Sanwang started to recite the words indiscriminately, but only became serious when he was slightly disciplined by his father.
Once he was done, he followed his two elder brothers into the house together.
Sanwang didn’t bother to wipe himself down as he laid on the kang, “Dear God, I’m screwed, the good days have come to an end.”
Dawang sat on the stool and looked at him with a serious face, “Sanwang?”
Sanwang sat up awkwardly, “Eldest Brother!”
The two only exchanged glances silently, but the information was delivered.
Erwang, “What charades are you two playing?”
Maisui had already cooked and she had overheard the conversation that the brothers were having. She started to giggle out of delight.
Sanwang, “Elder Sister, you are horrible!”
Maisui snorted, “Why did you not think about your Elder Sister when you were having baked sesame pancakes?”
Sanwang, “We didn’t!” After he finished speaking, he covered his mouth aggressively— it’s over, the truth was out.
Dawang looked at him helplessly, but he didn’t blame him and even rubbed his head.
Maisui, “Oh, you are finished.”
Sanwang wailed, “I’m not feeling that good. My entire body feels sick, ahh… someone, one of you…please, help me…pay off my taxes…ahh…”
Maisui hit him with a thump, “Stop acting!”
During the meal, everything proceeded as usual. Han Qingsong’s expression didn’t show that anything was amiss. After all, besides Lin Lan, he treated everyone else the same.
Lin Lan kept looking at Dawang and Sanwang with a nonchalant smile, but when they glanced at her, she smiled softly again, as if that sinister smile just now was entirely nonexistent.
Sanwang could no longer handle it.
Although Dawang still had his usual sullen face, he was already feeling uneasy and flustered.
“Go to school quickly, don’t be late.”
Were they not going to get beaten?
Dawang and Sanwang looked at each other before they immediately rushed out.
Maisui led Xiaowang out and Erwang carried his school bag.
Xiaowang had been experimenting with his new harmonica since he went to the county yesterday, as if he had some insight.
He was blowing it smoothly and freely, forming a rounder and cleaner sound with the instrument. Compared to what it sounded like before, there was more colour and layers to the sound.
“Your playing has gotten better,” Lin Lan kissed him, “Go to school.”
Xiaowang waved his hands to Lin Lan, “Mother, bye~”
After the children went to school, Lin Lan winked at Han Qingsong.
Han Qingsong glanced at her.
Lin Lan peeped outside and closed the door to prevent anyone from approaching them.
She pushed Han Qingsong into the west room and closed the door.
Han Qingsong, “!!” What a situation.
“Third Brother~” Lin Lan called him softly. She had to tell him about Dawang carefully so as not to be heard by anyone else. Plus, she didn’t want to provoke him, lest he drag Dawang home and beat him up.
Han Qingsong’s ears turned red as he stared at her, hesitant to speak: “…”
“I want to tell you…” Lin Lan pulled onto him to lower his head as she whispered into his ear.
Han Qingsong felt a hot surge of emotion rushing through his chest but he bowed his head obediently, his cheek pressed against her mouth.
She placed her hands next to his ears, exhaling softly. He couldn’t help himself and grabbed the edge of the kang with both hands.
“That…” He decided to speak anyway.
Lin Lan, “Why not? Are you in a hurry to go to work? Just a few minutes of your time; it’ll be over soon.”
Han Qingsong, “…a few minutes? Are you sure?”