USWHC -Chapter 133 Wealthy Relatives (Part 3)

“Mom! Mom!”

In the early morning, the small courtyard was still wrapped in silence, when suddenly Ji Mei’s excited shout echoed through the entire yard, drawing everyone’s attention.

Zhu Jie was still leaning on the windowsill, watching her rush excitedly into Old Madam Ji’s room. Even after she went inside, her loud voice carried clearly out.

“Mom, did you hear? That Sun Elder from our village is back!” Ji Mei exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.

Sun Elder? Zhu Jie tilted her head, thinking for a moment. Wow, that’s quite an important official! But what does such a high-ranking person have to do with their family?

Just as she was pondering this, Old Madam Ji’s equally loud voice rang out, “Wait, is he the brother-in-law of the little uncle of our seventh great-uncle? Why is he back?”

“Apparently, he’s back to retire!” Ji Mei whispered conspiratorially. “I heard from Er Gouzi that everyone in the village is going to pay their New Year respects! That guy, Sun Elder, has really made it big these years. Anyone who goes to visit him, no matter young or old, man or woman, is sure to get a silver nugget! Mom, let’s go pay our respects too?”

“Of course we’re going!” Old Madam Ji’s eyes immediately lit up at the mention of silver nuggets. Her tone became warm and affectionate.

Zhu Jie couldn’t help but roll her eyes to the sky. Brother-in-law of the little uncle of the seventh great-uncle? What kind of “grandfather” is that? Isn’t that a bit too distant?

Yet Old Madam Ji had already started moving. The main room soon filled with the clatter of footsteps and her loud calls to Old Master Ji. They were really getting ready to go? Seriously?

“Meizi! Did you find out where your grandfather lives? Is he already back in the village?”

“No! Who is he? He wouldn’t be living back in the village. I heard he bought a big house in the town and is staying there from now on!” Ji Mei replied, still brimming with excitement.

“Ah, the town isn’t close. We need to prepare early. Families like his are best visited before noon. That way, we can make sure to get a couple of extra meals in too!”

Listening to Old Madam Ji’s not-so-subtle scheme, Zhu Jie genuinely laughed, but the Ji family was utterly excited. Even Sister-in-law You began regretting having breakfast, “If I had known this good news, we wouldn’t have eaten this morning. Wasted such good sweet potatoes!”

Yes, the Ji family’s life had fully returned to the sweet potato era. Hearing this, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but gasp inwardly at their ambitions.

The courtyard quickly became bustling. Ji Laoda hitched the ox cart, while Ji Mei and Sister-in-law You pulled the board cart. In no time, everything was ready.

Just as Zhu Jie thought they were about to vanish like the wind, Old Madam Ji suddenly looked at her as if noticing her presence for the first time, waving excitedly, “Erhan’s wife, bring Erhan! We’ll go into town together to pay respects to your grandfather!”

Zhu Jie widened her eyes in disbelief. Seriously? Now she also had a bonus grandfather?

Sun Elder? Zhu Jie tilted her head, still not knowing this person. He probably didn’t know her either. But more trouble is best avoided, so she decided not to go.

“Mom, we don’t know him!” Zhu Jie tried to refuse politely.

“What does it matter if you know him or not? You’ll get to know him if you go!” Old Madam Ji said matter-of-factly.

Zhu Jie had no choice but to signal Ji Yi from behind, hinting for him to handle the refusal.

Ji Yi caught her signal and didn’t say a word. He silently stepped outside and said to Old Madam Ji, “Mom, our new house isn’t ready yet. We need to tidy it up first.”

“Yes, we’ll go clean up the house first!” Zhu Jie quickly chimed in. With Ji Yi around, a reasonable excuse always came easily.

But Old Madam Ji was not buying it at all. She grabbed Ji Yi’s arm and dragged him toward the ox cart, ignoring any protest. “What’s the rush? I’m not forcing you to move quickly! We’ll go pay respects to your grandfather first. That’s etiquette! Besides, everyone who goes gets silver nuggets. If you don’t want them, you can give them to us! Our family is big—every little bit helps!”

Of course! Zhu Jie rolled her eyes again. Old Madam Ji’s enthusiasm wasn’t for this “bonus grandfather” at all—it was all about the silver nuggets!