"What?!" He Siyu's voice rose sharply.
Assistant Yan felt a shiver run down his spine and quickly explained, "From what I gathered from the Nan family, Miss Nan went voluntarily. Du Yao said that as long as she showed up today and apologized properly, he would let bygones be bygones and even formalize their engagement."
He Siyu's expression twisted in disbelief. He couldn’t fathom Nan Sangning doing something like this.
That rebellious streak of hers—how could she so meekly allow the Nan and Du families to manipulate her?
Not to mention, she had confidently assured him she could handle it herself.
Was her solution really to meet Du Yao at a hotel and agree to an engagement?!
His chest felt like it was about to explode. Without another word, he strode out of the room.
Assistant Yan hurried after him. "President He, there’s still a meeting later—"
"Cancel it!"
The rest of Assistant Yan’s words died in his throat.
He Siyu stormed downstairs, got into his car, and slammed on the accelerator, speeding straight toward the Intercontinental Hotel.
One hand gripping the steering wheel, the other dialing Nan Sangning’s number.
The endless ringing only fueled his frustration. He was tempted to throw his phone out the window. His foot pressed harder on the gas.
"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable—"
He hung up and redialed.
But no matter how many times he called, no one answered.
He ended the call again and dialed Assistant Yan instead.
Assistant Yan picked up instantly. "President He."
"Contact the Intercontinental’s management immediately. Find out which room Nan Sangning is in!"
"Yes, sir!"
---
Intercontinental Hotel.
Chen Zhihan clutched the room key in her palm—the key that could change her fate—standing nervously yet excitedly inside the elevator.
As the numbers on the display climbed higher, it felt like she was ascending toward the pinnacle of her dreams.
"Ding." The elevator doors slid open.
She stepped out, following the room numbers until she reached the door.
With trembling hands, she pulled out a compact mirror from her purse to touch up her makeup. She had dressed meticulously today, every strand of hair perfectly in place.
After one last check to ensure her appearance was flawless, she took a deep breath, swiped the keycard, and pushed the door open quietly, stepping inside.
She didn’t want to disturb the person inside.
Tiptoeing in, she realized the room was empty—except for the sound of running water from the bathroom.
He was showering.
Her heart pounded wildly. Summoning her courage, she slipped off her heels and stood outside the bathroom door, unzipping her dress. The strapless gown slid off her shoulders, pooling at her feet on the carpet.
She pushed the bathroom door open and stepped inside.
Steam filled the air, obscuring the figure in the shower. He was turned away, his silhouette hazy.
Too nervous to look up properly, she called out in a sultry voice, "President He."
Du Yao, mid-shower, froze at the sound of the seductive voice. His blood roared with excitement.
Nan Sangning kept surprising him! Today, she was taking the initiative to this extent?!
So she had just been playing hard to get last time!
Du Yao turned around with a grin and lunged forward, pulling the naked woman into his arms and planting sloppy kisses on her face. "Sweetheart, what’s gotten into you today? Trying to kill me with desire?"
Chen Zhihan’s eyes flew open in shock. Instead of the tall, imposing figure she expected, she saw a wiry, lecherous-looking man.
"Ah!"
She screamed, kicking at him wildly. "Get off me! Who the hell are you?! Let go!"
Du Yao finally registered her face and gaped. "Why is it you?"
He recognized Chen Zhihan. The Chen family had been eyeing the Du Family’s projects for ages, and Chen Zhihan had even visited with Mrs. Chen before.
Chen Zhihan’s face drained of color as she realized who he was. "Du Yao! Get away from me!"
She thrashed violently, but Du Yao, still confused about why Nan Sangning had been replaced by Chen Zhihan, wasn’t about to let her go.
His desire had already been stoked—was he just supposed to walk away now?
He tightened his grip. "You’re the one who stripped and walked in here. Don’t act all virtuous now. You got me all worked up, and now you want to kick me out? What kind of joke is this?"
Du Yao had no gentlemanly manners to speak of. His philosophy was simple: if a woman threw herself at him, he wasn’t about to refuse.
Besides, offending the Chen family wasn’t something he couldn’t handle.
Chen Zhihan was hysterical, fighting with all her strength, but he refused to release her. Just as the two were locked in a messy struggle—
A voice rang out from outside the bathroom.
"Mr. Du."
It was Nan Sangning’s voice.
Du Yao stiffened. What was this? Two women throwing themselves at him at once?
Chen Zhihan couldn’t care less whose voice it was. Seizing the distraction, she wrenched free from Du Yao’s grip and bolted out of the bathroom, shrieking, "Help me!"
Du Yao immediately chased after her, snarling, "What’s with the act?! You’re the one who came in here naked!"
The two of them, still completely unclothed, burst out of the bathroom—only to freeze.
There were… a lot of people.
---
Ten minutes later, a Maybach screeched to a halt in front of the hotel. He Siyu flung the door open and strode inside, his long legs eating up the distance.
The front desk staff jolted at the sight of the impeccably suited, lethally handsome man storming toward them.
Based on past experience, this kind of energy usually meant one thing: a cheating scandal.
But really—a wife cheating on a man like him?
"S-Sir, may I help you—?"
He Siyu ignored them, his expression thunderous as he swept past. His phone buzzed again. He answered immediately.
Assistant Yan’s voice came through. "We’ve located her. Room 2808."
He hung up and jabbed the elevator button.
The numbers on the display climbed agonizingly slowly. Every second felt like an eternity.
Logically, he knew Nan Sangning wasn’t foolish enough to let herself be manipulated. There had to be more to this.
But right now, logic had left the building.
"Ding." The doors slid open. He stepped out and moved swiftly down the hall.
Suddenly—
"Ah!"
A scream. Nan Sangning’s voice.
His pulse spiked. He sprinted toward the sound, reaching the open door of the room—only to find it crowded with people.
Five hotel staff stood around a cart bearing a cake and steak, holding party poppers.
And there, dressed like a delicate doll, was Nan Sangning, hands clapped over her mouth in shock as she gaped at the two naked individuals in the room.