Turning Antagonist to Protagonist: He is Both Soft and Fierce-Chapter 202 - 197: Wishing for Longevity Together with Sister-in-law
"It’s nothing, why are you still awake?" Lin Qiao rubbed her aching forehead.
The antagonist’s chest feels like a rock.
The woman’s face appeared soft in the gray night, making it hard for Song Tingfan to look away. His heart started pounding uncontrollably again.
"I... I... Madam, can I take a day off tomorrow?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Qiao thought he wanted to help with the shop, "No need, the shop isn’t that busy."
In the past, if Madam didn’t agree, Song Tingfan wouldn’t say anything more, but this time he spoke up again, "I want to celebrate your birthday."
Lin Qiao was taken aback for a moment, she had forgotten about the birthday. The original body’s birthday was the same as hers, the last day of May.
However, she didn’t like celebrating birthdays, just lighting a candle and having a cake.
She smiled, "No need, nothing much to celebrate."
"We should celebrate, I haven’t celebrated your birthday yet," Song Tingfan insisted.
Last year he wanted to celebrate her birthday, he saved some silver coins, and bought a square cloth as a gift for her.
But that day she returned home very late and kept scolding him, then locked him in the kitchen.
Lin Qiao thought for a moment; since he had the intention, she couldn’t refuse, otherwise, it might affect their relationship as nephew and aunt. She nodded, "Alright, I’ll ask for leave first thing in the morning."
Seeing her agreement, Song Tingfan said joyfully, "Great, let me dry your hair," as he took the cloth from Lin Qiao’s hand to help her dry her hair.
Lin Qiao let him do it, sitting there lazily, she couldn’t help but sigh internally at how she was "retiring" early.
A woman’s hair is different from a man’s, seemingly softer. Song Tingfan wiped gently, afraid of hurting her.
The night slowly cloaked their silhouettes, merging them into one.
...
The sky brightened, and the red sun emerged.
After eating the birthday eggs cooked by Song Qin, Lin Qiao went to the school to request leave from Cheng Sheng. He nodded after hearing her out, "Madam Tingfan, I want to discuss something with you."
"What is it?" Lin Qiao looked at him in confusion.
Meeting her beautiful almond eyes, Cheng Sheng paused for a moment, then quickly averted his gaze, "It’s like this, Tingfan is doing quite well in his studies; he could study at a private school in town."
Village schools only taught children to read some words, but for an official career, one couldn’t continue studying at the village school.
Song Tingfan was bright and willing to learn, much better than the other children in the village, with hopes for an official career.
This wasn’t the first time Lin Qiao considered this, not necessarily for an official career.
More so considering the other children’s progress in the village, teaching the same text repeatedly wasn’t much for learning.
"Does the private school have an entrance exam?"
"Yes, you must pass to attend, but Song Tingfan should have no problem; he can recite and write the entire text. The private school will hold an exam the day after tomorrow, if you agree, I’ll register him tomorrow," Cheng Sheng paused, "The tuition is ten taels of silver a year; if you’re short, I can lend it to you first."
There are not only Song Tingfan but four or five others from the village whose families can afford the tuition for the private school.
It’s no wonder scholars were often poor; ten taels a year were hard for any family to support. Lin Qiao thanked Cheng Sheng for his kindness, "I have enough silver coins to support Tingfan’s studies; please help me register him."
Cheng Sheng was somewhat surprised at how she had ten silver coins but didn’t say anything, "Alright."
...
Song Tingfan had just finished feeding the ducks by the river when he saw her return, "Madam."
"Hmm." Lin Qiao responded, then looked at the ducks in the river, noting their growth.
They walked home one after the other, and Lin Qiao took a sip of water, saying, "Little Uncle, the teacher suggested you study in town. I agreed for you to take the exam."
Studying in town was costly, but without hesitation, Song Tingfan shook his head, "I don’t want to go."
Understanding his concerns, Lin Qiao didn’t address them directly, "If you don’t want to go, stay home then. I just thought with the shop open, I won’t be home often, which may not be the best care, so studying nearby allows me to look after you more easily."
Hearing she wouldn’t be home often, Song Tingfan bit his lip but still shook his head, "I can take care of myself."
Lin Qiao sighed internally, this child was so sensible, "Alright then, I could stay away for over half a month, and still feel assured with Grandpa and Grandma."
Nearby, Song Qin and Song Rong sensed her persuasion and exchanged a glance without saying a word.
However, both hoped Niu Niu would go to study in the town.
Over half a month...
Unconsciously, Song Tingfan tugged at his clothes, "Going to study in the town is very expensive, Madam."
"Could it be more expensive than Little Uncle?" Lin Qiao teased before saying warmly, "Don’t worry, I can support your studies, and with more education now, you’ll be able to support us in the future."
In the end, Song Tingfan agreed to study in town.
Taking the donkey cart for several days took a toll on Song Qin and Song Rong, so Lin Qiao made an excuse for them to stay and watch the house.
This was Song Tingfan’s first time at the shop, he glanced around, noticing paintings on the walls and the natural wooden tables with a lotus flower in the middle.
"Do you like it?" Lin Qiao noticed his gaze and smiled as she took the basket from him.
Song Tingfan nodded, "It’s nice."
Suddenly remembering something, he pulled a cloth-wrapped package from his shirt and handed it to Lin Qiao, showing a bit of nervousness and anticipation, "Happy birthday, Madam."
Lin Qiao glanced at him before opening the package to find a silver bracelet.
Although light, it was about one tael in weight.
Curious, she asked, "Where did Little Uncle get the silver coins?"
"I earned them by helping Uncle He carry wood, selling herbs, and baskets."
After Song Tingfan explained, he looked at her anxiously, afraid she wouldn’t like it, "Do you like it, Madam?"
"Why wouldn’t I? I’ve never worn a bracelet before."
Lin Qiao’s face beamed with joy, then she put it on in front of him, raised her hand to show him, and asked, "Does it look good?"
"It looks good. Madam looks good," Song Tingfan praised sincerely, his anxiety melting away as he watched her, his brows curved in a smile.
After chatting for a while, they got to work; Lin Qiao was to deliver twenty cakes to Fulaiyun Inn that afternoon.
With Song Tingfan’s help, things were much easier, and by noon, the cakes were steamed, Lin Qiao sprinkled some dried peach blossom petals on top for decoration.
She handed one to Song Tingfan, "Eat this to fill your stomach, we’ll eat outside later."
Song Tingfan shook his head and touched his chest pocket, "Madam, I’m stepping out for a bit." With that, he ran out.
After two or three periods, he returned with a bowl of noodles, placing the extra in front of Lin Qiao, "Madam, eat."
In front of her, the bowl was topped with lots of meat, while his only had scallions, making Lin Qiao’s maternal heart soften, "I can’t finish it, have half of mine."
"I can’t split it, you have to finish the longevity noodles to live long."
Song Tingfan covered the bowl to prevent her from dividing it and earnestly added, "Madam, you must live a long life."
Saying this, Lin Qiao laughed out loud, "Little Uncle, you must live a long life too."
"Alright, I will live a long life with you," Song Tingfan shyly agreed.
