Chapter 680 - 236: Xiao Mei, Help Me Persuade Jing Chen (2)

Qin Mei mulled it over for a few seconds before saying, "It’s a quick way to make money."

"You’re really obsessed with money, aren’t you?" Jie Jingchen raised a hand and massaged his brow.

"What’s so wrong with being obsessed with money?" Qin Mei took his sarcasm as a compliment.

Jie Jingchen saw his reflection in Qin Mei’s eyes and gave a helpless, resigned smile. "What are you going to do with so much money?"

"I love money. The more, the better, of course," Qin Mei said with a smile. She loved money, but she wouldn’t lose herself over it.

Jie Jingchen’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he studied her. After a long moment, he said, "Money isn’t everything."

Qin Mei’s expression relaxed, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she tilted her head to look at him. "It’s true, money isn’t everything. But you can’t do a single thing without it."

Jie Jingchen’s brow furrowed slightly. "Money can’t buy happiness."

Qin Mei’s gaze dropped, her tone laced with a hint of mockery. "Of course money can’t buy happiness. But if you have money, other people will find ways to make you happy."

Jie Jingchen fell silent. He couldn’t argue with that.

Mrs. Xie’s sudden departure threw the second branch’s plans into disarray. They had intended to drive a wedge between Qin Mei and her mother-in-law, but with her gone, how could they possibly stir up trouble?

Fine, go back then. But she should have taken her son, daughter, and daughter-in-law with her. Instead, she went back by herself, leaving them all behind. What was that supposed to mean?

As far as the second branch was concerned, anyone could have stayed behind—anyone but Jie Jingchen. His presence in Xiangjiang made them feel threatened, and they were terrified that Mr. Qiao might, in a moment of impulse, pass the position of Family Head to Jie Jingchen.

「Half a month later.」

Qin Mei was lounging lazily on her bed when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in," she called out, her voice languid.

The door cracked open and Xu Jiali poked her head in. When she saw that Jie Jingchen wasn’t in the room, she pushed the door fully open and stepped inside, asking with feigned innocence, "Xiao Mei, where’s Jing Chen?"

"He went out." Qin Mei sat up and stretched, the low V-neck of her top gaping slightly with the movement.

Xu Jiali leaned closer to Qin Mei, blinking as she gawked at the marks on her chest. "Wow," she marveled, "you two are so passionate."

Qin Mei froze. Following Xu Jiali’s gaze, she looked down at the marks on her own chest. The corner of her mouth twitched, and she awkwardly pulled her collar together. "Envious? Jealous?"

Qin Mei cursed Jie Jingchen internally. ’I tell him no hickeys on my neck, so he just moves to a new spot? Does he absolutely have to leave a mark?’

"I am envious, and I am jealous. So, I’ve decided! Tomorrow, I’m going to have Gao Qiang’s parents come over to discuss our marriage with my aunt and uncle," Xu Jiali said.

"Marriage isn’t a game. I’d advise you to think about it carefully," Qin Mei said. ’Why does it feel like she’s just trying to one-up me?’

’After spending half a month with Xu Jiali, I’ve learned she’s a pretty good person. A little too simple and kind, though. To be blunt, she’s gullible.’

"Gao Qiang and I are in love. We’ve been together for a year already; it’s time to start talking about marriage." A blissful smile spread across Xu Jiali’s face as she spoke of her boyfriend.

The last time she’d taken Qin Mei to a nightclub, Jie Jingchen had punished her by grounding her. Her aunt used to have people keep an eye on her too, but she could always find a way to sneak out. Now it was Jie Jingchen’s turn, and he was watching her so closely that she had no loopholes to exploit whatsoever.

’I haven’t seen Gao Qiang in half a month, and I miss him terribly. Jie Jingchen is so overbearing! I’m starting to suspect he’s deliberately trying to break us up.’

’Qin Mei opened her mouth, but she didn’t know what to say. After all, she herself had married young. Xu Jiali was older than her and of marriageable age. There was nothing wrong with marrying for love. Besides, Qin Mei could already tell that Xu Jiali was head over heels for her boyfriend.’

"Well, I wish you both happiness." Qin Mei couldn’t bring herself to rain on Xu Jiali’s parade, so she offered her a sincere blessing.

"Thank you, Xiao Mei. You’re the best," Xu Jiali said, excitedly pulling Qin Mei into a hug.

’Qin Mei’s temples started to throb. What did Xu Jiali mean by that? Her grandparents hadn’t made their opinions known, but Jie Jingchen’s stance was crystal clear: he did not like her boyfriend. So, does that mean her grandparents and Jie Jingchen are all opposed to the match, yet Xu Jiali is insisting on having his parents come over anyway?’

’Qin Mei rubbed her temples. So Xu Jiali was trying to recruit an ally. And without even understanding the situation, I’ve just jumped right into the foxhole she dug for me.’

"Are they against your boyfriend and his parents coming over to discuss the marriage?" Qin Mei asked tentatively.

Xu Jiali let go of Qin Mei, rubbed her nose, and chose her words carefully. "It’s not that they’re against it... they’re just a little unhappy about it."