Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

"Oh, okay." Zhuzi’s wife immediately understood, running into the house with the baby in her arms.

Qin Mei walked out of the house and closed the door behind her.

"There’s milk already?" Granny Yu couldn’t believe it. ’This is happening way too fast!’

Qin Mei said nothing, merely nodding before walking over to Jie Jingshan.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, you..." Jie Jingshan stared at Qin Mei, who was a complete mess. Her hair was damp and her white shirt was covered in milk stains. Qin Mei had washed her hands and face and toweled her hair dry, but she couldn’t get the stains out of her clothes.

"It’s nothing. Her milk supply was just overwhelming; it got all over me," Qin Mei said nonchalantly. ’A free massage, and all it cost me was a white shirt. I just hope Granny Yu doesn’t let me down now.’

"But I thought she didn’t have any milk?" her neighbor to the left asked, confused.

"It’s the Qin Family’s lactation massage technique. I can stimulate milk production even when there isn’t any," Qin Mei said, seizing the opportunity for a bit of self-promotion.

"Hmph!" The neighbor on the right snorted. She didn’t believe for a second that some so-called "Qin Family massage technique" could actually make milk come in. She turned and went back inside.

The neighbor on the left had a relative whose daughter-in-law also couldn’t produce milk after giving birth. She was half-convinced and half-skeptical of Qin Mei’s claim, so she decided to keep an eye on things and see if Yanhong really started lactating.

Granny Yu rushed out of the house excitedly, grabbed Qin Mei’s hands, and was so grateful she was moved to tears. "There’s milk! There really is! Fourth Wife of Jing, you’re my great-grandson’s savior! Thank you, thank you so much! How much is it?"

Qin Mei smiled and pulled her hands away. ’I’m not used to strangers holding my hands.’ "Granny Yu, you’re Second Granny’s older sister. Because of my relationship with her, I can’t take your money."

’The Qin Family’s lactation massage technique—I’ve decided on the name. Next up is pricing. I need to think this over carefully. What’s the right price point? People’s lives aren’t easy these days. If I price it too high, no one will be able to afford it. But if it’s too low, there’s no profit, and I’ll lose my motivation.’

’The massages are exhausting, too. Once I’ve made a name for myself, I’ll take on apprentices. They can do the massages, and I’ll give them a commission. It would also create job opportunities for women who stay at home, which would be a good thing all around.’

"I can’t let you do that. Your relationship with her is one thing, but this is between us." Granny Yu took a handkerchief from her pocket, unfolded it, and pulled out a ten-yuan bill. After a moment’s hesitation, she pulled out a second one and tried to press them into Qin Mei’s hands.

"Granny Yu, I already told you, I won’t take your money. If you force it on me, I’ll just give it to Second Granny and have her return it to you," Qin Mei said, her tone firm.

"Oh, you child. You’re our family’s greatest benefactor. If it weren’t for you, Yanhong would have no milk, and my great-grandson would have nothing to drink. Buying formula would have cost us even more. Fourth Wife of Jing, this money is for your trouble. You got carsick coming all the way to the cotton mill with me. If you don’t accept it, my heart won’t be at ease," Granny Yu insisted.

"How about this, Granny Yu. I won’t charge for Yanhong’s massage. Instead, you can help me by spreading the word," Qin Mei proposed, seizing the chance. She didn’t spell it out, but they were all perceptive people. Second Granny was shrewd, and as her older sister, Granny Yu was certainly no fool; she naturally understood the meaning behind Qin Mei’s words.

"Deal," Granny Yu readily agreed. She wrapped the money up, put it back in her pocket, and patted her chest as she made her promise to Qin Mei. Then, she thanked her profusely all over again. "I’ll go make lunch. I must treat you both to a proper meal."

Having skipped breakfast, and with it now being lunchtime, Qin Mei was genuinely hungry, so she didn’t refuse.

The meal consisted of one meat and two vegetable dishes. Granny Yu’s cooking wasn’t quite on par with Second Granny’s, but Qin Mei ate two full bowls of rice. After eating her fill and resting for a short while, Qin Mei began to push Jie Jingshan’s wheelchair to leave. Granny Yu wanted to escort them out, but Qin Mei declined.

They didn’t take a vehicle, walking home while pushing Jie Jingshan’s wheelchair.

Their progress was slow, with frequent stops. Along the way, they ran into an acquaintance.

"Sister-in-law." Gao Hai stopped his bicycle in front of Qin Mei.

Qin Mei froze for a moment, looking at the person blocking her way. ’Jie Jingchen’s comrade-in-arms... He’s the one who saved me from Xu Anshan. My benefactor.’ With that thought, Qin Mei’s expression softened. "Gao..."

’Gao what, again?’ Qin Mei couldn’t remember.

"Gao Hai," he said with a smile.

"Ah, right. Sorry, it slipped my mind for a second." Qin Mei offered an awkward smile.

"No worries. We’ve only met twice; it’s perfectly normal not to remember," Gao Hai said with a casual laugh, his gaze dropping to Jie Jingshan. "Jing Qi."

"Brother Gao Hai," Jie Jingshan chirped.

"Such a good girl." Gao Hai patted Jie Jingshan on the head, treating her like a small child.

"Brother Gao Hai, stop patting my head! I’m not a little kid," Jie Jingshan protested.

"You’re only fourteen. If you’re not a kid, what are you?" Gao Hai reached to pat her head again, but Jie Jingshan dodged him and shot him an angry glare. Every time Gao Hai saw Jing Qi, he couldn’t resist teasing her. "Okay, okay, I won’t do it again."