MGASC -Chapter 10 She Really Is Beautiful

“I know, you’re pregnant right now, so it’s inconvenient for you. Tutoring Xiaoxiao twice a week is enough. I’ll have the driver bring Xiaoxiao to your house. I’ll pay you five yuan per lesson, eight lessons a month—that’s forty yuan. How does that sound?”

Forty yuan a month!

It didn’t sound like much, but in the 1980s, a worker who went out early and came back late would earn only thirty to fifty yuan a month. And she could earn forty yuan by spending just over ten hours. Of course, she agreed!

Besides, there were three little ones at home waiting to be nourished with knowledge. One sheep can be let go, a flock must be herded…

“Director Zhou, if you and Xiaoxiao are willing to trust me, I have no problem at all.”

Xiaoxiao had always liked Zhang Qiao very much. Hearing this, she pressed her adorable little head against Zhang Qiao’s shoulder: “Sister Qiao is so pretty, of course I don’t mind.”

So it was clear: Zhou Xiaoxiao was still a bit of a beauty-lover.

Zhou Junlin said, “Comrade Zhang Qiao, you saved Xiaoxiao’s life. I trust you one hundred percent. Now it’s up to you.”

Zhang Qiao hugged Xiaoxiao close. “Xiaoxiao is such a cute little friend, of course I have no problem at all!”

And just like that, the tutoring arrangement was settled.

Moreover, Zhou Junlin, to show his sincerity, even paid Zhang Qiao a month’s salary in advance.

Although Zhang Qiao felt a little embarrassed getting paid without working, thinking back to Lin Tianyue’s attitude toward her demanding money that morning, she let go of her burden and accepted it happily.

She didn’t want to live a life with her hand out. Money gave her confidence.

After the afternoon checkup, Zhou Junlin drove her to the County Committee. Over there, Lin Tianyue and his brothers were in a tense standoff with the county leaders over retrieving the feed.

Lin Tianyue sat on a bench outside the County Committee office, long legs stretched out, smoking leisurely.

Next to him, Chen Gang and Da Lin paced anxiously, occasionally peeking through the door crack.

Da Lin said, “Brother Yue, did you hear that? That bastard Wang Mingqing slammed the table! Looks like he still won’t let us off!”

Chen Gang said, “He’s nothing! The pressure’s already on the farm side. I refuse to believe the entire County Committee can just watch their pigs starve!”

Old Wu was silent for a long moment, then looked at Lin Tianyue: “Tianyue, maybe we should give that Wang fellow a way out…”

Lin Tianyue didn’t move. His black eyes swept over them sharply. That fierce aura made everyone shiver, their scalps tingling.

He held a cigarette between rough fingers, his brows exuding absolute confidence: “Don’t worry. Before dark, our truck will get the feed out.”

Old Wu said, “Tianyue, under the current situation, you can’t be too sure…”

Lin Tianyue let out another cold snort.

Over the years, he had dealt with the County Committee enough times. He was almost certain about today’s standoff.

They had let him go—this was a signal. It meant the higher-ups knew he was innocent.

Even if Wang Mingqing was domineering, he was still only one man. Lin Tianyue understood that the state supported an open market. The real problem was that the leaders in Xiangshui County were too conservative, too cautious, just observing. But it didn’t matter. Every pig in the county’s farms was waiting for his feed.

Humans can wait, but livestock cannot.

So Lin Tianyue wasn’t worried at all.

As he smoked, a graceful figure entered through the open front gate.

It was Zhang Qiao!

Walking beside her was another tall, well-dressed man with refined features, looking like an intellectual.

Someone must have given advance notice. The doors to the meeting room opened, and several county leaders, including a very cautious Wang Mingqing, came out to greet them. Ma, the Secretary, walking at the front, grasped Zhou Junlin’s hand tightly.

Chen Gang was a bit stunned: “The big boss is here? And sister-in-law too?”

Zhou Junlin, unable to resist the enthusiasm, exchanged pleasantries and went in with them. Passing by Lin Tianyue, he even nodded warmly.

Lin Tianyue, not knowing the details, nodded slightly in return.

Wang Mingqing followed behind, obsequious. Meeting Lin Tianyue’s expectant gaze, he said in a low voice with a stern face: “See? Someone from above has come. Lin Tianyue, you’re done for this time. Not only will your goods be confiscated, you’re going to prison too!”

Lin Tianyue’s sharp eyes narrowed dangerously: “Fine, I’ll wait and see who’s unlucky first.”

Wang Mingqing shot a contemptuous glance at him and Zhang Qiao before entering.

The meeting room door shut tightly, and the atmosphere outside became even tenser.

Lin Tianyue coldly stubbed out his cigarette. Meanwhile, Chen Gang and Da Lin were greeting Zhang Qiao politely.

They didn’t particularly like Zhang Qiao, but they had to respect Lin Tianyue’s face.

Normally, Zhang Qiao never interfered in Lin Tianyue’s matters, but now she asked Chen Gang with genuine concern: “How’s it going?”

Chen Gang asked her in return: “Sister-in-law, who was the person that went in with you just now? He’s not here to mess with Brother Yue, is he?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then who is he…”

Lin Tianyue, with a stern face, walked over to Zhang Qiao: “I thought you were waiting for me at the supply and marketing co-op? How did you end up here?”

Zhang Qiao met his question: “I’ve been waiting all along, but you never came.”

A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she teased: “Oh, so the matter isn’t done yet. Looks like getting the feed back isn’t as easy as you said.”

Lin Tianyue felt cornered: “Why the rush? It’ll be done soon.”

“Mm, I suppose it should be soon.”

After all, the person with the final say had already arrived!

Zhang Qiao glanced inside again. Zhou Junlin’s sudden appearance was a big deal for the County Committee. People outside the meeting room couldn’t help but look at her curiously.

Everyone noticed she had come with Zhou Junlin—and she was stunning.

Though she wore a simple light green shirt and rough cloth pants, her black glossy hair, dark brows, red lips, and porcelain skin made her stand out as if she were in a magazine photo.

She had even tied a knot on one side of her shirt, accentuating her curves and making her legs look even longer. She looked like a movie star.

A young clerk whispered: “Who is she? So pretty, coming with Director Zhou—could she be a relative?”

“Maybe a girlfriend?”

“I heard Director Zhou is married.”

“Could she be… someone else?”

Though whispered, their lingering gazes didn’t escape Lin Tianyue’s eyes.

His brows furrowed like two cold peaks. Usually so confident, now he felt uneasy. How did Zhang Qiao know someone of Zhou Junlin’s rank?

Could it be…

Lin Tianyue suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her to a corner.