PWE – Chapter 10 Unwanted Disciple and a Broken Bet

The master’s sudden action left everyone stunned.

The Shi family stared at him in surprise—was he really this young comrade’s disciple? But when the young comrade had first arrived, his tone had been nothing like that of a disciple!

The Shi family were confused. They glanced at the so-called master, then looked back at Xiao Wange, waiting to see her reaction.

Xiao Wange frowned and paused.

Looking at the man clutching her leg, her expression darkened. Unhappily, she said,
“Comrade, let go right now!”

In the 1980s, many people were still conservative. For men and women who weren’t close to hold onto each other like that would easily cause gossip. Being grabbed by the leg like this by a strange man—if a loose-tongued person saw it, rumors would surely spread!

The master noticed her displeasure and was startled.

He quickly let go, but instead of standing, he stayed kneeling and said:
“Master, I’ve been searching for you for so many years, and finally I’ve found you!”

His eyes even reddened as if he were about to cry, lifting his hand to wipe away nonexistent tears.

Xiao Wange’s face grew darker.

Her voice turned cold and sharp, each word distinct:
“I don’t recall ever taking on a disciple like you.”

“You hadn’t before, but you can take me now! Master, please accept me as your disciple,” he said with a silly, earnest smile on his handsome face.

The Shi family: “……” So this was a spur-of-the-moment apprenticeship?

But wasn’t his skin a bit too thick? The young comrade hadn’t agreed, yet he was already calling her “Master” again and again. Just moments ago, he had looked so proper and serious. Now they only saw him as shameless.

“I don’t like taking on disciples!” Xiao Wange said coldly. Then she turned to the Shi family:
“Since your family’s problem has been resolved, I’ll be leaving now.”

She was ready to take little Zhaozhao and go.

Shi Jinzhu bit her lip and quickly stepped forward:
“Let me walk you out.”

After all, this comrade had helped their family greatly—it was basic courtesy to see her off.

Xiao Wange gave no reply, just a nod of consent.

The rest of the Shi family also accompanied her to the door. Mother Shi wanted to invite Xiao Wange to stay for dinner, but Xiao Wange had errands—shopping with Zhaozhao, and collecting the 50 yuan she was owed from the supply store clerk.

Besides, the village was some distance from town. If she stayed for dinner, it would be dark before they got home. She didn’t want to walk the night road, so she declined.

Mother Shi regretted it. Rarely did they meet such a powerful master—she had wanted to build a connection over dinner. But it would have to wait.

To show goodwill, she pulled out 50 yuan from her pocket and handed it to Xiao Wange, saying it was for Zhaozhao, since the child had endured so much today and nearly witnessed something filthy.

Xiao Wange didn’t refuse. She was poor, and money was what she needed most. Besides, it was for Zhaozhao, so she accepted on his behalf.

Mother Shi then offered another 50 yuan to the master. Although he hadn’t solved the problem, he had still made the trip and should be given something for his effort.

But the master wouldn’t take it. He had almost caused their deaths—how could he dare accept money? His conscience wouldn’t allow it.

Since he refused, Mother Shi didn’t press the matter. She thought to hand the money to Xiao Wange instead, but this time Xiao Wange declined. It was meant for someone else’s work, not hers.

After that, she took Zhaozhao down the stone steps outside the Shi house and onto the street.

The master immediately followed:
“Master, wait for me! Wait!”

He scampered after her like a bird chasing its mother, leaving the Shi family speechless.

Mother Shi was about to complain—what business did a man of thirty have kneeling to call a young girl his master?

But before she could, Father Shi said,
“Hey, I wonder if that young comrade would accept an older disciple like me. If she would, I’d like to become her student too.”

Mother Shi: “!…”

……

Xiao Wange headed toward the supply store with Zhaozhao.

After a while, she suddenly turned back toward the man trailing her:
“Stop following me. I told you—I don’t take disciples.”

Her tone was cold, icy even.

The handsome man in a Daoist robe smiled faintly:
“Master, there are many benefits to having a disciple. You could order me to do anything—laundry, cooking, chopping wood, carrying water, even mucking dung. Master, look at me—I’m strong, I can do it all.”

He rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular arms.

Though he looked slender, beneath his robe was a well-built frame. Shi Jinzhu couldn’t help staring at the muscles a moment longer than she should have.

Xiao Wange sneered:
“My man can do all those things. I don’t need you. So… I don’t need you.”

“Master…”

“I said stop calling me Master! Call me that again, and I’ll turn hostile!”

She truly had no intention of taking a disciple—least of all a handsome grown man. If she did, people would gossip endlessly.

“Master…” His name was He Xiuyan, Daoist name Wuchanzi. Pulling his robe up to cover his face, he put on a pitiful act:
“I’ve been waiting for you for so many years, finally you’ve come. Master, you can’t be so heartless. You can’t abandon me…”

Passersby glanced oddly at the scene.

Xiao Wange was speechless. This so-called master was a total drama king. His acting was… impressive.

She ignored him and quickened her pace with Zhaozhao.

Shi Jinzhu gave He Xiuyan a complicated look—this was truly hard to watch.

Feeling hurt, He Xiuyan quickly caught up again:
“Master…”

Whatever it took, he was determined to stick with her.

If only she wasn’t married, if only she didn’t have a child… then he could pursue her as his Dao companion. What a pity!

……

Xiao Wange and Zhaozhao arrived at the supply store.

She went straight to the counter where clerk He Xiaokui stood.

Seeing her return, He Xiaokui smirked mockingly:
“So? Lost the bet, right? You’re here to pay me?”

She was certain this village woman couldn’t possibly have solved the Shi family’s problem—no way.

She extended her palm smugly:
“Hand it over. Not a cent less than 50 yuan.”

Catching sight of Shi Jinzhu entering behind them, her smile grew sharper:
“Don’t even think of cheating me. I’ve got a witness who saw us make the bet.”

Shi Jinzhu frowned and quickly said:
“Xiaokui, what are you talking about? The problem at my home was already solved by Comrade Xiao Wange. We have no trouble anymore.”

He Xiaokui froze:
“What? Solved?” She jabbed her finger at Xiao Wange, nearly poking her nose:
This village woman solved it?”

Xiao Wange leaned back, avoiding the finger.

Her gaze turned cold as she replied:
“Yes. I solved it. Which means… you lost the bet.”

She held out her hand, mimicking He Xiaokui’s gesture:
“Comrade, since you lost, shouldn’t you pay up?”

He Xiaokui’s face twisted, her brow furrowing.

She grit her teeth and snapped:
“Who are you trying to fool? That problem was too hard for you. You’re just a poor village girl. If you really had such skill, you’d be living rich by now, not dressed in rags! You—”

“Xiaokui!” Shi Jinzhu cut her off sharply, glaring at her.
“How can you talk to Comrade Xiao like that? She did solve it. Don’t believe her if you like—but do you not believe me either?!”

She was angry now. She knew her friend’s bad temper, but never thought she would trample someone’s dignity like this.

Before Xiao Wange could reply, He Xiuyan stepped forward:
“It was my master who solved it. This comrade, you made a bet with her—since you were so quick to demand money when you thought she’d lost, now that it’s you who lost, you must pay.”

Shoppers nearby noticed the commotion and gathered to watch.

He Xiaokui’s face grew hot. She didn’t want to hand over the 50 yuan and risk losing face, so she tried to drive them out.

She glared at He Xiuyan:
“Your master? Hah, you’re all in on this scam together! You frauds, get out of my store! Or I’ll call the Public Security Bureau to have you all arrested!”

She shoved at him:
“Out, out, out!”

He Xiuyan sidestepped easily. He Xiaokui was about to curse when Xiao Wange suddenly said:
“You’re going to have big trouble very soon. When it comes, don’t come begging me. I won’t lift a finger for someone like you.”

“You fraud, now you dare curse me too? You—”

“Xiaokui, you’ve gone too far!” Shi Jinzhu burst out angrily.
“You won’t honor your bet, and now you’re slandering them as con artists? I’ve had enough. You’ve disappointed me completely. I don’t want a friend like you anymore—let’s go our separate ways!”

Her mother had long warned her that Xiaokui wasn’t worth befriending. She hadn’t believed it—until now.

The crowd overhearing this exchange quickly put the pieces together. So the store clerk refused to honor her bet and even tried to smear someone. How nasty. They had always thought this clerk’s attitude was terrible, with her arrogant sideways glances. Now they disliked her even more. Clearly, she must have gotten this job through connections. Annoying.

Seeing the scornful, disdainful looks around her, He Xiaokui’s heart thudded nervously. She opened her mouth to argue again—

But Xiao Wange’s gaze cut through her:
“So it really is retribution. I thought your trouble would take a while to arrive… but it seems it’s come today.”