USWHC -Chapter 43 The Ungrateful Wretch Who Can’t Be Raised (Part 3)

“Do you really not want to eat it?” Old Madam Ji kept asking again and again.

“If Mother buys it for us, then I’ll eat. If Mother doesn’t buy it, then I won’t. We can’t add to the family’s burden!”

Hearing such sensible words from her, Old Madam Ji was so angry she nearly coughed up blood. She really wanted to say: We’re still waiting for you to buy it for us!

But unfortunately, she couldn’t say such things outright. Clearly, this wife of Erhan still had no intention of revealing the truth.

Smelling the meat buns that were within reach yet unattainable, and watching the greedy saliva almost drip from everyone’s mouths, Old Madam Ji was truly furious.

How can someone be like this? After saying so many sweet words, even with delicious food right in front of her, she still remained unmoved. She didn’t like clothes, and she wasn’t greedy for food either!

So what was Old Madam Ji supposed to do now?

Ji Mei, however, could no longer wait. She kept hopping impatiently and shouting, “Mother, just buy one! We haven’t eaten anything since early morning!”

Hearing her shouting, Old Madam Ji found it extremely grating. She couldn’t help raising her voice and screeching, “No money! Whoever has money can go eat!”

Ji Mei immediately burst into tears. “You promised to buy meat buns! Mother, you’re breaking your promise!”

Just as Ji Mei was crying and wailing, an exaggerated mocking laugh suddenly came from behind them.

“Oh my, I was wondering why the iron rooster was finally willing to pluck a feather today! Turns out it was all just empty talk!”

The moment Old Madam Ji heard that voice, she turned around angrily. Sure enough, Ergou’s mother had been following them the whole time, standing there with her arms folded, watching the show with a grin.

Old Madam Ji instantly flew into a rage and snapped, “What are you saying? If you’ve got money, then go buy it yourself!”

Ergou’s mother deliberately showed off and said smugly, “Oh, I just don’t feel like eating, is that not allowed? They’re only meat buns! Our family eats them all the time—we’re already sick of them!”

As she spoke, she leaned closer to Zhu Jie with a sly grin and said mockingly, “Girl, I can tell you’re from out of town, so you probably don’t know. Your mother-in-law here is a famous iron rooster within ten miles—money only goes in, never out. Don’t expect her to buy you anything!”

Zhu Jie had actually already realized what was going on. After all this fuss, Old Madam Ji hadn’t even brought any money when she came out today! Just wandering around without buying anything—that kind of high-level skill clearly described Old Madam Ji perfectly.

Mother isn’t that kind of person. I suppose she must have her difficulties, Zhu Jie thought to herself.

But outwardly, she still played the good person and spoke up for Old Madam Ji.

“Mother isn’t like that. I think she must have her reasons.”

Hearing her say this, Old Madam Ji’s expression finally improved a little. She shot Ergou’s mother a vicious glare and then said in a sarcastic tone, “Our daughter-in-law understands reason, unlike some people who clearly can’t afford things but still pretend to be big spenders!”

When Ergou’s mother heard this, she turned and glared resentfully at Zhu Jie. Yet Zhu Jie simply stood there gently smiling at everyone, as if they weren’t arguing at all but merely chatting casually.

At that moment, Ergou’s mother suddenly felt that this girl was not simple—someone who hid her depth well.

Instead of getting angry, she suddenly laughed. Looking at Old Madam Ji with a hint of pity in her eyes, she said, “Is that so? Your whole family is really united then. Well, that’s good!”

Then she added in a deliberately sour tone, “Sister Ji, your good days are coming!”

After saying that, she giggled, covering her mouth as she walked away.

Seeing this, Old Madam Ji assumed the woman had been defeated and immediately lifted her chin proudly.

Just then, Ji Mei spoke again in a pitiful voice, “Mother, are we really not eating meat buns?”

Old Madam Ji glanced sideways at Zhu Jie again. Seeing that she still showed no reaction, she finally said coldly, “No money!”

With that, she climbed onto the carriage first—clearly preparing to head back home.

Elder Brother Ji stared longingly at the meat buns, taking a few deep breaths of their fragrant aroma before reluctantly climbing onto the cart. But as soon as he got on, he asked Sister-in-law You suspiciously, “What exactly did Mother bring us here for?”

Sister-in-law You swallowed a few dry mouthfuls of saliva before replying gloomily, “Sigh… someone just doesn’t understand the situation.” As she spoke, she shot Zhu Jie a sideways glare.

Zhu Jie pretended not to notice. Before getting onto the cart, she quietly leaned close to Ji Yi’s ear and whispered: “Your mother is really a master—after acting nice the whole day, she didn’t spend a single coin.”

Ji Yi merely let out a cold laugh, as if he hadn’t heard her at all. Then he walked to the front of the ox cart and obediently went to pull it forward.