Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Jie Jingchen shot Jie Jingshan a cold look. ”The exam dates are about to be announced, and you have time to tease your own brother instead of studying? Aren’t you worried you’ll fail and disappoint your sister-in-law?”

Jie Jingshan froze, then turned to Qin Mei with a serious expression. ”Sister-in-law, if I fail, will you be disappointed in me?”

Qin Mei stood up, walked over to Jie Jingshan, and gently ruffled her hair. ”Of course not. As long as you try your best, you’re amazing no matter the outcome. I’ll be proud of you.”

’Jing Qi never finished elementary school, let alone attended middle or high school. Making her take the college entrance exam now is asking the impossible. But her youth is her advantage. If she fails this time, she can try again. After a few attempts, she’ll have the experience she needs. Who knows? She might just keep trying until she becomes the top scorer.’

”Sister-in-law, I’ll work hard. I’ll do my best not to waste all the effort you’ve put into helping me.” Even though she felt confident deep down, Jie Jingshan didn’t want to overstate it.

”Good. I have complete faith in you.” Qin Mei patted Jie Jingshan’s shoulder. ”Time is short, so we have to make every second count. Let’s go. I’ll help you study in your room.”

Qin Mei put her arm around Jie Jingshan’s shoulders, and the two walked out of the kitchen, looking as close as sisters.

Watching them go, Jie Jingchen shook his head in resignation and began clearing the dishes to wash in the sink.

Li Axiu left the Jie Family home but didn’t return to the Lin Family’s. Instead, she went to a local grocery store and called the machinery factory, looking for Jie Jingwei.

After making the call, Li Axiu didn’t go home. She simply sat outside the grocery store and waited for Jie Jingwei.

Half an hour later, Jie Jingwei came tearing over on his bicycle. When he saw Li Axiu sitting outside the store chatting with someone, his gaze flickered. ’She’s in the mood to chat? Looks like it’s not a big deal.’

’Lin Yaru was always crying wolf about stomach pains. Every time he rushed her to the hospital, the check-ups found nothing. He’d asked the doctor about it in private, and the doctor had subtly hinted that his wife might be faking it.’

’She was probably faking it this time, too. His mother-in-law must have realized it, which would explain why she was so relaxed and chatting with someone.’

”Mom,” Jie Jingwei called out, stopping his bicycle.

Li Axiu started, then hurried over to him. She habitually dusted off her clothes and smiled at Jie Jingwei, only to realize what she was doing. ’Smiling at him right now is as good as saying my daughter has a stomach ache, but I suspect she’s faking it, so I’m not worried in the slightest.’

The smile froze on her face as Li Axiu quickly arranged her features into a look of concern. ”Jing Er, Yaru says her stomach is hurting. To be safe, you should go get your dad’s car. I’ll head home and check on her.”

”Get Dad’s car?” Jie Jingwei’s brow rose. ’Does she really have to make such a show of it?’ He took a deep breath, suppressing his aversion. ”Mom, why didn’t you mention that on the phone? I could have gotten the keys from Dad and driven straight here.”

”Your dad’s car is parked outside your house,” Li Axiu said.

Jie Jingwei froze, staring at Li Axiu with suspicion.

”Your brother Jing Si drove it back,” Li Axiu urged. ”Stop wasting time. Go to the Jie Family’s house and get the car keys from him. We need to get Yaru to the hospital. We’ve already waited too long. We can’t risk something actually being wrong.”

Jie Jingwei’s chest filled with rage. ’What was there left to misunderstand? He’d have to be a fool not to see what was going on.’

’If Lin Yaru wanted to put on a show, he’d play his part.’

Jie Jingwei squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath. When he opened them, they were filled with concern. ”Mom, you go ahead and check on Yaru. I’ll head back to the Jie house to get the keys from my brother.”

”Alright. Go on, and hurry back.” Li Axiu turned and dashed toward the Lin Family home.

As Jie Jingwei rode his bicycle toward the Jie Family home, his expression was grim. ’Lin Yaru had better not be lying to him this time. If she is, he’ll make her regret it. She can’t just act recklessly and think she’ll get away with it because she’s pregnant.’

Arriving at the Jie Family home, Jie Jingwei tossed his bicycle aside and stood in the courtyard, yelling, ”Jing Si!”

Jie Jingchen emerged from the house, a dark, unreadable expression on his handsome face. Without a word, he tossed the car keys to Jie Jingwei.

Jie Jingwei caught the keys, his expression growing even darker. ”Was my mother-in-law here at the Jie house?” he asked through gritted teeth.

A shadow passed through Jie Jingchen’s amber eyes, and his deep, cold voice held a trace of anger. ”Yes.”

”She asked you to drive my wife to the hospital, and you refused,” Jie Jingwei stated, his voice forced through clenched teeth.

’So Lin Yaru still hasn’t given up on Jing Si. She’ll take any opportunity to get close to him, and my mother-in-law is actually helping her do it.’

”Your mother-in-law was actually quite sensible about it,” Jie Jingchen said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. ”When she learned I was the one who drove the car here, she didn’t ask me to take your wife to the hospital. Jing Qi suggested my wife go check on yours, and your mother-in-law refused outright.”