USWHC -Chapter 310 Bubble of Foolishness (Part 10)

“Oh, my son! My poor son!”

Early in the morning, someone at the Ji family gate began wailing. Was someone mourning? Could it really be so unlucky?

The cries were loud enough that, at this hour, they practically echoed through the entire village. Then came the sound of the courtyard gate being pounded—bang, bang, bang! What was going on? And the intruders seemed so brazen!

“Who is it? Have you lost your mind? Don’t you even know who I am?” Old Madam Ji stepped out with her hands on her hips.

Almost at the same time, the courtyard gate was kicked open with a bang, and the intruders appeared, showing no fear at all in front of the Ji family.

Outside the gate stood three people. Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be a family of three. The man was about forty, dressed in fine clothes, supporting an elderly woman—apparently his wife—also around forty and equally well-dressed. Behind them was a young woman, maybe twenty, dressed in luxury as well.

Hmm? Judging by their attire, they were clearly from a wealthy family. But why would such people come all the way to a poor mountain village like Xiangshui Village to make trouble? That made no sense.

“Have you gone mad? Coming to someone else’s house to mourn? My son isn’t here!” Old Madam Ji said, her tone commanding and sharp.

Yet the elderly woman cried even harder, her wails stretching long: “My son! Come out! Your mother is here to take you home!”

“You’re insane! Didn’t you hear me? My son isn’t here!” Old Madam Ji shouted, fuming.

By now, the villagers had all heard the commotion. Someone was causing trouble at the Ji household? With such a spectacle, how could they not come see? In no time, a crowd had gathered in front of the Ji family gate.

“My son has gone into your house!” the elderly woman insisted relentlessly.

“Don’t waste words on her. Big sister, go get your sister!” the elderly man said, clearly annoyed.

Sister? What sister? That’s not a son—it’s a daughter!

The young woman, addressed as the “big sister,” rushed inside while calling out: “Jie! Zhu Jie! Father and mother have come to take you home!”

Zhu Jie? The Ji family widened their eyes. They were here for Zhu Jie? Could it be? Could these be her family?

Old Madam Ji fell silent. She hadn’t expected it—this family was Zhu Jie’s parents. But… that couldn’t be right! Didn’t Zhu Jie say she had no mother?

“Wait! Who are you? Charging in like this?” Old Madam Ji stopped the young woman from going further. “Stop talking nonsense! Zhu Jie doesn’t have a mother!”

“What do you mean she has no mother? I’m standing right here!” The elderly woman bristled. “I see—it must be that you’re hoping my Jie’er has no mother! Hmph, the better if she didn’t, so you could take her home blindly and make her a cheap bride!”

“What cheap bride? She came on her own, and she insisted on staying at our house! We didn’t stop her!” Old Madam Ji quickly protested, feeling a bit guilty. Her earlier confidence faltered.

“See! You admit it! Jie’er is in your house!” The elderly man’s face became stern as he shouted, “Hand her over, or I’ll report this to the authorities!”

Report to the authorities? Old Madam Ji was alarmed. This was escalating! No way—she couldn’t involve the government. Once the officials got involved, even if nothing happened, she’d probably get thrashed anyway!

She immediately changed her tone, letting go of her hands on her hips. Her voice became sweeter, and a smile appeared on her face. “Oh, we’re all family, aren’t we? Why make things so ugly?”

With that, Old Madam Ji even warmly approached the seemingly frail elderly woman, supporting her as they began heading inside. “Come, let’s sit inside. It’s not proper out here; everyone will just laugh at us!”

But unexpectedly, the seemingly weak elderly woman was stronger than Old Madam Ji. With a gentle wave of her hand, Old Madam Ji stumbled, almost falling to the ground.