USWHC -Chapter 323 Fooling, Then Continuing to Fool (Part 3)

“Jie’er!” Old Madam Zhu called softly as she walked in, her steps full of affection. Looking at Zhu Jie, she really had that natural motherly aura.

“Jie’er, I’m so glad you’re back!” she said, almost crying again, her eyes glistening with tears that instantly brightened her face.

Zhu Jie warmly grasped Old Madam Zhu’s hands and choked out, “Mother, don’t be sad. I’ve come back now, haven’t I?”

Seeing her tears, they too welled up instantly—ah, this really felt like a real mother and daughter!

“Jie’er! How have you been all this time?” Old Madam Zhu asked with genuine concern.

Zhu Jie sighed softly, her voice hoarse, and said, “Everything’s fine. Ji Yi has treated me well enough, though life outside isn’t as good as being at home.” She then looked up at Old Madam Zhu with deep emotion and said, “Mother, even though I can’t remember you coming, every time I see your face, it feels familiar… it feels warm.”

“Really?” Old Madam Zhu was so moved by her words that she didn’t even know how to respond. She just looked at her, silently hoping she would continue.

But she was mistaken—Zhu Jie simply stared at her, as if soaking in the warmth of her mother, carefully studying her face without saying another word.

The two sat there, staring at each other for what felt like forever. Finally, Old Madam Zhu gave in and muttered to herself, “Ah, as long as you’re doing well, I’m relieved… it’s better than us, anyway!” She then looked at Zhu Jie expectantly.

But Zhu Jie didn’t respond. Old Madam Zhu’s heart ached—why doesn’t she ask about us? Go on, ask!

Seeing Zhu Jie still silent, she sighed inwardly at her lack of social awareness. She had no choice but to continue herself: “Well… it’s all a tale of bitter tears.”

She glanced at Zhu Jie pleadingly again. When Zhu Jie remained unmoved, Old Madam Zhu gave up entirely. Fine, I’ll just climb the ladder myself!

“Actually… there’s something we’ve never dared to tell you. But we realized we couldn’t keep it from you forever.” Old Madam Zhu sighed. “Promise me you won’t be too upset when you hear it.”

Not upset—I’ll be happy for them! Zhu Jie thought to herself, yet she asked sincerely, “Mother, just tell me. Has something happened at home?”

Finally, she responded! Old Madam Zhu suddenly broke down, tears that had been welling up spilling all the way to her chin. “Jie’er… we don’t have a home anymore.”

“No home?” Zhu Jie feigned surprise.

“Yes… your mother failed you!” Old Madam Zhu snapped. “We pawned nearly everything we could to come find you, but we never imagined we’d be swindled!” She looked at Zhu Jie through her tears.

Hearing this, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but find it a little amusing. Her silence hadn’t been because she didn’t understand social cues—she had guessed that Old Madam Zhu wasn’t about to lead into anything good, so she deliberately didn’t respond. Now, to her surprise, Old Madam Zhu was just talking away on her own.

Old Madam Zhu sobbed louder: “We were desperate to find you! There were some people claiming you were in their hands. In our panic, we followed their instructions and handed over everything we had!”

“Is that so?” Zhu Jie let out a cold laugh. This time, she decided to humor the ‘poor’ old lady and finally spoke: “It’s all my fault! If I hadn’t left, none of this would have happened! I’ve brought harm to you, Father and Mother!”

Her sudden earnestness threw Old Madam Zhu off—could this girl be slow to warm up?

Actually, Zhu Jie wasn’t genuinely emotional. She just wanted to see what further mischief Old Madam Zhu intended to spill, so she played along.

“No, it’s your mother who’s foolish!” Old Madam Zhu continued theatrically. “I couldn’t give you a good life. I’ve failed you, and I’ve failed the ancestors of the Zhu family!”

She even dragged the Zhu family’s eight generations of ancestors into this! Zhu Jie’s smile deepened—Old Madam Zhu was clearly gearing up for something major!