MGASC -Chapter 38 Useless, Even a Hug Excites You

But now?

Even though he had spent the longest time at the hospital, she had gotten the closest with the doctors and nurses, even finding out which OB-GYN was the best.

As for Yingzi, there was no need to mention—she was bringing food, delivering headbands. Now even the neighborly aunties had been charmed into cheerful smiles by her.

Her generosity was astonishing.

When Zhang Qiao entered the house, she found Lin Tianyue staring at her again with that direct, piercing gaze.

Zhang Qiao shivered under his gaze. “What are you staring at? Don’t recognize me?”

Lin Tianyue looked embarrassed, his throat rolling. He handed her a peeled apple. “Zhang Qiao, in September… are you really planning to send the three of them to school?”

Zhang Qiao happened to be hungry and bit into the crisp fruit.

She nodded. “Is that even a question? Education is a right every citizen should enjoy. The eldest is already eleven this year; he should have started school long ago. I’ve decided to take advantage of the time and tutor them. As long as the eldest and second can keep up, we’ll find a way for them to skip grades. At this age, the eldest should at least be in fourth grade, the second in second grade, and the youngest in first grade. We can’t delay any longer.”

She spoke casually, like chatting about everyday matters, yet with certainty and seriousness. Her eyes sparkled with energy.

Lin Tianyue’s fruit knife scraped over his rough fingers again and again.

Happiness had come too suddenly. His nose felt a little prickly. After a long while, he finally said to Zhang Qiao, “Thank you.”

Zhang Qiao looked at him in surprise.

Tsk, kind of sentimental. Feels like this big brute is about to cry next.

“No need to thank me. You’re welcome, welcome.”

After all, she was playing a long-term “raising” game. She was counting on the three future prodigy stepsons to grow up quickly and support her in old age.

As for this big brute? Just consider him a bonus son. Useful or not, she wouldn’t hesitate to ignore him!

“Are you tired? Why don’t you rest a bit? Tonight, what do you want to eat? I’ll make it.”

Lin Tianyue asked with unusual attentiveness.

Eat what?

Zhang Qiao stood by the doorway, munching on her apple, when she noticed two old hens in the cage.

“Huh, when did we get two chickens?”

She clearly remembered there weren’t any when she left.

Lin Tianyue scratched his head awkwardly. “How about we eat chicken tonight? Wait here, I’ll go kill them now!”

Zhang Qiao watched from the yard as Lin Tianyue grabbed one by the wings, forcing its neck high, while the other hand held the cleaver. With a swift chop, the chicken’s life was over.

Then he boiled water, plucked the feathers, and neatly gutted the chicken.

After the chicken was stewing, Lin Tianyue came out to clean the feathers, mentioning that once dried, they could make a chicken-feather cushion for Zhang Qiao.

Zhang Qiao was a bit puzzled. “But… will one chicken’s feathers be enough?”

Lin Tianyue: “Not enough, there’s the other one too.”

Zhang Qiao: …

Her one question just sentenced the second chicken too. Sorry, she really didn’t mean it.

When the fragrant chicken stew with noodles was served, Zhang Qiao felt no guilt at all.

“Free-range chickens really are tasty, much better than big factory chickens. And these noodles are delicious—is this sweet potato? If you add dried mushrooms, it’d be perfect!”

She complimented him while eating, unaware that Lin Tianyue and the three kids all stared at her. “Big factory chicken… what’s that?”

“Uh… uh, here, kids, have the drumsticks!”

Zhang Qiao gave each child a piece of chicken leg meat and handed Lin Tianyue a chicken foot, successfully diverting the question.

Lin Tianyue looked at the chicken foot, somewhat dissatisfied. “Why do I get the foot, and they get the meat?”

“Tsk, you’re the dad and still competing with your ‘sons’? Besides, chicken feet are auspicious—they’ll make you grab more money and get rich faster.”

“This wasn’t just something you made up on the spot, was it?” Lin Tianyue said, but inwardly, he was delighted.

That evening, Lin Tianyue went out to take a long-distance call.

Zhang Qiao took out her textbooks and tutored the kids in Pinyin for a while.

As night fell, the room’s lightbulb was dim. Seeing the kids rubbing their eyes, she decided to stop.

“Forget it, we’ll use a higher-watt bulb next time!”

Lin Tianyue, who had just walked in, heard her and was surprised at her efficiency. She was already getting started teaching.

Tall as he was, he walked over and reached the bulb. “This one’s no good. I remember they have white fluorescent tubes in the city. If that doesn’t work, I’ll buy one from out of town.”

“Great.”

Hearing that learning was postponed, the kids ran around the house like a bunch of loose sheep.

Another room was noisy, but Zhang Qiao and Lin Tianyue’s room was unusually quiet.

Zhang Qiao spread an English book in front of her and began translating diligently.

She had to finish translating these books in half a month. Efficiency meant everything. Only if she was fast would Zhou Junlin keep sending her new work.

After washing up, Lin Tianyue came in and saw her working under the dim light. He walked over and snatched the English book from her.

“What are you doing?”

“You said studying hurts their eyes. What, now it doesn’t hurt to you?”

Flipping through the book, the dense letters made him dizzy.

Zhang Qiao reached for it, but he held it high. She pressed her hands to his shoulders and jumped, “Give it back! One book a day—that’s my goal. Besides, do you know how much I make translating one book?”

“How much?” Lin Tianyue held it high, looking amused at her flushed face.

Zhang Qiao stepped back. “At least 10 or 20 yuan per book.”

Lin Tianyue was shocked. “That much?”

“Yes, it’s like picking up money! If it were you, would you do it?”

She jumped to grab it again, but he held it even higher. She ended up hanging onto his neck, almost dangling off him.

Suddenly, her waist was gripped.

Lin Tianyue’s large hand pulled her into his embrace.

“Zhang Qiao, behave. Don’t provoke me!”

His breath was hot, and his dark eyes were like fire. With that hand tightening around her waist, the fire flared even higher.

Zhang Qiao braced herself against his chest. He was just wearing a black tank top as usual.

Beneath the thin fabric, his solid chest muscles were firm. They felt hard, with the elasticity of muscle.

His broad shoulders, one arm holding her, felt like a giant python, encircling her tightly.

Below, where their bodies pressed together, uncontrollable reactions stirred.

Zhang Qiao realized it, and her face flushed even redder from anger. “Who provoked you? You get this worked up just because I came closer? You’re so useless, don’t blame me!”