MGASC -Chapter 44 So Tempted, Let’s Satisfy Him First

“It’s a bit hypocritical, but you don’t hit someone who’s smiling at you, right? That’s how socializing works—first you build connections, then make friends. As long as your manners are right, over time, even if someone is hypocritical, you can earn a bit of genuine trust. If you don’t interact, who’s going to open their heart to you all at once?”

Lin Ran, though only half-understanding, felt a spark of admiration for Zhang Qiao from the bottom of his heart: “Aunt Qiao, you’re amazing.”

“Not really, not really. It’s just that your dad is too straightforward; otherwise, he’d be living even better than he is now.”

Lin Ran scratched his head: “You mean… Dad is too dumb…”

Zhang Qiao leaned down and gently pinched Lin Ran’s little cheeks: “No, no, no. Being straightforward is a very good trait—it shows that person is reliable. But Lin Ran, you can have both your dad’s honesty and Aunt Qiao’s gift of the gab. If you also work hard to learn knowledge and master all kinds of skills, you’ll be unstoppable!”

Her true inner monologue at this moment: This is the future heir and pillar of the family. He will ensure the Lin family’s wealth continues for a hundred years and become the strongest business tycoon. I need to invest some effort to properly cultivate him.

After all, her and the baby’s future depended entirely on these three brothers.

Lin Ran thought carefully about her advice, then asked, “What about bad people? What should I do?”

“That depends on whether that person is worth something or could be a threat in the short term. If they have value, soothe them first, then extract the value. If they have no value and no strength, then eliminate them directly!”

Lin Ran’s little brain spun: “Oh, like today, when we coaxed the old lady with pig trotters? Aunt Qiao, did I do okay today?”

“Of course you did! You were awesome today, Ran!”

Lin Ran was thrilled by the praise. Wow, he could learn so much from Aunt Qiao. She really is amazing!

When they got home, the little glutton Lin Jin was staring at several pig trotters, drooling. Seeing Zhang Qiao return, he quickly sucked it back: “Aunt Qiao, can we eat these pig trotters tonight?”

“Of course, why not?”

Zhang Qiao hadn’t expected Chen Guilan to have saved some treats, hiding them neatly in a basket.

All four pig trotters were cleaned perfectly, not a stray hair in sight.

Tsk, she really does care about her own children!

Too bad, they dare challenge her!

“Tonight we’ll make braised pig trotters with soybeans! You three, quickly review the Pinyin I taught you yesterday and write out the characters this afternoon. I’ll check them. Anyone who doesn’t meet the standard won’t get dinner!”

Zhang Qiao placed her hands on her hips, putting on a stern parent act.

Hmph, when it comes to educating them, she’s serious!

Knowledge changes destiny—none of the three little ones were allowed to slack off.

She even made them a timetable. It wasn’t that she was impatient—Lin Jin was only six, so he could wait—but Lin Xun was already eleven, Lin Ran nine, already behind others. If they didn’t catch up, every step in life would lag behind.

Although Zhang Qiao had only skimmed through that era novel before transmigrating, she remembered a comment in the reader section: although the three little ones eventually achieved career success, the lack of maternal love in their childhood caused some personality issues.

For example, the eldest, though successful in research, was introverted, unmarried, and suffered from depression. The second, though outgoing, got into fights, went to jail, and missed university. The youngest, after joining the army, experienced twists, heartbreak, and got badly treated.

Zhang Qiao didn’t know if she could completely change their fates or reduce their hardships, but at least she could give them an advantage and let them grow up happily.

That afternoon, she taught Lin Xun and Lin Ran some new characters and simple math. She noticed both were very smart, quick to grasp concepts, especially in mental arithmetic. They had just started, yet picked it up fast—probably from helping Lin Tianyue with accounts before.

By the end of the afternoon, addition and subtraction within two-digit numbers were basically fine.

At this pace, it wouldn’t be impossible for Lin Xun to catch up to the fourth-grade level over one summer vacation.

Of course, since the kids were obedient, she had to keep her promise.

That afternoon, Zhang Qiao soaked the soybeans.

By evening, it was time to cook. The soybeans were ready.

She cut the pig trotters, blanched them, then stir-fried them with seasonings in oil, added cooking wine to remove the smell, and when it was nearly done, poured in boiling water to braise them together with the soybeans.

Soon, the aroma wafted through the courtyard. Lin Jin, utterly tempted, went over multiple times, peeking at the bubbling meat in the pot, sniffing hard.

The trotters weren’t fully tender yet. Seeing this, Zhang Qiao tore off a piece of fatty skin and fed it to Lin Jin, making him even hungrier.

Lin Jin’s tongue shivered with delight, constantly exclaiming how delicious it was, his little face full of satisfaction.

The aroma spread further, catching the neighbors enjoying the evening air.

“Smells amazing. The Lin family is cooking meat again. Looks like they’re really rich now!”

“Yeah, I heard maybe they made it legally this time. That Lin kid’s lucky—made a big gain in one go!”

“And you should see how smart he is. Same business, the Wang girl in the next house is ruthless—cheats even neighbors. Lin, when I bought from him before, he’d give extra. Though his face always looked serious, hard to approach.”

“See, with money, even the wife behaves. That Lin wife—she used to never greet us, now this morning she spoke to me warmly.”

“Yes, she’s pleasant to look at too. Better than Wang Yan next door by far.”

Several aunties chatted away, when suddenly Wang Yan passed by with a dark, furious face. She had heard all their comments.

A bunch of nosy, narrow-minded gossips—she wanted to tear their mouths apart!

Her teeth chattered with anger. She used to greet them, but after losing face that day, she didn’t even bother now.

As she walked past the Lin courtyard, the smell of braised meat hit her. Wang Yan’s heart tightened even more. She froze at the doorway, as if forgetting to move, until the main door opened and Lin Ran hopped out.

“Y-Yan… Auntie Yan.”

Lin Ran initially wanted to ignore her, but Wang Yan’s expression was so full of grief and injustice, with faint tears in her eyes, that he felt uneasy.

After all, Lin Ran was clever and had been taken care of most by Wang Yan, making him closest to her.

Even though the watermelon incident created some distance, he still wanted to maintain basic courtesy.

Just as Aunt Qiao said: make friends widely and don’t easily offend anyone.

Yet, Wang Yan, who had always been kind and gentle to them, glared at Lin Ran with a vicious look, scaring him stiff.