MGASC -Chapter 48 Teasing Him

Seeing that Lin Ran wouldn’t respond, Wang Yan’s mind started spinning again and she pressed on. “Lin Ran, what’s she busy with today? Is she going out? I just saw her go to Auntie Liu’s place—since when did they get so close? Did your dad call?”

“I don’t know. What can she do every day anyway—just grocery shopping…”

“She told you that? Said she was going to buy groceries today?”

Lin Ran was getting annoyed. Seeing this, Wang Yan didn’t dare push him further. “Alright, alright, we’re just chatting. Auntie’s only worried you kids might get taken advantage of! Come over another day and I’ll make wontons for you, okay?”

Before she even finished, Lin Ran had already run off.

But Wang Yan had gotten two pieces of solid information: today Zhang Qiao would be going to the market for groceries, and she had been contacting Lin Tianyue through Auntie Liu’s place.

So Wang Yan didn’t go home at all. She turned around, headed back to the bus station, and got on another bus.

……

Lin Tianyue hadn’t contacted her for several days. When she suddenly received his call, Zhang Qiao felt a little flutter of excitement.

“Hello? Lin Tianyue, listen to me first. I’ve got good news—Lin Xun and Lin Ran’s school situation is settled. I invited the principal of Tieli Primary School to come to our place for dinner tomorrow. Chen Gang and Yingzi will be there too. We really owe it to them for making the introductions—everything went so smoothly.”

On the other end, Lin Tianyue was amazed by Zhang Qiao’s efficiency, and his heart warmed. “You mean Tieli Primary School? That’s the best school around here. That’s great! What did the principal say? Did he agree to let them skip a grade?”

“Yes. And even if he didn’t, we’d find a way. Lin Tianyue, what about you? How’s the equipment inspection going?”

Hearing her concern for him made Lin Tianyue feel even warmer inside. “Everything’s going well on my end too.”

“That’s good. Why did you suddenly think to call? You miss me?”

Zhang Qiao thought his voice sounded especially nice over the phone—low and raspy, with a magnetic quality that made her want to tease him.

Lin Tianyue quickly glanced around. He was inspecting a factory today, making the call from their office. The place was full of the factory’s employees, so it really wasn’t convenient to talk.

Not hearing his reply, Zhang Qiao felt a bit sulky. “Forget it, forget it. I knew you had no sense of romance…”

Who knew she’d then hear a low “Mm” from the other side.

Zhang Qiao couldn’t help laughing. “Mm? What does ‘mm’ mean?”

Her laughter carried a soft, alluring lilt at the end. Just hearing it made Lin Tianyue feel restless, and with so many people around, he clicked his tongue. “Don’t play dumb with me.”

Zhang Qiao snorted softly. This big straight man—he couldn’t even say a single nice thing.

Then she heard Lin Tianyue speak again, his voice turning serious and deep. “Zhang Qiao, I called to let you know I’ll be coming back tomorrow. Think about whether there’s anything you need me to buy and bring back.”

The rough guy was coming home?

“No need. It’s actually perfect that you’re coming back tomorrow—there’ll be guests at home, and you can help receive them.”

“Okay.”

Lin Tianyue was never one for many words. After just a few sentences, they hung up.

Outside, Auntie Liu was fanning herself. When she saw Zhang Qiao come out, she smiled warmly at her.
“Xiao Qiao, I used to hear people say you and Xiao Lin argued a lot. But look at him—doesn’t he dote on you? He’s only been gone a few days and he’s already rushing back to see you.”

Zhang Qiao thought to herself that what he was really worried about were probably his kids.

Auntie Liu continued, speaking with the tone of someone who’d been there before. “Xiao Qiao, Xiao Lin’s about to make something of himself. He has you in his heart too—what a good thing that is. In the future, you two must live harmoniously, don’t argue like before. Haven’t you heard the saying ‘a harmonious family prospers’? Trust Auntie—if husband and wife are of one mind, with your smarts, life will only get better and better.”

Zhang Qiao nodded obediently. “Mm, Auntie Liu, you’re right.”

“Why are you blushing? Feeling shy, Xiao Qiao?”

“No.”

Zhang Qiao twisted around and ran off.

Lin Tianyue said he was coming back, and the first thing Zhang Qiao thought of was that once he was home, she’d have someone to help her with the work.

Hosting a dinner was a big project. She’d originally planned to ask Yingzi to help tomorrow, but now it seemed unnecessary.

In the afternoon, Zhang Qiao left homework for the three kids. Seeing how scorching the sun was outside, she felt listless and didn’t really want to move. She thought maybe she’d just buy groceries tomorrow morning instead—after all, the guests wouldn’t arrive until the afternoon.

Just then, Auntie Liu came rushing over again, fanning herself anxiously.

“Xiao Qiao, Xiao Lin called again just now. He asked me to tell you he’ll be at Shengmin Guesthouse in the county in a bit. It’s urgent—he wants you to go find him at four this afternoon.”

“Tianyue said he’s already back?”

All of Zhang Qiao’s drowsiness vanished. Even the three kids doing homework lifted their heads in unison and looked at Auntie Liu.

“Yes. That’s what he said on the phone. Such a kid—I told him to let you answer the call, but he said there was no need. Told you to just go find him directly. Oh right, he said he’ll be waiting for you in Room 305. Xiao Qiao, it’s almost two o’clock—why don’t you head over a bit earlier? Don’t keep Tianyue waiting.”

She glanced at the three half-grown kids, then pulled Zhang Qiao aside and lowered her voice mysteriously. “Xiao Qiao, I think Xiao Lin wants to take you on a little date. You young people really know how to have fun. But it makes sense—having kids at home isn’t very convenient. Remember to dress up nicely and go, okay? Don’t worry—even if you don’t come back tonight, it’s fine. Auntie’s got things covered at home.”

This time, Zhang Qiao really did blush.

Oh my, what on earth was Auntie Liu saying?

Still, Zhang Qiao found it a bit strange. He’d clearly said he’d be back tomorrow—why suddenly ask her to meet him at a guesthouse?

Could this big straight man have finally figured things out and decided to do something romantic with her?

After Auntie Liu left, Zhang Qiao went inside to change clothes. She chose the same goose-yellow French-style dress she’d worn last time, then stood in front of the mirror and tidied her hair.

With her dark brows and red lips, she looked made-up even without makeup. Before leaving, she added a hairband. In the mirror stood a radiant, Hong Kong–style beauty.

Thinking that she’d soon be seeing her tall, long-legged, hormone-charged rough-and-tumble husband, she couldn’t help feeling a little excited.