Chapter 49 - 31: Jie Jingchen, Do You Have a Death Wish?
"You..." Xu Chunyan was speechless with anger, her gaze fixed on Qin Mei turning cold and sharp.
"Second Sister-in-law, why don’t you go ask Second Brother what he thinks? You’re being so thoughtful, offering to find him a concubine. I’m sure he wouldn’t refuse such a kind gesture." Qin Mei’s words were positively infuriating.
Xu Chunyan wanted to strangle Qin Mei, but reason won over impulse. Qin Mei’s words had left her so furious she couldn’t think straight. A sneer twisted her lips, and a sinister glint appeared in her eyes. "The one Teacher Lin admires isn’t your second brother, but Jing Si. Teacher Lin is so outstanding. If she admired your second brother, I would willingly divorce him to let them be together. Didn’t you say one should have a spirit of sacrifice? Since the person Teacher Lin loves is Jing Si, shouldn’t you do the decent thing and let them be together?"
Qin Mei hmphed. ’What hypocritical generosity. I’m truly impressed.’
’Xu Chunyan is all but pointing in my face, ordering me to divorce Jie Jingchen. She’s just his second sister-in-law, not his mother. Where does she get the nerve?’
Qin Mei raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "Let them be together? And why should I? I barely know her. Why would I step aside for her? Am I crazy?"
"Qin Mei, I don’t know what despicable means you used to make Jing Si marry you, but he and Teacher Lin are childhood sweethearts. They were on the verge of getting engaged! Your sudden appearance tore the tragic couple apart. Qin Mei, surely you know that a melon forced from the vine is never sweet?" Xu Chunyan demanded.
’On the verge of getting engaged? Tragic couple? If I hadn’t run into Second Auntie this morning and gotten the tea on Jie Jingchen and Teacher Lin, I might have actually believed Xu Chunyan.’
The corners of Qin Mei’s lips curled. She tilted her head back, her expression brazen and arrogant, and declared, "A melon forced from the vine isn’t sweet, but twisting it off makes me happy. What? You got a problem with that?"
"You..." Xu Chunyan was again rendered speechless, pointing a trembling finger at Qin Mei.
"You what? Who the hell do you think you are, sticking your nose in my marriage? I give you an inch and you take a mile. If you like Teacher Lin so much, have your own husband marry her. Why are you trying to shove her at mine? What are you really after? You have a problem with me, you can’t stand me—that’s your problem, not mine. I don’t expect everyone to like me, because not everyone is a decent human being. And you call yourself a teacher, a role model for students! Hah!" Qin Mei spat out the last word, and it landed like a devastating blow on Xu Chunyan.
Xu Chunyan could tolerate the jab about Jing Er taking Teacher Lin as a concubine, but she couldn’t stand an attack on the job that was her pride and joy.
Her status as a teacher was highly respected. Even powerful, high-ranking people had to address her respectfully as "Ms. Xu" when they occasionally came to pick up their children. It greatly satisfied her vanity and filled her with an immense sense of pride.
"Qin Mei, I’m going to tear that mouth of yours apart!" Xu Chunyan roared, her face contorted with rage as she lunged at Qin Mei.
Jie Jingchen stood just outside the kitchen, unconcerned that Xu Chunyan could actually hurt Qin Mei. ’After all, would someone who could easily dislocate Jing Qi’s jaw be unable to protect herself?’
The argument between Qin Mei and Xu Chunyan was so loud it drew the attention of Jie Jinghun and Jie Jingjue. Mr. Xie wasn’t home, having been sent out on an errand by Mrs. Xie. Jie Jingwei was giving Jie You a bath, so he didn’t hear the commotion in the kitchen. Shen Qing remained in her room, disdaining to come out and watch the drama. But even Jie Jingshan had emerged.
With a deft sidestep, Qin Mei dodged. Xu Chunyan hadn’t expected her to move and stumbled. Just as she was about to fall flat on her face, Qin Mei grabbed her by the braid, yanked her forward, and shoved her head toward the large cooking pot on the stove.
The pot was filled with simmering congee. A cloud of hot steam enveloped Xu Chunyan, scalding her. "AH!" she shrieked.
"You’d better not move," Qin Mei threatened. "If my hand slips... well, even if you aren’t scalded to death, your face will be ruined."
She knew how to control her strength—it was enough to terrify Xu Chunyan without actually causing a serious burn.
Xu Chunyan didn’t dare struggle, but she wailed in agony, "Ah! It’s hot! It hurts, it hurts! My face..."
"Xu Chunyan, don’t mess with me," Qin Mei warned. "When I really lose my temper, even I scare myself."
Jie Jingshan, sitting in her wheelchair, couldn’t see into the kitchen, but she could imagine the scene. She couldn’t help but touch her own jaw. ’Fourth Sister-in-law is truly terrifying when she’s angry. I know that from experience.’
"I won’t do it again! Spare me!" Xu Chunyan begged.
Satisfied, Qin Mei yanked Xu Chunyan away from the pot and let her go. Xu Chunyan collapsed to the floor. Her face stung with fiery pain from the burn, and though her hands were trembling, she didn’t dare touch it.
"Sigh." Qin Mei stared at the congee in the pot and let out a breath. "What a waste," she said ruefully. "This whole pot of congee is ruined because of you."