MGASC -Chapter 143 All the Benefits Are Taken by Zhang Qiao Alone

Zhang Qiao had also been involved with Wang Mingqing in the past. Many people had rumored that she was Wang Mingqing’s mistress. But why was it that now, Zhang Qiao was thriving, adored by the powerful factory director, while she—Wu Xia—was being unfairly judged and gossiped about for no reason?

Wu Xia felt increasingly unbalanced. The better Zhang Qiao’s life seemed, the more bitter and uncomfortable she felt.

From a distance, Zhang Qiao spotted her in the crowd and even nodded and smiled at her in a friendly way.

Wu Xia froze, staring at that figure. She tried to force a smile, but the one that came out looked worse than crying.

She turned and walked away, not wanting to stay another moment.

Meanwhile, Li Dong, a vendor from the neighboring snack shop, approached with a wide smile.

“Dr. Wu, heading back?”

“Mm.”

“Yeah, makes sense. You and Zhang Qiao both had history with Director Wang, yet she isn’t affected at all—her business is booming. But you, Dr. Wu… alone and isolated. If it were me, I wouldn’t want to stay either.”

Wu Xia frowned, a flash of displeasure in her eyes.

Li Dong leaned closer, speaking softly into her ear: “I heard that Wang Mingqing was ruined because of Zhang Qiao. That day at the guesthouse, she went and reported him. In reality, Wang Yan had nothing to do with Director Wang, but the guesthouse doors were mysteriously locked. Basically… it was deliberate revenge! That woman, she’s really dark-hearted!”

Wu Xia looked at Li Dong in surprise, her heart shaken.

Was Wang Mingqing really framed?

But why would Zhang Qiao do that to him? Just because… she’s now married to Lin Tianyue and wants to appear respectable?

Does that justify using any means necessary?

Wu Xia’s already unsteady heart plunged again into an endless abyss. Her fingernails dug into her palm until it hurt.

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked Li Dong, her voice tight with suppressed anger, each word deliberate.

Li Dong smirked: “Why? Of course because I can’t stand seeing you frustrated. All the benefits went to Zhang Qiao alone, and you…”

He scanned her from head to toe with a malevolent, sarcastic look that made Wu Xia feel like needles were pressing into her back.

“And I… what?” she asked.

“Dr. Wu, I just feel sorry for your situation. I heard your family set you up with several matches, none worked out. You’re such a good person, beautiful, competent at work… what a pity.”

After leaving the market, Wu Xia’s heart felt like it had been impaled by a steel spike.

Even the cloth bag in her hand had been torn into a hole from her clutching it so tightly.

The recent streak of misfortunes, the strange looks, the baseless gossip—enough to crush anyone’s dignity and self-confidence. She didn’t know where to vent her frustration…

For a fleeting moment, thoughts of revenge flashed through her mind. If revenge could give her relief…

“Dr. Wu…”

A clear, sweet voice reached her, pulling her up from the shadows in her mind.

It was Zhang Qiao!

She looked at that bright, stunning face, then at Zhang Qiao’s prominent belly, and a trace of malice flashed in her eyes.

“Dr. Wu, it’s about to rain, and I see you didn’t bring an umbrella. Let me give you one.”

Thunder rumbled across the sky. Wu Xia looked up; thick clouds hung oppressively low, and the storm was imminent.

Zhang Qiao handed her a black umbrella, old-fashioned with a straight wooden handle and a pointed tip, like a blade.

Out of politeness, Zhang Qiao offered it handle-first. Wu Xia grasped the wooden handle, but her eyes instinctively flicked to the pointed tip.

If she suddenly jabbed it now… would her frustration be alleviated a bit?

Why did all the benefits go to Zhang Qiao alone, while she, who did nothing wrong, ended up being called an indecent little fox?

“Dr. Wu, the rain’s coming soon. Why don’t you come with me to the shop and wait it out?”

Zhang Qiao’s slightly somber eyes were sincere as she extended the invitation again: “We could have a chat too.”

“What do I have to talk to you about?” Wu Xia’s tone was sharp, like a weapon.

Zhang Qiao’s smile remained unchanged: “Perhaps something. After all, even someone like Li Dong, who stirs up trouble wherever he goes, has something to talk about.”

Wu Xia’s eyes widened, caught like a thief before she could act. She was so flustered she couldn’t even cover up: “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

Zhang Qiao smiled again and reached for her hand: “Come on, or you’ll really get wet.”

Wu Xia had wanted to refuse but, as if compelled by some invisible force, followed her.

…

Zhang Qiao stayed busy for several more days. Though Yingzi helped, the growing number of new shops made staffing increasingly problematic.

After discussing with Lin Tianyue, they decided to call Zhang Qiao’s sister, Zhang Ling, to help.

It would supplement her sister’s income, and Zhang Ling was honest and dependable—Lin Tianyue trusted her to stay by Zhang Qiao’s side.

So Zhang Qiao decided to visit her sister herself.

She didn’t have much time, so she only bought two small packs of snacks as a gesture.

Buying more would be pointless; her sister couldn’t eat it all anyway. Better to wait until she arrived.

Her sister lived in a village under Xiangshui County. Lin Tianyue was running errands nearby, so he dropped her off at the village entrance.

“Qiao Qiao, the Xu family is stingy; there’s nothing good to eat. Just chat with your sister. I’ll pick you up at noon.”

Zhang Qiao nodded, clutching the snacks tightly.

Using the remaining memory in her mind, she quickly found Xu Liang’s home in just a few minutes.

No need to look further—the quarrel started even before she arrived.

At the Xu family gate, Xu Liang’s mother was washing a large basin of clothes with grunts and exertion.

In the basin were Xu Liang’s clothes, Zhang Ling’s, and Xu Liang’s father’s…

But the top floral shirt was clearly Zhang Ling’s.

Worried about his mother’s health, Xu Liang had been visiting frequently. Seeing this, he suddenly erupted: “Mom, it’s already cold! You have bone problems—why are you washing so many clothes? Where’s Zhang Ling?”

“She? Sleeping inside. Oh, I saw that you had no clothes left to wear, and your wife said her back hurt, didn’t want to move. What could I do? I just washed them for you. That’s my hard life—if my bones hurt, they hurt, but they won’t kill anyone…”

Xu Liang was furious: “She’s sleeping inside? And leaves you to wash? Mom, stop! I’ll go get her!”

Zhang Qiao watched as her irresponsible brother-in-law stormed into the yard, red-faced, while the old woman tossed the clothes into the basin, wearing a mercenary grin.

“I told you to sleep! Let’s see how my son deals with this unproductive hen! You talk back to me, but I can’t discipline you!”

She had just finished scolding when a new figure appeared.

Xu Liang’s mother looked up and finally recognized Zhang Qiao, Zhang Ling’s younger sister.

Had her earlier complaints all been overheard?

“Auntie, I heard you complaining all this time. Who exactly are you trying to punish?”

Zhang Qiao’s lips curved in a smile, but her face was full of coldness.