MGASC -Chapter 36 She Spends, He’s Happy

Lin Tianyue had heard from Chen Gang that the cinema was a good place to cultivate feelings.

But from the start of the movie, Zhang Qiao was just busy cracking sunflower seeds and drinking soda.

Both hands were always occupied.

Only occasionally did she rest them on the seat, and if Lin Tianyue moved even slightly, she would immediately pick them up again—either to eat something herself or to hand snacks to the three kids.

She barely paid any attention to him, as if he were invisible.

By the time the movie ended, not only had he failed to find an opportunity to speak, he hadn’t even gotten a single chance to interact with her. Yet, when they returned to the hospital, his hands were full of several bags of food—all bought by Zhang Qiao on the way.

There were fried sanzi, candied fruits, several boxes of old-fashioned cakes, and some snacks like sunflower seeds and peanuts for leisure.

Actually, she had liked buying these things before too, but she always did it secretly. Seeing her do it so openly now, Lin Tianyue wasn’t angry at all—on the contrary, he felt happy.

Especially seeing the whole family neat and clean—this feeling was even more comforting than making a lot of money.

Back at the hospital, Zhang Qiao carried the bag of candied fruits and shared some with the doctors and nurses who had taken care of the three kids.

You can’t refuse someone with a smile, especially when that someone is as beautiful as Zhang Qiao.

The doctor gently reminded Zhang Qiao of a few precautions, asking thoughtfully about her due date, and even offered to introduce her to the best obstetrician.

As they walked and chatted, a commotion came from a nearby ward, accompanied by the sound of a woman breaking down:

“Zhao Qiang, get out! I never want to hear your hypocritical sweet talk again! Let this past year be a lesson that I was blind!”

“Su Yin, keep your voice down, just a little, don’t get so agitated.”

“You betrayed me, you’ve done all that… What are you afraid of? After all this time, you’re just worried I’ll get revenge and not give you that permanent position, right? Zhao Qiang, you schemed and lied to me for a year—well done!”

“Su Yin, don’t say that. I’m working hard to get permanent employment, isn’t it for you too… But look at yourself—you never take care of your appearance, don’t wear makeup, don’t fix your hair, and you’re getting fatter. When we walk together, people think you’re my older sister… I want to love you properly, but what have you done for me? Not making an effort, not taking care of yourself, even dragging your feet on the permanent position.”

The room echoed with the sound of things being smashed:

“Why is everything my fault when it comes out of your mouth! Get out! We’re breaking up. You just wanted to get permanent employment? Fine, I’ll let you have it!”

“Su Yin, are you serious? You really want to let me go?”

“Get out!”

The ward door opened, and the man Zhang Qiao had seen in the stairwell before stumbled out looking disheveled.

The doctor pulled Zhang Qiao aside, and in the instant the door opened, she glanced inside.

That acne-covered face… she seemed familiar.

Right—yesterday, this girl had begged her to do her hair.

For a moment, Zhang Qiao felt a mix of emotions.

The doctor quietly sighed, pointing inside and whispered:

“She’s heartbroken, tried to end her life in the river. Apparently she found a pretty boy, and he cheated on her behind her back.”

“This woman really needs to recognize her place. I heard her father is the director of the state-run appliance factory. If she married someone appropriate, none of this would happen.”

“Appliance factory?”

“Yes, the famous Jiamei Appliances in our city.”

Appliances? Zhang Qiao’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.

After a few more words, the doctor went back to work.

Lin Tianyue and the three kids hadn’t arrived yet. Hearing the crying from the ward, Zhang Qiao paused for a moment and pushed the door open.

Su Yin, thinking Zhao Qiang had returned, grabbed a cup from the table to throw—but froze when she saw Zhang Qiao.

Zhang Qiao’s face was stunningly beautiful, unforgettable.

“Why is it you?” Su Yin recognized her, sniffling as she grabbed a tissue to wipe her face.

“Be gentle. Especially with your acne, don’t rub too hard.”

Zhang Qiao’s words made her pause again. Thinking of her acne and Zhao Qiang’s disdain, tears began to flow uncontrollably.

That morning, she had gone to find Zhao Qiang, only to unexpectedly catch him in bed with another woman. When she tried to confront them, Zhao Qiang sided with the other woman and let her insult Su Yin.

Calling her ugly, saying no one would want her. If she weren’t the daughter of a factory director, Zhao Qiang wouldn’t even look at a woman like her.

Unable to bear the blow, she jumped into the lake after leaving Zhao Qiang.

She knew she wasn’t conventionally beautiful—but does being unattractive mean you don’t deserve love? Or that you can’t love someone else?

Between sobs, she spoke:

“Did you hear everything? Are you here to laugh at me too? I’m ugly, full of acne, dark-skinned, bad figure! But there are so many ugly women in the world. Do people like me not deserve to live? I didn’t do anything wrong, I only wanted to be good to him. Why does he treat me like this?”

Zhang Qiao stepped closer, took a tissue, gently wiped the corners of her eyes, and turned her chin to examine her face carefully.

“Who says you’re ugly? Your facial features are actually quite good. Once your acne clears and you take care of yourself, how could you be ugly? Honestly, you’re far better than that shameless woman. Besides, do you know what kind of woman is truly beautiful?”

Su Yin stopped crying, staring blankly: “You’ve seen that other woman?”

“Yes, but I think you look better than her.”

Su Yin didn’t believe her: “Impossible… If I were prettier, why would Zhao Qiang choose her over me?”

“Does the choice of a lousy man matter? Or do you really think a man with no taste and terrible character, who secretly wishes you were dead, has the right to control your standards or life?”

“He… wants me dead?”

“Yes. I heard it myself this morning. He said it’d be better if you were dead. Then he and his new lover wouldn’t have to bother with a permanent position.”

“That bastard! Bastard!”

Su Yin clutched the bedsheet tightly. Zhang Qiao’s words hit hard—she had lived her whole life believing lies.

That man had used her from beginning to end, never showing a shred of true feeling.

Zhang Qiao smiled gently: “Still can’t let go of him?”

Tears streamed down Su Yin’s face: “I didn’t expect he was that kind of person.”

Zhang Qiao sat down and wiped her tears: “Alright. Once you’ve figured it out, don’t waste your tears on people who aren’t worth it. By the way, did you buy the ointment I asked you to get yesterday?”

Su Yin nodded: “Yes, but I haven’t applied it yet.”

“Then remember to apply it regularly after you’re discharged. It’s for acne. Once your acne clears up, come back to me—I’ll prescribe something internal to help regulate your body. Within three months, you’ll look radiant.”

Su Yin felt like she was dreaming: “You mean… you can make me… look better?”

Zhang Qiao nodded confidently.

Then, taking paper and pen from the bedside table, she wrote down an address:

“Take this. My name is Zhang Qiao—Qiao as in ‘beautiful.’ This is my home address.”

“But how do you know I’ll come to find you?”

“Because I’m confident in my skills!”

Zhang Qiao’s smile lit up the room. Even Su Yin, just another girl, couldn’t help being captivated and envious of her face.

More than that, Su Yin was drawn to the confidence Zhang Qiao radiated—in her eyes, words, and demeanor. It was like an invisible light emanating from her, incredibly infectious.