Seeing the villain lower his head in silence, Lin Qiao wondered if he didn’t believe her?
But she couldn’t use Song Tingyi to gain favor anymore; after all, he was soone who had passed away.
She sighed softly, then forced a smile as if to console herself, and changed the topic, "Is it ti to eat?" Saying this, she got up to check if the Wang Family had arrived yet.
Just then, Mrs. Wang Zhu ca over to invite them to the Zhang Family for a al. Lin Qiao turned and called out, "Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, it’s ti to eat."
"Coming." Song Qin and Song Rong ca out of the house, and Song Tingfan tidied up the pen and ink.
Soon, the two families headed to the Zhang Family’s place, one after the other. The feast was set outside, and fortunately, the weather was cooperative and there was no snow.
Most of the seats were nearly filled, so the two families had to find seats separately. Song Qin and Song Rong, being elders, sat at the table for the elders.
Worried that they wouldn’t find seats, Lin Qiao smiled, "Grandma, my uncle and I will sit there," she said, pointing to two vacant seats at the end.
After Lin Qiao and Song Tingfan sat down, she noticed that Cheng Sheng was also at the table, explaining why there weren’t many children around.
Lin Qiao and Song Tingfan politely greeted, "Mr. Cheng."
Cheng Sheng nodded back at them politely.
Song Tingfan reached out for the chopsticks across from him, selected two straighter ones, placed them on Lin Qiao’s bowl, then grabbed a random pair for his own bowl.
At that mont, a woman in a patched-up jacket sitting at the sa table leaned over and whispered, "Widow Song, how much did you give for the gift?"
These people just wanted to watch a show. Lin Qiao secretly disdained them but maintained a normal expression, "I don’t know. My uncle took care of the gift since he manages the household."
The implication was that she wasn’t involved in such matters.
Indeed, it was Song Tingfan who took care of the gift money. From early morning, people started handing over gifts. She originally intended to do it herself, but Song Tingfan, claiming he was quicker on his feet, took it upon himself.
Upon hearing that Song Tingfan was in charge, everyone was skeptical. Everyone knew that Song Tingfan was nearly beaten to death over a few cents.
The woman smilingly asked Song Tingfan, "Tingfan, you’re in charge now, huh? How much did your sister-in-law have you give?"
"It wasn’t my sister-in-law who told to give; I decided myself. I saw you all gave one cent, so I gave one cent too." The young man, seemingly unclear about gift-giving, left the gossiping woman speechless.
Lin Qiao almost couldn’t hold back her laughter. See? The villain was quite clever outside. She playfully scolded, "Uncle, you can’t just give one cent. People are celebrating their wedding. Oh well, lucky that the ladies also gave one cent. Don’t do it again next ti."
Normally, if one cent was given discreetly, it would have been fine, but speaking it out loud made it seem embarrassing. The woman’s face was a bit awkward, and she said nothing more.
Lin Qiao was quietly proud for a mont. Just then, the first dish arrived. With the experience of a previous feast, she didn’t hesitate to take so for Song Tingfan.
Sure enough, by the ti she reached for more, the at was gone, leaving only a bit of scallion at the edge. She noticed Cheng Sheng seed about to reach for so too, making her realize that intellectuals had a disadvantage at als.
Song Tingfan took a large portion and put it in her bowl, "Sister-in-law, you eat too."
"You eat. I’m on a diet." Lin Qiao returned the at to his bowl, adding, "Eat more so you can grow taller."
Many more dishes followed. Luckily, the Zhang Family had prepared enough, so they managed to eat so vegetables. Lin Qiao noticed Cheng Sheng hadn’t had any at. He should rightfully sit with the elders, yet here he was with the won?
Soon, Zhang Dong, dressed in red, began making rounds to toast at each table, perhaps due to the festive atmosphere, looking rather dashing.
The crowd buzzed, "Oh, Zhang Dong looks handso today; you usually can’t tell."
"I noticed long ago. If it weren’t for his mother, I would’ve set up my daughter with him."
"Red clothes really do make a difference!"
Lin Qiao glanced at Zhang Dong and then at Song Tingfan, thinking to herself that the villain was still more pleasing to the eye.
eting his sister-in-law’s gaze, Song Tingfan, who was in the middle of eating chicken, felt a bit embarrassed, slowing down his chewing.
Zhang Dong soon reached their table, only toasting the n. He started with Cheng Sheng, then poured a glass for Song Tingfan, "Tingfan, can you drink?" As he spoke, he spared a glance at Lin Qiao.
The bulky jacket didn’t look bulky on her, instead making her appear a bit more rounded.
Song Tingfan naturally noticed his gaze and pursed his lips uncomfortably. He stood up, accepted the drink, and said, "I can."
Lin Qiao had never seen Song Tingfan drink and cautioned, "Uncle, it’s fine if you can’t drink."
"I can drink," Song Tingfan nodded.
Hearing this, Lin Qiao let him be, seeing him down half a bowl of wine without a change in his complexion, she felt reassured.
Song Tingfan looked at Zhang Dong and earnestly said, "I wish Brother Zhang a harmonious marriage, a soon birth of a son, to grow old together, to stay united, and a happy union."
And don’t bother my sister-in-law anymore.
"Tingfan is quite articulate; there’s a difference in kids who’ve studied," praised an uncle at a nearby table with a hearty laugh.
Zhang Dong didn’t think much of it, nodding with a smile, "Thanks, Tingfan. I wish you success in your studies and to make your family proud."
"I will," Song Tingfan nodded.
...
Once ho, Song Tingfan headed straight to his room, lay down, and fell into a dizzy sleep, his face sowhat flushed.
Lin Qiao ca in afterward to check his forehead, not too hot, thinking he had drunk half a bowl of wine. She said to Song Qin and Song Rong, "Grandpa, Grandma, it’s fine, just drunk; he’ll be okay after so rest."
Song Qin sighed with relief, nodded, and went to tuck him in, saying aningfully, "Niu Niu is like his father, can’t handle much alcohol, but he’s a bit better. His father went crazy with drunken antics, holding his mother."
Not disturbing Song Tingfan’s rest, they left with Song Rong.
Lin Qiao also planned to leave, and after adjusting his blanket one more ti, her waist was suddenly hugged tightly, almost making her lose her breath.
She let out a small "ah" as she fell onto Song Tingfan.
Then the young man buried his head in her neck, unable to hold back sobs, complaining like a child, "Mom, I miss you, and Dad and Brother too."
"It hurts. Sister-in-law hits every day, it hurts so much..."
"Mom, I want to co find you, please let co, I’m so scared."
How could he not feel bitter with family mbers passing one after another and being mistreated by his sister-in-law?
Sober, Song Tingfan usually kept everything to himself, only spilling his heart out when drunk.
Lin Qiao felt a sudden pang of sadness, a strange feeling. She gently patted his head, softly comforting, "There, there, Niu Niu, don’t cry, Mom is here."
"Mom, I miss you so much," the young man nuzzled affectionately against her face, trying to find comfort.
Lin Qiao’s face ached from his rubbing, but she held back from saying anything, continuing to soothe him, "Mom misses you too, Niu Niu, be good."
"Mom, I’m good."
The young man’s voice was like a child whining.
There was no trace of this side during the day. Lin Qiao sighed internally, "Niu Niu is great; Mom sees it. My Niu Niu is very good, continue being well-behaved and live well, okay?"
"Okay." Maybe unable to hold back the weariness from the alcohol, he held her and drifted back into sleep.
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