Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Qin Xiang paused, asking in confusion, ”Thank me for what?”

”Thank you for introducing Xiao Mei to my Jing Si.” Sincere gratitude shone in Mrs. Xie’s eyes.

Qin Xiang broke into a sweat. Apparently, Jing Si hadn’t told his family why he had married Xiao Mei.

It made sense when he thought about it. Jing Si was such an arrogant man; he’d fallen for his little sister’s trap. Her methods were so despicable that even he, her older brother, was ashamed of them. How could Jing Si possibly bring himself to tell his family?

This was for the best. Since Jing Si hadn’t said anything at the start, he probably wouldn’t say anything now. Otherwise, it would ruin his little sister’s image in Auntie’s eyes.

Qin Xiang scratched his short hair and chuckled. ”Gotta keep the good stuff in the family!”

In Qin Xiang’s mind, Jing Si was the catch. In Mrs. Xie’s mind, Qin Mei was the catch.

”Exactly, exactly. Keep the good stuff in the family,” Mrs. Xie agreed.

Qin Xiang hesitated for a few seconds, then looked at Mrs. Xie and asked tentatively, ”Auntie, would you be able to accept someone who’s been married before...?”

”Qin Xiang.” Jie Jingchen’s glacial voice cut him off. He had heard Qin Xiang’s question the moment he opened the door, and it sent a jolt through him. ’Is this kid really about to tell Mom that Qin Mei has been married before?’

”What is it?” Qin Xiang looked at Jie Jingchen, genuinely confused about what Jing Si was so afraid of. He wasn’t an idiot. Would he really sell out his own sister? He just wanted to test the waters and see if Auntie could accept a daughter-in-law who had been married before.

The fact that Qin Xiang even had such an idea showed how little he understood Jing Si’s mother. Even Jing Si himself would never dare to deliberately test her. It was, without a doubt, digging one’s own grave.

”Is breakfast ready?” Jie Jingchen asked coldly, a dark look clouding his features. ’Thank god I came out in time to stop him.’

”No,” Qin Xiang replied, though he was thinking, ’Am I supposed to make breakfast? Isn’t Jing Si the one who cooks?’

”If it’s not ready, then hurry up and make it. Are you going to take responsibility if I’m late for work?” The cold words slipped from his throat, his attitude utterly indifferent.

The corner of Qin Xiang’s mouth twitched. ”Why would I be responsible for you being late to work?”

”You didn’t make breakfast, which is making me late. You tell me what you’re responsible for,” Jie Jingchen retorted, twisting logic to suit his argument.

Before Qin Xiang could even retort, Mrs. Xie, who was standing nearby, couldn’t take it anymore. Her son was being absolutely shameless. Qin Xiang was a guest, not to mention his own brother-in-law. Instead of trying to get on his good side, he was brazenly ordering him around. Was there any justice in the world?

”Jing Si, you’ve gone too far! Qin Xiang is a guest. How dare you make a guest cook breakfast for you? Is that how I taught you to treat people? You’re blaming him for you being late because breakfast isn’t ready, and you want Xiao Xiang to take responsibility? You really have some nerve. If you don’t want to be late and you want to eat breakfast, why don’t you try waking up earlier? Responsibility? It’ll serve you right if you’re late!” Mrs. Xie scolded her son.

It felt so good to be defended. Qin Xiang savored the feeling. ’It must be nice to have a mom. When you’re wronged, you can run and tell her.’ But the beautiful, elegant woman before him wasn’t his mother; she was Jie Jingchen’s. Suddenly, Qin Xiang missed his own mom.

Jie Jingchen ignored his mother and said to Qin Xiang in a commanding tone, ”Go cook.”

Mrs. Xie was furious. ”Jie Jingchen, Xiao Xiang is your brother-in-law, not your hired help! Xiao Xiang, don’t listen to him. Let’s keep talking.”

”Going or not?” Jie Jingchen’s three icy words were laced with a heavy threat.

”I’ll go!” Qin Xiang shot up from his seat and scurried toward the kitchen.

”Xiao Xiang!” Mrs. Xie was dumbfounded. ’Shouldn’t their roles be reversed?’ She stood up, planted her hands on her hips, and glared at Jie Jingchen. ”Jie Jingchen, did you get kicked in the head by a donkey or something? Just you wait. Offend your brother-in-law now, and you’ll live to regret it the next time you visit your mother-in-law.”

Jie Jingchen looked completely unconcerned. He walked toward the kitchen, buttoning his shirt as he went. He hadn’t actually intended for Qin Xiang to make breakfast. If he had, why would he have woken up so early himself? To exercise?

His objective was simple: stop Qin Xiang from talking to his mom.

Suppressing a simmering rage, Jie Jingchen kicked out at Qin Xiang the moment he stepped into the kitchen.

Qin Xiang dodged, looking at Jie Jingchen in bewilderment. ”What was that for? Did I do something to piss you off? Jing Si, did my sister give you a hard time last night? Why are you taking it all out on me first thing in the morning?”

Jie Jingchen stepped forward and grabbed Qin Xiang by the collar. With undisguised fury in his eyes, he asked in a low voice, ”Qin Xiang, were you about to tell my mom that Qin Mei has been married before?”

”You’ve got it wrong.” Qin Xiang held up both hands. ”I was just trying to help you test the waters with your mom...”

”Test my ass.” Jie Jingchen couldn’t stop a curse from escaping. He stared at Qin Xiang’s punchable face, fighting the urge to clock him one. ”My mom is sharp and perceptive. She won’t show it in front of you, but do you really think she won’t mull it over later? Qin Xiang, before you ’test’ anything, could you try thinking for two seconds?”