USWHC -Chapter 15 An Oddball Family (Part 5)

Watching them argue back and forth, each sentence sharper than the last, Sister-in-law You suddenly showed an expression of sudden realization. She slapped her thigh and cried out, “Oh! No wonder Erhan’s dark circles are so heavy today! So he was bewitched by a female demon last night!”

With that shout, everyone’s eyes instantly turned toward Ji Yi again. Under their gaze, Ji Yi’s face flushed red.

Why? Why did he suddenly remember that moment last night when things nearly got out of hand? He even felt fortunate that, thankfully, his orientation was completely normal!

But the moment his face turned red, everyone else immediately showed looks of sudden understanding. Of course, that was except for Ji Mei, the inexperienced young girl. Even so, Ji Mei still had a shy yet disgusted look on her face—after all, who didn’t understand this sort of thing?

Zhu Jie was stunned for a full second before she finally realized the truth from the lewd smiles on their faces. What were these people even thinking?!

Just as she was about to explain, Old Madam Ji suddenly slapped the table. With great certainty and excitement she declared, “Alright! Since that’s the case, we won’t dislike her anymore. Let her marry our Erhan!”

With a bang, Zhu Jie’s jaw practically dropped onto the table. Was something wrong with her ears? They wouldn’t mind? But she minded!

“Um… aren’t you misunderstanding something?” Zhu Jie asked in a tiny voice. She was afraid she might have misunderstood and end up making a huge fool of herself.

“What? You’re unwilling?” Old Madam Ji said, putting on a righteous, debt-collecting expression. “Don’t forget, our Erhan saved you! And you still owe our family those sweet potatoes!”

Zhu Jie genuinely laughed, her jaw practically hanging off her face and refusing to close. “Auntie, you really like joking. Do you even know what kind of person I am?”

“What kind of person are you?” The moment Old Madam Ji heard that, she became wary. Squinting her eyes, she carefully sized Zhu Jie up. “What? Are you some notorious bandit? A female outlaw on the run?”

As she spoke, she suddenly pointed at Zhu Jie and shouted, “I was wondering! In times like these, a young girl running around everywhere—she must be no good! Erhan, quick! Grab her! Let’s send her to the magistrate! Maybe the official will even give us a reward!”

Why does everything come back to money with them? Zhu Jie was speechless, black lines practically forming across her forehead. But before she could react, Ji Yi strode forward and shoved her down onto the chair with one hand, pinning her so firmly she couldn’t move at all.

“Quick, get a rope and tie her up!” Ji Mei also shouted excitedly from the side.

Seeing them actually start looking for rope again, Zhu Jie hurriedly cried out, “Wait, wait! Let’s talk this out!”

As she spoke, she immediately put on her most innocent and kind expression, smiling as gently as possible. “Just look at me—am I cute? Am I kind? Someone like me, how could I possibly be a notorious bandit? Right?”

“Hard to say. Better send you to the authorities first,” Ji Yi said coldly.

“Don’t do that!” Zhu Jie was practically on the verge of tears. She absolutely could not go to the authorities! “Actually, since you saved me, I’m very grateful. Don’t worry—I’ll definitely repay you in the future. Truly, I’ll repay you properly!”

But before she could finish speaking, Ji Yi snorted coldly. “Repay us properly? By making us shovel snow off the mountain again?”

The moment everyone heard that, they all glared furiously at Zhu Jie. Seeing the way they looked ready to devour her alive, Zhu Jie hurriedly said, “Of course not! I—I’ll give you money! Lots and lots of money!”

“Money?” The moment Old Madam Ji heard that word, her eyes widened even more. “How much?”

“Well… how about five hundred taels?” Zhu Jie asked cautiously, looking at her. The greedy expression on the old woman’s face gave her confidence.

Unfortunately, in the very next moment she was doused with cold water.

“Mother, don’t believe her. Don’t forget how she just tricked us earlier,” Ji Yi said again, reminding everyone of her previous “great achievements.”

“B-but my purse really was lost! There was way more than five hundred taels in it, really! I’m absolutely not lying!” Zhu Jie said, raising her hand and swearing solemnly.

“Mother, why don’t we just keep her here for now? If she really has money, we can release her later,” Sister-in-law You leaned over and whispered her suggestion.