CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: SHE’S MY SISTER-IN-LAW, NOT YOURS

Song Tingfan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly shook his head. He understood the situation at home and sensibly refused, "Sister-in-law, I don’t want to study."

How can that be!

Lin Qiao was determined to make him study, and even if she had to sell herself, he must study. Well, that was a bit of an exaggeration.

Even if she had to sell everything, he must study.

"Are you telling Sister-in-law you truly don’t want to study, or are you afraid Sister-in-law can’t afford the gift?"

Song Tingfan wasn’t good at lying and didn’t know how to respond.

He wanted to study; all the children in the village wanted to study. Everyone knew that studying could lead to success.

He wanted to succeed so he could take care of his sister-in-law.

"Little Uncle, Sister-in-law is supporting you to study. Don’t think there’s anything to it; Sister-in-law has her own motives."

Lin Qiao understood his thoughts, glanced at him, and continued to play the emotional card: "This is all Sister-in-law has, but it’s different for you, Little Uncle. You can do better."

"When Little Uncle does well, Sister-in-law will do well too."

If anyone could deceive with eyes wide open, it would be her and her acting skills.

"Sister-in-law..." Song Tingfan’s eyes reddened, clearly moved.

"Yes."

Lin Qiao, looking every bit the elder, patted him on the back and said softly, "Little Uncle, don’t overthink it, and don’t feel burdened. Sister-in-law just wants you to do better; nothing else."

The simple villain’s eyes were glistening, "Sister-in-law..."

...

Lin Qiao counted the family’s silver coin; it was, at most, six hundred cents. It was obvious it wasn’t enough for school.

Not knowing anyone here, there was no one to lend her silver coin.

She pondered a bit, and said to Song Tingfan who was chopping firewood in the yard: "Little Uncle, I’m heading out."

Having been left behind too many times, he instinctively gripped the axe tightly, cautiously asking, "Sister-in-law, where are you going?"

Can I go with you?

He didn’t voice the last sentence as he couldn’t be so childish.

Looking at the villain’s handsome face, Lin Qiao’s heart inexplicably softened, feeling a bit pained.

If she softened any more, something was going to happen.

She reminded herself to stay firm, "Going to the academy to pay. Little Uncle, if you’re not afraid of the sun, you can come with me."

Not expecting his sister-in-law to invite him along, Song Tingfan’s eyes widened with surprise and he said earnestly, "Sister-in-law, I’m not afraid of the sun."

"Then let’s go."

Lin Qiao couldn’t help but laugh. She waved at him, then locked the main gate and headed to the academy.

The academy was a quarter of an hour away from the Song Family, somewhat remote and quiet. The academy was simple but quite large.

Outside, many children were gathered together playing noisily. Tie Dan saw Song Tingfan and ran over like a little wife, enthusiastically saying, "Tingfan, when are you taking me to find bird eggs?" As he spoke, he grabbed Song Tingfan’s hand.

"I haven’t had time lately." Song Tingfan didn’t like being touched, and he retracted his hand.

Lin Qiao still hoped the villain would play more with these children. She reached out and gently touched his head, "Little Uncle, go play with them. Sister-in-law is going inside."

"Don’t wander too far; otherwise, Sister-in-law won’t be able to find you later."

Song Tingfan was used to her touching his head, and when she reached out, he instinctively lowered his head slightly and then obediently nodded.

Next to him, Tie Dan was a bit envious. After Lin Qiao went in, he exclaimed, "Tingfan, your sister-in-law is so nice, even touching your head. My sister-in-law almost hits my head with a shovel."

"Tingfan, your sister-in-law doesn’t seem bad at all."

With that, he added shyly, "Your sister-in-law is really pretty, the prettiest in the village."

These words seemed to hit a sore spot for Song Tingfan, and he pursed his lips unhappily, "She’s my sister-in-law, not yours."

"Yes, yes, your sister-in-law is yours. Hehe, the bird eggs are mine. Take me to find bird eggs, Tingfan."

With a chubby face, Tie Dan beamed and then pointed to a tree not far away, "There’s a bird’s nest up there, I saw it yesterday."

"No, my sister-in-law told me not to go far." Song Tingfan stayed where he was, obediently waiting for his sister-in-law to come out.

Sister-in-law said not to wander far.

Tie Dan looked at the distance to the tree, confused, "????"

...

Lin Qiao entered the academy, and some families were already there registering and paying the gift. Many noticed her arrival, gawking as if seeing something intriguing.

"Did Widow Song come to pay the gift for her little uncle?"

The woman’s tone was obviously a mocking one, clearly not believing she came to pay the gift.

Lin Qiao acted as if she didn’t understand her meaning, smiling back, "Auntie, aren’t you also paying the gift for your child?"

A smart person wouldn’t argue, especially since she had no reason to. No, it was that her original self had no reason to.

The woman was momentarily speechless, then, without much thought, not fearing to offend Widow Song, "How is that the same? I couldn’t do what you’ve done."

Originally thinking Lin Qiao would get angry, she didn’t. Instead, she kindly reminded, "Auntie, this is the academy." With that, she took her place at the back of the line.

People watching saw it as a weak widow not daring to cause trouble, feeling inexplicably some pity for her.

The woman let out a "tsk," "Putting on an act, everyone knows what kind of person she is."

Strictly speaking, Widow Song hadn’t done anything too outrageous. Previously hitting the little uncle, now she’s changed, so holding onto past actions was a bit unreasonable.

It’s not easy for a widow to take care of a little uncle.

The woman in blue couldn’t help supporting Lin Qiao, "Alright, enough. Don’t take your husband’s anger out on others. She’s letting it go, not arguing with you."

"And this is the academy. If you don’t want your child to study, we still do."

The woman who spoke earlier snorted and remained silent.

The teacher, sitting upright, glanced over and soon continued writing with his brush, "Next family."

Lin Qiao observed him. The teacher wasn’t old, about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a decent appearance. There was an air of gentleness about him.

He was said to be unmarried, rumored to have been heartbroken young because of poverty?

Ahem, why did she know this?

Walking around the village, you could hear lots of gossip. There was nothing they didn’t know if you were willing to listen.

She herself was the subject of many rumors, all gossip.

In the past, she would have been trending multiple times.

After a while, it was her turn. She smiled politely and said, "Hello, Mr. Cheng. I’m Tingfan’s sister-in-law."

Cheng Sheng naturally knew who Madam Tingfan was and didn’t show any particular dislike as others might have, instead nodding lightly, "Madam Tingfan."

He seemed approachable, and Lin Qiao quickly thought of what to say, then put on a difficult expression, "Mr. Cheng, I..."

"Madam Tingfan, if you have something to say, don’t hesitate." Cheng Sheng smiled gently.

"Mr. Cheng, I want my little uncle to attend the academy, but I don’t have much silver coin. Can I pay half a tael first?"

Lin Qiao hurriedly added, "Mr. Cheng, please be assured, I’ll make up the rest as soon as possible."

Cheng Sheng didn’t outright reject her. Perhaps he had experienced such difficulties before, "The academy doesn’t usually have such precedents, but it’s not impossible."

"Half a tael covers two months, and you can make up the rest after two months."

The tuition for a year was two taels of silver.

"Thank you, Mr. Cheng, thank you, Mr. Cheng."

Lin Qiao’s face clearly showed joy. She quickly reached into her pocket for the money, and in her haste, the copper coins scattered everywhere.

She did it on purpose.

She wanted the villagers to know she was giving her all for her little uncle to study.

No matter what, it could wash away some of the original self’s past misdeeds.

Moreover, these people loved gossip; the villain would know about the current matters, and the image of a good sister-in-law would be further solidified, at least by another notch.

"Sorry, Mr. Cheng, sorry. Please let others go ahead."

"Aunties, Uncles, you go first. Sorry for delaying your work."

She hurriedly squatted down, scrambling to pick up the copper coins, while the onlookers felt uncomfortable and a bit saddened by the sight.