Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

At that moment, only Granny knew whether she was more heartbroken for Jie Anqi or furious that Jie Jianguo hadn’t consulted her first.

”Mom, please keep your voice down,” Jie Jianjun urged quietly. ”If the neighbors hear that our An Qi was sent to a psychiatric hospital in Xiangjiang, there’s no telling what they’ll say about us behind our backs.” Looking at his wife sobbing inconsolably beside him, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

Jie Jianguo sighed. ”Mom, you know exactly what An Qi is like. With her personality, she was bound to get into serious trouble sooner or later...”

”Is this your idea of taking precautions?” Mrs. Xie cut him off.

”Xiangjiang... a psychiatric facility... is the best final destination for An Qi,” Jie Jianguo said to Granny, but his eyes were on Jie Jianjun and his wife.

He didn’t say ”psychiatric hospital” out loud, using the term ”final destination” instead of just ”a place to go.” The implication was clear: Jie Anqi would be confined there until the day she died.

Mrs. Xie was enraged, and Jie Jianjun’s wife, Zhu Meifeng, burst into tears. ”My poor, ill-fated daughter! WAAAH...”

”An Qi is pregnant! Jie Jianguo, how can you do this? Do you have no conscience?” Mrs. Xie furiously pounded on his chest. ”Was this Jing Si’s idea? You bastard! Are you that afraid of Qiao Yanqiu? You do whatever she says! Today, she tells you to send An Qi to Xiangjiang, and tomorrow, if she tells you to poison me, will you do that too? Will you poison me without a moment’s hesitation?”

Hearing Granny’s aggressive accusations, Jie Jianguo simply raised an eyebrow. He had no intention of arguing; his mother was furious, and she wouldn’t listen to a word he said.

At the moment, only Jie Jianjun seemed to have any sense left. Jie Jianguo got up and said to him, ”Second Brother, come outside for a minute.”

In the courtyard, Jie Jianguo lit a cigarette and handed another to Jie Jianjun.

The two brothers stood smoking in the courtyard. Before long, they had finished the entire pack.

”Eldest Brother, I have more,” Jie Jianjun said, patting his pockets, but they were empty. ”They must be inside. I’ll go get them.”

”Second Brother.” Jie Jianguo stopped him. ”No need. I’m done. It’s not good for you to smoke so much.”

Jie Jianjun didn’t insist. They stood in silence for a moment before Jie Jianguo broke it. ”Second Brother, about An Qi’s situation...”

”I understand.” Jie Jianjun forced a bitter smile. ”An Qi... that girl is too extreme. She threatens suicide at the drop of a hat, and she’s only gotten worse these past two years. She’s been a real headache, but she’s still my daughter. Sending her to a psychiatric hospital in Xiangjiang... my heart just...”

Jie Jianguo clapped Jie Jianjun’s shoulder. ”Second Brother, she won’t suffer there. She won’t be mistreated. My mother-in-law and the hospital director’s wife are as close as sisters. They’ll make sure she’s treated well.”

”Really?” Jie Jianjun asked.

”Yes, really.” Jie Jianguo’s reply was firm. He glanced toward the main hall and added, ”You need to talk to Mom and your wife. Explain things to them.”

Jie Jianjun was relieved. Perhaps that place really was the best final home for An Qi. He said to Jie Jianguo, ”Don’t worry. I’ll explain it to them. I won’t let them go to your house and cause trouble for Sister-in-law, Jing Si, and the others.”

Jie Jianguo looked visibly relieved. He patted Jie Jianjun’s shoulder again. ”If anyone asks about An Qi, just tell them she went to Xiangjiang. Nothing more.”

”I understand,” Jie Jianjun nodded knowingly.

”Well, I’m heading back to the factory,” Jie Jianguo said, turning to walk toward the main gate.

Jie Jianjun started to follow, but then he remembered his mother and wife inside. He could only watch his brother go. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he called out, ”Eldest Brother! The bruises on Jing Si’s face—was that you?”

Jie Jianguo stopped and turned back. ”I did. Why?”

”Good,” Jie Jianjun said, the last of his anger dissipating.

”If your Sister-in-law hadn’t stopped me, I would have killed him,” Jie Jianguo said viciously. ”Compared to An Qi being sent to a psychiatric hospital in Xiangjiang, a couple of slaps was nothing for Jing Si.”

Jie Jianguo hadn’t seen Jie Jingchen since he’d slapped him twice.

It was a different story for Jie Jianjun, however. As Jie Jingchen’s direct supervisor, the young man was always under his nose at the factory. He had been startled when he first saw Jie Jingchen’s face and had asked with concern what happened. Jie Jingchen simply said his father had hit him.

At the time, he’d been shocked that his older brother could beat his son so badly. Now, he just felt his brother hadn’t hit him hard enough.

After Jie Jianguo arranged for Jie Anqi to be sent away and called their mother, Mrs. Xie finally went home, exhausted.

Mrs. Xie saw Qin Xiang teaching Qin Mei how to ride a bicycle. A gentle smile touched her lips as she called out, ”Xiao Mei, Xiao Xiang.”