Free Web NovelChapter 463: Chapter 165: Concocting Medicine for Qin Xiang
Jie Jingwei and Shen Qing returned home right as that sordid scene was unfolding. Shocked and stunned, they didn’t intervene. Instead, they silently retreated out of the courtyard gate. They even waited outside, turning away a few neighbors who had come to the Jie Family’s home looking for Aunt Qiao for treatment. It wasn’t until they saw Xu Chunyan go home that he quietly left with Shen Qing.
Jie Jingwei shot a glance at Qin Mei. He recalled Jie Jingchen’s blunt words. ’Since Jing Si doesn’t care about my feelings, why should I care about his?’ With a hint of provocation, he asked, "Teacher Lin is marrying Second Brother and becoming your second sister-in-law. Everyone knows how she feels about you. How are you all going to get along in the future?"
"If she behaves herself, we can all live in harmony. If she steps out of line, my wife will make her regret ever being born." Jie Jingchen’s thick brows furrowed, and his cold eyes betrayed a hint of impatience.
Qin Mei’s hands stilled. She met Jie Jingchen’s gaze, and a doting smile immediately lit up his eyes.
"Aunt Qiao really had the foresight," Jie Jinghun remarked with a sigh. ’The older, the wiser. To prevent future trouble, she just had Second Brother take Xiao You and move to the machinery factory. After he marries Teacher Lin, their family of three can live there, avoiding the awkwardness of all living together.’
’But will the Lin family accept it so readily?’
Jie Jingchen pursed his lips, saying nothing. Jie Jinghun finished his cigarette and was about to light another, but Jie Jingchen stopped him. "My wife can’t stand the smell of smoke."
"It’s not like your wife is pregnant," Jie Jinghun retorted, unconvinced. ’His smoke smells strong, but Qin Mei’s medicinal herbs smell even stronger.’
"Who’s to say? With all my hard work, my wife might already have a little something in her belly..."
"Jie Jingsi!" Qin Mei snapped, cutting Jie Jingchen off. ’He’s getting more and more shameless! To say that to his third brother right in front of me... I’m so mortified.’
"I’ll go smoke outside." Jie Jinghun relented, just in case. ’If I can’t smoke in the courtyard, I’ll just go smoke outside.’
Before leaving, Jie Jinghun couldn’t resist glancing at Qin Mei’s flat stomach, as if she really were pregnant. This made Qin Mei incredibly embarrassed.
"Jie Jingsi, what is wrong with you?" Qin Mei desperately wanted to smash the scalding medicine pot over Jie Jingchen’s head. ’He just blurts out whatever comes to mind!’
"Meimei, we haven’t been married for just a day or two," Jie Jingchen said, smiling at Qin Mei with eyes full of placating charm.
"And who was it that said he didn’t want to have kids so soon?" Qin Mei asked irritably. ’Does this have anything to do with how long we’ve been married?’
Jie Jingchen was at a loss for words. ’I was the one who said it. I considered that she was young, and our relationship hadn’t yet reached the point where we should think about having children. But at some point, I started to regret it.’
’When Qin Xiang asked her to go with him to the military base, she didn’t immediately refuse. In that moment, I was terrified. Terrified that she would leave with him.’
’I don’t know if Qin Mei has fallen in love with me. All I know is that I’ve fallen in love with her. And if my love isn’t enough to keep her here, I thought a child could be the thing to bind her to me.’
’Everyone is selfish, and I’m no exception.’
"Meimei..."
"I wasn’t even going to bring up old scores, yet you have the nerve to say we haven’t been married for just a day or two? Have you forgotten that you dumped me with your older sister and left for half a year?" Qin Mei cut him off.
Jie Jingchen was silent, filled with guilt.
Seeing him sink into deep self-recrimination and guilt, Qin Mei didn’t soften or let him off the hook. She continued to condemn his sins. "Starting from when I trans... I mean, when I lost my memory, I’ve spent more time with your sister than I have with you. When I was most helpless and needed support and companionship, she was the one by my side, not you. Jie Jingsi, to this day, the person I rely on most is your sister."
The more Qin Mei spoke, the more his heart ached for her, and the more guilt washed over him.
Qin Mei sniffled and gave a faint smile. Her almond-shaped eyes were as calm as still water, yet her words were cold. "Sometimes I think that if we ever break up, you should just go look for your sister."
The thought of such a day made Qin Mei suddenly melancholic. ’If Jie Jingchen and I ever fall out, it will definitely be because he betrayed me and our marriage.’
Jie Jingchen’s expression grew heavy, and a dull ache spread through his chest. He rose, walked to Qin Mei, and pulled her soft, delicate body into a tight embrace.
"You miss my sister?" Jie Jingchen asked, his voice muffled.
Qin Mei buried her face in his chest. Her nose stung and her eyes grew red as she gave a muffled nod.
Jie Jingchen said nothing, only holding her tighter. ’Hearing her talk about them breaking up hurts my heart, and it terrifies me. But at the same time, I’m also relieved. If she goes to my sister’s, at least that’s a definite location. It would be easy for me to find her.’
"Whoa, you two..." Jie Jinghun said, covering his eyes. ’I was only gone for a moment and they’re already wrapped around each other. In broad daylight, too, without a care in the world. Ah, to be newlyweds!’
Qin Mei’s body tensed, and she shyly pushed Jie Jingchen away, her earlobes turning so red they looked ready to bleed.
Jie Jingchen shot Jie Jinghun a cold glare. ’Third Brother is such a killjoy. When you walk in on a couple embracing, you either make yourself scarce or keep your mouth shut.’
’My sister and brother-in-law seem to be getting along well.’ Qin Xiang was happy to see it. He picked up the vegetables and meat and headed for the kitchen. ’I’m leaving early tomorrow, so I want to make a big meal for my little sister.’
"Qin Xiang, I’ll give you a hand," Jie Jinghun said, striding after him. The two had introduced themselves outside, and Qin Xiang had even invited him to stay for dinner.
Qin Mei patted her cheeks and took a deep breath to compose herself before saying to Jie Jingchen, "You go help with dinner, too."
’Qin Xiang and Jie Jinghun are already in the kitchen.’ Jie Jingchen naturally didn’t want to join them. "Meimei, I want to help you."
"Help me? You mean get in my way?" Qin Mei’s delicate brows knitted slightly. "It’s fine. I don’t need your help here, and you wouldn’t know what to do anyway. You just standing here is distracting me from refining my medicine."
"Meimei..." ’Helping is secondary. I just want to be a part of what you’re doing.’
Qin Mei wouldn’t compromise, so Jie Jingchen had to be the one to yield. He leaned down and pecked her on the forehead, then reluctantly headed for the kitchen.
Qin Mei patted her cheeks again. ’I was too impulsive just now. I let my emotions get the better of me and just unloaded all my complaints on Jie Jingchen.’
Shen Qing was the first to get home from work. For once, she took the initiative to greet Qin Mei. "Fourth Sister-in-law, are you making medicine for Jing Qi?"
Qin Mei froze for a second. Her gaze was a little unnatural as she looked at Shen Qing and greeted her, "Third Sister-in-law."
’I saw her at the department store, but she didn’t see me. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to face me so calmly.’ "Isn’t Jing Qi’s leg healed?" Shen Qing asked. "Does he still need medicine?"
"He does," Qin Mei nodded. ’But it’s not the medicine I’m brewing now. No, I’m not brewing medicine, I’m refining it.’
"Then I won’t disturb you," Shen Qing said, returning to her room.
Qin Mei rested her arms on the stone table, staring at the fire and occasionally glancing toward Shen Qing’s room. ’I’m not sure if Jie Jinghun’s old feelings for Wen Xingnan have resurfaced, but it seems like Shen Qing has already started something with her ex. Otherwise, why would they be at the department store together? Once might be a coincidence, but twice?’
Mr. and Mrs. Xie returned home together. When they saw Qin Mei refining medicine in the courtyard, they shared a silent understanding and didn’t disturb her.
When the meal was ready, the square table in the kitchen proved too small for everyone, so Jie Jinghun went to the main hall to bring in the large table. Jie Jingjue hadn’t come home yet, and Qin Mei was at a critical point in her work, so she told the others to eat first; she would join them later.
Qin Xiang had cooked a table full of dishes specifically for Qin Mei, but she was so absorbed in her work she’d forgotten all about eating. He felt an urge to smash her medicine brazier, but with Mr. and Mrs. Xie there, Qin Xiang could only suppress the impulse.
Night fell, and everyone went to their rooms to sleep. Jie Jingchen stayed in the courtyard, keeping her company. It wasn’t until midnight that Qin Mei finally extinguished the fire in the brazier. She lifted the pot and set it aside, waiting for the viscous concoction inside to cool.
Qin Mei stood up and stretched.
Jie Jingchen gazed at Qin Mei’s weary face, his heart aching for her as he asked, "Are you done?"
"No." Qin Mei shook her head.
Jie Jingchen’s brows furrowed tightly as he asked, "How much longer?"
"Soon," Qin Mei replied.
’"Soon" again. That’s her answer every time I ask.’ It was already the middle of the night, and she hadn’t even taken a nap that day. Seeing her so exhausted she was practically falling asleep on her feet, Jie Jingchen’s heart ached for her.
