Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 46: Chapter 30: Fourth Sister-in-law, Are You an Idiot? (Part 2)

Shen Qing cut right to the chase. ”How confident are you about treating Jing Qi’s leg?”

Shen Qing had a cold personality, but she wasn’t duplicitous and had a kind heart. Qin Mei wasn’t opposed to becoming good friends with someone like her. Of course, it was difficult to get close to such a reserved person, but once you did, you’d be friends for life.

Qin Mei hesitated for a few seconds, then said, ”Fifty percent.”

Qin Mei admitted she was testing Shen Qing, wanting to see how she would react to a mere fifty percent chance of success.

Shen Qing looked taken aback for a moment, murmuring, ”Fifty percent.”

Qin Mei smiled silently, patiently waiting for Shen Qing’s response.

However, Shen Qing didn’t say much more, offering only two words. ”Very good.”

As she watched Shen Qing go inside, Qin Mei was bewildered. ’She wasn’t being sarcastic; she really thought it was good.’

’She could accept a fifty percent chance. And here I was, telling Jie Jingchen it was seventy percent, Mrs. Xie eighty percent, and Jing Qi a full hundred percent. Jie Jingjue was the only one who hadn’t asked me for the odds.’

Qin Mei returned to the room, put the washbasin away, and saw Jie Jingchen was still reading. She asked, ”Jie Jingchen, are you hungry?”

They’d had a huge lunch, but after walking all the way home, she was starting to feel hungry.

Jie Jingchen put down his book. ”What would you like to eat?”

’Oh, can I place an order?’ Qin Mei thought, delighted. ”I’d like to have...”

”Xiao Mei.” Mr. and Mrs. Xie had returned.

”Dad, Mom.” Qin Mei turned, smiling at the couple in the doorway.

Mr. and Mrs. Xie came in, and Qin Mei, ever so thoughtful, invited the couple to sit down.

”Here, Xiao Mei.” Mrs. Xie handed something to Qin Mei.

Qin Mei marveled at Mrs. Xie’s efficiency. She took the items and unwrapped the kraft paper, staring at the two medicinal herbs inside. The sheer quantity shocked her. In the future, this stuff would be sold by the gram. It would have been incredible if Mrs. Xie had managed to find even a couple of ounces, but this was over half a pound per herb—a full pound of rare medicine in total.

Qin Mei wanted to ask Mrs. Xie for her source, but on second thought, she felt it would be too presumptuous. ’As long as I have the herbs, that’s what matters. Asking about her connections... forget what they’d think, even I’d feel like I had ulterior motives.’

”Is it enough?” Mrs. Xie asked.

”It’s enough.” Qin Mei wrapped the paper back up. She had to store this carefully; it was far too valuable.

”Good, as long as it’s enough.” Mrs. Xie sighed in relief.

”When will you start treating Xiao Qiao’s leg?” Mr. Xie asked.

”Tomorrow,” Qin Mei replied.

”Tomorrow.” The couple started in unison, exchanging a look. A light flashed in Mrs. Xie’s eyes. ”I’ll take the day off tomorrow and stay home to help you.”

As a doctor, Mrs. Xie figured she could be of use to Qin Mei at home.

”I’ll take the day off too,” Mr. Xie added, not to be outdone. The machinery plant was busy, and he was the director, but for the sake of Jing Qi’s leg, he was willing to miss a day’s work.

His wife always complained that he didn’t care enough about his family, that he was always preoccupied with the factory. She felt that, in his heart, the plant always came first. This time, he would use his actions to show her that while the factory was important, treating Jing Qi’s leg was just as important.

Hearing this, Mrs. Xie was very pleased. She glanced sideways at her husband, a hint of playful reproach in her smile. ”About time you showed some initiative and remembered your duties as a father.”

”The plant is nothing compared to our Xiao Qiao’s treatment,” Mr. Xie said, pressing his advantage. His ardent gaze was fixed on his beautiful wife. Even after bearing four children, she was as captivating and charming as the day he met her.

After so many years of marriage, Mrs. Xie knew that look all too well.

Seeing her in-laws about to get lovey-dovey, Qin Mei couldn’t help but interject. ”Dad, Mom, there’s no need. Jie Jingchen will be here to help, so you don’t have to stay.”

Qin Mei had expected the couple to insist, thinking she would have to spend a while talking them out of it. But to her surprise...

”Alright, then. There are a lot of patients these days, so it wouldn’t be easy to get a day off,” Mrs. Xie said.

”And I don’t know the first thing about medicine. I’d only be getting in your way if I stayed,” Mr. Xie added.

Qin Mei was speechless. ’I bet they weren’t serious about taking the day off,’ she thought. ’It was just an empty offer. Even if I hadn’t said anything, they’d probably have found an excuse to leave tomorrow anyway.’

”Your work is important,” Qin Mei said thoughtfully. ”Don’t worry about Jing Qi. Just leave everything to Jie Jingchen and me.”

Mrs. Xie looked at her daughter-in-law, liking her more and more. Jie Jingchen had brought home such a wonderful and considerate wife for her.

”In that case, I’ll leave the car for you, just in case you need it. I’ll ride my bike to work tomorrow,” Mr. Xie offered, sacrificing his beloved car.

Qin Mei was even more speechless. ’He didn’t leave the car for us today, but he’s leaving it for tomorrow when we’re not even going out? We won’t need it.’ She was about to refuse, but she swallowed her words.

’Just in case...’ She suddenly understood. Mr. Xie was worried something might go wrong during the treatment. He was leaving the car so they could rush Jing Qi to the hospital immediately, without wasting precious time waiting for a vehicle.