In the study.
Ning Xuan looked at Ning Zefeng sitting at the desk, feeling a bit impatient deep down. He had just expressed his stance to his sister, but before he could follow up, this old man called him into the study. Naturally, he couldn't afford to act too immature in front of his sister.
"Seeing you and An Er getting along well, I can finally feel relieved a bit," Ning Zefeng leaned back in his chair, his usual strong and calm demeanor cracking, revealing a tired expression.
Ning Xuan's eyes revealed some mockery. He had long seen through this man's incompetence... Over the years, Ning Zefeng had been causing trouble for him behind his back, and with his support, managing the Ning family for so many years was already a stretch for him and his mediocre abilities.
"I called you here today to discuss something with you," Ning Zefeng sighed and slowly spoke. "I know about your second uncle's schemes over the years, but for the sake of Ning family's unity and reputation, and with our father still around, I turned a blind eye... But I didn't expect him to involve you and An Er. He has crossed my bottom line!"
As Ning Zefeng spoke, his voice grew lower, and there was a struggle and desperation in his eyes.
"So... what do you intend to do?" Ning Xuan spoke up, his tone indifferent. "Father is preparing for the upcoming bidding meeting, a crucial project. Your second uncle has his eyes on it. I want to entrust it to you. If you can handle it well, you'll have a chance to impress Father. This is a test he has set to choose his successor."
Watching the boy show little interest, casually fiddling with the items on the desk, Ning Zefeng frowned, his tone becoming stern. "I'm talking to you! Ning Xuan, are you listening?"
At the words, Ning Xuan lazily lifted his eyelids, casting a glance at the man opposite him. His expression was cold and indifferent, making Ning Zefeng hesitate to meet his gaze directly.
"I'm not interested, but you can give it to my sister. I'll help her," his tone naturally carried an unchallengeable meaning, as if he wasn't discussing with him but rather issuing a command as a superior.
Ning Zefeng felt uncomfortable. His son seemed to have no respect for him at all. He was the head of the Ning family, and his subordinates wouldn't dare to breathe heavily in front of him. Outside, many people flattered and appeased him with false respect.
But his son didn't respect him, even speaking to him in this tone, which made him feel frustrated and a bit offended, more importantly...
"No! An Er can't participate! She... she just needs to be a good mistress of the Ning family and shouldn't get involved in the power struggles of the Ning family!" Ning Zefeng's tone became urgent, his eyes becoming evasive.
Ning Xuan's expression darkened, his typically careless peach blossom eyes suddenly fixed on him. His black pupils radiated coldness, and his icy gaze bore into Ning Zefeng.
For a moment, he spoke with a hint of mockery, his words tinged with amusement. "Are you so opposed to it to protect her? Or is it because you have an absolute reason not to let her inherit the Ning family?"
Ning Xuan taunted as he approached, each step as if treading on Ning Zefeng's nerves, making him breathless, his breathing suddenly heavy.
Until the boy stood beside him, leaned down, his noble demeanor revealing a few words in his ear...
Ning Xuan watched with satisfaction as Ning Zefeng's face changed color. It was as if someone had suddenly grabbed his neck, his face quickly reddened, then cooled down, turning pale, the muscles on his face trembling with tension, veins popping on his forehead.
He trembled his lips, somewhat incredulously, "How much... How much do you know?"
Ning Xuan smiled, malice gleaming in his eyes.
"Heh. Secrets are secrets because they're unspeakable... Since you choose to keep it secret, then don't ever say it, don't let her know," he said finally, his gaze sharp and fierce.
"I'm capable of anything, and I don't want to play any filial piety game with you. Ning Zefeng, the position of the head of the Ning family, I'll take it for Ning An."
Ning Zefeng collapsed like a deflated balloon, slumping in his chair, weakly struggling. "Ning Xuan, you're handing the entire Ning family over to others. You're my only son. I'll help you pave the way for everything and ensure you smoothly take over the Ning family. What are you doing this for?"
What was the Ning family? Even if you put together the major families in Huaijiang, he wasn't interested.
Ning Xuan's mocking gaze stared at the already dejected Ning Zefeng, his so-called biological father. He had given birth to him but didn't care, abandoning him and his mother at will, and he didn't even know anything about him until he was fifteen.
He didn't even know what kind of humiliation, torment, and struggle he had been through. He had seen all the evil in this world long ago.
And now, this father of his suddenly showed fatherly love, which he found extremely ridiculous. He didn't need it at all...
He had enjoyed enough of Ning Zefeng's embarrassed look and didn't want to waste any more time with him.
"Do you hate me? Is that why you want to do this?" Ning Zefeng's voice trembled, his eyes wandering.
Ning Xuan didn't stop his steps. As he walked to the door and grabbed the handle, his voice was cold and his words sharper than a sword.
"Hate? Why would I waste such feelings on you? I just find you laughable. Without the title of the head of the Ning family, you are nothing." Ning Zefeng was thunderstruck. These words completely crushed his body and soul. His forced tough shell was ruthlessly broken, revealing the mediocrity and cowardice inside.
The door closed, and no one saw his miserable appearance. His ears echoed with the words of the boy, and his eyes were numb...
Ning An paced back and forth in her room.
She didn't know why her father called Ning Xuan to the study. It couldn't be about discussing the inheritance, could it? Suddenly, she heard the sound of the study door opening and closing. Did they come to an agreement?
She opened the door but found Ning Xuan standing outside. He was quite proactive, coming to her without waiting for her to find him.
She pulled him into the room and closed the door.
Ning Xuan's eyes dimmed a bit, teasing her, "Sister, in such a hurry, do you want to do something to me?"
He dared to joke like this with her. Ning An looked at the boy's smiling eyes and silently criticized him in her heart.
Had she been too nice to him recently, making him a bit too cocky? She remembered when she was just reborn, he didn't dare say anything out of line...
"Stop talking nonsense. What did Dad tell you?" Ning Xuan's handsome face approached her, his gaze tender and soothing, blinking gently, causing her heart to flutter.
"Sister, you have to give me something in return, don't you?" Why does everything have to come with a price? At this rate, before she even takes over the Ning family, he'll have taken everything from her.
She pushed his face away with some annoyance, her eyes flashing with a hint of anger, making her even more charming and compelling.
"Whether you want to tell me or not, just get out if you won't!"