Turning Antagonist to Protagonist: He is Both Soft and Fierce-Chapter 293 - 288: A Mother’s Comfort, Distorted

The village is now paying more and more attention to the affairs of Song’s second family. In the past, they focused on them because they were poor, but now it makes some people feel a bit unbalanced.

How come Song’s second family, which couldn’t even afford to lift the lid of their pot, has now fixed up their yard, opened a big shop, and even owns a horse?

Seeing the two of them riding back on a horse, a woman felt sour and couldn’t help but say, "The road doesn’t belong to your family, if the horse ruins it, you’ll have to fix it yourself."

Song Tingfan ignored her, but as he passed by, the horse kicked up some dust, causing the woman to choke, "Cough cough."

Lin Qiao turned her head slightly to glance at Song Tingfan, feeling somewhat comforted. At least she had taught him this.

"Auntie, I remember your family didn’t contribute any money to this road, did it? My family certainly did."

The auntie was momentarily speechless.

Then Lin Qiao continued, "If the road really does get damaged, we’ll pay for it, just a few dozen taels of silver."

Seeing the woman’s twisted expression, she raised her eyebrows, determined to anger this annoying woman.

Cough cough, led astray by Li Guifen.

"Your money is not clean, yet you talk about fixing roads, disgusting," the woman pointed at her and scolded angrily.

These words didn’t bother Lin Qiao at all, "If my money isn’t clean, then don’t walk on this road. After so many years, you’re still fine, Auntie. Your skin must be thick."

Thick-skinned.

Song Tingfan dismounted, his face cold and stern, "What’s not clean? If you can’t explain, don’t think about leaving."

He was tall and strong, and his expression was a bit intimidating. The woman, remembering he had killed people on the battlefield, took a few steps back and defiantly said, "What, are you going to kill someone?"

The woman’s son, seeing his mother was at it again, impatiently tugged at her, "Mom, what are you doing! I’m sorry, Tingfan, my mom isn’t thinking clearly."

"If she can’t explain, don’t think about leaving. What’s wrong with my wife?" Song Tingfan was unusually firm, as if his masculine dignity had been offended.

He added, "It’s still early enough to report to the government."

The crowd was stunned, looking at him in disbelief. Two families arguing and they’re going to involve the government?

Lin Qiao understood that Song Tingfan was holding onto this to stop the village women from gossiping about her.

She glanced at the man beside the horse, standing tall and straight, no longer avoiding the gaze of others.

At this moment, she fully admitted he was a real man.

She sat quietly on the horse’s back, watching him handle the situation.

Busy for years, she could finally relax.

If it weren’t for him being a bit wayward, she’d be very relieved now.

Sigh, a mother’s relief has turned to "worry."

A good-hearted man stepped in to mediate, "Ah, come on, it’s not a big deal. Let’s just forget it."

Song Tingfan didn’t respond, his gaze fixed firmly on the woman, as if waiting for her to apologize.

The woman felt he was trying to intimidate her, and she spat, "Fine, I’ll go with you, old woman isn’t afraid."

"Mom!!" The woman’s son called out anxiously, didn’t she see that Song Tingfan wasn’t joking?

"What are you yelling about, huh? I’m not afraid of him. Marrying a lousy woman and treating her like treasure, everyone knows what kind of person Widow Song is, everyone with eyes has seen how that shop came to be." The woman shouted arrogantly, convinced of her own importance.

Song Tingfan’s face darkened, just as he was about to speak, a woman’s voice cut in, "No matter what kind of woman I am, I’m better than you. At least I don’t sneak bites of cake while talking, don’t become a jumping clown in jealousy, and don’t have a husband sneaking around outside."

These words hit the woman right in her sore spot, her face turning red at once. The woman on the horse continued, "You live silently enduring at home, what gives you the right to point fingers at others."

"What? We can’t afford food, are you going to feed us?"

Suddenly, silence fell. Everyone recalled the years when Song’s second family couldn’t lift a pot lid.

Lin Qiao snorted quietly to herself, then looked at Song Tingfan, "Tingfan, let’s go home."

"You head back first, I’ll escort her to the government." Song Tingfan approached and helped her down, then coldly stared at the woman, "Let’s go."

The woman took a few steps back, "Old woman isn’t going anywhere."

Song Tingfan pursed his lips, speaking in a deep voice, "Then I’ll have the government officer come personally."

He swiftly mounted the horse, then glanced at Lin Qiao, "I’ll be back tonight." With that, he turned the horse around and galloped away, soon disappearing from sight.

Hearing his last words, Lin Qiao couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth, glanced at the crowd, then headed home.

Before she reached the door, she saw Song Qin and Mrs. Fan running over, seemingly informed by someone else.

She quickly ran to them, "Grandma, Granny Fan, don’t run, be careful not to fall."

Song Qin panted, anxiously asking, "Qiao’er, are you alright?"

"I’m fine, Tingfan’s with me." Lin Qiao shook her head indicating all was well.

"What about Niu Niu?"

"He went to the county to report to the government."

Song Qin paused for a moment, then furiously said, "These people deserve a beating, talking nonsense."

Evidently, they had heard quite a bit at home too.

Lin Qiao knew the fault lay in her being a widow, and nothing could change how others viewed her for that. "It’s alright, the sun’s too hot, let’s go back inside."

Just as they reached the entrance, they saw Song Rong coming back with a leg covered in mud, looking a bit comical, causing Song Qin to burst into laughter first, "Hurry, go wash your feet."

Song Rong looked worriedly at Lin Qiao, "Qiao’er, are you okay?"

"I’m fine, Grandpa, let me help you wash your feet."

Lin Qiao went over and supported him to the river to wash his feet, thankful she had come along, as he wobbled when he got up from squatting.

Unable to help but worry, she asked, "Grandpa, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

"It’s nothing, I’m just getting old, can’t stand up straight." Song Rong waved his hand with a cheerful smile.

Though he appeared to be in good spirits, Lin Qiao was still very worried, fearing Song Rong might not have many years left...

She quickly shook off the thought, "Grandpa, don’t go working in the fields anymore, just relax at home and enjoy yourself."

"Being idle is dull, chatting with others in the fields is better for my spirits." Song Rong knew his own body, it was simply age.

Now that Niu Niu was married, the big stone in his heart was lifted, and he had no regrets.

...

It seemed that Song Tingfan had spoken to them, as neither Song Qin nor the others asked anything when Lin Qiao mentioned packing up.

Mrs. Fan looked at her, somewhat hesitantly, "Qiao’er, I won’t go with you."

Bringing her would just be an extra burden, and after these years, it was enough.

"If you don’t go, I’ll tie you up and take you." Lin Qiao blinked playfully at her, mimicking Song Tingfan’s tone.

The years of care Mrs. Fan had given Song Qin and Song Rong had not gone unnoticed by Lin Qiao, and she was immensely grateful.

She added, "Granny Fan, if you don’t have much stuff, help me pack up. I have quite a few clothes."

"Qiao’er..."

Before Mrs. Fan could finish, Lin Qiao interrupted her, pulling her along, "Come on, Grandma, help me pack up."