USWHC -Chapter 159 Stars in Her Eyes (Part 9)

“Big Sister Ji, good news! Good news!”

As dusk fell, a wolf-like shout rang out from outside the door—so loud it could be heard three li away—even before the person had stepped in.

Old Madam Ji opened the door and saw it was Er Gou Niang. Immediately, her face darkened. “What are you doing at my house?” Her expression was all displeasure, practically daring her to turn away with a bucket of water.

Er Gou Niang, however, acted as if nothing were wrong. She grinned cheekily and edged forward, exaggeratingly saying, “Big Sister Ji, your family is going to be blessed!”

Old Madam Ji frowned. “Blessed with what?”

“Blessed! Big, great blessings!” Er Gou Niang said as she tried to squeeze into the courtyard. But Old Madam Ji blocked the door, and no matter how she pushed, she couldn’t get in. “Ai-yo-yo, Big Sister Ji, why won’t you let me in? I came to deliver good news!”

From inside the house, Zhu Jie had already heard Er Gou Niang’s exaggerated voice and couldn’t help craning her neck to peek out. She saw heads popping up all over the courtyard—everyone else was curious too.

“What good news?” Old Madam Ji muttered skeptically, still doubtful, but she sidestepped to let Er Gou Niang in.

Hearing this, Zhu Jie suddenly thought of Western missionaries. In this era, Jesus hadn’t reached China yet, right?

Once inside the courtyard, Er Gou Niang immediately spotted all the peeking little heads. She clasped her hands and said cheerfully, “Everyone’s here!”

Now that she greeted everyone so openly, no one could hide anymore. Zhu Jie and the others came out, and Big Sister-in-law You welcomed her warmly, laughing, “Er Gou Niang, what wind blew you here? Come, sit in the house!”

“Only someone from the old family would know how to make an entrance!” Er Gou Niang laughed excitedly. “Good wind! Don’t worry, absolutely good wind!”

Big Sister-in-law You smiled along. “Aunt, come sit in the house.”

Er Gou Niang didn’t refuse at all. She actually followed Big Sister-in-law You inside. Old Madam Ji saw her boldly sitting in the main hall and gave a sharp glare. “She really acts like she owns the place!”

“Why is she here?” Ji Mei quietly asked her mother.

“Who knows!” Old Madam Ji rolled her eyes skyward. Clearly, she was extremely unwelcoming of Er Gou Niang.

At that moment, a low exclamation of excitement came from inside: “Ai-yo! You’re eating! Seems I came at a bad time, really bad timing!”

Though she said it was inconvenient, her voice was brimming with excitement—hardly suggesting any real misfortune.

Of course! Dusk was just the right time for dinner. She clearly came to coincide with mealtime!

Old Madam Ji inwardly cursed, Oh no, quickly put the food away—she’s here to mooch a meal!

At that moment, Old Master Ji’s polite voice rang out: “Perfect, Er Gou Niang, join us for some food!”

“Oh, that’s embarrassing!” Er Gou Niang said with a sheepish smile. Yet, even as she spoke, her hand reached out straight for the largest sweet potato—utterly unapologetic.

Just as her hand was about to grab it, suddenly, a hand came in from the side, and she watched, wide-eyed, as the sweet potato and plate were lifted into the air.

“Oi, Meizi, what’s this? Afraid Auntie will eat it?” Er Gou Niang looked up and saw that Ji Mei had picked up the plate and sweet potato. She gave a nervous laugh. “Don’t worry, Auntie didn’t come to mooch!”

Yet her eyes were still fixed on the sweet potato.

Ji Mei glared at her and returned the sweet potato to the kitchen. She clearly wasn’t giving her any!

Er Gou Niang snorted in annoyance. We’ll see who begs me later! she thought, inwardly fuming. But on the outside, she stayed calm. “Big Sister Ji, come sit! I really have good news!”

She kept emphasizing that she had good news. Zhu Jie, naturally curious, quickly dragged Ji Yi over. Could it be that her family suddenly got rich? Could Er Gou actually afford to marry Ji Mei now?