USWHC -Chapter 278 I Don’t Want to Take the Exam! (Part 8)

“You didn’t have to come with me. I’ll definitely take the exam!” Ji Yi said, looking at Zhu Jie, who had accompanied him to the examination site early in the morning. They had slept late last night, and she was still yawning nonstop.

“No, I came out on purpose to avoid things!” Zhu Jie said seriously.

“Huh?” Ji Yi froze for a moment. Came out on purpose to avoid things?

Zhu Jie then revealed a big mischievous grin. “I didn’t lock my door!”

“Huh?” That works too? Ji Yi was even more stunned. Wouldn’t that invite thieves?

“And I didn’t close the wardrobe either!” Zhu Jie stuck out her tongue playfully. “I think Huaihua hasn’t made a move because we haven’t given her enough time. Hehe… when we go back this time, I’ll definitely catch her red-handed!”

“But if you’re not at home, even if she steals something, you wouldn’t know!” Ji Yi said in disbelief. What kind of reckless plan is that? Even if you lure the wolf into the house, if you can’t catch it, what’s the point?

But Zhu Jie showed that sly smile again and said, “Don’t worry. I already sprinkled poison powder on the banknotes. Anyone who touches them will have their hands rot. Without my antidote, no one will be able to cure it!”

“No way… that ruthless?” Ji Yi exclaimed in shock. Women really are terrifying! Especially women who know medicine—and can also kill people. Those are the ones you really must not provoke!

He suddenly felt sympathy for little Huaihua, silently praying that her moral integrity would hold strong. Otherwise, he might have really harmed her badly.

Yes, the one who had stolen the money wasn’t Huaihua—it was our little Ji Yi. His motive, however, was quite simple: he wanted Zhu Jie to be unable to pay the exam registration fee so that he wouldn’t have to take the exam.

Originally, he had planned to return everything after the exam period had passed. But now it seemed that wouldn’t be necessary anymore—otherwise the one with rotting hands might end up being him!

Ji Yi couldn’t help but feel a wave of lingering fear.

When Zhu Jie and Ji Yi returned home again, Ji Yi was still somewhat uneasy. But when they saw little Huaihua sitting neatly on a small stool in the courtyard, they were both shocked.

What was this supposed to mean?

Had she stolen anything—or not?

When Huaihua saw them, she jumped up excitedly. “Sister! Brother Ji Yi! You’re finally back!”

She hurried forward obediently, took the book box from Ji Yi’s hands, and said, “Brother Ji Yi, you must be tired! Come, I’ve already cooked food for you. Let’s all eat together.”

“You’ve been waiting here for us to come back and eat?” Zhu Jie asked in surprise.

Ji Yi also asked suspiciously, “Why sit outside? The weather isn’t that nice today. Isn’t it a bit cold sitting here?”

Huaihua gave a shy smile and said bashfully, “Sister, you forgot to close your door. I was afraid another thief might come in, so I stayed here to keep watch!” She scratched her head awkwardly, looking every bit like a simple and innocent village girl.

Zhu Jie was momentarily stunned. Was she guarding the house for her? Still, Zhu Jie didn’t fully believe it. On the surface, however, she put on a relieved expression. “With you at home, I feel at ease,” she said, then slowly walked back to her room.

Hearing this, Huaihua felt a warm feeling in her heart. Smiling happily, she went to the kitchen to prepare the meal for them.

Ji Yi followed Zhu Jie back into the room. “Saying that without feeling guilty?” he couldn’t help mocking her.

But Zhu Jie didn’t even bother responding. Instead, she carefully went to the wardrobe and began inspecting her banknotes one by one.

To be honest, little Huaihua’s ability to resist temptation was quite strong. Four hundred taels was no small amount for a farming family. With such a huge temptation, no one at home, and the door left open—yet she had still managed to resist.

How kind must a person be to do that? Such high moral standards were truly unmatched!

Looking at those “scalding” banknotes, Ji Yi couldn’t help but start feeling sorry for little Huaihua. Should he perhaps say something for her?

“Maybe you’re overthinking things? Maybe that day was just a coincidence,” Ji Yi said weakly. In truth, the one with the least confidence in those words was himself.

Because that day hadn’t been a coincidence at all—it was he who had deliberately used a sleeping drug to knock Zhu Jie out while she was weak. No one knew that better than him.

Zhu Jie, however, frowned tightly, looking doubtful. “Maybe it really was just a coincidence?”

Well… perhaps she really had overthought things. Huaihua had repeatedly proven her spotless character through her pure actions. Maybe she truly wasn’t the one who stole the money.