Transmigrated Into an Ancient Filial Piety Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Ji Huan saw that Little White Rabbit’s mood was low and thought Little White Rabbit was tired. She spoke softly, “If you are tired, go to bed and rest for a while. I will fetch some water and come back soon.”

Jiang Yubai’s gaze turned to Ji Huan. She nodded softly. After a busy morning, she was indeed a bit tired now. Moreover, she had just recalled some bad things. Jiang Yubai did not want Ji Huan to get into trouble, so she did not follow. She said, “Sister, please be careful.”

“Don’t worry, I will come back soon. You rest for a while,” Ji Huan said. Seeing Little White Rabbit being obedient, she wanted to pat Little White Rabbit’s head. But remembering how she had made Little White Rabbit cry before by touching her, Ji Huan forcibly held back.

Ji Huan spread a quilt, which the original owner had left here, on the wooden board as a mat. She used the quilt she brought to cover.

She led Jiang Yubai over and let Jiang Yubai lie on the small bed to rest. After tucking Jiang Yubai in with the quilt, Ji Huan took a ceramic jar and a short knife and left.

As soon as she went out, Ji Huan shivered from the cold wind outside. Fortunately, it was noon, and the weather was somewhat warmer. She quickly walked to the riverbank and filled the jar with spring water from the stream. Then she headed back. On the way, Ji Huan also cut a bundle of firewood, as the weather was too cold, and the cabin needed to burn wood.

Ji Huan tied the branches and the short knife into a bundle with withered vines and carried it on her back. She held the ceramic jar in her arms. Luckily, she was strong now and did not find these tasks strenuous.

Ji Huan quickly walked back to the cabin. After opening the door, she hurriedly placed the ceramic jar on the wooden table and then threw the large bundle of firewood from her back onto the ground nearby.

Jiang Yubai, in a daze, saw Ji Huan return. Not only did she bring back a jar of water, but she also brought a bundle of firewood. Jiang Yubai woke up instantly. If she had known Ji Huan was going to fetch firewood, she would have gone along. Feeling guilty for not helping, Jiang Yubai sat on the bed, somewhat restless.

Seeing her get up, Ji Huan smiled and asked, “Why are you up? Keep sleeping.”

“Sister, you even cut firewood. Next time, call me to go together,” Jiang Yubai hurriedly said.

“Okay, we will go together next time,” Ji Huan said softly. She roughly guessed that Little White Rabbit was overthinking again.

“Sister, come up and rest. I am not tired anymore,” Jiang Yubai said, trying to get up, but Ji Huan pressed her shoulders to stop her.

“No need. There is only one bed anyway. Let’s sleep together. It’s cold outside, so Little White Rabbit, can you keep me warm?” Ji Huan’s eyes curved slightly as she looked at Jiang Yubai.

Jiang Yubai’s ear tips turned slightly red. She hesitated, worrying if she might jinx Ji Huan, but also couldn’t help thinking that they had slept together for so long without issues. A few more times should be fine.

Seeing Little White Rabbit stay silent, Ji Huan thought she agreed to sleep together. She moved closer to Little White Rabbit, pulled Jiang Yubai inward a bit, and then squeezed onto the bed herself. The small bed was about one meter thirty centimeters wide, so two people lying flat would definitely feel cramped. Ji Huan simply pulled Jiang Yubai onto herself, letting half of Jiang Yubai’s body rest in her arms. This way, both could sleep comfortably without feeling crowded.

Jiang Yubai’s ear tips visibly reddened. Feeling shy, she buried her face in Ji Huan’s arms. In broad daylight, her sister was holding her like this again.

Ji Huan pulled the quilt up, wrapping herself and Jiang Yubai tightly. She glanced down at Little White Rabbit in her arms and saw her ear tips bright red. Ji Huan chuckled and shook her head. They had hugged so many times, yet Little White Rabbit was still so shy.

The fire in the cabin burned strongly, accompanied by the sound of the wind outside. Ji Huan fell asleep at some point.

Compared to Ji Huan’s peaceful situation, Dongniu Village was in an uproar. Aunt Yuan had spread the news of the Ji family driving Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai away, and almost the entire village knew. The news quickly reached the village head’s ears.

“Sigh, this Ji Mantun. I used to think he was quite honest, but now he’s become like this. Forcing Ji Huan to the mountains in this weather—what’s the difference between that and sending two children to die? Xiaochun, we can’t ignore this. Have Er Zhuzi gather a few young men to go with me to the Ji family. We must find them before dark,” the village head sighed and said.

“Okay, I’ll go call people now,” Zhou Xiaochun hurriedly went out to gather people. Soon, she brought back five or six young men.

The village head led the group toward Ji Mantun’s courtyard. On the way, he had someone notify Ji Mancang’s family.

The village head’s swift action with a group of people immediately drew the villagers’ attention. Everyone rushed to the Ji family to watch the commotion.

When the village head arrived, Ji Sen was about to leave. Seeing the village head with a group, Ji Sen got scared and ran back to the courtyard to report.

“Father, Mother, bad news! The village head is here with a lot of people,” Ji Sen said while knocking on Ji Mantun’s door.

Ji Mantun got up from the kang, feeling a bit dizzy. He had argued with Ji Huan that morning, and now no one in the house had cooked. He quickly put on his shoes and ran outside.

“Dear, slow down,” Liu Fengmei hurriedly followed.

Ji Mantun saw a crowd gathered outside the courtyard gate and felt distressed. He forced a smile and said, “Village head, if there’s something, you could have sent a young person to tell us. Why did you come yourself?”

“If I didn’t come, your family would cause a death, you know? Look at this weather! Driving Ji Huan and the others to the mountains in this weather—are you trying to freeze them to death?” the village head scolded angrily.

“Oh, village head, you don’t know. Ji Huan is so disobedient now. She doesn’t listen to a word her mother or I say. She’s always hanging out with that jinx Jiang Yubai. If I don’t curb her stubborn temper, I can’t manage this family,” Ji Mantun hurriedly explained.

“Stop it. I saw Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai fetching water by the river early this morning. They were just driven out by you, yet they still went to fetch water early. Uncle Ji, you’re not being fair,” someone said.

“Yeah, Ji Huan’s room was full of drafts. She worked for the family every day and didn’t even have time to fix her own room,” another added.

“And I heard their third son was unwilling to give Ji Huan rice paper to patch the windows,” someone else said.

“What kind of family is this?” another villager remarked.

“Exactly, Ji Huan must have had eight lifetimes of bad luck to be born into their family,” someone agreed.

The surrounding discussions continued. Ji Yuan could hardly stand. How did the news of him refusing to give Ji Huan rice paper spread? Where could he, a scholar, put his face?

Hearing the villagers’ discussions, Ji Mantun wanted to explain but found no words. “It’s not like that. It’s not like that. Ji Huan isn’t what you all say. She’s completely changed. Not only is she unfilial, but she also defies her mother and me,” he said.

“Exactly, village head. This morning, Ji Huan disregarded my well-being and argued with me. She and Jiang Yubai were doing improper things in the kitchen during the day. I caught them red-handed, and in her shame and anger, she even tried to hit me. My sons all saw it,” Liu Fengmei added.

“Yes, yes, Ji Huan disrespects her parents and ignores our advice as her brothers. Village head, don’t be deceived by Ji Huan,” Ji Ming hurriedly supported Ji Mantun.

“Deceived? Am I deceived? Or is the whole village deceived? Everyone knows what kind of person Ji Huan is. Ji Mantun, how did I not see before that you’re so dishonest? Do you have to drive Ji Huan to death for your family to be satisfied? I’m telling you, if you don’t find Ji Huan before dark and something happens, I won’t take responsibility for you. Dongniu Village won’t tolerate a family of murderers living here,” the village head coldly glared at the Ji family.

Being scolded like this, Ji Mantun felt he had lost all face but still didn’t want to yield. “Village head, it’s hard to manage my family. If I give in to Ji Huan again, she’ll practically walk all over me, her father. You haven’t seen how Ji Huan behaves at home,” he said.

“Don’t we know how Ji Huan is? Your family has treated her like an old ox for years. The villagers aren’t blind,” Aunt Yuan shouted loudly.

“Exactly, Ji Huan does all the work every day, and your family still excludes her. So pitiful,” another villager said.

“She might not even be Ji Mantun’s real daughter. Who could treat their own daughter like this? Especially since Ji Huan is a Qianyuan,” someone speculated.

The discussions grew more outrageous. Liu Fengmei pulled Ji Mantun’s sleeve. “Dear, Ji Huan is really our child. Don’t listen to their nonsense,” she said.

Ji Mantun pulled his arm back from Liu Fengmei and glared at her fiercely. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Do I not know that? How did this get so out of hand?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Ji Huan is my real daughter. The problem now is that Ji Huan defies her mother and me, is unfilial, and doesn’t care about our well-being,” Ji Mantun said loudly.

Aunt Yuan immediately stepped forward. “Tch, tch, tch, Ji Mantun. How did I not see before that you could lie with your eyes open? I saw Ji Huan this morning. That poor child, driven out by you, still begged us not to tell others, afraid your family would be ostracized in the village. Ji Huan thinks of you in every way, yet you try to smear her here. I won’t allow it,” she said.

“Exactly, who in the village doesn’t know what kind of person Ji Huan is?” someone added.

“A famous filial daughter in ten miles and eight villages. Only your family doesn’t cherish her,” another said.

“There’s no one in the village who says Ji Huan is bad. She just works quietly every day. Where can you find a daughter like that?” someone remarked.

“Last time Ji Huan was patching the house with mud, she still protected her parents’ reputation. Yet her parents talk about her like this. I feel it’s not worth it for Ji Huan. Parents like these are better off not having. Splitting the family early is better than anything,” another villager said.

“Exactly, Ji Mantun, why don’t you let Ji Huan go? Split the family with her. I think Ji Huan might live better that way,” someone suggested.

“Yeah, let Ji Huan and the others go,” another agreed.

“Having parents like this is such bad luck. If it were me, I’d have run away long ago. Only Ji Huan is filial,” someone said.

Due to the original owner’s deeply ingrained image as a scapegoat, plus Ji Huan’s recent actions, no one in the village was willing to believe the Ji family’s words. They only felt this family was ungrateful and clueless, treating Ji Huan like an old ox and trying to drive her to death.

Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei were completely panicked now. Ji Mantun couldn’t understand why no one believed him even though he told the truth. In the past, their family had indeed bullied Ji Huan, but since Ji Huan fell into the water, it was only Ji Huan who vented her anger on them. They hadn’t taken advantage of her.

“No, listen to me…” Ji Mantun’s words were drowned out by the villagers’ discussions.

Ji Yuan stepped back, wanting to slip away, but the village head called him out.

“Ji Yuan, aren’t you part of the Ji family? Where are you going?” the village head asked, looking at Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan gave an awkward laugh and replied stiffly, “My legs were numb. I was just stretching. I’m not going anywhere.”

“As a scholar, instead of advising your parents to bully Ji Huan less, you join them in this nonsense. Is this what a scholar should do? Is this how your academy teachers taught you?” the village head’s face darkened.

In the cold weather, Ji Yuan was sweating from these words. After all, if he passed the scholar exam later, the court would send people to investigate locally, and the village head’s opinion was crucial. Ji Yuan couldn’t afford to offend him.

“The village head’s lesson is right. I did advise my parents before, but as their son, I can’t control their decisions. But rest assured, village head, if my parents act like this again, I’ll do my best to stop them,” Ji Yuan hurriedly said, deliberately distancing himself, as if he weren’t involved in bullying Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai.

The village head snorted coldly and glared at Ji Yuan. “You talk as if you haven’t seen anything at home all these years. Have you ever spoken up for Ji Huan?” he asked.

“Exactly, a scholar? What a hypocrite,” someone said.

“All the hard-earned money Ji Huan made went to Ji Yuan’s studies, didn’t it?” another added.

“Isn’t that sucking his sister’s bl00d without giving back?” someone remarked.

Ji Yuan’s eyes were almost teary. He hurriedly tugged at Ji Mantun’s sleeve. “Father, bow to the village head quickly. If this continues, my reputation will be completely ruined. I won’t have a chance at an official position,” he said.

Hearing that this affected his son’s reputation, Ji Mantun panicked even more. He quickly clasped his hands to the village head. “I was wrong in this matter. I shouldn’t have pushed Ji Huan too hard. I’ll take them to the mountains to find her right away,” he said.

The village head snorted coldly. “If you had said that earlier, it would’ve been fine. I have many things to handle, so I won’t go with you. Xiaochun, you and Er Zhuzi help search the mountains. Make sure to find them before dark,” he said.

“Don’t worry, Father. We’ll definitely bring Ji Huan back safely,” Zhou Xiaochun hurriedly said.

Ji Mancang, on the side, instructed Ji Wen and Ji Fu, “You two go help search for them. Ji Huan, this child, if things at home aren’t working out, coming to our place is better than going to the mountains. Nothing must happen to her.”

“Okay, Father. Ji Wen and I will go. You and Mother don’t worry. With so many people in the village, we’ll definitely find Ji Huan and the others,” Ji Fu said.

“I hope so,” Ji Mancang said, looking at his brother’s family and sighing deeply. He was almost ashamed to share the same surname as Ji Mantun’s family now.

Many villagers joined the search for Ji Huan, including some who came to watch the commotion. In the idle winter, with little to do besides household chores, everyone flocked to the excitement. Even a few village ruffians tagged along for the spectacle.

“Monkey, how is Ji Huan so foolish? Still getting bullied like this by her family?” Zhang Er glanced at the people ahead and mocked.

“Ha, no ability, that’s why. But Jiang Yubai looks so delicate and tender, really makes one’s heart itch. Ji Huan got a great deal. Damn, why didn’t such a good thing happen to me?” Monkey lewdly rubbed the stubble on his chin, his yellow teeth unconsciously bared.

“Are you courting death? You think that’s a good thing? Jiang Yubai is a cursed lone star. I think you want to die early,” Wang Dasheng pushed Monkey and followed the scattered crowd toward the mountains.

“I’m just saying. Can’t I even complain?” Monkey grumbled.

Zhou Xiaochun and Er Zhuzi led the group, shouting Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai’s names. Ji Mantun and his family, under the villagers’ gazes, had no choice but to join in shouting. At this point, they were in too deep. If they didn’t find Ji Huan, their family wouldn’t fare well in Dongniu Village.

“Ji Huan? Ji Huan, where are you and Jiang Yubai?” they called.

“Ji Huan, Jiang Yubai…” others shouted.

The villagers’ calls echoed through the mountains. At that moment, Ji Huan was sleeping soundly, holding Jiang Yubai in her arms. Little White Rabbit was like a small heater, so comfortable to hold.

Ji Huan rubbed her chin against Little White Rabbit’s head and continued sleeping, until she heard someone calling her name from a distance. Only then did she wake up.

Her first thought was that the Ji family came to the mountains to find her so quickly. Aunt Yuan was indeed the village’s loudspeaker, so efficient. Ji Huan had thought the Ji family wouldn’t come until tomorrow, but they were here in the afternoon. She and Little White Rabbit still had half a pot of chicken porridge to finish.

As the shouting grew closer, Ji Huan quickly got moving. She gently shook Little White Rabbit, who was still sleeping soundly in her arms, and said softly, “Wake up. It seems someone’s coming to find us. We need to get up quickly.”

Little White Rabbit looked at Ji Huan with sleepy, misty eyes, soft and vulnerable.

Afraid she wasn’t fully awake, Ji Huan rubbed Jiang Yubai’s head and continued, “Be good, get up and get ready. They’ll probably find us soon.”

Ji Huan placed the still-drowsy Little White Rabbit on the bed and quickly put on her shoes. She wasn’t planning to return the half bag of rice, and the chicken porridge couldn’t be wasted—it would be a pity. There was too much firewood in the cabin too. She needed to make herself and Jiang Yubai look as pitiful as possible.

Without minding that Jiang Yubai was still there, Ji Huan hurriedly stored the half bag of rice and the half pot of chicken porridge in her space. She didn’t spare the large bundle of firewood either, putting it into her space as well.

Jiang Yubai was now fully awake. She rubbed her eyes, got up, and put on her shoes. She noticed that the things that were clearly in the cabin earlier were gone. The suspicion she had been suppressing resurfaced: Was Ji Huan a ghost?

How else could she explain this? These things couldn’t just vanish into thin air. And Ji Huan’s entire demeanor had changed too much. All the changes started after she fell into the water. So, was the current Ji Huan a ghost possessing the original Ji Huan’s body?

Jiang Yubai’s hands and feet turned cold. She felt a faint fear in her heart, but her thoughts were so jumbled she couldn’t figure out exactly what she was afraid of.

Ji Huan grabbed two handfuls of dirt and threw them onto the cabin’s fire, then opened the door to let in some cold wind, making their situation look bleak and miserable.

Ji Huan smiled at Jiang Yubai. “Why are you standing there? Get ready to act well later,” she said.

Jiang Yubai looked at Ji Huan’s smiling eyes and found she couldn’t feel the slightest bit of fear toward her. She even felt a bit relieved. If Ji Huan was a ghost, then she couldn’t jinx a ghost, right? On the contrary, she started worrying about Ji Huan. What if the original Ji Huan came back? Where would this Ji Huan, who was good to her, go?

For a moment, Jiang Yubai’s emotions were complex, and she wanted to speak but held back. She even thought about asking the ghost Ji Huan if there was anything she could help with.

Ji Huan had no idea that in just a short moment, Little White Rabbit had imagined so much and even thought she was a ghost. By now, she had tidied up the cabin. The fire was almost out, cold wind had blown in, and the floor held only a bit of cabbage and a charred potato—nothing else.

Ji Huan was very satisfied with her work and winked at Little White Rabbit beside her. By now, the voices calling their names were clearer.

Ji Huan pushed the door open a bit and saw someone approaching from afar. That person seemed to see Ji Huan too and excitedly waved at her, shouting from a distance, “Ji Huan, are you and Jiang Yubai okay?”

“We’re fine. Why did you all come?” Ji Huan asked with effort, pretending to be weak as she shouted back.

“Could we not come? If we didn’t, you two would’ve been driven to death by your parents,” Er Zhuzi said angrily as he rushed toward Ji Huan, accompanied by Ji Wen, Ji Fu, and Zhou Xiaochun.

Zhou Xiaochun shouted back, “We found Ji Huan and the others. They’re okay!”

The villagers who came to search or watch the commotion gathered toward them.

“Ji Huan, I told you, I shouldn’t have let you and Jiang Yubai go back to the Ji family. Come with me later,” Ji Fu hurriedly said.

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Yubai, mimicking Ji Huan’s weary appearance, walked out of the cabin looking haggard.

Ji Wen glanced inside the cabin. There was nothing in it, just a tiny bit of firewood that had already gone out. The cabin was cold, with only a bit of cabbage and a burnt potato on the floor.

Ji Wen’s eyes reddened with anger. “You two ate just this for lunch?” he asked.

Ji Huan quickly explained, “No, when I left the Ji family, my parents let me take half a bag of rice. It’s not their fault. I was careless and dropped the rice bag into a deep valley while fetching water by the stream. But Yubai and I didn’t go hungry. We ate sweet potatoes and potatoes Aunt Yuan gave us at noon. We’re really fine.”

As Ji Huan spoke, people gradually gathered around. Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei pushed to the front. Hearing Ji Huan’s words, Ji Mantun looked puzzled. When Ji Huan left, they hadn’t wanted her to take the rice bag. Their eldest daughter-in-law, Li Yulan, had even stopped Ji Huan. Why was Ji Huan now speaking up for them?