Turning Antagonist to Protagonist: He is Both Soft and Fierce-Chapter 281 - 276: The Face-Slapping Came Too Fast
Song Tingfan grunted a response and left it at that, not withdrawing his hand.
Had it been anyone else, Lin Qiao would have already slapped them, but Song Tingfan was different; she didn’t dare, afraid it would unleash a dark side.
"I’m not used to sleeping in someone else’s arms. It’s not about rejecting you; I’m just not used to it."
She faced away from him, so Song Tingfan couldn’t see her expression. Upon hearing her words, he frowned slightly.
He didn’t like this sense of estrangement. Since returning from the military, she had deliberately pushed him away.
Before, she would pat him on the head, hold hands, and in fear he might be scared, even sleep next to him.
"Alright, let’s sleep."
He withdrew his hand and turned the other way, his back to her.
Lin Qiao glanced over. After so many years, she could still tell when he was angry. She touched the tip of her nose, intending to say something comforting, but quickly held back.
After a couple of times, he’d get used to it.
She couldn’t afford to be as carefree as she used to be.
The room fell silent. Voices from outside drifted in intermittently, and after a while, a woman’s voice said, "Tingfan, you young couple take your time ’sleeping,’ we’ll head back now."
This was followed by bursts of laughter.
Luckily, Lin Qiao was asleep, avoiding the awkwardness of the moment.
...
The next morning, a strong wind blew outside, and the leaves of the peach tree in the yard rustled, making a whispering noise, heralding rain.
Inside the room
Lin Qiao was awakened by the commotion. She stared blankly for a moment at the red bed cover, before her consciousness returned.
This was the morning after their wedding night.
She furrowed her brow, turning to look at the man beside her. He lay flat on his back, his side profile showing an elegant arc of a nose.
His eyelashes were long, concealing a mole beneath them.
At the moment, he had shed his adult demeanor, looking pure and innocent.
She couldn’t understand why such a well-behaved child would like his nominal sister-in-law; it didn’t seem right.
Alright, perhaps she had been inappropriately close without reservation. It was her fault and must be corrected.
Actually, she wasn’t too worried that he would maintain this thought forever. Initially, she was shocked and didn’t think deeply about it.
Lately, she had come to understand. She wasn’t simply turning into her original self; there was a storyline. Even if it deviated, it wouldn’t stray too far from the main plot.
Yes, just like that.
But the slap in the face came too quickly......
Soon, she saw a flicker in his eyelid, and Lin Qiao quickly shut her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Normally, when someone pretends to sleep, their eyelashes twitch slightly. But not her; she’s acted as a corpse for scenes lasting over ten minutes.
Ahem, truth be told, that director once saw her as "talent" and often cast her as the male lead’s deceased first love.
The kind that dies within a minute.
Song Tingfan’s gaze was met by a sea of red. He immediately turned his head, relieved only when he saw her sleeping steadily beside him.
His greedy gaze lingered on her face for a long time, finally fixing on her lips.
There was silence for a long time. Lin Qiao wondered if he had fallen back asleep. Just as she was about to open her eyes to check, the bed creaked slightly.
Suddenly, something touched her lips, and she froze; she wasn’t a fool and naturally knew what it was.
She hadn’t expected him to learn how to take advantage while people slept.
She certainly hadn’t taught him to take advantage of people!!!
Awkward whether to wake or not wake.
Her mind was at war, the man’s blood seemed to freeze within him, then as if "boiling," began to fuel a burning desire.
Supported by his hand, he gradually crumpled the bedsheets, clearly restraining himself.
But restraint was overtaken by the amplified softness under his lips; his reason was lost somewhere in the mountains.
The movements of his lips shifted from gentle to firm, clumsy and awkward, as his breathing grew heavier.
Lin Qiao could no longer feign sleep; if she didn’t wake up, something would surely happen. She opened her eyes, feigning grogginess, and asked, "Tingfan, what are you doing?"
She thought Song Tingfan would hold back, but he didn’t; instead, he embraced her.
She underestimated the needs of a normal man, especially one who had lusted for some time.
Feeling a large hand slip onto her waist, her whole body stirred, pressing her hands against his firm chest, her voice slightly raised, "Song Tingfan, don’t do this!"
Her strength was no match for the robust Song Tingfan. He didn’t budge an inch.
It’s over, it’s over; without any payment, she’s about to lose herself.
Calm down, calm down......
Suddenly, thinking of something, tears welled up instantly, large as beans, rolling down her cheeks, and she cried with a hint of panic, "Tingfan, don’t, I’m scared."
"Let go of me..."
The man’s actions came to a stop, his eyes gradually clearing. Seeing her red eyes, all his desire was quenched like a cold, wintery snowfall.
Bewildered, he reached to wipe her tears, his voice hoarse after the passion, "I..." wasn’t on purpose.
He stopped before finishing that sentence. He wasn’t on purpose? It was deliberate; in that instant, he wanted...
Guiltily, he coaxed, "I was wrong. It won’t happen again, don’t cry." As he spoke, he helped her adjust her clothes.
The woman’s tears continued to fall, seemingly frightened.
Song Tingfan felt even more remorse, knowing that she wasn’t ready to accept him, yet he forced himself upon her...
"Don’t cry; you can hit me, scold me as you like."
Lin Qiao, her eyes red and choked with sobs, turned her head slightly away, pretending to be magnanimous despite feeling wronged, "It’s okay, just go out. I’ll be fine in a bit." She sobbed a couple more times.
Song Tingfan was silent for a moment, then covered her with the quilt, stood up, and left the room, closing the wooden door behind him. But he didn’t go far; he stayed by the door.
He was afraid she would do something foolish.
Just then, Song Qin happened to open the door and saw him standing there in his red attire. Cheerfully, she said, "Why up so early? Go back to sleep for a while. Go on."
Song Tingfan had no choice but to go back inside. By then, Lin Qiao had gotten out of bed; hearing the sound, she glanced at him, lowered her head, and said nothing.
She was opening the cupboard to find clothes to change into. Song Tingfan, pursing his lips, walked over, bent to fetch a thicker set of clothes for her, "It’s going to rain outside; it’ll be cold."
His eyes were full of nervous panic, entirely lacking the impulsive vigor of earlier that morning.
Which is only normal for a sixteen-year-old who hasn’t even touched a woman.
Lin Qiao’s tone softened, "Alright, you should wear something thicker too."
"Okay."
Seeing she wasn’t resisting him anymore, Song Tingfan sighed with relief. He then got a set of clothes and, seeing her looking at him, quickly pointed to the door, "I’ll change outside." With that, he took the clothes and hurried out.
Lin Qiao, initially still unsettled by the morning incident, now watched as he fled the room as if he’d seen a ghost. Once the door closed, she couldn’t help but laugh.
...
As newlyweds, they had to serve tea to the elders in the family. Song Tingfan prepared the tea, glancing at Lin Qiao, and quietly explained, "We have to serve tea."
"Alright." Lin Qiao served tea to Song Qin and the others, even to Mrs. Fan.
All three elders gave her a "token of goodwill," which Lin Qiao accepted. She planned to find a way to return it to them later.
By then, it had started raining heavily outside, water dripping from the eaves to the ground. Song Qin pulled Song Tingfan into the house.
Lin Qiao, glimpsing them, didn’t think much of it, quickly withdrawing her gaze. She turned to continue conversing with Mrs. Fan, "Business has been pretty good. I’ll take you all to see it someday; you haven’t seen it yet."
