Pei Songhan's face instantly stiffened.
He Siyu stood up abruptly, his expression cold. "I have matters to attend to. I'll take my leave now."
Gu Xingchen, who had been drinking with Meng Lai and the others, turned his head sharply upon seeing He Siyu rise. He blinked in surprise. "Leaving so early?"
"Business at the company." His gaze swept imperceptibly over Nan Sangning before he strode away without another word.
Gu Xingchen frowned as he watched his retreating figure. "That guy's been acting so weird lately." He turned to Pei Songhan. "Don't you think?"
Pei Songhan forced a composed demeanor, though his voice carried a subdued heaviness. "No."
Gu Xingchen rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Pei Songhan had been acting strangely too.
What the hell was wrong with these lunatics?
Ji Yan, entirely oblivious to the commotion, tugged at Sang Ning's sleeve, whispering excitedly, "Listen, I’ve had people keeping tabs on Zhan Yijun. She hasn’t been doing well lately—drinking almost every night since the engagement."
Sang Ning mused, "Is that so?"
"Can’t blame her for being upset. Rumor has it Mr. Qi’s son is almost in middle school, and the man himself is old and ugly. She’s probably humiliated."
Ji Yan’s voice brimmed with glee. "Honestly, I doubt this marriage will last. I smell drama brewing."
Sang Ning smiled faintly. "Keep watching her for me. I sense it too—and it feels closer than ever."
"Leave it to me!" Ji Yan thumped her chest proudly.
By the time the banquet ended, Sang Ning and Ji Yan walked out hand in hand.
Ji Yan chattered on, "I heard you moved. I want to see your new place!"
"Give me a couple of days. It’s still a mess—I haven’t finished unpacking. Once it’s ready, I’ll invite you over for a housewarming dinner," Sang Ning replied with a laugh.
"Deal! It’s settled then!"
Their cars had already pulled up, and Pei Songhan personally came out to see them off.
"Vice President Pei," Sang Ning greeted politely.
"Ugh, why so formal? We’re all friends here!" Ji Yan teased.
Sang Ning smiled. "Vice President Pei is still my client. We might collaborate again—it’s only proper."
Pei Songhan caught the subtle distance in her courtesy and forced a smile. "Well, drive safely."
"Will do." Sang Ning nodded slightly, waved at Ji Yan, then slipped into her car.
Ji Yan enthusiastically waved goodbye too. "See you next time!"
Pei Songhan nodded. "Sure."
The two cars disappeared into the night.
Pei Songhan remained rooted in place, his lips pressed into a thin line as he stared after them.
Inside the car, Sang Ning scrolled through photos Ji Yan had sent—snaps of Zhan Yijun taken by a private investigator. The images showed her partying at bars night after night.
A faint smirk curled Sang Ning’s lips as she flicked through them.
The next move was coming soon.
Uncle Zhang drove into Palm Bay. "We’re here, Miss."
Sang Ning pocketed her phone. "Thanks."
She stepped out, bag in hand, and headed upstairs.
The elevator numbers climbed, and her mood soared with them—like victory was within reach, step by step.
The doors slid open with a ding.
She froze.
A figure leaned against the wall beside her door, hands buried in his coat pockets, head slightly bowed.
She paused. "Why are you standing here?"
He lifted his gaze, dark eyes icy. "What else? If my fingerprint opened the door, I wouldn’t be stuck waiting."
Sang Ning: ?
How could he say something so shameless with a straight face?
She scanned her fingerprint and pushed the door open.
He grabbed her wrist, yanking her back. "Add mine too."
Sang Ning smiled sweetly. "Mr. He, this is my home."
"I’m aware. I just want to avoid another incident where someone loses control and assaults me in public."
His voice dripped with sarcasm as he drawled, "It’s bad for my reputation."
Sang Ning: "..."
One hand clamped around her wrist, the other fiddled with the lock. He dragged her finger to authorize access, then added his own—smooth, efficient, no hesitation.
A cheerful automated voice chimed, "Fingerprint successfully registered."
Satisfied, He Siyu tugged Sang Ning inside.
The door clicked shut behind them.
She barely took a step toward the kitchen when he reeled her back again.
"What now?" she snapped.
This man was exhausting.
His obsidian eyes pinned her. "Didn’t you want to kiss me?"
Sang Ning gritted her teeth. "Not anymore."
He leaned in anyway, murmuring against her lips, "Better get it out of your system now, so you don’t embarrass us both next time."
Sang Ning: "..."
Was he serious?
She dodged, teeth clenched. "Don’t worry. I’ll restrain myself."
But his mouth found her flushed earlobe, his voice a sinful whisper. "Yangyang."
A shiver raced down her spine. She looked up, drowning in the abyss of his gaze.
He Siyu’s eyes were hypnotic—usually sharp enough to intimidate, but in moments like these, desire turned them into something predatory.
Every time he called her by that childhood name, she melted.
His thumb traced the curve of her shoulder blade. Her knees buckled.
An arm banded around her waist, hauling her flush against him. His lips curled.
Did he not have her figured out?
His mouth crashed onto hers, hungry, possessive—like he wanted to fuse their souls.
His hands tore at her dress. Sang Ning slapped them away, cheeks burning. "Not here."
They were right by the door. She had neighbors.
He nipped her ear. "Where, then?"
Her breath hitched, voice trembling. "B-bed."
His lips skimmed her jaw. "You asked for it."
"I did not—mmph!"
He scooped her up, carried her to the bedroom, and tossed her onto the mattress.
First night in their new home.
He was very pleased.
---
The next morning, Sang Ning woke naturally.
At ten, her phone rang.
Still half-asleep, she groped for it—only to brush against warm skin.
Blinking, she found He Siyu’s face inches from hers. He stared, unblinking, as she cupped his cheek.
"Awake?" He kissed her nose.
She shoved him away, finally fishing her phone from under the pillow. The screen read: Ji Yan.
She answered.
"Hello?"
Three seconds of silence. Then—
"Holy shit, why does your morning voice sound even sexier now?!"
Sang Ning: "..."
He Siyu’s brow furrowed.
What kind of nonsense was this?
Sang Ning rubbed her eyes, her voice groggy. "Why are you calling me out of the blue?"
Ji Yan immediately remembered her mission and exclaimed excitedly, "Do you know what my private investigator caught last night?!"
"What?" Sang Ning yawned, finally forcing her heavy eyelids open.
"They caught Zhan Yijun and Chen Zheng!"
That woke Sang Ning up completely. She blinked. "Really?"
Ji Yan’s voice practically exploded through the phone. "And guess what Zhan Yijun and Chen Zheng were doing?! They were kissing!! I was stunned! Who would’ve thought we’d uncover their little affair?! I’ve already sent you the photos—go look for yourself!"
Sang Ning pulled the phone away from her ear and switched to her messages to check the images Ji Yan had sent. She hadn’t put the call on speaker—Ji Yan’s voice was loud enough as it was.
Opening the photo, she saw a dimly lit bar booth where Zhan Yijun was nestled in Chen Zheng’s arms, their lips locked in a passionate kiss.
A cold smirk tugged at Sang Ning’s lips.
Ji Yan’s voice continued, crackling with excitement. "And get this—after Chen Zheng took Zhan Yijun home last night, he never came back out. They definitely slept together! Did you already suspect something was going on between them?"
Sang Ning closed the photo. "Yeah."
"You’re a genius!" Ji Yan sounded awestruck. "Ugh, I have so much to say—I’m too worked up right now. Are you home? I’ll just come over! I’m actually near your place anyway."
Sang Ning’s pupils dilated in alarm as her eyes snapped open—only to meet He Siyu’s lazy, amused gaze.
Her fingers tightened around the phone. "Uh, now’s… not a great time."
"Why not?"
"My place is a mess."
"Perfect, I’ll help you clean up."
"..."
A cold sweat broke out on Sang Ning’s back. "But—"
"But what?" Ji Yan’s tone turned suspicious. "Why are you being so evasive? Don’t tell me you’ve got some man hidden in there?"
Sang Ning: "..."
He Siyu frowned in displeasure. Some man?