MGASC -Chapter 16 He Wanted to Fulfill His Marital Duty

Maybe because she was pregnant, Lin Tianyue once again took on all the dishwashing and pot-scrubbing duties.

After finishing the dishes, he even specially boiled a large pot of hot water.

When the water was ready, the eldest son, Lin Xun, came in carrying the thermos to fill it.

As Lin Tianyue poured the water, Lin Xun stared at his face for a long while, then cautiously asked, “Dad… did you really get rich?”

Lin Tianyue replied casually, “Who told you that?”

“She did!”

Lin Tianyue took a moment, then realized that the “she” he meant was Zhang Qiao.

“What else did she say to you?”

“She said that you got rich, that our family won’t lack money anymore. She said we can ask her for anything we want to eat. And today, she even bought candies for the three of us…”

Lin Tianyue was momentarily stunned. It seemed Zhang Qiao’s changes weren’t only toward him; her attitude toward the children had clearly changed as well.

He patted Lin Xun on the shoulder with his large hand: “Well, isn’t that good?”

Lin Xun awkwardly scratched his head, thinking to himself: Good, yes, but even he felt something was off—wouldn’t his dad notice it too?

Or maybe his dad was dazzled by Zhang Qiao’s looks and fooled by her face?

“Dad… um…”

“Speak directly if you have something to say! You’re a man, not some mumbling fool!”

“Dad, are you going to squeeze into one bed with us again tonight?”

Lin Tianyue: …

“Our bed is small. It’s too cramped to sleep together.”

Lin Xun didn’t understand why yesterday his dad, who had been sleeping fine, suddenly came into their room to squeeze in with them.

Three kids already made the bed crowded enough; with him added in, it wasn’t just sleeping—it was like a human tower.

Seeing Lin Tianyue’s dark expression and silence, Lin Xun suggested again, “How about you just go back to your room tonight? Or… she won’t let you sleep there?”

That last comment hit Lin Tianyue’s nerves. He shoved the two thermoses into his hands: “Get out of my way! I’ll sleep wherever I want!”

Lin Xun stomped off, muttering quietly, “Hmph, getting rejected yourself, why take it out on us!”

Lin Tianyue: Rejected? Who dares reject me!

But when it came time to sleep, Lin Tianyue still hesitated.

He had been sitting in the courtyard smoking when he saw Zhang Qiao come out of the room carrying a washbasin, presumably to wash up.

Clearing his throat, he tried to make conversation: “Are you going to take a bath?”

The moment Zhang Qiao heard the words “take a bath,” she hugged the basin tightly, eyes wary: “What do you want?”

She hadn’t divorced him yet. Could this man really want to fulfill his marital duties?

“I’m pregnant now! Don’t you dare do anything!”

Lin Tianyue: Do what?

“I’m just telling you, if you want to bathe, there’s hot water in the kitchen.”

Her ears heated up. Did she really misunderstand him? He had even kindly boiled hot water for her.

Zhang Qiao felt a bit embarrassed. Lin Tianyue stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and walked straight to the kitchen.

He first brought an aluminum basin into their room, wiped it clean inside and out with a cloth, poured in a pot of hot water, then went back to the kitchen to fetch a bucket of cold water, testing the temperature as he poured it into the basin.

The whole time, Zhang Qiao watched curiously.

When the temperature was right, he looked up: “Alright, you can wash now.”

Zhang Qiao’s jaw dropped again. All this effort was for her?

She stood frozen: “Lin Tianyue, are you asking something of me?”

Lin Tianyue: …

“Otherwise, we’re about to divorce. Why are you being so attentive?”

Though she asked that, her heart felt pleasantly warm.

She hadn’t bathed in the two days since moving over. The aluminum basin was small and simple, but big enough for her to sit in.

Lin Tianyue didn’t answer her question directly. He just said, “The feed came back today, and we collected part of the payment. Once all the money’s in, I’ll build a proper bathroom at home.”

“Great! I have good news too—I found a job, tutoring a little girl. Eight lessons a month, forty yuan. Lin Tianyue, I have my own income now. I won’t need to ask you for money anymore.”

As she spoke, she unbuttoned her shirt. Only the first two buttons were undone when she noticed Lin Tianyue staring at her with an intense, unfamiliar gaze.

Her face flushed, her heart raced. She thought: I haven’t even done anything suggestive!

Unbuttoning?

She was still wearing a vest underneath!

Lin Tianyue’s brows furrowed tightly: “You got a job?”

“Yes!”

“You’re pregnant! How can you work? Are you doing this out of spite? Besides, what kind of deal is this—eight lessons, forty yuan? Do you know how little teachers in the county earn? You trust people too easily. You could get cheated and end up counting someone else’s money!”

He sounded genuinely angry.

Zhang Qiao found his anger absurd: “Lin Tianyue, we agreed—this household is my domain, remember? You haven’t forgotten that so soon, have you?”

“I…”

“I’m not a child. No one can easily fool me. I want to set an example for my baby, showing that we should be independent, not relying on others! Forty yuan a month isn’t much, but at least I don’t have to depend on anyone else!”

Lin Tianyue: Every word is directed at me, isn’t it?

This woman holds grudges too well.

Why didn’t she mention spending the money he gave her to support her family, feeding the three kids at home?

She makes a mistake, and I can’t comment lightly? That’s too arrogant!

Just when he felt her temper was softening, it only seemed to grow stronger.

With a sudden gulp, he took a wad of cash from his pocket in a huff and slapped it on the table: “Here, this is today’s payment—845 yuan in total! We agreed, I’m not backing out. Take it—your health and the baby are the priority. You don’t need to act tough with me or worry about working.”

The door slammed behind him, and his dark figure disappeared.

Zhang Qiao knew he hadn’t gone far—he was still in the hall outside.

She picked up the money on the table, counted it: 845 yuan, not a cent more or less. Considering the current prices, this was a huge sum.

He was still her husband, so giving money was only natural. She had no reason to refuse it.

Through the door, Zhang Qiao squinted and smiled: “I’ll take the money. Thanks. But I’m still going to work.”

Lin Tianyue stared at the door, unsure what to say.

This woman was still going to battle with him?

He wanted to step out for a walk, then heard gentle water sounds coming from inside.