Chapter 390 - 141: You Want to Control My Marriage
It was a guarantee and a promise. Qin Mei believed about seventy percent of it; the other thirty she’d leave to the test of time.
’Any guarantee, any promise, could be cast aside with the passage of time, the changing of eras, and the temptations of the outside world.’
Seeing her silence, Jie Jingchen raised an eyebrow and asked, "And you?"
Qin Mei paused for a moment. Cupping Jie Jingchen’s face, she decided against spoiling the mood with words he wouldn’t want to hear. "If you never leave or forsake me, I will follow you through life and death."
All the iciness in his demeanor vanished as Jie Jingchen let out a heartfelt laugh.
From the courtyard, Granny’s voice rang out. "Xiao Xiangzi, if you marry our An Qi, the baby in her belly will be yours."
This time, Qin Xiang wasn’t about to indulge her. He shot a sidelong glance at Jie Anlin and said slowly, "Granny, in that case, you might as well tell my sister to stop treating your grandson’s private ailment. Just find someone else to get his wife pregnant. By your logic, the child will be his once it’s born."
Jie Anlin was instantly humiliated. He couldn’t believe Qin Xiang would resort to such a personal attack. At the same time, a surge of hatred for Qin Mei washed over him. ’So much for medical ethics! She actually leaked his private condition.’
He couldn’t take it anymore and was about to erupt, but his father stopped him with a shake of his head.
’Unless it’s absolutely unavoidable, they can’t afford to clash with Qin Xiang. His status is plain to see. Forget Jie Anlin, even his own older brother wouldn’t be foolish enough to provoke Qin Xiang.’
Jie Jianjun silently cursed his daughter. ’Of all the people to provoke, she had to pick Qin Xiang. Did she even know who he was before starting this mess?’
’He had assumed Qin Xiang was just a common soldier, never imagining the man was actually an officer.’
Granny’s brow furrowed, her expression turning sour. "How could we ask someone for help with something like that? Besides, the child wouldn’t have the Jie Family’s blood. Our Jie Family would never raise a child who isn’t our own flesh and blood."
"Exactly. How could you ask for help with something like that," Qin Xiang said, his tone heavy with implication.
Granny froze, stunned. By the time she realized what was happening, she saw she’d walked right into Qin Xiang’s trap. "No, that’s not... actually..."
"And the Qin family will never raise a child that isn’t our flesh and blood." A chill crept into Qin Xiang’s eyes, his irritation on a hair trigger.
"That’s simple," Granny blurted out. "Once you and An Qi are married, I’ll take charge and make her get rid of the child."
Qin Xiang actually let out a laugh, though it was one of pure anger. "My marriage, Granny," he said coldly, "is not something you can manipulate."
"I am An Qi’s grandmother. I have the right to make decisions about her marriage," Granny said, pulling rank as an elder.
Qin Xiang was at a loss for words. He felt it was pointless arguing with Granny. His sharp gaze shifted to the silent Jie Jianjun. "Do you want to manipulate my marriage?" he demanded coldly.
The corner of Jie Jianjun’s eye twitched. ’Qin Xiang is a military man; his marriage would be a military marriage. Does he dare interfere with a military marriage? If someone reported him, he’d be completely screwed.’
"Xiao Xiangzi—no, Qin... Jing Si’s brother-in-law," Jie Jianjun stammered. "I have no intention of meddling in your marriage. I just think that you and our An Qi have feelings for each other, and now that she’s carrying your child... I feel that the elders of our two families should meet and discuss your wedding." He was still trying to salvage the situation.
’With Qin Xiang’s status, if An Qi married him, it would be like giving wings to a tiger for their branch of the family. He might even be able to unseat his older brother from the factory director position and take it for himself.’
Human nature is insatiably greedy. If you can step on someone to climb higher, you show no mercy.
"Feelings for each other?" Qin Xiang let out a cold, disdainful laugh, his voice deep and frigid. "This is my first time in Shijiu City. If you’re trying to pin this crap on me, I suggest you think very carefully about what you’re doing."