USWHC -Chapter 269 Getting Rich (Part 9)

Zhu Jie watched as Ji Yi walked down the corridor with his head held high and chest puffed out. Good—at least he wasn’t embarrassing her. Just as she nodded in satisfaction, she suddenly saw him turn the corner. Huh? Why did he stumble and disappear? Did he fall?

Zhu Jie couldn’t help but worry. Just as she was about to stand up, a young servant walked in, respectfully placing tea and snacks on the table.

“Miss, please wait a moment. The shopkeeper will be back shortly.”

Zhu Jie glanced at the snowflake pastries and the freshly brewed warm tea he had brought. The treatment was clearly better than before. Did this mean they were quite satisfied with her flower-scented soap?

She took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and sat back down. At a time like this, she needed to maintain her composure and presence; otherwise, she would easily fall into a disadvantage when bargaining later.

As for Ji Yi, who had supposedly fallen?

Let him lie wherever he fell!

In fact, Zhu Jie was worrying for nothing. Ji Yi hadn’t fallen at all. When he reached the corner, he staggered only because someone suddenly stretched out a hand and pulled him straight into another room.

At that moment, Ji Yi was sitting firmly in a chair—an imposing, luxurious carved grand armchair. Judging by the setup, he looked far more imposing than Zhu Jie did outside.

“Master, is that the improved soapberry you developed?” Shopkeeper Liao asked respectfully, standing below him.

“No.” Ji Yi replied calmly. “Women focus on details, while men focus on quality. That kind of ingenious little thing is completely a woman’s preference.”

Shopkeeper Liao clearly thought the same. After all, who would bring their own business to the door asking to invest their technology into it?

Their own business?

Yes—judging from the way the two of them interacted, it was quite obvious. It also explained why, when Zhu Jie and Ji Yi entered earlier, everyone’s attitude seemed a bit unusual. The servants had been greeting their own master all along!

Wait… this was Ji Yi’s business? Then why had he been crying about having no money?

Something wasn’t adding up.

Ji Yi’s face darkened as he said coldly, “Find a way to send her away.”

“Huh?” Shopkeeper Liao was stunned. “But that item looks quite innovative.”

“So what?” Ji Yi’s voice turned even colder. “I don’t want her to earn a single coin from it.”

What? What did Ji Yi mean by that? Had he simply gone too long without eating roasted sweet potatoes and was starting to miss those days?

Shopkeeper Liao was equally shocked. He cautiously asked, “Has something happened at your home, Master?”

It was clear that the man was quite sharp. He immediately realized that Zhu Jie must be short of money. And naturally, since she lived with Ji Yi, if Zhu Jie lacked money, it was basically the same as Ji Yi lacking money.

Ji Yi sighed helplessly and said, “She wants me to take the xiucai examination.”

He was merely stating a fact, but Shopkeeper Liao looked astonished.

“You don’t want to take it, Master?”

“What’s the use of me taking that? It’s just a waste of time!” Ji Yi muttered irritably.

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Liao’s eyes began rolling thoughtfully. Then he assured him confidently, “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll definitely send her away in a moment.”

Only after receiving this assurance did Ji Yi relax. He let out a long breath and said, “I’ll head back first later. Don’t let her find out.”

“Yes, Master. Very thoughtful of you,” Shopkeeper Liao replied, seizing the chance to flatter him.

Ji Yi walked out feeling completely satisfied.

Hehe, Zhu Jie was going to be disappointed this time. But at least he wouldn’t have to study anymore—how great was that?

Unfortunately, he didn’t see the shrewd Shopkeeper Liao behind him, revealing a sly smile.

A sly smile?

What was he planning?

Zhu Jie had already grown impatient waiting in the room. When she saw Ji Yi return in a hurry, she complained irritably, “Where did you go? Why did it take so long?”

Ji Yi simply sat down beside her cheerfully. He lifted the teacup and gulped down a large mouthful, then stretched out his hand to grab a snowflake pastry from the plate and began eating it with great relish.

What was wrong with him? Why had he suddenly become so happy?

“Don’t just eat randomly!” Zhu Jie warned in a low voice. “Don’t let people think we’re country bumpkins who’ve never seen the world. We’ll be looked down on!”

But by the time she finished speaking, Ji Yi had already stuffed his mouth full of snowflake pastry and was chewing noisily.

The way he was eating—far from looking inexperienced—it was more like someone who hadn’t had a full meal in ages.