Turning Antagonist to Protagonist: He is Both Soft and Fierce-Chapter 168 - 163: This Time the Act Backfired

As soon as the Ruyi Shop’s exhibition ended, Lin Qiao didn’t wait to settle the money; she just said she’d settle it all when she came to pick up the blueprints later.

Chun Niang, thinking they had been working hard recently, planned to go to the inn together for a meal. Unexpectedly, Lin Qiao was about to leave. After a brief attempt to persuade her to stay, Chun Niang saw her off at the door.

Suddenly, a waiter ran out with a basket, "Miss Qiao, something the young man just left for you."

Preoccupied with thoughts of Song Tingfan, she had forgotten about the basket. Lin Qiao reached out to take it, "Thank you."

After getting on the carriage back to town, she opened the basket. On top, there was a blooming peach blossom, though it was slightly wilted.

She had kidded Tingfan, saying she would come back when the peach blossoms bloomed, and he took it seriously.

She sighed inwardly, glancing unintentionally out of the window, noticing a young man in light blue clothes walking in the opposite direction.

She quickly called to the carriage, "Stop for a moment."

The carriage stopped, and she jumped off with the basket on her back, "Uncle, no need to wait for me, you all may go." She turned and chased after the young man.

"Uncle, Uncle!"

She called several times before the young man turned his head, looking incredulous, delighted yet slightly aggrieved, "Sister-in-law."

"Why are you running? I’ve chased you a long way, nearly twisted my ankle." Lin Qiao’s tears came just like that, looking even more aggrieved than the young man.

Ah! The young rebellious heart is soft, especially when seeing someone cry.

She didn’t realize it was only her tears that affected him.

Before he could speak, she choked out, "Seeing you, Uncle, made me so happy, yet you turn and walk away, not responding when I call."

"Uncle, did you misunderstand me seeing me talk to Brother Xu? He’s been buying me food these days, and I wanted to explain that I won’t marry again this life..."

Before she finished, she couldn’t help but bow her head and sob, sneaking a glance at his reaction from the corner of her eye.

The young man stood there, dumbfounded.

Sister-in-law hadn’t abandoned him, hadn’t refused to return home.

As he realized this, all his chaotic emotions were swept away, and he quickly said, "Sister-in-law, which foot did you twist? Let me see."

Lin Qiao acted angry, turning aside with a little pout, "Uncle, why do you care about me now? You ran so fast just now."

"Sister-in-law, I was wrong. I thought..." Song Tingfan looked guilty, clutching the hem of his clothes.

"Thought I would leave with another man? Is that how you see me? If so, I might as well find a river and die."

Lin Qiao’s sobbing intensified, seeming to pour out all her grievances.

Upon hearing Sister-in-law mention death, Song Tingfan grabbed her without thinking, anxiously saying, "Don’t, Sister-in-law, I was wrong, truly wrong. I was just afraid you wouldn’t come home, that you’d leave me."

"Father, Mother, Brother are all gone; I only have you, Sister-in-law. I was wrong; hit me, scold me, just don’t think about doing something rash."

It must be said Lin Qiao’s "accusatory reversal" was flawlessly executed; guilt, self-blame, and heartache filled the young man.

With her hand grasped, Lin Qiao struggled slightly, tugging, "Let me go; I’ll find somewhere to cool off."

Song Tingfan refused to let go, only holding tighter, "I won’t let go."

Her wrist ached, causing Lin Qiao to frown; he really did have quite a grip.

For a moment, they were at a standoff. Feeling this scene was about over, she lowered her head, "I’m not angry with you anymore; let me go. I won’t do anything rash."

Her wrist hurt.

After pausing, she added, "I still need to take care of you, to see Grandpa and Grandma off."

Song Tingfan couldn’t hold back his tears, "Sister-in-law..."

"There, there, don’t cry, it’s alright." Lin Qiao composed herself and patted his back gently.

Song Tingfan pursed his lips and nodded, "Sister-in-law, which foot did you twist?"

"It’s fine. It’ll be okay with a little rest. Let’s find a carriage to go back; I was so busy chasing you, I forgot to ask the driver for a refund." Lin Qiao was genuinely annoyed at this; just a short ride and five cents were gone.

Normally, Song Tingfan was thrifty with even one cent, but now, all he could think about was Sister-in-law’s twisted foot. He took the basket, "Sister-in-law, I’ll carry you."

"No..."

Before Lin Qiao could finish her words, she’d been lifted onto his back, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

"..."

He does have a bit of that protagonist feel now.

Once Song Tingfan had her on his back and the basket over his arm, he began cautiously making his way towards the county town.

Though they hadn’t ridden the carriage for long, walking took a fraction of an hour, and by then, the sun had begun to set. The carriages at the town’s gate had all left for the day.

They would have to wait for the next day’s carriage.

The two had no choice but to find an inn to stay the night, as always, a room with two beds.

After setting Lin Qiao on the bed, Song Tingfan knelt down, intending to take off her shoe and check her foot.

Lin Qiao wasn’t actually sprained and didn’t dare let him see, quickly pulling him up, "Uncle, no, it’s inappropriate."

A flimsy excuse, indeed, one she hadn’t bothered with before, but simple enough to fool the straightforward Song Tingfan.

He paused, hesitantly, "Sister-in-law, I won’t tell anyone."

The insistence to see her foot was clear.

Without panic, she felt somewhat embarrassed, "Uncle, I have socks on, just pinch it a bit." Pointing to her left foot.

This sufficed; Song Tingfan said no more. Removing the cloth shoe, he gently pinched her foot, turning it slightly. Lin Qiao winced, "Ouch, ouch, ouch..."

Hearing her, Song Tingfan lightened his touch, worriedly asking, "Sister-in-law, hold on, I’ll set it right."

Having twisted his ankle on the mountain occasionally, he was skilled at setting it properly.

Before Lin Qiao could speak, a sharp pain shot through her foot, prompting an involuntary yelp, and her eyes brimmed with tears.

Make no mistake, she wasn’t acting—these were genuine tears.

Song Tingfan, seeing her pain, asked, "Sister-in-law, does it still hurt?"

Of course!

Having a perfectly fine foot snapped back into place, how could it not?

Lin Qiao grew agitated; this act had been a misstep.

Though it hurt initially, it soon subsided.

Suddenly, a loud "grumble" echoed in the room. Lin Qiao turned to the source: the young man on the chair, clutching his stomach, looking embarrassed.

"Did you skip lunch?"

Song Tingfan hadn’t eaten breakfast either, eager to see his sister-in-law early.

Not wanting her to worry, especially after making her cry earlier, he fibbed, "I ate."

Speaking of lunch, he remembered something, rummaging through the basket. He quickly found a bowl of pancakes, sniffed it, still good, and offered it to Lin Qiao, "Sister-in-law, you eat."

The egg crepe was thin. Lin Qiao rolled it up, bringing it to his mouth, "Let’s eat together."

After he took a bite, she rolled one for herself. The taste was decent, though not quite like Song Qin’s egg crepes.

Since Song Qin hadn’t made it, it had to be Song Tingfan.

Pretending ignorance, she praised, "The egg pancake is delicious. I could eat several."

"Sister-in-law, you like it?" Song Tingfan watched her, his eyes full of hope.

Lin Qiao nodded without hesitation, "I like it."

Delighted that Sister-in-law enjoyed his pancakes, Song Tingfan grinned broadly, then handed her the bowl, "If you like it, eat more. The rest is all yours."

Had he not already bitten into the egg pancake, he would’ve undoubtedly given everything to her.