PWE – Chapter 113 Don’t Pick Wildflowers by the Roadside

“Comrade Xiao~” Mu Yunhao walked over to Xiao Wange.

There was a warm, gentle smile in his eyes, and his tone was just as soft.

Xiao Wange pressed her lips together, glanced at Mu Yunhao, and greeted him, “What a coincidence. I didn’t expect to run into you in the provincial capital.”

Mu Yunhao walked up to Xiao Wange and Zhaozhao. He reached out, wanting to pick Zhaozhao up, but Zhaozhao hid behind Xiao Wange, avoiding his hand.

Seeing the dissatisfaction and distance in Zhaozhao’s eyes, Mu Yunhao’s hand froze in midair.

He felt awkward for a moment, then withdrew his hand and said, “Yes, it really is a coincidence. I came to the provincial capital to take care of some business. After finishing up, I still had some time, so I thought I’d stroll around the mall and buy some New Year’s gifts for my family. I just didn’t expect you and Zhaozhao to be here too. Did you come to the provincial capital to purchase goods?”

Seeing the shopping bags in Xiao Wange’s hands, he guessed they had come to shop.

Xiao Wange said, “Oh, we came for some personal matters. But those are already taken care of. Now we’re just casually shopping.”

“Comrade Xiao, if you don’t mind, how about we walk around together? I happen to have something I’d like to say to you.”

Mu Yunhao looked sincere, his face wearing a spring-breeze-like smile.

Xiao Wange frowned slightly. She quickly set up a barrier around Zhaozhao, not wanting him to hear certain things.

She was afraid that what Mu Yunhao wanted to say was about that matter.

Zhaozhao couldn’t hear the outside sounds anymore. He looked up at his mother, puzzled. Why did Mommy set up a barrier around his ears again? What didn’t Mommy want him to hear?

“If you have something to say, just say it now. No matter what, I’m a woman—a widowed woman at that. Walking around the mall with you really isn’t appropriate.”

Xiao Wange spoke calmly, her brows carrying a sense of distance.

Mu Yunhao heard this and fell silent.

His breathing tightened, as if a thorn had suddenly lodged in his throat, making it hard to breathe.

He looked at her deeply and gave a bitter smile. “I just want to take care of you and Zhaozhao. I know you’re very capable. I know you can take care of yourself and of Zhaozhao. But I… I still want to be someone you can rely on. When you’re tired, I want you to be able to stand behind me, to let me shelter you from wind and rain. Comrade Xiao, can you give me a chance? Can you try letting me take care of you and Zhaozhao?”

Before they parted last time, Xiao Wange had given him a talisman for safety, saying there was something she wanted to tell him inside it, and that he should look at it after returning.

At the time, he had been full of joy, thinking there would be something pleasantly surprising inside.

But after seeing the note inside the talisman, he finally understood what “chilling to the bone” meant.

The note read: I am not your destined partner. Don’t waste your time on me.

So she had already known that he liked her. She had already known his feelings.

And yet, she rejected him—completely.

From that day on, he didn’t dare look for her again. He was afraid that if he did, she would say those words to him in person.

If he heard her say them with his own ears, he feared he… would be devastated.

So during that time, he hid timidly in the county town, never daring to go to Danshui Village to look for her again.

But after all this time, he had thought many things through.

It didn’t matter if she didn’t like him—so long as he liked her.

And his grandmother had once told him: as long as you pursue someone sincerely, one day, they will be moved by you.

He felt his grandmother was right.

He should try to pursue her properly. Without even trying, he had given up—that was cowardly and pathetic.

He had originally planned to go find Comrade Xiao after returning this time. Who would have thought that, by such coincidence, they would meet here in the provincial capital?

Listening to Mu Yunhao’s words, Xiao Wange’s expression darkened slightly. Her cool voice carried a hint of displeasure. “Comrade Mu, I’ve already made myself very clear. I am not your destined partner. Your marriage fate is not with me. Sooner or later, you will meet the person meant for you, the one who truly suits you.”

“Comrade Xiao…” Mu Yunhao stepped forward, wanting to get closer to her, but she immediately retreated two steps with Zhaozhao.

Her brows knitted tightly as she enunciated each word: “Don’t engage in pointless entanglement. No matter what you do, I will never like you. So please don’t waste your time on me.”

With that, Xiao Wange took Zhaozhao and walked toward the mall exit.

She no longer had any interest in browsing the department store.

At this point, it was better to take Zhaozhao out to eat. It was already mealtime anyway.

Watching her resolute retreating figure, he clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with deep sorrow.

But after taking a deep breath, a faint smile appeared on his face again.

He would not give up just like that! There was no such word as “give up” in Mu Yunhao’s dictionary. He would never admit defeat so easily!

He would work hard to prove it—to prove that he was suitable for her, to prove that he could be someone she and Zhaozhao could rely on!

After standing there silently for a few seconds, he suddenly turned around and headed toward a counter selling children’s shoes.

He knew she loved that child, Zhaozhao. Since it was someone she loved, he would love him too. He would love what she loved, and do his utmost to take under his wing the people she cherished.

…

After leaving the mall, Xiao Wange removed the barrier around Zhaozhao’s ears.

Zhaozhao could hear the outside world again.

He frowned, looked up at his mother, and asked, “Mom, what did you say to Uncle Mu just now? Does Uncle Mu like you? Does he want to be my new dad?”

He asked this very nervously. After asking, his heart started pounding violently.

Xiao Wange was a little surprised.

She hadn’t expected the child to be so perceptive—to have seen through the situation between her and Mu Yunhao.

Well… there was actually nothing between her and Mu Yunhao. It was just his one-sided infatuation.

She bent down so that her eyes were level with Zhaozhao’s and looked straight into his eyes. “You won’t have a new dad. You will always have only one father—Zhan Zeyan. And Mom will only ever have one husband in this lifetime, and that is your father.”

Hearing this, Zhaozhao’s eyes instantly lit up.

He stared at his mother without blinking and asked excitedly, “Really, Mom? You really won’t be with Uncle Mu?”

Xiao Wange patted his head. “Really.”

Besides, Zhan Zeyan wasn’t dead at all. He would come back sooner or later. If he came back and found that she had cheated on him, then he would definitely fight Mu Yunhao.

He might even fight her.

“That’s great, Mom, that’s really great.” Zhaozhao suddenly wrapped his arms around her neck and said excitedly.

Xiao Wange hugged his small body tightly.

She kissed his cheek and sighed softly.

Although she had told Zhaozhao that Zhan Zeyan would come back, he still lacked a sense of security. After all, without seeing his father return with his own eyes, there was still a thorn in his heart. To pull out that thorn, only Zhan Zeyan’s return would do.

But she didn’t know when exactly Zhan Zeyan would be able to come back. Would it really not be until next year?

Would he really only be able to return in March or April next year?

The New Year was approaching. In truth, she really hoped to spend it with him.

After all, with only her and Zhaozhao at home, celebrating the New Year with just the two of them felt a bit lonely.

…

After eating, Xiao Wange took Zhaozhao to stroll around some other places, bought a few little trinkets, and then returned to the department store.

In the afternoon, they indeed did not run into Mu Yunhao again. Presumably, he had returned to the county town.

Xiao Wange bought two sets of clothes and a pair of shoes for Zhaozhao, and also bought two outfits for herself. After all, the New Year was about festivity. Buying more clothes made things feel more cheerful.

After finishing their shopping, she took Zhaozhao to a guesthouse.

At this hour, it was impossible to catch a ride home, so they had to stay one night in the provincial capital.

Besides, she hadn’t planned on returning the same day anyway. Coming and going in one day would have been too exhausting.

However, what she hadn’t expected was that Mu Yunhao was also staying at the same guesthouse.

After getting the key from the front desk, Xiao Wange took Zhaozhao upstairs.

Their room was on the second floor. As they reached the corridor, they ran into Mu Yunhao.

He was coming out of a room, carrying a bag, seemingly about to go out.

When he saw her and Zhaozhao, he froze for a moment, then his face lit up with surprise. “Comrade Xiao, you’re here too? Are you… planning to stay here tonight?”

Xiao Wange pressed her lips together.

Sometimes, she really felt she had a cursed kind of fate with Mu Yunhao!

First running into him at the department store in the provincial capital, and now… meeting him again at this guesthouse.

She had thought he had already returned to the county town. Who knew he was still lingering in the provincial capital?

And given his financial means, shouldn’t he be staying at a hotel? There was a very good hotel in the provincial capital, though it was expensive. Even though she wasn’t short on money, she still felt it was a bit wasteful, so she chose this guesthouse instead.

But he was the head of a large factory—why would he stay in a guesthouse like this? Was he being overly frugal, or…?

“Comrade Xiao…” Mu Yunhao walked toward her, smiling warmly, his gaze fixed on her. “If you’re staying here tonight, how about we have dinner together?”

Xiao Wange frowned and glanced at him. “No need. I bought quite a bit of food. Zhaozhao and I can just make do in the room.”

“How can that be? Since you’re in the provincial capital, you should eat something good. There’s a street here with really delicious food. Let’s go together.”

His face was full of smiles as he invited her sincerely.

Xiao Wange’s brows knitted even tighter.

She had rejected him so thoroughly earlier at the mall. She thought Mu Yunhao wouldn’t pester her anymore. But now…

How could he act as if nothing had happened? How could he so casually invite her to dinner?

She fell silent for two seconds, walked to her room door, and opened it with the key. “Really no need. You go eat by yourself.”

With that, she took Zhaozhao into the room and quickly shut the door.

Mu Yunhao stood there behind them, speechless.

He couldn’t help but sigh.

She gave him no chance at all. She guarded her heart like a fortress.

But he was confident that sooner or later, he would break through. As long as he remained sincere, one day she would open her heart.

…

That night, Xiao Wange and Zhaozhao ate some snacks and went to sleep.

But at around two in the morning, an extra figure suddenly appeared in the room.

That figure moved lightly toward the bed, eyes locked tightly on the two people lying there.

Xiao Wange sensed another presence in the room.

Her eyelids twitched, and she abruptly woke up.

Ever since that incident with the powerful figure, she no longer dared to sleep too deeply.

She was afraid that if she slept too soundly, that figure would suddenly attack.

She always set up barriers before sleeping, but those barriers only worked against demons and monsters—not against humans.

Xiao Wange looked at the person who had appeared in the room. Her brows furrowed, and she immediately sat up.

“Zhan Zeyan?” She had already caught his scent. It was Zhan Zeyan’s scent—unique to him.

But why would he be here at this time? Wasn’t he on a mission?

“Wange~” The man called softly, quickly moving to the bedside.

As he drew closer, his presence became even stronger.

Xiao Wange looked at him. Even in the darkness, she could clearly see his features.

She relaxed slightly and leaned back against the headboard. “Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be on a mission? How did you show up in the provincial capital?”

She knew this man was the real Zhan Zeyan.

When she first sensed his presence, she hadn’t dared to be certain. After all, scents could be misleading.

Just like in the rat demon’s lair, and on Hongta Mountain—there had been traces of his scent.

For a moment earlier, she had actually worried that the powerful figure had come, wearing his scent to deceive her.

But fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“I am indeed on a mission. I just happened to reach the provincial capital yesterday. Our plan was to stay here for two days before leaving. I didn’t expect that before leaving, I’d run into you and the child here. I saw you two shopping at the mall today, but it wasn’t convenient to approach you then. So I could only sneak over now to see you.”

He spoke gently, his gaze moving back and forth between her and the child, as if trying to imprint them deeply into his memory, as if he wanted to look at them enough all at once.

“I won’t ask about your mission. But I want to ask you—do you really have to wait until next year to come home? Is the mission really that long?”

As she spoke, she propped herself up, her gaze fixed steadily on his face.

He curved his lips into a smile, his voice even gentler. “Wange, do you miss me? Do you want me to stay home with you? Don’t worry—once this mission ends, I’ll stay home with you for two months.”

Xiao Wange: “…”

What nonsense was he talking about? Who missed him? That wasn’t what she meant at all!

She glared at him, about to retort, when he continued, “That Mu Yunhao has ulterior motives. Don’t associate with him anymore. He already guessed that you wouldn’t go back today, guessed that you’d bring the child to this guesthouse, which is why he stayed here. Otherwise, why would a big boss like him stay in a place like this? It’s obvious he has bad intentions.”

Xiao Wange had actually suspected Mu Yunhao’s ulterior motives as well.

After all, this was the guesthouse closest to the mall. After shopping, it was very convenient to come here.

And the price was reasonable—not too expensive. For someone like her, the first thing she considered was location, then price.

If both were good, she would definitely choose it.

Mu Yunhao must have been able to see through this simple reasoning, which was why he, a big boss, stayed in such a place.

After a brief pause, she looked at him and said slowly, “Isn’t his ulterior motive because he thinks you’re dead? He thinks you’re dead, thinks I no longer have a husband, so he…”

“I only faked my death!” he said sharply. Though his tone grew harsher, he deliberately lowered his volume, afraid of waking the child.

Looking straight at her, he said word by word, “Your husband is still alive. So don’t go having an affair.”

Xiao Wange: “…”

She rolled her eyes at him and said speechlessly, “I was just about to tell you not to pick wildflowers by the roadside. The outside world is full of temptation. If you see a wildflower and feel like picking it, then I…”

“What would you do?” He leaned closer, suddenly wanting to know what she would say.

If he had another woman, would she be jealous? Would she cry and make a scene like other women?

Xiao Wange glanced at a certain part of his body. Suddenly, she smiled—a bloodthirsty, ruthless smile. “I’d destroy your manhood and turn you into my exclusive eunuch!”

Zhan Zeyan: “…”

He suddenly felt a chill down there, as if a blade were approaching.

The corner of his mouth twitched as he looked at her. “How can you be so ruthless? If you destroy me, how will you be happy? You won’t be able to enjoy that kind of pleasure anymore.”

Xiao Wange smiled at him. “I can live without that kind of pleasure. But if you dare touch wildflowers, I won’t spare you. If you become my man, then you must be faithful from start to finish. If you betray me, I’ll personally destroy that thing of yours!”

Zhan Zeyan: “…”

Alright. This was the woman he loved. This was his wife.

His wife was indeed terrifyingly ruthless—but even so, he found himself unable to hate her.

So what could he do? He could only accept it.

He nodded. “Alright, alright. I’ll be faithful, faithful for my whole life, okay? Then what about you—will you be faithful to me?”

He was genuinely worried about that ‘wild grass’ around her. That grass was growing far too vigorously, and he feared it might snatch her away.

Especially since he wasn’t by her side right now—he was afraid that if she wasn’t careful, she’d be carried off by that wild grass.

Xiao Wange leaned back against the headboard again, raised her brows, and said slowly, “Since I demand your loyalty, of course I’ll be loyal to you as well. Otherwise, wouldn’t you be the one at a disadvantage?”

Zhan Zeyan: “…”

Hearing this, his heart surged violently. His blood seemed to boil, every cell in his body cheering with joy.

He suddenly reached out, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her into his arms. “Wange, with those words from you, I can finally rest easy.”