MGASC -Chapter 120 When a Man Dotes on His Wife and Loves His Children, That Is the Greatest Dignity

That single sentence made Zhang Ling’s face burn hot. With patched clothes covering her from head to toe, there was nowhere to hide her embarrassment. “Ah, where would I get that kind of spare money? Besides, I’m already so old. Stop teasing me.”

“Old? Sister, you’re only twenty-six—this is the prime of your youth. How are you old?” Zhang Qiao glanced subtly at her sister’s clothes. Last time, she had already hinted to Xu Liang that he should buy her sister some new clothes.

Clearly, he hadn’t taken it to heart.

That alone spoke volumes about Zhang Ling’s position at home.

Zhang Qiao really wanted to give Xu Liang a good scolding, but then she thought better of it. Everyone needs their pride. Since her sister never talked about her situation at home, she probably didn’t want to.

So the words at the tip of her tongue changed. “Just in time—I’m planning to go into the city in a few days to buy Tianyue a suit and get some things for the baby. Sister, why don’t you come with me? My belly’s getting big. If I go alone, Tianyue won’t feel at ease. If you’re there, he definitely won’t object.”

Hearing that it was to help her younger sister, Zhang Ling quickly agreed. Her gaze fell enviously on Zhang Qiao’s stomach.

They had already gone upstairs. Zhang Ling helped Zhang Qiao sit down in a chair, while she took the seat opposite.

Lin Xun thoughtfully poured Zhang Ling a glass of water. His obedient, well-behaved manner was simply lovable.

Zhang Ling found the maternity pants on her sister especially cute. She reached out and gently stroked her belly. “Six months already, right? How wonderful. In just over three months, you’ll be able to meet the baby.”

Her smile was tender, and she didn’t hide her envy. “Qiao Qiao, you’re truly blessed. You and your husband had a child right after getting married. Now he’s become a factory director, you’ve moved into a big house, you’ve found proper work, and even the three little ones are closer to you than before. I know you must’ve put in a lot of effort these past few months. You’ve grown up and become sensible. I’m really happy for you.”

To Zhang Ling, her sister was completely different from before—graceful in the way she handled people and situations, even warmer toward her than in the past. Of course, she didn’t know that Zhang Qiao’s “core” had changed; she assumed her sister had simply matured after becoming pregnant.

Sitting there, Zhang Ling looked around the new home.

It was truly beautiful. Warm sunlight streamed in. Two potted flowers sat on the windowsill. The new furniture gleamed softly. Everything was brand new, as lovely as something out of an illustrated magazine.

It felt almost unreal.

But the better her sister’s life was, the worse it made her own situation seem by comparison.

Was it all because she couldn’t get pregnant? Was that why Xu Liang had grown colder and more disgusted with her? Why her mother-in-law scolded her every day as a hen that couldn’t lay eggs?

The more Zhang Ling thought about it, the tighter her chest felt.

“Sister, how have things been with you and brother-in-law lately?” Zhang Qiao asked gently, noticing her low spirits.

Zhang Ling answered absentmindedly, “Mm, it’s fine. Just busy. Sometimes he even has to stay at the school.”

“Stay at the school? Is that appropriate?” It sounded odd.

Even though the college entrance exam had been reinstated and teachers’ workloads had increased, student pressure was nowhere near as intense as when Zhang Qiao was in high school. Why would he need to live on campus?

Zhang Ling sighed. “He said the principal gave him heavy targets. He wants to produce results. Commuting back and forth wastes too much time. Staying at school means he can rest more.”

“And what about all the housework? You do it all yourself?”

“Oh, I’m used to it. Your brother-in-law’s hands hold chalk. I can’t bear to let him hold a hoe. Besides, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

That reasoning left Zhang Qiao speechless.

She truly wanted to help her sister—especially after feeling her genuine care—but as the saying goes, if a person doesn’t save themselves, even heaven can’t help them.

They chatted a while longer when noises came from outside.

Lin Tianyue had returned.

The smell of alcohol on him had mostly dissipated. Tall and imposing, he seemed to fill the doorway as soon as he stepped in. With the boost of a career, he now looked spirited and confident—nothing like the street thug he once was.

He carried groceries—loofah and lettuce that Zhang Qiao liked, and garlic shoots she’d been craving.

Seeing Zhang Ling unexpectedly, he paused slightly.

Zhang Qiao quickly explained that her sister had been worried and came specifically to see them.

“She even bought us meat. Let’s make braised pork tonight. Sister, you didn’t eat much at noon. You have to stay for dinner,” Zhang Qiao urged warmly, noticing how thin she was.

Zhang Ling was about to decline when Lin Tianyue said, “Yes, Sister, stay and keep Qiao company. Stay a few more days if you like. You don’t have children to look after anyway. Brother-in-law can manage on his own!”

Zhang Qiao smiled sweetly. “Exactly. Since he’s staying at school, you might as well take the chance to rest.”

If it were her, she certainly wouldn’t rush back just to be worked like an old ox.

Zhang Ling hesitated. She hadn’t had a proper chat with her sister in a long time, and she truly didn’t want to return to her mother-in-law’s cold face.

“What should we cook tonight? You two rest—I’ll cook.”

She was so used to working that she rolled up her sleeves to wash her hands. But Lin Tianyue waved it off. “No need. I’ll cook dinner. You two sisters chat.”

“That’s not appropriate…”

She looked at Zhang Qiao, who seemed completely accustomed to it. “What’s inappropriate? You’re the guest. If he wants to cook, let him.”

Zhang Ling could hardly believe it. She had never seen a rural man cook.

She’d been married to Xu Liang for five or six years, and he didn’t even know which way the kitchen door opened.

Lin Tianyue looked big and rough, every bit the macho man waiting to be served. He could cook?

Yet she watched as he casually took off his outer coat, let Zhang Qiao tie an apron around him, and carried the vegetables and meat into the kitchen.

Zhang Ling was stunned again.

“Qiao Qiao…” she lowered her voice, incredulous. “Does brother-in-law really know how to cook? Is it really appropriate for us to sit here while he works? He’s a factory director out there.”

Zhang Qiao grabbed a handful of pumpkin seeds and stuffed them into her sister’s hand.

She smiled at her stubborn, old-fashioned sister. “So what if he’s a factory director? Does that mean he can’t work or cook? What kind of logic is that? Sister, your thinking needs to change. In big cities, the state-owned restaurants and cafeterias are all run by male chefs.”

“That’s different. Tianyue needs to save face…”

“Face?” Zhang Qiao sighed. “Sister, when a man dotes on his wife and loves his children, and runs his family well—that’s the greatest face of all. Understand?”

Zhang Ling, of course, did not. She even thought her sister had become rather domineering—ordering her husband around without batting an eye.