Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Second Brother, Don’t Look Down on Me
Ling Qianfan was in so much pain that tears welled up in his eyes, but he forced himself to endure it. "Qianjun, I’m fine. I just accidentally smashed my finger," he said.
Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge, who had been cleaning nearby, heard the commotion and hurried over. Seeing the situation, they offered Ling Qianfan some gentle words of comfort and concern.
Looking at his younger brother’s strong front, Ling Qianjun felt both gratified and distressed. He knew his brother had only gotten hurt trying to help, so he didn’t say anything more and simply bandaged the wound in silence.
Once the wound was bound, Ling Qianfan looked up. "Qianjun, I still want to help you make the furniture."
Seeing the determined look in his brother’s eyes, Ling Qianjun nodded. "Alright. Just be careful and don’t hurt yourself again."
With that, Ling Qianfan picked up his tools once more to resume working alongside his brother. Even though his finger still throbbed with pain, he didn’t give up. Instead, he observed and worked even more diligently. Under his brother’s guidance, he gradually grasped the techniques of furniture-making and grew increasingly proficient.
Ling Qianjun was an excellent craftsman, and he soon finished building all the pieces. Although Ling Qianfan’s help with the minor tasks slowed down their overall progress, Ling Qianjun patiently explained every step to him. Staring at the furniture he had helped build, Ling Qianfan felt a profound sense of accomplishment.
After finishing the woodwork, the two brothers wiped everything down. Meanwhile, a panting Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge finally finished cleaning the entire house. The place was now neat, tidy, and looking brand new.
Ling Qianjun and Ling Qianfan arranged the new furniture, making the entire room look much warmer and more comfortable. Standing off to the side, Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge admired the fruits of their labor, happy smiles beaming on their faces.
"Finally done cleaning! I’m exhausted!" Ling Yunge said, stretching lazily.
"Indeed, but seeing the house so spotless makes it all worth it," Xu Panqing said with a smile.
"Alright, everyone worked hard today. Let’s take a break," Ling Qianjun said.
They all sat down on the newly crafted wooden stools, enjoying this brief moment of tranquility.
After resting for a while, Ling Qianjun and Ling Qianfan got up to return the tools they had borrowed from the villagers. Along the way, the two brothers wore smiles on their faces, their eyes drawn to the ocean not too far away.
Back at the house, Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge had already organized their meager belongings. When the two boys returned, the four of them sat around the table, staring blankly at each other.
They still had one final problem to solve—room allocation!
Ling Yunge was the first to raise her hand. "Mother and I should take the attic," she suggested. "The ceiling height is just right for us to walk around without bumping our heads when we stand up. If Qianjun and Qianfan stay up there, it’ll be dangerous."
Imagining the scene of them hitting their heads, Ling Yunge subconsciously let her gaze fall upon her brothers. Her mind was already filled with images of them sporting heads full of lumps.
Ling Qianfan nodded vigorously and clutched his own head. "Yunge is right," he said. "If Qianjun and I stay up there, it really would be dangerous. Especially for Qianjun—having to bend over every time he goes in and out would be far too tiring."
Ling Qianjun cast a sidelong glance at him and said dryly, "Your height is perfectly fine. You wouldn’t bump your head."
Ling Qianfan puffed out his cheeks angrily. "I’m going to grow taller very soon! Don’t look down on me, Qianjun!"
Ling Qianjun just nodded, not saying another word.
At this, Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge couldn’t help but burst into laughter.