Turning Antagonist to Protagonist: He is Both Soft and Fierce-Chapter 240 - 235: As a Mother, Her Heart Shouldn’t Be Racing

Chapter 240: Chapter 235: As a Mother, Her Heart Shouldn’t Be Racing

This time Lin Qiao came to submit a design. It was a men’s style, with Ruyi Shop specifically requesting details, primarily featuring green bamboo, simple and elegant.

Wei Yun carefully examined the design and finally placed it on the table beside him, "It’s fine."

"This time, the design is not for Ruyi Shop, but for the eldest son of Vice Minister Jiang’s Mansion in the capital. If it succeeds, you won’t miss out on your share of silver."

"You have to work with the embroideress."

Lin Qiao didn’t refuse this and nodded, "Naturally."

After handing the design to the embroideress, she got busy, and Song Tingfan stood quietly by the side, unable to help.

His gaze landed on the young woman who was speaking. Even in simple cloth clothing, she looked prettier than the women here.

Everywhere she looked good.

Sister-in-law looked best.

Lin Qiao inadvertently met his gaze and smiled reflexively.

Manager Li was looking for someone to hang lanterns, and after searching for a long time, he couldn’t find an available helper. Going upstairs, he saw the tall Song Tingfan and was delighted, "Come, help me hang the lanterns."

Song Tingfan nodded, "I told sister-in-law."

Lin Qiao, upon hearing this, nodded and continued explaining the design to the embroideress.

She was completely unaware that the antagonist was attracting the attention of the girls at Ruyi Shop.

"Miss Qiao’s little uncle is quite handsome, more so than Young Master Xu."

"Indeed, more so than Young Master Xu."

"Do you think if I go over and talk to him, he’d be shy?"

"Who wouldn’t be shy seeing you? Go, make him fall for you."

The girl in emerald green attire called out to the boy on the ladder not too far away, delicately saying, "Do you need help?"

"No need." Out of politeness, Song Tingfan replied stiffly but didn’t spare them a glance, continuing to hang the lanterns.

"Let me hold the ladder for you." The girl in emerald green attire moved closer, placing her hands on the ladder. Although she held it, the way her two fingers stuck out showed she wasn’t using much force.

Song Tingfan didn’t like them, the heavy scent of their powder stinging his nose. He pursed his lips, finished hanging the lantern, and wanted to carry the ladder forward.

The girl in emerald green stood in the middle, blocking his path with her outstretched hand, softly saying, "Talk a little before you go."

He looked even more handsome up close than from afar.

She suddenly blushed.

"Not familiar." Seeing that she wouldn’t let him pass, Song Tingfan turned around with the ladder and left.

The girl in emerald green stood frozen on the spot for a while, then, realizing it, huffed and flicked her sleeves in anger, "Is he dumb?"

"Looks like he’s not interested in you." The girl in pale yellow attire teased with a smile as she approached.

The girl in emerald green’s face fell, "I wasn’t even interested in him! All I did was tease him!"

"He’s not as poor as he looks. Manager Li even said that Miss Qiao is a ’prominent figure’ in front of the young master and not to be offended." The girl in pale yellow slyly remarked.

The girl in emerald green wasn’t naïve and shot her a glance, saying with displeasure, "I have ears." After finishing, she left.

Manager Li had repeatedly warned that anyone with a bit of sense knew not to provoke Miss Qiao.

...

Manager Li, now free, went to see how the lanterns were hung, only to find a group of young ladies sneaking glances at Song Tingfan. He chuckled audibly.

Wisely, he didn’t go over, choosing instead to go upstairs to see if the embroideresses were working.

Lin Qiao hadn’t seen Song Tingfan for a while and was a bit worried, so seeing Manager Li, she asked, "Manager Li, where’s my little uncle?"

"He’s still downstairs helping me hang lanterns, and many young ladies are eyeing him."

Manager Li’s face crinkled into a smile, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Has Tingfan proposed yet?"

Hearing that many young ladies were looking at Song Tingfan, Lin Qiao couldn’t help but envision the scene, and her eyes curved with amusement, "Not yet, but if you know anyone suitable, please keep an eye out for me."

"Well, I do, actually. My niece is a year older than Tingfan, looks good, and has a year of schooling." Manager Li knew her family’s background and wouldn’t typically consider such a match, but Miss Qiao was exceptionally capable.

The young master had privately praised her once or twice.

Lin Qiao naturally understood the implications, but it seemed quite normal.

If Manager Li’s niece said it that way, the conditions were pretty good.

Remembering the antagonist’s unique tastes, well, she shamelessly asked, "Manager Li, how’s your niece’s figure?"

"About as tall as you, she’s also quite full-figured, people say she’s blessed." Manager Li didn’t overthink it, knowing that if families were considering a match, they’d have to inquire beforehand.

Lady Yun, standing nearby, laughed and interjected, "Zhen’er is indeed blessed, very likable, if I had a son, I’d certainly propose to Manager Li."

Hearing the word ’full-figured,’ Lin Qiao nodded with satisfaction and said, smiling, "I’ll treat you to a meal when there’s time."

"I’ll treat you. I’ve been saying I’d treat you but never have, and coincidentally, my niece is bringing me food at noon today."

Manager Li thought it wise to let the two youngsters meet first, see if they liked each other, and then have the adults meet.

Lin Qiao thought this was a good idea and agreed, "Alright."

After a quarter-hour or so, Song Tingfan returned. Lin Qiao noticed he had changed into a wealthy young master’s crescent-colored long robe and was momentarily dazzled. His upright figure fit the outfit perfectly, neither too long nor too short.

A truly handsome young gentleman.

"Where did you get the clothes?"

Meeting her gaze, Song Tingfan felt a bit uneasy, his ears turning red, "Manager Li gave them to me. My clothes got dirty when hanging the lanterns."

He didn’t want them at first, but after repairing the carriage, he’d worked up a sweat, and the lantern-hanging made him sweat even more. The smell wasn’t pleasant, and sister-in-law wouldn’t like it.

Lin Qiao naturally noticed his uneasiness and praised him with a smile, "These clothes look quite dashing on you. Do you like them? If you do, let’s buy two more later."

Sister-in-law said he looked dashing, and though Song Tingfan felt shy, he was pleased yet still shook his head, "No need, it’s inconvenient for work."

"Then let’s buy two convenient ones later."

Lin Qiao still had work in hand, so she took out a money bag from her bosom and gave it to him, saying, "You must be hungry, go buy a few pancakes to fill your stomach."

Song Tingfan patted his waist, "I have it, sister-in-law, what kind of pancake do you want?"

"I won’t eat, you eat them, and don’t go too far, come back when you’re done buying."

"Okay."

Song Tingfan didn’t ask further, stepping lightly out of the attic, and after a short while, returned, slightly out of breath.

At this time, Lin Qiao was speaking with Lady Yun. He stood quietly not far away, and though it was a hot day, cold pancakes weren’t pleasant either, so he kept them warm with his hands.

After another while, Lady Yun nodded, indicating she understood, and glanced at Song Tingfan, smiling as she said to Lin Qiao, "Your little uncle’s been waiting for you quite some time, you know."

Lin Qiao turned her head and made direct eye contact with the young man’s steady gaze. She wasn’t sure if it was the nice clothes he wore today, but for a moment, her heart skipped a beat.

Ahem, a motherly figure shouldn’t behave this way.

She raised her hand to fan herself casually, then walked over, "Why not find a stool to sit on?"