Chapter 108: Intimidating Qiao An

She had a very good first impression of Qiao An.

After all, Qiao An looks sweet, cute and well‑behaved, and her appearance is quite deceptive.

Furthermore, when Qiao An is compared with Song Huan Yan.

Qiao An is a Public Figure, a rising actress, and her on‑screen characters are heavily filtered.

Song Huan Yan works behind the scenes, is always aloof and taciturn, and not that likable.

And most importantly, Qiao An has no romantic history.

Therefore Nan Gong Lin likes Qiao An a lot.

Even the argument just now, Nan Gong Lin can understand it well.

Nan Gong Lin is also young, quite fashionable, and very internet‑savvy.

So she thinks Qiao An's remark just now was fine, whereas Song Huan Yan lacked a sense of propriety.

The matter that has special significance between Little Brother and Qiao An, why does Song Huan Yan join the fun and also give Little Brother candy?

Though she didn't step forward to help Qiao An just now, she was still on Qiao An's side in her heart.

In short, she simply doesn't have much goodwill toward Song Huan Yan.

First, Song Huan Yan is cold and aloof, not the kind of person easy to approach; second, Song Huan Yan has several years of romantic history, and she always feels he is unworthy of her elder brother.

However, under Nan Gong Yu's authority, Nan Gong Lin will not say much.

Although Song Huan Yan didn't complain last time, Nan Gong Lin still doesn't have much goodwill toward her.

After the incident last time, she thought Song Huan Yan was okay.

But after using Qiao An as a Second Sister-in-law for comparison, she thought Song Huan Yan wasn't that great.

So when she saw Gu Qinghe chatting warmly with Song Huan Yan, she pulled Qiao An into conversation.

Qiao An was also quite happy; otherwise she would just sit there, watching Gu Qinghe be nice to Song Huan Yan, which would feel unpleasant.

So she started chatting with Nan Gong Lin, talking about amusing filming stories.

She and Nan Gong Lin had almost finished their talk, yet Gu Qinghe was still chatting with Song Huan Yan.

Qiao An became depressed again, thinking there couldn't possibly be that much to talk about.

Moreover, Gu Qinghe only talks with Song Huan Yan, not with her.

Isn't that obviously done just to show her!

Qiao An looked at Song Huan Yan, who happened to reach up and flick his hair.

Qiao An's eyes slowly opened a little, and she saw that she was wearing an extremely precious Jade Bracelet on her hand.

Its quality and color were superb, very attractive, and it could catch the eye at a glance.

Qiao An couldn't help but say, "Elder Sister-in-law, the Jade Bracelet on your hand is so beautiful."

So, was it given to her by Nan Gong Yu?

Song Huan Yan paused with her raised hand, ignored Qiao An, calmly smoothed her hair, then lowered her hand without giving Qiao An even a glance.

Proud and aloof.

Gu Qinghe looked at Qiao An, but Nan Gong Lin cut in first, "That is our family's Family Heirloom. Only the Matriarch has the right to wear it."

"Matriarch?" Qiao An raised an eyebrow slowly.

"Yes." Nan Gong Lin said proudly, "My elder brother became Head of the Family at seventeen."

Seeing Nan Gong Lin's explanation, Gu Qinghe fell silent.

Qiao An was stunned.

Family Heirloom, becoming Head of the Family at seventeen...!

Qiao An looked at Song Huan Yan.

Song Huan Yan pursed her lips, listening attentively to Gu Qinghe.

At this moment, Nan Gong Jue came over.

Gu Qinghe asked him, "Why weren't you with your father?"

Nan Gong Jue replied, "Father was discussing matters with my elder brother; I got bored listening, so I came out."

The fact was, Nan Gong Yu was still scowling and ignored him.

"Oh." Gu Qinghe nodded.

Nan Gong Jue walked to Qiao An's side.

Qiao An, however, looked at Song Huan Yan and said sweetly, "Elder Sister-in-law, may I see your bracelet?"

After saying that, she stood up and walked toward the Main Seat sofa where Song Huan Yan was sitting.

Song Huan Yan was startled, a wave of nausea rose instinctively.

But in this situation, it was hard to refuse, so she remained silent.

Qiao An sat beside her.

Song Huan Yan flicked her sleeve.

Qiao An immediately pretended to be cute, saying, "Wow, it looks even more beautiful this way. It really matches Elder Sister-in-law!"

She had previously claimed jealousy, smeared Song Huan Yan, and now she could sit beside Song Huan Yan and lavishly flatter her.

Such contradictory behavior, she herself didn't think was a problem at all, and Song Huan Yan even "admired" her.

She spoke a slew of flattering words, acting cute, lovely, and innocent.

But Song Huan Yan was indifferent; after she finished, she smoothed her sleeve and said coldly, "Whether it's pretty or not doesn't matter; this is a family inheritance."

Qiao An was stunned, clearly unable to grasp her words immediately.

Gu Qinghe immediately beamed, patting Song Huan Yan's hand, "Mom always knew you were the most understanding."

Song Huan Yan's words are akin to the saying, "A child does not despise an ugly mother, a dog does not despise a poor home."

Now Qiao An seemed to understand a bit; in her heart she only thought Song Huan Yan was being especially pretentious, but on her face she gave a sweet smile and said, "So that's how it is. Still, Elder Sister-in-law knows more."

She was respectful and warm, even lowering her position and somewhat deliberately trying to please.

Song Huan Yan, however, wore a sullen expression; she certainly wouldn't be likable!

At this moment, Song Huan Yan deliberately looked at her and suddenly said, "Have you put on weight recently?"

After speaking, her cold gaze fell on Qiao An's lower abdomen.

Qiao An was startled, almost breaking out in cold sweat, and hurriedly said, "No, no, nothing."

Song Huan Yan curled her lips, her eyes still icy, and said, "That's good. Pay attention to managing your figure."

When Song Huan Yan said that, no one spoke.

Everyone knew Song Huan Yan was Qiao An's boss, managing an artist's figure, so it was expected.

Qiao An chuckled and nodded, "Hmm, I know."

For some reason, a layer of sweat formed on her palms.

She didn't know whether it was to deliberately act cute, or a sudden guilty feeling wanting to flee, or perhaps both—a double‑edged situation.

Qiao An suddenly stood up, "I'll go help in the Kitchen."

After speaking, she walked over to Nan Gong Jue, took his hand, and coquettishly said, "Brother Jue, let's go together and see if there's anything we can help with."

Nan Gong Jue was quite startled.

After several seconds, out of his fondness for her, he said, "Alright."

He said this as he rose, letting Qiao An pull him away.

Gu Qinghe instantly looked displeased.

Song Huan Yan also slowly raised an eyebrow.

Gu Qinghe, lowering his voice, said to Song Huan Yan, "Sure enough, a Small Family—truly can't present a respectable front."

Song Huan Yan pursed her lips, "Matriarch, don't be anxious; some matters are hard to explain."

Gu Qinghe nodded, "Hmm."

Song Huan Yan looked at the two's backsides and felt a bit like laughing.

Qiao An was being clever.

She probably thought that helping in the Kitchen would make her look especially good.

But in a real Great Family, a Top-tier wealthy family, who would go into the Kitchen to help?

Isn't that demeaning oneself?

So when she coquettishly called Nan Gong Jue to go together, Nan Gong Jue was the one who was stunned.

Nan Gong Lin, although she also felt that Qiao An's initiative to enter the Kitchen had a Small Family sense of devaluation.

But she also thought that the Qiao Family was already a Small Family, so Qiao An's behavior actually seemed genuine.

Nan Gong Lin instead felt that Song Huan Yan was the one constantly wearing a sullen expression, holding herself aloof.

Of course, Song Huan Yan married her elder brother, so she truly should hold herself dignified.

Not holding herself would be called demeaning.

Nan Gong Lin looked at Gu Qinghe and said, "Matriarch, Qiao An is very good, very cute."

Gu Qinghe looked at her; although her expression wasn't terribly bad, it wasn't great either, and said, "You don't know about the incident that made your sister-in-law uncomfortable at the hotel?"

Gu Qinghe now felt toward Qiao An that she couldn't like her, but… it was hard to say for now, after all Nan Gong Jue liked her.

She also wanted to observe a bit longer before speaking.

Mainly also to see what Song Huan Yan and Nan Gong Yu meant by this.

Nan Gong Lin said, "I heard from my younger brother. But doesn't Qiao An know that Elder Sister-in-law married the elder brother?"

Hearing this, Gu Qinghe realized that Nan Gong Lin hadn't grasped the twists inside.

But she didn't say more at the moment, only saying, "Let's see and talk later."

Nan Gong Lin became somewhat displeased; she really had no good feeling toward Song Huan Yan.

When Song Huan Yan arrived, Gu Qinghe only spoke to her.

Yes, she is a daughter, and will have to marry out in the future.

Song Huan Yan was different now; she was the head matriarch of the Nan Gong family.

To put it more seriously, she must be deferential to Song Huan Yan, not act presumptuously.

But Song Huan Yan was also haughty, not even pleasing this younger aunt.

Later, when she establishes a family and career, whether she'll be harsh to her is hard to say.

Moreover, Song Huan Yan's romantic history spans four or five years, not just a few months!

She could still marry her elder brother, and the elder brother still protects her, yet she always feels unhappy.

Nan Gong Lin looked at Song Huan Yan and proactively said, "Elder Sister-in-law, we've chatted enough; let me take you for a walk around the Old Mansion."

Song Huan Yan didn't expect Nan Gong Lin to proactively be friendly, and immediately nodded, "Alright."

After speaking, she looked at Gu Qinghe and said, "Matriarch, then my younger sister and I will go for a walk."

Gu Qinghe smiled, "Okay, you go."

Song Huan Yan proactively stood up, looked at Nan Gong Lin, "Let's go."

Nan Gong Lin also smiled, stood up, and extended her hand to her.

Song Huan Yan also offered her hand.

Nan Gong Lin took her arm, and the two went out for a stroll.

Song Huan Yan was actually quite pleased inside.

Her only friends were Sang Wan and Tang Chenge.

If she could become friends with Nan Gong Lin too, she would be very happy.

Song Huan Yan's lips were lightly pursed.

The two walked to the Main Hall entrance, and the servant brought coats for them to put on.

But what Song Huan Yan did not expect was that after leaving the Main Hall doorway, Nan Gong Lin led her around a corner and then… voluntarily let go of her arm.

Song Huan Yan was stunned again, lowered her gaze to the empty arm, and instantly understood.

She relaxed her pursed lips, her expression returned to its coolness, and she said nothing.

The scenery of the Nan Gong Old Residence was exceptionally beautiful.

The two remained silent, just walking like that.

Song Huan Yan knew that Nan Gong Lin probably needed to take her a bit farther before speaking.

So she kept silent, treating it as a stroll to enjoy the scenery.

After walking for a while, they passed by the edge of a huge outdoor swimming pool.

Nan Gong Lin finally spoke, "I actually quite like Qiao An."

Song Huan Yan involuntarily frowned slightly.

So it turned out that bringing her out was just to say this, to state her stance.

Nan Gong Lin added, "I feel she is very pure and cute, and also younger—actually younger than me. I've watched the drama she starred in; it was great!"

Pure and cute.....

Song Huan Yan felt a bit nauseous, kept a composed face, and still said nothing.

Qiao An's drama was good; was there no credit for her behind it?

No team effort?

Indeed, outsiders often see it that way; their gaze always falls on the glamorous actors.

Although actors are undeniably indispensable, the whole team's contribution is equally important.

Seeing Song Huan Yan remain silent, her expression still cool,

Nan Gong Lin said again, "At least Qiao An has no love history, right?"

Song Huan Yan: "....."

"She isn't like you," Nan Gong Lin looked at Song Huan Yan, "You've been in a relationship for four or five years and can still marry my older brother; Qiao An must be a bit better than you, right?"

Song Huan Yan's beautiful eyes held a cold emptiness.