USWHC -Chapter 118 Splitting the Family (Part 8)

Zhu Jie was lost in her chaotic thoughts when, unexpectedly, Ji Yi opened the door. She had been peeking through the crack, and the sudden motion startled her so much that she stumbled forward and fell right into Ji Yi’s arms.

Both froze in surprise. Zhu Jie hurriedly lifted her head, gave an awkward smile, straightened up, and nervously turned to grab her handkerchief.

“You—you’re all wet!” Ji Yi said, looking at Zhu Jie’s embarrassed face, unsure what to do. After a moment of fluster, he suddenly turned, taking out a handkerchief and carefully wiping the water off her cheeks.

She must have seen! Ji Yi, watching her flushed and awkward expression, let out a sigh. Why were her eyes full of tears? Was it because of him?

“You… you were crying?” Ji Yi couldn’t help but ask, seemingly wanting to know the answer.

Zhu Jie’s face flushed even more. If only she hadn’t come at him just now! Now how was she supposed to explain why she had cried?

Her eyes darted around, and suddenly a plan formed in her mind.

She lowered her head tightly, choked back a sob, and said, “How… how could she treat you like this!” As she spoke, the tears already pooling at the corners of her eyes finally fell.

Was she really hurting for him? Ji Yi was full of surprise. He gently lifted her chin and looked seriously into her eyes. “Are you crying for me?” He couldn’t help but voice the truth in his heart.

“I… I just couldn’t hold it in!” Zhu Jie choked, her face full of pity and shyness.

Heh, of course, that wasn’t really what she felt. Inside, she was nearly bursting with laughter! Following the principle of “don’t waste tears,” Zhu Jie decided to play the part to the fullest. That way, if Ji Yi ever found out she had hit Old Madam Ji, he might go easy on her, seeing the pity she had for him.

“How could she treat you like this! How could she treat you like this!” Zhu Jie suddenly broke free from Ji Yi’s hold and threw herself into his arms, crying even more, “I just don’t understand! You’re her own son!”

The sudden hug, tight and soft, yet somehow heavy, struck Ji Yi’s heart. He felt a warm current flow from her body into his own, playfully moving through him. Even the cold water dripping on him seemed to turn warm.

Ji Yi couldn’t help but hug Zhu Jie back, gently stroking her hair, and even laughed suddenly. “Stop crying, you’re like a child. And I’m already so wet—hugging me like this is getting you all wet too!”

Heh, yes, the effect was perfect. Just from Ji Yi’s voice, Zhu Jie knew he was genuinely moved. Not bad, not bad at all. Today’s performance was excellent! She even gave herself a silent round of applause in her heart. She decided to push forward for a perfect ending.

“Quick, take off your wet clothes! I’ll help you dry them!” Zhu Jie immediately sprang into action, reaching to peel off Ji Yi’s clothes.

But when she looked up, she found Ji Yi staring at her awkwardly. Huh? What’s wrong?

She stared blankly at her own hands. What was wrong? “Ah~” she screamed—too enthusiastic! This final act…

Zhu Jie finally realized the problem. Her hands were pressed against Ji Yi’s solid chest—but that wasn’t the real issue.

The real issue, thanks to the basin of water, was that Ji Yi’s shirt was soaked and clinging to his body. His perfect, large chest was fully revealed!

Zhu Jie couldn’t help swallowing hard—but her hands didn’t move!

Ji Yi, seeing the shock, longing, and excitement in her eyes, felt his face flush immediately.

“I—I’ll go change!” With Zhu Jie’s hands still there, Ji Yi had no choice but to move away.

He hurried to the bedside, looking for clothes, but perhaps due to the wet shirt sticking or something else, he stumbled and almost fell onto the bed!

Oh, what a tremendous humiliation! To be touched by a woman, and to have a reaction! Even worse, he couldn’t even walk properly afterward—how could he ever face anyone again?

But unexpectedly, a laugh, utterly unrestrained, came from behind. Zhu Jie had turned her tears into laughter.

Ji Yi couldn’t help but laugh too. Well, having a reaction was only natural! He was a normal man, after all!