapplying her lipstick before finally stepping out ten minutes later.
“Sang Ning! You’re back?” Ye Qian pulled her into a seat. “We were just talking about going to karaoke. Want to come?”
Sang Ning shook her head. “My family called and asked me to come home soon. I can’t go.”
Ye Qian gasped. “They’re that strict?”
“My sister’s getting married the day after tomorrow. I need to help her prepare.”
“Oh, that makes sense. There must be a ton to do. You should hurry back.”
Sang Ning nodded. “I’ll leave first. Let’s meet up another time.”
“Sure!”
Sang Ning stood and left. As she stepped out of the hotel, a familiar Maybach was already waiting at the entrance.
The driver stood outside and bowed slightly at the sight of her. “Miss Nan.”
Sang Ning gave a small nod and got into the car.
He Siyu wasn’t done yet—she’d probably have to wait a while.
Perhaps the alcohol was finally hitting her; she felt dizzy and ended up dozing off against the seat.
Twenty minutes later, He Siyu strode out of the hotel.
“Draft the investment contract first and have the legal department review it. If there are no issues, General Manager Li will come to Huiyao to sign tomorrow morning.”
Assistant Yan, trailing behind him, nodded. “Understood, President He. I’ll handle it immediately.”
He Siyu pulled open the car door and found Nan Sangning already asleep against the seat. His brow furrowed as he got in.
Assistant Yan wisely stopped outside the car, not following.
The driver set off, raising the partition.
“Nan Sangning?” He Siyu called softly.
She didn’t stir, lost in deep sleep.
His frown deepened. She’d claimed she wasn’t drunk, yet here she was, completely knocked out.
He reached over, gently tilting her head to rest on his shoulder. In her sleep, she was unusually docile, nuzzling into the crook of his neck as if seeking the perfect pillow. Once settled, she sighed contentedly, sinking deeper into slumber.
He looked down at her, curled against him like a kitten, and the corners of his lips lifted. The frustration he’d felt from her blatant rejection earlier melted away entirely.
He laced his fingers through hers, interlacing them tightly, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. Then, almost greedily, he rested his chin atop her head, breathing in her scent.
When Sang Ning groggily awoke, the car had already stopped.
She blinked blearily out the window and recognized the familiar intersection near the Nan residence.
“Awake?” His cool voice came from above her.
She lifted her head and met his dark, fathomless gaze, so close she could see her reflection.
Pushing herself upright, she asked, “How long have we been here?”
“A while.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
He pressed his lips together. “I tried. You were out cold.”
Sang Ning: “……”
She wasn’t that heavy a sleeper!
His expression darkened. “You said you weren’t drunk? You passed out in the car after barely sitting down.”
She rubbed her eyes. “I just fell asleep while waiting.”
“Don’t drink this much next time.”
She blinked up at him with hazy eyes and nodded. “Okay.”
The rare sight of her obedience made his heart skip a beat.
His throat moved as he fought the urge to kiss her.
But she glanced out the window. “I should go home now.”
His lips thinned, remembering her earlier disgust. “Fine,” he said stiffly.
Sang Ning opened the door, but just as she was about to step out, she paused and turned back.
He sat there, scowling.
After a moment’s thought, she slid back into the seat.
He arched a brow. “Forget something?”
She leaned in, tilting her head to press a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.
His breath hitched, stunned by the fleeting warmth of her lips.
She smiled at him, eyes bright. “Okay, now I’m leaving.”
With that, she pushed the door open, waved at him through the window as usual, and walked away.
It took him a second to recover. As he watched her retreating figure, he touched the spot she’d kissed, the ghost of her lips still lingering.
He exhaled, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
Fine. No point staying mad at her.
Not when she liked him this much.