binnovel Chapter 378 - 138: Marry My Ass, I Disagree
Chapter 378 - 138: Marry My Ass, I Disagree
Jie Jingchen’s gaze was calm as he looked at Qin Xiang, his deep voice filled with concern. "Qin Xiang, if you go to the hospital and blow this up, it’s a lose-lose situation. Jie Anqi can be reckless, but can you?"
"I can be reckless too," Qin Xiang shot back, agitated and not wanting to be outdone.
"You can’t," Jie Jingchen said, shutting Qin Xiang down. He patted his shoulder persuasively. "Jie Anqi can act without a care in the world, but you can’t. The gossip and speculation will affect your future."
"I’m not afraid." His future was important, but Qin Xiang wasn’t about to suffer this injustice in silence. His gaze on Jie Jingchen darkened, and a chill crept into his voice. "Jie Jingchen, from the sound of it, you’re not suggesting I just go with the flow and marry her, are you?"
Jie Jingchen raised an eyebrow slightly, his deep, calm gaze fixed on Qin Xiang, his expression unreadable.
"Marry her? Like hell! I disagree," Qin Mei objected. ’Jie Jingchen is too insidious. He might even sacrifice Qin Xiang just to crush Jing Qi’s hopes.’
"You’re the best, Sis." Qin Xiang lunged toward Qin Mei but was yanked back by Jie Jingchen. Qin Xiang glared at him, annoyed. "Jing Si, what are you doing?"
Jie Jingchen felt a surge of frustration. Of course, he knew what Qin Mei was thinking. ’Am I really that despicable in her eyes?’ "I’m not telling your brother to marry Jie Anqi."
"We’ll see about that," Qin Mei scoffed, lifting her chin and crossing her arms with a haughty air.
"You want me to just sit back and do nothing," Qin Xiang said, mimicking Qin Mei’s posture by lifting his chin and crossing his arms haughtily.
Looking at the pair of siblings before him, Jie Jingchen couldn’t help but smile. ’They really are brother and sister, through and through.’ "Barring any surprises, my Granny will bring my second uncle and his family over before nightfall."
Qin Mei thought for a moment, then complained with a hint of jealousy, "When all is said and done, you’re still just protecting your Jie Family."
’If this whole thing blows up, I’m not sure how it’ll affect Qin Xiang, but it would absolutely ruin Jie Anqi’s reputation.’
’Getting pregnant out of wedlock, especially in this day and age... you could drown in the resulting gossip.’
’Jie Anqi sure is bold. Sleeping with someone and getting pregnant before marriage... Is she pinning it on Qin Xiang because the real father won’t take responsibility?’
"You ungrateful girl," Jie Jingchen said with a helpless laugh. "I’m not protecting the Jie Family members, I’m protecting your brother." He pulled Qin Xiang aside, walked over to Qin Mei in two steps, and tweaked her nose.
Qin Mei didn’t fully grasp all the intricacies. She glanced sideways at the oh-so-innocent-looking Qin Xiang. ’He comes to visit family and ends up in this kind of mess.’
Qin Xiang tugged at the hem of his shirt and flicked at some non-existent dust, acting magnanimous. "Fine. For my sister’s sake, I won’t go to the hospital to settle things with that cousin of yours. You guys want some roast duck?"
The change in topic was so abrupt that Qin Mei was getting whiplash.
"No," Jie Jingchen said, rubbing his temples. ’Who’s in the mood for roast duck?’
"Fine, don’t eat it then." Qin Xiang lowered his charming, peach-blossom eyes and picked up the roast duck from the desk. "I’ll give it to Jing Qi."
"..." Qin Mei.
"..." Jie Jingchen.
’Does he really have to give the roast duck to Jing Qi?’
This time, by some tacit agreement, neither of them stopped him. Once Qin Xiang had left the room with the roast duck, Qin Mei poked Jie Jingchen’s chest. "Are you really okay with them being alone together?" she asked in a low voice.
Jie Jingchen seized the opportunity to grasp her hand. "This was never that complicated to begin with," he said softly. "We’re the ones who keep meddling and making things complex. It’s only going to make Qin Xiang suspicious."
Qin Mei was indignant. "Don’t lump me in with you. You’re the one meddling, not me."
"Yes, yes, you’re right. You didn’t meddle, I did," Jie Jingchen conceded, a doting expression on his devilishly handsome face.
Qin Mei thought for a moment, glanced out the door, and listened to the easy chatter between Jing Qi and Qin Xiang. She leaned closer to Jie Jingchen and whispered, "My brother hasn’t noticed Jing Qi’s feelings for him. Back in the courtyard, you nipped it in the bud before Jing Qi even had a chance to say anything."
’Thinking of how Jing Qi remained unmarried his entire life in the future...’ With his personality, he would bury this budding affection in the deepest corner of his heart.
Jie Jingchen had no regrets, though a flicker of gravity crossed his deep-set eyes. "As long as Jing Qi can maintain the status quo, I won’t interfere too much."
"Hmph!" Qin Mei snorted, tapping his foot with her toe. "You can interfere for the next few years, but once Jing Qi is older, you’ll have no right to meddle."
Jie Jingchen didn’t argue. He lifted her chin with his fingers, his gaze fixed on her luscious red lips. His whole body tensed as he lowered his head, about to kiss them.
"Sis—" Qin Xiang’s voice cut off abruptly. He stood in the doorway, holding the duck’s head and neck in one hand and a duck foot in the other. He stared at the two people in the room who were just about to kiss, frozen in extreme awkwardness, unsure whether to step inside or tactfully retreat.