Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Qin Xiang shot a sidelong glance at the mocking Second Young Master Huang. He let out a soft sigh, his voice carrying a hint of resigned nonchalance. ”Alas! For this kind of thing, both parties have to be willing.”

”Exactly. Both parties have to be willing,” a man in flashy clothes chimed in.

A sharp glint flashed in Second Young Master Huang’s eyes, his lips curling into a roguish, cynical smirk.

Qin Xiang glanced at the others and said, ”You all know what Young Master Qiao is like. You’ve never seen him stick with anyone for long. I’m self-aware. Before he kicks me as far away as possible, I’m going to treat him as my sugar daddy and squeeze some benefits out of him. I’ve already figured it out. When I leave, the perks I’ve gotten from him will be enough to live lavishly for the rest of my life. Then I’ll go back to my hometown and get out of this line of work. Heh, just thinking about it is wonderful!”

”...” Everyone was speechless.

Second Young Master Huang studied Qin Xiang with a probing gaze, trying to discern his true thoughts. Unfortunately, he didn’t possess the Mind Reading Technique, and Qin Xiang’s mask was so perfect that he couldn’t find the slightest crack.

His intuition told him that the man before him was no simple character, and that his relationship with Young Master Qiao was not what it appeared to be.

Second Young Master Huang picked up a pack of cigarettes, took one out, and lit it. He took a drag, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and asked, ”Does Young Master Qiao know you think this way?”

Qin Xiang glanced at him. ”He doesn’t know. And you’ll all forget what I just said. If any of you dare tell him, I’ll do everything in my power to turn you against each other and make every single one of you regret it.”

”Bro, you think Young Master Qiao would be into someone who looks like me?” someone suddenly blurted out.

Everyone looked at the speaker, then back at Qin Xiang. The two men’s appearances were worlds apart, but the man’s confidence was certainly admirable.

Qin Xiang gave him a look that said, ’You be the judge,’ and went back to munching on his apple.

In the car, the driver and the bodyguard beside him didn’t even dare to breathe. Their Eldest Young Master had been cursing ever since he’d gotten in, berating the Eldest Young Madam and Miss Jiali so fiercely that neither dared to utter a word in response.

Qin Mei had no desire to argue back. Xu Jiali didn’t dare to—and besides, she’d lost her voice.

Back at the Qiao Family home, Xu Jiali was the mastermind and Qin Mei the accomplice. Jie Jingchen, playing favorites, took Qin Mei back to their room, leaving Xu Jiali to face the family’s wrath alone.

Xiangjiang was a dangerous place. How could she take Qin Mei out without a driver or bodyguards? What would they have done if something had happened?

Jie Jingshan was being loyal and didn’t mention that Xu Jiali had knocked her unconscious. If she had sold Xu Jiali out, it would have been like pouring oil on the fire.

When her grandmother grew tired of scolding her, her grandfather took over. When her grandfather grew tired, Mrs. Xie began. When Mrs. Xie grew tired, the nanny started in. Even the butler couldn’t resist chiding Xu Jiali a little.

”Cat got your tongue? Why aren’t you talking back?” her grandmother demanded, glaring at Xu Jiali. Xu Jiali was acting very strange. Normally, she would retort when being scolded, but today she hadn’t said a single word, just sitting there meekly and taking the abuse.

Xu Jiali pointed to her mouth, as if to say, ’I *am* mute.’

”Yan Qiu, quickly, come check on her! Jiali can’t speak,” her grandmother said, waving Mrs. Xie over. Her cloudy eyes were filled with worry. ’This girl is about to get married. What’ll we do if she’s become a mute?’

Mrs. Xie also realized something was wrong and went to examine Xu Jiali. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Xu Jiali’s tongue was perfectly intact. She then felt her throat, but Mrs. Xie couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary.

Xu Jiali pointed upstairs and began gesticulating wildly, but no one could understand what she was trying to say.

”Yan Qiu, how is she?” her grandmother asked anxiously.

Mrs. Xie shook her head. ”I can’t find anything wrong.”

”How can she be unable to speak if there’s nothing wrong? Yan Qiu, check her again, more carefully,” her grandmother insisted.

”Mom, why don’t we have Xiao Mei come down and take a look?” Mrs. Xie truly couldn’t find anything wrong, and Qin Mei specialized in strange and difficult cases.

Xu Jiali nodded furiously. ’My muteness is because Qin Mei stuck me with a needle! She said I’d be fine after taking some medicine back home, but I haven’t even gotten the medicine yet, and Jie Jingchen already dragged her upstairs!’

”Jing Shan, you go get her,” her grandmother said to Jie Jingshan.

Jie Jingshan rubbed the back of her still-sore neck, feeling thoroughly annoyed. ’Just because I didn’t sell out my aunt doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven her.’

”I’ll go,” Mrs. Xie volunteered, heading for the stairs.

「On the third floor.」

Inside the room, Jie Jingchen had pulled Qin Mei into the bathroom and was wiping her red lips with a damp towel.

”There won’t be a next time,” Jie Jingchen’s deep voice rumbled with his usual arrogance.

”She’s your aunt,” Qin Mei said carelessly. ’He’s so petty. That young man was practically hanging all over him, and did I say anything? Besides, I was only doing it to provide a cover for him.’

”Not even my aunt is allowed.” Jie Jingchen thought of Xu Jiali’s tendency to go wild, and a headache bloomed. ’Didn’t she go to her boyfriend’s house to meet his parents? Didn’t she say she’d be staying for a few days? Why is she back so soon?’