MGASC -Chapter 164 What He Wants Is Her

“Tianyue, look! That Zhang’s Bun Shop is right over there! Let’s go quickly, or there won’t be anywhere to sit later.”

Lin Tianyue’s abacus beads were clicking too loudly in his head, so Zhang Qiao hurriedly changed the topic and tugged him across the street.

Tianyue gritted his teeth. His wife actually wasn’t falling for it!

She usually reacted like a money-grubber. He had tried to tempt her with the identity of being a restaurant owner, yet she didn’t show the slightest interest.

It was infuriating. She must not love him, otherwise she would have agreed to go register their marriage.

And she calculated everything so clearly. Who cared about her shares? What he wanted was her!

That night, Zhang Qiao was already asleep, but Lin Tianyue kept tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep over this matter.

While half-asleep, he suddenly sat up.

Like a leopard, his eyes fixed on Zhang Qiao’s flawless little face. Damn it—someone could even look this beautiful while sleeping!

He really wanted to pull her up and ask her properly: why wouldn’t she go register their marriage with him?

In the dim light, Zhang Qiao seemed to sense something. She turned over, one hand resting on her belly, letting out an uncomfortable little groan.

Lin Tianyue held his breath, afraid she would wake and catch him.

But Zhang Qiao didn’t even open her eyes. She lay on her side for a moment, then fell asleep again. Her fair little hand stayed on her belly, and her brows were slightly furrowed.

He remembered her complaints: in the later stages of pregnancy, turning over was always uncomfortable, and her waist hurt terribly.

Lin Tianyue lay back down, pulling her into his embrace, his large hand gently massaging her waist.

Forget it—his wife wasn’t going anywhere.

If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, the day after. One day, she would agree.

…

Xiangshui County No. 3 Middle School.

After school, Liu Duoduo was walking ahead quickly, with Xu Liang chasing after her.

“Teacher Liu, Duoduo…”

In a quiet corner of the school, Xu Liang finally grabbed Liu Duoduo’s wrist.

But Liu Duoduo shook off his hand. “Teacher Xu, don’t pull me like that! If anyone sees, they’ll think I’m seducing you!”

Xu Liang panicked and grabbed her shoulders. “Duoduo, are you still angry?”

Liu Duoduo felt wronged. She pouted, her eyes red. “What do you think? Your wife made such a scene, and now everyone is secretly calling me a homewrecker! Teacher Xu, what did I do to deserve this injustice?”

Xu Liang felt guilty. “I’m sorry…”

“What good does ‘sorry’ do? She made it impossible for me to stay here! Everyone thinks it’s my fault and throws dirt on me. Teacher Xu, you go on and live happily with that woman. If one of us has to leave, it will be me—I’ll resign, leave this place, and let you two be together!”

Xu Liang grew anxious. He gripped her shoulders tightly. “Duoduo, what are you saying? You… you want to leave No. 3 Middle School?”

Tears shimmered in Liu Duoduo’s eyes. “What else? I’ve already been insulted so much, I have no face to stay. Teacher Xu, you’re different—you’re from Xiangshui County, you have your parents to support, you need this job more than I do. So I will leave…”

She pulled his hands away and wiped her tears. “Let’s keep our distance from now on.”

Xu Liang never expected that Liu Duoduo would take the initiative to leave for his sake.

He was touched, but even more guilty.

No, he couldn’t let her leave.

Back at home, Xu Liang still felt uneasy. The kitchen was cold and empty. He looked around and only found two cold buns with a bowl of pickles.

When he asked his mother, the old lady snapped, “Your wife doesn’t come home every day. Just be glad you have some pickles to eat.”

Xu Liang was annoyed. “Mom, can’t you just make some food yourself?”

“You useless boy! Your wife ran off, yet you have the face to scold me? Why did I marry a daughter-in-law? So that the old ones serve the young? You’re already this old, and you expect us to serve you?”

Xu Liang didn’t dare reply. Recently, with Zhang Ling not at home, the house had no liveliness, no hot meals, and it was filthy.

He sat down in frustration, eating the buns and pickles.

Feeling sorry for her son, the old lady went to the kitchen, fried two eggs, and brought them over.

Xu Liang took a bite, and his resentment eased slightly. “I’m just a little close to her. Nothing is going on. Her family is in Jiangcheng; her father is transferring her back this time.”

“What? She’s from the big city?” The old lady’s eyes brightened, a new plan forming. “Did you ask what her parents do?”

“Her dad is a middle school principal, her mom is a teacher.”

“All teachers? Then she’s perfect for you!” The old lady clapped her thighs. “Xu Liang, this time it’s your wife’s fault. She can’t have kids, she’s paranoid, and she made a scene at your school. Clearly, she doesn’t care about your future. You cried and begged to marry her, and I never saw what was good about Zhang Ling. Now she wants to ruin you—this woman has no conscience. If it comes to it, just divorce her! There are plenty of women in the world!”

The old lady watched her son’s expression closely. Seeing him silent, she sighed. “You said before that if you married a teacher, life would be better. Well, it’s not too late. Don’t get too worked up about the school. Let them talk. Once you divorce Zhang Ling and marry Duoduo properly, who would dare gossip?”

Xu Liang choked on a bun. “Mom… really divorce? Zhang Ling is fine in other ways… just can’t have kids.”

“Fine my foot! Not having kids is the worst form of disrespect!” The old lady spoke sharply, knowing Xu Liang obeyed her. “Now she not only can’t have kids, she makes a scene at your school. If you don’t divorce her, how will you calm the rumors? Duoduo deserves an explanation. Son, a man must take responsibility!”

Xu Liang lowered his head.

Yes, Liu Duoduo was about to leave. If she really left No. 3 Middle School, he would be at fault, his reputation ruined, and all his efforts wasted.

But the thought of divorce made him reluctant. After all, they once had genuine feelings.

“Mom, I’ll think about it.”

“Think what? Divorce, tomorrow!”

…

After Lin Tianyue did the on-site measurements, Zhang Qiao took the detailed data he provided and spent a week drawing a simple layout for the restaurant.

Back then, there was no real concept of “renovation.”

But she was opening what would become the best restaurant in Jiangcheng. Of course, it had to be tasteful. Last time at Chunmei Restaurant, she had paid attention: the windows were bright and clean, the decoration—though from the 1980s—was decent, but lacked sophistication.