MGASC -Chapter 19 She’s So Gentle, It Hit Me Right in the Heart

Lin Tianyue swallowed, somewhat surprised by Zhang Qiao’s decision. “Are you sure you want to go to a big hospital for a checkup?”

Today’s situation was indeed a bit strange, but in summer, food doesn’t keep well. It wasn’t unusual to have an upset stomach from something spoiled.

Especially over the past few days, Zhang Qiao had changed a lot compared to before—and for the better.

So he didn’t want to jump to negative conclusions.

He told himself it was probably just an accident.

But Zhang Qiao was very firm: “Of course it’s necessary. After they get this shot, we need to go immediately—don’t let the illness get worse. Adults can endure, but children can’t. Besides, it’s not like we can’t afford treatment!”

Lin Tianyue had no choice but to nod, agreeing with Zhang Qiao’s decision. He let her stay inside with the children while he went out to find a car.

As soon as Lin Tianyue left, the three little ones all watched Zhang Qiao warily. She didn’t try to win them over or coax them—she just sat quietly to the side and waited.

After a moment, Lin Xun couldn’t hold back: “Are you really going to take us to a big hospital?”

Zhang Qiao smiled lightly. “Of course.”

“But… that’s going to cost a lot, right?” Lin Xun frowned tightly at the thought of money.

The three of them were orphans who had been taken in by Lin Tianyue—it was already a great blessing. They didn’t feel their lives were particularly hard now. Even if they got poisoned and suffered vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, they could endure it. But going to a big hospital for a checkup would mean spending a lot of money.

He didn’t want their dad to spend so much because he knew how hard his father worked for every penny.

Zhang Qiao’s expression softened, and she looked at Lin Xun warmly. “Don’t worry. Adults work hard to earn money so that their children can have a better life, right? If everything is fine, that’s great. If there’s a problem, early detection means early treatment, and we’ll all be at ease.”

Lin Xun’s eyes widened slightly, and his throat tightened. He turned his gaze away quietly.

Next to him, Lin Ran peeked at Zhang Qiao secretly.

Leaning close to the eldest brother’s ear, he whispered: “Her tone just now… it was so gentle. I’m starting to think she really means well for us.”

Lin Xun bit his lip and remained silent.

But he, like Lin Ran, felt that the way Zhang Qiao had coaxed them was… unusually gentle.

Gentle enough that it felt like his heart had been lightly poked with a soft knife.

Meanwhile, the always loud and naive youngest, Lin Jin, had stayed up all night and had already fallen asleep leaning against Lin Ran’s shoulder.

When Lin Tianyue returned with the car, this was the scene he saw: the youngest leaning on the second, the second leaning on the eldest, and Lin Xun struggling to keep his head from leaning on Zhang Qiao.

But exhausted as he was, he dozed off, and his head unconsciously leaned toward Zhang Qiao’s shoulder.

Seeing this, Zhang Qiao hooked her hand around his head and gently pressed it close. Finally, Lin Xun felt secure. He stopped resisting and rested steadily on her soft, fragrant shoulder.

Morning sunlight filtered through the glass onto Zhang Qiao. She looked gentle and serene, with a faint smile at the corner of her lips.

Lin Tianyue momentarily froze, feeling as if he were dreaming. At this moment, he truly saw the word “sacred” written across Zhang Qiao.

With his heavy footsteps, Lin Xun immediately woke up and then nudged Lin Ran awake. Just as Lin Ran wanted to wake their youngest brother, Lin Tianyue had already approached and gently lifted Lin Jin into his arms.

“The car is ready, the payment is settled. Let’s go.”

Lin Ran and Lin Xun were still groggy from sleep. They watched as Zhang Qiao wiped the corner of their mouths with a tissue. It took them a moment to realize she was probably cleaning the drool from their nap.

Lin Ran was fine, but Lin Xun’s face immediately flushed bright red as he hurried to follow Lin Tianyue.

Outside, the three-wheeled vehicle had bedding laid in the cargo area with straw underneath. Lin Tianyue first placed Lin Jin inside, then stood on the edge to pull Lin Ran and Lin Xun up, letting them sit properly on the bedding.

From above, he saw Chen Gang returning from a distance.

Two grown men taking care of three children for the checkup should be enough.

But when Lin Tianyue looked down, he met Zhang Qiao’s eyes.

She was standing there, extending her delicate hand, waiting for him to pull her up.

Lin Tianyue asked, “You’re coming too?”

Zhang Qiao: “Otherwise?”

Lin Tianyue’s gaze dropped to her small belly, already making a decision. “The road will be rough—it won’t be easy. Otherwise, you can wait at home. I’ll take them for the checkup, and if everything’s fine, we’ll come back. Besides, Chen Gang is coming too.”

Zhang Qiao was insistent: “No, I have to go too.”

“It’s going to be tough. Are you sure?”

She had to go!

The three little ones had so many misunderstandings about her, and Wang Yan had stirred things up even more. She needed to make everything clear.

Seeing her determination, Lin Tianyue had no choice. He jumped off the vehicle, scooped her up in a princess carry, and placed her in the car, reminding her to sit properly on the bedding.

All the way, Lin Tianyue drove slowly and steadily, worried the kids would be uncomfortable. When the road was uneven, he slowed down to go around bumps.

What should have been a one-hour trip took an hour and a half.

The impatient Chen Gang, after parking, couldn’t help but tease: “Tianyue, you’re really a family man now. Driving so carefully—looks like the days of drinking and fighting are gone forever.”

Lin Tianyue ignored the teasing and instructed him to lift the children.

The city hospital was large. Zhang Qiao wandered, looking here and there, walking at the back of the group.

Lin Tianyue stood and waited for her. She didn’t guard herself and bumped straight into his chest.

He reached out, supporting her arm. “Dawdling—what, regret coming now that we’re inside?”

Zhang Qiao paused. Regret?

She had only just arrived, wanting to see the city properly.

This area was considered the city center. She had seen some apartment buildings, but most residents still lived in single-story houses. Passing through the market, it was bustling with life and full of everyday smells.

Looking into his sharp, intense eyes, her heart twitched. “Regret what? Lin Tianyue… do you really believe I tampered with the kids’ food?”

Lin Tianyue, worried about the kids, held her and said dismissively, “Let’s go. Do other people’s words matter?”

“It concerns my integrity—how is that unimportant?”

Up ahead, Chen Gang had already brought the children into the emergency building.

Lin Tianyue hurried after them, his tone a bit impatient: “I haven’t blamed you for anything! The important thing is treatment—don’t make a fuss!”

I haven’t blamed you for anything!!!

Hearing his tone, Zhang Qiao felt a chill in her heart.

She suddenly pulled her hand away. “Lin Tianyue, what if it turns out it’s not my fault?”

Lin Tianyue frowned, turning to meet her earnest little face, his eyes dark.

He had been up since four in the morning, exhausted from worrying about the three children all morning, seeing them suffer—it was like shedding a layer of skin overnight. He felt indescribably frustrated and angry.

Seeing her insist on his response, Lin Tianyue gripped her shoulders tightly, pulling her fragile body toward him, his iron-like hands as if they could crush her bones.