Yu Lan’s eyes flashed with a trace of resentment as she glanced at the angry face of Li Qingjia. She suppressed the pain in her face and turned to look at Nan Yu.
"Miss Nan, I am sorry, I spoke without thinking earlier. Our Song Family truly appreciates your gift," she said.
As she spoke, she bowed unwillingly.
Li Qingjia chimed in, "Miss Nan, this gift is a true reflection of your sincerity. It’s the best gift I have received today. The younger generation doesn’t understand, please don’t be upset."
Seeing this, Nan Yu revealed a faint smile.
"Madam Song, I am not upset. I’m glad you like the gift," she said.
Li Qingjia hastened to add, "Miss Nan, I really like it a lot. You put so much thought into it."
Everyone watched this scene, stunned into silence.
Nan Qingqing too was puzzled upon seeing this.
When did Nan Yu become so favored by Grandma Song?
Yu Lan slowly stood up, her right cheek swollen. The look she gave Nan Yu was tinged with deep-seated hatred.
She took the White Jade Ruyi and presented it to Li Qingjia with a sycophantic smile, "Mom, this is a gift Qingqing specially prepared for you."
Nan Qingqing immediately said obediently, "Grandma Song, may you have fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea and a lifespan as long as Mount Nan."
Li Qingjia looked at the White Jade Ruyi with displeasure, and with disdain, she said, "This White Jade Ruyi is simply vulgar and reeks of money. Put it away; it’s an eyesore."
Yu Lan, holding the ruyi, was shocked and couldn’t help but protest, "Mom, Qingqing took two months to find this gift, it took a lot of time and effort to win it at the auction."
Li Qingjia coldly chuckled and said, "Yu Lan, can’t you understand what I’m saying? If you’re reluctant to put it away, then give it back to her. The Song Family does not lack such things."
Yu Lan, meeting those sharp eyes, dared not speak another word.
Nan Qingqing, hearing these words, felt her face flush with a mix of emotions, fury rising in her heart, yet she dared not voice it and could only hold back her anger, adopting a pitiful guise.
"Grandma Song, if you don’t like the White Jade Ruyi, I can prepare another gift for you later," she offered.
Li Qingjia refused without hesitation.
"No need."
Nan Qingqing’s little face turned pale, her frail body trembling as if about to fall, pitiful in the extreme.
Yu Lan, feeling pity, immediately signaled Song Lihan with her eyes.
Song Lihan, who had been observing the drama, rubbed his nose with an air of resignation, his voice mature and raspy.
"Grandma, I think Nan Qingqing’s gift is quite good. You can tell she put her heart into it. Let’s accept it," he said.
Li Qingjia glanced at her most beloved grandson and said, "Alright then."
Then she turned to Nan Yu and said, "Miss Nan, please take the seat of honor."
Having said that, she escorted Nan Yu inside, ignoring everyone else.
As soon as they entered, Song Lihan stepped forward, clapping his hands to break the awkward atmosphere.
"Everyone, please continue, don’t mind the little interruption just now."
The quiet party regained its liveliness.
And there stood Nan Qingqing, her eyes red as she watched Nan Yu’s retreating figure.
Turning to Yu Lan, her voice full of grievance, she said, "Aunt Lan, Grandma Song and Lihan brother seem not to like me very much. Maybe we should forget about what you suggested earlier."
Upon hearing this, Yu Lan became anxious at once.
Among all the young ladies she had considered, only Nan Qingqing had caught her eye. How could it simply be forgotten?
She quickly grasped Nan Qingqing’s hand and whispered comfortingly in her ear.
"Qingqing, Lihan is my son. I know best what he likes, and he likes a girl like you."
"It doesn’t matter if the old lady doesn’t like you now. As long as you can make Lihan like you, she will come to like you too."
"By then, what will your foster sister amount to?"