MGASC -Chapter 119 Qiao Qiao’s New Life Is Too Wonderful

Zhang Ling saw that her sister looked well, and her frail, bony hands clenched tightly around Zhang Qiao’s soft ones. “You still have the nerve to stay quiet! The house burned down, and you didn’t even tell me. I only found out yesterday, so I rushed over to see you. Was the house completely destroyed? No chance of repairing it at all? And with things happening so fast, where did you and your husband find a place to stay? Where have you been living these past few days? Look at you—you’re still pregnant! I was worried sick!”

As she spoke, she forced two pieces of meat into Zhang Qiao’s hands. “Here, take this. I didn’t really have anything to give you. Don’t mind the small amount—just consider it a little gift to celebrate.”

Although Zhang Ling could be timid at times, her concern for her sister was heartfelt.

After all, having grown up together, apart from their parents and their own partners, Zhang Qiao was the one closest to her.

No…

Zhang Ling realized that, since her pregnancy hadn’t progressed, her bond with Xu Liang wasn’t the same as before.

Her parents and younger brother were selfish to the point of making her feel cold, but her sister was the only one who could still give her a sense of sibling warmth.

Zhang Qiao looked at the pieces of meat, feeling a little uneasy.

She quickly led Zhang Ling into the restaurant and introduced her to Sister Feng.

When Sister Feng heard that this was Zhang Qiao’s elder sister, she immediately put down her work, brought over a pot of hot tea, and offered peanuts and sunflower seeds. She even kindly asked whether Zhang Ling had eaten yet, saying she would prepare something if not.

Zhang Ling had only eaten breakfast, but it was past lunchtime now. How could she let someone cook for her? Besides, this was a restaurant—it would cost money.

She quickly declined, saying she had already eaten.

Once Sister Feng went back to her work, Zhang Qiao quietly told her, “Sister, don’t worry. This restaurant is actually a franchise that I run with Yingzi—I’m sort of Sister Feng’s boss. Whatever you want to eat, just say it. I’ll treat you! By the way, you haven’t tried my pickled fish yet, have you?”

Zhang Ling was completely confused. Franchise? Boss? When did her sister start a business?

But she had heard of pickled fish before—it was a trendy dish lately, said to be very delicious, though she had never tried it herself.

“Qiao Qiao, are you saying… this pickled fish is yours?”

“Yes! Last time we met, it was too rushed to explain. I’ve been selling it for almost two months now.”

“But how can you make it?”

“Well… um…”

Zhang Qiao gave a casual excuse, then briefly told her sister about her business.

Just then, Sister Feng enthusiastically brought a bowl of pickled fish noodles for Zhang Ling to try.

The moment it was placed in front of her, Zhang Ling caught a unique aroma—different from anything she had eaten before. A fermented tang mingled with the fresh scent of fish.

She sniffed, then looked at the bowl in front of her.

So this was the legendary pickled fish everyone queued for!

The fish slices were white and tender, paired with pickled mustard greens and chili—it looked absolutely delicious.

“Qiao Qiao, I think Sister Feng is really kind. We can’t just eat and leave…” Zhang Ling, though poor, had never been one to take advantage of others.

But Zhang Qiao handed her the chopsticks. “Sister, eat without worry. I’ll pay together with you!”

Actually, Zhang Ling was already hungry. Looking at the noodles, she swallowed hard.

She nodded and carefully picked up a piece of fish, placing it in her mouth and savoring it.

Fish usually had a strong smell that people disliked, but this one was bouncy and smooth, with an indescribable freshness. Zhang Ling had never tasted fish this good.

With the first bite, her eyes welled up a little.

Her sister had quietly achieved so much, all while being pregnant, and never let it affect her work. Looking at herself, she felt utterly useless.

Zhang Ling finished the bowl with tears in her eyes.

During this time, Zhang Qiao told her about recent events. Hearing that her sister not only had a profitable business but was also about to move into a big house, Zhang Ling felt both touched and genuinely happy for her.

Once Zhang Ling finished eating, Zhang Qiao thanked Sister Feng, settled the bill, and led her sister to her new home.

The front gate was open, and the three little ones wore sailor-striped shirts, singing military songs. One was wiping windows, another sweeping stairs, and the third tidying the yard, all busily working under Lin Xun’s direction.

Zhang Qiao led Zhang Ling over the threshold. Seeing the spacious courtyard and the elegant two-story house, Zhang Ling’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Her sister’s life far exceeded her expectations. She had come today thinking Zhang Qiao was homeless and struggling, even bringing some money to help.

But unexpectedly, her sister had become a business owner, earned money, and moved into the county’s most impressive villa.

From the moment she entered the yard, Zhang Ling couldn’t stop staring.

Excitedly, Zhang Qiao began to introduce the house. “Sister, this house was left by Tianyue’s father. Not bad, right? I guess it’s a blessing in disguise. I’ve learned something: always look forward. Sometimes what seems bad is actually the start of something good.”

Zhang Qiao’s smile was infectious. Zhang Ling stared at her, and hearing her sister’s life insights made her heart feel a little lighter.

“Sister, I plan to plant flowers in the front yard. The back yard will be our pickled vegetable factory. As the store grows, all raw materials will come from us. This room here is for making the fish slices.”

“Sister Xu, Sister Li, busy? Let me introduce—this is my sister.”

The two young female workers, seeing someone around Zhang Ling’s age, warmly greeted her. Zhang Ling nervously responded, unused to interacting with others since her life had been spent farming in the countryside.

“Sister, this is Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu, remember to collect today’s eggs. Lin Xun, Lin Ran, Lin Jin, this is Aunt Ling—hurry and greet her!”

The three little ones had seen Zhang Ling once before, when they hadn’t reconciled with Zhang Qiao and ignored her family completely.

Now it was different. Seeing Zhang Ling again, the children were sweet and attentive.

“Hello, Aunt Ling!”

“Aunt Ling, come sit inside!”

“Aunt Ling, have some candy—it’s delicious.”

Zhang Ling responded while being astonished at how much the three children had changed.

Holding the milk candy Lin Jin gave her, she went upstairs and quietly asked Zhang Qiao, “Qiao Qiao, I remember the last time I saw these three, they were scruffy, like little street beggars. How did you manage to raise them to look so well-groomed in just a few months?”

Not only well-groomed, but clean and neat. Hair combed, clothes tidy—they looked like completely different children. If Zhang Qiao hadn’t introduced them, Zhang Ling might not have recognized them.

Seeing the tear-stained look on her sister’s face before, Zhang Qiao held her hand and said, “They look good because of their foundation. People are thirty percent nature, seventy percent care. Sister, believe me—if you change your clothes and tidy yourself up, you’d look amazing too!”