MGASC -Chapter 22 The Wife is Happy, He’s Going Crazy

Meanwhile…

Zhang Qiao stepped out of the hospital and let out a long breath.

So this must be what freedom feels like.

She had made up her mind: she was going to divorce Lin Tianyue, this stereotypical straight man!

As for that “big thigh,” whoever wanted it could have it—she definitely wasn’t going to serve him anymore!

She reached into her pocket and felt the forty yuan tuition pre-paid by Zhou Junlin. That gave her even more confidence.

First, she found a place to have a bowl of noodles, and deliberately added an extra portion of beef. The beef noodles were fresh, flavorful, and tender. Eating them made sweat bead on her forehead and nose, and left her feeling completely refreshed. Only then did she pay leisurely and start wandering around the city center.

As the provincial capital, Jiangcheng had developed quite well. Among the northern provinces, it counted as a bustling trade hub.

The nearby markets were far livelier than those in Xiangshui County. Zhang Qiao strolled for a while, buying some apples, peaches, milk candies, and cotton cloth. She also bought a pound of peach crisps to nibble on when hungry.

Having woken up too early, she was a little sleepy. Seeing a small inn by the street, she went in and rented a room, pulled the blanket over herself, and had a proper nap.

After waking up, Zhang Qiao took a shower and ate a bit. The inn didn’t have a TV, and since there were no phones in this era, she started feeling a bit bored with nothing to do for entertainment.

Checking the time, it was only two in the afternoon. Across from the inn was a Xinhua Bookstore. Zhang Qiao dressed up and decided to buy a few English reference books.

Next to the bookstore was a teachers’ college, with students constantly coming and going. Business was fairly good.

However, the variety of books was limited. After searching for a while, Zhang Qiao only found a dictionary and a few English novels in their original editions—including her favorite, Gone with the Wind.

She didn’t plan to buy the novel, so she leaned against a bookshelf and started reading Gone with the Wind.

Engrossed in the story, she suddenly heard a familiar voice: “Comrade Zhang Qiao, what a coincidence!”

It was Zhou Junlin.

He had also come to buy books. At that moment, he was holding several books on economics, also in English.

Zhang Qiao put down her book and smiled faintly. “Director Zhou, you can just call me Xiao Zhang. Director Zhou, you’re here to buy books too?”

Zhou Junlin nodded and explained: “I want to start a study class in the county to teach everyone some economics, and I’d like to select some reference materials for them to study. But look, all these foreign materials are in English. I only understand these professional terms half-heartedly—it’s really troubling me. Xiao Zhang, didn’t you say your English is good? Do you happen to know any professional translators?”

Zhang Qiao thought: Zhou the big shot really is my lucky star! Can I bow to you?

She held out her hand. “Director Zhou, can I take a look at these books?”

“Of course.”

Taking a book from him, Zhang Qiao opened a page and carefully read through it.

She translated the general meaning to Zhou Junlin as she read.

Zhou Junlin was surprised: “Xiao Zhang, you understand all of this?”

Zhang Qiao nodded: “Director Zhou, didn’t I mention last time? I have a bit of a talent for foreign languages. I don’t know any professional translators, but if you trust me, give me these books. I can translate them all within a week.”

Zhou Junlin was overjoyed. “Xiao Zhang, are you sure you can handle all these professional English terms?”

Zhang Qiao nodded firmly again. “Director Zhou, if you don’t trust me, I can translate one book first and show you the result. If it’s satisfactory, we can continue.”

“No, no, that’s not what I mean…”

His expression lit up like he had found a treasure. Last time she said her English was good, he thought it was only at a middle or high school level—just enough to teach his daughter. But now, she could casually translate professional terms in books. Her skills were far beyond what he expected.

He made a major decision: “Xiao Zhang, take these books home. Do as you said, and translate the first one for me to see. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll pay you. Of course, if it’s good, besides these, I have plenty more materials that I’ll need you to work on. Don’t worry, I’ll pay you the highest possible rates. You don’t know it, but our country really lacks translators. I thought I’d have to send these materials back to the capital for translation. But now… Xiao Zhang, I’ve found you!”

Zhou Junlin was excited, like a father seeing a talented daughter. His admiration and appreciation for talent were written plainly on his face.

Zhang Qiao understood that Zhou Junlin was her first patron.

She solemnly promised: “Don’t worry, Director Zhou. I’ll complete the task.”

She no longer touched her novel, hugged the materials, and left the bookstore with Zhou Junlin.

Learning that Zhou Junlin would stay in the city with his daughter for a few days, Zhang Qiao even arranged for him to send Zhou Xiaoxiao to her inn for lessons.

Zhou Junlin asked curiously why she was staying at the inn.

Zhang Qiao told the truth: she was accompanying her children for treatment and would stay there for a few days.

Since she was bored at the inn anyway, she could teach Zhou Xiaoxiao for a couple of lessons, translate the materials in the meantime, and have Zhou Xiaoxiao take them back in the evening.

Zhang Qiao was confident that Zhou Junlin would be satisfied with her translations. After that, he would give her more translation work, and her living expenses would be covered.

Thinking about it, she felt invigorated. In the next few days, she could explore the city, looking for new business opportunities and ways to earn money.

In this era of opportunities, making a living wouldn’t be difficult at all.

As for everything else… she would let fate decide.

Back at the inn, after a simple meal, Zhang Qiao got to work.

She had graduated first in her major courses, so translating physical books was no problem. Even being a traveling interpreter wouldn’t be an issue.

But since there were no computers in this era, she could only neatly write the translations in her notebook. After working for two or three hours, her wrists ached.

Looking at less than half a book remaining, she shook her hands and planned to finish it tonight.

However, while she was happily busy here, at the hospital, Lin Tianyue—unable to find her—was going almost insane.

At first, he thought Zhang Qiao had just gone out for some air and would return after calming down.

Who knew he would wait for over an hour.

Even past lunchtime, she still hadn’t returned. Only then did he start to panic.

The hospital wasn’t large. He had searched every floor, every corner of the courtyard, and even the shops across the street—yet there was no sign of Zhang Qiao.

In the past, he wouldn’t have cared if she left home or even divorced him.

After all, she had done such things before.

While he was at the police station, she had taken all the family money, planned to abort their child, and marry someone else.

Given all that, his heart had long turned cold toward her—he expected nothing from this woman anymore.