Chapter 338: Complete Upper Hand

Ma Chulong said nothing, looking toward Su Yan just as she was looking at him.

It was as if Su Yan were their leader.

Not only Kong Xiang and the others, but even Zhou Li and everyone else in the car were waiting for Su Yan's reaction.

Whether she would continue to lash out and refuse to let the matter go, or simply let it end here, rested entirely on Su Yan's whim.

"It wasn't such a big deal to begin with."

Su Yan spoke, and as expected, she intended to settle the matter peacefully.

Ma Chulong and Ma Chulan exchanged a glance. They knew Su Yan's temperament too well; she had always been someone who wouldn't provoke others unless provoked herself, but if provoked, she would return the favor a hundredfold.

Thus, neither of them interrupted Su Yan, instead appearing to wait for something.

Kong Yueqing breathed a secret sigh of relief. Although she hadn't succeeded this time, she would be better prepared next time.

However, her sense of relief lasted only two seconds before Su Yan's voice rang out again.

This time, however, she was looking at Kong Nian and Kong Xiang.

"However, I feel that when traveling abroad, Miss Kong Nian and this elder should also provide more guidance to their family members. They are young, lack capability, view things too narrowly, and are quite impetuous. Today was only because they ran into us; if it had been anyone else being targeted so pointlessly, I'm afraid they wouldn't have let it go so easily."

Her words carried no trace of anger and even sounded full of goodwill, yet they were a genuine slap in the face to the Kong family.

Kong Yueqing was merely an insignificant minor character in the Kong family, but she was a member of the family nonetheless. While she could not represent the Kong family in major affairs, her words and actions in minor matters could become a stain upon them.

Su Yan was clearly utilizing this point, maintaining her grace while placing herself completely in the superior position.

Everyone's expression changed. Originally, they had thought that although Su Yan possessed some ability, she was young and thus chose to rely on the Ma family; however, this exchange with the Kong family completely demonstrated the meticulousness of her mind.

Such a person, possessing both schemes and strength, was definitely not to be underestimated.

Kong Yueqing's face shifted from red to white to green; she was so angry her teeth itched, yet she couldn't utter a single word.

In particular, Kong Xiang's tense jaw and cold gaze made her feel immense pressure.

Kong Nian, who had remained silent throughout, watched the confrontation between Su Yan and Kong Yueqing like a complete bystander.

Both Su Yan and Kong Yueqing were people who displeased her; she wished nothing more than for them to tear each other apart and come to blows.

Next, everyone waited to see how Kong Xiang would respond.

After a brief silence, Kong Xiang actually gave a slight smile toward Su Yan and Ma Chulong.

"Miss Su is right to remind us. We were indeed negligent in our restraint and discipline of our disciples during this trip. I will pay special attention in the future."

With Kong Xiang's words, the matter came to an end.

Kong Yueqing's face burned hotly; she felt as though all her dignity had been stripped away. Since they were in a car, she had nowhere to hide and could only grit her teeth and endure the mocking gazes from all around.

Gan Hua shook his head inwardly, no longer feeling even a shred of pity for her.

An awkward atmosphere spread through the carriage. As the host, Zhou Li took the initiative to ease the tension: "I believe Senior Sister Kong didn't do it intentionally. Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, we are all still good friends. Our journey to the Ancestral Land still requires the full support of all you seniors, so let's act as if what just happened never occurred."

Ma Chulong nodded very generously and even began chatting with Zhou Li about other topics, truly acting as if the recent unpleasantness had never happened.

Su Yan faced the window. Because of the black cloth covering it, no one knew whether she was resting or admiring the scenery outside.

"What an embarrassment," Kong Nian cursed, making sure Kong Yueqing heard her clearly.

In the past, even if Kong Yueqing didn't dare to confront someone publicly, she would have retorted a few words, but now she could only force herself to listen.

Kong Yueling cast her a pitiful look but did not speak to comfort her.

In truth, she really didn't understand why Kong Yueqing would go out of her way to provoke Su Yan and the people from the Ma family.

No, Kong Yueqing hadn't just provoked Su Yan; she had also provoked Kong Nian. Both of these people were exactly the types they could not afford to offend.

Although Kong Yueling usually appeared timid and weak, always following in Kong Yueqing's shadow, she was not truly ignorant. She subconsciously shifted her body to the other side of Kong Yueqing, gradually increasing the distance between them.

"Uncle Kong, I thought you would fall out with Su Yan just now," Kong Nian said in a low voice, audible only to the two of them, as she sat beside Kong Xiang.

Although Kong Nian was happy to see Kong Yueqing humiliated in public, Kong Xiang's attitude toward Su Yan was clearly beyond her expectations.

Kong Xiang's expression remained unchanged as he explained, "It is better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Besides, it would not be wise to let Su Yan take notice of us too early."

"So, Uncle Kong, you agree with my previous plan, right?" Kong Nian confirmed with him once more.

Regarding the matter she had mentioned, Kong Xiang had said he needed to consult the Clan Leader. Although his answer was affirmative, she always felt that his performance lacked conviction.

To her, this was the most important opportunity of her life, and she would not allow even the slightest mishap.

A deliberate, kind smile appeared on Kong Xiang's face. "Miss, I have been by your side for so many years. Naturally, my heart belongs to you."

Looking at his benevolent appearance, Kong Nian felt that perhaps she had truly been too sensitive and suspicious.

She had, after all, been raised under Kong Xiang's watch. With over a decade of relationship, how could he not help her?

"Uncle Kong, I have always regarded you as my own uncle. I am truly counting on you this time."

With her current strength, it would be absolutely impossible for her to gain the upper hand in a direct confrontation with Su Yan, so she had to utilize people like Kong Xiang and Gan Hua.

"That naturally does not require your command, Miss. However, please do not act rashly. It is best to follow my arrangements for everything," Kong Xiang said, deliberately emphasizing his voice at the end to remind Kong Nian.

Kong Nian felt much more at ease. She nodded in agreement, her sinister gaze sweeping past Ma Chulan to land on Su Yan.

Once she obtained those eyes and the energy within them, she would tell Su Yan that she was actually Gu Yang's "Little Sister Yan-yan" from childhood, and that the so-called engagement actually belonged to her and Gu Yang.

When that time came, she would watch with her own eyes as Su Yan fell into hell, with no possibility of ever rising again.

After avoiding Kong Nian's gaze, all the expressions on Kong Xiang's face slowly receded, finally being covered by a layer of ice.

Su Yan, of course, sensed the hostility coming from Kong Nian, but she didn't even give her a single glance.

(End of Chapter)