Before Jie Jingwei and Jie Jinghun were married, whenever they had chicken or duck, the legs always went to Jing Qi and Jie Jingwei, the wings to Jie Jinghun and Jie Jingjue, and the neck and head to Jie Jingchen.
Qin i was about to start eating it, but after hearing what Jie Jingshan said, she lost her appetite. She was surprised that she and Jie Jingchen both loved duck necks and heads. He had given her the entire neck, head and all. A peculiar feeling stirred inside her—not gratitude, just a simple sentint.
As an only child, she was used to having everything for herself. But after coming to this era, especially into the large Jie Family with so many siblings, she had subconsciously begun to feel that it was inconsiderate to not share. After a mont’s thought, Qin i tore off half the duck neck and placed it in Jie Jingchen’s bowl.
Jie Jingchen looked up, his gaze deep and mysterious as he watched Qin i.
Qin i gave him a wide grin and motioned with her eyes for him to eat. Jie Jingchen didn’t stand on ceremony. Compared to the way Qin i attacked her food, he was elegant and refined.
"Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law, sharing a duck neck for a long and lasting love," Jie Jingshan teased, ever the perfect wing-woman for their relationship.
Jie Jingchen’s brow furrowed slightly. A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, but the corners of his mouth still curved into a faint smile.
Qin i, however, rolled her eyes at Jie Jingshan. ’Even a duck leg can’t shut her up.’
After devouring the duck’s legs, wings, and neck, the four of them moved on to the body, picking the entire roasted duck clean. No one touched the stir-fried vegetables Jie Jingchen had made, though everyone had half a bowl of egg drop soup. Qin i was about to clear the table, but Jie Jingjue beat her to it.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, you worked hard on dinner. Let do the dishes," Jie Jingjue said, eager to please.
His attempt at flattery was completely off the mark. Qin i glanced at Jie Jingchen and said with brutal honesty, "I can’t cook. Your Fourth Brother made everything."
They had a clear division of labor: Jie Jingchen cooked, Qin i washed the dishes, and Jie Jingshan was only in charge of eating.
Since soone was eager to take over, Qin i was more than happy to sit back and relax.
The other three played along, waiting in the kitchen for him to finish instead of leaving while he washed the dishes.
"If you have sothing to say, just say it. Spit it out," Jie Jingchen prompted.
"Heh heh." Jie Jingjue chuckled nervously, scrubbing hard at the dining table. He looked at Qin i, his eyes full of pleading and a desperate need to please. "Fourth Sister-in-law, I... I can’t get used to the new place. Please let move back, okay?"
Qin i remained silent, her expression unreadable as she looked at Jie Jingchen. She passed the buck flawlessly. "It’s not my decision to make. I’m not the one who told you to move out."
Jie Jingchen didn’t take the buck, either. He passed it right along, reminding him, "It was Mom who told you to move."
"Fourth Sister-in-law, Mom listens to you more than anyone! If you just talk to her, I know she won’t say no," Jie Jingjue pleaded, looking like he was about to get on his knees and beg.
"You’re her son, and I’m just her daughter-in-law. If she won’t listen to you, why would she listen to ?" Qin i said, putting on a troubled expression.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, I promise! If you’re the one asking, Mom will listen," Jie Jingjue insisted, convinced that their mother would compromise if Qin i intervened.
Qin i frowned. "Mom has her principles. I can’t challenge her decision just for your sake."
"Fourth Sister-in-law, I’m begging you." Jie Jingjue dropped the cleaning rag and reached for Qin i’s hand, but Jie Jingchen blocked him. Stunned, Jie Jingjue looked at the hand clamped around his wrist. "Fourth Brother."
"Even if Mom agrees to let you move back, I won’t," Jie Jingchen said, his tone ice-cold. This ti, he didn’t pass the buck, making it crystal clear that *he* was the one refusing.
"But why?" Jie Jingjue cried, unable to accept it. He had lived in that house for twenty-two years! By what right did they make him move out? ’I should have just dug my heels in back then and refused to leave. What could they have done to ?’
’Mom and Fourth Brother had ganged up on him, and he couldn’t handle the pressure, so he caved and moved out. And now look where that got him. Moving out was easy; moving back in was the hard part.’
Jie Jingchen remained silent, his gaze cold and unyielding as he stared at his brother.
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