Everyone curiously gathered around, as if it were sothing precious. Lin Qiao was both amused and exasperated: "Is there anything you can’t eat?"
Everyone shook their heads, and Xiao Ning said with a simple smile, "Whatever the boss makes, we’ll eat. I’ve long wanted to taste the boss’s cooking."
"Then eat more later. Don’t just stand around here, go ho and call people to co eat. It’s just this once, you might as well eat." Lin Qiao half-joked.
The crowd hesitated a bit but still went ho to call others to co eat.
However, they didn’t call many people, mostly bringing children; the adults probably thought it was improper.
Jiang Yan took a liking to Lin Qiao and obediently squatted down to help peel garlic. "Hello, boss."
Seeing her behave as sensibly as Song Tingfan did in those years, Lin Qiao sighed inwardly and gently said, "Alright, don’t peel. Go get sothing to eat at the table."
"I’m not eating, boss. Can I give you sothing?"
Jiang Yan cautiously glanced at her and then pulled out a cloth doll from her sleeve, afraid she might dislike it. "My dad bought this for . I’ve never played with it, it’s still new."
"Thank you, Little Yan, but I can’t accept it. It’s sothing your dad bought for you, keep it well."
"I’m giving it to you. Thank you, boss, for treating my brother well. He was very tired before, coming ho covered in dust every ti. Once, I even saw him cough blood. I was really scared. I fear he might end up like Dad did, gone."
Hearing this, Lin Qiao felt a pang in her heart, reaching out to pat her head. "Your brother works for , it’s only right that I treat him well. You don’t need to thank for anything. Keep the doll safe, be good."
On the edge of the yard, Song Tingfan, who was rolling up his sleeves to grill fish, kept his gaze on the young woman nearby. A few wisps of hair softly frad her face.
"Hehe, big boss, I caught you!" Jiang Yang sneaked over, said this, and quickly ran off.
As soon as the grilled fish was on the table, everyone ate unreservedly. Jiang Ming gave Jiang Yan a piece before eating so himself. "Wow, this is delicious! Boss, why don’t you sell it? I’m sure many people would love it."
Lin Qiao had thought about it before, but grilling fish takes too much ti, and with the weather being hot, it’s impractical.
She laughed, "Could you handle grilling fish every day?"
"If the boss wants to grill fish every day, I’ll do it every day," Jiang Ming said earnestly.
"Alright then, in the future, you’ll grill the fish."
Out of the corner of her eye, Lin Qiao saw Song Tingfan using chopsticks to remove fish bones. Her instinct was that it was for her, and sure enough, monts later he placed the boneless fish in her bowl.
She felt a warmth in her heart and softly said, "Eat for yourself, don’t worry about ."
No one knows who suggested drinking, and Lin Qiao feared Song Tingfan might beco a drunken fool but couldn’t say it outright, so she indirectly said, "Don’t drink too much. You all need to get ho later."
Everyone agreed, but by the end of the al, the n were drunk, staggering as they walked.
Lin Qiao only closed the shop after watching them walk away. She turned and saw Song Tingfan standing quietly, watching her from behind.
She: "..."
He must be drunk.
But surprisingly, he didn’t create any drunken trouble. After lying quietly on the bed and falling asleep, she sighed in relief once he was truly asleep. She blew out the lamp and quietly took off her undershirt.
Sleeping in it was stifling.
...
Early the next morning, a bird flew into the yard, chirping "tweet, tweet."
Inside the house
The woman yawned and sat up, glancing out the window. It should only be 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Turning her gaze back, she saw the man beside her awake, his eyes dangerously intense. Following his gaze, she looked down, and a distinctly embarrassing situation presented itself. She quickly covered with her hands, "Ra..." cal.
Rembering that he was the antagonist, she swallowed back the word ’cal’ forcefully.
An alarm went off in her mind: The antagonist wouldn’t think she’s trying to seduce him, would he?
Just as she was feeling mortified and embarrassed, the man got out of bed, dressed, and went out.
He exhaled a murky breath.
Unbearable.
His departure gave Lin Qiao a chance to collect herself, and she acted as if nothing had happened after coming out of the room.
Outwardly composed, internally charred to a crisp.
This was more embarrassing than a kiss.
...
The two of them spent more than half a month in the shop "peacefully", and there were only a few days left before Song Tingfan’s departure. Lin Qiao was already counting down the days on her fingers.
She was eager for Song Tingfan to leave, while Li Guifen was anxious about his impending departure.
That day, early in the morning, Li Guifen ca to the shop with a large basketful of vegetables. The heavy load left her panting.
Lin Qiao quickly poured her a cup of tea. "I told you not to bring anything. Everything can be bought in town."
"Hogrown vegetables taste better."
Li Guifen looked around the shop but didn’t see her son-in-law, so she asked, "Where did Tingfan go?"
"He went out to buy so buns." As soon as Lin Qiao finished speaking, "Cao Cao" arrived — Song Tingfan, dressed in a crescent-colored short sleeve, walked in.
Li Guifen warmly called out, "Tingfan."
Just like he was her own son.
Lin Qiao’s mouth twitched, "Did you buy enough? If not, I’ll go get so more."
"Mom," Song Tingfan skillfully called out, then answered Lin Qiao, "I have enough, got plenty."
"Don’t worry about . I’ve eaten; I had seven or eight big tangyuan. Your dad made so yesterday, and I brought so for you." Li Guifen waved her hand repeatedly.
"Mom, have so," the son-in-law chid in, prompting Li Guifen to "reluctantly" nod and smilingly say, "Then I’ll have a little."
After eating, Lin Qiao took the initiative to wash the dishes, giving Li Guifen so space to have a good chat with her son-in-law.
Indeed, Li Guifen had so things to discuss with Song Tingfan. After Lin Qiao left, she inquired, "Tingfan, are you going to Lunan City soon?"
"Yes, in five or six days."
In theory, Song Tingfan could still stay for a few days, but the general had sent a letter urging him to head out early. A high-ranking official was expected to travel incognito in the Capital, and arrangents needed to be made quickly.
"So soon?"
Li Guifen gave him a glance, hesitated for a mont, then added, "Tingfan, could you take Qiao’er with you? It’s better for two people to be together. We’ll help take care of your grandparents."
Though Lunan City was nearby, Song Tingfan couldn’t return from the army camp as he pleased.
If he stayed away for several years, her daughter sticking around here would be like "waiting in vain."
Song Tingfan had been thinking about discussing this with Li Guifen. Lin Qiao was reluctant to go, and he didn’t want to force her.
He nodded, "I can, but Qiao’er doesn’t want to go."
"Qiao’er doesn’t want to go?"
Li Guifen was stunned for a day, then after seeing him nod, she quickly said, "Tingfan, is it your wish for her to co? I’ll go speak with her."
"Two people being married and not being together doesn’t sound right."
When Lin Qiao heard Li Guifen’s roundabout questioning, she quickly raised her hand, "Mom, don’t make decisions for on this. I have my own ideas, and soone needs to tend the shop."
"Fine, if you don’t want to decide, then give a grandchild now."
Li Guifen gave her a reproachful look and added, "Girl, don’t you understand! Two people apart, love fades. Do you want to see Tingfan find soone else when he cos back?"
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