Chapter 113: When You Hit, Don

She thinks that saying this makes her appear unafraid of authority.

Daring to challenge a man like Nan Gong Yu, who can decide life and death at a crucial moment.

Men, especially ones like Nan Gong Yu, definitely like women who don't submit!

Moreover, she also defended Nan Gong Jue.

It could be called a one‑arrow‑two‑hawks move, having both brothers under her control.

"Enough," Nan Gong Jue said.

Nan Gong Yu looked at Qiao An, "Are you teaching me how to act?"

Qiao An was about to speak when, unexpectedly, someone tugged her.

She had been facing Nan Gong Yu, but was pulled so her face turned to her left.

Before she could see who it was, a sudden "slap" sounded.

Qiao An was stunned.

Only then did she realize she had been struck hard across the face.

The slap was brutal; her face burned with explosive pain, and even her ears buzzed.

Dazed, Qiao An finally saw who had slapped her.

Meng Zhangfeng stared at Qiao An, "Who gave you the nerve to call Lord Yu by name?"

Qiao An covered her face, shocked as if the heavens and earth had collapsed.

The name… can't even be spoken?

Meng Zhangfeng raised his hand, ready to give Qiao An another slap.

Nan Gong Jue intervened in time, blocking Meng Zhangfeng's hand, "Changfeng, that's enough!"

Meng Zhangfeng replied, "Second Young Master, you know Lord Yu's rules. I find it hard to obey."

In other words, I'm not under your jurisdiction.

Finishing, Meng Zhangfeng, without waiting for Nan Gong Jue's reaction, simply raised his other hand and slapped Qiao An again.

Qiao An felt like she was going mad; she thought Nan Gong Jue had blocked him, but didn't expect Meng Zhangfeng still had another hand!

But Meng Zhangfeng showed no intention to stop, because Nan Gong Yu hadn't spoken yet.

However, Nan Gong Jue, understanding Lord Yu's rules, immediately pulled Qiao An behind him for protection and stepped forward himself.

Meng Zhangfeng's hand could only pause, saying, "Second Young Master…"

Nan Gong Jue looked at Nan Gong Yu, "Elder Brother, is that enough?"

Meng Zhangfeng's slap actually never landed on Nan Gong Jue's face.

At this moment Qiao An was trembling with fear.

Nan Gong Yu lifted his eyelids, looked over, and finally said, "Weren't you about to leave?"

Meng Zhangfeng withdrew his hand.

Nan Gong Jue pulled Qiao An up and walked away without looking back.

Nan Gong Yu withdrew his gaze, expression calm.

Nangong Ren made no comment, merely looked at Nan Gong Yu and said, "Son, come, keep drinking."

Qing He also said, "Yan Yan, eat."

Nan Gong Lin shed tears, looked at Nan Gong Yu, about to speak but stopped.

Finally she gathered courage and said, "Elder Brother…"

She managed only two words before her throat choked, crying, "Are you… no longer loving me and my younger brother?"

For some reason, this made Song Huan Yan's nose also tingle with sourness.

Nan Gong Yu looked at Nan Gong Lin and said, "Then can you also love my wife a bit?"

Nan Gong Lin was startled, immediately burst into tears and ran away.

Qing He didn't chase, but looked at Song Huan Yan, "Eat, Yan Yan, you're still not full."

Song Huan Yan couldn't eat another bite, but nodded, "Alright, Mom, you eat too."

Nan Gong Yu instantly suppressed his emotions completely, remaining very steady.

He continued drinking with Nangong Ren, "Here, Dad, a toast to you."

It seemed as if nothing had happened earlier.

Song Huan Yan thought for a moment, set down her chopsticks, leaned to Nan Gong Yu's ear, and whispered, "Lord Yu, may I go out to take a look?"

She didn't go on her own because she couldn't jeopardize Nan Gong Yu's position.

Moreover, Nan Gong Yu's outburst was also for her.

Nan Gong Yu turned his gaze to her, "Fine."

Song Huan Yan nodded, set down her chopsticks, and whispered to Qing He, "Mom, I'm going to take a look."

Qing He pursed her lips, "Mm."

Song Huan Yan stood up and hurried outside.

Nan Gong Yu said, "Changfeng, follow. When striking, don't let the Young Madam act."

Meng Zhangfeng hurriedly bowed his head, "Yes."

He can strike; he just didn't strike enough earlier!

That woman is a troublemaker, a real pest!

Second Young Master doesn't usually act like this; could it be that his Love Brain is clouding his judgment?

He even quarreled with Lord Yu over such a woman.

Song Huan Yan saw Meng Zhangfeng following, and said, "You go block Nan Gong Jue first."

Meng Zhangfeng nodded.

Song Huan Yan hurried out of the Main Hall, and Nan Gong Jue and Qiao An were stopped by Meng Zhangfeng at the parking lot.

When Song Huan Yan stepped forward, Nan Gong Jue's expression was not good, and he even guarded Qiao An with a hint of wariness, saying, "Anything?"

Song Huan Yan looked at him, sighed, and said, "May I have a word with you?"

Nan Gong Jue was silent for two seconds, then turned to Qiao An and said, "You get in the car and wait for me."

Qiao An seemed frightened and said, "Brother Nan Gong Jue, perhaps we should leave first."

She did not want Nan Gong Jue to talk with Song Huan Yan about anything.

Seeing her like that, Nan Gong Jue felt a bit guilty; Qiao An was the person he had chosen, and on her first visit to the Old Mansion as a guest she had already suffered such a grievance and even been slapped twice.

Nan Gong Jue looked at Song Huan Yan, about to refuse.

Song Huan Yan replied, "Miss Qiao is afraid I might say something I shouldn't?"

Qiao An was stunned, then began to cry, and said nothing.

Nan Gong Jue frowned.

Qiao An, crying, said, "Then you go ahead; I'll get in the car and wait for you."

Having said that, she got into the car herself.

Nan Gong Jue looked at Song Huan Yan with more displeasure and ill will, lifted his foot, and walked away first.

Song Huan Yan followed.

Stopping aside, Nan Gong Jue halted, turned back, and said first, "I've quarreled with my big brother like this; Elder Sister-in-law, are you satisfied?"

Song Huan Yan was somewhat helpless, but calmly said, "Satisfied with what? You two brothers are at odds like this; I can see Yu Ye is upset, so I am upset as well."

Nan Gong Jue hummed, seeming not to believe what she said.

Song Huan Yan added, "He is upset that you ignore his advice, and you don't trust that he won't harm you. If Qiao An is a good match, I think Yu Ye would be happy for you, because you chose her yourself and you like her. He is still upset, and you speak as if he isn't your big brother for the sake of others."

Originally close, trusting brothers, now quarreling like this makes Nan Gong Jue feel uneasy, and hearing Song Huan Yan's words makes him feel even worse.

He sneered, "So you think the fault lies entirely with me."

Song Huan Yan thought for a moment, then said, "It's not yours either. But I'm not contacting you just to say all this. You are brothers, your relationship has always been good; quarrels happen, but you'll reconcile. I came to you to discuss something else."

"About An An?" Nan Gong Jue was actually quite perceptive.

"Hmm." Song Huan Yan nodded, "Don't you want to know why I treated her that way?"

Nan Gong Jue said, "Because of your ex‑boyfriend."

Song Huan Yan said, "Absurd. That's just her excuse to fool you. It's already an ex‑boyfriend; what else could there be? You don't realize how outstanding your brother is, do you? On what grounds would I still have lingering feelings for an ex‑boyfriend and not like your brother?"

"If I truly still had feelings for an ex‑boyfriend, would I be so eager to marry your brother? My Song Family may be ten thousand eight hundred li poorer than the Nan Gong Family, but I'm not forced to marry into the Nan Gong Family. If I wanted to marry, the university would accept a marriage alliance with your brother, wouldn't it?"

Nan Gong Jue, who was actually quite cautious, thought for a moment and said, "What if you marry out of spite, then regret it after the wedding, so the lingering feelings remain?"

Song Huan Yan looked at him, "Are you questioning your brother's personal charisma? Even with my limited understanding of your brother, I know he is lofty yet not authoritarian. He gives others the utmost respect and dignity; he won't force me to stay, and he respects my regret, right? Just as you said you wanted to leave, he didn't stop you. He is truly noble."

Nan Gong Jue pressed his tongue against the back of his alveolus and suddenly said, "Since you admire your brother so much, what do you think… you have several years of romantic history that's become gossip throughout the circle. Is it appropriate for you to marry your brother?"

Song Huan Yan couldn't help but laugh and said outright, "Your brother doesn't mind; what are you nitpicking?"

Nan Gong Jue was stunned, then became displeased; he wasn't a feudal, backward person.

But…

However, Song Huan Yan understood, just as fans are endlessly critical of a star's partner.

Song Huan Yan added, "If I told you that I dated my ex‑boyfriend for several years but only held hands, embraced, and kissed his forehead, would you believe me?"

Nan Gong Jue was completely stunned and blurted out, "How could that be?"

He and Qiao An had been in a marriage alliance for less than a week, and the two had already kissed.

So, I say it, and no one believes it, so there's no need for me to say it.

Nan Gong Jue looked at her; in the night she was stunningly beautiful, composed and graceful, with steady emotions.

Nan Gong Jue changed the subject, "Then why? Why target An An?"

Song Huan Yan did not state it outright, only saying, "Because she isn't as kind, innocent, and pure as you think; in fact she's not a good person. I'm her boss; she has worked under me for two years, how could I not know her? When she pursued Qin Zi Mo, she once spread a rumor that I had a child with Qin Zi Mo."

Those words left Nan Gong Jue deeply stunned.

Song Huan Yan added, "A person of good character would not casually spread slanderous rumors about others, especially about something like this. I hadn't mentioned it before because I didn't want to stir trouble; now I tell you so you can think it through. Don't be blinded by a childhood filter."

Nan Gong Jue frowned, "Why should I believe you?"

Song Huan Yan said, "That's all I have to say. You can ask her yourself; if she denies it, I can confront her personally. Also, your brother's talk of expelling you has his own purpose. Perhaps you can see what Qiao An's reaction would be if you truly were expelled."

Nan Gong Jue's brows furrowed deeply; he truly didn't know Qiao An had even spread rumors about an abortion.

Seeing him silent, Song Huan Yan added, "You and Yu Ye are blood brothers, so you should both be equally outstanding. I have no authority to speak much about the expulsion, but I think even if you are expelled, it won't change the fact that you are blood‑related. That's all I have to say. Take care on the road."

Having said that, Song Huan Yan turned and walked away.

From Nan Gong Jue's stubborn stance for Qiao An and Nan Gong Yu, it's clear Nan Gong Jue was truly moved.

It seems it's the kind of wholehearted, all‑out passion, even unafraid of expulsion.

So I'll hint at him first, hoping he can discover it himself and then convince himself to let go.

Song Huan Yan walked to Nan Gong Jue's car, but stopped abruptly.

She turned her gaze to the car window and saw Qiao An sitting inside.