After Song Hualan left, Old Master Song turned to Old Man Wang and asked, “Old Wang, what do you think?”
Old Man Wang stroked his long beard and smiled, “Old Song, you’ve already made up your mind! Why ask me?”
“You old fox!” Old Master Song snorted coldly.
Just then, Song Yan returned from outside. Mother Song immediately went to greet him and asked knowingly, “A Yan, why are you back so late? Did something happen?”
“Some matters at the military base delayed me for a while,” Song Yan replied while taking off his coat.
“Oh, so it was military affairs. I thought you had some personal matters!” Mother Song’s smile carried a meaningful tone.
Song Yan frowned, feeling his mother’s words were somewhat strange today, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.
Not thinking too much about it, Song Yan went to greet Old Master Song and Old Man Wang before preparing to go upstairs.
Old Master Song stopped him, “Wait, I have something to ask you!”
Song Yan paused and turned to look at his grandfather, “Grandfather, what is it?”
“You and Jian…” Before Old Master Song could finish, Old Man Wang interrupted from across the room. He waved at Song Yan, “A Yan, go upstairs and attend to your matters. Your grandfather and I still have things to discuss!”
“Alright.” Song Yan nodded, then turned and headed upstairs.
Everyone in the family seemed a bit strange today. What was going on? What did Grandfather want to say? Could it be related to the engagement?
After Song Yan left, Old Man Wang spoke up, “Old Song, these matters can’t be rushed. The more you hurry, the more likely you’ll mess things up! Don’t you know your grandson’s temperament? The more you push him to do something, the more he’ll resist! It’s better to wait and let things take their natural course. That might yield better results!”
“That’s right, Father. Since A Yan is willing to interact with that Jian girl, it means he at least doesn’t dislike her. This is already significant progress. We shouldn’t push too hard,” Mother Song quickly added.
Although she hadn’t met Jian Ning yet, she trusted her son’s judgment. If Jian Ning was really as terrible as Song Hualan described, A Yan would have avoided her entirely. How could he possibly care for her and look after her?
As for being fat and ugly – she didn’t care much about that. Besides, all the Xiao Family members were good-looking. How ugly could Jian Ning possibly be? It was probably just Hualan exaggerating intentionally.
Old Master Song nodded, then said, “Invite the Xiao Family over for a meal in the next couple days, as a Welcome Feast for Jian Ning. Make the arrangements.”
“Understood, Father,” Mother Song promptly responded.
Mother Song quickly informed the Xiao Family about the Welcome Feast. Song Hualan naturally found out too. She had thought that after hearing her words, her grandfather would despise Jian Ning and directly annul the marriage with the Xiao Family.
Unexpectedly, it had the opposite effect – her grandfather actually wanted to hold a Welcome Feast!
Song Hualan was furious. She pulled Xiao Yue aside and kept cursing Jian Ning, “That shameless thing! Not only is she clinging to our A Yan, now she wants to enter our family! This makes me so angry, so angry!”
Xiao Yue hadn’t expected things to develop this way either. What surprised her even more was that the Song Family didn’t mind Jian Ning being fat and ugly. She simply couldn’t understand Old Master Song’s way of thinking!
Song Yan was such an outstanding man. The woman standing beside him should be someone like herself—beautiful and accomplished in every way—not that uncultured, fat, and plain Jian Ning!
But then again, the Welcome Feast didn’t necessarily mean anything. What if Jian Ning made a fool of herself at the feast? Wouldn’t that be even better?
“Yueyue, what should we do? I think Grandpa is dead set on having A-Yan marry that fat pig!” Song Hualan grew impatient when she saw Xiao Yue lost in thought for so long.
“Ah, sister-in-law, I don’t know what to do either. Jian Ning has only been here a few days, but everyone seems to like her more and more. Even if she doesn’t make it into the Arts Troupe a month from now, Mom and Dad probably won’t let her leave anymore.”
“No, absolutely not!” Song Hualan stood up abruptly, narrowing her eyes. “I’ll find a way to make her get out of here!”
“There might be a way, but…” Xiao Yue put on a hesitant expression.
“Yueyue, at a time like this, why are you still holding back? If this goes on, it might be you and me who end up leaving!” Song Hualan couldn’t help but urge her.
Only then did Xiao Yue lean in and whisper her plan into Song Hualan’s ear.
“Good, let’s do it!” Song Hualan nodded in agreement.
…
Jian Ning limped as she pushed her bicycle into the house. Luo Susu, who happened to be heading out, immediately noticed the injury on her leg and rushed over, asking with concern, “Ningning, what happened to your leg?”
Jian Ning explained what had happened. Luo Susu held her hand and said, “Saving someone is a good thing, but you have to make sure you’re safe too.”
“Yes, I understand, Mom.” Jian Ning felt a warmth in her heart. It felt nice to be cared for.
Song Hualan, who had just come out, overheard this and couldn’t help curling her lip. She thought Jian Ning was just being calculating. For all she knew, this whole thing was premeditated—all to gain a good reputation and cling to her brother.
Shameless, utterly shameless! She had to expose this woman’s true colors to everyone!
With that thought, she strode outside.
…
During dinner that evening, Xiao Zhengjun brought up Jian Ning’s act of saving someone in front of everyone. His usually stern face showed rare delight.
Even as parents, they naturally preferred accomplished children.
The Xiao Family’s sons were all outstanding, well-known throughout the compound.
Xiao Yue was no exception—pretty, capable, sweet-tongued, and filial. She was exceptionally talented as well.
But Jian Ning? She wasn’t blessed with good looks, had little education, and was far from outstanding.
Fortunately, she was at least somewhat motivated. Now, with this act of bravery, her admirable qualities could make up for many of her shortcomings.
“Jian Ning, I never expected you to be so compassionate and brave!” Song Hualan said, looking at her. “I almost admire you. If it were me, I probably wouldn’t have dared!”
Xiao Yue also gazed at Jian Ning with admiration. “Ningning, you’re amazing! I really admire you!”
Luo Susu was delighted to see them getting along so harmoniously for once. At the same time, she felt a pang of guilt toward Xiao Yue.
Lately, she had been so focused on her biological daughter, Jian Ning, that she had neglected Xiao Yue. She really shouldn’t have done that.
Thinking of this, she quickly picked up some food for Xiao Yue and said, “Yueyue, you’re just as outstanding as Ningning. You’re both my precious daughters. From now on, I’ll cherish both of you dearly!”
“Mom, thank you for being so good to me!” Xiao Yue looked at Luo Susu with gratitude, which warmed Luo Susu’s heart. She couldn’t help but reach out and hold Xiao Yue’s hand, while inwardly resolving to make it up to Xiao Yue properly and not let her feel neglected.
Jian Ning’s gaze fell upon Song Hualan, feeling that she was acting strangely today. Normally, Song Hualan would seize every opportunity to belittle her, so why was she joining in praising her today?
There must be something fishy going on!
When Song Hualan met Jian Ning’s gaze, a trace of mockery flashed in her eyes. “Jian Ning, go ahead and gloat while you can. After all, you won’t be able to enjoy it for much longer!”
Just then, a series of loud banging sounds came from the door, followed by shouting, “Jian Ning! Jian Ning, come out here!”