USWHC -Chapter 484 The Imperial Examination (Part 4)

Ji Yi chuckled and quickly pretended to be in great pain, clutching his foot as he said, “Ouch, wife, it hurts so much!”

“You’re lying to me again!” Zhu Jie huffed angrily and kicked his foot directly.

This time it really hurt. Ji Yi immediately pounced forward, tightly hugging Zhu Jie as he complained, “My dear wife, it really hurts! Can you not be so ruthless? If you break me, won’t you feel bad?”

“I won’t!” Zhu Jie replied bluntly. “You’ve got so many women who care about you—go find them instead!”

Ji Yi instantly put on a wronged expression. “That’s unfair! Other than you, who cares about me?”

“Really? None?” Zhu Jie rolled her eyes at him. “You must be running out of book boxes by now, right? My fourth sister spent 5,999 taels just to get you a platinum edition! Isn’t that enough for you?”

“Wife, I didn’t ask for it! If you don’t believe me, go ask around—I’ve got a ‘wife edition commemorative book box’!” Ji Yi said ingratiatingly.

“Which wife? I never gave you one!” Zhu Jie demanded, hands on her hips.

“You forgot? The one you bought me when I went to take the county exam! I’ve carried it all the way to the capital. See how devoted I am?” Ji Yi grinned shamelessly as he leaned closer, planting a light kiss on her cheek. “Shouldn’t I get a reward for that?”

Seeing him shamelessly edging closer again with that sly, mischievous look, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but laugh. “Reward you for what? You’re still keeping that shabby thing!”

“Oh? My wife’s not satisfied? Then I’ll just go back and use that platinum edition book box instead,” Ji Yi said teasingly.

Zhu Jie’s eyes widened instantly as she snapped, “You dare! I’ll break your legs!”

“Hey now, you say you’re not jealous, but it looks like the vinegar jar’s already spilled!” Ji Yi laughed smugly, his arms wrapping around her again. “I was just joking. No matter how worn it is, if it’s from my wife, it’s the best! And honestly… I really miss our days back in Xiangshui Village. We were poor, but at least I could see you every day.”

Zhu Jie couldn’t help but feel nostalgic too. Back then, she had lived so boldly and freely.

“Even if you don’t become the top scholar, I’ll still find a way to let the Emperor meet you,” Zhu Jie said softly.

But Ji Yi was full of confidence. “Don’t worry. If I say I’ll pass, I’ll pass!”

“Hmph, getting arrogant now?” Zhu Jie laughed. “Don’t count on some muddle-headed examiner this time. The metropolitan exam is watched closely by everyone—it’s not a place for you to fool around.”

“You don’t believe in my ability, my dear wife?” Ji Yi patted his chest. “Don’t worry, I’ll make you satisfied! Or… why don’t you test me right now?”

“Hey! Behave yourself—you’ve got an exam coming up!” Zhu Jie dodged him and hurriedly tried to escape.

“That’s exactly why I need my wife to give me some encouragement!” Ji Yi chased after her relentlessly.

The two of them played and chased each other around the room, and in no time, Zhu Jie was cornered against the wall with nowhere left to run. The next moment, a pair of long arms firmly caged her in.

She turned around, her back pressed against the wall, and froze. They were so close—his eyes were clouded with intensity, his heavy breaths brushing against her face. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably. For some reason, at this moment, he seemed overwhelmingly domineering—this kind of man carried an irresistible charm.

A kiss came down heavily, leaving her no chance to evade. Perhaps Zhu Jie didn’t want to avoid it either. She paused slightly, then unconsciously responded, her lips meeting his. His kiss was so burning hot, igniting every inch of her skin.

“Is it really okay?” Zhu Jie asked softly.

“Three hundred rounds wouldn’t be a problem,” he murmured in her ear. His body had already pressed tightly against hers, as if she might be embedded into the wall.

In the next instant, a sudden sensation of weightlessness struck. Zhu Jie opened her misty eyes in surprise, and what she saw was his firm jaw—and that roguish smile. With one smooth motion, he scooped her up in his arms.