Chapter 359 - 132: Fourth Brother, You’re Really Going to Chop
In the past, she’d use self-harm and suicide attempts, teetering on the edge of death, to turn a desperate situation around.
Even Granny was wrapped around her finger. But when she used death to threaten her cousin, he was not only unmoved—he pushed her into a corner.
Qin Mei reminded her, "He sharpened this cleaver this morning. It’s very sharp. Just swing it with the force you’d use to chop ribs, and I guarantee today will be the anniversary of your death next year."
Jie Anqi trembled, not daring to take the cleaver. If she took it, she’d be in a position she couldn’t back out of. With no other options, she looked up at Jie Jingchen, tears streaming down her face, and accused, "Fourth Brother, are you really going to force me to my death?"
A frosty expression settled on Jie Jingchen’s face, and a terrifying aura radiated from him. He didn’t speak or retract the cleaver, which only made it more impossible to guess his next move.
"Fourth Sister-in-law." Jie Anqi turned to Qin Mei.
Qin Mei shrugged helplessly. Even she could feel a chill creep from her feet to her heart from Jie Jingchen’s terrifying aura. He was teaching his cousin a lesson; it was best for her to just stay out of it.
Jie Anqi endured the throbbing pain in her wrist and gave up on asking Qin Mei for help. Stiffening her neck, she glared at Jie Jingchen. "Fourth Brother, if you drive me to my death today, let’s see how you’re going to explain this to the family."
"Explain?" Jie Jingchen snorted. "Why should I have to explain anything? Am I forcing you to die? You’re the one threatening me with death."
Jie Anqi was speechless. He was right. She *was* threatening him with death.
’She didn’t know when it started, but threatening people by hurting herself always worked. Even the formidable Granny had given in. She’d gotten a taste of success, and after trying it time and again, it never failed. It escalated from minor injuries to major ones, and finally to using her own life as a bargaining chip.’
’Her aunt had warned her that she was burning through her own life, but she couldn’t have cared less. What did it matter? As long as she achieved her goal, nothing else mattered. Anyway, whether she was covered in wounds or on the brink of death, they would always find a way to save her.’
"I want to see Qin Xiang," Jie Anqi insisted. Her Fourth Brother wasn’t falling for her act, but Qin Xiang was a soldier. She refused to believe he could just stand by and watch her die.
"Qin Xiang won’t see you." Jie Jingchen immediately crushed her hopes.
"I don’t believe you. He’s a soldier. He can’t just watch someone die and do nothing," Jie Anqi said obsessively.
’Qin Mei was so infuriated by Jie Anqi’s words she almost laughed. Guilt-tripping family was one thing, but now she was trying to guilt-trip a soldier? A soldier’s duty is to defend the nation, not to be blackmailed by someone so morally corrupt.’
"My little brother can’t just watch someone die, that’s true. But he *can* choose not to get involved with you in the first place." Qin Mei didn’t even want to say out loud, ’He can choose not to marry you.’ ’The very word "marry" in this context felt like an insult to her little brother.’
’If we can’t afford to provoke her, surely we can stay away?’
"He already got involved with me, so he has to take responsibility for me!" Jie Anqi shrieked hysterically.
Inside the house, standing by the window, Granny and Grandpa overheard Jie Anqi. The expression on Granny’s face was a sight to behold. Grandpa’s face was grim as he couldn’t help but chide, "This is all your fault."
Granny didn’t shirk her responsibility. "I just saw that Xiao Xiangzi was handsome and generous, and I figured we should keep someone so good in the family. I wanted him as my grandson-in-law."
"An Qi isn’t our only granddaughter. Of all people, why did you have to try and set him up with her?" Grandpa said, frustrated. ’His wife was just too stubborn and never discussed it with him beforehand. Then again,’ he thought, ’with her temper, my objections would have been useless even if she had asked.’
"I was just in such a rush, I didn’t think of our other granddaughters. An Qi was the only one who came to mind," Granny said guiltily.
"You didn’t think of them? Or was it because you saw how exceptional Xiao Xiangzi was and were afraid An Qi would throw a tantrum later?" After decades of marriage, Grandpa knew her thoughts all too well.
Granny forced an awkward smile that looked worse than crying. "You know what An Qi is like. She threatens suicide at the drop of a hat. I was scared of her."
’She remembered the first time An Qi had threatened her. When she refused to give in, she’d found An Qi lying on her bed, covered in blood. The sight had terrified her. From that day forward, she doted on An Qi, granting her every wish. This only fueled the girl’s greed, and her demands grew increasingly outrageous—so outrageous that Granny no longer wanted to fulfill them. But whenever she refused, An Qi would threaten suicide, and she had no choice but to compromise.’
’She wasn’t afraid of An Qi dying. She was afraid An Qi would take her down with her.’
"Look what a mess this has become," Grandpa said, gesturing toward the kitchen.
"I never expected it either. An Qi, with her impossibly high standards, actually fell for Xiao Xiangzi," Granny sighed. "And she fell for him completely." She felt utterly helpless. ’Even his rural household registration didn’t deter her. The problem is, Xiao Xiangzi isn’t interested in her. What are we supposed to do now?’