Turning Antagonist to Protagonist: He is Both Soft and Fierce-Chapter 274 - 269: From Now On, These Are All My Duties

Chapter 274: Chapter 269: From Now On, These Are All My Duties

Lin Qiao handed everything to Song Tingfan, "You can deposit it tomorrow, just under your name."

Song Tingfan accepted it, "Deposit it under your name."

He paused for a moment, "When are you going back? The wedding is just a few days away, Aunt Lin said you should stay at your parents’ house for a few days."

"I’ll go back in a couple of days."

Seeing his lips pressed together, Lin Qiao quickly added, "I have appointments for the next two days to discuss vegetable prices. Once that’s settled, I’ll go back."

"Okay."

Song Tingfan sat on the edge of the bed without getting up, staring at Lin Qiao for a long time. He softly said, "You won’t leave, right?"

His tone revealed an imperceptible anxiety.

He had been having nightmares again recently; the dreams felt too real. Sometimes he couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or if it had actually happened.

Seeing her standing safely in front of him, his heart felt much more at ease.

"Where would I go?" Lin Qiao had thought about running away, but only if she could do so safely. Not to mention if Song Tingfan could find her; surely, as in those dream scenarios, he would find her.

Besides that, being a woman without a household registration, it would certainly be difficult to leave. She didn’t think her skills were enough to make her way in this feudal era.

Just take her little shop for example; people looked down on her as a woman and talked behind her back all the time. Only recently, with Song Tingfan back, had they quieted down a bit.

After studying her carefully for a few moments, seemingly convinced that she had no intention of leaving, the furrow in Song Tingfan’s brow eased slightly. In a deep voice, he said, "You’re not going anywhere."

"No, my home is here."

Lin Qiao smiled and glared playfully at him, then glanced outside and saw it was late. She continued, "You should go back and sleep soon."

The night grew darker, and faint sounds came from the courtyard.

The man inside the house awoke sharply, instinctively reaching under the pillow for a dagger. He stood by the door, listening intently for the direction of the sound. Before long, something jumped over the wall.

He opened the door and immediately saw a vague shadow in the moonlight. "Who’s there!"

The shadow panicked at the sound and took a couple of steps towards the wall, quickly realizing it couldn’t climb over, and dashed towards the main hall. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Unfamiliar with the main hall, and with Song Tingfan closing in quickly, it wasn’t long before he had subdued the intruder.

With all the commotion, Lin Qiao naturally woke up startled, hurriedly got up, and lit an oil lamp. Grabbing a laundry stick, she didn’t open the door at first. Instead, she opened the window and looked outside with the lamp.

At this moment, a man’s voice suddenly rang out, "It’s alright, I’ve caught him."

If this voice hadn’t been familiar, Lin Qiao would have struck with the stick. She then opened the door, "Who is it?"

"Niu Er," Song Tingfan’s voice had a tinge of anger.

Climbing over the wall in the middle of the night, there was no need to guess what he intended to do.

If he hadn’t been there, with just Lin Qiao alone, something surely would have happened.

Hearing this, Lin Qiao was also angry. She took the lamp to the main hall, where Niu Er was firmly tied to a pillar, his mouth stuffed with a cloth.

Seeing Lin Qiao, Niu Er’s eyes widened, "Mmm mmm mmm..." Let me go.

Lin Qiao raised the stick in her hand and hit him several times, causing Niu Er’s face to twist in pain.

"Niu Er, do you really think I’m joking with you? I value my life little and don’t fear losing it. Do you think I’d swallow my pride and marry you just because you ruin my reputation?"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Giving them an inch, they always took a mile.

Niu Er couldn’t speak, only making continuous "mmm" sounds. Lin Qiao hit him a few more times before throwing down the stick, "Tie him up here and take him to the Pavilion Chief first thing in the morning."

Song Tingfan had the same thought, though he didn’t want to let Niu Er off so easily. He raised the stick and struck his leg with added force, and a cracking sound could be vaguely heard.

Niu Er fainted from the pain.

Lin Qiao stood in shock. Although she knew a soldier who had spent three years on the battlefield wasn’t likely to be soft-hearted, it was the first time she saw him act with such fierceness in front of her.

Song Tingfan met her gaze, pressing his lips together, and explained, "Otherwise, he’d climb over again next time."

Seeing her still silent and thinking she was frightened, he continued, "Are you scared? I won’t treat you like this, I swear, or may I die a terrible death if I do."

Lin Qiao didn’t feel sorry for Niu Er at all; he deserved it. If word got out about this, gossip from outsiders would ruin her.

She quickly shook her head, "Don’t swear carelessly; I believe you."

Her words of trust made Song Tingfan’s lips curl into a smile. Worried she might be left with a shadow from Niu Er climbing the wall, he said, "I’ll stay in your room tonight on the floor mat; don’t be afraid."

"There’s no need, I’m fine."

Even though Lin Qiao said there was no need, Song Tingfan still set up on the floor in her room. Probably because having him there truly brought peace of mind, Lin Qiao fell asleep shortly after.

Unknowingly, Song Tingfan was gradually taking a place in her heart.

...

The next day, early morning

Jiang Ming arrived first, startled to see the man tied to the pillar in the shop. Looking toward the boss arranging stools, he asked, "Boss, was there a thief?"

Song Tingfan nodded, "Yes, please call the Pavilion Chief and tell them someone came to Fan’an Shop to steal silver."

Jiang Ming quickly ran out, and not long after, a large group of people arrived. Niu Er was an old troublemaker, so the Pavilion Chief naturally recognized him and had no doubt about Song Tingfan’s words, taking Niu Er away afterward.

By the time Lin Qiao got up, everything had been taken care of. She didn’t look at Song Tingfan; instead, she asked Jiang Ming, "Have you seen the boss?"

Jiang Ming grinned, "The boss went to get you buns and said for you to drink the porridge in the kitchen when you wake up."

"The boss, the boss really is good to you."

Lin Qiao was well aware of this, he was indeed good enough. During the days since he returned, most of the work at home and in the shop was done by him, without exception.

He was so good that she felt a bit burdened.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. In walked Song Tingfan in a blue slant-collared robe Lin Qiao bought for him a few days ago, wearing it for the first time.

It suited him well, fitting perfectly with his form, upright like a pine tree on the mountain.

Lin Qiao felt a bit smug inside, proud of her taste.

"Boss, the boss hasn’t had the porridge yet, I’ll be off to work." Jiang Ming cleverly left space for the two of them.

Had this kid been bribed by Song Tingfan? Lin Qiao was amused and a little annoyed. She’d have to remind him next time not to tell the boss everything, as she still needed to maintain some dignity as the lady of the house.

"Went to buy buns?"

"Yes."

Worried the buns would get cold, Song Tingfan kept them pressed against his chest. He took them out and handed them to her, "Eat them while they’re hot; I’ll go get the porridge."

Lin Qiao wasn’t physically impaired; having him serve her like this made her feel awkward. She quickly pulled him back, "I can get it myself, you rest a bit."

Seeing her politeness, Song Tingfan gazed at her with his dark eyes, paused for a moment, and said deeply, "From now on, these are things I should do; it’s nothing to feel embarrassed about." He then pointed to the empty table nearby and strode off.