USWHC -Chapter 78 A Curse About Water (Part 8)

“You sure you’re really his biological child?” Zhu Jie was half-dragged by Ji Yi out of the courtyard. The early morning sunlight was still dim, and she rubbed her sleepy eyes, letting out a deep sigh.

Ji Yi walked awkwardly ahead. Just then, his uncooperative stomach let out a rumble.

That single rumble seemed like the start of a symphony, complete with harmony—another rumble followed, louder than his own.

He couldn’t help but glance back and saw Zhu Jie covering her lips as she lightly laughed, playfully sticking out her tongue. “They’re too cruel, right? Not a bite all day—they’re trying to starve both of us!”

Ji Yi sighed. “It’s okay. We’ll go to town soon. I’ll treat you to some meat buns!”

At the mention of meat buns, Zhu Jie’s stomach immediately joined in, happily rumbling. She quickly covered her stomach in embarrassment, hoping to quiet the sounds a bit.

“Looks like we’ll need a few more, huh? These meat buns are tempting!” Ji Yi teased, his hands unconsciously stroking Zhu Jie’s hair.

His smile was warm, his eyes sparkling for some reason. He seemed to have grown fond of smiling. Zhu Jie couldn’t help but stare, captivated. Honestly, his smile was quite charming. Seeing his warm, joyful expression made her cheeks flush.

“Hey! You messed up my hair!” Zhu Jie scolded, embarrassed and flustered. Even she felt awkward—shy, yet trying to act nonchalant and loud.

When she looked up, she met Ji Yi’s beautiful eyes, full of her—the blushing her, the shy her, the flustered her. Zhu Jie instantly felt utterly self-conscious.

Luckily, Ji Yi’s stomach grumbled again at just the right moment. Zhu Jie immediately leaned over, hopping a little as she reached for his hair, teasing while saying, “You should eat a few more meat buns yourself!” She deliberately added, “I’ll treat you!”

Seeing her smug expression, Ji Yi’s smile faltered slightly. He let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh. “You’ve got money again?”

“Mm, soon I will!” Zhu Jie said proudly.

Ji Yi turned his head away, his face still smiling but the light in his eyes gone. “Indeed… there’s barely enough to eat here. This isn’t a place for people at all.”

“Exactly! Even a sweet potato is so stingy!” Zhu Jie pouted, complaining. “I was hoping you could share some with me, but they even punish you! You can tell your standing in their eyes isn’t high at all! I even had to sneak into the kitchen to grab leftover little sweet potatoes for us. Isn’t that pitiful?”

Hearing this, Ji Yi’s smile became more awkward.

Seeing his reaction, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but lean closer, teasing, “You sure you’re really their biological child? I’ve only heard of mothers punishing their daughters-in-law, not starving their own sons. Doesn’t it hurt her heart to see you starve?”

Seeing her mischievous grin and the way she leaned closer with a playful smile, Ji Yi suddenly felt the urge to shut her mouth. But… how could he do that?

Zhu Jie noticed Ji Yi’s gaze shift from flustered to flickering. She had only meant to tease him, knowing it would make him amusing. But… why did his eyes look so strange now?

His gaze flickered downward, and then suddenly fixed on her lips, lingering for a long moment. Not only that—he swallowed deeply, deeply. What did that mean? Did he see something tempting, something delicious?

“Ji Yi!” A loud, friendly voice suddenly called out from a distance.

The familiar voice startled them. Ji Yi looked up, a faint, almost imperceptible awkwardness crossing his face, but he immediately smiled and went over. “Er Gou!”

Hearing him call, Er Gou froze for a moment. Seeing Ji Yi’s smiling, spring-like demeanor, he immediately wore an expression as if his jaw might drop.