Ning Bing'an raised his head to meet her gaze, his eyes frank: "Because you asked, I don't think there's anything to hide."
Ning Yuan stared at him for a while, then smiled and said, "Heh, you're someone I've never been able to see through."
Ning Bing'an smiled and said, "I see through things very well. I told you before, all I want is the Ning family's approval and... the family shares that I should receive."
He paused, his gaze becoming profound: "This is also what my mother wanted. She always felt... that the Ning family owed her."
Ning Yuan suddenly chuckled softly: "Heh, if I marry you, will Uncle be less biased towards my eldest sister when handling matters?"
Ning Bing'an looked at her with deep eyes: "Daddy is a person who, once he sets a goal, will definitely achieve it; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to bring Ning Corporation to its current heights."
He paused, then continued, "If... either you or your older brother listens to him, Daddy will probably go back to treating your older brother or you more fairly."
"After all, it was the eldest brother who was always groomed to be the family heir. If Dad had a prejudice against this nephew, he wouldn't have put so much effort into cultivating him in the first place."
Ning Yuan's voice carried a hint of sarcasm: "But the Crown Prince has grown up. Even if he were the Emperor's own son, the Emperor would still be wary of him, let alone his nephew. So he needs me or my elder brother as representatives of the second branch of the family to show him their submission."
"The reason why the old man didn't say anything was because he also agreed with his eldest uncle's approach. He hoped that the two branches of the Ning family would always be united."
Ning Bing'an raised his narrow eyes and looked at Ning Yuan: "Ning Yuan, didn't you ask me why I can't let my second sister marry me?"
He paused for a moment: "Because my second sister represents the first branch of the family, not the second branch. Her marriage to me will not have the effect of familial alliance or balancing the power between the two branches."
"Although Daddy loves me, he would never allow his children to act willfully or recklessly when it comes to matters that involve the fundamental interests of the Ning family."
Ning Yuan listened, a faint, mocking smile playing on her lips: "Heh, it's pretty much what I guessed back then."
She stood up and casually straightened her skirt: "Have your fourth uncle prepare the initial investment of five million, and the remaining five million within a month, so we can get married."
These words struck Ning Bing'an's heart like pebbles.
He paused for a moment, then looked up, his gaze like a deep pool: "Are you sure? Ten million is a lot, but if you want it, your older brother and the others can come up with it."
Ning Yuan smiled faintly: "Of course it's not just about money, nor is it just about helping my elder brother or the second branch of the family. There are also some personal reasons, and you just happen to be here."
She paused for a moment, then said, "Just as you initially suggested, I can help you truly gain the Ning family's recognition. We can be husband and wife in name only. It's decided then. I'll go and inform my elder brother first."
Ning Bing'an looked at her slender back and sighed softly with an inscrutable and complicated expression: "Ning Yuan, you really are... ruthless and decisive. No wonder the old man said he wanted to produce a second Ning Man'an."
Ha, is this what you call perfect timing, favorable location, and harmonious relationships?
The conditions that my fourth uncle, that old fox, set off haphazardly, actually came true.
...
Ning Yuan walked out of the garden and happened to run into Tony, who was smoking not far away.
She stepped forward and said, "Tony, take me to see my brother. I have something to tell him."
Tony flicked his cigarette ash, glanced at his watch, and hesitated, "Miss Seven, it might not be convenient right now..."
Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow suspiciously: "What? Is there a problem? Then I'll go find Sister Hongyu."
Tony was silent for a moment, then coughed lightly: "Ahem... No, I'll go ask the young master if he's finished talking. Please wait a moment."
Tony turned and strode quickly toward another lounge at the end of the corridor.
...
Meanwhile, in another lounge, a faint, decadent atmosphere permeated the air.
Ning Bingyu held a silk handkerchief in his slender fingers and slowly pulled it out from under Chu Hongyu's skirt.
The handkerchief was stained with some ambiguous marks.
"Alright, it's all cleaned up. Do you need to clean it up again yourself?" Ning Bingyu's voice was gentle as he casually handed her a handkerchief.
Then he reached out and gently helped Chu Hongyu straighten her slipped stockings, and then helped her sit up.
Chu Hongyu's eyes were red-rimmed, still tinged with desire, and she gave Ning Bingyu a cold glance.
He was impeccably dressed, as if he had just finished a business negotiation, and had completely regained his composure and rationality.
Chu Hongyu was furious. She grabbed the silk handkerchief beside her and threw it into the trash can without hesitation: "I don't need it."
Ning Bingyu wasn't annoyed. He handed her a glass of water and smiled faintly, "Drink some water to soothe your throat and catch your breath."
Chu Hongyu, with a hint of anger, slapped away the water glass he offered her.
"Ning Bingyu, if you ever act so recklessly again, I'll just find you a whole bunch of women!"
Chu Hongyu's voice was hoarse, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.
"Splash—" Water spilled all over the floor, spreading and staining the thick carpet.
Ning Bingyu poured himself a cup of tea and slowly sipped it: "This is the first time I've ever heard of someone's lover wanting to find another woman for them."
Chu Hongyu ignored his teasing. She took out a powder compact from her handbag, opened the lid, and carefully examined herself in the small mirror.
The woman in the mirror had a lingering blush around her eyes and brows, making her look exceptionally charming and alluring.
She pursed her lips and began to touch up her makeup, deliberately making it more dramatic.
Her bright features were even more stunning, but a trace of anger still lingered between her brows.
Ning Bingyu looked at her and said calmly, "Although you are beautiful with heavy makeup, it covers up your original delicate features and makes it impossible to see your original appearance. I remember the kind of makeup you had when you were in Shanghai, which better highlighted your superior bone structure."
Chu Hongyu said expressionlessly, "Because the paparazzi could only have photographed Sophia, the senior secretary of the Ning family who returned from studying in Europe, not Chu Hongyu from the mainland!"
Ning Bingyu's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of amusement flashing across them: "You really are... always preparing to cut ties with me."
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