CHAPTER 12: CHAPTER 12: WHITE LOTUS ACTING ONLINE

If he had said this at fifteen, Lin Qiao might not have found it funny. At twelve, the villainous protagonist exudes a youthful spirit, which is still a bit different from being a man.

She chuckled silently, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "In front of your sister-in-law, you’re just a child."

Song Tingfan opened his mouth, wanting to prove himself, but didn’t know how. He said anxiously, "Sister-in-law, I really am a man. I can carry water now. Dad says only men can do that."

Seeing his anxiety, Lin Qiao stopped teasing him, "Okay, little uncle is a man."

Song Tingfan saw the expression on his sister-in-law’s face clearly not regarding him as a man and pouted a bit, feeling a little sulky.

The mountains were relatively dangerous, so the two only stayed on the outskirts. Along the way, Lin Qiao picked a lot of wild vegetables, filling up the basket.

Song Tingfan picked up a nearly dead rabbit from an old hunting trap—a very plump one, probably three to four pounds.

Both were very happy, but they didn’t find anything more afterward.

While passing the big banyan tree on their way down the mountain, Song Tingfan thought of something, "Sister-in-law, wait for me." He said and rolled up his pant legs to climb the tree.

He found some black fungus growing on a branch, his eyes lit up, and he carefully picked it, wrapping it in his clothes.

Quickly climbing down, he unfolded his clothes, "Sister-in-law, look."

Lin Qiao glanced at it; it was a wood ear mushroom, quite a large piece. She looked at the tree, "Does this tree grow wood ear mushrooms too?"

"Yes, it’s been growing for years, and I pick it every year. I’m the only one in the village who knows," said Song Tingfan, looking at her again, "Sister-in-law, this is delicious. I’ll stir-fry it with rabbit meat for you tonight."

"Okay." Seeing his childish demeanor, Lin Qiao felt their relationship should be getting closer.

After coming down from the mountain, the first household they passed through the farm trails was Song Tingfan’s uncle’s house, where his aunt was drying rice in the courtyard.

She glanced at the two and scoffed, then noticed the wild rabbit in Song Tingfan’s hand, displeased, "Oh, picking our family’s rabbit again?"

She reached out to take it, "Hand it over."

Usually, Song Tingfan would give it to her for the uncle’s sake, but he had just said he’d stir fry wood ear mushrooms for his sister-in-law.

He hid the rabbit behind him, explaining, "Auntie, this is from my own hunting trap."

"You dug it? You’re lying. Hand it over."

Mrs. Song tried to snatch it, but Song Tingfan dodged. She got angry and gave him a hit, "You little brat, give it to me."

This Mrs. Song was involved in selling the protagonist into the brothel years ago, which is why she met a tragic end there later.

The thought of Mrs. Song’s pitiful ending made Lin Qiao shiver, then she snapped back and stood protectively in front of Song Tingfan, coldly questioning, "Auntie, it’s easy to talk, isn’t it? Why should we give you our stuff?"

"And don’t hit little uncle, or don’t blame me for not respecting my elders!"

Mrs. Song was momentarily stunned, then quickly started cursing, "Oh, pretending again? Haven’t you hit too little?"

"What’s wrong, the Zhang Family wouldn’t let you in, so now you’re clinging onto Song Tingfan?"

"Well, you only pick up scraps like him."

Lin Qiao was speechless at how these people always linked her with Song Tingfan.

Song Tingfan was just a kid, twelve years old!

His body wasn’t even fully developed.

In modern times, someone like Mrs. Song would get blasted online.

She suddenly felt a bit nostalgic for her critics.

"If the in-laws were alive, they’d probably scold you today, Auntie."

"Auntie, you have to realize we’re all Song Family, you disgrace us, you’re disgracing yourself."

"Unless you don’t want your daughter to marry into a good family?"

Without waiting for Mrs. Song to reply, she continued, "I don’t care, since I never planned on getting married in this life. My little uncle is a man, marrying won’t affect him."

"But cousin is different. She’s still a pure girl. If rumors of incest in the Song Family spread, it would lower her prospects."

Mrs. Song was silenced. Lin Qiao’s words made sense, but she wouldn’t admit defeat, pointing at her, gritting her teeth, "Sharp-tongued! Are you mad because of the Zhang Family?"

"Hmph, I heard Zhang Dong’s mother is already arranging for a bride for him."

Again with Zhang Dong, what kind of nonsense is this plot?

Could he be the original body’s sweetheart?

Lin Qiao had a headache, but her face remained calm, "What does the Zhang Family’s matters have to do with the Song Family? Auntie, are you out of things to say? Or have you taken a liking to Zhang Dong as a son-in-law?"

"Pah! I wouldn’t even look at a wimp like Zhang Dong, can’t even wean himself off his mother." Mrs. Song spat disdainfully.

Zhang Dong was diligent, but everyone knew he was a mama’s boy, afraid to even breathe against his mother’s words.

No one with any decency would let their daughter marry into the Zhang Family to suffer.

Lin Qiao raised her brows sarcastically, "If even Auntie wouldn’t like him, why would I? Even if I wanted to marry, with my looks, I’d at least choose someone better."

The original body looked exactly like her. In the entertainment industry full of beauties, her appearance wasn’t considered the best, but she was definitely among the top few.

Otherwise, why would those lecherous directors often try to discuss "scripts" with her at night?

Mrs. Song wanted to retort with nonsense, but seeing her pretty face, she couldn’t find words. Soon she realized the conversation had strayed, "Stop babbling, give me the rabbit."

It was the first time Song Tingfan saw his sister-in-law unafraid of his aunt. He was stunned, then the young boy stood in front of Lin Qiao, timid yet firm, "Auntie, we have no grain left. In the future, if I hunt more, I will honor you."

He knew in his heart, his uncle treated him well.

"Pah, honor? It’s our thing to begin with." Mrs. Song was used to hitting him and immediately slapped him, his cheek turned red.

Lin Qiao was actually very protective; no one else could chastise her people. Her protective instincts kicked in, and without thinking, she raised her hand and slapped Mrs. Song.

Mrs. Song staggered back a few steps, fell to the ground, and then stared at Lin Qiao in disbelief, "You dare hit me?"

Song Tingfan was also stunned.

It’s outrageous for a junior to hit an elder; talking about it would get one’s back pointed at, plus they’d face punishment from the village chief.

He was a bit flustered.

Lin Qiao also understood these ancient conventions, so she teared up, and said aggrievedly, "Auntie, what did little uncle do wrong? That you want to hit him?"

"My little uncle has it very hard already."

"You can hit me all you like, but you can’t hit little uncle. If my in-laws or husband knew, they would surely blame me for failing to protect him."

By now, many people had come out to watch the commotion, hearing Lin Qiao’s words, they roughly understood the situation.

Mrs. Song had hit the child Song Tingfan again.

Having suffered losses, Mrs. Song was not convinced, got up, and started screaming and throwing a tantrum, "You little bitch actually hit me, I’ll beat you to death."

She came at Lin Qiao, and Song Tingfan quickly stepped in front of Lin Qiao, attracting Mrs. Song’s claws onto himself, immediately marking his face red.

Unwilling to show weakness, Lin Qiao grabbed Mrs. Song’s wrist, giving it a hard squeeze to disable her strength, a trick taught by her martial arts instructor.

She complained aggrievedly, "Auntie, don’t hit little uncle, hit me instead." Saying this, she released Mrs. Song’s hand, then fell to the ground, her forehead hitting the ground, letting out a "hiss," looking very pitiful and helpless.

She once played a white lotus supporting actress, sparking controversy online.

During that time, she didn’t dare leave her house, but it was this role that elevated her from an extra to a leading actress.

Ahem, don’t doubt her acting skills.