The entire dining table fell into a deathly silence, with everyone instinctively holding their tongues.
Nan Zhenming's face cycled between shades of green and white, his teeth clenched in anger. "You dare lecture me after committing such a vicious act yourself?!"
Sang Ning's voice turned icy and stern. "A child should not be scolded before a meal, nor a wife before bed. Today is the Nan family's monthly reunion dinner. On such an occasion, Father, are you disregarding even Grandfather's dignity?"
Nan Zhenming choked on his words, stiffly turning his head to look at the elderly patriarch seated at the head of the table.
The old man slammed his hand on the table, his expression dark. "Disgraceful!"
He glared at Nan Zhenming. "Do I need to hire a tutor to teach you basic manners?"
Nan Zhenming stood frozen, his face flushing a deep, mottled red.
"Father, I didn’t mean to—I was just momentarily angry—"
"No matter how angry you are, you shouldn’t humiliate a child at the dinner table. Children’s squabbles are trivial matters. Shouting about life and death over a meal—do you truly lack decorum, or do you simply hold no respect for me?"
Nan Zhenming panicked, forced to swallow his pride and apologize. "No, Father. I acted rashly."
The old man glanced at Sang Ning before clearing his throat. "Enough. Let’s eat. If Siya refuses to join us, let her go hungry. The more you indulge a child, the more unruly they become."
"Yes."
The patriarch picked up his utensils again, and the rest of the table followed suit.
This time, not a single person dared to speak.
The guests exchanged uneasy glances, unable to resist stealing subtle looks at Sang Ning’s expression.
Sang Ning was meticulously cutting her steak. Her movements were slightly unpracticed, yet every gesture carried an innate grace—calm, composed, and dignified. She sliced off a small piece, brought it to her lips, and chewed slowly, exuding elegance from the very core of her being.
Wasn’t this girl supposed to be an uncouth country bumpkin with no manners? A vulgar brute who resorted to violence at the slightest provocation?
Why did she seem more steeped in tradition than the old patriarch himself?
The meal passed in near silence, the atmosphere stiff and tense—yet Sang Ning found it perfectly comfortable.
Meanwhile, Nan Siya remained locked in her room, refusing to come out. She had hoped to escalate the situation and force Nan Sang Ning to face punishment. But to her shock, an hour passed without a single person coming to console her!
Peeking out from her door, she saw the entire Nan family enjoying a quiet, harmonious dinner, and the sight made her blood boil.
They seemed to have completely forgotten about her—their own daughter!
Finally, after another hour, dinner concluded.
Wen Meiling returned to check on Nan Siya. Pushing open the door, she found her sitting on the bed, her face streaked with tears.
"Siya!" Wen Meiling hurried to her side, wiping her cheeks. "What’s wrong? Are you still unwell?"
Nan Siya sobbed. "Mom, do you not want me anymore?"
"Of course not! I’ve told you—you’ll always be my daughter. You’re the one I cherish most." Wen Meiling soothed her.
"Then why don’t you believe me? Why are you siding with her and ignoring me?"
"I do believe you. You’ve always been gentle and honest—you’d never lie."
"So you believe she kicked me into the pond today, don’t you?" Nan Siya pressed urgently.
Wen Meiling hesitated. The accusation was simply too far-fetched.
She couldn’t be certain about Sang Ning’s character, but since arriving home, the girl had carried herself with remarkable poise—far more composed than her peers, even more rigid in her adherence to propriety than the old patriarch.
To think she would openly kick Nan Siya into a pond?
It was absurd.
And Nan Wenyue had witnessed the whole incident.
Wen Meiling took Siya’s hand. "Siya, I think yesterday’s scare must have left you shaken. You probably tripped over a rock and mistook it for Sang Ning pushing you."
Nan Siya shrieked, "No! She kicked me! Why won’t you believe me?!"
Nan Zhenming chose that moment to stride in, his expression stormy. "What’s all this noise?"
"Dad, today Nan Sang Ning—" Nan Siya began tearfully.
Nan Zhenming cut her off coldly. "Your mother already explained everything. Your aunt witnessed it—it was a misunderstanding. What more is there to fuss about? Today was a family gathering, and you threw a tantrum, embarrassing everyone!"
Already humiliated at dinner, his anger flared even hotter upon learning Nan Siya had been the one stirring up baseless drama.
Nan Siya froze, tears still clinging to her cheeks.
This was the first time her father had ever scolded her so harshly—and it was all because of Nan Sang Ning!
"You need to rein in this spoiled behavior. Throwing fits without regard for the occasion—your aunt saw everything. It was a simple misunderstanding. How long do you plan to drag this out?" Nan Zhenming berated her.
Nan Siya bit her lip hard, tears welling but not daring to speak another word.
Wen Meiling intervened. "That’s enough. Siya, don’t upset your father further. He isn’t blaming you. Sang Ning isn’t holding it against you either. Let it go. It was just a misunderstanding. Rest now, and don’t bring it up again. We’re family—let’s not ruin the harmony."
Nan Siya trembled with suppressed fury.
What did she mean, "Sang Ning isn’t holding it against her"?
Nan Sang Ning had kicked her into the water—and now she was supposed to be grateful she wasn’t being punished for it?!
Nan Zhenming left without another word. Wen Meiling patted Nan Siya’s back.
"Rest for a while. I’ll have someone bring your dinner to you."
Then she, too, stepped out, deciding it was best to let Nan Siya cool off alone.
The moment the door shut, Nan Siya snatched up a pillow and hurled it to the ground with a scream.
"Nan Sang Ning! You vile wretch!"
Meanwhile, Nan Zhenming and Wen Meiling returned to the living room, where Sang Ning sat quietly on the sofa, watching TV with a glass of milk in hand, sipping it with serene elegance.
In contrast, Nan Zhenxing and Nan Wenyue’s children sprawled across the main sofa, laughing and playing video games.
A pang of guilt struck Nan Zhenming. He had publicly accused her without evidence—yet she was the innocent one in all this.
Sang Ning seemed to notice their gaze and turned, her clear eyes flickering with mild surprise. "Mom? Dad?"
Nan Zhenming approached, his tone awkward. "About today… Siya was careless. She was frightened after falling into the water. Don’t take it to heart."
Sang Ning smiled gently. "I understand. Siya has always been timid—it’s natural she’d be shaken. I don’t blame her."
Wen Meiling’s heart ached at her maturity, the weight of their neglect pressing heavier.
Nan Zhenming sighed. "I just hope you two can get along."
"I will, Dad. Don’t worry." Her voice was obedient, almost docile.
Nan Wenyue walked over with a smile. "We should get going."
Wen Meiling nodded at Sang Ning. "See your aunt and her family out, will you?"
"Of course."
Nan Wenyue’s husband and son went ahead to fetch the car, but she deliberately lingered, falling into step beside Sang Ning.
Once they stepped outside, standing in the open courtyard, Nan Wenyue’s expression shifted.
"Don’t you have anything to say to me?"
Sang Ning looked surprised. "What do you want me to say?"
Nan Wenyue sneered. "Don’t play dumb with me. After today’s little scene, your parents must feel guilty and have grown closer to you, haven’t they? Nan Sang Ning, you’ve got some tricks up your sleeve. But you should know your place. If your parents found out it was you who kicked Nan Siya into the pond, do you think they’d be so furious they’d disown their own venomous daughter?"
The facade of warmth was torn away, leaving nothing but a blunt threat.
Panic flickered in Sang Ning’s eyes. "Auntie, please don’t tell them."
Nan Wenyue smiled, her gaze sharp with calculation. "Then that depends on what you’re willing to do for me."
The only reason Nan Wenyue had helped Sang Ning was to seize leverage over her. From now on, Nan Sang Ning would be her obedient little dog—to command as she pleased.
"I’ll do anything, as long as you keep my secret!"
"While you were at the He Family, did you see or hear anything else?" Nan Wenyue pressed immediately.
Sang Ning hesitated before nodding. "I also met the Third Young Master of the He Family."