MGASC -Chapter 240 Like Falling in Love for the First Time

Ten minutes later, Zhang Qiao and Gu Yu walked out of the station one after the other, chatting and laughing.

Seeing her, Gu Junye’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel.

“President Gu, is that your rival? That woman?” From the back seat, Xiong Wu from Shencheng narrowed his eyes sinisterly, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Qiao’s graceful figure.

“She has another identity.”

“Who?”

“Lin Tianyue’s wife.” Gu Junye knew Xiong Wu had come this time seeking revenge—his target was Lin Tianyue. “The one beside her, Gu Yu—you must know him too. He’s my cousin.”

Know him? Of course he did. He wished he could skin them alive.

Last time in Shencheng, those two had set him up badly. Not only had he failed to hijack Lin Tianyue’s goods, he had been toyed with and turned into a laughingstock in Shencheng. On New Year’s Eve, he had even been chased down by his enemies.

He had chased them all the way to Jiangcheng during the holiday. With Gu Junye’s help, he had finally tracked down the culprits who had ruined him.

Xiong Wu stroked his chin slyly. “So Gu Yu is your cousin. For your sake, I can consider sparing him.”

Gu Junye’s gaze was cold and detached. He said nothing.

In truth, he didn’t want to be entangled with Xiong Wu. The man was no good. Though he resented Zhang Qiao and Gu Yu, it hadn’t reached the point of hiring someone to do harm.

Gu Junye was a refined egoist. His own life was worth more than theirs—dragging himself into danger wasn’t worth it.

After weighing things, he said, “Xiong Wu, you happened to see them. It has nothing to do with me.”

Xiong Wu smiled cunningly. “Don’t worry, President Gu. You’ve treated me well in Jiangcheng. Your enemies are my enemies.”

“No, no. I’m a legitimate businessman. I’ve never wanted to do anything to them. As for whatever grudge you have with them, I know nothing about it—and have no interest in knowing.”

Gu Junye opened the glove compartment, took out a thick stack of cash, and tossed it to Xiong Wu. “You should leave. Let’s just pretend we never met.”

Xiong Wu weighed the money in his hand, gave a cold laugh, got out of the car, and slammed the door behind him.

…

Kemanlou would reopen on the eighth day of the lunar new year, but Jin Quan returned on the fourth.

He didn’t come alone—he brought his mother to Jiangcheng, planning for her to meet his future daughter-in-law, see a doctor, and look around the city.

After arriving, he first settled his mother in.

As soon as Aunt Jin put down her luggage in the apartment, she made a full inspection—checking the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen, even opening every cabinet.

When she finished, her face darkened. “Jin Quan, are you fooling me again? This place smells like nothing but a bachelor’s den. Where’s this wife you promised?”

She hadn’t found a single item that belonged to a woman.

Jin Quan laughed helplessly and pressed her into a seat. “Why are you in such a rush? We just got home. How about this—I’ll have her come over for dinner tomorrow.”

“You really have a girlfriend? You’re not lying to me?”

“Once you see her tomorrow, you’ll know.”

Aunt Jin was still half doubtful. Before coming back this time, she had arranged four blind dates for her son—an older unmarried woman from the neighboring village, a widow, and even one with a two-year-old child. She hadn’t been picky.

What could she do? Her son was already thirty. Before, he’d said he was focusing on his career. But now that he had left the army, even that future was gone. She wanted to find him a good match, but once people heard he was drifting around the city without stable roots, who would agree?

The old lady worried so much her hair had turned white. Yet this time, before she could even mention blind dates, Jin Quan had volunteered the news—he’d found someone in Jiangcheng and would formally propose after the New Year.

He had even brought home some pastries Zhang Ling made and given them to his mother, saying they were from her future daughter-in-law.

Aunt Jin had never seen pastries so delicate. She didn’t believe him. After the third day of the New Year, she urged her son back to the city, determined to see the girl for herself.

If she could make pastries in so many intricate designs, how skillful must her hands be?

“Why wait until tomorrow? Go find her now!” Aunt Jin pushed him, unable to wait even a moment to meet her future daughter-in-law.

“But there’s no food at home…”

“Tell me where to buy it—I’ll go.”

And just like that, Jin Quan was shoved out the door by his own mother.

Knowing Zhang Ling hadn’t gone back to work yet, he wandered to the apartment building where Lin Tianyue lived.

He stood downstairs for a while, vaguely sensing a pair of eyes watching him from the shadows.

With the instincts of a seasoned scout, Jin Quan was about to investigate.

But when he looked up, he saw Zhang Ling walking toward him from the east—wearing that beige puffer jacket, a red scarf wrapped around her neck, carrying a basket of vegetables, her figure swaying gently as she walked.

The sharpness in Jin Quan’s eyes faded, replaced by a wicked grin.

Zhang Ling hadn’t seen him yet. He stepped out from the corner and pulled her into his arms with a sudden tug. With a startled cry, the woman fell against his chest.

“Did you miss me?” Jin Quan wrapped an arm around her waist and planted a hard kiss on her lips.

Zhang Ling was nearly scared out of her wits. Even after realizing it was him, her heart still pounded wildly.

“Why are your eyes so wide? Don’t recognize me?”

Her head buzzed. “It’s only the fourth day of the New Year. Why are you back already?”

“Missed you.”

Heat rushed to her face. Jin Quan lowered his gaze to the vegetables in her hand.

“Qiao is home watching the kids. I went to buy some groceries,” Zhang Ling explained.

“Don’t cook. Come eat at my place tonight.”

“Huh?”

“My mom’s here. She wants to meet you. Hurry up—take those upstairs and come with me!”

Jin Quan turned her around, pushing her forward by the shoulders. He even gave her a playful slap on the backside.

Dazed, Zhang Ling went upstairs and left the vegetables by the door.

Zhang Qiao came out holding Xia Xia. “Sister, why aren’t you coming in? You’re just standing there like you lost your soul.”

Zhang Ling stammered, “Qiao… Jin Quan’s back.”

“So? Why do you look like your soul’s been snatched away?”

“He said… his mom’s here. She wants me to come over for dinner tonight.” Zhang Ling subconsciously smoothed her hair. “Qiao, I won’t be eating at home tonight.”

Jin Quan was still waiting downstairs. She turned to leave, then suddenly remembered something.

“Qiao, should I bring something? I didn’t buy any gifts—it’s the holidays, after all.”

Zhang Qiao looked at her flustered sister and almost doubted whether she’d ever been married before. Why did she look like someone experiencing her first love?

Jin Quan was an older man—shouldn’t she be the one keeping him in her grasp?

Zhang Qiao looked her up and down. Today her sister was dressed modestly and simply, with only light brows drawn and no makeup—exactly the kind of appearance older folks liked.

“Sister, he’s the one eager to get a wife. Just go. You don’t need to bring anything. If you really want to, just take some fruit.”

Zhang Qiao remembered they had two bunches of bananas and a box of oranges Yingzi had brought over. She went inside, took them out, and stuffed them into her sister’s hands. “This is enough.”

Zhang Ling hesitated. “Isn’t it a bit too little?”

“It’s plenty!” Zhang Qiao thought her sister was too honest. Before knowing the other side’s attitude, as the one being pursued, it was perfectly normal to hold a little pride.

When it came to marriage negotiations, whoever seemed too eager lost the advantage.