Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Aunt Chen continued, ”Poor Jing Er and Xiao You, and poor Teacher Lin. She can’t live in the spacious courtyard, so she has to put up with squeezing into the little house the factory assigned to Jing Er, and even help him take care of Xiao You.”

Qin Mei listened to Aunt Chen’s words and shook her head helplessly. ’People will say whatever they want to say.’

Qin Xiang was basking comfortably in the sun in the courtyard. When he saw Jie Jingchen return with Qin Mei on his back, his eyes flickered. He shot up from the rattan chair, his expression tense. ”Little Sis, what happened?”

Qin Mei buried her face in the crook of Jie Jingchen’s neck. ’I’m too ashamed to say it. This is so embarrassing.’

Her warm breath fanned across his neck, and a tremor shot through Jie Jingchen. The muscles in his back tightened as a primal urge began to stir.

”She lost her shoes.” Jie Jingchen’s gaze was unfocused. He crouched down to set Qin Mei on her feet.

Her stockinged feet touched the ground, offering no protection from the cold. A chill shot up from the soles of her feet. Qin Mei was still hesitating about getting down, but Jie Jingchen had already set her on the ground. Her arms were still wrapped around his neck, so he forcefully pulled them away. Before Qin Mei could steady herself, Jie Jingchen tossed out, ”I’m going to the bathroom.”

Qin Xiang quickly steadied Qin Mei. Watching Jie Jingchen’s hasty retreat, he raised an eyebrow. ”Does he have to be in such a hurry?”

’When nature calls, you have to answer,’ Qin Mei thought in understanding. Instead of going back inside, she sat down in the rattan chair.

”You were so busy watching the drama you lost your shoes?” Qin Xiang asked with a laugh. Qin Mei shot him a sidelong glance and ignored him.

’Can we please not talk about the shoes?’ The topic made her cringe.

”It’s fine. I’ll have Jing Si buy you a new pair tomorrow.” Qin Xiang paused, then generously added, ”My treat.”

”Why don’t you buy them?” Qin Mei asked, curious. ’If he’s willing to pay, wouldn’t it be more sincere for him to buy them himself, or at least come with me?’

Qin Xiang’s long, charming eyes flickered, a hint of reluctance in their depths. ”Little Sis, I have to leave first thing tomorrow morning. I’ve already bought the train ticket.”

Qin Mei froze, staring at Qin Xiang as she processed his words. After a long moment, she finally asked, ”Don’t you have a month of leave?”

He had only been here for a few days, and now he was leaving. Qin Mei couldn’t bear to see him go. Qin Xiang was the original owner’s older brother, and though they had only spent a few days together, she truly cherished the affection from an older brother.

She had never experienced the bond between siblings before. It was a wonderful feeling.

The thought that Qin Xiang would die in the line of duty made Qin Mei deeply sad, and this sadness didn’t stem from the original owner’s memories, but from her own heart.

”I received an emergency assignment. I have to get back to my unit right away.” Qin Xiang didn’t elaborate, and Qin Mei didn’t press him for details.

Qin Mei lowered her gaze, twisting her fingers. She wracked her brain, trying to recall any information about Qin Xiang’s death. To her immense frustration, however, she couldn’t remember the time or place it was supposed to happen.

If she knew the time and place, she could warn him. Qin Mei smacked herself on the head in frustration. ’When Grandpa was telling me about the fallen heroes, why didn’t I ask for more details?’

”Little Sis.” Qin Xiang caught the hand she was smacking her head with, his expression filled with concern. ”Are you alright?”

Qin Mei was startled for a moment, realizing her actions must have scared Qin Xiang. She gripped his hand back, opening her mouth to say something, but not a single word would come out.

’What could she say? Tell him to be careful on his mission? Or just tell him straight out that he was going to die?’

The thought of his death hammered at her chest. Her nose began to sting, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

”Little Sis, what on earth is wrong?” Qin Xiang was frightened now, his expression a mixture of tension and worry.

Qin Mei sniffled, her voice catching. ”I’m fine. It’s just... I don’t want you to go.”

Hearing this, Qin Xiang let out a sigh of relief. He pulled his right hand from Qin Mei’s grasp and patted his chest. ”Little Sis, you scared me to death just now. I thought something awful had happened.”

Qin Mei gazed at him, her mind in turmoil.

Qin Xiang reached out and ruffled the hair on the back of her head. A mischievous glint appeared in his handsome features, and the corners of his eyes tilted up in a sly grin. ”If you’ll miss me that much, why don’t you just come with me?”

”Qin Xiang.” Jie Jingchen’s icy voice cut in. Though it was springtime, it sent a chill through the air, as if winter had returned.

’He’d only been gone for a moment, and that damn Qin Xiang was already trying to run off with his wife.’

A chill ran down Qin Xiang’s spine. He looked provocatively at the approaching Jie Jingchen. ”My little sister doesn’t want me to leave, so I’m going to take her to the base with me. You have a problem with that?”

Jie Jingchen sneered. ’A problem? He had more than just a problem with it. She was *his* wife. Wherever he was, she would be. Following Qin Xiang to a military base? What kind of nonsense was that?’