MGASC -Chapter 166 No Comparison, No Hurt

As soon as the Jeep reached the center of the county, Zhang Qiao told Jin Quan to stop the car.

Jin Quan frowned. “Tianyue said he wants to make sure you get home safely first.”

“It’s fine. I want to go see Yingzi…”

After a moment’s consideration, Jin Quan stopped the car.

As soon as the door opened, Zhang Qiao, with her large belly, slipped out faster than anyone could imagine.

Who would want to share a car with the main villain?

Also… should she remind Lin Tianyue never to associate with someone like Jin Quan?

But who exactly was Jin Quan now? He looked a little fierce, but it didn’t seem like he was truly rebellious or malicious.

…

The Lin Family.

When the workday ended, Sister Xu took off her work clothes and hesitated, asking Zhang Ling, “Sister Ling, did Qiao Qiao say when she’d be back? Is she staying in Jiangcheng for a few more days?”

Zhang Ling, holding vegetables, was about to go upstairs to cook dinner.

She knew what Sister Xu wanted to ask. Zhang Qiao had been gone for half a month, and she was supposed to have paid them three days ago.

Since she hadn’t returned, Sister Xu was a little worried that they wouldn’t get their wages.

“She said she just rented a place in Jiangcheng. It shouldn’t be long now. I’ll call her tonight and ask.”

“All right.” Sister Xu didn’t ask further.

At the door, Sister Xu opened it just as Xu Liang was about to enter. Their eyes met, and Sister Xu immediately called back, “Sister Ling, Teacher Xu is here to see you!”

Hearing it was Xu Liang again, Zhang Ling felt a surge of irritation and stepped out with a stern face.

Xu Liang stood outside. He hadn’t been seen for a while; his hair had grown long, covering his eyes, less neat than before, and his shirt was wrinkled, making him look somewhat sloppy.

Seeing Zhang Ling again, Xu Liang felt a bit uneasy.

“You’re here? Have you thought it over? When are we going to handle the paperwork?” Zhang Ling, afraid she might get soft, cut straight to the point.

Xu Liang was momentarily stunned. “Zhang Ling, you really want a divorce? I just don’t understand. Getting divorced—what benefit is it to someone as useless as you?”

Zhang Ling felt a lump in her chest, caught between not being able to breathe and not knowing where to put her anger.

“That’s none of your business. Whatever happens, it’s better than enduring your family’s treatment!”

Xu Liang huffed angrily, wanting to retort, but thinking of the cold meals and his recent misfortunes softened his tone slightly. “Fine. I’ll give you a way out. A woman asking for a divorce again and again—what kind of look is that? Teacher Liu has already resigned. This matter ends here. Now you come home with me, apologize to Mom, clear things up, and we can still be a family. Zhang Ling, I’m considering all this for you, thinking of our years of marriage. Mom’s health isn’t good; she can’t be left alone. If you still have grievances, fine—I’ll give you twenty more yuan a month. Fifty a month is enough for your meals and clothes, isn’t that better than working here and watching your sister’s face? Do you think being a nanny for someone else is easy?”

Zhang Ling hadn’t expected that his consideration would result in this.

And he wanted her to go back and apologize?

What wrong had she done to deserve an apology?

Having lived here for a month, Zhang Ling felt unprecedented warmth and freedom. Sister Xu and Sister Li treated her well, Xiao Wu liked joking with her, and the three children constantly thought of her.

They weren’t related by blood, but their interactions were light, warm, and easy. Not to mention the tolerance and trust Zhang Qiao and Lin Tianyue had genuinely given her.

No comparison, no hurt. She had experienced what comfortable days felt like and didn’t want to return to the past for even a single day.

She didn’t want to serve that family, didn’t want to wake up before dawn to toil in the fields, getting beaten by wind and rain without anyone acknowledging her efforts or kindness, and occasionally being manipulated into arguments that led her husband to hit her!

She didn’t want to live like that for even another day.

“Xu Liang, if we’re handling the paperwork, we can go tomorrow morning. Otherwise, leave! I don’t need your fifty yuan. Qiao Qiao said she’ll pay me my wages on time every month!”

Xu Liang scoffed. “She? How much can she pay you? Don’t you see, your sister just wants free labor! And you’ll believe her about wages? You’ve been here a month. Tell me—has she paid you anything? Twenty, thirty, or not a single penny?”

“I…”

Zhang Ling was speechless because she really hadn’t received any money.

Seeing her hesitant expression, Xu Liang accused her of lying. “Oh, no payment, huh? Over a month has passed, not a single penny, and you’re still foolishly working for her! Are you out of your mind?”

“Qiao Qiao went to Jiangcheng. She hasn’t returned yet!”

“Hah… even if she comes back, she won’t pay you! Zhang Ling, I realized you’re just a fool. You get deceived and even count their money for them! With your IQ, leaving me, you can’t even guarantee basic survival. Where do you get the confidence for a divorce?”

“That’s not true. Qiao Qiao is my sister; she’s not like that…”

“Ha! Everyone knows your sister is all about money. For it, she’s even willing to be a stepmother! Tell me, you’ve worked here a month for free. Where’s your pay? If you’d really earned money, you would’ve shown it off. Look at you—do you even have a penny in your hands right now?”

Zhang Ling didn’t have money, and even if she did, it belonged to Zhang Qiao; she couldn’t touch it.

Xu Liang kept targeting this point, hitting her hard. She wasn’t good at lying, and tears threatened to come.

“My sister’s wages—I’ll pay them now. Is it too late?”

A clear, sweet voice came from behind. Xu Liang turned to see Zhang Qiao striding toward the house.

Because Xu Liang had been shouting loudly, neighbors had come to see what was happening. Zhang Ling, feeling embarrassed by the pointing fingers, felt even more humiliated.

Seeing Zhang Qiao felt like seeing a savior.

“Qiao Qiao, you’re finally back!” She stepped forward, afraid Xu Liang might say something to harm her.

Zhang Qiao had heard what Xu Liang had said, and she felt a bit guilty.

She had returned late, forgetting to call her sister and instruct her to pay the workers and Zhang Ling herself. Before leaving, she had left Zhang Ling over a thousand yuan for living expenses but hadn’t explained clearly in her hurry.

“Sister, didn’t I leave you money before I left? That money was for buying groceries and meat, paying the children’s school fees, and for paying everyone’s wages when the time came.”

Zhang Ling looked confused. “Huh? But you left so much, over a thousand. I only dared to use it for groceries!”

“Why would you not dare to? Sister, you’re my sister, the children’s aunt, and a member of our family. Entrusting this house to you means you can make decisions. Paying wages? That’s nothing. You have full control of this house.”