Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

”Grandpa, Granny, Dad, Mom, you’re all worrying for nothing,” Jie Anlin said. ”You’ve seen what Jing Si’s wife looks like. Lin Yaru can’t compare to her, not in ability and not in looks. Jing Si isn’t an idiot. With a goddess for a wife, why would he still be thinking about Lin Yaru?”

’If it were me, I wouldn’t trade her for ten Lin Yarus.’ Jie Anlin glanced sideways at his wife, suddenly feeling that life was unfair. Jing Si had married a woman as beautiful as a goddess, while his own wife was just average-looking.

’Comparing men is infuriating, but comparing wives makes you want a new one.’

Zhao Hong was beautiful—he wouldn’t have married her otherwise. But compared to Qin Mei, she paled in comparison.

Qin Mei touched her cheek and broke into a smile as brilliant as a summer flower. ”Are they saying I’m prettier than Lin Yaru?” she murmured.

Jie Jingchen glanced down, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile. ’Does she never look in the mirror? Does she have any idea how much attention she draws?’

”Jing Si might not be thinking about Lin Yaru, but Lin Yaru is definitely coveting Jing Si,” Zhao Hong said. ”As the saying goes, it’s not the thief you fear, but the one who’s always watching.”

”They don’t live together, so all her scheming is for nothing.” There was a hint of disappointment in Jie Jianjun’s voice. Subconsciously, he was hoping for a scandal in his older brother’s family, one that would impact him—or better yet, bring him down.

Granny sighed and took Jie Anlin’s hand, her clouded eyes filled with anger. ”An Lin, your uncle wants you to move back home so Jing Er can move in here.”

Jie Anlin froze, stunned. He looked at his parents and saw their utterly dejected expressions. He immediately refused. ”Granny, I’m not moving! I want to live with you and Grandpa.”

’Are you kidding me? We’re perfectly fine here. Why should we have to move back?’

’Our old place is too small. There’s no way we’d all fit.’

”Don’t you worry. They’ll have to get past my dead body before they make you move out.” Granny had a plan. All she had to do was throw a huge fit, and her eldest son would cave. Jing Er already had his own allocated apartment. They were living perfectly fine, so why should the second son’s family have to move?

The group was in the main hall discussing their strategy when Zhao Hong needed to use the restroom. Since she was pregnant, Granny was very concerned about the baby and had Jie Anlin accompany her to the public toilet.

When they opened the door and saw three people standing in the courtyard, Jie Anlin and Zhao Hong were dumbfounded.

’How did they get here? When did they arrive?’

Chen Xiuhua was still in the middle of giving Grandpa and Granny advice when Jie Anlin quickly cut in. ”Older Sister, Jing Si, Fourth Sister-in-law, what are you all doing here?”

At Jie Anlin’s words, the main hall fell silent. The four of them exchanged glances. Granny, in particular, had a flicker of fear on her face.

The sight of Jie Jingling’s face always stressed her out; it was like seeing Zhang Hongyan all over again. ’Jie Jingling didn’t used to look so much like Zhang Hongyan. How did she change so much after marrying and moving to the countryside?’

”Jing Ling and Jing Si are here,” Jie Jianjun said, looking at his mother.

Granny shot him a glare. ’My hearing is perfectly fine.’

Chen Xiuhua stood up and went out to greet them. ”Jing Ling, Jing Si, Fourth Wife of Jing, are you here to see your grandpa and granny? Come on in! Oh, you really shouldn’t have. Just having you here is enough, but you brought so many gifts.”

Chen Xiuhua put on a spectacular show of enthusiasm. She took the gifts from their hands, passed them to Jie Anlin, then affectionately linked arms with Jie Jingling and showered her with questions about her well-being.

When it came to her former sister-in-law, she hadn’t been the main perpetrator or aggressor. She had only added fuel to the fire now and then, so she felt no guilt. Seeing Jie Jingling, who looked so much like Zhang Hongyan, didn’t frighten her either.

She knew perfectly well in her heart: Zhang Hongyan was Zhang Hongyan, and Jie Jingling was Jie Jingling.

Qin Mei watched Chen Xiuhua’s effusive display toward Jie Jingling and thought it was all just an act.

”Grandpa, Granny, Second Uncle, Second Aunt,” Jie Jingling called out.

”Grandpa, Granny, Second Uncle, Second Aunt,” Jie Jingchen greeted them dispassionately.

”Grandpa, Granny, Second Uncle, Second Aunt,” Qin Mei chimed in, then added, ”Where’s Third Aunt?”

The mention of her third child filled Granny with rage. She was about to vent, but she felt an unfriendly stare lock onto her. Without even looking, she knew it was Jie Jingling. Daring not to meet her granddaughter’s eyes for fear of nightmares, she gritted her teeth and held her tongue.

”Your third aunt went home,” Grandpa said with a helpless sigh.

Qin Mei didn’t press the issue. The aunt must have left in a huff after failing to get what she wanted. ’Well, helping is a kindness, not an obligation,’ Qin Mei thought. ’It doesn’t make someone a bad person if they refuse.’

”Jing Ling, it’s so rare to have you back. You’ll be staying for a few days this time, right?” Chen Xiuhua said with a broad smile, holding Jie Jingling’s hand. After being sent to the countryside, Jing Ling rarely came back, and her visits were always rushed.