Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 51: Chapter 32: Fourth Brother, She Doesn’t Love You

Mr. Xie was livid. He raised his hand and slapped Xu Chunyan hard across the face. ”Jingwei’s wife, you’ve disappointed me deeply.”

”AHH!” Xu Chunyan shrieked as she collapsed to the floor. Her already burning cheek was struck again by Mr. Xie, piling injury upon injury. She stared up at him in disbelief. ”Dad.”

’Her father-in-law hit her. Her own father-in-law actually hit her.’

”He’s Jing Si, Jing Er’s fourth brother! And you’re Jing Er’s wife! How could you swing a knife at him? How could you bring yourself to do it?” Mr. Xie scolded, his voice sharp with disappointment and accusation.

In a contest between son and daughter-in-law, it was at moments like this that one’s true standing was revealed.

”Dad.” Jie Jingwei emerged from the bathroom with his son after their shower. It wasn’t that he hadn’t heard the commotion outside; his wife could stir up trouble with anyone. As long as it was nothing serious, he seldom got involved.

But when he heard the word ”knife,” he realized something major had happened.

Seeing Xu Chunyan’s face clearly, Jie Jingwei jumped. He froze for several seconds before snapping out of it and rushing to her side. ”Honey, what happened to your face?” he asked with concern.

”I...” Tears streamed down Xu Chunyan’s face, a portrait of profound grievance.

”Mommy, WAAAH, Mommy’s face is ruined!” Jie You burst into loud sobs.

But as bad as Xu Chunyan’s face looked, the fact that she had swung a knife at Jie Jingchen was far more appalling.

If Mr. Xie hadn’t personally witnessed Xu Chunyan swing that knife at Jie Jingchen, would he be at all concerned about her face?

”Xiao You.” Xu Chunyan was happier to see her son than her own husband. It’s often said that love skips a generation; her father-in-law had many sons, but Jie You was his only grandson. ”Xiao You, *sob*, my boy, they’re bullying me...”

”Jing Wu, take Xiao You to your room,” Mr. Xie interrupted. He could read Xu Chunyan’s intentions like an open book. She had already swung a knife at Jing Si; if he let her off lightly for Xiao You’s sake, Yan Qiu would divorce him and take her children back to Xiangjiang.

Yan Qiu had always been generous toward the children from his previous marriage. He wasn’t blind to the fact that Jingwei’s wife was constantly provoking her, but as long as Yan Qiu didn’t mention it, he wouldn’t ask, pretending to be oblivious.

Yan Qiu was very tolerant of the children, but she had a bottom line. Her bottom line was Jing Si and her other sons.

”Yes, Dad.” At his father’s command, Jie Jingjue ignored Jie You’s struggles and forcibly carried him away.

”Let me go, Fifth Uncle! Let me go! WAAAH! Mom, Dad, save me!” Jie You wailed and struggled.

”Save you from what? I’m your Fifth Uncle; am I going to hurt you? Grandpa was the one who told me to take you to my room to play.” Jie Jingjue hoisted Jie You up and gave his butt a light smack. ”Man, you’re heavy. You should watch what you eat, or you’ll get fat. Pretty girls don’t like fat boys.”

Offended at being called fat, Jie You pouted. ”I’m not fat! Teacher Lin said...”

Hearing the name ”Teacher Lin,” Jie Jingjue felt a massive headache coming on. This whole mess between his second and fourth sisters-in-law was because of that very same Teacher Lin.

”Shut up.” Jie Jingjue clamped a hand over the little guy’s mouth.

”MMPH MMPH!” Jie You’s cries were muffled.

”Xiao You!” With her savior forcibly carried off, Xu Chunyan sank into despair.

With Mr. Xie now in charge, Mrs. Xie, Jie Jingchen, and Qin Mei all remained silent.

Shrewd as ever, Qin Mei had a sudden realization the moment Mr. Xie appeared. ’No wonder Jie Jingchen suddenly backed off,’ she thought. ’The man is devious and cunning.’

Qin Mei, however, didn’t approve of his methods. ’It’s a Pyrrhic victory,’ she mused. ’Killing a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred of your own. It’s not worth it.’

”Dad, what on earth happened?” Jie Jingwei wasn’t an idiot, but he played the part. ’Dad is this furious,’ he thought. ’What else can I do but feign ignorance and hope to get through this?’

Mr. Xie’s brow furrowed in displeasure. His expression stern, he shot back, ”Is the bathroom in this house soundproof?”

Jie Jingwei froze, stunned that his father would show him no deference whatsoever.

”Your precious wife swung a knife at your fourth brother. Jing Er, look at your brother’s back. Does that not pain you at all?” Mr. Xie demanded.

Jie Jingwei was left speechless. He glanced at Jie Jingchen’s back. Honestly, he felt no pain for his brother; he only felt for his wife’s swollen face.

Jie Jingwei turned back to his wife, his eyes filled with pain for her. ”Dad, there must be some misunderstanding. I know my wife, she...”

”A misunderstanding? I saw it with my own eyes.” Mr. Xie cut Jie Jingwei off, his voice laced with bitter disappointment. ”Jing Er, your bias can’t be this blatant. Even if they had a misunderstanding and argued, what family conflict can’t be resolved without resorting to a knife? Jing Si is your fourth brother, not your enemy! When your wife swung that knife at Jing Si, did she for one moment remember that he’s your brother?”

Jie Jingwei had no rebuttal. It was true that his wife had swung a knife at Jing Si, and his father had witnessed it. There was no room for excuses. ’Really, my wife...’ he thought in frustration. ’Why did she have to pull out a knife?’