CHAPTER 444: CHAPTER 444: DON’T BE DOUBLE STANDARD TOWARDS SANG NING

Sang Ning was still in the midst of processing her own shock when she heard Song Shiye’s words, which left her even more speechless.

Although Song Shiye needed to focus on preparing for his college entrance exams, he was also somewhat involved in the entertainment industry. When Sang Ning and Li Juezhou had publicly announced their relationship back then—though the traces were later erased—it had stirred up quite a storm. Song Shiye shouldn’t be completely clueless about it.

"Ugh, my bad, Sister Sangsang. Please forgive me. I blurted that out without thinking just now." Realizing his slip of the tongue, Song Shiye lightly slapped himself on the mouth as an apology, then hurriedly added, "Sister Sangsang, what I meant was, do you happen to know the Manager of the Hai Chuan Group?"

"Not really," Sang Ning replied, though there was a subtle undertone of defiance she wasn’t even aware of. It wasn’t until the words left her mouth that she realized she was upset.

Of course! Men’s words are nothing but lies!

What had Li Juezhou told her when he confessed his past relationships? That he’d been single for nearly thirty years, never even having a crush or a flicker of romantic interest, entirely focused on his work. He said that if he hadn’t met her, he would have planned on living the rest of his life alone.

Yet now, out of nowhere, a luxurious hotel he’d built for his "future wife" popped up. When Li Juezhou decided to build it, he hadn’t even met her yet.

That meant, back then, he already had the idea of giving his future partner a grand romantic surprise. And if that person wasn’t her, then it would’ve been some "her that’s not her."

Alternatively, perhaps his claim of an utterly blank romantic history in his twenties was a lie.

Maybe he’d already had a deep, unforgettable "white moonlight" from his youth, and this hotel was possibly built for that person.

Or worse, his persistence in being with her was because she reminded him of that unattainable "white moonlight."

Once the floodgates of imagination opened, her thoughts surged uncontrollably like a tidal wave. In mere seconds, Sang Ning had conjured up countless melodramatic scenarios in her mind.

She suddenly found it laughable, curving her lips in a mocking smirk.

If Li Juezhou truly had a romantic past, she wouldn’t mind. After all, they were both adults—who doesn’t have a few skeletons in their closet? Cut ties cleanly and move on—it’s that simple.

What she cared about was Li Juezhou being dishonest. At the very least, there was a discrepancy between his claim of planning to die single if he hadn’t met her and his decision to build a luxurious underwater hotel years in advance for a "future wife."

Sang Ning felt a sour ache swelling in her chest. Li Juezhou had deceived her.

Indeed, damned relationships should never be pursued, never be experienced!

Now look what happened—she seemed to honestly care about Li Juezhou, so much so that her emotions were easily swayed by a man.

Sang Ning suddenly remembered an old saying: "Men’s infatuation is easy to shake off; women’s infatuation clings like a curse."

Even someone as rational as her was affected. Human nature was truly complicated, and the human heart the most uncontrollable thing of all.

But she was determined to sever this tangled mess before sinking deeper into the quagmire.

She decided, all on her own, to break up. Once they wrapped up the show’s recording, she’d let Li Juezhou know!

Annoyance simmered as Sang Ning ruminated. Upon meeting Song Shiye’s gossip-hungry gaze, she paused, then changed her tone, "Don’t know him. Manager of Hai Chuan Group? What scallion sprouted out of nowhere?"

Song Shiye’s lips moved, but he picked up on Sang Ning’s displeasure and swallowed his words.

Judging from Sister Sangsang’s tone, not only did she know the Manager of Hai Chuan Group, but she even held a grudge against him!

Since this person was Sister Sangsang’s nemesis, there was no reason for him to bring it up any further and risk dampening her mood.

Li Haidong and Wei Lan exchanged meaningful glances—had Sang Ning argued with their son?

Each of the remaining individuals had their own thoughts.

Lu Yujing was fuming with jealousy, clenching her teeth. Sang Ning pretending not to know Li Juezhou—was that how she’d used her coy tactics to win him over?

Li Juezhou’s intentions couldn’t be more transparent. The hotel wouldn’t officially open to the public until it was ready for his future wife’s use. Yet Sang Ning moved in today, and the rest of them benefited by association.

This was blatantly announcing to everyone in the know: Sang Ning was the woman he had chosen to be his wife.

But Sang Ning got all the benefits and still had the audacity to act aloof, pretending to be unhappy. What a spoiled, arrogant little wench!

Meanwhile, Qin Feng’s face was a study in amusement. He occasionally smirked and narrowed his eyes, looking like a carefree fox reveling in the middle of a gossip field.

Was this Sang Ning’s essential skill as a mistress? To steadfastly deny any association with her sponsor in public, to keep their clandestine relationship a secret? Truly, she was a professional mistress with principles.

At this moment, Sang Ning’s mind was a chaotic mess, and she had no interest in deciphering the gazes of the six people in front of her.

She handed the room key back to Louis, stating seriously, "Louis, thank you very much for your hospitality, but I’d like to check out and return to the inn we stayed at last night."

"This..." Louis appeared troubled, hesitating to take the key Sang Ning extended to him.

Before he could think of how to persuade her to stay, though, she changed her mind again. "On second thought, forget it. A free luxury hotel—only a fool wouldn’t stay."

After all, this was a personal matter between her and Li Juezhou. There was no need to let everyone else pay the price for her emotions.

On a trip like this, everyone undoubtedly wanted to enjoy the best. If she stormed off in anger, whether they all followed or stayed would be a hassle for everyone.

Louis was utterly baffled by Sang Ning’s sudden reversals. Was this the famous Chinese saying about women changing their minds faster than flipping a book?

"Xiao Lu, do you have any prized treasures hidden away? Didn’t you say you were fully responsible for our entertainment these next two days? Bring out your most extravagant offerings to entertain us," Sang Ning shamelessly requested.

If she was going to break up, she might as well make the most of it and milk Li Juezhou for all he was worth as a parting jab.

On the sidelines, Wei Lan and Li Haidong moved aside to quietly exchange remarks.

"Sang Ning making requests this bold—guess they didn’t have a fight after all. We were overthinking it," Wei Lan whispered.

Li Haidong, however, was no longer focused on whether Sang Ning had argued with his son. With a cold snort, he muttered, "Your son is truly something else. I didn’t even know Hai Chuan’s investments extended to New Island. If I’d known earlier, we wouldn’t have fallen into that robbery trap, would we?"

The two of them had clearly diverged into their own private monologues by now. Wei Lan didn’t respond to Li Haidong’s grievance, instead murmuring, "Azhou really is deep. He doesn’t even share the truth with his parents. On one hand, he says he doesn’t want a relationship, and on the other, he secretly builds a hotel for his future wife. How did I give birth to such a two-faced son? Let’s just hope he doesn’t apply those double standards to Sang Ning—he’ll end up paying for it himself if he does!"