MGASC -Chapter 165 Taking the Initiative to Hug Him

Zhang Qiao and Lin Tianyue had a limited budget. If they went for a luxurious European-style renovation, it definitely wouldn’t be cost-effective. After weighing all options, Zhang Qiao decided to go with an elegant Chinese-style design.

The main palette would be reddish-brown, with simple construction and more emphasis on decoration. They would make a batch of solid wood tables and chairs, pair them with lamps, screens, vases, calligraphy, and paintings that had an ancient charm, using lighting and decor to create a poetic atmosphere. The main focus was ambiance.

The first step in renovation was tearing down walls to open up the rooms. Zhang Qiao handed all of this over to Lin Tianyue anyway—he would be stationed long-term in Jiangcheng, and once she gave him the instructions, she would return home to await the birth of their child.

“Qiao Qiao, don’t worry. Four floors—it’ll probably be done by the end of the year. By then, our baby will have been born. You can come inspect it with our son in your arms—I guarantee it’ll blow your mind.”

Hearing him mention “son” again, Zhang Qiao shot him a glance.

But unlike before, she no longer felt upset about it.

She loved both sons and daughters, especially now, as the little one inside her was becoming more and more active, kicking and moving around every day.

This was a baby nurtured with her own flesh and blood—how could she possibly be picky or dislike him/her?

“Alright, I’ll look forward to being amazed. Just don’t let me be underwhelmed!”

Zhang Qiao joked with Lin Tianyue.

“You really have no confidence in your man?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

She thought to herself: she had drawn the plans so clearly—how could Lin Tianyue’s taste be bad enough to go wrong?

Besides, under her constant guidance, his aesthetic sense had improved a lot. A few days ago, he had even given her a large bouquet of roses, arranged quite nicely.

Once everything was settled, Zhang Qiao returned to Xiangshui County in the afternoon. Lin Tianyue had someone pick her up, but before the car arrived, he stayed with her on the roadside.

Recently, the two of them had been getting along extremely well. They even went to watch a movie together; afterward, they walked hand in hand. That night, Zhang Qiao couldn’t sleep because of mosquitoes, and Lin Tianyue had stayed up catching them for her all night.

When they had to part suddenly, Zhang Qiao felt a little reluctant.

With few people around on the roadside, she took the initiative to hug Lin Tianyue.

Her belly was too big for a front hug, so she hugged him from the side, resting her head on his arm: “Big brute, remember about me and the baby.”

Hearing her soft words, the tall man of over six feet felt an inexplicable warmth in his eyes.

So this was what it meant to be needed by Zhang Qiao.

Lin Tianyue hummed in acknowledgment and, not caring who was around, turned and hugged her back.

The scenes from the movie they had just watched replayed in his mind—the male lead telling the female lead passionately, “I love you.” Back then, Lin Tianyue had thought it cheesy—how could anyone be so shameless?

But now, holding Zhang Qiao, even without separating, he began to miss her. He realized that even the cheesiest words, when applied to them, were not excessive.

The word “love” was sacred. He had once thought it was forever out of his reach—but now, how wonderful—it meant he could be constantly thought of and missed.

“Qiao Qiao…”

“Hm?” Zhang Qiao lifted her confused little face, noticing his voice unusually tender.

His large hand cupped her face, his firm Adam’s apple rolling slightly. He wanted to say something: “I…”

A military green jeep suddenly screeched to a halt in front of them. Startled, Zhang Qiao quickly pushed him away and stepped back herself.

This era wasn’t that open-minded. She had thought Lin Tianyue was about to kiss her—if anyone had seen, they might accuse them of misconduct.

Once the jeep stopped, Jin Quan looked at the two of them through the window.

He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, but then suddenly yanked the steering wheel and drove forward again, even though the car was parked properly.

It wasn’t until Lin Tianyue called his name with a cold expression that Jin Quan reversed back.

“Why did you speed off like that?”

Just stepping out of the car, Jin Quan heard Lin Tianyue’s complaint.

Of course, he had to leave quickly—the timing of his arrival was all wrong.

But who would have thought Lin Tianyue could play so boldly, flirting with his wife on the main road? Another second later, they might have kissed.

Zhang Qiao had only seen Jin Quan once from a distance before. Now, she looked at Lin Tianyue in confusion.

Ignoring the awkwardness, Lin Tianyue introduced: “Brother Quan, this is my wife.”

“Mm, I’ve met her.”

“Qiao Qiao, this is Jin Quan. He’s older than us, so you can call him ‘Brother Quan.’ You’re going with him today, and in the future, if you need a car or help at home, you can turn to him.”

He lowered his voice and whispered to Zhang Qiao: “Brother Quan is more reliable than Xiao Wu. Don’t be fooled by his stern looks—he’s warm-hearted, a good man.”

Zhang Qiao nodded, thinking to herself how lucky it was that Lin Tianyue vouched for him—otherwise, she would have been intimidated by Jin Quan.

How to describe it? Lin Tianyue’s appearance was cold but distant. Jin Quan, however, was quiet, sinister-looking, dressed all in black, like a classic villain.

As Zhang Qiao got in the car, she seriously recalled whether this character existed in the original book.

Thinking back, she shivered.

“Brother Quan?”

The Jin Quan targeted in the anti-crime campaign of the ’90s—the one who was a key investigation target?

Holy crap!

He really was a big villain!

The book didn’t describe Jin Quan much, only via Lin Tianyue’s remarks, regretting that when he had gone to the capital to start a new venture, he hadn’t persuaded Jin Quan to go with him.

Their split had caused completely different outcomes for Lin Tianyue and Jin Quan.

Of course, in that era, every later “rehabilitated” success story could have been paved with blood.

Jin Quan was ruthless; it wasn’t surprising that he caused a lot of trouble.

Thinking of Jin Quan made Zhang Qiao recall Gu Yu.

Gu Yu was from the capital, from a prominent family, a typical “compound girl” background. But since his father died early, he grew up with his grandparents and wasn’t highly regarded in the Gu family at first.

After leaving the military, he learned business and became Lin Tianyue’s key partner. In short, once Gu Yu appeared, the gears of Lin Tianyue’s fate began to turn, setting him on the path to success.

Jin Quan and Gu Yu had originally been comrades. The book didn’t say it explicitly, but Zhang Qiao guessed that Jin Quan must have known Lin Tianyue through Gu Yu.

So, the seemingly upright man sitting next to her was actually a future crime boss in Jiangcheng?

This was too thrilling!

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Zhang Qiao’s forehead and neck.

She watched Jin Quan carefully, cautious yet alert.

Jin Quan focused on driving, completely unaware of her inner calculations. Seeing the sweat, he kindly asked: “Are you hot?”

It was the first sentence he spoke to her since she got in.

“N…no, I’m not.”

“If you’re hot, just say so—I can open the window.”

“…Okay.”

Zhang Qiao wanted to say that it was actually cold sweat—cold sweat!