Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

Chapter 259 - 99: Your Ideology is Problematic

Qin Mei pressed a hand to her forehead in frustration. ’I shouldn’t have been in such a hurry. I should have washed them first.’ But she couldn’t really blame herself. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Jie Jingchen would just go ahead and wash them for her.

Jie Jingchen came inside after hanging the clothes to dry. Seeing Qin Mei standing dazedly at the bathroom door, he couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong?"

Qin Mei’s face was red, her expression awkward. It was just too embarrassing. "Um... next time, could you not wash them for me? I can do it myself."

Jie Jingchen said nothing, knowing full well what she meant.

"Um... you’re a man..."

"So a man can’t wash his wife’s clothes?" Jie Jingchen cut her off.

Qin Mei froze, looking up at Jie Jingchen. His expression was serious and earnest. "Well, you can wash the outer clothes, but it’s better if you don’t wash the inner ones."

"Why not?" Jie Jingchen asked, adopting the posture of a humble student.

Qin Mei shot Jie Jingchen a look, a trace of hidden worry on her delicate face. After a long moment, she finally said, "The old folks say that if a husband washes his wife’s undergarments, he’ll have bad luck."

"Nonsense." Jie Jingchen’s face darkened, his deep voice firm and forceful. "Comrade Qin Mei, your thinking is problematic. I suggest you receive some ideological education."

Qin Mei glared at Jie Jingchen and retorted irritably, "You’re the one whose thinking is problematic. I suggest you receive some ideological education."

"There’s nothing wrong with my thinking," Jie Jingchen said with a perfectly straight face.

Qin Mei decided to ignore him. If he didn’t care, why should she make a fuss? She hadn’t been spouting nonsense; she had genuinely heard it from someone before, though she couldn’t remember who.

In truth, she didn’t believe it either—that a husband washing his wife’s underwear would bring bad luck. There was no scientific basis for it. Besides, when your luck is out, you can choke on water.

The next day, Qin Mei slept until she woke up naturally. When she opened her eyes, sunlight was filtering in through the curtains. Qin Mei got out of bed to wash up.

While brushing her teeth, Qin Mei decided she had to tell her mother-in-law about this.

She would tell her mother-in-law after she got off work. Whether she believed her or not, at least Qin Mei would have said her piece and could have a clear conscience.

After washing up, Qin Mei changed her clothes and smoothed out the bedding. Jie Jingchen liked to fold the quilt into a neat "tofu block," a habit from his time in the army. She’d never been a soldier, so she didn’t share it.

She pulled back the curtains and opened the window to see Jie Jingshan sitting in the courtyard, reading a book. Qin Mei was surprised. Ever since Aunt Zhang had returned, Jie Jingshan rarely sat in the courtyard alone unless Qin Mei or Jie Jingchen was with her.

"Jing Qi," Qin Mei said, walking toward Jie Jingshan.

"Fourth Sister-in-law." Jie Jingshan held her book, smiling at the approaching Qin Mei.

Qin Mei glanced around but didn’t see Aunt Zhang. By this time of day, Aunt Zhang was usually finished with her chores, sitting in the courtyard drinking tea, cracking melon seeds, and humming a little tune from time to time. "Where’s Mrs. Zhang?"

Jie Jingshan’s expression faltered slightly. Though there was a faint smile in her eyes, it seemed distant. "She went out this morning."

"She’s not back from grocery shopping yet?" Qin Mei asked, a little surprised.

Jie Jingshan shook her head. "I don’t think she went grocery shopping."

"Not to get groceries?" Qin Mei raised an eyebrow. "Then where did she go?"

"She probably just went out for a stroll," Jie Jingshan said. Seeing Qin Mei’s confusion, she added, "I saw her all dressed up. She wouldn’t wear such a pretty dress just to go grocery shopping."

Qin Mei’s heart skipped a beat. ’Don’t tell me Aunt Zhang went to the machinery factory to find Dad, did she?’

Jie Jingshan pouted and said with a note of resentment, "I gave that dress to Aunt Zhang before my... accident. I bought it in Xiangjiang. It was expensive and very fashionable. Aunt Zhang loved it and usually couldn’t bear to wear it unless it was for an important occasion."

This made Qin Mei even more uneasy. ’An important occasion? She’s obviously wearing it for Father-in-law. Her goal is to seduce him.’

Just last night, Xu Chunyan had told her that Aunt Zhang had already made a move yesterday. ’Does she have to act so quickly?’

’Seducing Father-in-law at the machinery factory... that doesn’t seem realistic, though.’

"Jing Qi, did she tell you where she was going?" Qin Mei asked tentatively. ’Jing Qi is still so young; she just needs to focus on her studies. It’s better not to burden her with these worries.’

Jie Jingshan shook her head. She and Aunt Zhang weren’t on speaking terms anymore; Aunt Zhang wanted nothing to do with her either. The two had become like enemies.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, is something wrong?" Jie Jingshan asked. She was very perceptive.

Qin Mei faltered for a second, then put on a warm, gentle smile and ruffled Jie Jingshan’s hair. "Nothing’s wrong. I was just curious. Aunt Zhang is usually at home, so it felt a little strange not seeing her when I woke up. Don’t overthink it. I’m hungry. I’m going to the kitchen to see what your fourth brother left for me to eat."

It was boiled eggs and congee, as usual. Qin Mei only ate the congee, leaving the boiled egg untouched.