Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 266: Chapter 101: Jing Si’s Grandpa and Granny

”Jing Si, have you forgotten your Granny now that you’re married?” Granny demanded, glaring at Jie Jingchen.

The old lady was used to being domineering. Her word was law, and she wouldn’t tolerate any defiance from the younger generation. The three children of her first daughter-in-law, Zhang Hongyan, hadn’t dared to breathe too loudly in her presence when they were little. After Zhang Hongyan died, her eldest son married a young lady from a prominent family.

She had expected that when her son married up, the whole family would benefit. But Qiao Yanqiu was strong-willed. Right after marrying the eldest son, she persuaded him to move out with his three children. Now his family lived in a spacious courtyard home, while she and Grandpa, along with their youngest son, were left in the cramped house assigned by the machinery factory, where even using the toilet was an ordeal.

The courtyard they lived in was so spacious, with plenty of rooms; it was more than big enough for her and Grandpa to move in with their youngest son’s family. She had brought it up with her eldest son many times, but he always refused. ’He forgot his own mother the moment he got a wife.’ It drove her mad.

”Are you tired?” Jie Jingchen ignored Granny and looked at Qin Mei with gentle concern.

Qin Mei was stunned for a moment, and before she could react, Jie Jingchen took her hand and led her away.

”Jing Si,” Granny called out, her voice filled with fury.

”Granny,” Xu Chunyan whispered, tugging on the old woman’s sleeve. ”Granny, Aunt Zhang is still locked up.”

”Don’t call her Aunt Zhang. Does she deserve it?” Granny snapped, glaring at Xu Chunyan.

”You’re right, you’re right, she doesn’t deserve it. Mrs. Zhang is still locked up, waiting for you, Grandpa, and Dad to deal with her,” Xu Chunyan said, quickly agreeing with the old woman.

Granny was satisfied by the switch to ”Mrs. Zhang.” It was a title that clearly designated a housekeeper.

Shen Qing and Jie Jinghun glanced at Xu Chunyan in unison. Shen Qing’s expression remained as cold as ever, while a flicker of contempt crossed Jie Jinghun’s otherwise gentle eyes.

Seeing that his father was out of immediate danger, Jie Jinghun prepared to leave with Shen Qing.

Seeing them about to leave, Granny immediately called out to stop them. ”Jing San! Third Wife of Jing! Jing Si and his wife already took off. Where do you two think you’re going?”

”Granny, Dad’s fine now. There’s no reason for us to stay,” Jie Jinghun said.

”No reason? Jing Si and his wife are unfilial. Are you two going to follow their example?” Granny demanded. Without giving Jie Jinghun a chance to reply, she ordered, ”Your father’s bed is still wet, and he’s soaked through. Go change his sheets and bedding.”

”Granny, are you sure you want me to do that?” Jie Jinghun asked, his tone grave.

”Change them,” Granny said firmly. ’How is he supposed to sleep otherwise?’

”Granny, if I change them, it’ll be impossible for Dad to clear his name,” Jie Jinghun reminded her.

Granny didn’t understand. ”What do you mean?”

”Whatever you say. If you want them changed, I’ll change them.” Jie Jinghun rolled up his sleeves, ready to start.

”Don’t change them!” Xu Chunyan interjected.

”Second Daughter-in-law Jing,” Granny said, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

”Granny, the sheets and bedding are the only evidence proving Dad and Aunt—I mean, Mrs. Zhang’s, innocence! If we change them, the proof will be gone. When Aunt Qiao gets back, we’ll have no way to explain ourselves,” Xu Chunyan said in a rush.

Granny’s expression changed as it dawned on her. The evidence was important, but her eldest son’s health was more so. ”I already said we have to keep this from Yan Qiu.”

”You can hide it for now, but not forever. Granny, there’s no way to keep this a secret. Fourth Sister-in-law is great at getting on Aunt Qiao’s good side. The moment Aunt Qiao gets back, she’ll definitely tell her,” Xu Chunyan said.

”She’d dare? If she dares to defy me, I won’t spare her,” Granny said viciously.

”Why wouldn’t she dare? She’s the one who instigated Jing Si to split from the family, and she had Aunt Qiao’s full support. She even had Jing Wu moved into the room next to Jing San’s. Granny, you have no idea how capable Fourth Sister-in-law is. Never mind anything else, just look at my Xu Family! My brother, Xu Chunwang, was crippled. My father was sent to the Northwest for labor reform. My mother does nothing but cry all day. And I have to put on a smile every single day while facing the person who destroyed my family.” As Xu Chunyan reached the most painful part of her story, she couldn’t stop a few tears from falling.

Granny had heard about what happened to the Xu Family. They were Second Daughter-in-law Jing’s family, but Granny couldn’t care less about their troubles. She didn’t find them worthy of sympathy. ’They got what they deserved.’

’Ever since Jing Er married Xu Chunyan, her mother and that brother of hers were constantly making a scene at the Jie family home. And Qiao Yanqiu was just as bad, giving them money every time they caused a fuss. If she had so much money to burn, she should have been giving it to me out of filial piety. I’ve had a problem with her letting the Xu Family get away with this for so many years.’

In Granny’s mind, since her eldest son had married Qiao Yanqiu, Qiao Yanqiu’s money and this courtyard all belonged to him. And what belonged to her eldest son belonged to the Jie Family. And what belonged to the Jie Family belonged to *her*. Since it was all hers, she should be the one in control.

She had controlled everything from the moment Zhang Hongyan married into the Jie Family. That power lasted until Zhang Hongyan died and her eldest son married a rich young lady. At first, she was worried. But then she learned that the Qiao Family had moved to Jiangxiang, meaning her son’s marriage to Qiao Yanqiu wouldn’t be politically troublesome. The wealth Qiao Yanqiu brought would only make the Jie Family stronger, like adding wings to a tiger. Only then did she finally relax.

She had tried to control Qiao Yanqiu, but failed. Qiao Yanqiu’s family was too powerful, leaving Granny helpless against her. Even her plan to move into the courtyard with them had failed.

”Second Daughter-in-law Jing, you must remember that you married Jing Er. You’re a member of the Jie Family now. Stop meddling in your own family’s affairs,” Granny said, her voice carrying a clear warning.

Xu Chunyan froze, stunned. She clearly hadn’t expected Granny to be so blunt in telling her not to get involved with her family’s matters. She thought that, logically, Granny would at least show some sympathy for the Xu Family’s tragic circumstances—or, failing that, at least keep quiet about it.

”Let’s go back to our room, honey,” Jie Jinghun said, pulling Shen Qing away. He thought to himself, ’Second Sister-in-law really doesn’t understand Granny. It’s easier to summon a devil than to banish one.’

Seeing Jing San and his wife leave as well, Grandpa looked at his eldest son, who was soaked through and lying on an equally wet bed. He turned to Granny. ”Dear, are you sure we shouldn’t change him?”

Granny shot Grandpa a glare. ”No,” she said bossily. ”Didn’t Second Daughter-in-law Jing just say? If we change the sheets, he won’t be able to clear his name.”

Grandpa looked at his eldest son on the bed, his weary eyes filled with concern. ”But... he’ll get sick,” he said.

”What’s there to be afraid of? Yan Qiu is a doctor. If he gets sick, she’ll fix him right up,” Granny said, her voice hard as iron.

”But he’s the one who’ll be suffering,” Grandpa said, his heart aching for his son.

”He deserves it,” Granny griped. ”It’ll serve as a good lesson and teach him to remember. How many times did I tell him not to keep Zhang Hongying in the house? That woman doesn’t know her place. But not only did he refuse to listen, he even accused *me* of having something against her.”

”But you *do* have something against her,” Grandpa muttered.

”So what if I do? I couldn’t stand her sister, so why would I ever like her?” Granny shot a look at the sleeping Mr. Xie on the bed and snorted. ”See? What did I tell him? He just refused to listen to me. And now look. Were my worries unfounded? No! My prediction came true. Zhang Hongying is a shameless hussy, rotten to the core. And she actually dreamed of becoming my daughter-in-law? Pah! I’d rather my son marry a black widow than let another woman named Zhang step through the door of the Jie Family.”

”Keep your voice down, Jing San and his wife aren’t far,” Grandpa reminded her. He continued, ”Dear, I know you hate Zhang Hongyan. But Jing Ling, Jing Er, and Jing San are her children. They’re all grown up now, with families of their own. You should be a little more mindful of what you say.”

”Mindful of what? Why should I have to be mindful? I don’t like their birth mother! I hate her! So what?” Granny grew agitated at the mention of her former daughter-in-law.

”Zhang Hongyan has been dead for more than twenty years. Our grandchildren are grown. We’re old now, dear. When you get old, you have to learn to yield. Don’t be so domineering. It’s not good for us in our old age,” Grandpa pleaded.

”That’s enough! Stop talking! I get angry just talking to you. They haven’t managed to kill me with anger yet, are you trying to finish the job?” Granny, unwilling to argue further with her husband, grabbed Xu Chunyan’s hand. Her tone was back to being bossy and commanding. ”Let’s go. We’re going to deal with that hussy.”

”Granny,” Xu Chunyan pleaded. She didn’t want to go confront Aunt Zhang. Having betrayed her, she was too ashamed to face her.