USWHC -Chapter 35 Sweet Words That Could Fool Someone to Death (Part 5)

Just as they were talking, they suddenly saw Zhu Jie walking toward them. She actually stopped properly, bent slightly, and performed a polite bow.

“Greetings, Father, Elder Brother, and Younger Sister!” she said with a bright smile.

Her smile immediately turned the few of them into stone statues. They froze on the spot, not knowing how to respond.

Zhu Jie remained half-crouched in that bowing posture. The position was terribly awkward, yet she still forced herself to hold it for a moment. But the three people in front of her had already turned into statues. Zhu Jie secretly sighed. It was all because she was too polite and had mistaken the setting. This was just a small rural farmhouse—how could they possibly understand these formal manners?

Thinking this, she could only straighten up awkwardly on her own and press her lips together in a gentle smile, treating it as if she had already greeted them. Yet the three statues still did not move at all.

Fortunately, at that moment, Sister-in-law You opened the door and shouted, “Food’s ready! Why aren’t you all coming in?”

Zhu Jie immediately seized the chance to step down from the awkward situation and turned naturally toward the kitchen.

But unexpectedly, Sister-in-law You also instantly turned into another statue. She clung to the doorframe, staring wide-eyed at Zhu Jie, so stunned she even forgot to lower her hand.

“Sister-in-law, is there something wrong with me?” Zhu Jie asked in confusion.

Sister-in-law You first froze, then suddenly nodded wildly as if her soul had left her body. After a long moment, she stammered, “Right… everything’s right, all right!”

Seeing her like that, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but sigh. Great, another one has gone dumb. She couldn’t be bothered with them anymore and walked straight into the kitchen by herself.

As soon as she entered, she saw Old Madam Ji also staring at her blankly.

This time Zhu Jie had learned her lesson. She didn’t bow again, only softly called out, “Mother.”

But unexpectedly, Old Madam Ji turned around and ran straight out, the expression on her face extremely dramatic—as if she had just seen some kind of monster.

Zhu Jie touched her cheek in confusion. There’s nothing wrong, is there?

Just as she was feeling puzzled, Old Madam Ji’s voice suddenly rang out from outside, raised several octaves:

“Did you all see that? Did you see it? Our Erhan’s wife is really beautiful! Even prettier than the women in paintings!”

Hearing that she was actually being praised, Zhu Jie finally let out a long sigh of relief. Her face instantly blossomed with a smile.

Of course! This face was the best gift she had received since transmigrating. If she hadn’t been so reluctant to part with this beautiful face, she wouldn’t have worked so hard to survive in this world.

“More than just beautiful! Do you know what? She just bowed to us. The etiquette looked extremely proper. I swear I didn’t even see her body move—she suddenly just became shorter!”

Old Master Ji said excitedly. “That girl must be something special!”

“What’s so special about that? Bowing whenever she sees someone—she’s probably used to being a servant!” Ji Mei said immediately, unconvinced. “Look around our village. Who has that habit?”

“It’s just us country folk who lack manners,” Old Master Ji shot Ji Mei a glance. “I’ve heard that in the wealthy families in town, people greet each other with bows!”

“Yes, the maids in those rich households all have to bow!” Ji Mei pouted unhappily.

Sister-in-law You finally moved her jaw after a long while and said, “No, Father… this girl is too beautiful. What if she brings trouble to our family?”

“What trouble could beauty bring? I think you’re just jealous!” Eldest Brother Ji said immediately, unhappy with his wife’s remark.

“That’s right! What trouble could there be?” Old Madam Ji agreed. “She’s just a woman!”

“But judging from her looks and manners, she might have run away from some big noble family,” Old Master Ji said worriedly. “You’d better investigate clearly. Don’t provoke the wrong people!” Clearly, this time he agreed with Sister-in-law You.

“Provoke who?” Old Madam Ji crossed her arms and said arrogantly. “She came here herself. If someone wants to take her back, they can pay! If there’s money, I definitely won’t stop them!”

Zhu Jie listened to the chaotic discussion outside. Meanwhile, Ji Yi walked in as if nothing had happened.

She watched him calmly sit down and start eating, completely ignoring the commotion.

Zhu Jie deliberately walked over to Ji Yi, bent slightly, and gave another graceful bow.

“Greetings, Husband.”

Ji Yi only frowned faintly and glanced at her sideways. Then he simply responded with a low “Mm.” from his throat as an acknowledgment.