Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

”Mom, I’ll take it. I don’t think it’s dirty at all.” Qin Mei puffed out her chest, as if to say, ’Go ahead, just throw the money at me!’

That was money, after all—lovely, wonderful money that everyone adored. It would be foolish not to take it.

”...” Jie Jingchen.

”...” Mrs. Xie.

Jie Jingchen wanted to curse her out. ’So money-grubbing! Has poverty driven you mad?’ But with his mother there, he had to save face for Qin Mei.

”Xiao Mei, I have money. Tell me how much you want, and I’ll give it to you,” Mrs. Xie said magnanimously, looking as if she could grant any amount Qin Mei named.

Qin Mei shook her head, refusing stubbornly. ”Mom, I don’t want your money. I want the German Merchant’s money.”

’How could I take money from family? Of course I have to take it from outsiders.’

Mrs. Xie was one to spoil Qin Mei. As long as Qin Mei insisted, she would be the one to yield. ”How much do you want?”

”This much.” Qin Mei held up her index finger.

”Ten thousand?” Mrs. Xie raised an eyebrow. ’My reputation is only worth ten thousand? That’s far too little.’ She took Qin Mei’s hand and urged, ”Ten thousand is too little. I may not be some innocent young maiden anymore, but my status is plain to see. Don’t be afraid. Ask for a ridiculously huge amount.”

Qin Mei shook her head, correcting her. ”Not ten thousand. One million.”

That was more like it. Mrs. Xie found that barely acceptable and readily agreed. ”One million it is, then.”

”US Dollars,” Qin Mei added timidly.

Mrs. Xie froze. She stared at Qin Mei for a few seconds, then still agreed without hesitation. ”US Dollars it is, then.”

Jie Jingchen watched his mother transform into someone completely obsessed with spoiling her daughter-in-law and was left speechless. Getting a million in compensation was highly likely, but getting it in US Dollars would be a bit difficult.

Seeing her mother-in-law being so agreeable, Qin Mei decided to push her luck. ”Mom, what if... we add another zero?”

”Ten million?” Mrs. Xie’s expression as she looked at Qin Mei was complicated.

”Still in US Dollars,” Qin Mei added.

”US Dollars?” The smile on Mrs. Xie’s face cracked.

”A hundred million would be fine, too,” Qin Mei said. ’In the future, a hundred million is just pocket change to a wealthy businessman.’

Mrs. Xie fell silent.

Jie Jingchen sighed. ”The German Merchant was framed. But since it happened at the Qiao Family’s residence and the Governor Mansion is siding with them, he has no choice but to suffer in silence. Compensation is fine as long as it’s within an acceptable range for them. If it exceeds what they can accept, I’m afraid they’ll refuse to pay. The money’s in their hands. If they won’t let it go, we can’t just take it by force.”

”We’re civilized people, how could we resort to force? It’s not like we’re bandits.” Qin Mei’s tone suddenly shifted. She gazed at Jie Jingchen, her red lips curling into an incredibly brazen and dazzling smile. ”Jie Jingsi, you should go. I have faith in you. With that silver tongue of yours, talk them into the highest amount you can.”

Mrs. Xie also looked at her son. ’Jing Si has such a sharp tongue, though he mostly uses it to sass his father and his Granny.’

A slight smile touched the corner of Jie Jingchen’s lips. He met Qin Mei’s gaze, a hint of teasing in his eyes. ”What if they get desperate and decide to cut their losses? They could abandon Bernhard, send him home, and just pick a new heir. Then all your scheming would be for nothing.”

Qin Mei’s smile vanished. ’A pawn with no value is useless.’

’My mother-in-law was the one who told me to ask for a fortune. I did, but now it looks like I won’t get my wish.’ She was disappointed.

Qin Mei waved her hand dismissively. ”Forget it. We’ll take whatever we can get.”

’Something is better than nothing. Push them too hard, and even a cornered rabbit will bite.’

”Yan Qiu,” her father’s voice called out impatiently. ”Hurry up. Don’t keep your cousin waiting.”

”Coming!” Mrs. Xie called back. She let go of Qin Mei’s hand, stood, and walked past Jie Jingchen. Seeing that he hadn’t moved, she asked, ”Aren’t you going?”

”I think I’ll sit this one out,” Jie Jingchen said, shaking his head. He thought of the way Bernhard had looked at Qin Mei and feared he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from finishing the man off right then and there.

’Bernhard’s injuries were minor. Our people would carry him to the Governor Mansion if they had to.’

”Probably for the best.” Mrs. Xie continued on her way, but just as she reached the door, Qin Mei called out to her.

”Mom.”

Mrs. Xie stopped and turned back to look at Qin Mei.

”Mom, don’t be too aggressive. Sometimes, tears are the most effective weapon,” Qin Mei said.

”What, am I supposed to cry the German Merchant to death?” Mrs. Xie scoffed.

The corner of Qin Mei’s mouth twitched. ’She thinks she’s Meng Jiangnu trying to cry down the Great Wall?’ ”If you’re crying a river of beautiful, pitiful tears, it will only strengthen Grandpa’s and your cousin’s will to fight. Do you see what I’m getting at?”

She understood, but Mrs. Xie had no intention of taking the advice.

”We’ll see,” Mrs. Xie said, neither refusing nor agreeing.

Their grandmother also went with them to the Governor Mansion. She hadn’t planned on going, but she couldn’t help but worry about them, so she decided to tag along.

Not long after they left, Jie Jingchen said to Qin Mei, ”Meimei, I’m going out for a bit.”

”To the Governor Mansion?” Qin Mei asked. ’His mother asked him to go just now and he refused, but now he’s changed his mind?’

”No.” Jie Jingchen shook his head.

Qin Mei wanted to ask where he was going, but she wasn’t familiar with Xiangjiang. Even if he told her, she wouldn’t know the place. ”I’ll go with you.”

Jie Jingchen shot her a sideways glance. ”It’s hot out. Are you sure you want to come with me?”

Qin Mei got up, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains. She could feel the blazing sun even through the glass. She drew the curtains again and said with her back to Jie Jingchen, ”On second thought, I’d rather stay here and enjoy the air conditioning.”

Jie Jingchen let out a sigh of relief. He strode over to Qin Mei and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. His warm breath on her neck sent a ticklish sensation through her, and Qin Mei couldn’t help but shrink away slightly.

”Meimei, wait for me to come back.” A deep, tender affection filled Jie Jingchen’s eyes.

Qin Mei keenly sensed that something was off about his mood, and her brow furrowed with worry. ”Jie Jingsi—mmph!”

The moment she spoke, Jie Jingchen spun her around to face him and bent down, capturing her lips in a kiss to keep her from saying more.

”Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law—” Jie Jingshan’s voice came to an abrupt halt as she saw the two of them kissing. With lightning-fast reflexes, she covered her eyes and spun around. ”Why didn’t you close the door?”

Qin Mei pushed at Jie Jingchen, her earlobes blushing red.

Jie Jingchen reluctantly released her, pressing his forehead against hers to suppress the fire she had ignited in him.

”Wait for me.” After a final, lingering peck on her forehead, Jie Jingchen reluctantly departed. He shot Jie Jingshan a glare as he passed her.

”Fourth Sister-in-law, Fourth Brother glared at me,” Jie Jingshan tattled to Qin Mei.

Qin Mei gave an awkward smile but didn’t reply.

Jie Jingshan saw Qin Mei’s flushed cheeks but decided not to tease her. Instead, she pulled her downstairs for some dessert.

As Jie Jingshan and Qin Mei were enjoying their dessert, a crisp voice called out, ”Jing Shan!”

Hearing the voice, Jie Jingshan’s eyes lit up.

”Miss Jiali, slow down! Don’t fall,” a nanny who was trimming the flowers called out. She saw Xu Jiali rushing over in a flurry and was afraid she would trip.

A figure in fiery red rushed in, darted right up to Jie Jingshan, and threw her arms around her. ”Jing Shan, WAHHH, you’re finally back!”

Qin Mei watched the person hugging Jie Jingshan. She wore a dazzling, fiery red princess dress, a color that looked especially hot in the summer. Thank goodness for the air conditioning, or Qin Mei would have felt warm just looking at her.

The fiery red princess dress, the beautiful hairstyle, the exquisite makeup—she wasn’t garish, but possessed an ethereal and enchanting charm.

”Auntie, can you let go of me first?” Jie Jingshan felt like she was being strangled.

’Auntie?’ Qin Mei’s pupils contracted. She looked at the girl, who didn’t seem much older than Jing Qi, and was shocked to realize she was Jingshan’s aunt.

’Did Grandpa and Grandma have another daughter late in life? But didn’t they only have one daughter?’

’Could she be an adopted daughter?’

”Jing Shan, are your legs really healed?” Xu Jiali asked excitedly.

”They’re healed,” Jie Jingshan replied.

”WAAAH, that’s wonderful!” Xu Jiali burst out crying loudly. She hugged Jing Shan tightly again, sobbing right in her ear, threatening to deafen her.

”Auntie, stop crying! My ears are going to go deaf!” Jie Jingshan struggled, but couldn’t break free.

”These are tears of joy!” Xu Jiali continued hugging Jing Shan, venting her emotions for a good while before she finally let go.

Jie Jingshan gasped for breath. Her aunt had nearly strangled her.

Xu Jiali’s gaze then fell on Qin Mei, sizing her up. ’Jing Shan’s sister-in-law is absolutely stunning.’