MGASC -Chapter 200 She Became the Little Darling of the Group

Seeing how old-fashioned her sister was being, Zhang Qiao couldn’t help but enlighten her.

“Sister, you don’t get it. Underwear is more important than outerwear because it’s worn next to the skin. The softer and more skin-friendly the fabric, the more comfortable it feels. Besides, what distinguishes a woman’s beauty from a man’s? It’s often the way clothing sets it off. A woman’s body is so beautiful—why shouldn’t it be shown? Even if it’s not for others to see, you can appreciate it yourself.”

She pouted slightly. “If you think dressing nicely makes someone frivolous or indecent, then, Sister, that just means you still look down on women deep down.”

“I…” Zhang Ling was momentarily speechless. “I don’t.”

She thought to herself, How does this little girl have so many twists and turns in her mind? Is this how she keeps Lin Tianyue wrapped around her finger?

She’s really something.

“Mm, I didn’t think you were that narrow-minded. Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Wash the clothes before wearing them. Trust me—you’ll look especially beautiful in them.”

After Zhang Qiao left, Zhang Ling sat on the bed holding the bag, letting out a helpless laugh.

See? She really was too old-fashioned, getting laughed at by her younger sister again.

She touched the underwear in her hand. The fabric did seem… really nice.

Lin Tianyue came home early that afternoon. Chen Gang was hosting a dinner, and he asked Zhang Qiao to bring Xia Xia along.

It turned out that good news was on the way for Chen Gang and Yingzi.

The franchise store had recently paid out generous dividends. Chen Gang used the money to buy good liquor and cigarettes and went to Yingzi’s house to formally propose. After passing her parents’ inspection, the two elders finally agreed—they would hold the wedding in early spring next year.

Chen Gang wanted to celebrate with a banquet. As good friends, Lin Tianyue and Zhang Qiao naturally had to attend.

When Xia Xia turned one month old, Zhang Qiao had trimmed off her newborn hair. Afraid she’d get cold, she put a knitted hat with little ears on her before heading out.

The pink hat sat on her daughter’s head, making her look adorable beyond words. Zhang Qiao was also wearing a pink scarf. Mother and daughter, dressed in soft pink, drew everyone’s attention wherever they went.

At the restaurant, everyone crowded around Xia Xia, teasing her endlessly. One held her, another kissed her—she had clearly become the little darling of the group.

Chen Gang came over and handed Lin Tianyue a cigarette, but he waved it away.

“I quit.”

“For real?”

Lin Tianyue held his daughter tighter. “Does it look fake? None of you are allowed to smoke today either. Don’t let the smoke get to my girl.”

Yingzi snatched the Zhonghua cigarette from Chen Gang’s hand. “Exactly! My goddaughter is here. No one’s smoking!”

Chen Gang shook his head helplessly. “See that, Brother Yue? Not even married yet and she’s already managing me.”

Lin Tianyue chuckled. “Be grateful someone’s willing to manage you. If no one cared, that’s when you’d cry.”

Chen Gang laughed and asked Zhang Qiao, “So, Sister-in-law, has my brother ever cried?”

Zhang Qiao shot the man beside her a glance. “Who cares about him? Chen Gang, have you set the date?”

“March eighteenth. Sister-in-law, we’ll hold it at our place. By then, your restaurant in Jiangcheng should be open, right?”

Zhang Qiao calculated the time. “Mm, about then.”

“Perfect,” Chen Gang grinned. “Yingzi and I will light the first fire for your place.”

“That won’t be your turn,” Lin Tianyue said.

Yingzi and Chen Gang were startled. “Brother Yue, you don’t welcome us?”

“That’s not it.” Lin Tianyue looked meaningfully at Zhang Qiao. “Your sister-in-law and I will definitely go before you.”

Not only Yingzi and Chen Gang were stunned—even Zhang Qiao, who had been busy snacking on melon seeds, was confused.

“Hey, you big brute, what are you planning?”

“Our wedding,” Lin Tianyue said. Holding his daughter in one arm, he pulled Zhang Qiao close with the other. “Since everyone’s here, I’ll announce it. When Qiao Qiao and I got married, it was rushed, and we skipped a lot of formalities. Now that conditions are better and our daughter has been born, I’ve decided to hold her hundred-day banquet and our wedding on the same day. You’re all invited!”

Zhang Qiao stared blankly at the man beside her.

Wasn’t this a bit much? Planning a wedding without even telling her? She felt like a bystander gossiping about her own life.

Everyone present was a friend, so they naturally offered their congratulations.

When things quieted down, Zhang Qiao pouted and questioned him resentfully, “You’re getting married and didn’t even inform me?”

Lin Tianyue gently untangled their daughter’s tiny hand from Zhang Qiao’s hair. Taking advantage of the moment, he stole a kiss. “I’m informing you now. Wife, do you agree?”

“I…”

What could she say? She couldn’t exactly skip her own daughter’s hundred-day banquet.

“Qiao Qiao, I even had a fortune-teller calculate the date. He said if we marry on that day, not only will our daughter be blessed with good fortune, but our whole family will have smooth sailing for life.”

“Hmph, feudal superstition!”

Though she said it like that, her heart felt as sweet as honey.

So she would have the chance to attend her own wedding after all. An eighties-style wedding—what would it be like?

No matter what, she would definitely dress up beautifully that day.

The meal ended in warmth and laughter.

Just as they were seeing their friends off, Chen Gang turned to answer a phone call.

He had barely spoken a few words before looking at Lin Tianyue with alarm. Sensing something, Lin Tianyue strode over and grabbed the receiver from him.

Zhang Qiao was sitting nearby. Holding their daughter, she followed him over.

The three of them ended up huddled around the phone as they heard the teacher and Lin Xun anxiously tell Lin Tianyue, “Dad, Lin Ran and I went to find Lin Jin after school, but the teacher said he disappeared after the second class this afternoon. We searched the entire school—the woods, the riverside, even under the toilets—but he’s nowhere! Dad, what do we do? Could Little Third have been kidnapped?”

Zhang Qiao and Lin Tianyue’s faces darkened at once.

“He’s been missing since after second period this afternoon—why are we only being notified now?”

The teacher’s apologetic voice came through. “Lin Jin has always been mischievous, and sometimes children sneak out to play. This was indeed my oversight. I’m sorry, but…”

“Enough. I’m coming over right now! If anything happens to my son, I won’t let this go!”

After hanging up, a layer of frost seemed to settle over Lin Tianyue’s stern face.

Chen Gang and Yingzi were worried too. “Brother Yue, don’t panic. Maybe Lin Jin just ran off to play.”

“Yeah, kids are playful. My nephew Wangcai skipped school a few days ago and ran around outside all day.”

“Human traffickers wouldn’t dare operate inside a school. Let’s split up and search.”

Lin Tianyue clenched his fists tightly. He looked at Zhang Qiao. Holding Xia Xia close, she grabbed his hand.

“Tianyue, Lin Jin is closest to me. I’ll go with you.”

“No. You have to look after Xia Xia.”

“Then I’ll take Xia Xia home to my sister first, then come find you.”

After a brief hesitation, Lin Tianyue nodded. “Alright. Qiao Qiao, don’t panic. I’ll contact you as soon as there’s news.”

They hurried to the school. Lin Ran and Lin Xun were anxiously waiting at the gate, especially Lin Xun, whose eyes were red from worry for his younger brother.