Free Web NovelChapter 468: Chapter 167: Seeing Off Qin Xiang (Part 2)
Seeing Qin Xiang remain silent, Mrs. Xie worried he had misunderstood and quickly explained, "Of course, my affection for Xiao Mei isn’t just because she healed Jing Si’s leg. Even if she hadn’t healed Jing Si’s leg, I would still dote on her as if she were my own daughter. Xiao Xiang, you can rest assured. As long as I’m here, Xiao Mei will never suffer any grievance in the Jie family."
Qin Xiang reined in his complex thoughts. ’If I can’t figure it out, I’ll stop thinking about it. My little sister is getting more and more capable, and that’s a good thing.’ "Auntie," he said, "my sister is the daughter our parents wished for on every star, the one they waited so long to have. Our entire family treasures her. Since she was little, we’ve coddled her, treating her like she was made of glass. All that spoiling has made her audacious and given her a bad temper. If she ever gets into trouble, please bear with her. Don’t get worked up; just send her back to the Qin family, and we’ll be the ones to discipline her."
Mrs. Xie was far too astute not to grasp the deeper meaning behind Qin Xiang’s words. ’Xiao Mei is the Qin family’s treasure. Even if she causes some earth-shattering trouble, we aren’t to lay a hand on her or even scold her. He says to send her home for discipline, but what he really means is that the Qin family will shield her.’
"Xiao Mei is Jing Si’s wife, and she is my daughter-in-law. Even if she were to tear a hole in the sky, Jing Si and I would protect her. The Qiao family would protect her," Mrs. Xie declared, making her stance clear while also giving her son’s position a little boost.
Qin Xiang was stunned for a moment. ’Jing Si’s mother is incredible. She even brought the Qiao family into it. Now I can finally rest easy.’
Mrs. Xie wasn’t the type to make promises lightly and then disregard them. She either made no promise at all, or, once she did, her word was her bond.
"Auntie, thank you for your thoughtfulness," Qin Xiang said, his smile full of sincerity.
Mrs. Xie’s elegant smile was filled with warmth as she handed a cookie tin to Qin Xiang. "Xiao Xiang, you’re leaving in such a hurry that your uncle and I didn’t get to prepare a proper gift. Please, take this."
Seeing that it was a cookie tin, Qin Xiang accepted it without a second thought. He wasn’t fond of cookies, but he couldn’t refuse his auntie’s kind gesture.
"Auntie, you and Uncle are being too generous. Thank you both," Qin Xiang said.
Mr. Xie, a jacket draped over his shoulders, emerged from the house just in time to see Qin Xiang accept the cookie tin with a clear conscience. ’My heart!’
’The money he had given his own mother out of filial piety was now being gifted to Qin Xiang by his wife.’
"Xiao Xiang, inside the cookie tin is—" Mrs. Xie shot him a look as sharp as a dagger, and Mr. Xie’s voice died in his throat. He pulled his jacket tighter and forced an awkward smile. "The cookies are delicious. They’re not for sharing—best to enjoy them all by yourself."
"Uncle," Qin Xiang greeted him.
"Xiao Xiang, have a safe trip. Come visit again when you have time," Mr. Xie said, his tone polite. He was desperately hoping Qin Xiang would open the tin, discover the money inside, and immediately refuse the gift.
In reality, however, Mrs. Xie took the cookie tin and tucked it into Qin Xiang’s backpack for him. Qin Xiang didn’t stop her; he didn’t like cookies anyway.
"Alright, Uncle. I hope I wasn’t too much trouble these last few days," Qin Xiang said to Mr. Xie.
Mr. Xie’s smile was strained. He harbored a degree of resentment toward Qin Xiang. ’If Qin Xiang had never come to Shijiu City, none of this would have happened.’ The thought of An Qi being forcibly sent to a psychiatric hospital in Xiangjiang only deepened his bitterness.
’Qin Xiang was getting away completely unscathed, while An Qi would spend the rest of her life in that hospital. And while it was true that An Qi had brought it all on herself, she was still his niece.’
"Qin Xiang." Jie Jingshan came out of the house as well, also holding a cookie tin.
At this sight, Mr. Xie’s pupils contracted. He was all too familiar with the cookie tin in Jing Qi’s hands; he knew exactly what it contained.
’The cookie tin was his, and the money inside was his. Jing Qi had come to his room to borrow money just last night. It was the first time she had ever asked him for money—how could he possibly have refused?’
’If he hadn’t taken out that particular tin, his wife would never have discovered the two other tins stashed under the cabinet, both filled with cash.’
’His wife and his youngest daughter, taking his money to give to Qin Xiang. His heart was bleeding.’
"Xiao Qiao, he can’t possibly eat that many cookies," Mr. Xie said, trying to stop his youngest daughter.
Jie Jingshan ignored him, presenting the cookie tin with both hands. "This is for you."
"Thank you." Qin Xiang accepted it and gently patted the top of her head, his eyes filled with the affection of an older brother for his little sister.
Jie Jingshan’s heart ached with reluctance, but she didn’t dare let it show. She lifted her face, her large, teary eyes gazing up at Qin Xiang. Biting her lip, she asked, "Will you come back to see me... and my sister-in-law?"
"I will." Qin Xiang paused for a moment before adding, "I’ll come visit when I’m on leave."
Jie Jingshan smiled, but her sweet expression was tinged with an almost imperceptible bitterness.
Mrs. Xie shot her husband a sidelong glance before smiling and taking the second cookie tin from Qin Xiang’s hands to place in his backpack.
Jie Jingjue emerged from the house, stretching and yawning. He gifted Qin Xiang a flashy, patterned shirt. Jie Jinghun and Shen Qing also came out to see him off. Shen Qing gave Qin Xiang a book to read on the train.
