MGASC -Chapter 80 Grand Opening! She Shines Brightly

Especially her son Zhang Song—he’d just graduated middle school and was about to start his first year of high school, right at the age when expenses really add up. Not long ago, he’d been beaten by his brother-in-law and had lain at home for half a month, drinking bone broth every day to recuperate. Add the medical bills on top of that, and it was no small expense.

The more Chen Guilan calculated it all, the more she felt it was a loss.

On the day Zhang Qiao’s father, Zhang Fugui, celebrated his birthday, Zhang Song was there. Zhang Qiao’s elder sister Zhang Ling and her husband Xu Liang were also present, bringing two bottles of baijiu and a slab of pork belly. Only Zhang Qiao and Lin Tianyue were nowhere to be seen—not even a shadow of them.

After drinking a couple of liang of liquor, Zhang Fugui grew so angry that he smashed the cup in his hand.

“That unfilial money-losing brat! Does she still have me, her father, in her eyes or not? In a bit, Xu Liang, you go find her for me. If she dares not come back, I’ll make sure everyone for miles around knows just how unfilial Zhang Qiao is! That unfilial daughter—damn it, I’ll make sure to disgrace her properly!”

Zhang Song chimed in, “That’s right! Brother-in-law, beat Lin Tianyue up for me again too! Damn it, he bullied me so badly last time! If he dares hit me again, I won’t let my sister live with him anymore!”

The one being called out—Zhang Ling’s husband, Xu Liang—curled his lips and said sarcastically, “I don’t know how to fight. Get charged with something and then what? Your sister and I drink the northwest wind? I advise you not to act rashly either. Lin Tianyue isn’t what he used to be—he’s soared to the top now. He’s a big factory boss. Wherever he goes, people fawn over him. If you keep treating him the way you used to, I think… hehe…”

Zhang Song stuffed chunks of meat into his mouth. “Brother-in-law, whose side are you on anyway? How did my sister ever take a fancy to a coward like you!”

Xu Liang was about to blow up, but Zhang Ling hurriedly shoved him. “Xu Liang, go check the kitchen—see if the steamed pork with rice flour is ready.”

Xu Liang got up resentfully. Zhang Ling then tried to smooth things over with her parents. “Dad, Mom, don’t blame Xiao Qiao for being angry. Last time, you didn’t even consult her and just promised her to that kind of family. Anyone would have a knot in their heart over that.”

Chen Guilan slammed her chopsticks down. “Wasn’t I just trying to find her a wealthy family?!”

“But even so—”

“Enough, enough. What’s past is past.” Chen Guilan thought for a moment, then glanced at her eldest daughter. “How about this: you and Xiao Qiao are sisters. You go visit her more often, persuade her a bit. No matter what, she can’t just disown her own parents. Your dad’s birthday, and she doesn’t even show up. If word gets out, people will laugh us to death! And your brother’s about to pay his tuition—fifteen yuan in total. Your dad and I aren’t in good health; we can’t do hard labor anymore. Zhang Song is your real younger brother. As his sister, you can’t just ignore him. Don’t worry—when your brother gets into college, he definitely won’t forget you, his elder sister.”

Hearing this, Zhang Ling’s scalp went numb. She picked at the rice grains in her bowl with her chopsticks. “Mom, I didn’t say I wouldn’t help. It’s just that Xu Liang won’t get paid until next month…”

“What, you two don’t have any savings at all? I told you long ago—you have to live frugally! At a critical moment, you can’t even take out a dozen yuan? Xu Liang’s a teacher—doesn’t he make sixty or seventy yuan a month? All eaten up by you lot, huh?” Chen Guilan turned to Zhang Song again. “When do you have to pay your tuition?”

“Next Monday. The teacher said if it’s not paid by then, I’ll have to drop out. Sis…”

Chen Guilan looked back at her daughter. Hearing that “Sis,” Zhang Ling felt helpless and could only steel herself. “Mom, I’ll go back and talk it over with Xu Liang. I’ll try to scrape something together.”

On the way home, Zhang Ling sat on the back seat of the bicycle and brought up the tuition matter to Xu Liang. To her surprise, Xu Liang slammed the brakes, stopping the bike dead in its tracks.

Zhang Ling jumped down and faced his thinly veiled anger. She said aggrievedly, “I really have no choice. My parents are getting old, and Zhang Song was practically raised by me. If he gets expelled, how can I, as his sister, just stand by? Xu Liang, how about you lend me next month’s household money first…”

Xu Liang, furious, flung the bicycle aside. “Lend it to you? Do you even have the ability to pay it back? What, wasn’t it enough that we brought meat and bought liquor for your family today? You treating this like a free meal? If you could at least give me a son, that’d be one thing. We’ve been married for years and there’s not a peep from your belly. I raise a hen and it gives me an egg every day! You’re something else—not only do you not lay eggs, I still have to support your whole family? Are you out of your mind?!”

“But when we got married, what did you say? You said you’d treat my parents like your own parents, my brother like your own brother…”

“I must’ve been brain-dead back then, alright? Didn’t you hear your mom say Lin Tianyue’s gotten rich? Your family doesn’t have only one daughter. If you want money, go ask Zhang Qiao!”

With a shove full of contempt, Xu Liang abandoned her and pedaled off alone.

Zhang Ling stood there, full of grievance, tears welling in her eyes. Xu Liang’s attitude toward her had been getting worse and worse lately. Back when they first got married, he handed over his salary to her every month. Later, when he saw her occasionally helping her natal family, he grew more and more stingy. In the past half year, it had turned into a fixed twenty yuan a month for household expenses.

She had to scrimp and save on those twenty yuan. Every time she opened her mouth to ask Xu Liang for money, she’d be met with a round of cold sarcasm.

Life with her hand always outstretched wasn’t easy, and her natal family was no less of a burden. Caught in the middle, Zhang Ling felt miserable beyond words.

She didn’t know how to break out of the predicament she was in. Thinking of her younger sister, she realized it really had been a long time since they’d been in contact.

…

A few days later, Lin Tianyue’s feed factory officially opened for business. Early in the morning, firecrackers crackled loudly, echoing throughout Xiangshui County.

A red carpet was laid at the factory gate. Not only did several county leaders come to offer their congratulations—even Zhou Junlin showed up personally to cut the ribbon.

On such an important day, of course Zhang Qiao had to be there too.

The feed factory had been acquired from an older facility and freshly repainted. It looked imposing and full of promise—everything seemed to be thriving.

Zhang Qiao wore a gray skirt suit, her hair neatly swept up. Smiling warmly, she greeted guests coming and going. Her graceful figure and radiant features made her stand out strikingly in the crowd.

Most of the newly hired workers were unfamiliar faces, and it was their first time seeing Zhang Qiao. They couldn’t help but marvel that their factory director had married such a stunning beauty. No wonder, no matter how late he worked every day, he still insisted on going home.

Turns out there was such a beautiful flower waiting to be tended there.

Even Chen Gang couldn’t help sneaking a few extra glances at Zhang Qiao. When no one was paying attention, he quietly asked Lin Tianyue, “Brother Yue, where did sister-in-law buy those clothes? They’re so crisp and well-fitted—don’t look like something a woman a few months pregnant would wear at all. Say, if I buy a set for Yingzi, would it look good on her too?”

Lin Tianyue shot him a look and said nothing.

These past few days, Lin Tianyue had been busy nonstop with the opening. He got home late every night. By the time he returned, Zhang Qiao was usually already asleep—and she’d bolted the door tight. He could only make do in the outer room.

They barely even saw each other. How would he know where she bought her clothes?

Still, on her, they really did look stylish—making her figure look especially good.