Chapter 348 - 128: Making Qin Mei Brew Medicine (Part 2)
Second Auntie held Qin Mei’s hand, patting the back of it as she earnestly advised, "Fourth Wife of Jing, the Jie Family is well-off, Jing Si is handsome, and he’s a good man who dotes on his wife. Fourth Wife of Jing, you can’t do anything foolish."
Qin Mei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She pulled her hand from Second Auntie’s grasp. Qin Mei took a step forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Qin Xiang, pointing first to him and then to herself. "Second Auntie, look at us. Don’t we look alike?"
Second Auntie ignored Qin Mei’s question about their resemblance and pulled her back again, glancing at Qin Xiang with disdain. "Not a match! Not a match! You two are not a match at all! You and Jing Si are the ones who are a match—a talented man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match made in heaven."
Qin Mei looked to the heavens. ’I asked her if we look alike, not if we’re a good match!’
Seeing Second Auntie misunderstand the situation with him and his little sister, Qin Xiang wasn’t angry. On the contrary, he was quite pleased. ’How rare! My little sister is actually getting along so harmoniously with the neighbors.’
He recalled her interactions with the villagers back home, which could only be described as chaotic.
"Second Auntie, have you really not noticed that we look very much alike?" Qin Mei asked.
Second Auntie froze. Her gaze darted back and forth between Qin Mei and Qin Xiang as she stammered, "You two... you two..."
"He’s my brother," Qin Mei said, her voice laced with laughter.
Qin Mei and Qin Xiang did look very much alike. Second Auntie hadn’t really taken a good look at Qin Xiang before. Now that Qin Mei said he was her brother, given their similar features, she had no reason to doubt it. She slapped her thigh, utterly embarrassed. "Oh dear! What a scene I’ve made. Fourth Wife of Jing, Big Brother Qin, my apologies. I was being foolish."
"Second Auntie, he’s my younger brother," Qin Mei corrected.
"Ah!" Second Auntie exclaimed, then chuckled sheepishly. "Younger Brother Qin, my apologies, my apologies."
"It’s alright. It was all a misunderstanding. Now that it’s cleared up, all’s well that ends well," Qin Xiang said magnanimously.
"Hehe, Fourth Wife of Jing, your younger brother is quite handsome. Younger Brother Qin, are you married?" Second Auntie asked, beaming.
"No," Qin Xiang said, shaking his head.
"Younger Brother Qin, where is your family from? Do you have a rural household registration? Or a city one? Do you have a job?" Second Auntie bombarded Qin Xiang with a string of questions.
Qin Xiang’s head was spinning. ’Is she trying to set me up with someone?’
"Second Auntie, was there something you needed me for?" Qin Mei cut in.
Reminded by Qin Mei, Second Auntie finally remembered that she had come looking for her for a reason.
"Oh, dear! Look at my memory, I almost forgot the important stuff." Second Auntie pulled Qin Mei aside, cautious and discreet. "Fourth Wife of Jing, someone came to me wanting to buy some ointment."
"Second Auntie, I’m only responsible for making the ointment. You’re responsible for selling it. Whether you sell it or not is your decision." Qin Mei suspected there was more to it. She gave the ointment to Second Auntie, who rarely shared information about the buyers. Who to sell to, or not to sell to, was always Second Auntie’s own decision.
Second Auntie cautiously scanned their surroundings. Seeing no one was near, she leaned in close to Qin Mei’s ear and whispered, "That person... black market... speculation."
Qin Mei understood instantly. Without a second thought, she refused outright. "No sale."
’Having Qin’s ointment appear on the black market could easily lead to trouble. The political climate isn’t right at the moment; it’s not worth the risk. For small-scale dealings, the authorities will just turn a blind eye. But once it’s sold on the black market, the nature of the crime changes completely.’
’First, I need to build a solid reputation through limited sales, making each plaster a sought-after item. Then, when the Reform and Opening-up policies are announced, I can start mass production.’
"Better safe than sorry. I agree, we can’t sell." Qin Mei’s refusal solidified Second Auntie’s position. She had initially refused too, but when the person offered to double the price, she’d been tempted and started to waver.
She got the ointment from Qin Mei, who provided a fixed amount each day. If she agreed to sell but Qin Mei refused, there was nothing she could do. She saw Qin Mei as her God of Wealth and wasn’t foolish enough to offend her God of Wealth for a quick profit.
After buying groceries, Jie Jingchen came out of the food store to see Jing Qi sitting on a small stool by the entrance, while Qin Xiang stood a short distance away, watching Second Auntie and Qin Mei whispering to each other.
"Fourth Brother," Jie Jingshan called out.
"Let’s go." Carrying a net bag, Jie Jingchen walked over to Qin Xiang and hung the bag on the front of the bicycle.
Jie Jingshan got up and cautiously walked toward Qin Xiang. Second Auntie turned her head and happened to see this. Her heart leaped, her nose tingled, and her eyes began to redden.
Qin Mei took in Second Auntie’s entire reaction. The older woman didn’t rush excitedly toward Jing Qi. Instead, with reddened eyes, she just quietly watched her walk, as if she was afraid that rushing forward would startle Jing Qi.
"Second Auntie, we’re heading home now," Qin Mei said to her.