USWHC -Chapter 64 Treating the Picked-Up Wife Like a Treasure (Part 4)

Zhu Jie didn’t even have the heart to take a bite. She just held the two meat buns in her hands, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Ji Yi. She even thought she must look utterly ridiculous like this, but this was her genuine feeling.

“Why are you so good to me?” Zhu Jie choked out.

Of course, her question wasn’t just about the two meat buns. She wanted to know so much more—why did he save her? Why was he willing to take her in? Why was he even willing to be a makeshift father to her child? That was something any man would normally find intolerable.

“You don’t need to think so much!” Ji Yi said softly. “What I do… it’s not just for you.”

Zhu Jie was slightly taken aback. She looked at him in surprise, only to notice his gaze drifting away. He wasn’t shy—he was quietly staring out the window, looking into the distant horizon.

“You remind me of someone else,” Ji Yi sighed again. “If there had been someone back then who could have saved her, if there had been someone willing to take her and the child in, maybe… maybe she wouldn’t have died.”

Who was she? Suddenly, Zhu Jie wanted to know. She wanted to know who this “her” was, because she had caught a glimmer of tears in his eyes. She realized that person must hold an extremely important place in his heart.

But Zhu Jie didn’t ask. Ji Yi suddenly turned back and once again gave her that gentle smile, softly saying, “Eat while it’s hot! Buns aren’t as good when they cool down.”

She could tell it was a smile to mask his true feelings. She didn’t ask further, because she knew that even if she did, he wouldn’t say anything.

Zhu Jie returned a naive smile, holding the meat buns as if they were treasures, and began eating them in big bites. Between bites, she said, “You should eat one too!” handing the other bun to Ji Yi.

Ji Yi smiled and pushed it back. “No, it’s fine. I eat these often.”

Zhu Jie froze for a moment and almost held back her tears. “Even if you eat them often, have one! I’ll be full with just one!”

Of course, one bun wouldn’t actually fill her, but she chose to lie—just as he had. She couldn’t believe Ji Yi regularly got to eat meat buns.

At that moment, the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, followed immediately by an even louder shriek: “So this is what you’re doing! Sneaking meat buns!”

In an instant, everyone charged in. Zhu Jie stared at their bloodshot eyes, genuinely startled. Really? Meat buns could turn people into wolves so fast?

Ji Yi quickly shoved the bun back into Zhu Jie’s hands and pulled her behind him. “Mother, Jie’s stomach isn’t well!”

“Not well and still eating meat buns?” Old Madam Ji’s voice practically shattered the ceiling. “I see you’ve really forgotten your mother since getting a wife. Haven’t seen you buy me a bun even once!”

“Exactly! Who does she think she is?” Ji Mei shouted in displeasure. “Brother, we grew up together! If there are meat buns, you should give me one first!”

“Wait! Erhan, where did you get the money?” Elder Brother Ji suddenly blurted out, turning to Old Master Ji. “Dad, did you secretly give Erhan money?”

Hearing this, Old Madam Ji immediately glared at Old Master Ji. “You old man! Tell me—where did the money come from? Are you hiding a stash?”

Old Master Ji hurriedly waved his hands. “No! How could I give him money?”

He then quietly asked Old Madam Ji, “Was it the allowance you gave him?”

“Pfft! My allowance? With our family’s situation, where would there even be money for that?” Old Madam Ji said matter-of-factly. “I’ve never given him a single cent!”

Never given him a cent? Zhu Jie looked at Ji Yi with sudden pity. She felt the bun in her hand grow heavier.

“Tell me, did you steal the money?” Sister-in-law You also put her hands on her hips and shouted. “Erhan! You can’t pick up bad habits!”