USWHC -Chapter 126 Happy New Year (Part 6)

“What’s wrong with your face?”

Like a thief striking faster than lightning, Zhu Jie darted back into the room and slammed the door. But just as she was about to interrogate Ji Yi, she noticed that in no time, his face had turned a shocking shade of crimson—bright red, like he’d been boiled alive.

Ji Yi felt his heart race, and he didn’t even know if it was from running or just from holding her hand. Her question only made his face burn even more, almost as red as Guan Yu’s.

Zhu Jie watched Ji Yi’s face grow redder and redder. She even tilted her head, studying him intently for a while. “Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” she asked, then, with mock seriousness, reached out and touched his temple with concern.

“Wow, so hot! Do you have a fever?” Zhu Jie exclaimed in alarm.

Ji Yi just lowered his head and stared at his suddenly lonely hand. How had he not noticed it felt so empty? Without that warm, tender touch, his heart felt strangely hollow.

“No!” he muttered grumpily, as if answering her question.

Zhu Jie saw his face quickly pale, and a deep sense of disappointment flashed in her eyes. What was wrong with this kid? Could it be that spring was approaching, and he was starting to feel… adolescent stirrings?

Well, at twenty, a child was indeed transitioning from rebellious youth into the sensitive, thoughtful phase of adolescence.

As a middle-aged woman, Zhu Jie considered herself experienced enough to have a say on such matters. (Really? You’re only fifteen—maybe you shouldn’t be classifying yourself as a middle-aged woman just yet.)

Zhu Jie deliberately let out a sly little laugh. “Hehe, tell me, are you hiding something from me?”

Ji Yi’s heart instantly panicked. Had she noticed something? He quickly avoided her gaze, afraid that even the slightest trace of emotion in his eyes would be discovered.

But then, Zhu Jie spoke in a very soft, guilty voice: “Tell me… did you understand the meaning of the couplets? Huh? How many characters can you read?”

Hearing this, Ji Yi relaxed. Oh… so that’s what she meant! He had misunderstood.

“I only studied the Three Character Classic for a few days when I was young. I don’t know many characters,” Ji Yi said, still trying to cover up.

“Lies!” Zhu Jie immediately retorted, fuming. “Don’t tell me you learned wild cursive script when you were still babbling! Do I look like I never went to school?”

For beginners, people usually practiced large characters, mostly in clerical or semi-cursive script. As for wild cursive (kuangcao), it looks like little black worms on paper and absolutely requires skill. One must first master clerical script before learning cursive, because cursive evolved from clerical—definitely not a beginner’s style.

And clearly, Ji Mei didn’t know them. What did that indicate? That she only learned the basics. By comparison, it was obvious Ji Yi was lying.

“Tell me, what have you actually learned?” Zhu Jie immediately took on a fierce, threatening look, pressing him.

Ji Yi, however, clenched his teeth and insisted he only recognized a few characters, and that was many years ago—he’d nearly forgotten them now.

Being literate is still better than being illiterate! Zhu Jie suddenly had a new idea. Since she had come here, it must be fate. The Ji family was already in chaos because of her. What would Ji Yi do if she left one day, alone?

Perhaps she could try to change Ji Yi’s life, help him live better! Yes, with her modern knowledge and insight, changing an ancient person’s life should be more than doable.

Yes—promotion, raise, become general manager, rise to CEO, marry a wealthy, beautiful woman!

In ancient times, that would translate to: top scholar, official, accumulate wealth, become prime minister, ultimately reaching life’s peak and marrying a fair lady.

Ji Yi suddenly felt Zhu Jie’s gaze on him shift. Her eyes seemed to burn with a fire, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that her intentions were… not exactly pure.

Zhu Jie patted Ji Yi’s shoulder deeply and earnestly said, “Brother, sticking with me is the right choice!”

Pfft! His mind spun—where did this come from?

“Why did you write those couplets on the door?” Ji Yi asked softly, full of distrust.

“Do you want to eat the New Year’s Eve dinner? Mom-style, warm, homemade dinner! Whether we get to eat tonight depends entirely on these couplets!” Zhu Jie said proudly. “Do you know? Last night, in the freezing cold, I went out to hang them! You should be thanking me!”

Pfft! Another burst of disbelief—“Be careful not to get hit on the head!” Ji Yi’s look seemed to say: Good luck surviving this one!