MGASC -Chapter 146 His Heart Burns with Anxiety, Wishing He Could Fly Back to Her Side

Originally, Zhang Qiao had planned to let her sister rest for a few days before arranging work for her.

But Zhang Ling refused to be idle. The very next day, she proactively learned from Sister Xu and Sister Li how to make pickled sauerkraut.

She had experience working in the fields and had plenty of strength, so doing this kind of work for Zhang Qiao was nothing.

Besides, working for the family didn’t come with a salary. Xu Liang gave her thirty yuan a month, and that was only after she carefully negotiated it. Zhang Qiao, on the other hand, paid her a hundred yuan a month, and it was easier work than before. How could she not give her all?

Zhang Qiao was still busy helping franchisees open stores, sometimes traveling to other counties. By now, Zhang’s Pickled Fish had a presence in several surrounding counties and had gained a small reputation locally.

And with reputation came jealousy.

Complaints and criticisms had never stopped.

At some point, rumors began to circulate that Zhang’s pickled sauerkraut was filthy and made in an extremely unhygienic process.

Word of mouth spread rapidly, and suddenly business in several franchise stores was no longer as booming as before.

When Zhang Qiao went to inspect the stores, Sister Feng anxiously pulled her aside and complained, “Qiao Qiao, these rumors keep getting worse. No matter how I explain to the customers, they don’t believe me. They insist that all our pickled vegetables are rotten, toxic. And the nasty things they say are endless.”

“For example?”

Sister Feng lowered her voice. “The worst thing someone said is that you make the pickles in a cesspool! That’s why there’s a strange smell. Others said you go in with your shoes on to stir the pickles, and that the pickling area is full of flies and mosquitoes, so disgusting you can’t stand it.”

“Qiao Qiao, tell me, if food is associated with filth like that, who could still eat it? My shop hasn’t been open long, and I haven’t even recovered the initial investment. Customers are leaving fast. Qiao Qiao, you really need to do something, or I’ll have to close the shop for good!”

Zhang Qiao couldn’t believe it—the rumor that they were pickling vegetables in a cesspool was utterly ridiculous!

She hurried to reassure Sister Feng: “Sister Feng, you see the sauerkraut we deliver every day, right? How could it possibly be that dirty? Besides, the pickling factory is right in our backyard. If it really stank, our whole family would be nauseated. If anyone doubts it, take them to our house and show them!”

Sister Feng slapped her thigh anxiously. “Of course I believe you, Qiao Qiao. But there are so many people spreading these rumors. How can we possibly take each of them to our house?”

Zhang Qiao knew it wasn’t that simple. The most direct solution was to clear the rumors. But now wasn’t like her previous life, when the internet was widespread and a simple statement or video could dispel lies.

Back then, every household didn’t even have a telephone, and televisions were extremely rare.

While Zhang Qiao was discussing strategies with Sister Feng, more bad news came from another store: someone got food poisoning after eating the pickled fish and was hospitalized.

Xiao Wu ran in to report the news, breathless and panicked: “Sister… sister-in-law, quick! The family is causing a scene at the hospital and says they’re coming to your house! Director Lin is out of town. You need to hide somewhere, fast!”

Hearing this, Sister Feng’s heart sank. She urged Zhang Qiao: “Yes, yes, hide for a couple of days and wait until Director Lin comes back!”

But Zhang Qiao remained composed: “We can’t hide. Xiao Wu, your director won’t be back for several days. We’ll report it to the police.”

“What?”

Xiao Wu and Sister Feng were stunned.

The store’s reputation was damaged, and customers had fallen ill. Normally, Zhang Qiao’s priority would be to negotiate compensation with the families, not alert the authorities. Reporting it could blow everything out of proportion and possibly force them to close the business.

But Zhang Qiao was certain: “Exactly. We operate with integrity. If something happens, we can’t hide. So we must report it!”

Sister Feng tried to dissuade her, but Zhang Qiao insisted. Xiao Wu had no choice but to go to the police. Uneasy, he found a place along the way to call Lin Tianyue.

Lin Tianyue had been away for three days, in Deep City. Using a friend’s connections, he had obtained a border pass to bring back a batch of electronics to sell.

This idea came from Zhang Qiao. She had said that across the river from Deep City was the bustling Port City, where scarce products could easily be obtained. She suggested he get electronics like watches, semiconductors, radios, and game consoles—high-profit items.

The idea matched Lin Tianyue’s own plans. He had heard of many new gadgets there and wanted to scout it out. Since his wife gave him a clear plan, he executed it without question.

It was far away, so she couldn’t possibly go with him, especially with her advanced pregnancy.

Not that Zhang Qiao didn’t want to go—she had tried, but he had finally persuaded her not to.

Lin Tianyue had spent the day exploring and felt like he had discovered a new world, full of endless new gadgets.

He had bought a four-speaker tape recorder and planned to explore other areas the next day. Returning to the guesthouse to rest, he received a call from Xiao Wu.

He thought it was Zhang Qiao calling and answered excitedly, but when he heard Xiao Wu’s voice, all his excitement vanished.

After listening to Xiao Wu’s urgent report, Lin Tianyue gripped the phone, his face icy with anger.

These troublemakers really knew how to pick a time—always striking when he wasn’t around.

“We tried to persuade your sister-in-law to hide, but she insisted on reporting it! Women are too straightforward. Director, if this escalates, how can we benefit? What should we do?”

Lin Tianyue was thousands of miles away; flying back immediately was impossible.

After a moment of thought, he said, “Then let your sister-in-law have her way. Report it to the police.”

“Ah? Really?”

“Yes. First the police. They can at least ensure her safety. I’ll think of a plan for the next step.”

After hanging up, Lin Tianyue rubbed his temples in frustration. His heart felt like it was overgrown with wild weeds, longing to appear by Zhang Qiao’s side immediately.

But clearly, that was impossible. He first called Chen Gang and a few others to protect Zhang Qiao.

Still feeling it wasn’t enough, Lin Tianyue made another call.

…

Zhang Qiao gathered Yingzi and Chen Gang. Chen Gang called Da Lin and Lao Wu, and the group went to the affected restaurant together.

The restaurant was located at the entrance of Xiangshui No. 2 Middle School, not far from Li Dong’s shop across the street.

Because of the incident at Zhang’s Pickled Fish, Li Dong’s shop was packed with customers, every table full.

When Zhang Qiao arrived, over a hundred curious onlookers had gathered outside, eating sunflower seeds, eager for the drama.

The family causing the trouble numbered about ten, young and old, seemingly the whole family. They angrily held banners, blocking the restaurant entrance and preventing business.

The banners read:

“Down with Black-hearted Private Businesses, Speculators Who Harm People!”

“Zhang’s Pickled Fish is Toxic, Whoever Eats Will Be Poisoned!”