Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 39: Chapter 28: Taking Jing 7 Out

”Okay, wait for me.” Qin Mei smiled, then went inside and shut the door. Afraid Jie Jingshan might change her mind, she quickly changed clothes, combed her hair, and washed her face.

Jie Jingchen’s devilishly handsome face couldn’t hold back a smile. Yesterday, Qin Mei had gotten Jing Qi out of her room. Today, she was getting her out of the courtyard.

Qin Mei tied her hair up in a bun, looking youthful and confident. She wore a white shirt with black pants and a light jacket. The weather was still a bit chilly, so she was clearly choosing style over warmth.

Jie Jingchen was also dressed lightly, while Jie Jingshan was bundled up. Worried she’d get cold, Jie Jingchen even placed a military greatcoat over her legs.

She hadn’t left the courtyard in four years. The moment Qin Mei pushed her wheelchair toward the gate, she was still terrified, timidly wanting to retreat. But then she remembered Qin Mei’s threat, and the hope of being able to stand again, and she forced herself to control her trembling body.

To ease the tension and distract her, Jie Jingchen asked Qin Mei, ”Dressed so lightly, aren’t you cold?”

Jie Jingshan turned her head to look at Qin Mei behind her.

Seizing the opportunity, Jie Jingchen and Qin Mei lifted the wheelchair over the threshold. By the time Jie Jingshan realized what was happening, she was already outside the courtyard gate.

Gazing at the world outside the courtyard she hadn’t seen in so long, Jie Jingshan suddenly wasn’t afraid anymore. In that single moment, it seemed she had conquered her fear.

”I’m not cold. I’m young,” Qin Mei finally replied, her eyes fixed on Jie Jingshan. ’If Jing Qi had resisted leaving or had an extreme reaction, I would have given up on taking her out.’

’Yesterday I scared her until she fainted. If I scare her into a worse state today, I’ll be the one to blame.’

Jie Jingchen stopped in his tracks. ’What does being cold have to do with age?’ he wondered.

’Or is she implying that I’m old?’ She was eighteen and he was twenty-five—a full seven years her senior.

On second thought, his father was also seven years older than his mother. ’The difference between Dad and me is that he’d already been married and had three kids.’

”Jing Qi!” a shocked voice cried out.

Jie Jingchen and Qin Mei both froze, their eyes, now fixed on Jing Qi, filling with worry.

They had just stepped out the door and already ran into someone they knew. ’Logically, at this hour, people should be at work or school, and the aunties and uncles who went grocery shopping should be back home by now.’ Qin Mei had deliberately picked a quiet time to leave, yet they still ran into someone.

This person was none other than Second Auntie, on her way home from buying groceries.

”Second Auntie,” Jie Jingshan called out politely. There was no sign of insecurity or timidity; outside of her family, Second Auntie was the only person she didn’t mind seeing.

Second Auntie hurried forward, looking Jie Jingshan over. ’This poor child has such a cruel fate, suffering a terrible accident and ending up disabled.’ Second Auntie’s heart truly ached for her.

”Jing Qi, it really is you.” Second Auntie’s face was a mask of disbelief as tears streamed down her weathered cheeks while she stared at Jie Jingshan.

”Second Auntie,” Jie Jingchen said, a hint of warning in his voice. If he didn’t know that Second Auntie genuinely cared for Jing Qi, he would have lost his temper on the spot.

Jing Qi couldn’t stand gazes of sympathy, pity, ridicule, or judgment.

”Oh, look at me. Must’ve gotten some sand in my eye.” Second Auntie sniffled and wiped her tears. She looked up at Jie Jingchen and asked in a choked voice, ”Jing Si, where are you taking Jing Qi?”

”To the traditional medicine pharmacy,” Jie Jingchen answered honestly.

The moment she heard ”traditional medicine pharmacy,” Second Auntie’s expression grew wary. She pulled Jie Jingchen aside and warned in a hushed voice, ”Jing Si, you need to be careful. You know Jing Qi’s condition; she can’t handle being messed with like this. Does your mother know about this?”

Jing Qi almost never left the house unless it was to get treatment for her legs. Second Auntie had seen how much she’d been put through over the past four years, and her heart ached for her.

Jie Jingchen looked at Second Auntie, feeling utterly helpless. ”Second Auntie...”

”Jing Si, you tell me the truth. Are you using some folk remedy on Jing Qi behind your parents’ backs?” Second Auntie demanded, her face stern.

Faced with Second Auntie’s accusation, Jie Jingchen was at a loss for how to explain.

”Was this your wife’s idea? Or that girl’s idea?” Second Auntie was suddenly on high alert. ’That girl I met this morning seemed incredibly unreliable.’

”What girl?” Jie Jingchen asked, confused.

”You know... that sloppy-looking girl your mother hired to take care of Jing Qi temporarily. What was her name again? I think I heard her say it was... Qin Mei.” Second Auntie clapped her hands and said with conviction, ”Yes, that’s it! Qin Mei.”

A complex series of emotions flickered across Jie Jingchen’s face. He raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. ’So that’s how she introduced herself to Second Auntie? Is being my wife so embarrassing?’

Jie Jingchen’s face darkened as he shot a look at Qin Mei.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Qin Mei didn’t dare to meet his gaze. Instead, she tilted her head back and pretended to admire the blue sky and white clouds.