MGASC -Chapter 104 Who Doesn’t Like a Gentle, Pretty Older Sister

Lin Tianyue was rough and careless by nature, so he didn’t mind. He went back to the ward, pulled over a table, and sat down with Lin Xun.

As soon as he opened the lunch box, an enticing aroma wafted out.

Lin Tianyue’s index finger twitched with anticipation: “Lin Xun, see? I wasn’t wrong. Your mom brought us all delicious food. Look—big dumplings! And this box… what’s in it?”

Zhang Qiao still felt a little awkward hearing him call her “your mom.” Blushing, she said, “This is a new dish I experimented with this morning: braised big carp in an iron pot.”

“Fish again? Smells amazing!” Lin Tianyue sniffed, then poked at it with his chopsticks. “Wait… where’s the fish?”

“Uh… fish is a trigger food; you can’t eat it. I was afraid you’d be tempted, so I didn’t put any in your portion. Um… Lin Xun, sorry, you’ll have to make do today. Tomorrow I’ll bring it just for you.”

Lin Xun was still immersed in that “your mom” remark, his cheeks flushed red. He didn’t even dare to lift his head and had no interest in debating the fish—he just murmured a vague “okay.”

Honestly, having such a young “mom” was kind of strange. Sometimes, Lin Xun preferred to think of her as a sister—or at most, an aunt.

It wasn’t that they refused to call her mom; Zhang Qiao was just far too young.

No one wanted to make her seem old.

Lin Tianyue, however, was completely oblivious, shoveling dumplings and food from the lunch box. “I have to say, wife, your tofu and noodles smell even better than the fish. Another new dish from your experiments—how do you do it? You never showed off before; were you just afraid I’d get hooked and come home every day? I heard from Lin Xun you went over to Yingzi’s place first thing this morning. Are you sleepy now? Want to lie down here for a nap?”

Hearing him bring up the past made Zhang Qiao uncomfortable. “This is your bed; you should be the one sleeping on it. I’m not sleeping here!”

She had never seen such an obstinate patient—just when he was getting better, he started acting wild again.

The house is burned down, so what if we visit the police station another day?

Lin Tianyue snorted. “You really think I can sleep? Last night, I plopped down like a turtle and stayed on this bed all night—so tiring! Sitting is better. I didn’t sleep a wink all night. We don’t have to stay in the hospital; I can come by every day to get my dressing changed, that works too.”

By the end, his tone was almost negotiating, tinged with childlike grievance.

Sleeping all night like that?

Zhang Qiao looked him over—sure enough, Lin Tianyue had dark circles under his eyes.

She touched the bed beneath him; it was hard, just a wooden bed with a thin mattress on top. Comfort-wise, it was far worse than a guesthouse.

And he had a fever, plus pain, plus uncomfortable sleep.

Zhang Qiao couldn’t help but soften.

“Then I’ll ask the doctor. If he agrees, you can come just for the dressing change every day, and you won’t have to stay here at night.”

Lin Tianyue’s throat rolled in excitement. “Wife, you really mean it?”

“Can you stop calling me ‘wife’?” Zhang Qiao glared.

Who was his wife? Even if it were true, it was temporary—just for a year.

Wait, only eleven months left.

Lin Xun silently ate, thinking: argue all you want, but don’t drag me into it.

Lin Tianyue looked sheepish, afraid Zhang Qiao would change her mind and make him stay in the hospital, so he bit back his retorts.

After breakfast, the doctor came to take Lin Tianyue’s temperature—he no longer had a fever.

His back was re-dressed; Zhang Qiao couldn’t bear to watch the process. Lin Xun’s eyes were red with worry.

As soon as the dressing was done, Lin Tianyue quickly pulled his clothes down. He seized the opportunity to ask the doctor if he could just come for the dressing changes and not stay in the hospital.

The doctor, however, gave a stern refusal: “No! You’re a grown man—can’t you take some responsibility for yourself?”

Lin Tianyue’s face turned pale and blue. Seeing Zhang Qiao enter, he desperately gestured at her, veins on his neck bulging.

Zhang Qiao approached the doctor and spoke softly and gently: “How about this, doctor? When we get home, I’ll make sure he takes his medication on time every day, following your instructions to the letter. I also want him to stay here a few more days, but his back is injured, and he can’t sleep. Hospitals are crowded; being at home will be a bit more comfortable. I’m worried that if he doesn’t sleep, it will affect his spirits.”

She leaned in slightly and whispered, “Don’t you think he seems a bit irritable today?”

The doctor’s expression stiffened slightly; he glanced at Lin Tianyue.

In a low voice: “Did he hit you?”

Zhang Qiao quickly shook her head. “I’m just worried he’ll bother others.”

“I see.”

Zhang Qiao’s appearance and voice were gentle, clean, and pleasant—so even women liked her.

The doctor scrutinized Lin Tianyue’s dark circles.

“Alright, fine. But don’t forget to come for dressing changes every day. Burn injuries aren’t a joke; they need proper treatment.”

“Great! Thank you, doctor! Here, some sunflower seeds from home, try them!”

Zhang Qiao quickly handed some to the doctor, who smiled and took them, reminding her of some precautions.

Zhang Qiao escorted the doctor out of the ward.

Lin Tianyue sulked at his son: “Everyone else says no, I say no, she says yes. Why?”

Lin Xun found it amusing, but if he were the doctor, he’d definitely prefer Aunt Qiao’s approach.

Who doesn’t like a gentle, smiling older sister? Unlike his dad, who always scolded and was so fierce when asking for favors!

Lin Xun clasped his hands behind his back and pronounced slowly: “This is probably called the art of speaking!”

Regardless, Lin Tianyue was happy he could leave the hospital.

He first sent Zhang Qiao back to the guesthouse to rest, then went to the factory to handle work.

Zhang Qiao had gotten up early and was utterly exhausted—she slept until noon. When she woke, Lin Ran and Lin Jin were back. This time, they didn’t make a fuss, quietly practicing calligraphy outside.

“Why are you so well-behaved today? Lin Ran, Lin Jin, tired from selling fish?”

Zhang Qiao ruffled Lin Jin’s little head.

Lin Ran said, “Aunt Qiao, I think doing business is fun. I’ll help you every day from now on.”

Lin Jin: “Me too!”

Going out to sell food meant tasty treats. Lin Jin had gotten lots of candy and was praised by many uncles and aunts—he was thrilled.

Lin Ran said it just to feel a sense of accomplishment from selling things.

Zhang Qiao paused, then said: “Schoolwork comes first. You can only help with other things in your free time.”

“Oh.”

Hearing the word “study,” both boys looked a little downcast.

At that moment, someone knocked—it was Lin Tianyue returning.

He brought delicious food for Zhang Qiao and the kids, all bought at the market earlier: fried cakes, tofu pudding, stuffed pancakes, and a steaming bowl of crucian carp soup.

“Qiao Qiao, drink the crucian carp soup. Aunt Liu just sent it. She’s been thinking about you and told me to make sure you drink it all.”

After Lin Tianyue placed all the food down, Zhang Qiao noticed he was holding one hand behind his back—he seemed to have something else hidden.