USWHC -Chapter 79 A Curse About Water (Part 9)

“Oi oi oi, Brother Ji Yi, it’s different now! Having a wife and not having a wife is totally different!” Er Gou couldn’t help exclaiming in amazement.

The people around him all widened their eyes, staring at Ji Yi’s smiling face, and couldn’t help but echo Er Gou’s astonishment. Zhu Jie suddenly felt like she had walked into a duck pen—what’s with all these people? They were looking at Ji Yi with such surprise.

“Is this our Er Han? Look at him—he even smiles now that he has a wife!” a woman of around fifty teased, patting Ji Yi on the shoulder.

“Of course! Haven’t you seen how beautiful his wife is?” The voice was familiar, and Zhu Jie immediately recognized it as Er Gou’s mother.

Everyone’s gaze immediately shifted to Zhu Jie. Many had never seen her before, and upon seeing her, they all sighed in admiration, “Oi oi oi, this girl is really something! Even more beautiful than the stories say!”

“Er Han! Where did you find a fairy like this?”

“Don’t tell me you stole her clothes when she was bathing in the river?”

“Haha, Er Han! And you didn’t even tell me! Which river did the fairy bathe in?” a man in his thirties immediately teased.

At his words, the older women around him joined in the teasing, “Even if we told you, you probably wouldn’t dare go! Don’t want your wife to skin you alive, do you?”

“With a fairy like this, who needs a regular wife?” The man snickered, his eyes turning a bit lecherous as he looked at Zhu Jie.

“Shut up, go enjoy your own business!” someone else shouted, egging him on. “Careful, I might tell your wife!”

“Exactly! Let her skin your Hu Sanliu alive!” Everyone joined in the ruckus, their laughter so loud it almost scared the early-rising birds off the trees.

Hu Sanliu’s face instantly turned red, but he stubbornly shouted, “Tell her if you want! Who’s afraid of who?”

Watching all the commotion, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but laugh. Just then, a mocking voice spoke, someone craning their neck to peek in, “What’s got everyone so happy?”

At the sound of his voice, everyone immediately hushed, eagerly shouting, “Old Ge! Why are you just arriving?”

“I hitched a ride from home!” Old Ge replied with a chuckle.

Following their gaze, Zhu Jie saw a thin, bony horse pulling a dark blue cotton cart—this must be the carriage the villagers used to enter the village.

As Zhu Jie examined this piece of “ancient public transport,” the crowd surged forward like a busy bus scene, pushing and shoving without any restraint.

Before she could react, Ji Yi gently supported her from behind and helped her onto the cart. She rolled herself into the innermost part of the carriage.

Unexpectedly, Hu Sanliu also squeezed into the cart, trying to push himself into the seat beside her.

Zhu Jie froze, about to say something, when Ji Yi swiftly moved up too. Their eyes met, both clearly aiming for the seat next to Zhu Jie.

A mischievous smile crossed Hu Sanliu’s face. His eyes rolled, and he exclaimed, “Oi oi, why is this cart so unstable!” With that, he suddenly toppled toward Zhu Jie, about to crash into her.

Everyone on the cart turned to look, some sighing, others snickering at the unfolding scene. It was obvious Hu Sanliu had lecherous intentions, trying to take advantage of Zhu Jie.

Zhu Jie snorted internally but didn’t panic like an ordinary young wife. While appearing still, she planted her feet firmly and subtly kicked Hu Sanliu’s ankle. Her fists were clenched tightly, and if he truly fell onto her, he would surely face a strike as forceful as a meteor fist.

But just as Hu Sanliu was falling, Ji Yi’s hand shot out. Like an eagle carrying a chick, he gently scooped Hu Sanliu up and swung him over to the opposite seat.