CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 28: UNLESS SONG TINGFAN DIES

Mrs. Lin Xu didn’t expect her sister-in-law would feel guilty. She paused for a moment, then met the reproachful eyes of her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and husband, and pouted.

She was speaking the truth. How could a heart letting a child go up the mountain not be made of stone?

Li Guifen glanced sideways at her and snapped, "Go feed the pigs, why are you standing here!"

Mrs. Lin Xu let out a small "hmph" and then walked away, holding Lin Ping.

"Lin Sheng, Lin Shan, go call for help, we’ll go up the mountain first." Lin Han glanced at his daughter, feeling a bit pitiful, wanting to comfort her but unsure how.

Regardless of what others say about his daughter having a bad heart, he, as a father, knows best that his daughter is very soft-hearted. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have proactively suggested marrying into the Song Family.

His daughter’s resentment towards them is normal, after all, her life is ruined.

Thinking of this, his eyes were full of guilt, all because he was useless.

A large group of people hurriedly ran towards the back mountain, just in time to see a young boy walking towards home from the field path.

The path was very narrow, and most people would walk slowly, yet he walked very quickly, seemingly eager to get home.

Lin Han shouted in delight, "Tingfan."

Song Tingfan whirled around and saw Lin Qiao and the others. He responded joyfully, "Sister-in-law," and then ran towards them.

Seeing the villain alive and unharmed, Lin Qiao let out a sigh of relief; she didn’t ponder why she was anxious.

Logically, if the villain was dead, she wouldn’t have to continue the plot.

She put on a look of someone anxious and angry for searching, "Little Uncle, where did you go? I’ve been looking for you for ages."

Seeing her angry, the smile on Song Tingfan’s face faded, and he fiddled with the corner of his clothing, appearing as if he made some mistake, and timidly said, "Sister-in-law, I went to the town."

"Sister-in-law, I was wrong."

So obedient that it was unbearable to scold.

Li Guifen quite liked Song Tingfan as a child and quickly mediated, "Ah, as long as we found Tingfan, that’s good."

After saying this, she advised Song Tingfan, "Next time, let your sister-in-law know where you’re heading. Otherwise, she’ll be worried sick looking for you, almost to the point of tears."

Upon hearing that his sister-in-law had been searching all over for him, Song Tingfan hurriedly added, "Sister-in-law, I’m sorry, I..."

Li Guifen’s assistance was much appreciated by Lin Qiao, much better than doing it herself.

She sighed lightly, "Little Uncle, as long as you’re okay. Next time, tell someone where you’re going."

Song Tingfan naturally noticed her sighing, clutching tighter at his clothes, wondering if he had caused trouble for his sister-in-law again.

"It’s good that you’re fine. Let’s have lunch together," Lin Han suddenly suggested.

Lin Qiao shook her head to decline, "No need, the meals are already prepared. Thank you for today’s trouble."

"How can you speak like this, calling it trouble? We’re family, how can it be trouble?" Li Guifen felt a pang hearing her speak that way but had no reason to blame her daughter-in-law.

It was their fault.

She then said, "Let’s eat together, the food is ready, you can save yours for the evening."

"Tingfan, go have a meal with your aunt."

Song Tingfan instinctively glanced at Lin Qiao, seeming to wait for her to go. Lin Qiao, seeing this, felt a sudden soft spot.

This isn’t right, how can she be changed by the villain?

She looked at Li Guifen and explained, "Really, I won’t go. The food was from last night, if not eaten it’ll spoil."

Li Guifen had no choice but to drop it, "Take some food home."

Before Lin Qiao could say anything, she added, "It’s too hot; hurry back."

The basket was packed to the brim, despite Mrs. Lin Wu and Mrs. Lin Xu’s reluctance, their mother-in-law’s presence kept them silent.

Lin Qiao sighed inwardly, truly not wanting anything from the Lin Family, having to endure everyone’s expressions.

Moreover, it led to discord within the Lin Family.

She called to Lin Ping and Lin An, "Xiao Ping, Xiao’an, come here, Aunt will buy you some maltose."

Lin Ping and Lin An were quite close to her before, but after she got married, conflicts arose, and they didn’t spend much time together.

Upon hearing maltose, the two children instantly ran over with delight, saying, "Auntie."

Lin Qiao smiled and patted their heads, then each handed over three copper coins, "Aunt doesn’t have time to take you shopping, later let your mom take you to buy."

Beside them, Song Tingfan watched as his sister-in-law patted their heads, the same pampering expression as she had for him.

He inexplicably felt a bit unhappy.

This isn’t right.

Mrs. Lin Wu and Mrs. Lin Xu had no words, exchanging glances with some embarrassment.

After leaving the Lin Family, Lin Qiao noticed Song Tingfan’s head hanging low. After interacting these past few days, she knew his behavior when he was displeased.

She pondered for a moment and suddenly understood; it had to be because of the copper coins to buy maltose.

All kids were like this.

She pointed to the other direction from home, "Little Uncle, let’s go this way."

"Sister-in-law, where are we going?" Song Tingfan asked, puzzled.

Lin Qiao raised her hand to pat his head, reassuringly saying, "Be good, just follow your sister-in-law."

Song Tingfan shyly lowered his head, "Mm."

The bit of unhappiness in his heart vanished immediately.

No one was at the village landlord’s window, everyone was having lunch. She called out, "Granny, I’d like to buy something."

"Coming." Mrs. Fan responded, appearing at the window with enthusiasm, "What do you need?"

"I’d like five pieces of maltose." Lin Qiao handed over five copper coins.

Mrs. Fan nimbly wrapped six pieces for her, saying, "I’ll give you one extra. Have you eaten lunch yet?"

"Not yet, I’ll eat once I get home."

Lin Qiao turned and handed them to Song Tingfan, gently reminding him, "Don’t eat too much at once, it’ll harm your teeth."

Song Tingfan stood dumbfounded for a moment, stuttering, "Sister-in-law, these for me?"

"Does sister-in-law have another little uncle?" Lin Qiao blinked.

Originally just teasing, Song Tingfan seriously gestured "one," saying, "No, sister-in-law, only has me as little uncle."

Lin Qiao was amused by his sincere villain act, she patted his head again, "Well then, go ahead, eat. When you finish, sister-in-law will buy you more."

The boy’s cheeks flushed a little as he shook his head, "Sister-in-law, I won’t eat right now, let’s return them."

"Tingfan, you’re being silly, your sister-in-law bought these for you, just eat them."

Seeing Lin Qiao treating Song Tingfan kindly, Mrs. Fan found it curious and couldn’t resist commenting.

"See, even Granny said so, Little Uncle, why not eat them?" Lin Qiao smiled, then gestured to Mrs. Fan that they were heading home.

With rice in hand, Mrs. Fan returned to the dining table, scooping up a big bite, "Widow Song seems like she’s changed, buying maltose for her little uncle."

The eldest daughter-in-law chimed in, "It is quite strange."

"What’s strange about it? I’d say it’s proper. Look at how big the Song Family’s house is; aside from ours, whose place is bigger? Even a camel would sell for at least twenty taels." The third daughter-in-law loved gossiping about this sort of thing, and she’d already spread it among the village women. She added, "Widow Song sweetened her little uncle, all that belongs to her."

Although Lin Qiao married into the Song Family, she wouldn’t get any of their property unless Song Tingfan spoke up.

Unless Song Tingfan died.

Old Man Wang disliked the endless chatter of these women and scolded, "Eat if you’re going to eat, otherwise go work in the fields."

The table silenced at once.