Song Zhaoxi was stunned. She clearly hadn’t expected Ji Changfeng to thank her. But she quickly understood what he was thanking her for.
Although he had been studying in the county and hadn’t returned home for several months, there was no way he didn’t know what kind of people the Ji family were.
The eldest branch of the family had always been weak and submissive. They had probably never held their heads this high before these past few days.
Though Ji Changfeng in the novel was cold and indifferent, he was someone who understood right from wrong and knew how to repay kindness and settle grudges.
“It was only a small favor.”
Song Zhaoxi waved her hand dismissively.
“If you really want to thank me, hurry up and sign the divorce papers. You don’t want us to remain husband and wife forever either, do you?”
Ji Changfeng suddenly gave her a meaningful look before turning away without answering.
Song Zhaoxi: “…”
The male lead’s thoughts were truly impossible to understand!
Neither of them was used to going to bed early, so each busied themselves with their own tasks. It wasn’t until late into the night that they finally extinguished the lamp.
Across the courtyard, in the second branch’s room, Ji Pingping tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
During this period, she had gained quite a few benefits from Ji Xue and had repeatedly assured her that her elder brother would definitely divorce Song Zhaoxi.
How could her big brother allow Song Zhaoxi to sleep in the same room as him? What were the two of them doing after turning out the lights?
Having spent years hanging around with the village hooligans, Ji Pingping’s mind was full of improper thoughts. The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she became.
Even an ugly thing like Song Zhaoxi had a man sleeping beside her—why didn’t she have anyone who wanted her?
No, the important thing was… how was she supposed to explain this to Ji Xue?
The next morning, Ji Pingping emerged with dark circles under her eyes, muttering curses toward Ji Changfeng’s room. When she heard movement inside, she immediately shut her mouth in fright.
Compared to Song Zhaoxi, she was even more afraid of her cold-faced, cold-hearted elder brother.
After washing up, Ji Changfeng changed out of yesterday’s long robe and, like the rest of the Ji family, put on coarse clothes meant for farm work.
Yet even such rough clothing couldn’t hide his astonishingly handsome appearance.
Song Zhaoxi couldn’t help sneaking a few more glances at him. She felt as though Ji Changfeng existed in an entirely different world from everyone else.
It was the busy season of the autumn harvest. For breakfast, Song Zhaoxi cooked a pot of vegetable and lean pork porridge, bought a block of tofu to make pan-fried tofu, steamed a perch, and prepared plenty of steamed buns.
Song Zhaoxi didn’t think much of spending a little food, but the Ji family felt somewhat embarrassed.
Yao Shi became even more determined to keep this daughter-in-law, though she had no idea what Ji Changfeng thought.
Ji Changfeng, however, remained silent. After finishing breakfast, he picked up the farming tools in the yard, intending to go work in the fields, only to be stopped by Yao Shi.
“We can handle the work in the fields. You finally came home after so long—have a good rest.”
“Big Sister-in-law, Changfeng’s a grown boy. What’s so precious about him?”
The one who spoke was Li Shi.
Now that Old Madam Ji was counting on Ji Changfeng’s future success to support her in old age and Liu Shi wanted him to teach Ji Xiaohu to read, Li Shi wasn’t afraid of him at all.
What could a country boy achieve through studying? At best, he’d become a scholar. Why shouldn’t he work?
Ji Changfeng ignored Li Shi and said to Yao Shi,
“Mother, the school gives us holidays so students can come home and help with the harvest. You and Changlan should rest.”
Under Old Madam Ji’s watchful eye, how could Yao Shi dare to rest? She hurriedly shook her head and no longer tried to stop him.
After the Ji family left, Song Zhaoxi returned to her room and embroidered the last few characters onto the fan. Her first fan was finally complete.
The more she looked at Ji Changfeng’s calligraphy, the more beautiful she found it.
Even in modern times, it probably wouldn’t lose to the works of famous calligraphers.
Then she went into the courtyard and picked up the fishing net she had bought, feeling troubled.
She had originally planned to catch crayfish, but she didn’t know how to cast a net and could only ask the Ji family for help.
That evening, after she mentioned the matter, Ji Yuanchuan laughed.
“What’s so hard about casting a net? Changfeng was already following me out on boats to catch fish when he was just a few years old. Tomorrow, let that boy go with you.”
Song Zhaoxi froze.
Ji Changfeng was going with her to catch crayfish?
Weren’t those things filthy? Didn’t Ji Changfeng love cleanliness the most?
Unexpectedly, Ji Changfeng didn’t refuse.
After returning to their room, Song Zhaoxi said,
“You only need to teach me how to cast the net tomorrow. Those crayfish are really dirty when they’re first caught. I’ll handle them myself.”
“I’ll do it.”
Song Zhaoxi was secretly surprised.
Could it be that Ji Changfeng actually knew how to treat women gently?
In the next second, he poured cold water all over that thought.
“Miss Song, don’t mistake yourself for some delicate jade beauty. I simply don’t want to owe you anything.”
Song Zhaoxi: “…”
Fine. She shouldn’t have harbored even the slightest expectations for the male lead.
“Ji Changfeng, if you keep acting like this, you’ll never find a wife!”
Ji Changfeng glanced at her, and a hint of amusement appeared in his eyes.
“Don’t I already have one?”
“I was tricked into your family, okay?!”
As soon as she said it, she remembered how the original owner had stubbornly refused to leave his side, and her face immediately reddened.
This sharp-tongued fellow… just what did the female lead see in him?
Thinking indignantly, Song Zhaoxi prepared to go outside to use the toilet before bed. But the moment she opened the door, she was startled by Ji Pingping, who was bent over with her rear in the air, eavesdropping against the wall.
“Ji Pingping, what are you doing?!”
Caught red-handed, Ji Pingping flew into a rage and shamelessly said,
“It’s my family’s wall! I’ll lean wherever I want! What’s it to you, you little bitch?”
After saying that, she went over and pressed herself against Old Madam Ji’s room and then against Ji Dajiang and his wife’s room.
As she performed these bizarre antics, she muttered,
“I’ll lean wherever I want! You little bitch, what can you do about it—”
Before she could finish, the door suddenly flew open with a kick.
Inside, Ji Dajiang and his wife had just been about to put out the lamp and try for a son. They were startled by the noise outside.
Ji Dajiang hurriedly put on his clothes and came out, only to find Ji Pingping still frozen in her awkward eavesdropping pose.
“You shameless, worthless girl! I’ll beat you to death!”
Having his good mood ruined, the usually taciturn man was furious and slapped Ji Pingping across the face.
Song Zhaoxi was rendered speechless and silently closed the door.
Thinking back on what had just happened, she couldn’t help laughing.
“Ji Changfeng, your family probably dreams every day about you divorcing me. You really should hurry up and write those divorce papers.”
Ji Changfeng had also found the situation rather amusing, but upon hearing her words, he turned to look at her.
Did she really want to leave that badly?
Then again, considering what his family was like, it wasn’t hard to understand why Song Zhaoxi wanted to go.
Ji Changfeng didn’t force the issue and said with a smile,
“I’ll be staying home for half a month this time. Miss Song, stay a little longer. My mother, younger brother, and younger sister all like you very much.”
Song Zhaoxi: “…”
Ji Changfeng wasn’t the sort of person to drag things out. So what exactly was he hesitating about?
“Ji Changfeng, if you keep delaying this, I’m going to start worrying that you’ve fallen for me.”
Ji Changfeng choked on his words. After a long pause, he explained,
“Miss Song, rest assured. The thing you’re worried about will never happen.”
As if afraid she wouldn’t believe him, he added,
“Never.”
Song Zhaoxi: “…”