Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

"Alright, this is our secret, Aunt. You can rest assured. It’s just between us. I guarantee I won’t tell Jing Er," Xu Chunyan promised. As for anyone else, she made no such guarantees.

Aunt Zhang was satisfied, but she remained wary and didn’t fully trust Xu Chunyan.

After all, she knew what kind of person Xu Chunyan was.

"We need to plan this carefully," Aunt Zhang said.

"Okay," Xu Chunyan nodded.

Qin Mei had to admire Jie Jingchen’s patience. She felt she was being unreasonable, yet he was the one busy critiquing himself.

"This is my first time giving you a shoulder massage, so I’m a bit inexperienced. Now that I have some practice, I guaran—"

"Mom." Qin Mei saw Mrs. Xie walking over and nearly jumped out of the wicker chair, but Jie Jingchen’s large hand pressed down on her shoulder, keeping her in place. "Jie Jingchen."

"It was just starting to feel right. Don’t move," Jie Jingchen reminded her.

Qin Mei shot Jie Jingchen a glare. His words were far too suggestive. Fortunately, they were in the courtyard. If they had been indoors, it would have been impossible for one’s mind not to wander.

"Xiao Mei, don’t move, just enjoy it." Mrs. Xie smiled at the young couple, merely passing by them on her way to Jing Qi’s room.

"Stop, let’s go inside." Qin Mei patted the back of Jie Jingchen’s hand. As long as he didn’t let go, she couldn’t get up.

Jie Jingchen released her. Qin Mei shot up and dashed into the house. She had already showered and didn’t need another one, so she just ran into the bathroom to rinse her mouth. Meanwhile, Jie Jingchen went to the kitchen to heat water for a bath.

Once the water was hot, he went to Jing Qi’s room with the buckets. He was about to pour two full pails of hot water into the bathing tub when Jing Qi stopped him. "Fourth Brother, I’m not soaking in the tub."

Jing Qi didn’t use the bathing tub anymore, unless it was for a medicinal soak.

"Can you manage?" Jie Jingchen was a little worried.

"You brat, do you think I’m not here?" Mrs. Xie interjected coldly.

Jie Jingchen said nothing more. He came out of the washroom, left the room, and closed the door behind him.

"Mom, I can manage," Jie Jingshan said to Mrs. Xie.

"My dear Jing Qi, how long has it been since I last helped you bathe?" Mrs. Xie lamented. Since Jing Qi’s accident, the number of times she had bathed her daughter could be counted on one hand. It was usually Aunt Zhang or Shen Qing who helped.

Jie Jingshan sat in her wheelchair, clenching her hands tightly. She hadn’t wanted her mother to know so soon, planning to wait until she could run and jump to give her mother a surprise. But right now, she just wanted to put her mother’s mind at ease.

"Mom, I really can manage." Jie Jingshan rose from her wheelchair and stood before Mrs. Xie.

"Jing Qi!" Mrs. Xie was utterly stunned. Her flawlessly elegant face was a mask of astonishment. She blinked, wondering if she was seeing things.

It was as if time stood still. Jie Jingshan smiled like a flower in bloom, while a tempest raged in Mrs. Xie’s heart.

Hearing Mrs. Xie’s cry, Jie Jingchen, who hadn’t gotten far, spun around and charged back to Jing Qi’s room. He threw the door open, and the sight that greeted him was Jing Qi on her feet. His own striking features twitched, his amber eyes wide with shock.

"What’s wrong?" Qin Mei came out of her room when she heard the noise. Her heart lurched at the sight of Jie Jingchen’s reaction, and she hurried over. When she took in the scene, her brow furrowed slightly. ’I thought the plan was to wait until she could run and jump to surprise everyone.’

’It hasn’t even been that long, and she’s already lost her patience.’ The thought that Jing Qi was only fourteen made Qin Mei crack a small smile.

When Shen Qing heard Mrs. Xie cry out Jing Qi’s name, she thought something was wrong and hurried out of her room to see. Seeing Jing Qi on her feet was both a surprise and not a surprise at all. The gaze she fixed on Qin Mei lost its usual iciness, now holding a gentle respect.

She had been present when Qin Mei performed acupuncture on Jing Qi, and the memory of it was seared into her mind forever. It would be no exaggeration to call it harrowing.

"Third Sister-in-law," Qin Mei called out.

Shen Qing hummed in acknowledgment. Her voice was as cool as ever, but Qin Mei could detect the emotion beneath the surface.

After a moment’s hesitation, Qin Mei said to Shen Qing, "Your sister, Shen Tong, is exceptionally talented. The path she’s chosen may seem difficult, but it’s also a trial that will temper her. The heavens won’t forsake someone so hardworking and brilliant. What is lost in one place will surely be gained in another."

Hearing Qin Mei’s veiled words to Shen Qing, Jie Jingchen watched her with a profound gaze. ’Her words are much more tactful and cryptic than what she usually says to Jing Qi.’

Shen Qing fell silent for a few moments, her eyes fixed on Qin Mei. Then, the corners of her lips curved upward. It was a beautiful smile, revealing faint dimples that were like the soft glow of the moon in the night sky—bright, yet carrying an elegant warmth.

Jie Jinghun had just run into the courtyard when he saw the smile on Shen Qing’s face. He froze, completely captivated and fiercely jealous. Shen Qing was always frosty and rarely smiled. In all their years of marriage, she hardly ever smiled, except for when she was with their daughter. This was especially true after they sent Xiao Duo to live with her maternal grandmother. If he wanted to see Shen Qing smile, it was only...