USWHC -Chapter 95 My Woman (Part 5)

“I… I really…” Zhu Jie murmured softly, her eyes flickering as they landed on Ji Yi.

Ji Yi watched her hesitating, then simply sat down beside her, smiling warmly. “Don’t worry. No matter who you were before, as long as it’s today, I will protect you completely and never let you be wronged again.”

His words were sincere, his gaze unwavering. Zhu Jie felt a warmth spread through her chest. Perhaps these words were more than just comfort. She lifted her head, looking at the tall, imposing man beside her, and sighed softly, “It’s a pity I can’t stay here forever…”

“Can’t stay forever? Why not?” Ji Yi’s heart tightened at her words.

“You’re a good person, but this is still within the territory of Daliang. They’ll find me sooner or later!” Zhu Jie’s eyes dimmed, and by the end, only a sigh remained.

“They… are very powerful?” Ji Yi hesitated, searching for the right words.

Zhu Jie stared out the window. The sunlight outside shone brilliantly across the land, but it seemed unable to reach the depths of her heart. “Yes, very powerful. Within Daliang, there’s nothing they can’t accomplish!”

“What would happen if they found you?” Ji Yi asked with concern, seeing her like this.

“I don’t know… maybe I’d die, maybe I’d be taken back, maybe they’d just marry me off directly!”

“And if we left Daliang?” Ji Yi suddenly asked, his gaze burning, filled with affection. “What if we left Daliang together?”

“Leave together?” A flicker of hope appeared in Zhu Jie’s eyes, but she quickly shook her head. “No… your home is here. I can’t be that selfish.”

Though Old Madam Ji was far from an ideal mother, and Ji Mei and Elder Brother Ji were not exactly model siblings, truly drifting helplessly in a foreign land… she knew that feeling all too well. It wouldn’t be good.

For so many years, no matter how her life had been in this era, she had never forgotten her parents—the ones living in the modern world she would never see again. The longing… always lingering.

“I…” Suddenly, Ji Yi also fell silent, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated at the last moment.

Zhu Jie smiled gently at him, reassuringly patting the back of his hand. “I know… you’re a good person.”

The two of them sat facing each other. Ji Yi lowered his head, watching the fair, soft hand on his, and moved slightly, as if wanting to take it in his own. But in that brief hesitation, Zhu Jie naturally withdrew her hand.

That moment… perhaps it had no practical meaning, but in his heart, it left an indelible memory. For that instant, he felt as if struck by electricity, sensing the warmth of her hand.

Zhu Jie’s face flushed lightly. She had unconsciously placed her hand on a man’s—something unimaginable in this era. This was not the modern world where one could casually discuss revolutionary ideals with a man, nor a time of no boundaries.

Here, men and women did not touch each other casually. And she had not touched the hand of a young man like this for many years.

She tried to withdraw her hand naturally, but she couldn’t ignore the pounding of her heart. How embarrassing! Back when she held a boy’s hand to roam the streets as a child, her heart never raced like this.

But that was decades ago—probably in elementary school, or maybe kindergarten? Her memories had already blurred… it had been so long.

“This time they’re really angry. I’m afraid they’ll bother you even more!” Ji Yi sighed helplessly. “My mother and sister… they are somewhat spoiled by nature.”

Hearing him, Zhu Jie laughed lightly, unconcerned. “Don’t worry. Even if they want to do something to me, it won’t be that easy. Don’t forget who I am!”

“Yes… indeed. You’re amazing!” Ji Yi saw her confident smile and couldn’t help but laugh too. “I heard Hu Sanliu was carried home directly. He probably won’t be leaving the house for half a month! His face must be swollen like a meat bun… and a meat bun that fell into the dye shop, no less!”