Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man-Chapter 106 - 50: Going to Cripple Jing 4

Jie Jingjue’s narrow phoenix eyes darkened. He stared at Granny Liu and warned sharply, "Granny Liu."

"Hmph!" Granny Liu froze for a second, then gave a cold snort. She turned and stormed away, her thick waist swaying.

"Fourth Sister-in-law," Jie Jingjue said with a cheerful smile as he caught up to Qin Mei, "don’t mind her. Granny Liu’s just like that. She’s not worth getting angry over."

"I’m not angry." Qin Mei was simply disgusted that Granny Liu had smacked her butt.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, things are tight for everyone," Jie Jingjue said. "Life’s gotten a little better these past few years, but people still have to pinch their pennies, saving every bit they can. They don’t want to spend money at the hospital for a simple headache or fever, so they come to Mom for treatment on the side. Mom never charges them, and over time, they’ve just gotten used to it."

Qin Mei said nothing. ’Habit becomes second nature,’ she thought. ’My mother-in-law spoils them and lets them take whatever they can get. But if they think they can do the same to me, they’ve got another thing coming. I won’t indulge them.’ 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

At the grocery store, Qin Mei spotted Granny Guo buying eggs and instinctively turned to flee. But then she had another thought. ’Why should I run? It was Second Auntie who thumped her chest and made that promise to Granny Guo. I never promised or admitted to anything. What do I have to feel guilty about?’

"Granny Guo!" Jie Jingjue greeted her with a smile, unaware of the complicated backstory.

"Jing Wu." Granny Guo was all smiles, but her gaze only lingered on Jie Jingjue for a moment before landing on Qin Mei. Her smile turned a little awkward. "Heh heh... Fourth Wife of Jing, about yesterday... I was out of line."

"Did something happen yesterday?" Qin Mei feigned ignorance.

Granny Guo was taken aback for a second, then she smiled. "Right, right. Nothing happened yesterday. Ah, I’m just getting old, and my memory isn’t what it used to be. Fourth Wife of Jing, after my daughter-in-law gives birth, I’ll bring them over to thank you in person. We’ll have my grandson ask you to be his godmother."

Qin Mei stared up at the sky. ’What would I do with so many godsons?’

’If I wanted children, couldn’t I have my own? Do I really need to go around collecting godsons and goddaughters?’

"Granny Guo, I heard Brother Yingxiong got a new position and a raise. Congratulations!" Seeing that Qin Mei was reluctant to interact with Granny Guo, Jie Jingjue deftly changed the subject.

At the mention of her son’s promotion and raise, Granny Guo’s face filled with pride. Good news certainly does wonders for one’s spirits. She grabbed Jie Jingjue and started boasting.

Jie Jingjue was a smooth talker and knew exactly what to say to flatter her, making Granny Guo absolutely beam with joy.

Qin Mei stood on the sidelines, listening for a bit. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer, so she bought some sunflower seeds, ditched Jie Jingjue, and headed home.

Seeing Qin Mei return alone, Jie Jingshan couldn’t help but ask, "Fourth Sister-in-law, where’s Fifth Brother?"

"He’s busy listening to Granny Guo brag." Qin Mei walked over to the stone table and noticed that tea had been made in her enamel mug. Her gaze swept past Jie Jingchen to land on Jie Jingshan. "Did you make this?"

"No." Jie Jingshan shook her head and glanced at Jie Jingchen. "Fourth Brother made it."

Qin Mei said nothing. She picked up the enamel mug and took a sip. It was bitter, but with a hint of sweetness. Jie Jingchen had added sugar. She took another drink, then set the mug down. "Jie Jingchen, how did you know I like my tea with sugar?"

’Since transmigrating to this era, I’ve only made tea for myself once, back at Modu Hospital. I haven’t made it a single time since coming to the Jie residence; I’ve only been drinking plain water.’

Jie Jingchen shot Qin Mei a look and replied nonchalantly, "I’m psychic."

The corner of Qin Mei’s mouth twitched. She opened the paper bag, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, and offered them to Jie Jingshan. "Jing Qi, have some."

"I don’t really like sunflower seeds, Fourth Sister-in-law." Jie Jingshan didn’t take the seeds Qin Mei offered.

Eating sunflower seeds was considered ’heating,’ and that would cause problems for someone in Jie Jingshan’s condition.

Qin Mei didn’t press the issue and started eating the seeds herself. She didn’t offer any to Jie Jingchen. ’If he wants some, he can get them himself. It’s not like he doesn’t have hands.’

Jie Jingchen’s gaze deepened as he watched Qin Mei contentedly cracking sunflower seeds and sipping her tea. A faint, handsome smile touched his thin lips.

"Dad, don’t do anything rash!" Jie Jingwei’s anxious voice rang out.

"Dad, Jing Er is right. Please, calm down," came Xu Chunyan’s voice.

"Calm down, my ass! Your brother’s been crippled! The Xu family line is finished! How the hell am I supposed to calm down?" a coarse voice roared, thick with fury.

"Dad, Mom went to get even with Qiao Yanqiu for what happened to my brother, and the hospital had her sent straight to the police station! Dad, she’s injured, and now she’s locked up. If something happens to you, too, what are we going to do?" Xu Chunyan was worried and afraid, but she also had her own selfish concerns. ’If Mom’s in jail and Dad goes too, the entire burden of caring for my brother will fall on me.’

But Father Xu refused to be reasoned with, roaring hysterically, "Your mother and brother are the victims here! Qiao Yanqiu is the one who hurt them, but instead of arresting her, the police arrested your mom! Is there any justice in this world? Qiao Yanqiu crippled my son and ended the Xu Family line, so I’m going to cripple her son and end the Jie Family line!"