Chapter 27 - 24: Taking the Opportunity to Ask for Mr. Xie’s Car
"What about your third brother? What does he do?" Qin Mei asked again. Shen Qing was as cold as ice, while Jie Jinghun was gentle and refined. They were a perfect match. ’But what about their jobs? Could they help each other out professionally?’ Qin Mei was very curious.
Seeing her curious expression, Jie Jingchen parted his thin lips and uttered two words. "State Security."
Qin Mei fell silent.
Having asked about the third brother and his wife, Qin Mei glanced toward Jie Jingwei and Xu Chunyan’s room. "What about your second brother and his wife?"
"My second brother works at the machinery factory, and his wife is an elementary school teacher," Jie Jingchen replied, answering whatever she asked.
Qin Mei ignored Jie Jingwei and his job at the factory, focusing instead on Xu Chunyan’s profession as a teacher. An unconcealed sneer touched her lips as she said sarcastically, "A role model for her students, huh? Your sister-in-law doesn’t look the part."
"She doesn’t, really," Jie Jingchen agreed.
’Xu Chunyan is a disgrace to the teaching profession,’ Qin Mei wanted to say. But on second thought, that was too harsh. ’For all I know, she could be an outstanding teacher.’
’First impressions really are important. Setting aside Jie Jingchen’s brothers, let’s look at his sisters-in-law. His second sister-in-law seemed poised and gentle, but she wasn’t a good person deep down. His third sister-in-law was frosty and unapproachable, but she had a kind heart.’
Mr. and Mrs. Xie returned together. Mr. Xie had a company car, so Qin Mei figured he’d gone to the hospital after his own workday to pick up his wife.
"Dad, Mom." Jie Jingchen started to get up, but Mrs. Xie stopped him.
"Dad, Mom," Qin Mei echoed obediently, studying Mr. Xie. He was remarkably handsome; of all their children, only Jie Jingwei resembled him.
"Xiao Mei, this must have been hard on you." Mr. Xie reached out and patted Qin Mei’s shoulder, every bit the seasoned leader.
’Hard on me for what?’ It took Qin Mei a moment to process. She stared blankly at Mr. Xie. ’As expected of a factory director. That presence, that authority... it’s the textbook posture of a leader checking in on a subordinate.’
"Old Jie, rein it in. Xiao Mei is your son’s wife, not your employee. Don’t scare her," Mrs. Xie said, shooting her husband a displeased glare. She strongly disapproved of him bringing his leadership persona home.
She didn’t mind it at the factory, but she wouldn’t stand for it at home.
"Heh." Mr. Xie chuckled awkwardly. His serious expression softened into a kind, fatherly one as he said to Qin Mei, "When Jing Si got hurt, I was going to ask your mother to go to Shanghai to look after him. Since she’s a doctor, she was the perfect person for the job. But Jing Si wouldn’t let me tell her, he was afraid she’d worry too much. He told me to notify your sister instead, and have you go. Jing Si has a bad temper and he’s stubborn. He must have been a real handful while you were taking care of him at the hospital, wasn’t he?"
It all clicked for Qin Mei. She felt a pang of guilt, her eyes darting nervously toward Jie Jingchen.
"Xiao Mei, you’ve earned a reward for taking care of Jing Si in Shanghai," Mr. Xie said with a smile. "So, tell us, what would you like?"
Qin Mei broke into a cold sweat. ’At Modu Hospital, I got the wrong person and spent a week doting on a complete stranger. I barely took care of Jie Jingchen at all. Can I really tell them the truth?’
’Mr. Xie’s offer was incredibly tempting. She wanted to take it, but she was worried Jie Jingchen would expose her.’
"Xiao Mei, don’t be shy. Tell us what you want. Your father-in-law is a man of means; he can definitely make it happen for you," Mrs. Xie said, stepping forward. She took Qin Mei’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, a clear signal not to let this opportunity pass.
"I..." Qin Mei mustered her courage, but the moment she spoke, Jie Jingchen cut her off.
"Dad, she’s my wife. Isn’t taking care of me a given?" Jie Jingchen was genuinely afraid Qin Mei was about to ask for money. ’This wife I married is obsessed with money.’
"What do you mean, a ’given’?" Mrs. Xie shot her son a cold glare, exasperated. Fearing her words might cause friction between the young couple, she quickly added, "Even though you’re husband and wife, and it’s expected that Xiao Mei would take care of you, we, as your parents, should still show our appreciation. Otherwise, the neighbors will say we’re inconsiderate."
"Your mother is right," Mr. Xie agreed.
Since his parents were insistent on rewarding their daughter-in-law, he couldn’t very well refuse. His deep gaze landed on Qin Mei’s face. Their eyes met. Jie Jingchen gave a subtle flick of his eyes, a silent warning. Qin Mei’s pupils constricted.
’What’s that supposed to mean?’
𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
’She barely knew Jie Jingchen. They had no rapport, and it wasn’t like she had a Mind Reading Technique. She couldn’t possibly understand him with just a single glance.’
Qin Mei averted her gaze, glancing first at Mrs. Xie, then letting her eyes settle on Mr. Xie. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, "Dad, you said I can have whatever I want. Do you really mean that?"
Mr. Xie smiled and nodded encouragingly. "Go ahead, say it."
With all three of them watching her, Qin Mei flicked her gaze toward the car parked outside and said with a dazzling smile, "Dad, that’s a nice car you have. How about you give it to me?"