Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 120: Chapter 54: Don’t Wash Your Hair During Special Times

”Agh!” Jie Jingjue snapped back to his senses and reached for the medicine pot, burning his palm.

”Careful, it’s hot,” Qin Mei reminded him, but she was a step too late.

Jie Jingjue looked at his reddened palm, his expression full of grievance. ”Fourth Sister-in-law.”

”Where’s your Fourth Brother?” Qin Mei asked, picking up a nearby towel. She wrapped it around the handle of the medicine pot and poured the medicine into a bowl.

”I don’t know.” There was contempt in Jie Jingjue’s eyes as he looked at Qin Mei. He reminded her, ”This is Fourth Brother’s medicine.”

Qin Mei rolled her eyes at Jie Jingjue. ”I can tell whose medicine is whose just by the smell. I only asked to see if you were reliable.”

Jie Jingjue was speechless.

Qin Mei poured Jie Jingshan’s medicine into another bowl and carried it out of the kitchen.

”When you see your Fourth Brother, make sure he drinks his medicine.”

Qin Mei’s words made Jie Jingjue stare blankly at the medicine in the bowl, his mind flashing to the story of Wu Dalang and Pan Jinlian.

’Wu Dalang... But Fourth Brother’s looks and build are better than even Ximen Qing’s.’

’If Qin Mei were to poison Fourth Brother to death, it would be an unforgivable injustice.’

Qin Mei suddenly returned to the kitchen. Under Jie Jingjue’s confused gaze, she picked up a rolling pin and walked out again.

Jie Jingjue frowned, full of suspicion. He muttered to himself, ”What’s the rolling pin for?”

When Qin Mei returned to Jie Jingshan’s room, Mrs. Xie had already helped her get dressed. Seeing Qin Mei holding a medicine bowl in one hand and a rolling pin in the other, Mrs. Xie’s eyes flickered with confusion.

”Xiao Mei, what’s the rolling pin for?”

”It’ll be useful in a bit.” Qin Mei didn’t explain further, handing the medicine bowl to Jie Jingshan.

Jie Jingshan took it and drank it all in one go. Qin Mei placed a candied fruit by Jing Qi’s mouth. Jing Qi froze, not opening her mouth, and instead stared at Qin Mei.

”Today’s medicine is very bitter,” Qin Mei said with a slight smile.

”Fourth Sister-in-law, I’m not afraid of bitterness.” Jie Jingshan gave a bitter smile, but at Qin Mei’s insistence, she obediently opened her mouth and took the candied fruit.

Jie Jingshan’s words made Qin Mei’s heart ache. Jing Qi was only fourteen. How could a girl of that age, in the flower of her youth, truly not be afraid of bitterness? But to her, what was the bitterness of medicine compared to the paralysis in her legs?

”Jing Qi, are you afraid of pain?” Qin Mei asked, her tone casual but her question deliberate.

Jie Jingshan hesitated for a few seconds, then smiled until her eyes crinkled and shook her head solemnly. ”I’m not.”

’Not afraid of bitterness, not afraid of pain... How is that possible?’

Qin Mei took the empty bowl from Jie Jingshan’s hand and passed it to Mrs. Xie, who was standing nearby. Qin Mei then cupped Jie Jingshan’s face. Her once pale and gaunt cheeks, thanks to Qin Mei’s efforts these past few days, were still thin but now had a healthy, rosy color.

”Jing Qi, today, I will show you a glimmer of hope,” Qin Mei said, each word slow and distinct.

Jie Jingshan looked at Qin Mei, her soulful eyes shimmering with light. She understood Qin Mei’s words but was filled with confusion and doubt.

She still remembered her fourth sister-in-law’s words clearly.

”As long as you cooperate with my treatment and don’t interfere with my work, I’ll give it my all. I guarantee that within three months, you’ll be able to get out of bed and stand. As for walking, or even running, that will depend on your physical therapy afterward.”

Those words from Qin Mei were etched into her mind, verbatim.

’Fourth Sister-in-law promised three months, but the treatment only started a few days ago. Could it be...’

”Fourth Sister-in-law.” Jie Jingshan’s voice trembled with an excitement she couldn’t suppress.

”Xiao Mei, after today’s treatment, will Jing Qi’s legs be healed?” Mrs. Xie also couldn’t hide her excitement.

”Ma, I said a glimmer of hope,” Qin Mei said helplessly. She let go of Jie Jingshan’s face, raised a hand, and rubbed the bridge of her nose. ’Did I phrase that wrong?’

A flash of disappointment flickered in Jie Jingshan’s eyes and was gone. Afraid of discouraging Qin Mei, Jie Jingshan immediately flashed a sweet, toothy smile and said in a light tone, ”Fourth Sister-in-law, it’s only been a few days of treatment. Three months is still a long way off.”

Qin Mei froze. She had promised she could get Jing Qi standing within three months, and Jing Qi had taken it to heart.

For someone with paralyzed legs, a promise like that was a lifeline. How could she not have it etched deep in her heart and soul?

”I was the one who got ahead of herself. Xiao Mei, don’t take it to heart, and don’t feel pressured. Jing Qi’s legs...” Mrs. Xie trailed off. She had wanted to say that Qin Mei should just do her best, and that if Jing Qi couldn’t be cured, it was alright—no one would blame her, and she shouldn’t feel burdened. But she knew that saying something so negative in front of Jing Qi would extinguish the very hope and fighting spirit that had just been rekindled.

Qin Mei didn’t respond to Mrs. Xie. She knew that actions would be far more convincing than any promise.

”Jing Qi, bite down on this.” Qin Mei handed the rolling pin to Jie Jingshan.

”Fourth Sister-in-law, I’m not afraid of pain,” Jie Jingshan refused.