Quick Transmigration: Don't Let an Honest Man Become a Villainous Supporting Female Character

On New Year's Eve, before the morning mist had even dissipated, the townspeople were awakened by bursts of firecrackers.

As dawn broke, the entire Ji family began to get busy. Ji Yingjin smeared paste on the door frame, Wen Shubai was carefully pasting up the Spring Festival couplets, and Liu Dazhuang was directing them from below.

"Yes, yes, just right."

The Spring Festival couplets are all related to pigs, such as wishes for a full pen of fat pigs.

This was something Liu Dazhuang specifically asked someone to come up with.

The window frame was covered with paper-cut window decorations made by Ji Chaoxi and Liuli. Ji Chaoxi had changed into a newly tailored pomegranate-red cotton-padded jacket and was painstakingly pasting the new decorations on the window.

The family spent the whole morning making preparations, and by noon, an incense table was set up in the courtyard.

On the table were a butchered pig's head, live fish, and dried fruit.

Ji Yingjin pulled Ji Chaoxi and Wen Shubai along, burning paper money in the brazier while muttering to herself.

"Our ancestors, our daughter has brought home a son-in-law. May your spirits in heaven bless them to live happily ever after, and may our pig grow bigger and bigger and stay healthy..."

Ji Chaoxi and Wen Shubai held incense sticks and, imitating Ji Yingjin, bowed three times devoutly.

The alley was bustling with activity, with bursts of laughter coming from who-knows-where every now and then.

Wen Shubai has completely integrated into the Ji family. He consciously starts doing chores whenever it's time to wash or chop vegetables.

But aside from cooking.

The Ji family was still a little worried.

The Ji family's custom is that on New Year's Eve, apart from the evening meal, the other two meals are just something casual and quick.

As evening fell, red lanterns hung at the door of every household, turning the snow-covered ground red. The alleyways were filled with the smell of firecrackers, and the ground was covered with bright red debris.

The round table was piled high with food, and steam was rising from it, making everyone feel warm and cozy.

Ji Yingjin put braised fish into the other people's bowls, muttering repeatedly, "May you have abundance every year..."

"Mom, this fish is so delicious," Ji Chaoxi praised after taking a bite.

Liu Dazhuang, who was drinking, quickly claimed responsibility: "I made this."

Ji Yingjin rolled her eyes at her, then picked up a piece of meat and put it in Ji Chaoxi's bowl: "Daughter, this tastes much better than fish."

Liu Dazhuang was about to retort when he met Ji Yingjin's gaze, coughed, and continued drinking.

His wife is too domineering; she won't even let him speak the truth.

My daughter has loved his fish dishes since she was little...

The Ji family didn't have many servants. Some servants would go home for the New Year, but some no longer had homes, so they spent the New Year with the family.

Ji Yingjin, holding several red cloth pouches, smiled and handed them to them, saying, "Thank you all for your hard work this year. Buy some of your favorite food and drinks for the New Year."

Several servants accepted the brocade pouch and said happily, "Thank you, Madam."

Ji Yingjin then took a few more brocade pouches from the house and gave them to Ji Chaoxi and the others.

"Thank you, Mother," Ji Chaoxi said crisply. "May the new year bring you no back pain or leg pain, may you be joyful and successful year after year, and may even the fastest pig not escape your grasp!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yingjin laughed so hard his eyes were practically closed, and he stuffed the brocade pouch into her hand.

When Ji Yingjin gave Wen Shubai New Year's money, Wen Shubai was extremely embarrassed: "Auntie, this junior should..."

He's no longer old enough to receive New Year's money.

Before he could finish speaking, Ji Yingjin shoved the money into his hand, laughing, "Shubai, if you want to be our son-in-law, you have to accept this New Year's money, otherwise the family hierarchy will be all messed up!"

Liu Dazhuang's drunken voice could be heard from the side.

"Thanks to everyone this year, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to sell so much pork. Come on, let's have a drink."

Upon hearing Ji Yingjin's words, Ji Chaoxi's ears turned slightly red. She ate her food in silence. Wen Shubai's face also turned slightly red. He stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Auntie. I wish you both long life, good health, and all the best."

Seeing the two people looking uncomfortable, Ji Yingjin laughed out loud and went to hand out money to the others.

Liuli had already put the brocade pouch in her pocket. She continued to gnaw on her pork knuckle, seriously considering the conversation between the two of them.

Her daughter's blessing was excellent, but her eldest brother's was far inferior.

Their young lady won this round again.

After dinner, the alley was bustling with activity. Ji Yingjin, wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, stood at the door chatting with her neighbors.

"That's right, there's nothing we can do about it. Whether Xixi is here or in the Tianjue Sect, she's a big name."

Ji Yingjin's laughter occasionally drifted from the doorway.

The courtyard was bustling with activity. Liu Dazhuang kept talking to the butchers, sometimes saying whose pigs were bad, sometimes saying whose pigs were unpalatable.

The group became increasingly agitated as they talked.

In the end, they came to the conclusion that the pork from the Ji family's pigs was the best.

Ji Chaoxi and Wen Shubai sat on small stools, leaning against the wall, with the charcoal fire in front of them occasionally popping once or twice.

Wen Shubai took out a long jade box from his pocket and handed it to Ji Chaoxi with a smile.

"Junior sister, a New Year's Eve gift."

Ji Chaoxi paused for a moment, then opened the jade box. As soon as the box was opened, a faint, cool fragrance filled the room.

This is a hairpin carved from deep-sea ice, with a pearl from the East China Sea hanging from its head. Under the charcoal fire, the hairpin emits a soft light, making her face even more beautiful.

Wen Shubai said softly, "This item can calm the storm, not only ward off evil spirits, but also protect Junior Sister's mind and spirit."

His eyes curved into a smile, and his voice carried a hint of tenderness.

Ji Chaoxi was surprised that Wen Shubai had prepared a gift for her. She whispered, "Thank you, Senior Brother, but I was so focused on asking my parents for New Year's money that I forgot to prepare a return gift for you."

Wen Shubai couldn't help but chuckle softly. He didn't say anything, but just lowered his eyes, smiled, and moved a little closer to her.

"Junior Sister, it's alright if you return the gift now."

Ji Chaoxi's face turned bright red. What was wrong? Her senior brother wasn't like this just a few days ago.

She glanced quickly toward the door and saw her parents still chatting with others. Mustering her courage, she quickly kissed him on the cheek.

Just then, the charcoal brazier crackled, startling Ji Chaoxi, who immediately stepped back.

Wen Shubai opened his eyes, his fingertips gently stroking the spot where he had just been kissed, his eyes full of smiles.

He looked at Ji Chaoxi, whose face was flushed red, but who was trying to remain calm, and chuckled, "Xixi has become timid."

Ji Chaoxi said in a muffled voice, "My senior brother has been corrupted by my father."

"Achoo!"

Liu Dazhuang, standing at the door, suddenly let out a thunderous sneeze.

Ji Chaoxi was startled and quickly shut up.

This startled Ji Yingjin, who was chatting with her neighbor at the door.

"Why did you sneeze like that? You scared me to death!" she grumbled. "I told you to wear more clothes, but you wouldn't!"

Liu Dazhuang put on his clothes, feeling wronged, and muttered, "I'm almost sweating from the heat."

Ji Chaoxi, who was inside the room, froze instantly. Her eyes widened and she held her breath.

Wen Shubai was making tea when he heard the sound and paused slightly. In the flickering firelight, their eyes met.

Looking at Ji Chaoxi's cautious demeanor, he couldn't help but smile.

Ji Chaoxi held it in for a while, but couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Liu Dazhuang, standing at the door, was still wondering why he had sneezed.

Wen Shubai skillfully wrapped his arms around her waist, catching the girl who was laughing so hard she seemed to have no bones. Ji Chaoxi buried her face in the crook of his neck and chuckled softly.

"Uncle's senses are even more reliable than the spirit-detecting array of the Heavenly Annihilation Sect." Wen Shubai's voice carried a hint of amusement as he gently rested his chin on her hair.