Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Upon learning that Ji Changfeng would be returning today, Old Madam Ji had Li Shi slaughter the wild rabbit Ji Yuanchuan had caught the day before.
No matter how much she disliked Ji Changfeng in her heart, she had to admit that the little brat was truly outstanding and had brought her plenty of prestige in the village.
More importantly, Ji Changfeng had been shrewd since childhood. He wasn’t as easy to manipulate as the eldest branch of the family. If she wanted to gain any benefits from him in the future, Old Madam Ji could only reluctantly put on the act of being a loving grandmother.
Looking at the bloody rabbit, Old Madam Ji clicked her tongue.
What a waste!
At that moment, another sweet aroma drifted from the eldest branch’s small kitchen. Old Madam Ji cursed and returned to her room, shutting the doors and windows to block out the mouthwatering scent.
It was the season when pears were cheap, so Song Zhaoxi had bought a few. For breakfast, she made pear porridge with rock sugar, boiled five eggs, and fried a plate of tofu.
Every mealtime was pure torture for the Ji family, yet they didn’t dare trouble Song Zhaoxi.
For once, Ji Pingping came to the kitchen door and ordered, “Hey! My eldest brother is coming home today. Grandmother is making something delicious, and everyone’s eating together tonight. After you finish eating, clean up my brother’s room and then go dig up some wild vegetables.”
“I’ve already cleaned the room. I have other things to do, so you can dig the wild vegetables yourselves.”
To Song Zhaoxi’s surprise, Ji Pingping didn’t argue further. She simply left with a dark expression.
That’s not like her at all…
After breakfast, Song Zhaoxi prepared to dump the bucket of kitchen waste when Aunt Meng, their neighbor, suddenly called out to her.
“Changfeng’s wife, Changfeng is coming back today, isn’t he?”
The title made Song Zhaoxi feel somewhat awkward, but she still nodded.
Aunt Meng was naturally friendly and smiled.
“No wonder your family’s been so busy since early this morning. I even saw Pingping go out earlier. Wonder what she’s up to.”
Song Zhaoxi: “…”
This family truly couldn’t stay peaceful for even a moment!
Although Song Zhaoxi had never intended to have any sort of relationship with Ji Changfeng, she also didn’t want to offend him.
Ji Changfeng’s bedding had long been neatly folded, and she had thoroughly cleaned the room inside and out. Before leaving, she even locked the door.
After thinking for a moment, Song Zhaoxi went to the kitchen, poured a little oil in front of Ji Changfeng’s room, and then, after finishing all this, led the roe deer out with her.
No sooner had Song Zhaoxi left than Ji Pingping and Ji Xue, who had been hiding nearby, sneakily ran into the courtyard carrying a bucket of manure.
The old yellow ox at the village head’s house had come down with diarrhea, so Ji Xue had gone to fetch Ji Pingping.
“My eldest brother loves cleanliness the most. If he comes back and finds his room full of cow dung and urine, he’ll definitely be furious. And during this time, the only person who’s entered his room is that bitch Song Zhaoxi!”
Ji Xue smiled.
“Your idea is brilliant. If Brother Ji really divorces Song Zhaoxi afterward, I certainly won’t forget your help.”
Today, Ji Xue had deliberately worn a new dress made by a tailor in the county town. She wore a peach-colored beaded flower in her hair, making her delicate features appear especially lovely.
A trace of envy flashed through Ji Pingping’s eyes.
These past few days, Ji Xue had given her a beaded flower as payment for helping her, and she had treasured it like a precious jewel. Yet Ji Xue could change to a different one every day!
Thinking of the benefits she might receive in the future, Ji Pingping’s heart stirred.
She and Ji Xue carried the bucket of manure to Ji Changfeng’s door.
“Hurry up. I still need to go welcome Brother Ji later,” Ji Xue urged.
“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, my brother will definitely divorce—Ah!”
Before Ji Pingping could finish speaking, her foot suddenly slipped.
She fell flat on her back, and the bucket of manure in her hand flew toward Ji Xue behind her.
In an instant, Ji Xue’s new dress was splattered with foul-smelling dung.
She stood there, completely dumbfounded.