Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Jie Jingjue stopped in his tracks, glanced at everyone, and silently turned to clear the dishes.

Qin Mei was surprised. ’Jing Wu is so obedient to Gao Hai. If Jie Jingchen told him to do the dishes, he’d definitely make a run for it. And if Jing Wu is doing them voluntarily, he must be asking for a favor.’

"Let’s go drink tea in the courtyard," Jie Jingchen said.

Qin Mei had no objection and wheeled Jie Jingshan out into the courtyard.

Jie Jingchen prepared two enamel mugs of tea for himself and Gao Hai. Qin Mei’s enamel mug contained brown sugar water, while Jie Jingshan’s had water with white sugar.

Jie Jingchen and Gao Hai were deep in conversation, discussing life and analyzing the current state of affairs. Jie Jingshan listened with rapt attention, while Qin Mei had to stop herself from jumping in several times.

When Jie Jingjue finished in the kitchen and came out, he saw that Gao Hai still hadn’t left. He stopped short, ready to retreat to his room.

"Jing Wu," Gao Hai called out, beckoning him over. "Jing Wu, come on. Let’s chat."

Jie Jingjue hung his head in dismay. ’I don’t want to go,’ he thought, resisting inwardly, but his legs seemed to have a mind of their own and carried him toward them.

Seeing Jie Jingjue’s reluctant expression, Qin Mei had to stifle a laugh. ’Gao Hai is truly Jie Jingjue’s nemesis. Jing Wu fears Jie Jingchen too, but at least he has the guts to defy him. When faced with Gao Hai, though, all that backbone just vanishes.’

Jie Jingjue sat on a stone bench as far away from Gao Hai as possible and said with a sense of defeat, "Brother Gao Hai, we really have nothing to talk about."

At first, Jie Jingjue had been all tough and unyielding, ready to argue with Gao Hai about anything and everything. But after Gao Hai taught him a lesson a few times, that rebellious streak was beaten right out of him. Now, he didn’t even dare to act cocky in front of Gao Hai.

He couldn’t out-argue him, and he couldn’t beat him in a fight. All he could do was swallow his pride and give in.

"What do you mean, nothing to talk about?" Gao Hai got up and walked toward Jie Jingjue, a brilliant smile on his handsome face.

But in Jie Jingjue’s eyes, that smile was demonic and utterly sinister. His body tensed up and his heart began to pound. ’Don’t you come any closer!’

Gao Hai stood behind Jie Jingjue and laid a large hand on his shoulder. Jie Jingjue’s body went rigid, as if he’d been electrocuted.

"B-Brother Gao Hai," Jie Jingjue stammered, his voice cracking.

Jie Jingchen shot Jie Jingjue a cold glare. ’So pathetic,’ he thought. ’I don’t even want him as a brother anymore.’

"Your fourth brother tells me you’ve got a new girlfriend," Gao Hai said, patting Jie Jingjue’s shoulder.

Jie Jingjue flinched. "Fourth Brother even tells you when I get a new girlfriend?"

"Of course. You know how close your fourth brother and I are. We can discuss matters of state or the most trivial gossip." In reality, Gao Hai was lying to Jing Wu. Jie Jingchen had never mentioned his brother’s new girlfriend; Gao Hai was just guessing. Then again, it wasn’t a complete shot in the dark. He knew Jie Jingjue all too well: a fickle playboy, incapable of devotion or long-term commitment.

"Fourth Brother," Jie Jingjue said, shooting a wounded look at Jie Jingchen. "I have a right to privacy, you know. Could you please respect it?"

Qin Mei’s eye twitched. ’Good thing I wasn’t drinking anything, or I would’ve done a spit take.’

Jie Jingchen swept a sharp, icy gaze over Jie Jingjue, not even bothering to grace him with a response. He was astounded by his brother’s stupidity.

"Fifth Brother, do you even have any privacy?" Jie Jingshan couldn’t help but ask.

Jie Jingjue froze, looking at Jie Jingshan with a wounded expression. "Jing Qi, you’re making fun of me too?"

"I’m not making fun of you, Fifth Brother. I’m just telling the truth," Jie Jingshan said, blinking her innocent eyes at Jie Jingjue.

"Jing Qi, Fourth Sister-in-law has led you astray! Before she came, we were the closest! You relied on me the most! Ever since she arrived, you’ve completely abandoned me for her!" Jie Jingjue clutched his chest as if his heart were broken, his voice thick with unshed tears.

Qin Mei rolled her eyes. ’And I get caught in the crossfire for no reason.’

"Jing Qi is much better this way," Jie Jingchen said.

"Jing Qi is much better this way," Gao Hai echoed.

The two spoke in perfect unison. They were comrades-in-arms and childhood friends, completely in sync with each other.

A triumphant look appeared on Jie Jingshan’s face. She looked at Qin Mei with gratitude. "Fourth Sister-in-law treats me so well and has taught me so much. She likes money, so when I grow up, I’m going to earn lots and lots of it for her."

Qin Mei was deeply moved. ’You reap what you sow,’ she thought. ’I get along wonderfully with both my older and younger sisters-in-law. A husband you don’t have to love, but you must love his sisters.’ "Jing Qi," she said, "with a grateful heart like yours, I’m sure you’ll make a name for yourself one day."

Everyone fell silent. They didn’t have high expectations for Jing Qi. They just hoped Qin Mei could heal her legs so she could walk normally. If Jing Qi wanted to study, they would support her. After high school, if she wanted to go to a university, they would send her to one in Xiangjiang, where her maternal grandparents could watch over her.