MGASC -Chapter 12 Protected by Him, Held in His Arms

Zhang Qiao was naturally slender; even four months pregnant, she still looked quite slim.

Lin Tianyue asked, “How were the results from today’s check-up?”

Zhang Qiao had assumed he had left, but when she turned around, he was still there.

“Oh, pretty good. The baby’s all healthy, but the doctor said I’m a bit malnourished.”

Lin Tianyue found it hard to believe. He had given her plenty of money before, and she always carefully managed what she ate—how could she be malnourished?

It must be that she had been giving the money to her mother.

“Then don’t go back to your mom’s place so often, and buy more good food for yourself. That way you won’t be malnourished.”

Zhang Qiao felt he was speaking sarcastically and gave him a cold glance.

Seeing him still standing there, she shot back, “Why are you still here? Aren’t you going?”

Lin Tianyue frowned but didn’t answer.

At that moment, a tricycle suddenly sped toward the roadside. Quick as lightning, Lin Tianyue grabbed Zhang Qiao and pulled her into his arms. “Watch out!”

The tricycle brushed past them, and Lin Tianyue muttered a curse under his breath.

Looking down, he found himself holding Zhang Qiao, her soft pink cheeks and moist, almond-shaped eyes pressed against him.

His chest heated up again, and last night’s intimate scene flashed through his mind.

Zhang Qiao’s heart was also racing.

Just now, he had instinctively protected her, lifting her into his arms.

Zhang Qiao had never been so close to a man. Her hands pressed against his solid chest, and his scent—smoky and cool—wafted to her nose. It wasn’t unpleasant; in fact, it was slightly intoxicating…

His large hands still held her waist, making their lower bodies press tightly together.

Her face flushed immediately.

So thrilling! For over twenty years before this life, her heart had been calm as still water. And now, having just transmigrated into this world, she was already sleeping with this rough man—and now being held in his arms!!!

Especially when she lifted her head and met his rugged, striking features and deep black eyes, it felt like a thunderbolt striking the earth. A tingling current ran up her spine.

She forgot to push him away.

Lin Tianyue reacted first, loosening his hold. “Be careful. You’ve got another life in there now.”

Zhang Qiao smiled sweetly. “Are you worried about me?”

“I don’t want you to get hit by a car and end up in the hospital!”

Ugh, such a straightforward man. She rolled her eyes—he always had to ruin the mood with such practical words.

Just then, the bus arrived. Zhang Qiao shrugged off his hand and boarded, still fuming.

Lin Tianyue was a little confused. The bus had left, and he was still reflecting—is he really in the wrong? It had been dangerous!

By the time she got home by bus, it was nearly four in the afternoon.

There were sounds of laughter inside—and a woman’s voice?

Puzzled, Zhang Qiao pushed open the front door. Before she even reached the main hall, she heard Wang Yan’s sighing voice: “This watermelon is delicious, right? I bought it especially for the three of you. I carried it all the way here, and my fingers are red. Your dad isn’t here, and seeing you all looking so pitiful makes me worry to death. Today on the street, I saw that ‘fox spirit.’ She bought herself so many good things. Just thinking about it—she doesn’t care about you kids, yet spends your dad’s money recklessly—I feel so sad for you three. How can there be such a bad woman?”

The three kids each held a piece of watermelon, practically burying their faces in it while eating.

The youngest, Lin Jin, finally looked up. “Auntie, this morning, the fox spirit even gave me some egg custard. I think she’s not always bad sometimes…”

“Tut! You’re won over by a piece of egg custard? Do you know why she’s flattering you? Isn’t it because your dad was around this morning? People always have to put on appearances, especially when they’re eyeing your dad’s money! Of course, she has to behave a little better. You need to see how she treats you when your dad isn’t around. Does she buy you watermelon like I do? Does she cook for you? Mend your clothes?”

The eldest, Lin Xun, said nothing, while Lin Ran chimed in, “Yeah! Aunt Yan is the best to us, just like our real mom! If only you had married my dad, then we wouldn’t have to be bullied by that bad woman.”

Lin Xun felt those words were inappropriate, cleared his throat, and put down the watermelon.

Outside, Zhang Qiao felt her stomach churn; she almost wanted to vomit.

Wang Yan really knew how to manipulate children.

No wonder the three kids had such strong opinions about her—it had all been Wang Yan instilling and stirring things behind the scenes.

She even bought watermelon? Today, Zhang Qiao had gone to the market and hadn’t seen any for sale.

As for cooking and mending clothes… Ha. If she truly cared, she would have made new clothes for the three kids—their clothes were practically falling apart.

It was all exploiting the children’s innocence. Especially the three kids, who had endured hardship—any small kindness would make them emotionally dependent and willing to give their hearts.

Inside, Wang Yan patted Lin Ran’s head: “Be good. With that fox spirit around, I can’t be your mom, but I will take care of you like a mother. Just remember who treats you well.”

Ugh!

Zhang Qiao, still not feeling pregnancy symptoms, suddenly felt nauseated.

She said nothing, didn’t expose Wang Yan, but turned around and left the house again.

Wang Yan’s home was next door to Lin Tianyue’s. The corridor was just a short turn away.

Lin Tianyue had a bad temper. He had gotten into fights before, and had even been detained for small-time business dealings. Neighbors always thought he was a thug and avoided the family like the plague, especially after he married an unreliable wife.

So when Zhang Qiao knocked on Wang Yan’s door, Wang Yan’s mother came to open it. Her once eager expression instantly drooped when she saw Zhang Qiao.

“Why is it you?”

Blocking the door, she had no intention of letting her in.

She knew Lin Tianyue had been in trouble with the law and insisted her daughter keep distance from this family. Previously, Wang Yan had helped Lin Tianyue with his small business dealings, which she had objected to several times. Now that they were finally apart, she was delighted.

She didn’t want her daughter involved with a thug—what could come of it? Only disaster for her family.

Zhang Qiao narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Aunt Wang, are you home? I just got back from the county and ran into Matchmaker Zhang. She even asked if your Wang Yan had a boyfriend yet. If not, she said she could recommend someone. She added that girls her age should marry a proper family, otherwise, something embarrassing might happen. I told her, Wang Yan is such a good girl. She runs over to my house every day, takes care of the three little ones, mends clothes, delivers watermelon—she’s even more competent than I, the stepmother. If I weren’t pregnant, I’d even consider giving her my place! Oh, Aunt Wang, where are you going? I haven’t even finished yet!”