USWHC -Chapter 384 The Mysterious Master (Part 4)

“Stop looking. Once we get down the mountain, we’ll be home!” Ji Yi turned back and called out loudly to Zhu Jie.

But Zhu Jie kept glancing back every few steps, staring up at the sky as if searching for something.

“What are you looking at?” Ji Yi simply grabbed her hand and strode forward.

“I’m checking if there’ll be localized rain,” Zhu Jie said, letting him pull her along.

“Don’t overthink it. You don’t actually believe those people, do you?” Ji Yi laughed.

Zhu Jie let out a soft sigh. “I met the abbess. She really did seem somewhat ethereal. And she said my marriage is destined by heaven… so I want to see if what she said will really come true.”

“What ‘destined by heaven’? I’ll decide our marriage myself!” Ji Yi declared decisively. “When we get back, we’ll get married. I’ll give you a grand wedding—let everyone know. Let’s see who dares to object!”

“Married?” Zhu Jie’s eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing her reaction, Ji Yi pouted, pretending to be unhappy. “What? You’ve got objections?”

“Of course I do! It’s my wedding—I need to plan it properly!” Zhu Jie said seriously. “I want eighty-eight banquet tables, flowing feasts! I’ll invite the entire village! Every table will have meat and delicacies… except your mother’s table—we’ll serve only sweet potatoes!”

Ji Yi burst out laughing. “That would make my mother furious!” The two of them laughed out loud together, their steps suddenly feeling lighter than before.

Before long, they descended the mountain. The moment the scenery at the foot of the mountain came into view, both Zhu Jie and Ji Yi felt a tremor in their hearts. Though they had only been away for a few days, it felt as if a day in the mountains was like a thousand years in the mortal world—a bittersweet mix of homesickness and joy filled their hearts.

The fields below had already sprouted fresh green shoots, vibrant and full of life. Even the Ji family’s land had new crops growing. Clearly, the family hadn’t been idle—they had done some real work.

Zhu Jie looked at the fields with great fondness. Just then, someone came running from the edge of the field.

“Yi! Where have you been? You’re finally back!”

Hearing the excited shout, warmth rose in both Zhu Jie and Ji Yi’s hearts—until the man continued:

“If you didn’t come back soon, we were planning to move into your new house!”

…Alright, wasn’t that a bit too enthusiastic?

Ji Laoda came rushing over excitedly, but just as he was about to reach them, he suddenly slipped—tripping over something—and with a splash, a stream of brown liquid shot straight toward them.

Was he fertilizing the fields?!

Zhu Jie was startled. Watching the brown stream heading directly at her, she panicked. This was organic fertilizer! You can’t just fling it around! If something that disgusting hit her, how could she go on living?!

In the next instant, Zhu Jie stayed remarkably calm. She quickly opened the oil-paper umbrella in her hand. Smack! A whole load of “good stuff”—who knew how much effort Ji Yi’s mother had put into producing it—poured down from above. If not for the umbrella, Zhu Jie would have been drenched head to toe.

Ji Yi and Uncle Ge were both stunned.

No way… was there really localized rain?

And this “rain”… well, to be honest, the smell was absolutely unbearable.

“Ah! Sister-in-law, are you okay?” Ji Laoda scratched his head sheepishly as he got up. Seeing Zhu Jie cowering under the umbrella, surrounded by dripping brown muck like something freshly scooped out of a pit, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

What a tragedy! Was this over-the-top welcome or what?!

Zhu Jie looked up at the sky and sighed. Ugh, it stinks! Seriously!

“Hey, Er Han and the others are back! Come take a look!” someone shouted. Who knew which loud-mouthed busybody aunt it was—but in no time, the villagers of Xiangshui Village crowded around enthusiastically.

“Who’s that? Why does it smell so bad?” came a hoarse voice—wasn’t that Sister-in-law You?

“Oh! Isn’t that Second Sister-in-law?” another voice cried out, filled with excitement. “Hahaha! Second Sister-in-law, did it rain today?” Ji Mei’s shrill, excited voice shot up.

Zhu Jie hurriedly lowered the umbrella further, using the smelly canopy to shield her still-fragrant face. Waaah… At this moment, she seriously suspected that Ji Laoda’s fall just now had been completely intentional!