Turning Antagonist to Protagonist: He is Both Soft and Fierce-Chapter 271 - 266: The Villain Is Getting More and More Insolent with His Words
"Daughter, Tingfan treats you well. In the future, be mindful of what you say. Even if this child has issues, he won’t say them out loud; he just keeps them to himself."
Li Guifen glanced at her, seeing that she wasn’t impatient, and continued, "You know it’s not easy for him. He lost his family at a young age, and getting to where he is now was no small feat. Don’t be petty."
They need to speak to Tingfan in the same way they speak to Lin Qiaoxin. Both should show a little tolerance for a good life together.
Lin Qiao was perhaps the only one who truly understood how tough Song Tingfan had it. "Okay."
The two talked in the room for a while before Li Guifen left. Before leaving, she took Lin Qiao’s measurements, saying that it was for making a wedding dress.
Thinking that the marriage wasn’t real, Lin Qiao told her not to bother, just buy one from the town. After getting a scolding from Li Guifen, she kept her mouth shut.
When Song Tingfan returned, Lin Qiao had just finished making dinner. Seeing him carrying large packages off the horse, she casually asked, "What did you buy?"
"Things for the wedding," Song Tingfan’s sharp brows and eyes were unusually gentle as he approached and opened the packages for her to see.
Looking at the bright red fabric, Lin Qiao: "..."
Even if this marriage was just an act, it was still a bit unsettling.
It felt as if it were real.
She awkwardly coughed and changed the subject, "Wash your hands and eat."
The light in Song Tingfan’s eyes dimmed a little, but he quickly returned to normal. He knew his sister-in-law wasn’t eager to marry him, and this was already good enough.
During the meal, Lin Qiao mentioned she was going to the town tomorrow. Song Rong and the others said nothing, but Song Qin, scooping a mouthful of rice, kindly said, "We’ll feel assured if Niu Niu goes with you."
In the past, when she went to town alone, they were always worried. They suggested going to the shop with her, but she never allowed it.
"I’m fine by myself. There are people everywhere; nothing will happen."
Lin Qiao served them all vegetables. Just as she was about to withdraw her chopsticks, she met Song Tingfan’s gaze. Instinctively, she added food to his bowl, "Eat more."
She regretted it right after, realizing she shouldn’t do anything that could lead to misunderstandings, despite saying there’d be no avoidance.
Habits formed over the years are hard to change immediately.
Song Tingfan pursed his lips and smiled, "Okay."
The man’s features were handsome, a bit stern when not smiling. But when he smiled...ah, excessively charming. A flash of admiration passed through Lin Qiao’s eyes, and she thought he looked better when he smiled.
Coughing to regain her composure, she averted her gaze.
Song Tingfan naturally noticed her actions. His brows and eyes climbed with a visible smile. His sister-in-law still liked good-looking ones, just like before.
As night deepened, Lin Qiao went into the room first, followed closely by Song Tingfan. She paused, and instinctively remarked, "I’m full."
Song Tingfan held back for a moment, finally letting out a low laugh, "I know."
"Earlier, I saw you massaging your waist; it seemed uncomfortable. Let me help."
Upon hearing the explanation, Lin Qiao felt embarrassed and declined, "It’s nothing now."
Song Tingfan said nothing further, pulling her to sit down and started massaging her waist.
Perhaps it was due to his age, the warmth of his hands seemed stronger, and Lin Qiao felt an itchy heat at her waist, making her uncomfortable. She shifted, but a firm hand fixed her waist.
"Is it painful? I’ll be gentler."
Song Tingfan genuinely intended nothing else but was sincerely concerned about her habitual waist pain, fearing it might indicate an ailment.
After a while, he withdrew his hand, unintentionally noticing her cheeks flushed under the light, realizing why she was squirming earlier.
She was shy.
She no longer treated him like a child.
"Get some sleep."
When she got into bed, he pulled the quilt over her, pausing for a moment, then added, "You’ll get used to it eventually."
Listening to the door creak shut, Lin Qiao understood what he meant, there would be more times like this when they were alone in the future.
"..."
Had this kid learned outside, now he was surprisingly forward.
However, Song Tingfan, who had clearly learned outside, entered his room and wiped the sweat from his palms, still tense from earlier.
...
Many days passed, the new shop opened, and even with a chef, Lin Qiao was quite busy. The chef wasn’t skilled in making cakes, so she had to handle it herself.
Over the years, the cakes had gained some reputation, and people who visited the temple would always take some with them.
That day, Lin Qiao was bustling in the kitchen when the waiter rushed in, "Boss, the lady outside is urging, says she’s in a hurry."
Lin Qiao had just started and naturally needed more time, "Tell her it’ll be another fifteen minutes, if that’s not okay, give her two small cakes and have her return next time."
The waiter, Jiang Ming, was in a difficult spot, explaining with a headache, "The lady is fierce, she was quarreling a lot earlier."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qiao decided to handle it herself, but Song Tingfan set down his work, washed his hands, donned his waistcoat, and headed out, "I’ll go."
"Your waistcoat isn’t undone," Lin Qiao quickly stopped him. Here, men were not like in modern times, if they wore a waistcoat like a woman, they’d surely be looked down upon.
At home, it might be excusable, but not in public.
"It’s fine."
Before Song Tingfan could finish, the woman reached out, circled his waist, and unfastened the waistcoat. He smiled with his eyes, continuing, "Next time, I’ll handle it myself, you don’t need to worry." With that, he lifted the curtain and left.
Watching his disappearing figure, Lin Qiao felt a bit awkward, realizing his words became increasingly unrestrained since they cleared the air.
After a while, Song Tingfan returned, and Lin Qiao glanced at him, "Did she leave?"
"She left." Song Tingfan didn’t elaborate, noticing her stirring egg whites, he came over and took over, brushing against her hand.
Lin Qiao pulled back, instinctively looking at him. Seeing his usual expression, she thought nothing more.
After the noon rush, a waiter stayed in the dining hall for lunch, while everyone else gathered at the back tables to eat.
Song Tingfan served Lin Qiao her rice, placing it before her. Everyone else was accustomed to this, taking large bites after a glance.
Lin Qiao and Song Tingfan were typically kind, so the workers spoke without reservation. Jiang Ming laughed while recounting the afternoon incident, "That lady was so fierce earlier, cursing loudly before even speaking. But when the big boss came out, he said if she wanted to wait, then wait, if not, she could leave."
"The lady was stunned, then reacted and cursed, ’Who do you think you are? I’d be treated with respect anywhere else.’"
He mimicked the woman’s scolding gestures while describing it.
Then he imitated Song Tingfan, "Fan’an Shop doesn’t tolerate unreasonable guests. If you want to cause trouble, I don’t mind sending you to the government office."
"Then the lady was instantly deflated and left without another word."
Hearing this, Lin Qiao glanced at Song Tingfan out of the corner of her eye. He certainly behaved differently at home and outside. At least he didn’t say to her: Marry or not? If not, I’ll tie you up.
Recalling that still brought some comfort.
