Ch 58: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Qing’er’s father was a distant cousin of Second Uncle Lin.

Second Uncle Lin said, “My family and his were brothers in the previous generation, but we haven’t had much contact for a long time. No, actually, his family hardly interacts with anyone in the village.”

“I’ve heard about their situation. That lad went to work in the provincial capital when he was young. He didn’t bring back a wife until he was nearly thirty, but she was frail and passed away a few years after giving birth to their child. Since then, he hasn’t remarried, leaving him with only his daughter, Lin Qing’er. Thankfully, his daughter is sensible…”

“If you’re looking for their house, just follow the road east of the village. The courtyard at the very end is theirs.”

Qin Zhao thanked Second Uncle Lin and took Jing Li’s hand, heading east.

“What are you planning to do?” Jing Li finally couldn’t hold back his curiosity halfway down the road.

Qin Zhao replied, “Explain things logically, appeal emotionally.”

Jing Li: “…”

That simple?

Jing Li grumbled, “But I feel like Qing’er’s father won’t be so easily persuaded.”

From the village chief and Second Uncle Lin’s words, it was clear that he was likely a very stubborn person.

“There are no parents in this world who don’t love their children; it’s just a difference in how they act. And…” Qin Zhao glanced at Jing Li, pausing for a moment before stopping his explanation.

Having been with Jing Li for so long, Qin Zhao understood his constitution better than this clueless little fish.

The people he sincerely wanted to help would usually receive some blessing. The stronger his intention, the more blessings he could bring.

The winter astragalus still growing wildly at home was proof of this.

However, Qin Zhao always felt that this kind of help did not come without a price.

The scriptures speak of fortune and misfortune coexisting, of cause and effect. Qin Zhao never believed that blessings were gifts from heaven. On the contrary, he believed that to receive blessings, one must give up something in return.

This was why the little fish used to encounter so much bad luck.

But the little one was completely unaware of his own constitution and always wanted to help others improve their situation, not realizing that doing so actually exhausted his own fortune.

To prevent him from recklessly using his fortune-blessing ability again, Qin Zhao had no choice but to step in and solve the problem himself.

They soon arrived at a courtyard fenced with wooden stakes.

The courtyard was small, with two shabby-looking houses, one large and one small. Despite their poor condition, they were kept very tidy.

The flowers and plants in the courtyard were thriving, clearly the result of the owner’s meticulous care.

A middle-aged man with graying hair was sitting in the courtyard. It was still morning, yet several small wine jars were already scattered messily at his feet.

This must be Lin Qing’er’s father.

Qin Zhao knocked on the gate, and the man looked up with drunken eyes. “Who’s there?”

“I am Qin Zhao.”

“If you’re here about the school, you can leave.” Lin’s father withdrew his gaze and took a swig of his drink. “What’s the point of that little girl reading? She’d be better off marrying early.”

Jing Li furrowed his brow in displeasure. “Why is it that girls can only marry and not study? What kind of—”

Qin Zhao gently tugged his fingers.

Father Lin chuckled at the words, staggering to his feet. “You’re asking why? Because I’m her father.”

“I won’t give her money to attend that school. If the girl still won’t listen, I’ll find a matchmaker for her tomorrow and get her married off!”

With that, he turned and went back inside, ignoring the two of them.

Jing Li: “…”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Never mind reasoning with him; this man didn’t even give them a chance to speak.

Jing Li asked, “What do we do now?”

Qin Zhao glanced toward the small path beside the courtyard. “Over there…”

“What is it?”

Jing Li followed his gaze. Behind the house was a dense forest.

Qin Zhao didn’t answer. Instead, he led Jing Li toward the path. As they got closer, they heard faint sobbing.

A young woman sat on the ground, knees drawn to her chest, her head buried in her arms. From their angle, they could only see her thin, trembling shoulders.

Jing Li was a bit surprised.

He hadn’t noticed anyone there earlier. When did Qin Zhao’s hearing become so keen?

“Is that you, Qing’er?” Qin Zhao called out.

The girl, not realizing anyone had approached, was startled. She raised her head. “Who is it?”

“I am Qin Zhao.”

“You…” Lin Qing’er wiped her eyes, her voice still tinged with sobs. “Did you come to return my things?”

Qin Zhao didn’t answer immediately.

Jing Li noticed several red marks on one side of Lin Qing’er’s face. He frowned and asked softly, “Did you have a conflict with your father?”

Lin Qing’er immediately understood that Jing Li was referring to the marks on her face. She hurriedly covered them with her hand. “It’s nothing. My father, he… he was just anxious…”

In ancient times, there was a saying that “family scandals should not be made public.” Even if conflicts arose within a family, they would not easily tell outsiders.

Jing Li didn’t press her further and continued, “We’re not here to return your things. We’re here to help you.”

Lin Qing’er was stunned. “Help me?”

She looked up at them, her eyes welling with tears again. “But my father… he won’t agree…”

As she spoke, she covered her face and started crying again.

Jing Li had always had a hard time seeing others cry. In a panic, he asked, “Qin Zhao, what should we do?”

“Let her cry,” Qin Zhao replied coldly. “Cry it out first, then we can think of a solution.”

Jing Li: “…”

How could he be so heartless!

Jing Li glared at him, then stepped forward to comfort the girl. Qin Zhao silently sighed and let his gaze wander around the area. That’s when he noticed something else.

From the path, it had been hidden, but now that they were closer, he realized there was a tombstone behind the trees.

Engraved on the tombstone were the words: “Grave of Lady Lin Yun.”

Qin Zhao asked, “Yun… is that your mother?”

Hearing this, Lin Qing’er finally stopped crying. She looked up, her eyes red and swollen, and nodded slightly.

Jing Li then noticed that she was clutching a wooden hairpin in her hand.

The hairpin was made of ebony, with high-quality wood and intricate craftsmanship. It seemed quite valuable.

It didn’t look like something an ordinary villager could afford.

Jing Li found the hairpin somewhat familiar. After a while, he remembered—it was the same hairpin he had helped fish out of the water by the stream last time!

“So it was yours,” Jing Li blurted out.

Lin Qing’er looked at him in confusion. “What?”

“N-Nothing,” Jing Li replied. “This hairpin was left to you by your mother, right? It’s really beautiful.”

When talking about her mother, Lin Qing’er’s mood seemed to improve slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. “Yes… this is the only thing my mother left me.”

Jing Li gently patted Lin Qing’er on the back, and her emotions finally began to settle. He was so focused that he didn’t notice how Qin Zhao’s gaze grew increasingly deep.

Naturally, he also didn’t realize that Qin Zhao, in his mind, was secretly adding another “fee” to be repaid tonight.

Qin Zhao cleared his throat and interrupted, “Now that you’re done crying, let’s talk about the main issue. Why do you want to study at the village academy?”

Qin Zhao did not believe that women shouldn’t study, but he had to admit that it was rare for women in this era to seek education. So what motivated Lin Qing’er, a farmer’s daughter raised in a mountain village, to want to learn?

That was what Qin Zhao wanted to know.

Lin Qing’er’s expression became hesitant. “I…”

“This is your secret. You can choose not to tell me, but if you don’t, I fear I won’t know how to convince your father,” Qin Zhao said.

Lin Qing’er was a bit surprised. “Why… why do you want to help me?”

“If you truly enter the academy, you will need to address me as ‘teacher.’ It’s only right for me to help you. As for now…” Qin Zhao glanced at Jing Li and calmly continued, “Let’s just say my husband has a tendency to meddle in other people’s business.”

Jing Li’s ears turned red. “I don’t meddle in other people’s business!”

A faint smile formed at the corner of Qin Zhao’s lips, but he didn’t respond.

Lin Qing’er thoughtfully looked at the two of them and wiped her eyes. “Alright, I’ll tell you.”

As Qin Zhao had suspected, Lin Qing’er had her own reasons for wanting to study.

Lin Qing’er’s mother was originally the daughter of an official in the provincial capital. Her father had been a servant in that household. Later, when Lin Qing’er’s maternal grandfather was wrongfully imprisoned, her father took her mother and fled to the village to avoid trouble, pretending to be a married couple to conceal their identities.

Living under the same roof, they gradually developed feelings for each other, and the fake marriage turned into a real one.

However, because of the upheaval in her family, Lady Yun’s health had never been good. After giving birth, her condition worsened, and she soon passed away, leaving father and daughter to rely on each other.

“…My mother loved my father deeply, but she also had regrets in her heart. Before she died, she told me that she didn’t want me to be trapped in this place like she was.”

Lin Qing’er caressed the wooden hairpin in her hand and spoke softly, “Many girls my age in the village spend every day helping with household chores, cooking, and washing clothes. When they come of age, they marry into a good family, serve their husband’s family, bear children, and live their lives that way. Recently, the villagers have been saying that sending their children to study will change their lives in the future. I… I want to give it a try.”

“I want to go out and see the world. I want to see the place where my mother lived and live a different life.”

Qin Zhao said, “But your father disagrees.”

“Yes,” Lin Qing’er replied softly. “He actually doesn’t want me to get married; he just doesn’t want me to go to school. I think… he might be afraid that I’ll leave him.”

“When my mother was still alive, she worried about her identity being exposed, so my father avoided interacting with anyone in the village. But even though she’s been gone for so many years, my father is still the same; he’s even started drinking heavily,” Lin Qing’er continued. “I know he can’t accept my mother’s departure, and he’s afraid that I’ll leave him too.”

After Lin Qing’er finished speaking, Jing Li remained silent for a long time.

Qin Zhao was right; meddling in others’ family affairs was truly troublesome.

Everyone has their own position, burdens, and circumstances that are hard for outsiders to understand. But… does that mean they should just ignore it?

Jing Li frowned in frustration, but then he heard Qin Zhao ask, “If you truly change your current life, will you abandon him?”

“Of course not.” Lin Qing’er said earnestly, “I’ve actually talked to my father several times about moving to the county. I could do mending and laundry for wealthy families; I’m sure I could make enough money for us to live on, but he refuses…”

Qin Zhao nodded. “I see.”

Jing Li asked, “Qin Zhao, do you have a plan?”

“Yes,” Qin Zhao replied, “I’m going to…”

“Qing’er, what are you doing here?” Father Lin’s voice suddenly came from behind them. He stood at the edge of the path, picking up a hoe that was leaning against the side. “What are you all doing here? Get out before I make you leave!”

He was still drunk, swaying unsteadily even as he walked, the hoe wobbling on his shoulder.

Qin Zhao quickly stepped forward, deftly snatching the hoe from his hand and grabbing his wrist. “Uncle Lin, don’t misunderstand. We mean no harm.”

Father Lin struggled, but couldn’t break free. He snarled, “Get out! If you don’t leave, I’ll report you to the village chief!”

Qin Zhao did not back down and calmly said, “We just came from the village chief’s house. He knows I’m here to see you. If you don’t mind, Uncle Lin, could we speak privately?”

The village chief held considerable respect in the village, and even Lin’s father had to show some deference.

Hearing this, Father Lin loosened his grip and said, “Fine, I’ll hear what you have to say.”

Jing Li didn’t know what Qin Zhao intended to discuss with Father Lin . Once the door closed, there was no sound from the room. Time passed, and it had been almost as long as a stick of incense burning without any sign of them coming out. Jing Li and Lin Qing’er waited in the courtyard, where she had poured him a cup of floral tea. The two sipped tea as they waited.

Compared to Jing Li, Lin Qing’er seemed quite distracted, glancing toward the room from time to time.

“Don’t worry. Leave it to Qin Zhao; there’s nothing he can’t handle,” Jing Li said, taking a sip of the freshly brewed tea. The sweet scent filled his mouth. “Is this osmanthus tea?”

“Yes.”

Perhaps because she thought Jing Li was a Ge’er, Lin Qing’er was much more at ease around him. She explained, “The osmanthus flowers in the mountains are in full bloom right now. Every year around this time, I pick them and dry them for tea. My father likes it very much. If you like it, I can share some with you.”

Jing Li had never tasted osmanthus tea before, especially this kind of pure, natural tea without additives.

However, knowing that Lin Qing’er’s family was not well-off and that these osmanthus flowers had been painstakingly picked by her, he didn’t want to take advantage of her kindness. He said, “How about you teach me how to make osmanthus tea? I’ll go back and make it for Qin Zhao myself.”

This method was known to many villagers, so Lin Qing’er had no intention of keeping it a secret. She generously explained the process to Jing Li.

Jing Li took out a small notebook from his pocket and carefully recorded each step.

Before coming here, he had never experienced rural life, so he was unfamiliar with many aspects of it. Therefore, after learning the writing of this era, he carried a notebook with him, jotting down various life hacks he came across. Not only did this help him remember, but it also improved his grasp of the written language.

Unknowingly, he had already filled more than half of the notebook.

After finishing her explanation, Lin Qing’er even gave him a small packet of dried osmanthus as a reference.

Jing Li carefully put away the notebook and the dried flowers. Lin Qing’er watched his actions and asked with a smile, “Qin Zhao must treat you very well, right?”

Jing Li froze for a moment, then suddenly thought of something and shook his head. “Not really. He’s always bullying me.”

Lin Qing’er blinked in confusion. “But I think he treats you very well. When he looks at you, there’s this intense focus in his eyes. My father has the same look when he occasionally talks in front of my mother’s grave.”

Jing Li let out a sound.

Sure, Qin Zhao was nice, but he was also relentless when it came to teasing.

And he was getting more and more over the top with it.

Thinking of how he was usually bullied, Jing Li felt a surge of frustration and said earnestly, “Qing’er, let me tell you, you can’t easily trust men’s sweet words. They have two faces, one in front of others and one behind the scenes. They’re not good people.”

Lin Qing’er listened, half-understanding, and asked, “Is Qin Zhao like that too?”

“Of course! You have no idea; in private, he loves to bully people the most—”

Just as he finished speaking, a faint meowing sound came from somewhere.

Jing Li’s expression changed.

A sense of impending danger made him instinctively leap up. The next second, an orange cat descended from above, landing on the stone table. The cat’s eyes were wide open, staring unblinkingly at Jing Li.

“Oh, it’s Xiaohua.” Lin Qing’er petted the cat’s head and said to Jing Li, “Don’t be scared. Xiaohua often comes to my house for food. She’s very gentle and never bites.”

She doesn’t bite people, but she does bite fish!

Jing Li was on the verge of tears as he and the cat faced off in the courtyard.

Sure enough, the orange cat that was praised for “never biting” licked its paw, arched its back, and lunged at Jing Li!

“Ahhhhhhh—!” Jing Li stumbled backward in fright. Just then, the door opened, and Qin Zhao stepped out.

In a panic, Jing Li darted behind Qin Zhao, clutching his waist tightly, his voice trembling. “There’s a cat! There’s a cat!!!”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Lin Qing’er, who had just heard Jing Li badmouth his husband: “…”

So much for saying he’s not a good person and likes to bully others.

And now, holding on so tightly.