Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 177: Chapter 73: Xiao Mei, Who on Earth Are You?

Qin Mei had it all planned out. A bathroom would be built behind Jie Jingchen’s room with a private entrance, making it exclusively for their use. The same would be done behind Jie Jingshan’s room, and behind Jie Jingjue’s room as well... No, ’it’s not Jie Jingjue’s room anymore.’

All three rooms would be converted into master suites with attached bathrooms. By shifting the layout slightly, the extra space created would be turned into a kitchen.

The thought of not having to run outside to use the toilet in the future made Qin Mei laugh out loud.

”What are you laughing about?” Jie Jingchen stopped and looked at the giggling Qin Mei.

Qin Mei stopped too, beaming at Jie Jingchen. ”Once we build the bathroom and kitchen, bathing and using the toilet will be so much more convenient.”

A glint appeared in Jie Jingchen’s eyes, and a smile touched his lips. He handed her the flashlight. ”Go on in. I’ll wait for you out here.”

Qin Mei froze for a moment and glanced at the public toilet. ’This is my first time in one of these.’ She took the flashlight and went inside.

When Qin Mei came out of the public toilet, her expression was grim. She was starting to regret knocking Hu Wan’er out and leaving her in there.

After an exhausting night, Qin Mei returned to her room and crashed into bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

While awake, Qin Mei would modestly keep a safe distance from Jie Jingchen. But once asleep, she’d snuggle up to wherever it was warmest, sleeping in whatever position was most comfortable. It would have been one thing if she just hugged him in her sleep, but her hands were restless, groping here and pinching there. If he weren’t certain she was fast asleep, Jie Jingchen would have suspected she was teasing him on purpose.

「The next day」

Qin Mei was woken by a commotion. The noise was coming from behind the house. She was startled at first, then suddenly wide awake. ’They’re starting construction on the kitchen and bathroom today!’ Qin Mei quickly got out of bed and changed.

Qin Mei went out back and saw Jie Jingchen directing several workers, holding the construction plans she had drawn. Her eyes twinkled. ’He really looks the part. He’d look even more official with a hard hat on.’

”Jie Jingchen,” Qin Mei called.

Jie Jingchen paused, then turned to smile at her. ”Did the noise wake you?”

Qin Mei smiled and shook her head. ’Jie Jingchen is a man of action, he gets things done immediately. I like that.’

”It’s too noisy at home. I’ll have Jing Wu take you and Jing Qi out for a while.” Jie Jingchen didn’t say the word ”bank” out loud.

”Okay.” Qin Mei accepted his arrangement. ’He has to stay here and supervise the workers, but he’s not comfortable with me taking Jing Qi out alone, so he’s sending Jing Wu with us.’ ”Have you taken your medicine?”

”I have.” Jie Jingchen nodded, a warmth spreading through his chest. ’Having her make sure I take my medicine... it’s a wonderful feeling.’ ”Jing Qi’s medicine is warming in the pot.”

”Mm-hm.” Qin Mei hummed in acknowledgment, but then a sudden thought made worry flash in her eyes, and she grew agitated. ”Jie Jingchen, didn’t I tell you? Your and Jing Qi’s medicine should never leave your sight!”

”Aunt Zhang isn’t home,” Jie Jingchen said, understanding her concern.

Qin Mei breathed a sigh of relief. ’Good, as long as Aunt Zhang isn’t here. You can never truly know a person’s heart, and I wouldn’t dare risk their medicine on Aunt Zhang’s supposed goodwill.’ Curious, she asked, ”If she’s not here, where did she go?”

”The hospital.” Jie Jingchen’s expression was a little strange as he stared at her.

”Did Hu Wan’er really catch a cold?” Qin Mei wasn’t surprised. ’That was to be expected.’

Jie Jingchen didn’t answer, his expression unusually grim.

”A bad cold?” Qin Mei asked tentatively.

’In this era, with medicine so scarce, even a bad cold could be fatal.’

”Qin Mei,” Jie Jingchen began, looking at her intently, but then he hesitated.

”Jie Jingchen, is her life in danger?” Qin Mei’s expression tensed. ’I only wanted to teach Hu Wan’er a lesson, I never wanted her dead.’

”Qin Mei, this isn’t your fault.” Seeing her face drain of color, worry creased his brow.

”Jie Jingchen, if something really happens to her... will I have to pay for it with my life?” Fear gripped Qin Mei. ’A life for a life, it’s the oldest law there is.’

”No, she won’t. Nothing will happen to her. Mom will save her.” Jie Jingchen wrapped an arm around her waist and, with a quick turn, pulled her out of the workers’ line of sight. The men were busy and had no idea what the young couple was talking about.

”Jie Jingchen, I... I’m not that vicious. I didn’t want to kill her,” Qin Mei said, her voice laced with guilt. ’Hu Wan’er tried to take Jing Qi’s room, she’s after Jie Jingchen, and she even tried to keep me from using the toilet by hogging it. I was just so angry that I wanted to teach her a lesson. But if she really dies because of it... that lesson is far too severe.’

”I know.” Jie Jingchen held her trembling body tightly, patting her back gently. ”Qin Mei, don’t worry. Hu Wan’er will be fine.”

”I controlled the dosage. She should have woken up in four hours, at most. Four hours unconscious in a toilet... it shouldn’t be life-threatening.” Qin Mei’s voice trembled uncontrollably. ’But everyone’s body is different. I didn’t even check her pulse. I knew nothing about her constitution before I drugged her.’ Qin Mei was filled with regret. ’When did I become so petty?’