Wang Guihua hadn’t expected Jian Ning to be so firm in her stance. Though feeling somewhat guilty inside, she stubbornly raised her chin and insisted, “Then this matter isn’t over! I must get an explanation today!”
“Mom, Dad, look at her! She shows no remorse. Even at this point, she’s still so stubborn with her words!” Song Hualan said angrily, her gaze at Jian Ning sharp as knives, as if she wished to pierce right through her.
Jian Ning completely ignored her and stepped forward to leave.
Song Hualan immediately blocked her path. “Where do you think you’re going? It’s too late to run now!”
Jian Ning shot her a disdainful look and replied, “I haven’t done anything wrong, so why would I run? I’m going to find a witness to prove my innocence!”
“Hmph, find a witness! Sounds noble, but I bet you’re just planning to bribe someone into giving false testimony! Don’t drag our family down with your disgraceful behavior!” Song Hualan couldn’t help but look Jian Ning up and down with contempt. This fat pig actually thought she could find a witness! Who would bother coming forward to testify for her?
The surrounding crowd also looked at Jian Ning with mocking eyes.
Just then, Jian Ning suddenly spotted Song Yan passing by the entrance.
Initially, her first thought had been to seek Song Yan’s help, but she wasn’t sure if he would testify for her. After all, Song Yan had embraced her from behind at the time—whether he had clearly seen what happened remained uncertain to her.
Moreover, Song Yan was known for his cold demeanor and clear dislike for her. Even if she asked, he might not be willing.
So, she had temporarily considered Zhou Dahai instead. But since Song Yan was here now, she decided to give it a try.
“Song Yan!” Jian Ning called out and began walking toward him.
Song Hualan couldn’t hold back her scorn. This woman truly had no shame! Even in such a situation, she still couldn’t resist flirting with a man. Born cheap!
Song Hualan subtly stretched out her leg, intending to trip Jian Ning and make her fall flat on her face in public.
Distracted by her focus on Song Yan, Jian Ning failed to notice Song Hualan’s sly move. She stumbled and pitched forward.
Just as she was about to hit the ground—some feeling pity, but most waiting eagerly to see her humiliated—
Xiao Yue wore a concerned expression on her face, but inwardly, she was thrilled.
She had noticed the figure at the back of the crowd. Once he witnessed Jian Ning’s public disgrace firsthand, she was confident he would no longer support any connection between Jian Ning and Song Yan!
The thought made it hard for Xiao Yue to suppress a smile. She forced herself to think of several saddening matters to barely keep her composure.
Meanwhile, just as Jian Ning braced herself for an embarrassing fall, someone suddenly caught her. The next moment, she found herself held in a broad embrace.
However, it lasted only a few seconds before the person immediately released her and took two steps back, maintaining a clear distance.
Jian Ning found it somewhat amusing. For a moment, she couldn’t quite figure Song Yan out. Clearly, he looked down on her just like everyone else, even detested her.
He could have easily stood by and watched her become a laughingstock.
Yet, he had chosen to save her.
He helped her, but then acted so aloof, as if afraid she would cling to him.
The onlookers, who had been waiting for a spectacle, were taken aback by the turn of events. Soon, they all stared at Jian Ning with peculiar expressions.
Countless young women in the military compound wanted to marry Song Yan, and some even resorted to underhanded methods, yet Song Yan never gave them a second glance, nor did he offer anyone any opportunity.
People whispered privately, even suspecting that Song Yan simply didn’t like women at all! Otherwise, why would he still be unmarried at nearly thirty?
It was one thing for him to disregard others, but Xiao Yue had such excellent qualifications and even had a childhood marriage arrangement with him. Yet despite this, the two still hadn’t ended up together.
But then Jian Ning, this newly arrived fatso, actually had physical contact with Song Yan!
Song Hualan was even more furious. She had originally intended to humiliate Jian Ning, never expecting she would inadvertently help that wretched girl, causing Song Yan to be taken advantage of by her!
That wretched girl was clearly doing it on purpose—she deliberately wanted to get close to A Yan! Shameless, utterly shameless!
Xiao Yue also secretly clenched her fists in anger. That wretched girl Jian Ning was so cunning—she was clearly targeting Song Yan! Wretched girl, wretched girl, she would never let her succeed!
Her gaze instinctively turned toward Old Master Song at the back of the crowd, only to find he was no longer there, having disappeared at some point.
Xiao Yue’s feelings grew increasingly complicated. She didn’t know whether Old Master Song had witnessed the earlier scene, and if he had, what would he think? Would he misunderstand and force Song Yan to marry Jian Ning?
At the thought of this possibility, Xiao Yue couldn’t help but break out in goosebumps, her heart tightening with anxiety!
No! Absolutely not! She couldn’t let herself be outdone by some country bumpkin fat pig—absolutely not!
Meanwhile, Jian Ning first thanked Song Yan, then said to him, “You were present when I rescued people earlier today. Now they’re claiming I staged the whole incident. Could you help verify what happened?”
Before Song Yan could respond, Song Hualan immediately rushed over and said, “A Yan, don’t pay her any mind!”
As she spoke, Song Hualan tried to push Song Yan away.
But Song Yan didn’t move. His expression was indifferent, and he exuded an intimidating aura that kept others at bay. Noticing his demeanor, Song Hualan instinctively released him.
Although she was Song Yan’s nominal elder sister, she was somewhat intimidated by this third brother of hers, especially when he wore that expressionless face—it made her even more nervous.
Jian Ning looked at Song Yan, unsure whether he would help her, her heart pounding nervously.
Just then, Song Yan spoke, word by word: “I was present when Jian Ning rescued people, and I saw everything clearly. It was an accident caused by two children suddenly running out, and it was Jian Ning who saved them despite the danger. There was no staging involved!”
Hearing this, Luo Susu immediately stepped forward and took Jian Ning’s hand. “Ning Ning, you’ve been wronged!”
Jian Ning subtly withdrew her hand, then turned to Wang Guihua and said, “You heard that!”
Wang Guihua guiltily avoided her gaze. “But… but the children described it so vividly… they… they wouldn’t lie, would they?”
“So you’re suggesting Regiment Commander Song is lying?” Jian Ning retorted coldly.
“Of… of course not!” Wang Guihua immediately refuted, then seemed to realize something and quickly added, “It must be… it must be that the children didn’t explain clearly! Yes, it’s all these two children’s fault!”
As she spoke, Wang Guihua made to hit the children, who immediately cowered in fear. Dahu cried out, “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me! It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me…”
“It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me, wuwuwu… I don’t know, I don’t know anything…” Xiaohu also started shedding golden beans.
Everyone around couldn’t help but look at Wang Guihua. “Sister-in-law Wang really shouldn’t have come to demand an explanation without getting her facts straight first! Look at this mess now!”
“That’s right! Fortunately, Regimental Commander Song was also at the scene and willing to testify. Otherwise, Jian Ning would have been terribly wronged today!”
“Exactly! Jian Ning kindly saved someone, yet got accused of staging the whole thing herself. Anyone would find that unbearable!”
Just then, Wang Guihua’s husband, Zhang Yingchang, rushed in like a gust of wind from outside.