Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 391 - 142: Little Sister, Jing Si Is No Good

"Who knows if you’ve secretly come to Shijiu City on some kind of secret mission," Jie Jianjun said, grasping at straws.

Qin Xiang was exasperated and speechless. He’d been perfectly clear, yet Jing Si’s uncle refused to give up.

"Fine. Let’s put aside whether this is my first time in Shijiu City. Jie Jianjun, ask yourself honestly, can your daughter withstand an investigation?" Qin Xiang demanded.

Jie Jianjun fell silent. ’Of course she can’t,’ he thought. Before he knew Qin Xiang’s identity, he’d been brimming with confidence. The moment he found out, it all vanished.

"Jie Jianjun, for Jing Si’s sake, I can let this slide. But I advise you to return to the hospital and convince your daughter to see reason. Otherwise, she won’t be the only one to suffer the consequences—you’ll be dragged down with her." This wasn’t a threat from Qin Xiang, but a statement of fact.

Jie Jianjun was the director of the machinery factory. Though his older brother had helped promote him, he was plenty capable in his own right. Qin Xiang had been so clear that he would have to be an idiot not to understand.

He had no choice but to seriously consider the stakes.

It wasn’t worth putting himself in danger for his daughter.

"My apologies." Jie Jianjun dropped the two words and quickly left, pulling Jie Anlin with him.

Watching her son and grandson leave in such a hurry, Granny was a bit dazed. It wasn’t until they had left the courtyard that she snapped out of it and called, "Jianjun! An Lin!"

Qin Mei watched the scene, dumbfounded. ’That’s it? It’s all resolved just like that?’

Her gaze locked onto Qin Xiang, and she once again felt that intimidating power, so palpable it made her skin prickle.

Qin Xiang turned to leave, but Granny grabbed him. "You can’t go."

"Wife," Grandpa said, walking out of the house. While Granny was ignorant of the situation, he was not. A hint of envy showed in his cloudy eyes as he looked at Qin Xiang.

’His dream had been to join the army and serve his country, even to the point of giving his life for it.’

’But reality had proven him a coward, afraid to die. In the end, he’d lived a life of mediocrity, just getting by in ignoble peace.’

"Husband, you’re home?" Granny asked, surprised.

"Wife, let go of Xiao Xiang," Grandpa said, his tone uncharacteristically firm.

Granny frowned. Qin Xiang seized the opportunity to pull his sleeve from her grasp and hurried toward his room.

Granny moved to chase after him but was stopped by Grandpa. "We’re going to the hospital."

"What for?" Granny asked, confused. ’Are we going to the hospital to plan our next move with An Qi?’ she wondered. With that thought, she readily agreed. "All right, let’s go to the hospital."

Qin Mei watched the two hunched figures walk away. They were at an age where they should be surrounded by their children and grandchildren, enjoying their golden years in peace. Instead, they seemed determined to cause as much trouble as possible.

After changing his clothes, Qin Xiang came out to find the courtyard empty. He didn’t think much of it and headed to Qin Mei’s room.

"Sis, problem solved," Qin Xiang told Qin Mei with a smile, though his eyes were cautiously sizing up Jie Jingchen.

"You’re really something else. Amazing," Qin Mei said, giving Qin Xiang a thumbs-up. While he had been changing, she had moved from Jie Jingchen’s lap to the edge of the bed.

"But of course. You have to consider who I am," Qin Xiang said with mock arrogance.

Qin Mei didn’t play along. She could feel the heavy atmosphere in the room and couldn’t continue the awkward banter with her brother.

"I’m going to cook," Jie Jingchen said, his voice perfectly calm.

"I’ll help you," Qin Xiang offered, looking at the unnaturally calm Jie Jingchen with a flicker of worry in his eyes.

Jie Jingchen stopped in his tracks, his gaze dark and profound as he looked at Qin Xiang. Qin Xiang met his eyes, froze for a second, and then broke into an exaggerated, toothy grin that made his eyes disappear.

Suddenly, Jie Jingchen raised a hand, squeezed Qin Xiang’s shoulder, and changed his mind. "All right. You cook."

Qin Xiang didn’t get it. He stared wide-eyed at Jie Jingchen and asked tentatively, "Didn’t you just say you were going to cook?"

"You’re more gifted in the kitchen than I am," Jie Jingchen said. "Besides, I have something I need to do."

Qin Xiang asked anxiously, "What is it you have to do? I’ll go with you."

Qin Xiang was deeply uneasy about Jie Jingchen, afraid he would do something rash at any second.

Qin Mei shot a sidelong glance at Qin Xiang, not understanding what he was so worried about. ’If anyone’s going with him, it should be me. Why is he so eager to tag along?’

"The hospital." Jie Jingchen didn’t say what he planned to do, only where he was going.

The moment he heard "the hospital," Qin Xiang lit up, rubbing his hands together in excitement. "Are you going to the hospital to settle the score with your cousin? Jing Si, you’ve finally seen the light! I mean, seriously, you’re already retired, but you’re still so hesitant about everything. Look at me—I don’t overthink things. Let’s go, let’s go! We’ll go together. We two brothers—apart, we rule our own domains; together, we’re unstoppable!"

"I’m going to the hospital to see my mom." Jie Jingchen raised a hand and rubbed the bridge of his nose.