“What are you doing?!” Old Master Song glared at him irritably. He had laid all the groundwork and was just about to bring up the marriage matter! This sudden interruption had completely disrupted his rhythm!
Meanwhile, Xiao Yue had been sitting with her head lowered, sulking. But upon hearing Song Yan’s words, she abruptly looked up, unable to contain her excitement and agitation.
She glanced toward Jian Ning and saw her still quietly eating with her head down. Xiao Yue couldn’t help but curl her lips into a cold sneer. That fool Jian Ning probably still didn’t realize what was about to happen to her!
She was likely still dreaming about marrying Song Yan and becoming the regiment commander’s wife!
How ridiculous! Did she think that by pleasing Old Master Song, everything would be settled?
Even though Old Master Song was the decision-maker in the Song Family, handling all matters big and small, how could Song Yan possibly obey the old man completely when it came to marriage!
“Grandfather!” Song Yan looked at Old Master Song, then turned to Xiao Zhengjun and Luo Susu, saying, “Uncle Xiao, Aunt Luo, there’s something I must say now. If I offend anyone, I beg your forgiveness!”
Xiao Zhengjun and Luo Susu’s expressions immediately changed. They had guessed what Song Yan wanted to say, but they never expected him to bring it up directly in front of everyone.
Old Master Song glared fiercely at him, speaking with overwhelming authority, “Song Yan, sit down!”
“No! Grandfather, I must speak!” Though young, Song Yan’s presence was not the least bit diminished.
Song Hualan immediately interjected, “Grandfather, A Yan must have something important to say. Let him speak!”
“Shut up!” Old Master Song shot her a fierce glare before turning back to Song Yan. “Song Yan, I’ll say it again—sit down!”
“Grandfather…” Song Yan’s anger was barely containable. He couldn’t help but look at Jian Ning, wondering what kind of spell this woman had cast on his grandfather to make him protect her so fiercely!
Feeling the intense pressure of Song Yan’s gaze, Jian Ning looked back at him. Then, unhurriedly, she said, “Song Yan, must you say it now? Can’t it wait?”
Song Yan hadn’t expected this attitude from Jian Ning. The raging fire in his heart momentarily subsided, and what was even more perplexing was that when he met her beautiful almond-shaped eyes, he felt momentarily dazed. In that instant, he even forgot his hatred for her.
When he came back to his senses, he grew even angrier. Clenching his teeth, he said, “No!”
Jian Ning stood up, scanned the room, and finally fixed her gaze on Song Yan. “I also have something to say.”
Song Yan’s brows furrowed tightly as he suddenly remembered something. He couldn’t help but look at her with disgust. Was this woman trying to force him into marriage? She knew perfectly well how much he detested her and what he intended to say. Why would she choose this moment to pressure him?
Did she really have some foolproof plan?
“Ning Ning!” Xiao Yue suddenly stood up, looking at her with a troubled expression. “Whatever you want to say, it’s better not to say it. You know very well what Brother A Yan…” She trailed off, wearing an expression of concern for Jian Ning, appearing magnanimous and understanding.
Song Hualan also abruptly stood up, glaring coldly at Jian Ning. “What more could you possibly have to say at this point? Let me make this clear—stop dreaming! A Yan doesn’t like you and never will. No matter how many underhanded tricks you pull, you’ll never set foot in our family!”
“Hualan!” Madam Song quickly grabbed Song Hualan’s arm to stop her from continuing. Then she turned to Jian Ning and said, “Ningning, Hualan speaks without thinking. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Next, she looked at Song Yan and said, “A Yan, whatever matters need discussing can wait until after the meal!”
She silently signaled with her eyes for Song Yan to save face for the Xiao Family and not publicly humiliate Jian Ning. Otherwise, not only would Old Master Song disapprove, but they would also offend the Xiao Family.
Madam Song assumed that Song Yan’s resistance to marrying Jian Ning must mean he had already fallen for Xiao Yue. In that case, it was even more important not to antagonize the Xiao Family, since they would become in-laws eventually!
Thinking this, Madam Song hurriedly stood up to mediate. “Alright, alright. A Yan, Ningning, both of you sit down. Whatever needs to be said can wait until after dinner!”
As she spoke, Madam Song firmly pressed Song Yan back into his seat, then went to pull Jian Ning down as well.
Witnessing this scene, Xiao Yue’s heart sank. No—she couldn’t let Madam Song suppress the matter. Otherwise, how would she get to see Jian Ning publicly disgraced?
She couldn’t help but glance at Song Hualan, who was equally unwilling to let things go. Having painstakingly orchestrated this drama, Song Hualan had no intention of letting it end prematurely.
She immediately declared, “Mom, don’t stop her. I’m quite curious about what Jian Ning feels she absolutely must say!”
“Indeed, Aunt Song. Since she wants to speak, let her!” Xiao Qinghe chimed in.
He had long resented Jian Ning for stealing Xiao Yue’s marriage arrangement. Now that he saw how shamelessly Jian Ning was behaving, he saw no reason to spare her dignity—better to tear it down and trample it underfoot.
“Ningning…” Luo Susu looked at Jian Ning with concern, wanting to stop her but hesitating.
Jian Ning smiled at her and said, “Mom, it’s fine.”
Song Yan watched the exchange, his irritation growing. His frown deepened as he coldly stared at Jian Ning.
Whatever she said next, he decided, he would immediately announce the marriage annulment. He wouldn’t leave her with even a shred of dignity.
“Ningning, speak your mind!” Old Master Song stepped forward to support Jian Ning, his expression conveying that she should speak freely and he would back her up.
“Grandpa Song, actually, I…” Jian Ning paused here, glancing at Old Master Song before continuing, “What I want to say is… I wish to annul the marriage.”
Everyone was instantly stunned, unable to believe these words had come from her mouth.
Even Xiao Yue and Song Hualan were shocked. They had assumed Jian Ning would do anything to marry into the Song Family—who could have imagined she would propose annulling the engagement?
Old Master Song hadn’t expected this either, but he quickly recovered, his gaze toward Jian Ning now filled with increased admiration.
He hadn’t been wrong about her—this girl was truly extraordinary!
Song Yan also stared at Jian Ning in astonishment. For a moment, he found himself unable to understand her.
Hadn’t it been said she was forcing the marriage? Why would she suddenly seek an annulment? Which was real and which was false?