USWHC -Chapter 124 Happy New Year (Part 4)

“And even if we just stick up some red paper, I’m afraid it wouldn’t look good either!” Zhu Jie sighed again. “Not only would it make our family look poor and shabby, it would also make us seem uneducated—no one in our house even knows how to write. That… that would just make people look down on us even more!”

At this, Old Madam Ji immediately became displeased. “What do you mean no one can write? Both Erhan and Meizi can read and write!” She immediately turned to Ji Mei. “Meizi, write a couple of Spring Festival couplets for them and show them!”

“Ah?” Ji Mei froze. Fear instantly crept into her heart. “You want me to write? Mother, I only practiced with Erhan for a couple of days when we were kids—I’ve almost completely forgotten now!”

She immediately looked around for help, and when her gaze landed on Ji Yi, it was as if she had seen a savior. She joyfully exclaimed, “Mother, let second brother write them! Second brother’s handwriting is beautiful!”

Truly, this mother-daughter duo was something else—good at delegating to the right person and avoiding responsibility themselves! In no time, they were calling Ji Yi over with such affection. No more scolding or shoving anyone around.

At this moment, even Zhu Jie couldn’t help but look at Ji Yi, her eyes full of shock and worry. Wait… Ji Yi can read? She had thought this entire household was illiterate! She should have discussed this with him first—what a blunder! A total misstep!

Everyone looked at Ji Yi, and he, in turn, looked helplessly at them. Stammering, he said, “Mother, you know… I only learned the Three Character Classic for two days as a child. I haven’t practiced since, so I’ve completely forgotten. I can’t write these couplets either.”

Zhu Jie’s mood instantly… well, it was complicated. She was relieved that Ji Yi couldn’t write, yet annoyed that he had no real education. If only he could read!

“Neither you nor she can write? Is there no one useful in this family? Am I supposed to be ridiculed for no reason?” Old Madam Ji was furious. She truly felt like the most wronged person in the world!

Old Madam Ji was genuinely anxious now. What on earth were they going to do?

Just when everyone felt completely helpless, someone stepped forward confidently and said with flair, “Why don’t I give it a try?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but just as everyone was hesitating, she unexpectedly stepped forward. All eyes immediately turned toward her.

Huh? Zhu Jie? Yes! It was none other than our beautiful, gracious, everyone-loves-her Zhu Jie boldly volunteering to try writing the couplets!

“You? You?” Even though she stepped forward, she didn’t get enthusiastic applause. Instead, she faced doubt. Old Madam Ji raised her eyebrows and said with a tone full of disbelief and sarcasm, “You can write?”

It was pure distrust. And it wasn’t just Old Madam Ji—Old Master Ji, Ji Mei, even the eldest couple—all of them looked unconvinced.

Perhaps Ji Yi trusted her, but unfortunately, he just stood there expressionless.

“I know some! Not much, but it’s enough to write a couplet!” Zhu Jie said confidently, her proud expression utterly unrestrained.

“Enough? Really?” Old Madam Ji’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

“Mother, no one else can write right now. Why not let me try? How would you know if I can’t unless I try?” Zhu Jie offered her warm, persuasive smile, the kind used to coax a three-year-old.

Indeed, Old Madam Ji hesitated a bit, though she still didn’t fully trust her. “Why do you want to help us?”

Zhu Jie knew she was starting to waver. With a bit of caution still in her heart, she said, “It’s not just for you. We’re living here now too! We don’t want to jinx the whole year. Back where I’m from, couplets are very important, so I’m doing this partly for myself too!”

Hearing this, Old Madam Ji finally lowered her guard. She waved her hand gracefully and told Old Master Ji, “Go get the red paper! Let her try writing a few characters!”

Old Master Ji already had a good impression of Zhu Jie. When Old Madam Ji spoke, he immediately ran into the yard and soon returned with red paper and ink. The ink and brushes had been specially bought a few days ago for the family division—they worked very well!