Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

”Jie Jingsi, kick the life out of him,” Qin Mei egged him on.

”He’s Grandpa Zhang and Grandma Hua’s son,” Jie Jingchen said, looking at Qin Mei helplessly.

”An unfilial son deserves to be kicked to death.” Qin Mei couldn’t be bothered with that. Just look at what a mess he’s made of this room.

Zhang Haoyuan wailed in pain. When he heard Qin Mei’s words, his survival instincts flared. ”Dad, Mom, save me!”

Grandpa Zhang snorted and looked away. Grandma Hua’s heart ached seeing her son being kicked so brutally. He was a scoundrel, but he was still her own flesh and blood.

”Jing Si, stop hitting him,” Grandma Hua couldn’t help but say.

”Grandma Hua, don’t feel sorry for him. He brought this on himself.” Qin Mei glared fiercely at Zhang Haoyuan on the floor. ’The old woman is always so hostile to me, yet she’s so indulgent with this son of hers.’

Seeing Zhang Haoyuan and hearing his words cleared up the questions in her mind. All the money they made from selling medicinal herbs had been squandered by him.

They’d rather live in a shabby hut, barely able to make ends meet, just to give him money.

Grandma Hua went forward and helped her son up. ”You should go,” she said to him. ”Your dad and I really have no money. They’re the ones who paid for your dad’s leg treatment.”

Zhang Haoyuan refused to leave without getting any money. He pushed Grandma Hua aside and glared viciously at Qin Mei. ”My dad’s leg... did you amputate it?”

Qin Mei didn’t say anything, merely looking at him.

Zhang Haoyuan held out his hand. ”Pay up. My dad’s leg was perfectly fine, and you cut it off. If you don’t compensate me today, you’re not leaving here even if the Jade Emperor himself shows up.”

”Bastard! You ungrateful wretch! Get out! Get the hell out!” Grandpa Zhang was furious.

”Dad, what’s wrong with you? She turned you into a cripple, yet you’re grateful to her. Have you gone senile?” Zhang Haoyuan fired off a soul-crushing question.

”You...” Grandpa Zhang trembled with rage at his son’s words. ”If it weren’t for her, I’d already be dead! Now get out!”

”Dear, don’t be angry. Don’t let it ruin your health.” Grandma Hua gently patted Grandpa Zhang’s back, helping him calm down. ”Haoyuan, stop angering your father. Just go.”

”Give me money, and I’ll go.” Zhang Haoyuan only wanted money. As long as he got paid, he couldn’t care less if they lived or died.

”No money.” Grandpa Zhang was completely disappointed in his son. If it weren’t for his wife, he wouldn’t be willing to give this son a single cent.

His current downfall wasn’t just due to his student reporting him; this son of his had also played a part.

”You don’t have money, but they do.” Zhang Haoyuan looked toward Qin Mei and Jie Jingchen.

Grandpa Zhang was about to die from anger. He felt his son had completely disgraced the Zhang family.

”We do have money, but so what? You’re not my son, so why should I give you any?” Qin Mei’s words were intentionally insulting.

”Mom.” Zhang Haoyuan suddenly knelt before Qin Mei and called her ”Mom.”

”...”

”...”

Grandpa Zhang and Grandma Hua were dumbstruck.

Qin Mei was floored, struggling to keep a straight face. ’To him, whoever has milk is his mother—or in this case, whoever has money is his mom. The guy is in his thirties! Does he have no shame? No principles whatsoever?’

”Mom, you’re my real mom, I’m begging you, give me money.” Zhang Haoyuan shuffled closer on his knees, reaching out to hug Qin Mei’s legs.

”Get lost.” Jie Jingchen lifted his foot and kicked Zhang Haoyuan away. He wouldn’t allow this man anywhere near Qin Mei.

”Mom, save me! The deadline they gave me is almost here! If I don’t pay them back, they’re going to chop off my hands!” Zhang Haoyuan pleaded pitifully.

For Grandpa Zhang, there was no greater sorrow than a dead heart; his son was utterly hopeless. Grandma Hua was both heartbroken and pained.

”Fourth Wife of Jing, he’s a hopeless gambler. Don’t pay him any mind.” Grandpa Zhang was afraid Qin Mei would actually give that animal money.

A thought-provoking smile played on Qin Mei’s red lips. She looked at Grandma Hua and said, ”A gambling addiction never ends well. It tears families apart, leaving you with nothing and no one.”

Grandma Hua wasn’t a fool. She knew Qin Mei’s words were directed at her. What was the difference between the Zhang family now and a family that was already ruined?

”Mom, I promise, this is really the last time! If you help me pay off my debt, I’ll never gamble again, I swear!” Zhang Haoyuan pinned all his hopes on Qin Mei. His parents truly didn’t have a single cent left.

”Don’t believe him,” Grandpa Zhang said urgently. ’Promises, oaths... it’s all bullshit. If she gives him money, he absolutely won’t use it to repay his debt. He’ll just keep gambling.’

”You shut up!” Zhang Haoyuan snapped.

Qin Mei took a step forward and crouched in front of Zhang Haoyuan, a deceptively serene smile on her face. ”What did you just call me?”