Chapter 198 - 80: So That’s What You Mean
Second Aunt was speechless. The Jie family had money, and the Qiao family had even more. Jing Qi had never wanted for money, having grown up as if she were born with a silver spoon in her mouth. How could she possibly understand the hardship of a life without money or coupons, a life of scrimping and saving?
After thinking for a long while, Qin Mei said, "How about this? You sell them for four jiao a sheet. I’ll take three, and you take one."
Qin Mei would only be at ease if she controlled the price.
Hearing this, Second Aunt gasped, so excited she could barely speak. "Fourth... Fourth Wife of Jing, you’re not kidding me, are you?"
’Four jiao a sale, three for the Fourth Wife of Jing, and one for me. I don’t have to do anything but sell them to earn one jiao a sheet? This is too good to be true. I wouldn’t even dare to dream of something like this.’
’Just a moment ago, I was still trying to figure out what to do if she wouldn’t compromise and insisted on four jiao a sheet. I was going to sell them for four jiao and three fen to make a three-fen profit. I never imagined the Fourth Wife of Jing would be so generous as to let me earn a whole jiao per sheet!’
"We can sign a contract," Qin Mei said. She had her own reasons for this—the more Second Aunt earned, the more motivated she would be.
"A contract feels too formal. Fourth Wife of Jing, I trust your word," Second Aunt said, refusing the offer.
Qin Mei didn’t insist. ’A contract is too formal, anyway,’ she thought. ’We’re just starting out, so it’s best to keep things small and simple for now. I’ll build our reputation quietly and get things on the right track. Then, when the Reform and Opening-up policy is announced, I’ll be the first one out of the gate, riding the winds of change to build something big and powerful.’
"Do you need coupons?" Second Aunt asked.
"No coupons needed." Qin Mei shook her head, but after a moment’s thought, she added, "Actually, if someone doesn’t have cash, we can accept coupons. Just don’t take any that are close to expiring."
"I get it." Second Aunt beamed. "I’m not an idiot. What would I do with nearly expired coupons? Let them become worthless in my hands? Now, eat up, eat up."
Second Aunt placed some shredded potatoes into Qin Mei’s bowl. Qin Mei picked up her bowl and chopsticks and continued to eat.
The food wasn’t good, yet Qin Mei ate with special delight. ’No matter how hard it is to swallow, I’ll finish every bite of what Jing Qi cooks. I’m not just eating food; I’m savoring all the care and affection she put into it for me.’
"Fourth Sister-in-law, is it good?" Jie Jingshan finally couldn’t resist asking. She already knew the answer, but she still looked at Qin Mei with a hopeful expression.
Qin Mei was taken aback for a second. Instead of offering a dishonest compliment, she hesitated for a few moments before saying tactfully, "There’s plenty of room for improvement."
"Jing Qi, don’t be discouraged. Just cooking it all the way through on your first try is already very impressive," Second Aunt said, consoling her.
"I’ll keep trying, Fourth Sister-in-law," Jie Jingshan declared, full of fighting spirit.
"Okay, keep it up." Qin Mei was deeply moved. ’I was an only child, with no brothers or sisters. After coming to this world, it feels like fate has still been kind to me. First, I had my older sister-in-law, Jie Jingling, looking after me. And now that I’ve left her and come to the Jie family with Jie Jingchen, I have a younger sister-in-law, Jie Jingshan, who treats me with such sincerity.’
Jie Jingshan’s face lit up with a smile. Qin Mei reminded her, "Jing Qi, your main priority right now is your studies. Cooking should just be a hobby, so don’t pour too much time and energy into it."
"Okay, I know," Jie Jingshan nodded.
Qin Mei began to reflect. ’Jie Jingshan is only fourteen, her leg isn’t even healed, yet she’s willing to learn to cook for me while sitting in a wheelchair. Maybe I should learn to cook for Jing Qi, too.’
’It feels incredible just thinking about it. The person who makes me want to learn to cook isn’t my husband, Jie Jingchen, but my little sister-in-law, Jing Qi.’
’Am I just that clueless, or is Jie Jingchen that much of a failure as a husband?’
Remembering that kiss with Jie Jingchen at the guest house, Qin Mei couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She had practically gnawed on him for so long before he finally couldn’t take it anymore and pushed her away. ’He must have been absolutely losing his mind while I was chewing on his lips,’ she thought.
"Fourth Sister-in-law," said Jie Jingshan.
"Fourth Wife of Jing," said Second Aunt.
Qin Mei froze, realizing what had happened. She gave a light cough, wiped the smile from her face, and quietly lowered her head, focusing on her food.
Second Aunt and Jie Jingshan exchanged a look, then also fell silent and went back to eating.
When lunch was over, Qin Mei pushed Jie Jingshan home. Second Aunt cleared the table, singing to herself, in a fantastic mood.
In the courtyard, a young woman with a graceful figure sat by the stone table under a tree. She had an exquisite, waist-long braid that gave her an air of pure, delicate beauty. Her back was to the gate, so Qin Mei didn’t recognize her.
’Could it be Teacher Lin?’ Qin Mei wondered.
However, she was wrong. Jie Jingshan called out, "Shen Tong!"
Hearing Jie Jingshan’s voice, Shen Tong turned with a smile. When she saw the two of them outside the gate, she rose gracefully and walked over, sizing up Qin Mei. "You must be Fourth Brother Jing’s wife."