Jie Jingchen didn’t argue. He basically accepted it. If they said he was infertile, then he was infertile. Whatever. He didn’t care anyway.
Sun’s mother was curious about what the brother and sister were whispering about in the kitchen. ’Are they badmouthing me?’ she wondered. She hid outside the door to eavesdrop. It would have been better if she hadn’t. What she heard gave her a shock.
Jing Ling’s fourth brother was infertile! No wonder Qin Mei still hadn’t gotten pregnant. So it was her man who couldn’t have children. To be honest, Sun’s mother was thrilled. She was practically gloating.
"Mom," Sun Dexiang called out.
"Shh." Sun’s mother made a hushing gesture. Afraid they would discover her eavesdropping, she scurried back to the courtyard.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Sun Dexiang asked, holding a bunch of grapes. She was eating them with great relish, not even bothering to wash them.
"Ah Xiang, guess what I just overheard," Sun’s mother said, trying to build suspense.
"Second Sister-in-law’s brothers gave her money," Sun Dexiang guessed.
Sun’s mother shook her head. "Nope."
"Mom, I don’t like guessing. It’s too much work for my brain. Just tell me," Sun Dexiang said.
Sun’s mother leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Your Second Sister-in-law’s fourth brother... he’s infertile."
"What do you mean, infertile?" Sun Dexiang didn’t get it at first.
Sun’s mother shot her a glare and poked her on the forehead. "What kind of brain do you have? A pig’s brain? What do you think I mean? He can’t have children, of course."
"What?" Sun Dexiang lost her cool. ’She had been planning to seduce him, get pregnant with his child, and then use the baby to force him to divorce Qin Mei. If he was infertile, how was she supposed to get pregnant by him?’
"Shh, shh, shh! Keep your voice down! Are you afraid they can’t hear you?" Sun’s mother swatted her daughter.
Suddenly, the grapes didn’t taste so good anymore. Sun Dexiang tossed the remaining half-bunch onto the stone table, her head hanging in utter dejection.
"I’m telling you, you silly girl, don’t tell me you’re still fantasizing about him, are you?" Sun’s mother demanded.
"No, of course not. After you warned me yesterday, I gave up on the idea." Sun Dexiang would never admit the truth. ’I just need to think of a new plan,’ she thought, ’a way to make Jie Jingchen fall in love with me, dump Qin Mei, and marry me instead.’
"It had better be that way. Ah Xiang, I’m warning you, you can marry anyone in this city, but not your Second Sister-in-law’s fourth brother. Setting aside everything else, just think about it. He’s infertile. Why is he infertile? There must be something wrong with him... down there. If you marry him, you’ll be signing up for a life of celibacy," Sun’s mother said.
"Mom, that’s something to worry about later. The most important thing right now is for you to find a way for me to stay here," Sun Dexiang said. She paused, then added a reminder, "Don’t forget what Second Sister-in-law said. After her second brother’s wedding banquet, she’s taking us back home. His banquet is tomorrow. If nothing changes, she’ll be buying train tickets the day after tomorrow."
"Alright, I know we’re short on time." Sun’s mother waved her hand dismissively. "Today, I’ll wait for our father-in-law to get off work and talk to him about arranging a job for you."
"Mom, you also have to remind him to get me a job that’s high-paying and easy," Sun Dexiang said.
"You should be grateful to get a job at all, and you’re already being picky," Sun’s mother snapped, glaring at her.
"I’m your precious daughter. Back home, you and Dad can’t bear to let me do any work. If they give me a hard job, won’t your heart ache for me?" Sun Dexiang said.
And she really couldn’t bear it. When she was pregnant with Ah Xiang, she had met a fortune-teller who secretly told her that the daughter in her belly had a destiny of wealth and fortune—the fate of a rich young mistress. She had always firmly believed the fortune-teller’s words.
Qin Mei was awake. She lay in bed, eyes open, without moving a muscle. Her whole body ached, especially her waist. It felt like it had been taken apart and reassembled.
Jie Jingchen was an animal. Every time, he wore her out completely. Her husband was just too vigorous in *that* department, and she was the one who suffered for it.
’Should I stick Jie Jingchen with a few needles to put out his fire and get him to cool it for a while?’ Qin Mei wondered. ’That way, I could rest and build up my strength.’
Jie Jingchen came in carrying a bowl of congee and saw Qin Mei’s wide-open eyes. "You’re awake?"
"I’m dead, and you’re the murderer," Qin Mei said irritably.
"Don’t say such things. It’s bad luck," Jie Jingchen said, placing the bowl on the desk and sitting on the edge of the bed. "Since you’re awake, get up and have some breakfast."
"I’m broken. I can’t get up." Qin Mei didn’t even glance at him. She was afraid that if she looked at him and remembered his wicked deeds from last night, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from biting him to death.
"I’ll help you." Jie Jingchen reached out as if to pull back the covers.
"Don’t touch me—HISS!" Qin Mei had only just made a defensive move when a sharp pain shot through her waist, making her grimace.
"Meimei, where are you hurt?" Seeing that her pained expression wasn’t an act, Jie Jingchen grew concerned. He had checked her over after they finished last night and, seeing he hadn’t injured her, had held her and gone to sleep without worry.