USWHC -Chapter 264 Getting Rich (Part 4)

Beyond the peach-blossom curtain, spring was warm; within the curtain, morning makeup was done lazily. Outside the curtain were peach blossoms, inside the curtain a person—yet the person and the blossoms were never far apart.

When spring flowers bloomed in full splendor—oh my!—the trees by the river really were peach trees, and at this moment the peach blossoms had already burst open one by one. Whether it was warm outside the peach-blossom curtain was hard to say, but the person inside it certainly wasn’t lazy at all.

“Are you really going to do this?” Ji Yi stood beneath the tree, looking up at Zhu Jie, who was clinging to the branches with the agility of a monkey.

Yes, right now among the peach blossoms, Zhu Jie was having very close contact with them. She grabbed a branch and stripped it in one swift motion, leaving the flower stalk completely bare. At this moment, Lord Peach Blossom would probably wish she’d keep a bit more distance!

Huaihua also stood beneath the tree with her neck craned upward—but she wasn’t watching Zhu Jie. Instead, she stretched her head out, acting as lookout. “Dear heavens! Please don’t let Third Uncle see this, or he’ll beat us to death!”

That’s right—this grove of peach trees wasn’t ownerless. They had been painstakingly planted by Third Uncle.

But Zhu Jie continued ruthlessly plucking the blossoms one branch after another, completely ignoring Ji Yi’s warnings. In no time at all, she had already gathered a whole basket full of flowers.

“Don’t strip just one tree! If you’re going to strip them, at least do it evenly, or it’ll be too obvious!” Ji Yi advised kindly, holding to the principle of if we’re going to get into trouble, let it only be once.

Wait—was this him smashing the jar since it was already cracked, silently allowing her to destroy the flowers? Ji Yi, Ji Yi… so this is how little your principles amount to?

In the next moment, within the sea of blossoms, a woman descended gracefully like an immortal. The pale pink petals seemed reluctant to part with her, fluttering down all around. Her skirt and sleeves were dyed red by the falling petals, dotted with faint pink. Ji Yi stared, completely dumbfounded.

But just as she landed, a startled cry sounded in the distance. “What was that just now? Was that a Peach Blossom Fairy?”

Oh no—someone was coming!

Zhu Jie lost her footing and nearly fell straight to the ground. Stumbling, she lunged directly toward Ji Yi.

“Ah!”

With a muffled grunt, Ji Yi watched as the peach-pink beauty flew straight at him. He could even smell the rich fragrance of blossoms. As the beauty fell into his arms, Ji Yi couldn’t help reaching out, a blissful smile spreading across his face.

Fine then—your brother here will suffer a little and let you take advantage of me.

Before Ji Yi even leaned forward, his lips had already puckered up. Was he really planning to hug and kiss her?

It was all because those peach blossoms were too beautiful—and you were too gentle! Was his heart stirred by spring?

But in the very next instant—

Smack!

Followed immediately by a heavy thud.

Yes. What greeted him wasn’t a soft pair of lips, nor a warm and fragrant embrace. What greeted him was a basket—fierce and merciless—that came crashing down on him with a loud smack, knocking him flat onto the ground.

Meanwhile, Zhu Jie stood perfectly steady, not swaying in the slightest.

At that moment, the footsteps in the distance drew closer. “A fairy! It was definitely a fairy—I couldn’t be mistaken!”

Not only that—judging by the voices, quite a few people were running this way.

“Not good! Someone’s coming!” Zhu Jie muttered to herself. “Run!”

With that, she grabbed Huaihua and bolted.

“Brother Ji Yi!” Huaihua cried, refusing to run as she tugged at Zhu Jie.

Ji Yi?

Zhu Jie froze, then looked down—only to see Ji Yi lying face-first on the ground, stretching out a hand toward them with a resentful expression, his face twisted in agony.

“Huh? Why are you lying on the ground?” Zhu Jie asked irresponsibly.

With a thump, the arm that had stubbornly reached out fell limply to the ground, no longer able to struggle.

So… she really didn’t know?

Yes—when Zhu Jie had jumped down earlier, she hadn’t even opened her eyes. Could she timidly admit that she was actually very cowardly?

Well… better not say that. No one would believe it anyway.

“Hey! I heard something! It must be just ahead!” The voices grew louder, and through the swaying tree shadows, human figures could already be seen.

Th-this meant they were about to be caught red-handed!

Zhu Jie immediately jumped up nervously. They couldn’t wait any longer. She turned and was just about to run—

When suddenly a weak cry for help came from the ground.

“Don’t leave me behind!”

Ji Yi’s eyes were filled with tears. If he got caught like this, the good reputation he had maintained for years would be completely ruined!

Luckily, Zhu Jie wasn’t that heartless. Gritting her teeth, she stomped her foot.

“Drag him!”

With that, she and Huaihua each grabbed one of Ji Yi’s arms and started dragging him away as they ran.

Oh, my chin!

Ji Yi’s tears flowed endlessly. Alright—what he thought earlier must have been an illusion. Gentleness had absolutely nothing to do with her!

“Ah—my peach blossoms! They’ve all been ruined!”  

From far away came a mournful cry. Clearly Third Uncle had discovered the Peach Blossom Fairy’s handiwork.

But Third Uncle… isn’t the phrase you used for “ruined early” sounding a bit… *too* suggestive? 😅