MGASC -Chapter 236 When Brother Quan Catches Fire Like an Old House

Today, Kemanlou turned over several rounds of tables in a row. It wasn’t until after nine in the evening that the number of customers finally started to thin out.

Zhang Ling was exhausted and resting in the upstairs lounge area. After eating a bowl of noodles, she slipped her hand into her pocket and once again touched the gold bracelet that felt awkward and heavy there.

She took it out, placed it on the table, and stared at it blankly.

She had thought about it all day and still didn’t know how to handle it.

If she returned it to Jin Quan, he would definitely tease her again. But if she didn’t return it, what did it mean for her to keep it?

Footsteps sounded behind her. By the time Zhang Ling tried to put the bracelet away, it was too late.

Lin Tianyue had already spotted the gleaming bracelet. He picked it up casually and weighed it in his hand. “Nice bracelet. Old Jin gave it to you?”

Zhang Ling couldn’t very well snatch it back. Embarrassed, she wished she could disappear on the spot. “He said… it’s fake. Just bought it for fun.”

“Fake, huh?” Lin Tianyue weighed it again and chuckled softly.

“Y-Yes. That’s what he said. By the way, brother-in-law, you see him often. It’s not appropriate for me to keep this. Why don’t you help me return it to him?”

Zhang Ling thought she had finally found a good solution.

Real or fake, she didn’t want to accept something from him without a clear relationship. And if it was real, she absolutely couldn’t take it.

But how could Lin Tianyue do something that would offend someone?

Holding the “hot potato” bracelet, he narrowed his eyes. An idea formed quickly. “Sister, it’s not suitable for me to return it either. In a few days it’ll be New Year’s Eve. We’ll all be having dinner together. If you really don’t want it, just take the chance to give it back to Old Jin then.”

“This…”

“Don’t worry. With Qiaoqiao and me there, if Old Jin dares to make things difficult for you, I’ll beat him up for you. Besides, after the New Year, he’s heading south. If you return it, he’ll understand what you mean. Once he leaves, how would he still have the face to pester you? If you ask me, Sis could find someone even better.”

Zhang Ling felt dizzy from what she was hearing. Her face went from pale to red and back again, her expression tense. “Brother-in-law, you said Jin Quan is going south?”

“Yeah. Gu Yu said there’s a business opportunity down there and wants him to look after it. Old Jin didn’t want to go at first, but today he suddenly changed his mind.”

“He agreed? He… how long will he be gone?”

“Probably won’t come back. The south is more developed than here. Easier to make money. I heard the girls there are prettier too. Didn’t they say Jiangnan girls are refined and gentle-tempered?”

Lin Tianyue observed Zhang Ling’s reaction carefully, then cleared his throat. “Sister, don’t take it the wrong way. With his temper, he really does need someone gentle. I’m not saying you’re not good. You can definitely find someone better. Don’t worry, Qiaoqiao and I will keep your matters in mind.”

As soon as he finished, Manager Ren called him away.

There was still half a bowl of noodles left, but Zhang Ling couldn’t swallow another bite.

Jin Quan was leaving?

Why hadn’t he told her this morning?

Was it because she refused the bracelet that he had given up?

But he hadn’t even given it to her properly! She just didn’t want to accept a gift without clarity.

The more Zhang Ling thought about it, the more upset she felt. The bracelet irritated her eyes now. If she had known, she should’ve returned it this morning—let him go, let him leave!

…

After work, Lin Tianyue and Zhang Qiao left together. On the way, he repeated to her everything he had told Zhang Ling.

Zhang Qiao was startled. “Is Jin Quan really leaving?”

“I lied.”

Zhang Qiao thought it over and finally understood—her sister had been thoroughly tricked by Lin Tianyue.

She shot him a resentful look. “Lin Tianyue, you’re getting craftier by the day.”

If he’d known all these tricks earlier, would they not have ended up divorced back then?

Lin Tianyue gave an awkward laugh. “I’m just retreating to advance. We’ve even planned out their future for them, and yet your sister is still standing still. Is she really not afraid of Jin Quan running off?”

“Hmph, what if you overplay it? What if my sister really believes you and completely ignores Jin Quan?” Zhang Qiao rubbed her temples and defended her sister. “Actually, her concerns are normal. She’s been divorced less than four months. Four months is too short to truly understand someone. She fell in love at first sight with Xu Liang before, rushed into marriage, and what happened? A complete mess. If you ask me, you should persuade Jin Quan to slow down… When chasing a woman, patience is essential. If he doesn’t even have that, he deserves to stay single.”

Zhang Qiao pouted as she complained, but Lin Tianyue only smiled and rubbed her head. “Wife, you don’t understand the bitterness of being single. For Brother Quan, it’s like an old house catching fire—how can he not be anxious? Besides, does knowing someone longer guarantee better results? Didn’t we rush into marriage too? And aren’t we doing just fine now? When the person’s right, you’ve got to charge ahead. What you can hold in your hands—that’s yours.”

He was still driving, yet his hand unconsciously slid to her neck, fingers brushing the tender skin there, heat rising in his lower abdomen.

Suppressing himself, Lin Tianyue sped up slightly. “And Brother Quan is a proud man. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left the army in anger after being falsely accused. He’s stubborn and never bows his head. I’m worried that if your sister keeps dragging this out, she might really push him away.”

Only then did Zhang Qiao notice him taking advantage. She pulled his wandering hand away and shoved it aside. “If he runs, then let him run! It’s not like there aren’t other good men.”

Though she spoke toughly, she was also a little anxious for her sister.

Soon, they arrived downstairs.

With the New Year approaching, an occasional firecracker could be heard. Children were outside playing with sparklers—thin sticks that burned at the tip, bursting with tiny flickering sparks. Though small, they were the favorite toy of children in this era.

Zhang Qiao got out of the car and watched the other children play for a while. When Lin Tianyue finished parking and came over, she tilted up her face. “Tianyue, let’s buy some of those for New Year.”

“Sure. Lin Xun and the others will love it.”

“I want to play too.”

Lin Tianyue paused, meeting the childlike sparkle in her eyes. He cupped her face and kissed her lightly, his thumb pressing at the corner of her lips. “Alright, I’ll buy them for you. But tonight, wife, we’re trying a different way to play.”

One look at his wicked expression and Zhang Qiao knew he was up to no good.

“What are you saying?”

The desire in Lin Tianyue’s eyes deepened. He leaned close and whispered something in her ear.

Zhang Qiao’s face instantly flushed red. “Lin Tianyue, have you no shame! I was lying like that to adjust the baby’s position, and you’ve been harboring bad intentions since then?”

How could he even say that out loud?

Lin Tianyue didn’t blush at all. He pinched her chin lightly. “Qiaoqiao, I’ll buy you a hundred sparklers for New Year.”

“No.”

“Five hundred?”

“What, are we opening a wholesale shop?”

“Well, I’ve got to make sure my wife plays to her heart’s content.”

Zhang Qiao ignored him and headed into the stairwell. But as soon as she reached the second floor, Lin Tianyue caught up, hoisted her over his shoulder, and rushed home.

After a night of tossing and turning, he got his way in the end.

Zhang Qiao felt like her body was falling apart, yet the novelty of it left her inexplicably a little addicted.