USWHC -Chapter 366 Exchanging Fate (Part 6)

“You already guessed that the person who came out wasn’t Ji Mei?” Zhu Jie looked at Ji Yi in surprise. At this moment, only the two of them were walking back home along the road.

“Didn’t you also know long ago that Hua Feixue wanted to leave?” Ji Yi replied with a question instead.

Zhu Jie gave a helpless smile. “Actually, Hua Feixue is quite pitiful. She’s so young, yet she’s suffered so many undeserved misfortunes. If she were forced to stay in Xiangshui Village, she’d probably never get married and would end up stuck at home forever. By then, all she could do would be to wash her face with tears.”

“So that’s why you said leaving is also a way to live?” Ji Yi sighed softly, clearly agreeing with her. In such a conservative village, it would indeed be hard for Hua Feixue to find the kind of partner she wanted.

“I just don’t know whether it will be good for her or not,” Zhu Jie murmured with a sigh.

“They’ll come back to look for you again, won’t they?” Ji Yi said in a low voice, gazing at her with a hint of grievance.

Zhu Jie nodded helplessly. “Once they arrive, they’ll probably send someone again.”

After that, the two fell into silence. They walked side by side without speaking another word.

Just as they stepped into Ji Yi’s small courtyard, Zhu Jie said quietly, “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“I’ll see you off,” Ji Yi replied solemnly, no longer trying to persuade her to stay.

Zhu Jie paused for a moment, then simply smiled with pressed lips. In this world, all gatherings must come to an end—was this truly how theirs would end?

For the entire day, neither of them spoke again. Each stayed alone in their room, harboring their own thoughts, yet unwilling to voice them.

The next day, the sun rose as usual. Ji Yi waited quietly in the courtyard. Zhu Jie didn’t have much to prepare—just some travel money and a few clothes she had made over the past few days at the Ji household. Light enough to carry and leave at any moment.

Still, Ji Yi insisted on taking her bundle. “Uncle Ge is already waiting outside.”

“Uncle Ge? He’s going too?” Zhu Jie was a little surprised. When she stepped outside, she indeed saw Uncle Ge waiting with a carriage.

Having a carriage was naturally much more comfortable than walking. Before long, they were heading up the mountain. Qishan stretched for dozens of miles, its paths rugged and uneven. Despite the jolting ride, the two stubbornly kept their heads up, gazing steadily at each other.

“After I leave, you should study hard. No matter what, go take the exams again,” Zhu Jie gently urged.

“Take the exams again?” Ji Yi’s face darkened. “You’re leaving, so why should I bother with that?” he said gloomily, clearly still somewhat upset.

Zhu Jie sighed. “It’s still a way out. Even if you don’t care about an official career, if you pass, at least no one will bully you anymore.”

Ji Yi said nothing. Taking the exam was never just for her happiness. Now that she was leaving, he had no reason to do it.

“The money from the soap investment should be enough for your monthly expenses. Don’t spend it carelessly—save it up and buy some land or property deeds. Even if nothing else works out, you can at least be a small landlord and live off rent,” Zhu Jie continued.

Ji Yi let out a cold laugh. “You’re easily satisfied, aren’t you? Just thinking about becoming a small landlord.”

“Huahuai isn’t bad—just a bit too timid. If you like her, treat her well,” Zhu Jie added softly.

This time, Ji Yi’s eyes widened. “What?” He let out a cold laugh. “You’ve really thought everything through, haven’t you? You’ve even picked out my next match? What if I don’t like her?”

“Is that so? Then when you look for someone, be more careful. You’re too kind—if you find someone too strong, you might end up being bullied your whole life,” Zhu Jie continued, still nagging.

Ji Yi’s face turned ashen. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Then I just happen to like someone strong. Maybe I have a tendency to be abused, alright?” He shot Zhu Jie a resentful glance.

Seeing him like this, Zhu Jie’s eyes filled with tears. “Fool! What’s so good about someone strong?”

“They bite. Safer to let them out,” Ji Yi said deliberately.

“You think she’s a tigress?” Zhu Jie burst into laughter despite herself. “You’re just too easygoing. Leaving you here alone… I really can’t feel at ease.”