Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 161: Chapter 67: Hard Work Only Provides Subsistence

’Jing Qi shouldn’t have this kind of look in her eyes. She should be insecure, timid, and irritable...’

”I’ve already given you everything of value.” Jie Jingshan remained calm, but her gaze on Aunt Zhang grew sharper.

”Jing Qi, you gave them to me willingly,” Aunt Zhang reminded her. Everyone in the Jie Family knew that Jing Qi had given her all her valuables. She had been good to Jing Qi, so it was only natural for Jing Qi to give her things.

’During the time I’ve been away from the Jie Family, Jie Jingshan has changed so much. Qiao Yanqiu must have sent Jing Qi more nice things. Especially the Qiao family, all the way in Xiangjiang, they’re always mailing things to Jing Qi.’

”I gave them to you willingly. I never said you took them by force,” Jie Jingshan said sarcastically.

Jie Jingshan’s sarcastic words grated on Aunt Zhang’s ears. In her eyes, Jie Jingshan was just an ungrateful wretch; it never occurred to her that she herself was the problem.

When Jie Jingshan had her accident, if Aunt Zhang had just been a little more patient—especially when Jie Jingshan was throwing tantrums—if she had shown genuine care, if she hadn’t minded the work or the filth, if she had looked after Jie Jingshan diligently and tried to counsel her, perhaps Aunt Zhang could have been Jie Jingshan’s salvation.

After all, Jie Jingshan had always listened to Aunt Zhang the most, relying on her even more than her own mother. In the end, however, Aunt Zhang failed her, leaving Jie Jingshan utterly disappointed.

”Fourth Sister-in-law, I’m tired.” Jie Jingshan looked up and gave Qin Mei a wide smile.

Seeing the deep sorrow and gloom in her eyes, Qin Mei suppressed the ache in her heart. With a smile, she stroked Jie Jingshan’s hair. ”I’ll push you back to your room to rest.”

Qin Mei pushed Jie Jingshan’s wheelchair. Aunt Zhang stood in the doorway, and as they approached, she made no move to get out of the way, instead staring at Jie Jingshan with a deeply hurt expression.

”Good dogs don’t block the path,” Qin Mei said, her tone cold and her words blunt.

Calling her a dog, Aunt Zhang seethed with rage and glared at Qin Mei. ”I’m your elder! Didn’t your parents teach you how to speak to your elders?”

”Elder? You? Are you worthy?” Qin Mei’s cold eyes swept over her, each word a sharp jab at Aunt Zhang’s heart.

”Qin Mei,” Aunt Zhang fumed.

Jie Jingshan stated coolly, ”You are the servant. She is the master.”

Aunt Zhang froze, stunned. She stared in disbelief at Jie Jingshan in her wheelchair. Yesterday, Jie Jingchen had said the same thing to her, and while it had angered her, it hadn’t done much damage. But hearing it from Jie Jingshan today was like a critical blow to the chest.

’You are the servant, she is the master.’ The words were grating and pierced her heart.

’It seems Jing Qi has completely disregarded the bond they once shared.’

’She wasn’t her own flesh and blood. No blood relation. No matter how well you treat her, she’s still an ungrateful wretch you can never win over.’

Thick mockery surfaced in Qin Mei’s eyes. Her gaze narrowed, and her cool voice drifted out. ”What? Not convinced? Or do you think you’re the master and I’m the servant?”

Aunt Zhang took a deep breath, suppressing the towering rage inside her, and forced a smile. ”I’m convinced. How could I not be? You are all masters, and I am a servant. How would a servant dare to provoke a master?”

”I hope you mean what you say,” Qin Mei said, her tone arrogant and tinged with provocation. ”Move.”

”Of course, my master.” Aunt Zhang gave a slight curtsy, her gesture not one of respect but of equal defiance toward Qin Mei.

Aunt Zhang moved aside grudgingly, her hand tightening around the axe. She desperately wanted to swing it at Qin Mei—to chop her head right off, just like Jing Wu had slaughtered the rooster that morning.

Qin Mei appeared casual, but she was on high alert. A silver needle was ready at her fingertips; if Aunt Zhang made a move, she would throw it first.

’When people are extremely angry, they lose their reason and judgment. With an axe in her hand, I have to anticipate that she might swing it at us.’

Jie Jingshan clutched a dagger in her right hand, while Jie Jingchen had silently moved up behind Aunt Zhang. If she made a move, he would subdue her instantly.

However, they had all underestimated Aunt Zhang’s restraint. She turned and strode toward the kitchen with the axe.

”Jing Qi, remember my words: sincerity should be met with sincerity. If it isn’t, then give up all hope,” Qin Mei said suddenly. It seemed she was talking to Jie Jingshan, but the words were meant for Aunt Zhang.

Hearing this, Aunt Zhang faltered for a second but didn’t stop, her entire being shrouded in a sinister aura.

”Fourth Sister-in-law, I’ll remember,” Jie Jingshan replied with an obedient nod. Once back in her room, her tense body visibly relaxed.

”Good girl.” Qin Mei smiled in satisfaction and stroked Jie Jingshan’s hair, reminding her, ”Jing Qi, be careful. Make sure you lock the door from the inside before you sleep.”

”Okay,” Jie Jingshan nodded.

Qin Mei gave Jie Jingshan a few more instructions before leaving. Only after hearing the sound of the door being locked from the inside did Qin Mei finally feel at ease.

She looked up at the sky. It was another bright and sunny day. Stretching lazily, Qin Mei shot a sidelong glance at Jie Jingchen and said, ”I’m going back to our room for a nap.”

”Mm,” Jie Jingchen hummed, a suggestive curve playing on his lips.

A glint flashed in Qin Mei’s eyes. As she walked, she pulled a key from her pocket, unlocked the door, and went inside. Jie Jingchen followed her in and locked the door from the inside.

Qin Mei sat on the edge of the bed and took off her shoes and socks, then her jacket. Tossing it onto the foot of the bed, she slipped under the covers and closed her eyes to sleep.

Jie Jingchen, a bit of a neat freak, bent down to arrange her shoes and socks neatly. He then picked up the jacket from the foot of the bed and placed it on a chair so it would be easy for her to put on when she woke up.

He took off his own shoes, socks, and jacket, then carefully lifted a corner of the covers and lay down. Hearing Qin Mei’s steady breathing, a smile touched Jie Jingchen’s lips as he closed his eyes.

Qin Mei had forgotten to go to the bathroom before her nap and was woken by a full bladder. She got up, put on her shoes, and grabbed her jacket from the chair, shrugging it on as she walked.

When Jie Jingshan saw Qin Mei come out, she called, ”Fourth Sister-in-law.”

Qin Mei paused. Jie Jingchen and Jie Jingshan were still sitting under the tree in the courtyard, reading. There was a new rattan chair next to Jie Jingchen. Her eyes lit up, but she was in a hurry to get to the bathroom, so she didn’t say anything and headed straight there.

After using the bathroom, Qin Mei walked over to Jie Jingchen. She stroked the newly bought rattan chair and looked at him, asking with a touch of emotion, ”When did you buy this?”

Jie Jingchen simply smiled without answering.

Qin Mei sat down and rocked it a few times. The rattan chair was much more comfortable than the stone stool.

”Fourth Sister-in-law, is it comfortable?” Jie Jingshan asked with a smile.

”Very comfortable,” Qin Mei replied, looking over at Jie Jingshan.

”I want to buy one too,” Jie Jingshan said, her eyes filled with envy. She added dreamily, ”We could put them side-by-side. Imagine us sitting here together, reading in our rattan chairs. Just thinking about it feels so warm and pleasant.”

”If the neighbors passed by and saw that, I don’t think they’d see ’warm and pleasant.’ They’d see ’decadent and lazy,’” Qin Mei teased with a laugh. ”In this day and age, you even get judged for eating on the street.”

”Hard work leads to wealth,” Jie Jingshan said, showing she understood. But her gaze shifted to Jie Jingchen, as if to ask, ’Fourth Brother, when are you going to go to work?’

Qin Mei shook her head, disagreeing. Her gaze also fell on Jie Jingchen. ”Hard work can only guarantee subsistence. True wealth comes from brains and guts.”

’Working diligently in a factory won’t make you much money. If you want to get rich, you have to take a risk and start a business.’

’When the Reform and Opening-Up policy came, all the ambitious people made their fortunes.’

’This is an opportunity that can’t be missed. She hoped Jie Jingchen would seize it. The Qiao Family was rich, but their money belonged to Jing Qi. If Jie Jingchen wanted to make a fortune and stand at the top of the pyramid, he couldn’t just be content with his current situation.’

’Right now, the Jie Family could only be described as well-off. There’s a saying: ’It takes three generations to build a noble house, and five to establish a true clan.’ The Jies didn’t even qualify as a noble house yet. The Qiao Family, on the other hand, could truly be called a clan.’

’But on second thought, in this sensitive era, the Qiao Family had only been preserved because they had moved their entire family to Xiangjiang. Without absolute power, maintaining the status quo was the only way to stay safe.’

’The resumption of the national college entrance exam came first, then the Reform and Opening-Up policy. Qin Mei calculated the time. The exam was still a few months away. They could plan, but they couldn’t act. And they certainly couldn’t implement anything yet.’

’With so many eyes watching, one wrong move could mean losing everything. If someone with ill intentions were to plot against them, they could forget about getting rich. They could be sent to a harsh place for ’re-education’, and from there, making a comeback would be nearly impossible.’