MGASC -Chapter 35 She Smelled So Sweet

Did she still trust him?

A gentle breeze brushed her face, the sun shone warmly, and when her gaze met his sincere, expectant black eyes, Zhang Qiao asked herself the question again.

“Lin Tianyue, I hope you understand that marriage needs nurturing, and mutual trust is the foundation. Our start was terrible, and I’m not sure how far we’ll go in the future. But since you are sincere, we can give it another try. Just like you said, until the baby is born, this period can be a trial phase for both of us. What do you think?”

Lin Tianyue stared at her, contemplating the meaning behind her words. “You mean… if the trial fails, we’ll still separate?”

Zhang Qiao replied firmly, “I won’t compromise myself.”

Lin Tianyue thought for a moment longer, then made up his mind. “I’m sorry, this time it’s my fault. I’ll listen to you. If by then you still think I’m no good, I’ll respect your decision.”

Zhang Qiao asked, “So one year as the limit?”

Lin Tianyue nodded.

…

At the hospital, the three little ones were neatly dressed and ready to go.

Just yesterday they had been a messy bunch, but today they looked like little gentlemen. Even the cafeteria aunt treated them better than before.

“Aunt Qiao, you finally came!”

Lin Jin spotted Zhang Qiao first and ran over, hugging her tightly with his little arms. The affection was so intense it seemed like they hadn’t seen each other for a month.

Zhang Qiao ruffled his mushroom-shaped hair, then saw Lin Xun and Lin Ran coming over carrying large bundles.

They had arrived empty-handed, but were leaving loaded with packages. Zhang Qiao’s side was similarly heavy—with food, clothes, and even a tall stack of books.

But everything was in Lin Tianyue’s hands.

Most of it—about 90%—had been bought by Zhang Qiao. As the main spender of the family, she felt a little embarrassed.

“There’s so much stuff. Why don’t we leave it at the hospital for now and pick it up after the movie?” she suggested to Lin Tianyue.

He took the bundles from Lin Xun and Lin Ran. “Sure.”

He went to store the packages, while Zhang Qiao and the three little ones waited in the corridor.

A passing nurse glanced at the striking Zhang Qiao.

“Little ones, is this your mother? She’s so beautiful!”

Lin Jin beamed, still clinging to Zhang Qiao’s leg. “Yes, yes! I told you, my Aunt Qiao is the prettiest!”

Lin Ran chimed in, “Little brother, just a reminder, Aunt Qiao isn’t only yours.”

Lin Xun cleared his throat lightly. He didn’t say much, but his little face turned red.

The area ahead was chaotic—patients’ families calling out to nurses, the emergency room bustling, and a family wailing loudly. They were scolded by the nurses, forced to quiet down, yet still sobbed quietly.

Zhang Qiao caught the gist—it seemed someone had jumped into the river.

Another hopeless case, she thought.

She led the three little ones downstairs. On the stairs, they almost collided with a hurried couple, but Lin Xun stepped forward protectively, shouting at them, “Watch out! My aunt is pregnant!”

The couple, in their own panic, didn’t pay attention.

Zhang Qiao shook her head at Lin Xun’s concerned gaze.

Behind them, she overheard the couple’s conversation:

“Zhao Qiang, my legs are shaking… do you think Su Yin really drowned?”

“Don’t worry, if she’s dead, isn’t that better?”

“But what if she wakes up and begs you to marry her? She’s so difficult, and her family is well-off… would you soften? Zhao Qiang, I’m pregnant now. If you dare leave me, I… I’ll—”

“Relax. She’s so ugly, how could she compare to you? My promotion is almost done. If she dies, fine. If not, I have to keep her calm first. Once my promotion is approved, she can love whoever she wants. Be good—don’t go in, or her family will find out…”

The iron gate slammed shut. The woman in the red dress stayed outside, sniffling and pretending to be wronged.

Zhang Qiao frowned, looking back.

In her heart, she cursed: what a pair of scoundrels!

Not wanting to taint the three little ones’ eyes, she pulled them along.

Soon, Lin Tianyue came down, and the family had a simple meal before heading to a nearby cinema.

Three movies were playing: a war film, a romance, and a children’s movie.

Lin Tianyue had originally considered the romance and asked Zhang Qiao tentatively, “Do you want to watch…”

Zhang Qiao interrupted, “Let’s watch Bubbling Spring. The kids will love it.”

Lin Tianyue pouted but obeyed, buying tickets for the children’s movie.

It was the children’s first time at the cinema—they were excited. Lin Tianyue held the tickets but showed little interest.

In line, he glanced at the posters and muttered, “I heard Love in Lushan is really good.”

Zhang Qiao replied, “Hmm… it’s okay. They just kissed on the big screen.”

“You’ve seen it?” At the mention of a kiss, he stirred slightly.

Zhang Qiao caught his glinting eyes and teased him, “That’s nothing—I’ve seen even more exciting ones.”

Growing up, she had seen countless films. A kiss was nothing—she had watched plenty of close-combat action movies…

Lin Tianyue was astonished. “Even… more exciting?”

Zhang Qiao smirked, “What, you’ve never seen them?”

He looked embarrassed. “No. I’m not like you… so worldly. Hiss…”

Suddenly, Zhang Qiao pinched his arm hard. He winced in pain.

She lowered her voice: “Still want to see it? If yes, control that mouth of yours!”

Watching her lead the three little ones inside, rubbing his arm and frowning, Lin Tianyue thought: this wife is so violent and hot-tempered… what am I even doing all this for?

He muttered in his mind but happily followed: “Be careful inside, it’s dark—don’t trip!”

The children’s movie was indeed boring, except for the three little ones, who were fully engrossed.

Lin Tianyue sat aside, his attention mostly on Zhang Qiao.

Being so close, he could even smell her fragrance.