USWHC -Chapter 89 Leaving Just Like This? (Part 9)

Everyone looked at her pitiful expression and truly felt sorry for her. Suddenly, they thought maybe this girl had really been scared out of her wits.

Of course! Who wouldn’t be terrified after something like that? They couldn’t help but think that way. Especially since they no longer saw Hu Sanliu in his pathetic state, only Zhu Jie crying her eyes out—they instinctively sided with this vulnerable young woman.

“Hey, don’t be upset. Hu Sanliu? Who doesn’t know him! He’s more than just a troublemaker—he’s a full-blown rogue! The whole village knows it!” Er Gou’s mother quickly tried to console her.

“He’s always like this in the village—stealing chickens and cats, sneaking into houses. Every young woman in the village, he’s tried to bother. It’s only because he married a fierce wife these last few years that he’s been a bit restrained. But now he’s in town, and his audacity has grown even bigger!” Er Gou said angrily. “Just wait—I’ll go back and tell his wife!”

“Huh? He’s like that?” Zhu Jie was stunned. So that was Hu Sanliu all along? She immediately looked at Ji Yi in surprise.

“Yeah! It’s my fault for not warning you beforehand,” Ji Yi sighed. “This isn’t your fault. No one’s going to blame you.” He then cast a meaningful glance at everyone in the carriage.

Everyone caught the hint in his look, and all froze for a moment. A trace of embarrassment flashed across their faces, but they had to nod in agreement: “Exactly, it’s all his own doing!”

Zhu Jie watched their uneasy expressions and sighed. Ah, human nature! She knew it well—such interesting events are never kept secret. Even without thinking hard, she knew by sunset the whole village would already know.

By now, the carriage had stopped at the village entrance. Everyone, feeling stifled, hurriedly got off.

Zhu Jie walked ahead in disappointment, and Ji Yi silently followed behind. Both seemed lost in thought, and neither spoke.

From a distance, when Zhu Jie saw the small courtyard of the Ji family, an overwhelming fatigue suddenly washed over her. She sighed deeply and said softly, “Looks like I won’t be able to stay here either…”

Suddenly, she froze. Someone grabbed her arm from behind. She turned in confusion and saw Ji Yi standing there, head lowered, face heavy with emotion.

“Are you really leaving?”

His voice was low, but revealed no emotion. Zhu Jie stared at him, then stuck out her tongue playfully: “I guess by tomorrow my heroic deeds will reach your mother’s ears. Even if I don’t leave, she’ll probably chase me out, right?”

Ji Yi looked at her, then raised his head and gazed at her deeply, eyes full of reluctance. “Then let me see you off.”

“Ah?” Zhu Jie was surprised at his words.

Seeing her stunned expression, Ji Yi thought she didn’t want to go and quickly explained: “The snow may have stopped, but it hasn’t melted on the mountains. The road from here to Qi State is not easy. There’s a natural barrier at the Qi border; even after the snow melts, it’s difficult to cross. Right now, the ditches are likely covered in snow. Since you just arrived, you might not even make it to Qi State and could get stuck.”

He didn’t say anything like “life or death,” careful not to frighten her, yet he stubbornly held her arm. His firm concern was unmistakable.

“To Qi State?” Zhu Jie’s voice rose sharply, filled with surprise. “Now? You won’t take me in either?”

Her eyes widened, mouth slightly agape, brow furrowed in sadness. “Because I’m too violent?”

Hearing that, Ji Yi immediately defended himself: “No, of course not! I…I just…”

“Just afraid of me, right?” Zhu Jie said sadly. “I got carried away earlier… didn’t expect the consequences to be so serious. I should’ve just followed Hu Sanliu a bit further, then beat him in a secluded spot. I couldn’t resist, and now I regret it so much!”

“How could that be? I know you’re naturally so fiery!” Ji Yi quickly countered.

“Ah?”

Fiery? He actually used that word to describe her? She wanted to cry and laugh at the same time—she was really quite gentle, wasn’t she!

Hearing him speak so sincerely, Zhu Jie felt utterly helpless. Was he trying to comfort her? Could it be that in his heart, she really was that wonderful? ~~~~(＞＿＜)~~~~