MGASC -Chapter 198 A Rose About to Bloom

“It can’t go unmentioned. Qiaoqiao, I used to be pretty awful too. I was harsh with you, didn’t know how to talk properly, and always made you angry—almost drove you away. Luckily, you have a soft heart and gave me another chance. Qiaoqiao, this time when we register our marriage, we’re doing it for a lifetime. Whatever we didn’t have before, this time we must have.”

A lifetime…

Zhang Qiao lowered her eyes and smiled sweetly, turning each of the gold pieces over in her palm one by one.

When she didn’t speak, Lin Tianyue grew anxious. “Qiaoqiao, say something. Is it that you don’t like the styles I picked?”

“No… they’re very nice.” She meant it sincerely.

These days, there weren’t many styles for gold jewelry to begin with. The bracelets and earrings Lin Tianyue chose were either butterflies or phoenixes. The ring design was delicate, and the necklace pendant was a hollow heart. It was obvious he had put real thought into it.

“Really? You like them?”

“Who doesn’t like gold? Big and heavy like this.”

Only after hearing that she liked them did Lin Tianyue finally relax. “I heard that nowadays when people get married, it’s fashionable to have ‘three turns and one sound’ and ‘thirty-six legs.’ But we already have all that at home. Qiaoqiao, take a look—if there’s anything else you like, we’ll go buy it. If Jiangcheng doesn’t have it, we’ll go out of town.”

“There’s nothing else I want.” Her voice was soft as she lifted her eyes, glancing at him shyly. “What I like most is already right in front of me.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

A large truck roared past from the opposite direction, the noise drowning out her words. Or perhaps he heard them but didn’t dare believe them.

“Qiaoqiao, say it again. What do you like?”

She shot him an annoyed look. “Focus on driving. I’ll tell you when we get home.”

When they returned, Xiaxia was indeed still awake. The three brothers weren’t even watching TV—they were all busy entertaining her.

“Xiaxia, look at me! Am I cute? Bleh bleh bleh…” Lin Jin pressed his fingers to the corners of his mouth and eyes, making exaggerated faces that made Xiaxia giggle.

The more she laughed, the more delighted he became—pretending to be a monkey one moment, a tiger the next, having the time of his life.

Lin Ran said, “Third brother, aren’t you tired? She’s going to laugh herself breathless. Xiaxia, be good—don’t look at this silly kid. Big brother will tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a mountain, and on that mountain there was a temple… Huh? Why does it smell? Brother, Aunt Ling, quick—Xiaxia pooped again!”

When Zhang Qiao stepped inside, all four of them were gathered around Xiaxia. Lin Ran pinched his nose and carried the soiled diaper toward the bathroom while grumbling, “Xiaxia, not that I’m criticizing you, but aren’t you a little girl? How come your poop smells this bad?”

Lin Jin was still directing him. “Bro, that diaper’s crooked again!”

Zhang Ling said, “Oh, move aside, the three of you are just making things worse. If the little ancestor gets uncomfortable and starts crying again, let’s see how you handle it!”

Just as she finished speaking, the little girl squeezed out two golden teardrops and waved her tiny hands, crying loudly toward the doorway behind them.

Lin Xun said, “Oh no, is Xiaxia hungry? Be good, I’ll go mix some formula for you.”

When he turned around, he saw Lin Tianyue and Zhang Qiao had come in.

“Dad, Aunt Qiao, you’re finally back!”

Xiaxia was clever—she had seen her mother return and deliberately started crying.

It broke Zhang Qiao’s heart. She took off her coat and was about to pick her daughter up, but Zhang Ling reminded her, so she turned to wash her hands first.

The moment Xiaxia was in her mother’s arms, she stopped crying. Her big grape-like eyes stared at Zhang Qiao without blinking, crystal tears still clinging to her cheeks.

After staring for a while, she sniffled pitifully, and Zhang Qiao quickly hugged her tighter.

“Xiaxia, be good. Mommy came back late. I know you missed me. From now on, wherever Mommy goes, I’ll take you with me, okay?”

Lin Tianyue came over to coax her too. “Xiaxia, why are you still crying? Your mommy’s tired—she needs to rest too. Come on, Daddy will hold you.”

As if she understood, Xiaxia shot him a tiny annoyed look and burrowed her face into Zhang Qiao’s chest, sniffing anxiously.

Turns out, she was hungry.

Zhang Qiao hurriedly carried her to the bedroom to feed her.

After Xiaxia was full, she beamed happily and stretched out her little hands for Daddy to hold her.

Lin Tianyue scooped her up and patted her little bottom. “You little miss, only remember your dad after you’re full.”

Xiaxia didn’t fall asleep until after ten.

After washing up, Zhang Qiao sat before the mirror, trying on the gold jewelry Lin Tianyue had bought for her.

She wore a red set of pajamas. Gold symbolized wealth and also made her complexion look fairer. Zhang Qiao’s skin was already smooth as jade—jade and gold complemented each other perfectly. The glittering jewelry made her appear radiant and noble, breathtakingly beautiful.

When Lin Tianyue walked in, she turned and smiled at him. “Tianyue, take a look—does it look good?”

Dressed in red, with dark brows and crimson lips, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, she looked as if she were wearing makeup. Lin Tianyue was momentarily stunned.

“Beautiful. Truly beautiful.”

He stepped closer, staring at the beauty before him, his breathing and gaze turning heated. He took her hand and couldn’t resist kissing her lips lightly.

Seeing that she didn’t avoid him but instead looked at him shyly like a rose about to bloom, his blood surged.

He cupped her face and deepened the kiss, their lips entwining in lingering passion.

It was late at night. The surroundings were quiet—so quiet that only their breathing and the soft sounds of kissing could be heard.

Her pajama top had already been wrinkled in his hands.

The palm that roamed over her was hot and rough, making her tremble uncontrollably…

He lifted her and gently laid her on the bed, removing her earrings, ring, and necklace one by one, placing them on the table beside them.

Zhang Qiao felt a little nervous. She wasn’t sure if it was all right yet. She hadn’t gone to the hospital for a check-up and didn’t know how well she had recovered. But Lin Tianyue’s gaze burned like fire, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.

“You brute… I…”

“Don’t be nervous.”

He bent down and kissed her again, lying over her, trying his best to restrain the surging flames within.

“Qiaoqiao, do you want this?”

Zhang Qiao wondered how she should answer.

The person before her was the one she loved most. She didn’t want to pretend to be a saint. To say she didn’t want it would be dishonest. Besides, he had been abstinent for so long. But still—she hadn’t had her medical check-up yet.

“How about… we wait a little longer? I think after forty days, there’s some kind of examination you’re supposed to do,” she said hesitantly.

Lin Tianyue chuckled and pecked her lips. “So that means you do want it?”

Zhang Qiao’s heart tightened. She certainly didn’t want to fall behind and let him tease her. Lifting her head, she kissed him firmly. “We’re already sleeping in the same bed. Isn’t wanting it normal? If I didn’t, you’d better question your own ability and charm!”

Lin Tianyue laughed. “One try and we hit the mark—do you think I lack ability?”

“Oh, you’re so impressive.”

Half teasing, half coy, Zhang Qiao glanced at him, her eyes sparkling.

She even found herself recalling that absurd night.

She had drunk too much that day, so her memories were sparse.

She only remembered that… she had seemed quite proactive.