“I’ve underestimated her!” Song Hualan couldn’t help gritting her teeth in resentment, then turned to look at Xiao Yue. “Yueyue, don’t worry. A Yan isn’t so blind as to fall for someone like her!”
“I know Brother A Yan isn’t that kind of person, but I’m just afraid…” Xiao Yue’s eyes reddened as she spoke. “Grandpa Song previously said he wanted A Yan to marry the biological daughter of the Xiao Family. Now that Jian Ning has returned, I…”
Xiao Yue didn’t understand what was happening to her. Though she was ten times more beautiful and accomplished than Jian Ning, whenever she saw Jian Ning with Song Yan, an inexplicable fear gripped her heart. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Jian Ning would steal Song Yan away, just as she had stolen her parents’ affection the moment she arrived.
No, she absolutely couldn’t let her take what rightfully belonged to her! Not even the slightest bit!
Song Hualan quickly took her hand to comfort her. “Yueyue, don’t worry. I’ll handle Grandpa! Besides, don’t you know A Yan’s temperament? When he doesn’t want to do something, who can force him?”
Hearing this, Xiao Yue finally managed a tearful smile and nodded. “You’re right, Sister-in-law!”
“That’s more like it. Stop worrying about these unnecessary things!” After saying this, Song Hualan added, “I’ll go back home later!”
A faint smile curled at the corners of Xiao Yue’s mouth upon hearing this.
Truth be told, Xiao Yue actually looked down on Song Hualan. If Song Yan hadn’t been ignoring her, she wouldn’t have needed to go through the trouble of currying favor with Song Hualan.
Still, having Song Hualan as a shield made things considerably easier for her.
When the two returned to the Family Compound, Song Hualan went straight to the Song Family home.
The moment she entered, she shouted angrily, “A Yan! A Yan!”
“Shouting as soon as you come in! What’s all the noise about?” Old Master Song was playing chess with an old friend in the living room. Hearing Song Hualan’s shouts, his face immediately darkened.
Song Hualan hadn’t expected the old master to be home. She quickly put on a smiling face and approached him. “Grandpa, I didn’t know you were home. I’ll stop shouting, I’ll stop!”
“What do you want with A Yan?” Old Master Song asked with a frown.
Just then, Mother Song came downstairs and walked over.
“Hualan, A Yan isn’t home. Do you need something from him?” Mother Song asked gently.
“He hasn’t come back yet?” Song Hualan couldn’t help muttering.
“What? You’ve seen him?” Old Master Song overheard her muttering, and his expression darkened further.
Song Yan usually stayed in the military barracks and only came home on his day off.
Old Master Song had intended to take advantage of Song Yan’s return today to discuss the Engagement with him. Who would have thought the boy still hadn’t come back? It was obvious he was avoiding him, and this made the old man furious!
“More than just seen him!” The memory made Song Hualan seethe with anger. “Grandpa, Mom, do you know what Song Yan did today? It’ll make your blood boil when I tell you!”
“What did he do?”
Mother Song poured a glass of water for Song Hualan and handed it to her. “Have some water and tell us slowly.”
Song Hualan took the glass and gulped it down in one go. After catching her breath, she said, “You know Jian Ning, right?”
“Of course. She’s the biological daughter your in-laws just found, isn’t she? What about her? What does she have to do with this?” Mother Song asked in surprise.
Hearing Jian Ning’s name, Old Master Song immediately became interested. “Tell us quickly!”
Old Man Wang, who had been sitting across from him and was about to leave, settled back into his seat upon hearing this.
Judging by the tone, there was some juicy gossip—how could he bear to leave now!
Song Hualan continued, “You haven’t met her, so you don’t know. This Jian Ning is fat and ugly, with a questionable character. She’s full of the bad habits of a country bumpkin—vain and malicious! As soon as she arrived, she tried to push Yueyue aside and bully her! If I hadn’t been there, who knows how much Yueyue would have suffered at her hands…”
“Get to the point!” Old Master Song’s patience was wearing thin, his face darkening as he spoke sharply.
Song Hualan flinched in fear and finally got back on track. “I… I saw her shamelessly clinging to A Yan today, even making him ride his bike to take her to the hospital! Right in front of me before, she said she wanted to marry A Yan and would cling to him! I thought she was just talking, but I never expected she’d actually go through with it! She should take a good look at herself in the mirror—what is she even? Fat, ugly, and uneducated. How dare someone like her set her sights on our A Yan! How dare she dream of marrying into our Song Family! It’s ridiculous! Shameless!!”
Song Hualan finished in one furious breath.
Old Master Song’s face remained stern, but his tone shifted. “You said A Yan took her to the hospital and even gave her a ride on his bike?”
“Exactly! She shamelessly clung to him. A Yan must have been pestered into it—otherwise, why would he pay her any attention? That kind of person has no shame at all; she’ll do anything to get what she wants!” Song Hualan declared indignantly.
Finally, she couldn’t resist adding, “What good could come from someone raised in the countryside!”
“Ahem…” Mother Song coughed twice upon hearing this and quickly shot Song Hualan a warning look.
Only then did Song Hualan remember that Old Master Song himself had originally come from the countryside. She hurriedly corrected herself, “Grandpa, that’s not what I meant. I meant…”
“Enough! This isn’t the time for that!” Old Master Song said coldly.
Under normal circumstances, he would have given Song Hualan a thorough lecture, but right now, he had more important matters to attend to and no patience to deal with her.
Song Hualan secretly felt relieved to have dodged a bullet and then said to Old Master Song, “Grandpa, Mom, when A Yan gets back, you must talk some sense into him. We can’t let him be fooled by that stupid, wicked woman! It’s best to have him marry Yueyue as soon as possible and crush that woman’s ambitions!”
“Enough. Stay out of this matter and go back now!” Old Master Song waved her off, his tone growing impatient.
Song Hualan had wanted to say more, but seeing the old man’s attitude, she assumed he must be just as angry.
It seemed her words had worked—this time, Old Master Song surely wouldn’t force A Yan anymore. A Yan could finally marry the woman he loved!
The thought made Song Hualan so happy she couldn’t help but beam. She promptly said, “Grandpa, Mom, Uncle Wang, I’ll take my leave now!”
“Mm,” Old Master Song grunted in acknowledgment, while Old Man Wang smiled and nodded.
Mother Song, however, watched Song Hualan with concern. With a mind like hers, it was a good thing she had married into the Xiao Family. In any other household, she’d be cheated out of everything and still be counting the money for her swindlers!