Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man-Chapter 139 - 60: Jie Jingchen, You Bastard (Part 2)

"Zhang Hongying?" Qin Mei stared blankly at Mrs. Xie, the name not registering for a moment.

"Aunt Zhang," Mrs. Xie said.

Qin Mei paused for a second before it clicked. She smiled. "If she’s coming back, she’s coming back."

"Sigh!" Mrs. Xie sighed heavily.

"Mom, you don’t want Aunt Zhang to come back?" Qin Mei asked, her curiosity piqued. She had a feeling this was why Jing Qi was in such a foul mood earlier. She wasn’t sure how her mother-in-law felt about it, but Jing Qi definitely didn’t want Aunt Zhang to return.

Mrs. Xie shook her head and explained, "Zhang Hongying’s return means the second and third sons and their wives will all be coming back too. Ugh! It’s only been peaceful for a few days, and now things are about to get stirred up again."

Qin Mei fell silent. ’It’s been quiet for just a few days. With Xu Chunyan back, the whole house is probably going to be in an uproar again.’

Ever since Xu Anshan came to their house to cause a scene and was carted off to the Public Security Bureau, Xu Chunyan hadn’t returned. No one else from the Xu Family had come to make trouble, either. And no one had come looking for her to reset Xu Chunwang’s jaw.

’As for Xu Chunwang’s jaw, no one besides me could actually reset it. Not unless Xu Chunyan could find someone who understood the body’s acupoints even better than I do.’

’Then again, there’s always someone better out there. Especially in this day and age, there are plenty of hidden masters.’

"I don’t have any issue with the third son and his wife, but the second son and his... ugh! Xu Chunyan is truly... I don’t even know how to describe her." Just thinking about Xu Chunyan made Mrs. Xie’s head ache.

"Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll handle whatever they throw at us," Qin Mei said reassuringly.

’I won’t bother anyone who doesn’t bother me. But if they mess with me, I’ll eradicate them completely. No, no, no! What am I thinking, "eradicate them completely"? I can’t do anything illegal. It’s not worth ruining my own life over someone like Xu Chunyan.’

Qin Mei’s attempt at comforting her didn’t work. Mrs. Xie remained worried, though she didn’t voice any more complaints.

"Mom, why don’t you tell me about Aunt Zhang?" Qin Mei had a feeling Aunt Zhang was a real piece of work. ’She’s Mr. Xie’s first wife’s younger sister,’ she reasoned. ’Logically, if the sisters were close, and she wanted to take care of the three children her sister left behind, it would have been a perfect outcome for everyone if Mr. Xie had married her, assuming the feelings were mutual.’

’But Mr. Xie married my mother-in-law, so he clearly wasn’t interested in Aunt Zhang. And since she stood by and watched him marry someone else, she must not have had feelings for him either. So why is Jing Qi’s reaction so hostile? He obviously can’t stand Aunt Zhang.’

’And why would my mother-in-law have felt comfortable entrusting Jing Qi to her care?’

"She’s fine." Mrs. Xie’s two simple words were laden with an unspoken, profound meaning. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The corner of Qin Mei’s mouth twitched. ’So concise. It’s like she said something and nothing at all.’ Seeing Mrs. Xie’s clear ’let’s-drop-it’ expression, she didn’t press any further.

"Xiao Mei, come on. I’m taking you to the black market," Mrs. Xie said in a low voice.

Qin Mei was stunned. ’The black market again?’ Jie Jingchen had just warned her that very day not to let his mother go to the black market.

"But Mom, it’s not dark out," Qin Mei said, looking up at the darkening sky.

"It’s fine. By the time we get to the black market, it’ll be dark." Mrs. Xie gave Qin Mei no chance to refuse, turning and heading back toward the house to get a bicycle.

Qin Mei was inwardly reluctant, but seeing her mother-in-law’s determined expression, she figured the woman would probably drag her there by force if she refused.

Without even changing, Mrs. Xie hopped on her bicycle and waited for Qin Mei to get on the back.

"Mom, shouldn’t we change into a disguise or something?" Qin Mei asked, not moving. ’It can’t be a good idea to go to the black market looking so conspicuous.’

"No need." Mrs. Xie patted the rear seat again. "Hurry and get on."

"Mom, we’re going to the black market, not the department store," Qin Mei reminded her.

"We’re not buying anything this time," Mrs. Xie said.

"Not buying anything?" Qin Mei faltered, then asked, "Then what are we going to the black market for?"

’Just to look around? Is it really worth the risk to go to the black market just to browse?’

"To browse." Mrs. Xie’s red lips parted as she uttered a single, arrogant word.

Qin Mei was speechless. ’You’re wild, you’re reckless... I give up. You win.’

Looking as if she were accompanying a hero to her doom, Qin Mei obediently got on the bicycle. Mr. Xie rushed out of the kitchen, shouting, "Where are you two going now?"

"Xiao Mei ate too much and has a stomachache. I’m taking her to the hospital," Mrs. Xie replied without batting an eye.

Qin Mei stared at the sky. ’My mother-in-law is such a smooth liar. That excuse sounds so legitimate, how can I possibly call her out on it? Of course, I can’t. Looks like I’ll have to take the blame for this one.’

"Don’t take the bicycle. Use my car, I’ll drive you," Mr. Xie said, wiping his hands on his apron and reaching behind him to untie it.

"Do you even know how to drive?" Mrs. Xie’s words struck a nerve.

Mr. Xie froze, his hands still behind his back. He instantly came up with a solution. "I’ll ride the bicycle to Xiao Wang’s house."