Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

”Jing San, off work so early today?” Second Aunt smiled at Jie Jinghun. Having her cooking skills acknowledged put her in high spirits. Jie Jinghun was gentle and refined, and he praised her cooking in such a serious manner. It was unlike Jing Wu, whose endless compliments always sounded a bit over-the-top to her.

”Early? I got off at my normal time.” A gentle smile graced Jie Jinghun’s face.

”It’s all yours now.” Jie Jingchen handed the task of assisting Second Aunt to Jie Jinghun and walked out of the kitchen.

”Did I miss something? Fourth Brother’s resentment is so heavy,” Jie Jinghun asked curiously.

Second Aunt and Jie Jingling exchanged a look, both choosing to remain silent.

Seeing their reaction, Jie Jinghun became even more certain. ’Something is up.’

Jie Jinghun tried to probe indirectly. ”What’s wrong with Fourth Brother?”

”It’s too hot in the kitchen,” Second Aunt said.

Jie Jinghun looked toward Jie Jingling. They were biological siblings; surely his big sister wouldn’t try to fool her own little brother.

”Is your wife back yet?” Jie Jingling changed the subject.

”She’s back,” Jie Jinghun replied.

”I’ll go find her.” Jie Jingling slipped away.

Jie Jinghun’s mouth twitched slightly. ’What is Big Sis going to see Shen Qing for? To chat? I don’t think they’d have anything to talk about.’

Qin Mei sat comfortably in her chair, enjoying the breeze from the fan while reading a comic book.

She had bought the comic book on the black market. If anyone saw her reading this sort of thing, a single report would guarantee she’d be caught and forced to undergo thought education.

Hearing the door open, Qin Mei, with the guilty conscience of a thief, immediately slammed the comic book shut and hid it under her bottom. When she saw it was Jie Jingchen who came in, she breathed a sigh of relief, took the comic out, and continued reading.

”This is our home. You don’t need to be so cautious,” Jie Jingchen said.

”’Guard against fire, guard against thieves, guard against family.’” Qin Mei shot him a sidelong glance. In this sensitive era, the concept of family was ironic. People would resort to all sorts of measures for self-preservation.

”Why not guard against me?” Jie Jingchen walked closer to her. The only person who wanted to find fault with her was Xu Chunyan, and Xu Chunyan was no longer her sister-in-law. Third Sister-in-law wasn’t a meddler. Forget reading a comic book; even if she were engaged in speculation and profiteering, no one would report her.

”We’re husband and wife. We flourish together and fall together.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Qin Mei felt that even the husband-wife relationship wasn’t that secure.

Jie Jingchen loved hearing that. He wanted to hug her but was rebuffed with a look of distaste. After spending so long in the kitchen, his shirt was soaked in sweat. Jie Jingchen settled for the next best thing and took her delicate hand in his.

”Meimei, this was the one and only time.” Jie Jingchen’s deep voice was laden with emotion. The gambling den had been near the train station, a location no one would have ever expected.

It really proved the old saying: the most dangerous place is the safest place. Even Gao Yang couldn’t help but curse.

Watching her and Zhang Haoyuan go inside, he had been beside himself with worry, his heart in his throat. He, who was usually so calm and composed, had lost his cool for the first time.

Thankfully, it was a false alarm, and she came out completely unscathed.

The raid on the den went so smoothly that it felt unreal to him. He even had to remind Gao Yang not to let his guard down.

”Mm,” Qin Mei nodded. ”Just this once.”

Jie Jingchen’s large hand, holding her delicate one, tightened. His eyes were filled with infinite tenderness as he looked at her.

Qin Mei pulled one hand free and touched her cheek. The rash hadn’t completely faded yet. She asked teasingly, ”Jie Jingsi, search your heart and tell me, when you see my face covered in this rash, do you ever think about divorcing me?”

”No,” Jie Jingchen blurted out.

Qin Mei didn’t believe him. She remembered the reaction of the gambling den’s boss when he saw her—he’d looked like he was about to throw up. ”What if the rash never fades for the rest of my life?”

”It won’t,” Jie Jingchen said with unwavering certainty.

Qin Mei patted her own cheeks. ”I don’t believe you. Looking at a face like this is just depressing. I don’t believe that you’re not disgusted by it.”

To prove his words, Jie Jingchen released her hand, cupped her face, and gave her a passionate, lingering kiss.

Qin Mei’s entire body went stiff. Her eyes flew wide, filled with a complex mix of emotions.

When the breathtaking kiss ended, Jie Jingchen rested his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse. ”Now do you believe me?”

Qin Mei blinked, wrapping her two fair, slender arms around his neck. ”Did it feel a little like kissing a toad?”

The somewhat romantic atmosphere was completely shattered by Qin Mei’s single, discordant sentence.

”Meimei.” Jie Jingchen’s face darkened.

”This face, right now, do you like it?” Qin Mei looked at Jie Jingchen with a grin.

Jie Jingchen’s gaze faltered. He felt like Qin Mei was digging a trap for him. But even knowing it was a trap, he had to jump in. ”I like it.”

”You really like it?” Qin Mei asked.

”As long as it’s you, I like it.” Jie Jingchen touched his nose to hers.

”Well, that’s great then. I’ll just stay like this.” Qin Mei let go of Jie Jingchen. They were too close, and it was too hot. A sweltering day like this was really not suited for being all lovey-dovey.