MGASC -Chapter 159 The Tease Under the Table

Alongside Su Yin, Zhang Qiao’s sister, Zhang Ling, was also making progress.

Recently, Zhang Ling had become obsessed with makeup. She was skillful with her hands; after a few days of practice, she could do it properly. Now, whenever she didn’t draw her eyebrows or put on some lipstick before going out, she felt listless, as if she were sick.

With Lin Tianyue and Zhang Qiao both in the city, it fell to her, as the eldest aunt, to take care of the children’s meals and daily routines.

When school let out, Zhang Ling finished buying groceries and stopped by the elementary school to pick up the children.

Lin Xun and Lin Ran were already older; in fact, the three kids didn’t really need her to pick them up, but Zhang Ling liked children and just wanted to spoil them.

By 5:30, the elementary school gate was bustling. Not far away, Xiangshui County No. 3 Middle School was also lively. After high school ended, students would have a simple meal before returning for evening self-study.

Conveniently, between the two schools was a Zhang’s Sauerkraut Fish shop, which sold sauerkraut fish noodles, various noodle dishes, and rice bowls. Affordable and filling, it was the top choice for these high schoolers’ dinners.

Lin Xun led his two younger brothers out, waving at Zhang Ling from afar. Since she had been taking care of the three children lately, they were very close to her—thoughtful and caring, it was heartwarming.

“Aunt Ling, why are you here from so far away? Next time you don’t have to pick us up. I can take them home myself,” Lin Xun said, taking the vegetables and meat from her hands.

Lin Ran added, “Aunt Ling must be worried about us!”

Lin Jin, meanwhile, was already distracted by a snack stall outside: “Aunt Ling, I want that maltose candy!”

“Alright, alright. Aunt Ling will buy it for you. But only a little, okay? Otherwise, when Qiao Qiao comes back, she’ll scold you!”

Zhang Ling fished a few coins from her pocket to buy the maltose candy.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared across the street—it was Xu Liang.

She had been out of the house for more than half a month, and Xu Liang hadn’t come to look for her even once. Yesterday, her mother had come, scolding her and urging her to return home. She even said she had learned bad habits from Zhang Qiao, the “ungrateful wolf.”

Zhang Ling felt wronged. It was her own mother; it was one thing if she didn’t side with her, but siding with Xu Liang? Ultimately, it was because she feared that if Zhang Ling didn’t return, there would be no one to help financially at home.

Gritting her teeth, Zhang Ling refused to go back. Life here was fine. Her mother was so angry she almost slapped her, but in the end, the three little ones returned, angrily driving her mother away.

Three nephews were better than her own mother. Facing her family’s greed and Xu Liang’s arrogance, Zhang Ling felt utterly disheartened.

She thought that perhaps her younger sister was right—cutting off contact with those unworthy of her was the best way to stop further loss.

“Aunt Ling, is that Uncle?” Lin Ran noticed Xu Liang. “Hey, who’s the woman next to him? Why is she holding Uncle’s arm?”

At that moment, the maltose candy vendor said, “Oh, that’s Xu, the teacher from No. 3 Middle School, and Liu, another teacher. I hear they’re dating. They’re always clinging to each other. And Xu is not bad-looking either.”

“What?”

Zhang Ling felt her heart drop. She stared blankly at the harmonious pair.

Liu Duoduo was no longer holding Xu Liang, but while they weren’t overly intimate, their chatter and laughter carried an unmistakable flirtatious undertone.

The vendor noticed her expression and quickly added, “I’m just repeating what I heard, okay? Hey, are you buying candy or not?”

Zhang Ling, however, continued staring at Xu Liang and Liu Duoduo. The two entered a small snack shop.

Biting her lip, her hands trembling, she bought two cents’ worth of maltose candy, handed it to Lin Xun to share with his brothers, and reminded them to go home. Once the three kids were gone, she, pale-faced, followed them into the snack shop.

In front of Xu Liang and Liu Duoduo were two bowls of noodles.

Liu Duoduo tasted hers. “I heard the sauerkraut fish noodles here are good. Why don’t you ever come? Next time, let’s try them. Good things, like women, can get boring—you have to switch it up sometimes.”

She blinked and, under the table, hooked Xu Liang’s leg.

Liu Duoduo was from the city. With poor grades, she only studied to technical college. Teaching here was just a short stint; she would transfer back to a better city school in a few years.

But the small county was too lonely. So she set her sights on Teacher Xu. He was handsome, lived in the school dorms long-term, and dating him could temporarily relieve her boredom and loneliness.

Long-term plans? She had none and didn’t intend to. After all, she wouldn’t stay here in the future.

Xu Liang felt her flirtation and blushed, whispering a warning, “So many people here… don’t act up!”

“Why so tense? Afraid of what?”

Under such a seductive gaze, Xu Liang’s back stiffened. He looked around nervously, afraid someone would notice, but froze when he looked toward the door—his chopsticks fell to the floor.

He had seen Zhang Ling.

Pale-faced and furious, Zhang Ling had come straight to where he and Liu Duoduo were sitting.

She stared at Xu Liang like an enemy.

Anger gripped her throat, making it feel like a giant hand was squeezing it. Her lips trembled, unable to speak a word.

Realizing what was happening, Liu Duoduo looked at Zhang Ling. “Teacher Xu, who is this?”

Xu Liang, terrified, finally reacted. Feeling guilty, he stood and forced a smile. “Zhang Ling… what are you doing here? You… you finally realized your mistake and came back to apologize?”

Apologize?

Zhang Ling’s nails dug into her fingers, biting her lips almost to the point of breaking the skin.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Let’s go outside and talk,” Xu Liang said, afraid the situation would escalate. He grabbed her wrist.

But his face burned as Zhang Ling picked up a cup of hot water he hadn’t drunk and splashed it straight at him.

The water ran down his face and glasses, even startling Liu Duoduo.

She stood and pushed Zhang Ling: “Hey! Why are you like this?”

“You shameless—!”

Zhang Ling suddenly spat out, teeth gritted.

“Wh… what?” Liu Duoduo’s face turned crimson.

“You’re a shameless, rotten woman! Trash!”

Zhang Ling then threw another cup of hot water at Liu Duoduo. The screams drew many onlookers’ attention. Unable to endure their stares, Zhang Ling turned and ran.

Her ears buzzed, blood rushed to her head. The humiliation and rage had made her lose all reason. Though her legs moved swiftly, she ran blindly.

She just wanted to escape, as far as possible.

The image of Liu Duoduo and Xu Liang’s flirtation kept drilling into her mind, making her sick and disgusted.

Crossing the road without watching, a large truck came barreling through. The driver honked desperately. When she realized the danger, the truck was almost on top of her.

Zhang Ling froze. Her mind went blank. She didn’t know whether to step back or forward.

A strong hand grabbed her arm, yanking her toward the roadside.