Chapter 014: Congratulations to Sister Xiulan

But right now, she didn't have time to think so much, Ji Xinhe's face turned cold: "Did you collect the money? Why didn't I know about this? So, a decent girl like me is not getting married, but sold?"

The aunt also got angry when she heard this: "Isn't that the truth? But I thought your dad wouldn't be so heartless, after all, you are his own daughter. You are not in such a desperate need of money, why go through all this? I guess it's that braggart Zhu Rou San talking nonsense."

Ji Xinhe sneered in her heart. Ji Dashan wouldn't dare to do this, but it didn't mean Lady Ding wouldn't. It was good that the aunt didn't know the truth. Ji Xinhe thanked her and hurried home.

Before she got close, she already saw a three-layered crowd gathered at the Ji's family gate.

Amid the commotion, she could distinctly hear Zhu Rou San's outrageous voice: "I paid the money, and I want the person owed. Are you guys treating me as a fool, thinking my twenty silver is all for nothing?"

Ji Xinhe's heart sank, it was indeed Zhu Rou San. She quickly put down her basket backpack and took advantage of her small stature to squeeze into the crowd.

Ji Dashan was looking dumbfounded at this moment: "We...we didn't take the money, is there a misunderstanding with this?"

Zhu Rou San pointed straight at Lady Ding: "Ask her, then you'll know. Your wife took the money long ago!"

Zhu Rou San hadn't yet fully recovered, he was sitting on a stretcher, it seemed someone had brought him here. Even if he couldn't get out of bed, he wasn't going to swallow his anger – he had to see this through personally.

Ji Dashan looked at Lady Ding, apparently incredulous. A flash of panic crossed Lady Ding's face: "I, I, indeed took the money, but, but isn't the marriage something we should think about long term? I didn't have time to tell you."

"Such a big event······"

Lady Ding flared her eyes: "Am I not considering your hardship working in the field every day? At least let me handle such trivial matters until there are some results before I tell you."

With just a glare, Ji Dashan immediately backed down, calming his fury.

Ji Dong and Xiao Bei stood in the courtyard, glaring fiercely at Ji Dashan. If Ji Dashan had just stood up and forced Lady Ding to return the money, everything could have been settled. But judging from the current situation, Ji Dashan, even when it concerns his own daughter's marriage, wouldn't make his own decisions. He would probably follow Lady Ding's plan and simply hand over Xin He to Zhu Rou San.

Thinking of this, Ji Dong grew angry and rushed forward to speak. At that moment, Ji Xinhe burst forth, still looking bewildered at the scene in the courtyard: "Dad, what's going on? Do we owe someone money? Why have they come to our house?"

Ji Dashan's face turned red, feeling embarrassed to look at Lady Ding.

After all, she was his own daughter. Even if his affection was shallow, he was still too embarrassed to say 'you were sold'.

Ji Dashan was shy, but Lady Ding wasn't. When Lady Ding saw Ji Xinhe return, her eyes lit up.

"Oh, Xin He, you're back? Xin He, come over here, see who's here?"

Zhu Rou San turned to look at Ji Xinhe, but saw a cold gleam in her eyes. Zhu Rou San shivered all over, the pain in his lower body worsening. His fat cheeks uncontrollably twitched.

That cold look disappeared swiftly when she met Zhu Rou San's gaze, and was replaced with a look of innocence: "So it's Zhu Rou San? The Zhu Rou San Mom told me about?"

Lady Ding was taken aback, and then she laughed even happier: "Yes, yes, it's him, you······"

Ji Dong anxiously grabbed Ji Xinhe: "Xin He, get back in the house, so you don't cause any gossip out here."

Ji Dong was really anxious. His sister seemed to have snapped back to her senses yesterday, but why is she acting stupid again today? Didn't everyone know why Zhu Rou San was here?

However, Ji Xinhe smiled at Ji Dong: "Big brother, are you confused? Zhu Rou San is not an outsider, why should we avoid him? We will be seeing him often in the future, don't make him feel alienated."

Ji Dong widened his eyes in disbelief. Had Ji Xinhe gone crazy? But when he saw her blink, Ji Dong suspected it wasn't that simple. He quieted down a bit and stopped talking.

Listening to Ji Xinhe, Zhu Rou San thought she's got it; she was ready to behave properly. He looked at her with a lecherous glint in his eye.

Seeing this, Lady Ding was even more delighted. Whether Ji Xinhe was mad or demented, she just went over and affectionately took Ji Xinhe's hand: "Xin He really knows her place. After all, this whole matter is a good thing, why the big fuss? It's a joyous occasion for our Ji family to be connected with the Zhang family!"

Ji Xinhe laughed: "Yes, I've heard long ago that the Zhang family is quite prosperous in our village. Zhu Rou San seems to be very affectionate. If Sister Xiulan marries him, she is sure to lead a comfortable life. I, as her sister, am so envious. Since Zhu Rou San is here today, I should congratulate them and bless them in advance by calling him brother-in-law."

Ji Xinhe's initial words were agreeable. But the moment her last words came out, Lady Ding instantly turned pale.

"What, what are you talking about?!" Lady Ding's voice rose.

Ji Xinhe looked confused: "Mom, what's wrong? Didn't you tell me a few days ago that you found a good match for Sister Xiulan and it's Zhu Rou San? I was quite pleased to hear that."

Then she turned to Ji Dong: "Big brother, didn't you hear it too?"

Ji Dong was taken aback. As an honest man, he nodded without hesitation: "Mom did say it. I even tried to dissuade her because Zhu Rou San seems to have a bad temper. But mom said that shows Zhu Rou San is a real man and I wouldn't understand; Xiulan will definitely be happy after the marriage."

Xiao Bei quickly joined in: "She did! Mom even said she took Zhu Rou San's betrothal money in advance herself. It was twenty silver!"

Ji Xinhe smiled, her eyes curved: "Mom, twenty silver as a betrothal present is not a small amount. It seems Zhu Rou San's sincere intention to marry Sister Xiulan is as clear as daylight."

Lady Ding widened her eyes. Before she could fully react, she saw Ji Xiulan rush out from the house, almost murderous: "Ji Xinhe, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Ji Xinhe blinked: "What? Mom hasn't told Sister Xiulan yet? I guess Mom wants to surprise her. But my brothers and I already know. Today, let's congratulate Sister Xiulan in advance."

Lady Ding was so furious it made her stutter: "Bull...Bullshit! When did I ever say I was going to marry Xiulan to Zhu Rou San? You shameless little mean girl, this marriage is yours. What does it have to do with my Xiulan?!"

Ji Xinhe's eyes cooled down slightly, but her lips still held a faint smile: "Really?"