Chapter 151: Chapter 64: Egging on Jing Wu to Slaughter the Rooster (2)

"Haven’t they come back from dinner yet?" Mrs. Xie asked. She had already finished her bath; anything more she said would be pointless.

Jie Jingchen didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, "Mom, have you eaten?"

"Of course." Mrs. Xie gave Jie Jingchen a look and asked, "Is there any bathwater left?"

"No, I only heated enough for Qin Mei and me," Jie Jingchen answered truthfully. He paused for a moment before adding, "I’ll go heat some for you."

"Don’t bother. I’m just going to wash up and go to bed. I’ll heat it myself," Mrs. Xie replied, declining his offer.

She went to her room to put down her bag before heading to the kitchen to heat some water. She didn’t prepare much, just enough for herself. After a pleasant bath, she felt completely refreshed. She then returned to her room to sleep, as she had to be up early for work the next day.

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO...

Before the sky had even begun to lighten, the rooster’s crowing once again echoed from the courtyard.

Qin Mei didn’t know how anyone else was feeling, but she, for one, was about to have a breakdown.

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO...

Qin Mei pulled the quilt up higher, burrowing deep inside. Jie Jingchen’s expression darkened. He shot an icy glance at the pitch-black window, then lowered his gaze to Qin Mei, who was curled up beneath the covers.

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO...

"AHHHH!" Qin Mei finally snapped. She threw off the quilt, knelt on the bed, and began to furiously tear at her hair in frustration.

Jie Jingchen sat up and reached for the pull cord to turn on the light. He looked at Qin Mei, who was sporting a serious case of bedhead.

"That damn rooster! How is anyone supposed to get any sleep?" Qin Mei roared.

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO. The moment the words left her mouth, she was answered by another crow from the rooster.

"Jie Jingchen, it’s taunting me! Go and take care of it," Qin Mei demanded, her voice full of indignation.

Jie Jingchen didn’t move. He simply looked at the furious Qin Mei, looking like he wanted to say something but then thought better of it.

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO...

"It’s still going! Does it really think I don’t have a temper? Waking someone from a peaceful sleep is like digging up their ancestors’ graves! If I don’t slaughter that thing, I’ll... I’ll write my name backward!" Qin Mei shot up in a fury. If Jie Jingchen wouldn’t do as she asked, she would handle it herself.

"Qin Mei." Jie Jingchen wrapped an arm around her waist, stopping her from jumping off the bed.

It was one thing for Jie Jingchen not to help, but to actually stop her? Qin Mei’s anger flared. "Jie Jingchen," she demanded coldly, "is that rooster your long-lost relative or something?"

"Qin Mei, you’re not the only one being woken up by that rooster," Jie Jingchen reminded her. Qin Mei froze, her anger instantly subsiding.

’If I go and slaughter that rooster, everyone will be happy. But why should I be the one to do it? Being a good Samaritan has its limits, especially when it comes to certain people... like Xu Chunyan.’

’Besides, I don’t have to go to work. I can sleep during the day. The same can’t necessarily be said for the others.’

’Aunt Zhang brought that rooster back from the countryside, and this is only her first day here. I’m curious to see just how long they can all tolerate it.’

’Even if the Jie Family can stand it, what about the neighbors living nearby?’

’If Aunt Zhang doesn’t do something about that rooster, she’ll cause a public outrage.’

"Turn off the light," Qin Mei told Jie Jingchen. She lay back down and pulled the quilt over herself. Listening to the rooster crow, she suddenly found the sound wasn’t quite so grating anymore.

A smile touched the corners of Jie Jingchen’s lips as he pulled the cord, plunging the room into darkness.

All sleepiness gone, Qin Mei spoke up. "Jie Jingchen, let’s make a bet. Who’s going to be the first one to snap?"

"What are the stakes?" Jie Jingchen asked, his interest piqued.

"Money." Qin Mei glanced to the side. The room was pitch-black, and while she couldn’t see Jie Jingchen’s face, she could hear the sound of his breathing.

"How much?" ’Just as I thought,’ Jie Jingchen mused. He had a feeling Qin Mei had a particular fondness for money. If someone ever offered to buy him, he suspected she would sell him off without a shred of hesitation.

"One hundred yuan." A greedy glint appeared in Qin Mei’s almond-shaped eyes. ’My parents-in-law gave me money, and my little sister-in-law gave me money, but my own husband, Jie Jingchen, hasn’t given me anything.’

’It’s not that Jie Jingchen was stingy; he was always quick to open his wallet when buying her things. But you couldn’t call him generous, either. He didn’t let her manage his salary, he wouldn’t give her his bankbook, and he still wouldn’t give her any cash.’

’What was most infuriating was that he still hadn’t paid her the fee for treating Jing Qi’s leg, just saying he’d owe her for now.’

"Deal," Jie Jingchen agreed readily. He didn’t care about the amount.

Qin Mei rubbed her hands together eagerly. "So, who do you bet will snap first?"

"Second Sister-in-law," said Jie Jingchen.

"Xu Chunyan?" Qin Mei was taken aback. That was unexpected. She thought Jie Jingjue was far more likely to snap first. "Why her?"

Jie Jingchen just smiled, not answering her question. Instead, he asked, "Who are you betting on?"

Qin Mei fell into thought. ’Knowing Jie Jingchen, he wouldn’t bet on Xu Chunyan without a good reason, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why it would be her.’

’Aunt Zhang is Jie Jingwei’s biological aunt. He and Chunyan are tied to her. They can’t undermine anyone, least of all Aunt Zhang.’

"I’ll bet on Jing Wu," said Qin Mei.

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