USWHC -Chapter 53 The Big White Jade Radish (Part 3)

Sister-in-law You stared at Ji Yi’s fiercely protective expression, momentarily stunned, and didn’t dare make a move on Zhu Jie anymore. Even so, she still didn’t believe it and said, “Maybe she already hid it!”

Saying that, she casually lifted the blanket on the bed and began rummaging through it messily, as if she wouldn’t stop until she found it.

But in the next moment, suddenly, a sharp, heavy slap landed directly on her face, sending her staggering backward. Her face immediately flushed; the rough skin turned red and swollen—not in a healthy way, but because it was bruised!

“Mother?” Sister-in-law You called out in disbelief.

Old Madam Ji’s eyes blazed with anger, her teeth grinding, glaring furiously as she shouted, “Where’s the white jade hairpin? I said, where’s the white jade hairpin?!”

“Mother, I’m looking for it!” Sister-in-law You stammered timidly, tears threatening to fall.

“Looking for it, my foot!” Old Madam Ji cursed angrily. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

Hearing this, Sister-in-law You burst into tears, feeling wronged. “Mother, I really saw it! I really did!”

At that moment, Zhu Jie suddenly had a look of realization on her face. “Sister-in-law, did you mistake my white radish for a jade hairpin? You really have an imagination. If I had that thing, would I not have brought it out to show filial respect to Mother? Even if I didn’t, why would I be suffering here with you all? I would’ve taken the hairpin and gone straight home long ago!”

Hearing her, no one believed she had brought it out to honor Mother, but the latter part made sense. The Ji household wasn’t a great place—Ji Yi was too poor even to marry a wife properly. If Zhu Jie really had a jade hairpin, there was no way she could have kept it here.

Sister-in-law You finally believed her, too, but seeing Old Madam Ji’s disappointed yet angry expression, she didn’t dare admit it. She could only stammer, “I…I…”

Then Old Madam Ji let out a loud wail. “My sweet potatoes! So many sweet potatoes wasted!”

Zhu Jie almost burst out laughing—sweet potatoes? It was really just sweet potatoes!

At this moment, she couldn’t actually laugh out loud. She forced herself to look aggrieved, pressing closer and closer into Ji Yi’s arms, her voice choking as she sobbed, “Mother, don’t be sad. If one day I really have something good, you’ll be the first to know!”

Old Madam Ji didn’t believe her comforting words at all. She only snorted coldly, exhaling sharply through her nose, and said disdainfully, “We’ll see when that day comes!” With that, she stormed off in a huff.

Sister-in-law You, seeing her leave, quickly scurried out behind her.

Once everyone left, the room became unusually quiet. Only occasionally could Zhu Jie’s soft sobs be heard—gentle, plaintive, as if she was still full of grievances.

Ji Yi slowly released his arms around her and chuckled softly, “Stop pretending. Everyone’s gone.”

But when he looked down, he met a pair of sparkling, mischievous eyes. Zhu Jie stuck out her tongue playfully and pouted. “They were really something, trying to strip my clothes!”

Only then did Ji Yi seriously glance at her. The girl in his arms had her clothes in disarray, her soft chest partially exposed. He couldn’t help but blush and quickly turned his head aside.

Zhu Jie noticed his red face and averted gaze, so she looked down at her own messy clothes. Yet she couldn’t stop herself from letting out a soft snicker—he was really naive! Just this was enough to make him blush!

Technically, her clothes were disheveled, but if this were the modern era, she would still be considered decently dressed. At least she wore a white undergarment. Just now, she had been clutching her collar tightly, so the undergarment had only slipped down to her chest. No cleavage was actually exposed—just a faint glimpse of pale edges, leaving most to the imagination.