Free Web NovelChapter 459: Chapter 164: Jing San’s First Love (2)
Qin Mei’s scalp tingled. What should have been a sentimental atmosphere had become utterly charged with tension thanks to them.
Worried they might start fighting again, Qin Mei quickly cut in. "Brother, as they say, you follow the man you marry. I won’t go to the army with you."
Qin Xiang’s eyes were full of defiance. Though he was speaking to Qin Mei, his gaze was fixed on Jie Jingchen as he said, "Little Sis, I’m leaving first thing tomorrow morning. You have one night to think it over. Don’t be in a rush to refuse me. Give it some serious thought before you make your decision."
Qin Mei raised a hand to press her temples. ’Does my brother really have to provoke Jie Jingchen?’
"Childish," Jie Jingchen spat out the single word with contempt.
He knelt in front of Qin Mei, took her foot in his hand, and helped her put her shoe back on.
Qin Xiang took this in, feeling gratified yet also a little worried. From his observations over the past few days, Jie Jingchen was head over heels in love with his little sister, but what about her? Qin Mei’s attitude toward Jie Jingchen was lukewarm at best.
When his sister had drugged Jie Jingchen, it wasn’t out of some deep love for him. Rather, she had been goaded by the other army wives. It was on a reckless impulse that she’d done it.
He knew and trusted Jie Jingchen’s character.
Once Jie Jingchen committed to someone, it was for life.
His little sister, on the other hand, was far too flighty. Marriage was just a game to her. Her first marriage had been proof of that. He sincerely hoped she and Jie Jingchen would find happiness together, but he was worried. If she were to suddenly regain her memory... the very thought sent a shiver of fear down his spine.
Qin Mei looked at Jie Jingchen and said with the utmost seriousness, "I’m not going with him."
"Mm," Jie Jingchen hummed in agreement, unable to keep the corners of his lips from turning up in a smile.
"Fine, don’t come with me then." Qin Xiang knew when to quit while he was ahead. Continuing to provoke Jie Jingchen would likely backfire.
"Brother." Qin Mei’s gaze shifted to Qin Xiang, her eyes filled with unconcealed worry.
"Little Sis, don’t look at me like that. I’m going on a mission, not to my death," Qin Xiang teased. Having reached his current position, he’d long since learned to disregard matters of life and death.
"What do you mean, to your death? Qin Xiang, can you not say such inauspicious things?" Jie Jingchen raised an eyebrow at him. As someone who had faced death several times, he had once been indifferent to it. But now, with Qin Mei in his life, he cherished it dearly.
Stunned for a moment, Qin Xiang muttered teasingly, "So superstitious."
Jie Jingchen’s brow furrowed even deeper. "Watch your mouth," he warned.
Qin Xiang shrugged, deciding not to argue with Jie Jingchen. He looked at Qin Mei and said, "Little Sis, if you’re going to miss me that much, I’ll come back to Shijiu City to see you on my next leave."
"Okay," Qin Mei managed a smile, hoping he wouldn’t break his promise.
Qin Xiang was leaving tomorrow morning. Yesterday, she had given her life-saving pills to Old Zhang, leaving her with only two. Qin Mei felt that wasn’t enough; she needed to make more. But she had used most of the medicinal herbs her mother-in-law gave her on Jing Qi, and there wasn’t much left. Without enough ingredients, she couldn’t refine many more pills.
Qin Mei got up and walked toward the room where Qin Xiang was staying.
Qin Xiang approached Jie Jingchen, draping an arm over his shoulder. "Jing Si, what’s my sister doing in my room? Helping me pack?"
"You wish," Jie Jingchen said, shooting him a look. He brushed the arm off his shoulder and strode after her.
Curious, Qin Xiang didn’t follow. Instead, he sat down in the wicker chair to wait and see what the young couple was up to. A moment later, he saw Jie Jingchen and Qin Mei carrying two medicine braziers out of his room.
Seeing the two braziers, Qin Xiang felt the urge to complain. Why weren’t they in the kitchen? Why did they have to be kept in his room, along with a pile of medicinal herbs? For the past few days, the smell of medicine had been lulling him to sleep.
Jie Jingchen started a fire while Qin Mei went to their room and brought out numerous packets of herbs. She poured the ground powder from one into an earthenware pot to decoct.
The smell of the Chinese medicine was potent, almost acrid.
Jie Jingchen was used to it, but Qin Xiang couldn’t stand it. "Little Sis, what on earth are you brewing?" he asked.
Her hands paused. Qin Mei shot a sidelong glance at Qin Xiang. "Life-saving medicine."
Qin Xiang froze but didn’t take her seriously, assuming she was just teasing him.
"I’m going for a stroll." Unable to bear the smell, Qin Xiang got up and walked out of the courtyard.
At this time of day, the children were in school and the adults at work, leaving only toddlers and retirees at home. Most of them were used to the smell of medicinal herbs anyway. Besides, they lived far enough away that the scent wasn’t overwhelming, and out of consideration for Qiao Yanqiu, no one would dare come over to complain. But there was always an exception.
"Jing Si, what are you two doing?"
Qin Mei looked toward the courtyard gate, her eyes landing on a woman who appeared to be in her thirties. She wore a small floral-print dress with a matching jacket, leather shoes, and had ear-length hair. The outfit was a strange mismatch with her features.
