Qin Mei’s back stiffened. That voice... Sun’s mother.
Qin Mei turned to see Sun’s mother waving enthusiastically at her, and her pupils constricted.
Trailing behind Sun’s mother were Jie Jingling, Sun Tong, and Sun’s mother’s youngest daughter. There was no sign of Sun Debao. Qin Mei was confused. ’What is this lineup? I thought it was supposed to be the whole family. Wasn’t it just Jie Jingling and her family of three?’
Jie Jingchen was also surprised.
"Amie, Fourth Brother." Jie Jingling looked at the two of them, her expression awkward. Aunt Qiao had said on the phone that Jing Er was remarrying and that she should bring her family back. When her mother-in-law heard the news, she raised hell, insisting on tagging along. As if that wasn’t enough, she even brought her youngest daughter with her.
"Tongtong, greet your fourth uncle and fourth aunt," Jie Jingling said, pushing her daughter forward.
"Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt," Sun Tong called out obediently.
"What a good girl, Tongtong." Qin Mei snapped out of her shock and patted Sun Tong on the head. She then hurried over to Jie Jingling to take the bags from her.
"Amie, don’t," Jie Jingling said, holding on, but Qin Mei was insistent.
"Big Sister, let me." Jie Jingchen stepped forward and took the bags. Only then did Jie Jingling let go.
"Sis, I missed you so much." Qin Mei threw her arms around Jie Jingling, and tears of longing streamed uncontrollably down her face.
Jie Jingling hugged Qin Mei back, gently patting her back, her voice choked with emotion. "I missed you too."
Jie Jingchen stood to the side, watching them. A bitter feeling welled up inside him.
Sun Dexiang gazed adoringly at Jie Jingchen. ’So this is my sister-in-law’s fourth brother? He’s so handsome.’ Sun’s mother couldn’t stand the Shijiu City weather. It was too hot. Fanning herself with her hand, she urged, "Alright, it’s so hot out. Aren’t you two hot, hugging like that?"
Where they came from, it wasn’t exactly spring all year round, but it was never this hot. The temperature usually fluctuated drastically between day and night. She had noticed it on the train: it was hot in the morning and evening, and even hotter around noon and in the afternoon.
"Meimei, let’s go home," Jie Jingchen said, patting Qin Mei’s shoulder.
Qin Mei let go of Jie Jingling, wiped her tears, and sniffled. Jie Jingchen reached out, wanting to take her hand, but Qin Mei took Jie Jingling’s hand with one of hers and the nearby Sun Tong’s with the other.
Jie Jingchen’s outstretched hand froze in midair. Qin Mei took the bag from Sun Tong’s shoulder and hung it right on Jie Jingchen’s stiffly suspended hand.
"Sis, Tongtong, let’s go home." Qin Mei happily led the two of them toward the car.
"Fourth Brother, my bag is too heavy. Can you carry it for me?" Sun Dexiang took off her bag and shyly handed it to Jie Jingchen.
Jie Jingchen gave her a cold glance. He didn’t know the first thing about showing tenderness to a woman—unless that woman was Qin Mei. Carrying Jie Jingling’s and Sun Tong’s bags, he quickened his pace to catch up with Qin Mei.
"Mom, look at him!" Sun Dexiang stomped her foot in place, furious.
"We’re here with your sister-in-law to see the world. Don’t you dare cause any trouble for me," Sun’s mother warned, pulling Sun Dexiang along to catch up.
Qin Mei held onto Jie Jingling, chattering nonstop. She wanted to sit with her, but Jie Jingchen stopped her.
"What are you doing?" Qin Mei’s wonderful mood soured when she saw Jie Jingchen close the car door, blocking her from getting in.
"Sit in the front." Jie Jingchen’s tone was harsh, leaving no room for refusal.
"No, I want to sit in the back." Qin Mei pushed him, but he didn’t budge.
Jie Jingchen’s bewitching face turned pale with anger. Suppressing the rage in his chest, he forced a smile and asked coldly, "If you don’t sit in the front, who will?"
"Someone will." Qin Mei didn’t think much of it; she just wanted to be next to Jie Jingling.
Jie Jingchen was so angry he was speechless. ’Couldn’t she sense that his sister’s sister-in-law had inappropriate designs on him? It wasn’t narcissism; that was precisely the signal Sun Dexiang had just given off. The moment his sister was here, it was like he ceased to exist.’ Jie Jingchen was already regretting bringing her to the train station.
The two remained at a standoff. Sun’s mother and Sun Dexiang walked over, and Sun’s mother asked, "Jing Ling’s fourth brother, where should we sit?"
Jie Jingchen opened the car door. Just as Qin Mei was about to dive in, Jie Jingchen, quick as a flash, grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH! Jie Jingsi, are you trying to choke me to death?" Qin Mei was mortified that he had actually grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
Being new here, Sun’s mother was on her best behavior. She pulled Sun Dexiang and was about to get into the car.
"Mom, Qin Mei is skinnier than me. Let her squeeze in with you." Sun Dexiang, however, was bold and unafraid.
"Shut up." Sun’s mother forcibly pushed Sun Dexiang into the car and then got in after her. SLAM! Jie Jingchen powerfully shut the car door.
The loud slam was Jie Jingchen’s way of venting his frustration.
Sun Tong flinched in fright. Jie Jingling watched them quietly without a word. ’They’ve only been together for half a year, and Fourth Brother is already head over heels for Amie.’