USWHC -Chapter 283 Old Madam Ji Gets Tricked (Part 3)

“Our Erhan passed the xiucai exam!”

“Our Yi is really something!”

Along the way, Old Madam Ji and Old Master Ji kept bragging about Ji Yi to everyone they met. Their joy was completely genuine.

“You should find a good match for our Meizi in town! In the future she’ll be the sister of a high official!” Of course, Old Madam Ji didn’t forget to casually bring up Ji Mei’s marriage.

At that moment, everyone who heard the good news couldn’t help but feel happy for the Ji family.

“Yi looked different even when he was little. Turns out he’s someone destined for greatness!”

“Don’t worry, Old Madam Ji. Meizi will definitely marry into a good family!”

“Oh my, Old Madam Ji, your whole family is going to enjoy a life of blessings now!”

The praise from the villagers made the Ji family start to feel a bit carried away. Even with that monster-like face of hers, Old Madam Ji held her head high, wearing the smug look of someone who had suddenly gained status.

But even so, seeing her look so smug actually made Zhu Jie quite happy.

Finally, amid the long stream of compliments, the Ji family returned to their warm little home.

“Erhan, come inside and eat some sweet potatoes before you go?” Old Madam Ji actually took the initiative to invite him.

Zhu Jie’s eyes practically popped out.

Old Madam Ji could actually show such a humane side? It seemed that once someone’s status improved, people really did start to treat them more kindly.

Ji Yi, however, still looked simple and honest. “No, no,” he said. After tying up the ox cart, he prepared to return to his own home.

“Are you satisfied now?” Ji Yi said with a cheerful smile as the two walked back.

Zhu Jie’s smile was practically fixed on her face. “Of course. I knew you were the best!”

Hearing her lavish praise, Ji Yi only shrugged and laughed shyly.

Just then, they heard a breathless shout from behind them.

“Yi, wait!”

When Ji Yi and Zhu Jie turned around, they saw Old Master Ji stumbling toward them. He already looked frail, and after running so hurriedly, his whole body was swaying as if he might fall at any moment.

Ji Yi’s heart softened immediately, and he hurried forward.

“Dad, why did you follow us?”

Old Master Ji carefully took out a small cloth bundle from his robe and stuffed it into Ji Yi’s arms.

“Take these sweet potatoes. Don’t tell your mother. I stole them while she wasn’t paying attention.”

Zhu Jie froze when she heard that.

It was actually a bundle of sweet potatoes?

“Sigh… even though you’ve passed the xiucai exam, life still has to go on. Seeing you eating those rotten sweet potatoes this morning made my heart ache!” As he said this, Old Master Ji’s voice even choked with emotion.

Zhu Jie was stunned.

Had she gone a bit too far this morning? It seemed Old Master Ji had really believed it.

“Dad, keep these. We have food to eat,” Ji Yi said, deeply moved.

“Don’t be polite with your father! If I tell you to take them, then take them. If you go hungry and ruin your health, who’s going to care about you?” Old Master Ji insisted stubbornly.

At that moment, his eyes were truly filled with sincere fatherly love. Zhu Jie could see that there wasn’t the slightest bit of falseness in it, and she couldn’t help but feel moved as well.

“Yi, this is Father’s kindness. Just accept it,” Zhu Jie said softly.

Ji Yi paused in surprise.

Their family hadn’t eaten sweet potatoes for a long time. If they accepted them now, were they supposed to relive the bitterness of the past?

Zhu Jie suppressed her emotions, then quietly walked over and took Old Master Ji’s hand.

“Dad, actually our life is really quite good now.”

“You’re still trying to fool me!” Old Master Ji said, unconvinced. But as he reached out, he suddenly felt something in his hand.

He looked down.

It was a piece of paper. No—actually, it was a banknote.

Even though Old Master Ji couldn’t read, he still recognized a silver note. It was the kind of thing that once you saw it, you would never forget for the rest of your life.

“Dad, this is a one-hundred-tael silver note. Take it, and don’t let Mom know. If life at home gets difficult, you can secretly use it to help out a little,” Zhu Jie said sincerely.

When Ji Yi saw this, he couldn’t help but feel touched. She might have a sharp tongue, but deep down her heart was kind.

But Zhu Jie still added worriedly: “Just make sure Mom never finds out. Otherwise she’ll definitely snatch it away from you!”